Alevia was noncommittal. She could tell with a single glance that Ian was merely a Middle Level Apprentice.

However, a student worthy of being marked by Douglas should be, at the very least, a Genius Level High Level Apprentice.

It seemed this young man had some extraordinary methods up his sleeve.

"I can help you erase the mark. But what will you give me in exchange?"

Alevia’s expression was calm. Official Wizards didn’t just act recklessly, especially since erasing a mark was tantamount to making an enemy of someone.

"I have a Silent Flower. I wonder if it’s enough to be worthy of your help."

"So you were the one who killed Nolan. Quite the accomplishment!"

Even many Wizards had heard about the trouble Nolan had caused at the ruins back then; it was clear how big of a scene he had made.

This time, Alevia seriously sized up Ian, her gaze sweeping over him from top to bottom, making his skin crawl.

"Alright, we have a deal." Alevia raised a hand, and a faint green light shot toward the back of Ian’s hand.

A few sizzling sounds later, Ian felt as if a red-hot branding iron was being pressed against his skin. The corner of his eye twitched.

The green light quickly dissipated, and the back of Ian’s hand was as good as new. The bright red mark had vanished.

Ian’s whole body relaxed, as if a great weight had been lifted from his chest.

"Thank you for your help, esteemed Alevia Wizard!"

"It was just a transaction. Since you’re one of the pharmacy’s Magic Potion Alchemists, you should be more diligent from now on."

"Yes!" Ian understood. This was her way of telling him to refine more Magic Potions to repay this favor.

He knew that a single Silent Flower was hardly enough to hire a Wizard to erase a mark; Official Wizards had no urgent need for such a thing.

If Malena hadn’t pulled some strings, she wouldn’t have even given him a second glance.

"Malena, thank you!"

After bowing to Alevia again, Ian left and returned to his residence.

After Ian left, Alevia picked up the wooden box and looked at the flower inside.

"I was a little worried you wouldn’t be able to break through to Official Wizard within half a year. I suppose this is your lucky day. It resolves a weight on my mind."

She had previously collected a resource for breakthroughs, but she had two people closest to her.

Besides Malena, there was also a student from her own clan, Aisling Moon Shadow.

Aisling’s Spiritual Power had reached Perfection first, bringing her to the brink of a breakthrough. After weighing her options, Alevia had given the resource to Aisling.

The deal just now was also made with the thought of compensating Malena, which was why she had agreed to Ian’s request.

Otherwise, if a mere Silent Flower was enough to make her erase someone’s mark, then Wizards would be far too cheap.

"Malena, I still need to handle the fallout from this matter. You shouldn’t live here anymore. Come back to the High Tower with me and prepare to focus all your energy on breaking through to Wizard."

With no outsiders present, Malena brewed a cup of tea for Alevia, and the atmosphere of their conversation became much more relaxed.

"But if I leave, who will manage the Star Leaf Magic Pharmacy? I should properly hand over the shop’s affairs before I go back with you."

Alevia thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement with Malena’s arrangement.

When it came to the talent for earning Magic Stones, Malena’s senior, Aisling, was far inferior to her.

Although Malena’s aptitude was slightly inferior, it was hard to say who would go further in the end.

Malena then asked, "Will Nolan’s mentor retaliate against the Magic Pharmacy?"

Alevia shook her head. "I will go find Douglas and make a deal to shift the blame for this matter onto your senior. Since she took my resource, this is now her obligation."

As long as she offered Douglas a suitable deal, he wouldn’t retaliate against the Magic Pharmacy, even if his beloved student was dead.

Furthermore, they both had considerable assets. If they retaliated against each other, the losses would be immense, which would not be in either of their interests.

Malena was secretly pleased. This way, both the shop and Ian would be free from any future crises.

"Then what about the arrangements for guarding the shop? Harvey is injured now. Should you send someone else over?

Clayton and Kristen are also injured and can’t refine Magic Potions for the time being."

Alevia smiled, her gaze on Malena somewhat inscrutable.

"If Harvey’s injuries aren’t serious, have him stay and recuperate. As for the Magic Potions, just have that boy Ian refine some more. That will be part of his payment."

Speaking of Ian, Malena took out a Rock Bear Potion. This Potion wasn’t officially for sale yet, as the stock was too low.

"Look, that boy Ian refined this. He has a strong Talent for Magic Potions."

Alevia took the Rock Bear Potion and examined it intently for a moment, her eyes filled with admiration.

"This is a Bloodline Potion. Did you just say Ian wants to use it as a Physique Potion? How ignorant!"

A Middle Level Apprentice who could teach himself to refine a Bloodline Potion couldn’t be described as a mere genius.

"Malena, your Talent in Magic Potion Science is also quite good, but you can’t refine this Potion yet, can you?"

Malena nodded in admission. She truly admired Ian.

"Malena, refining bloodline-type Potions requires resonance with the Bloodline Purification Technique just to reach the beginner stage. You haven’t learned this Witchcraft."

Alevia handed the Potion back to Malena.

"Some geniuses possess more than one talent. Ian might also have great Talent in Witchcraft."

"What! No wonder he’s always asking me to approve his use of the practice rooms. Hmph! He acts so meek and submissive usually. He’s a good actor."

Malena felt no jealousy in her heart. On the contrary, she was very happy. This was the cash cow she had personally recruited.

"My lady, in that case, is selling this Potion for only 500 Magic Stones too cheap?"

Alevia shook her head. "Test the market’s reaction with a small batch first, then make adjustments. This Potion can’t be used on its own, so the price can’t be raised by much."

Next, Malena reported Star Leaf’s performance to Alevia.

Watching Malena hold the ledger and enthusiastically report the Magic Stone figures, Alevia grew increasingly pleased with her old friend’s daughter.

"Malena, you need to set aside your mundane affairs and focus on tempering your Spiritual Power. After you break through to Wizard, we can still be companions for several hundred years."

Hearing this, Malena’s eyes filled with infinite longing.

When a High Level Apprentice breaks through to become an Official Wizard, their lifespan can extend up to 500 years.

This was also the powerful motivation for countless people to desperately fight for resources and break through to become an Official Wizard.

"Prepare well for your breakthrough. Let me know if you’re missing anything."

Alevia stood up and put away the Silent Flower.

A Silent Flower could be used directly, but the best way to handle it was to have a Magic Potion Alchemist refine it into a Potion.

"I’ll take it back and refine it into ’Water of Serenity’. I estimate I can get three finished products. One will be given to Douglas as compensation for his loss."

As for the last vial, she would keep it to cultivate some of her own people.

Currently, besides Harvey, there were several others in her other Magic Pharmacies with considerable potential. She needed to observe them carefully.

As for Ian, he was currently just a Middle Level Apprentice. His level was too low, and he was far from being within her consideration.

War with the Deep Red Royal Court now seemed almost inevitable. Arrangements had to be made in advance.

"Since you insist on staying at the shop, just be mindful of your priorities. Don’t delay for too long. Strive to break through within half a year."

Alevia sighed. When the time came, there would surely be a large-scale mobilization for war. Even Wizards wouldn’t be able to escape it.

In a war of this scale, even she couldn’t guarantee she would emerge unscathed.

Just before leaving, she seemed to remember something and said to Malena, "That boy, Ian—if he has any questions about Magic Potion Science in the future, he can come to the High Tower to find me."