Mobilizing an army took time, even urgent affairs. According to Shabore, three days.

Those three days, he'd be busy getting acquainted with subordinates, but Rosen was free as long as he didn't leave Silver Moon Castle. He could wander as he pleased.

Of course he wouldn't idle away time. He wanted to see his teacher to resolve confusion, both about last night's dream and sorcery.

Thinking it, he did it. After informing Shabore, Shabore got a carriage and swiftly sent him from Crescent Garden to his new Green Leaf home.

On the carriage, Rosen sat with eyes closed, seemingly resting but reviewing the new "Advanced Meditation Methods" he scanned into his logbook.

This was a Great Moon Sorcerer's meditation experience, something countless mages yearned for but couldn't obtain. He had to carefully study it to live up to previous scheming.

Opening the first page, the first sentence read:

"Sorcerers gain mana through visualization, but most are unaware there are secret external aid methods rather than just internal."

This line already made Rosen's heart race.

'Jackpot! Even my teacher is likely unaware of this knowledge.'

He continued reading:

"There are three external methods."

"First, construct an attuned meditation chamber to enhance resonance."

"Second, ingest specially formulated contemplation potions to push mental limits."

"Third, regularly take nourishing potions along with special foods, energy routines, and more to offset side effects while enhancing physique."

Rosen couldn't help but lightly slap his thigh. "So professional! Truly professional!"

He kept reading:

"I will elaborate practical application, providing ordinary, excellent, outstanding solutions."

"Sorcerers may choose based on means."

"Typically, ordinary speeds cultivation 20%, excellent 35%, outstanding 40%."

Rosen was greatly intrigued, speed reading through it all.

The book wasn't very long. Skimming once, the carriage arrived at the Green Leaf pier market.

Feeling decently heavy coin purse, Rosen decided to buy home things here.

Stepping off, much excitement had faded.

"Building ordinary costs 2,000 krones. Ongoing costs for potions, ingredients, etc. will be at least 80 krones a month," he muttered.

"Excellent is triple, outstanding excellent tripled again, 9 times base."

"Just trading money for time."

The lowest 20%, highest 40% came at tremendous cost.

No problem for lords, but huge pressure for ordinary mages.

With current finances, the chamber was out of reach, but he could strive for potions first.

After more thought, another idea came to mind.

"The Earl's subtle meaning is focus on earning money and cultivating mana, not random thoughts."

"But not thinking more won't work," he sighed inwardly.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Disregarding honing combat skills, the Frost King's invasion proved the Golden God's decline.

Faraway coveted the south. The future wouldn't be peaceful.

If he didn't gain status and strength now, when turmoil came and the powerful conscripted you for battle, could you still refuse?

Then, either cannon fodder sacrificed, or bugs crushed by the mighty. True misery.

After more thought, another surfaced.

"That's right, Teacher is obsessed with transcendence, mana is the threshold. I need to prepare for her too."

"Endless motivation to earn money!"

Green Leaf residents had money and high living standards, so market goods here were superior.

Rosen browsed around, first finding a jewelry shop called Glittering Gems dealing gold, silver, and sorcerous gems.

He entered and took out a pouch of flawed moonlight stones minus three perfect ones kept. He planned selling the rest for cash.

Putting out a sample, he said, "Selling stones, name your price."

Seeing them, the clerk immediately said, "One moment," and fetched the owner.

The Green Leaf owner was a shrewd, worldly plump middle-aged man. After scrutinizing, he softly named his price.

"That quality and size, 1.3 krones per vesa."

Rosen wasn't easy to fool. He knew the rate. "The Guild buys these at 5 krones. Is this all you can offer?"

The fat owner smiled amiably. "That's different. Guild sales are by formal sorcerers, esteemed gentlemen. You're just an apprentice, no?"

Alas, no status meant getting ripped off even when selling things.

Luckily Rosen was prepared, pointing at his face, "Look closely, I'm an apprentice, but my teacher is Lady Ceres, 12 Star Sorceress. I just didn't want the long Guild trip."

