In another location, a young woman stood before a towering two-meter crystal, around which a dense swirl of magic coiled and danced. The air was thick with arcane energy, resonating from the crystal as it projected a detailed image of the city.

Within this projection, several red dots moved across the map, each representing a different target. However, the woman's focus was fixed on a particular red dot, which she monitored closely, making meticulous notes on its movements and locations.

Despite the progress, she found it frustrating that the signal from this target was occasionally obscured by barriers, especially when the target entered certain areas of the city. The current location of the target, where they were shielded from her surveillance, was particularly troublesome.

Yet, after days of the target remaining secluded in their quarters, it was a relief to finally gather some data. Now, it was simply a matter of continuing to track their movements and watching for any peculiarities that might reveal more about their intentions.

…

Mr. F had returned to his laboratory, using the spare key he had received upon his arrival. Now that he was alone, he could begin making preparations for the next two days.

Based on his experience, Mr. F was confident that the assassination attempt would occur on the day the potion was to be created, two days from now. The assassins would likely wait until the potion was completed, then chaos would erupt. Some would try to steal the potion amidst the disorder, while others would aim to claim the bounty on the Baron's head. The big question was whether the city guards would be involved.

"If I received information about the assassination attempt on the Baron, then surely the Baron has his own sources to learn about such threats. He will be prepared, and so should I," Mr. F mused.

He then inspected his spatial storage items, taking stock of the alchemical materials he still had. He compiled a list, categorizing the materials based on their quantities.

After an uneventful night, he visited the materials distribution center, inquiring about recipes for combat elixirs ranging from Tier 1 to Tier 3. Since these were widely used, he was able to purchase the recipes with a small amount of gold. Anything above Tier 3, however, would require contribution points, which he could earn by successfully crafting elixirs for the lab. Though he could have easily acquired them through his magic, he had a better idea in mind.

Following another day in the lab with Albert, the young assistant took his leave as evening fell. Mr. F, however, stayed behind, under the pretense of wanting to review some aspects of the day's experiments. He had managed to create three potions with a potency of 55% without the aid of the system, but at the cost of over 30 sets of materials over the last 3 days.

As the night deepened, Mr. F knew that he had made some progress, yet the real test would come now.

Mr. F retrieved the recipes he had purchased earlier. After carefully studying them, he put all but two aside: the Tier 2 Magic Enhancement Elixir and the Tier 3 Swift Feet Elixir. The Magic Enhancement Elixir increased the user's magical power by 10% for 1 minute, while the Swift Feet Elixir boosted the user's speed by 15% for 30 seconds. As luck would have it, he still had some alchemical materials for these potions, which he had obtained from the Scorpion Brothers.

After meticulously brewing, he failed to produce either of the two potions. However, this was not Mr. F's primary goal. Once the potions had been brewed, he could use the system to review his mistakes, but even that wasn't his true objective.

"System, show me ways to enhance the level of the potions using the available materials with good success prospects. Select the potion levels that offer a realistic success rate to ensure at least one potion from each type is produced."

Before him, the familiar symbols appeared:

[System analyzing]

[12 possible recipes found]

[Filtering recipes... filter successful]

[2 possible recipes created]

Mr. F's mind was flooded with a series of instructions. Among them were the revised recipes and the necessary steps to create them.

The Magic Enhancement Elixir had been upgraded to Tier 4. With the available materials, he had three attempts. The potency was increased to 20% magic power for 2 minutes.

For the Swift Feet Elixir, he had only two attempts. However, the speed boost was increased to 25%, and the elixir was upgraded to Tier 5, lasting for 1 minute.

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Mr. F knew that if he could successfully brew even one of these enhanced potions, it could make a significant difference in the coming days. The stakes were high, but so were the potential rewards. He prepared his workstation once more, determined to push his skills to the limit.

A new day dawned, and young Albert leaped out of bed with enthusiasm. He quickly brushed his teeth, washed up with hot water, and grabbed a piece of bread to eat on his way to the lab. Eager to start the day, he rushed out of his room, the bread clenched between his teeth as he hurried down the corridor.

Just as he reached the lab and stretched out his hand to open the door, it suddenly flew open with unexpected force. The door slammed into Albert, pinning him against the wall. His head collided painfully with the doorframe, and he saw stars for a brief moment. The impact knocked the wind out of him, and as he slid to the floor, the last thing he heard before losing consciousness was Mr. F's voice, echoing in the hallway: "Scam! I've been scammed!"

Albert's world faded to black as he crumpled to the ground, while Mr. F, absorbed in his frustration and muttering to himself, barely registered the young assistant's unfortunate predicament.

