The Prodigy’s Practical Ambition and a Fiery Interruption

While it was true that Ai Ou possessed the ability to enhance proficiency with free attribute points, this did not mean he relied solely on that skill.

In fact, Ai Ou’s learning aptitude was quite exceptional. After reviewing the borrowed books in his mind, he realized he had already grasped most of the theoretical knowledge. Otherwise, the skills would not have appeared in his skill bar at all.

It was crucial to understand that a skill only truly formed when it was mastered. Merely skimming through the material superficially would never lead to skill formation, and naturally, no proficiency could be gained.

‘Understanding’ and ‘knowing how to do’ were two distinct concepts. The fact that skills had formed immediately after Ai Ou finished reading the books was a testament to his extraordinary talent.

Now, Ai Ou was eager to begin concocting magic potions.

So, the following day after classes, he approached Vivian with his query.

Upon hearing Ai Ou’s words, Vivian gently massaged her forehead, speaking with a hint of weariness.

“Is that so? You wish to begin practical application? Indeed, with your talent, merely grasping the theoretical knowledge of potion-making isn’t enough. True understanding comes from practice. You must put it into action to truly know if you’ve mastered it.”

Vivian sighed, a sense of helplessness in her voice.

She desperately wanted to ask for help. What should a teacher do when faced with a prodigy student who instantly mastered everything taught and then yearned to learn even more?

“Teacher, where in the academy can I purchase these magical ingredients?”

Due to the academy’s strict seclusion, students could only leave during holidays. Normally, they were confined to the grounds. Thus, even with his substantial wealth, Ai Ou couldn’t spend his money if there was no market within the academy to buy from.

He carried a hefty sum in gifts, generously bestowed upon him by his ‘good brothers’ from the cruise ship, moved by his plight.

“As for magical ingredients… within the academy, you’ll need academic credits. Credits are the true currency here; gold coins are only useful outside. Inside, you can only exchange credits. Since you’re a transfer student, Ai Ou, your first-year credits should already be assigned to you. You ought to have thirty credits. You can use those thirty credits to check the Student Union. They have everything.”

Finishing her explanation, Vivian picked up a quill from her desk. After scribbling a few lines on a piece of paper and signing her name, she handed it to Ai Ou.

“Take this. Once you reach the Student Union, they will deposit your credits into your student card, and you’ll be able to use it for transactions.”

Suddenly, the office door burst open. A flamboyantly dressed, frivolous man, clutching a bouquet of fresh flowers, bounded in.

“A mighty roar from the heavens, and I, your humble servant, make my grand entrance! Merlin, the most dashing Archmage in this academy, has arrived! Vivian, be my girlfriend!”

Before he could even finish speaking, Vivian swiftly kicked him out, then promptly slammed the door shut. She then used magic to securely lock it, only to find Ai Ou staring at her in stunned silence.

“Ah! My apologies. I didn’t mean for you to witness such an ungraceful side of your teacher, Ai Ou. You… you didn’t see anything, did you?”

Observing the ominous dark aura emanating from Vivian, Ai Ou felt that a wrong answer would spell his doom. He hastily shook his head.

“Ah! Ah! What? What just happened? I spaced out! Teacher, is something wrong?”

“Hahaha, no, nothing at all. Just a pesky rat named Merlin snuck into the office, and I simply chased him out.”

*Thump, thump, thump!*

Before she could say more, the office door was frantically pounded upon. A hoarse male voice cried out in despair.

“Vivian! Vivian! I truly love you! Be my girlfriend! I know you must like me, you’re just too shy! Don’t be afraid, I’ll take the initiative to confess, so you won’t have to feel embarrassed. See? I, Merlin, am truly so understanding!”

Upon hearing the voice from outside the door, Vivian’s face darkened. She skillfully pulled out her magic staff and chanted a spell toward the door for a moment. Then, a sudden explosion echoed from the doorway, and the man’s clamoring voice fell silent.

Noticing Ai Ou’s gaze, Vivian said with a helpless sigh, “This sort of thing is quite common. That’s Merlin, one of the academy’s teachers. He’s constantly pestering me; it’s utterly infuriating. I’ve told him countless times I don’t like him, yet he keeps trying to confess in various ways, ruining my reputation. All I did was use magic to detonate the explosives at the door and blast him away. It’s nothing serious. Come, come, Ai Ou, do you have any other questions for me?”

‘Don’t talk about such a terrifying event so casually!’

Watching Vivian recount the incident of blasting Merlin away with such nonchalance, Ai Ou’s scalp tingled. ‘They say only pink-haired girls are dark on the inside, but why are blue-haired women just as sinister?’

Ai Ou swore that day, it would be best never to provoke Vivian. That woman was truly terrifying.