Banking on her fame from the recent murder case, the other must recognize her.

Sure enough, the owner froze up, smile turning respectful.

"4 krones, 9 creys is highest I can offer. We buy eventually selling to the Guild, so let us make small profit, alright?"

From this, Rosen deduced the true owner was likely a formal sorcerer.

Just a 1 crey difference, saving time and trouble versus bothering his teacher, it was borderline acceptable.

But he couldn't help lamenting inwardly again.

'Formal sorcerers really have more money-making than us commoners. Simple arbitrage is exorbitant profit.'

Taking out all the stones to sell, Rosen spoke firmly.

"Weigh them here, don't let them leave my sight."

The owner dryly laughed. "How can that be? Not leaving sight is our golden motto."

He had wanted shortchanging Rosen given his youth, but realized this guy was experienced.

The moonlight stones weighed 120 vesas.

Rosen's purse grew by 600 more krones, atop pouches and rewards from the Earl, leftover funds, he had around 1,000 now.

Of course he couldn't swallow it all himself, he still needed to split a portion to Shabore later.

Shabore wasn't well off currently, so he'd certainly value the money. Not giving any would hurt their friendship.

With money in hand, Rosen started spending.

First he bought large quantities of high quality supplies - everlasting ink, smooth white paper, comfortable wooden pens, more.

Next, premium groceries catering to his teacher's tastes.

Finally, huge materials to brew meditation potions, costing a whopping 150 krones, just one month's worth.

Rosen lamented again, "These potions are so expensive!"

Carrying everything, he swiftly returned to Sunny Cottage.

The medallion let him smoothly enter the quiet house. Ceres was likely upstairs researching sorcery.

Rosen softly snuck about, familiarly putting purchases away.

Then he donned an apron and personally prepared brunch, sending cook Janey to the backyard to make the other servants' lunch.

Soon, rich aromas filled the kitchen. As they wafted upstairs, footsteps sounded down the stairwell.

The crisp, tender voice preceded her presence like flowing water.

"Rosen, you're back quickly."

"I thought you'd be gone at least a month."

"I even dreamed you were injured last night, scaring me the whole time."

It was Ceres, or rather, Anna Ceres.

Rosen laughed, "Don't underestimate me, Teacher."

The kitchen door opened and Ceres leaned against the doorframe, gazing at Rosen with slight confusion.

Traces of sleepiness clung to her face. Her hair was a mess, only wearing a loose cotton nightgown. She had just woken up.

Despite being Anna, she acted much more casually around Rosen compared to initially keeping up an image.

"My favorite fish soup, with such a huge fish too, rare to buy."

Rosen smiled. "That's Green Leaf for you."

Country folk brought treasures to high-end markets to get good prices.

Like this moonfish - huge and fat, at least 20 years old, costing 5 creys, about $1400, unaffordable for commoners.

Oblivious to manners, Ceres flung the pot lid open and took a big whiff, face instantly satisfying.

But the kitchen was small. Entering, Rosen felt cramped.

Reaching to tug her loose collar, he gently nudged her back out.

"Go tidy up first. I'll call you when lunch is ready."

"Didn't even eat breakfast yet, I'm starving now," Ceres whined, refusing to leave.

Such scenes were commonplace recently. Rosen had ample experience handling it.

Taking a bowl, he scooped simmered mushy meat and handed it over.

"Here, nibble on this first."

Ceres finally left, satisfied.

With no disruptions, Rosen could focus on cooking.

Soon he prepared a full table of delicious cuisines. Ceres had also freshened up, sitting ready awaiting mealtime.

She relaxed completely around Rosen, not even bothering to style her lush hair, just loosely bundled with plenty of messy strands escaping, exuding feminine charm.

Long accustomed, Rosen brought the bread rolls over and said, "Alright, dig in."

"You starved me!"

Ceres immediately started eating. Rosen joined in.

After eating a while, hunger satisfied, Ceres finally spoke again, "Tell me about your journey."

(Chapter End)