Mr. F went to bed frustrated after spending the entire night in the lab. As a mage of his level, he didn't typically need much sleep; it was more the comfort and mental exhaustion that had kept him sleeping long hours over the past few days.

However, he knew there was much to do that day, so he forced himself to wake up after only about two hours of rest.

Upon arriving at the lab, he noticed that the door was unlocked. He recalled storming out without securing it—a careless mistake, he thought to himself.

As he opened the door, he saw Albert with an ice pack on his head, diligently cleaning the cauldron. Scattered around the room were remnants of the reagents that Mr. F had angrily left behind in his frustration.

"Albert, I..." Mr. F began, but before he could finish, Albert sprang to his feet.

"Mr. F! You must still be exhausted. You were probably in the lab all evening trying to make that Mana Burn Potion Matilda requested. Don't worry, Mr. F! Next time, I'll stay to help, even if my shift has already ended," Albert said with a slight grin on his face.

Mr. F exhaled deeply. He wasn't sure whether Albert's naivety was refreshing or if he simply respected the young man's work ethic. But whatever it was, it managed to dissipate the anger he had felt earlier.

"Good work, Albert. It just occurred to me that I haven't actually taught you anything yet," Mr. F said.

Albert immediately exclaimed, "There's no need, Mr. F! It's already an honor just to watch you brew elixirs. I've learned so much just by observing you."

"Don't be so modest, Albert," Mr. F replied with a slight smile. "After you finish cleaning the cauldron, I want you to show me how you brew a Rank 1 potion."

Albert's breath caught in his throat, and his eyes welled up with tears. He threw himself at Mr. F's legs and cried out, "Thank you so much, Mr. F! With my previous teachers, I wasn't allowed to brew anything for months!"

Mr. F tried to shake Albert off, but the young man clung on like a cat with its claws dug in. It wasn't until Albert had calmed down that he let Mr. F go, who was now thoroughly embarrassed. Albert quickly set about cleaning the rest of the lab.

After about twenty minutes, everything was spotless. Albert rushed out of the lab, returning a few minutes later with a spatial pouch. From it, he retrieved a recipe and a bundle of reagents.

He skimmed through the recipe and laid it out on the table. Then he turned to the cauldron, mentally preparing himself for the brewing process.

Mr. F approached the table and picked up the recipe. It was for a simple Rank 1 healing potion. It shouldn't be too difficult.

Albert opened his eyes and turned around, looking at Mr. F with unwavering determination. Mr. F also grew serious at that moment, as if he could feel Albert's resolve.

In the next moment, Albert grabbed the bundle of materials and threw them all into the cauldron one after another. He then turned the heat up to maximum, causing the materials to burn away almost immediately.

Mr. F stared at him in astonishment. He didn't even realize when his jaw had dropped open, standing there like a fish gasping for air.

After a brief moment, he collected himself and asked, "Albert... did you read the recipe carefully?"

Albert thought for a moment, then broke into a sweat. "I, umm... I…"

Mr. F put a hand to his forehead, realizing he might have had too high expectations. Just then, the system spoke up.

[Chaotic Alchemy Physique detected]

[Quest generated: Assist Albert in successfully reaching the standards of a rank 1 alchemist]

[Quest rewards: 1x Loyal Apprentice, 1x Rank 5 Soul]

Mr. F was taken aback. A quest? Before his eyes? As he pondered this, another notification appeared.

[Quests are tasks assigned to the master of the system. They are triggered when significant alchemy-related events occur. The discovery of a special physique has activated this quest.]

So, Albert possesses a special physique, Mr. F thought to himself. He was no stranger to the concept. Individuals with special physiques could unlock powers that ordinary magicians couldn't. These abilities could manifest in various ways.

The "Chaotic Alchemy Physique" intrigued him. He had heard of rare physiques before, but this one was new to him. What could it mean for someone to have such a physique in the context of alchemy? Was it a blessing, a curse, or something in between?

Mr. F's curiosity was piqued. He realized that Albert, despite his initial failure, might have an untapped potential that could be cultivated. The quest, with its enticing rewards, provided further motivation. A Rank 5 Soul was no trivial matter, and the idea of having a truly loyal apprentice was appealing.

Looking at Albert, who was still sweating nervously, Mr. F's expression softened. This boy might just be the key to something much bigger than either of them had imagined. But first, they needed to complete the quest.

"Albert," Mr. F said, his voice taking on a more instructive tone, "let's try this again, but this time, we're going to take it step by step. I want you to follow my instructions exactly. Understand?"

Albert nodded vigorously, his earlier embarrassment replaced by renewed determination.