Locke looked at the Tombstone Grimoire. "The Tombstone Grimoire contains methods for creating relatively pure Ancient Bloodline essence."
"Though this will require another sum of money," Locke thought as he read the knowledge within the grimoire. "Approximately two thousand Magic Stones worth of funding."
"My current savings only amount to about eight thousand eight hundred Magic Stones, and there are still many expenses to cover. I hope the academy can quickly disburse this month's treatment fees I've earned, along with the two outstanding project subsidy payments."
Locke pondered, "But this expense is necessary. Everything is to enhance my physique so I can more comfortably indulge in Forbidden drugs later."
Just as Locke was preparing to visit the Chimera Market to purchase the required experimental materials, equipment, and supplies, Angulo and Essie came knocking.
The two had come because they had agreed earlier to attend the group meeting on the third floor of the Healing Hand Clinic that afternoon.
The Healing Hand held monthly group meetings. While Potionology Assistants like them could choose to attend or skip these meetings, this particular session had specifically invited Locke. He suspected it might be related to the third-phase trials of his Bear Spirit Emerald Bile Potion.
When Angulo and Essie saw Locke open his laboratory door, they curiously peeked inside. Their eyes paused on an amber-like fossil on Locke's workbench, momentarily puzzled by what it could be.
Angulo smiled at Locke and said, "Locke, Essie and I haven't seen much of you in the clinic's office this past week."
"Without you around, Essie and I have found ourselves with little to talk about."
Essie puffed her cheeks in annoyance. "That's because every time you talk to me, you just brag about your achievements! Who wants to listen to you reporting like you're giving a presentation every day?"
"You're not my boss!"
"It's much more comfortable with Locke around. He barely speaks in the office, always keeping his head down reading who-knows-what."
Angulo chuckled. "That's probably what makes him a genius."
Although Angulo and Essie's Mana levels were currently similar to Locke's, the two senior First Class Wizard Apprentices now looked up to Locke as their leader due to the groundbreaking Bear Spirit Emerald Bile Potion he had developed at the Healing Hand Clinic.
Moreover, neither seemed particularly outstanding among Edwin's students—otherwise they wouldn't have been assigned to work at the clinic.
Angulo turned serious as she addressed Locke. "Locke, the group meeting is about to start. We came specifically to go with you."
"Although your mentor, Wizard Sophia, won't be attending this meeting, three Formal Wizards have specifically notified you. This shows how much they value you, and I believe it also reflects the academy leadership's stance."
Locke nodded. Though he wanted to focus solely on research, he found himself constantly pulled in different directions—his expertise was needed everywhere.
It seemed recruiting more assistants had become an unavoidable necessity.
Unfortunately, if Sophia had her own network of connections, Locke could have directly relied on the senior and junior brothers within that network—that would have been more reliable.
The interests between both parties would be more tightly bound together.
Locke and the other two each rode an Engel Swift-Spin Snail, heading toward the valley where the Healing Hand Clinic was located.
Locke and his group went straight to the third floor. Along the way, Potionology Assistants and patients alike either bowed slightly or nodded in greeting to him.
The Excellent Apprentice Badge he wore was enough to make most First Class Wizard Apprentices acknowledge him with a nod.
Especially recently, as his reputation had soared within the Healing Hand Clinic, earning him considerable honor.
Locke's standing was gradually rising to the middle ranks of First Class Wizard Apprentices, even approaching the very top tier among them.
On the third floor of Healing Hand, in the conference room, a large round table was already filled with people—all the most outstanding First Class Wizard Apprentices from the clinic, along with three Formal Wizards presiding over the meeting.
Among them was Wizard Derrick Jones, who had once overseen Locke's Potionology Assistant assessment. Wizard Derrick Jones gave Locke a slight nod, to which Locke responded with a respectful bow.
The three Formal Wizards occupied the three foremost seats at the round table, while the first seat on the left side remained empty—reserved for the speaker during the meeting.
On the wall opposite the round table hung a white cloth—the Light and Shadow Screen.
Sometimes, when Wizards needed to present materials, they would use the Light and Shadow Art to enlarge and project the information onto the screen, allowing everyone to see it clearly.
When Wizard Edwin noticed Angulo and Essie attempting to take seats at the far end of the oval table, he coughed lightly and said to Locke, "Locke, Angulo, Essie, you may sit in these seats beside me."
"Today, during the presentation, you are among the main figures."
"It's better to sit closer to the front."
"Come, the rest of you, move back a little. Make room for Locke's team—three seats. Those who have nothing to report today don't need to sit at the oval table."
Locke naturally had no objections. Honestly, he could sit anywhere—even if he had to perch on a small stool by the door like some of the other First Class Wizard Apprentices in the room, it wouldn't matter to him.
But Angulo and Essie, like ostriches, hunched their shoulders nervously as they took their seats near the front of the oval table.
To be honest, the two of them rarely sat so close to the front, whether in Wizard Edwin's academic meetings or in the Healing Hand Clinic's group discussions.
After all, they usually had no results to report—if pressed, they would be at a loss for words.
Being seated so prominently today made their faces flush red, their heartbeats racing uncontrollably with nervousness.
Locke sat beside Wizard Edwin, offering him another respectful bow. Wizard Edwin, pleased with Locke's courtesy, curled his lips into a satisfied smile.
Meanwhile, seated across the oval conference table was Angron, a First Class Wizard Apprentice and a Wizard Seed specializing in Potionology at Lilith's Cottage.
The moment Angron spotted Locke, his expression darkened briefly. However, when Locke glanced his way, Angron forced a smile and feigned cheerfulness, saying, "Junior Locke, this must be your first time attending the clinic's group meeting, right?"
"I didn't see you at the previous ones. Hahaha, no need to be nervous. Since you already have a project in hand, there's no need to stress too much."
Locke frowned slightly. "Senior Angron, you've misunderstood. I'm not nervous."
Angron's smile stiffened for a moment before he managed to maintain a seemingly amiable expression. "That's good then."
Wizard Edwin surveyed the attendees and tapped his fingers on the table. "Everyone's here. I'll be chairing this meeting."
"First, let's review this month's work at the clinic. I want to make it clear that the academy is placing increasing importance on our clinic's operations. I hope some students won't continue to approach their duties as carelessly as before."
"Angron, since you're here, why don't you give us an overview of your Angron Workshop's activities this month and share your plans for the future?"
(End of Chapter)