"I want to commission you to make some potions for me," Talisa said bluntly. "The well-known alchemists in the faction charge outrageous fees, and the average potion apprentices can't even make a decent stimulant. If Madam Elena lets you work here, I figure your skills aren't too bad."
Robb raised an eyebrow. "What kind of potions do you need?"
"Mainly ones that support cultivation—stimulants, mental stabilizers, blood-tonics," Talisa listed calmly. "Of course, if you can brew something advanced like Clarity, I'd be willing to pay much more."
"Clarity?" Robb repeated with a frown.
He'd read about it in books. It was an advanced potion designed to suppress mental corruption during meditation—something only highly skilled potion apprentices or professional alchemists could hope to craft.
It was one of the most vital tools for resisting mental pollution from the mid-apprentice stage onward. Its value and complexity needed no further explanation.
"Sorry, I can't make that one yet," Robb said honestly. "But stimulants and mental stabilizers—I've got those covered."
Talisa nodded, not looking disappointed. "Let's start with those basics, then. As a fellow countryman, I won't shortchange you."
She took out a small coin pouch from her robe, showing her financial capability. "I've signed a 20-year service contract with the faction. In return, I've been granted some rather generous upfront resources."
Robb caught the deeper meaning in her words. She had traded long-term service for current status and supplies. That kind of deal wasn't uncommon among gifted apprentices.
For those with strong potential, the faction was often willing to invest early in exchange for loyalty and service down the line.
"I understand." Robb nodded slightly. "If it's just basic potions, I can handle it. But I'll need some time—during the day, I'm still working here in the shop."
"Time's not the issue," Talisa replied smoothly. "Quality is. So we have a deal?"
They quickly reached an agreement. Talisa prepaid several dozen magic crystal fragments as a deposit and scheduled to pick up the first batch in a week.
Just as she was about to leave, Talisa stopped and turned back toward Robb.
"I have a feeling your potential won't stop here. If one day… you reach that level…"
She trailed off, lowering her head awkwardly. After all, she was still a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl, and saying something that formal felt unnatural to her.
Robb chuckled softly and stepped forward like a gentleman, opening the door for her.
"I understand what you mean. We're from the same hometown—we should support each other. Let's keep in touch."
After seeing Talisa out, he returned to the worktable.
Madam Elena had vanished, leaving only a handwritten note with a list of tasks to complete.
The rest of the morning passed in a quiet flurry of work. As Robb completed her tasks, his mind was already drifting toward his own growth trajectory.
Whispers of the Star-Eater was no doubt a breakthrough, but he couldn't afford to ignore the advancement of his other skills either.
Just then, the silver pocket watch in his coat seemed to sense his thoughts, releasing a soft energy pulse—reminding him of its presence.
"That's right, you little treasure…" Robb murmured inwardly, full of anticipation.
By afternoon, Madam Elena had already closed the shop. She used vines at the entrance to form the characters: "Closed."
Only a few magic crystal lamps remained lit inside, casting a faint glow.
In the dim light, her silhouette appeared even more mysterious and imposing.
"Are you ready?" she asked, her voice low and solemn—very different from her usual sharpness.
Robb took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes, Madam."
"Whispers of the Star-Eater is no ordinary meditation method," she repeated once more, making sure Robb understood the gravity of the decision. "Most meditations only guide the flow of mental energy. But this one alters its very nature—it causes a qualitative change. And that change is irreversible. Once you begin, there's no turning back."
Robb nodded gravely. "I understand the weight of this decision. I'm ready to accept the risks."
"Good."
Madam Elena retrieved the ancient leather scroll from the bookshelf, opening it with great care.
Its inner surface was filled with dense runes—some blurred with age, but the main section was still legible.
At the center was a complex structure: dozens of basic meditation runes intertwined in an unusual pattern.
"This is the core symbol of Whispers of the Star-Eater," she explained, pointing at the sigil.
"It's far more complex and dangerous than normal runes. If your mental strength isn't strong enough, or your control slips, it can backfire—damaging your mind at best, driving you completely insane at worst."
"Of course, with that risk comes power. It outclasses all of the school's standard meditation paths. You'll see what I mean once you begin."
Robb stared at the rune, absorbing its strange rhythm.
Unlike the gentle, predictable waves of ordinary runes, this one felt deep and vast—like staring into an endless starry sky. Beautiful, yet terrifying.
"The goal of the first stage is to stabilize your mental field—to prepare you for deeper meditation layers," she explained.
"You need to fully understand and master this core symbol. It'll become the foundation for more complex mental structures. Given your current aptitude, this could take years—maybe longer."
She then began her in-depth explanation of the first stage:
How to construct the runes, how to guide the mental currents, what obstacles to expect—and how to overcome them.
Robb listened with full focus, burning each detail into his mind.
He noticed that during the lecture, Madam Elena sometimes slipped into strange, distant states—her gaze vacant, as though she were recalling memories from a very long time ago.
"That's enough for now. The next time you'll need my guidance," she said as the sky outside darkened toward dusk, "will be when you're ready to become an advanced apprentice."
"Before you begin practice, go over everything I told you today. Make sure you haven't missed or misunderstood anything."
Robb bowed deeply. "Thank you for your instruction, Madam."
"One more thing," she added, her tone suddenly stern: "Before you begin, make sure your surroundings are secure. Whispers of the Star-Eater causes energy disturbances—it can attract… sensitive beings. Set up wards to block your presence."
"I will," Robb promised.
Even after leaving the herb shop, Madam Elena's teachings echoed in his mind.
That intricate rune structure had already etched itself into his consciousness—like a seed waiting to sprout.
Back in his dormitory, Robb pulled out the silver pocket watch.
After a full day of rest, the display had reset to 0/10, ready for another round of use.
He walked over to the window and looked up at the sky.
Tonight, the moonlight was faint, but the stars shone brilliantly—like countless eyes in the heavens watching the earth.