****

The Student Union, the most crucial department in an academy. It could be said that, apart from the various teachers, professors, and mentors, it held the greatest authority. The Student Union was located slightly to the left of the academy’s center, occupying an independent office building. Its emblem was a set of scales, symbolizing absolute justice.

Upon arriving at the Student Union’s entrance, Ai Ou found the place bustling with activity. Many people were there: some pleading with the Union for more academic credits to avoid expulsion, others applying for positions, and still others selling their creations—such as magical weapons, enchanted artifacts, or magic potions—to the Student Union in exchange for credits.

“Hello, a new face, I see. May I ask your name, handsome? How can I assist you?”

No sooner had he stepped into the Student Union than a flaxen-haired girl, resembling a receptionist, approached him with a smile.

“Ah! Hello, my name is Ai Ou. I’d like to exchange some credits for magical ingredients.”

“Is that so? Please follow me.”

Leading him to the counter, the girl skillfully began her work, then asked, “Please present your student card.”

Remembering Vivian’s instructions, Ai Ou presented his student card, along with the note Vivian had written, to the girl.

“Ai Ou White… Ai Ou White!?”

Suddenly, the girl froze, staring at Ai Ou with wide-eyed astonishment. “You’re the only dual-affinity, super-grade freshman this year!?”

The girl’s voice was a little loud, and everyone in the main hall heard her. Ai Ou couldn’t help but frown, then nodded.

‘Damn it. He was a man who preferred a quiet life. This girl’s outburst made it impossible to remain low-key.’

In the hall, those who had been busy stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to Ai Ou.

“Oh my! It’s actually Ai Ou White! I heard he possesses dual-affinity, super-grade magic affinity, just like Dean Douglas!”

“He’s even more handsome in person. I’m smitten, truly smitten.”

“I heard he defeated Furlan, the second-year tyrant, right after enrolling! Furlan is still unconscious and on an IV drip!”

Ai Ou felt like a clown in a circus, being pointed at and discussed, which made him very uncomfortable. He hastily urged, “Can you hurry up?”

“Yes, yes!”

The flaxen-haired girl immediately refocused on the ledger before her, though she still occasionally glanced at Ai Ou.

“Your academic credits… Oh my goodness! One hundred and thirty credits!”

Upon hearing the girl’s exclamation, a wave of disbelief swept through the crowd. Ai Ou, a freshman, actually possessed one hundred and thirty credits! To put it in perspective, a fourth-year student who completed all their coursework would normally only have one hundred and twenty credits! How could this newcomer have so many? It was simply unbelievable.

Ai Ou frowned. He, too, was puzzled. According to Vivian, he should only have thirty credits! How did he gain an extra hundred?

“Excuse me, could you please check the origin of these credits?”

“Certainly, let me see… Thirty credits for passing first-year coursework… One hundred credits from Furlan… I see now.”

After her inquiry, the girl revealed an expression of complete understanding.

“Could you explain?”

“During your duel with Furlan, you won half of his academic credits. Because your duel was a life-and-death match, the victor was entitled to half of the loser’s assets. Furlan had two hundred credits, so when he lost, half of his credits were automatically transferred to your student card.”

Suddenly, Ai Ou felt a hand rest on his shoulder.

Turning his head, he saw a fiery red-haired, voluptuous girl gazing at him, grinning excitedly.

“Hello there, junior! My name is Scarlett. Interested in a passionate romance with your senior?”

As she spoke, she subtly adjusted her posture, accentuating her perfect cleavage, and continuously winked at Ai Ou.

“No interest. You’re too ugly.”

Leaving the senior with a look of utter surprise, Ai Ou said impatiently, “Can you speed this up? How much longer will this take?”

“Ah! Yes, yes! Ai Ou, you have a total of one hundred and thirty credits. What would you like to exchange them for?”

“I need the magical ingredients for an Intermediate Mental Potion, and also the materials for both Basic and Intermediate Dragon Blood Potions.”

Upon hearing Ai Ou’s request, the crowd was utterly shocked.

“What! He’s already attempting to concoct intermediate potions! How old is he?!”

“The fastest intermediate potion master in the academy was nearly twenty-six years old before reaching that level!”

“Perhaps he’s just trying. What a waste! Even advanced potion masters find Dragon Blood Potions incredibly tricky and often fail.”

“Wait, the ingredients for the Intermediate Mental Potion are about five credits. As for the Dragon Blood Potion materials… I’m sorry, one hundred and thirty credits aren’t enough to exchange for them.”

“Why not?”

“Because Dragon Blood Potion ingredients require dragon saliva and blood. A single portion of pseudo-dragon saliva alone costs thirty credits, and pseudo-dragon blood is one hundred credits per portion. Not to mention wyvern saliva and blood. Your credits aren’t sufficient for Dragon Blood Potion ingredients, but they are more than enough for the Mental Potion.”

Indeed, anything containing the word ‘dragon’ in this world was incredibly precious, as if the word itself held a special magic.