Though its effects weren't immediately obvious, given enough time, this kind of talent could allow someone with ordinary aptitude to grow into a true powerhouse.
"You two, carry on with your tasks."
Lady Elena waved her hand, signaling her two assistants to return to work. Then she turned to Robb:
"Come on, let's head to the backyard. We can talk properly."
The backyard was still the same peaceful little haven, several simple wooden chairs arranged under the shade of an old oak tree.
In one corner, rare medicinal herbs grew abundantly, and the air carried a faint floral scent.
"Looking at those two," Elena said with a smile as she handed Robb a cup of hot tea, "does it remind you of yourself back then?"
Robb took the cup and took a light sip.
The familiar taste filled him with warmth. "In some ways, yes. Though they seem to be more diligent in the shop than I ever was."
"Diligence is part of it," Elena nodded, her gaze shifting back to the two girls busy in the shop.
"Fiona is very clever. She has a strong grasp of herbs and formulas, but she's overly cautious, afraid to deviate from the norm."
She paused, then added:
"Layla is the opposite. She started slow, but she's incredibly hardworking, unafraid to take risks, and good at innovation. Most importantly, she has rare perseverance and patience."
Robb understood, this matched what he had seen earlier.
A trace of complex emotion flickered in Elena's eyes:
"She's a bit like you, actually. Full of potential others wouldn't expect."
"To be honest, I didn't expect you to find two new assistants just two months after I left,"
Robb said half-jokingly, avoiding the heavier topic.
"Was I not doing well enough?"
"Don't talk nonsense," Elena lightly tapped the back of his hand: "You've already graduated. You've got your own workshop and clients. You can't just stick around learning the basics from this old lady forever."
She took a sip of tea, then glanced at him with a hint of concern:
"Besides, I hear you've been doing quite well in the Wizard Reserve Track?"
"Not bad," Robb replied modestly, then briefly shared his recent experiences.
He told her about attending advanced courses, receiving personal instruction from Solon and Seraphine, and how his ranking had risen within the Wizard Reserve Track.
Elena listened quietly, her expression growing slightly complicated.
"Your progress really is impressive. Seems I was right to bet on you. But…"
Her tone suddenly turned serious:
"The faster you grow, the more attention you'll attract from those in high places. Be especially cautious around those who suddenly show unusual interest in you."
Robb tensed. He knew exactly what she meant.
"I'll be careful," he said seriously, then gently shifted the conversation.
They went on to discuss many things, from new potion recipes to rumors about the Bloodline Altar, from the shifting power dynamics within the academy to news from the distant Crystal Spire.
Robb realized Elena, despite living in this humble herb shop, was far more informed than she let on.
"It's getting late. I should head back."
Robb glanced at the sky and stood up: "Next time, if you have the time, come visit my workshop and see how it's coming along."
"Heh… appreciate the thought, but these old bones can't take much travel,"
Elena said, leaning on her cane as she got up. She didn't seem particularly emotional about her student's departure.
"Oh right, Layla, that girl, seemed quite interested in you after learning your identity. She might show up at your place in a few days. If you need a potion assistant, you can take her."
Her emerald eyes narrowed slightly, her words carrying subtle implication: "You've probably already started to feel the benefits of receiving Favor. Why not make her your first personal student?"
"Wouldn't that affect your work here…?"
Robb hesitated, tempted but unsure what to say. Before he could speak further, Elena waved him off.
"That's enough talk. Go on back now if there's nothing else."
Meanwhile, Layla stood at the shop's window, watching Robb's departing figure. A complex emotion flickered in her eyes.
She smoothed out nonexistent wrinkles on her apron, as if doing so could also calm the waves in her heart.
From Robb's conversation with Lady Elena, she had learned far more than she expected.
"Intermediate Apprentice… professional potion master… Wizard Reserve…"
She mentally listed each title. Every one felt like a chasm separating them.
"Layla, help me sort this batch of Moonlight Grass," Fiona's voice pulled her out of her thoughts.
"Coming!"
Layla snapped out of it and walked quickly to the workbench.
But the corner of her eye still wandered unconsciously to the door, as if trying to glimpse that disappearing figure once more.
"You're interested in that Apprentice Robb?"
Fiona asked calmly while sorting the herbs.
Layla froze briefly, then forced a smile: "Just curious, that's all. I mean… someone like him, it's rare to see that kind of talent, right?"
"Very rare," Fiona nodded, a flicker of admiration in her eyes: "To achieve so much in such a short time, he must have incredible talent and dedication."
Layla didn't respond. She simply lowered her head and resumed her task, but her mind was already racing.
That night, after Fiona left, Layla stayed behind to manage the day's accounts and inventory.
She had volunteered for the job just to get some time alone.
Behind the counter, she opened a small, well-kept notebook, filled with detailed information she had gathered:
Robb's workshop location, daily routine, known accomplishments and abilities… every detail meticulously recorded.
"A year ago… came from the kingdom to Black Mist Forest… six-star aptitude… became an Intermediate Apprentice in under six months… the only personal student of Lady Elena…"
Layla read aloud softly, her eyes shining with resolve.
She closed the notebook and went to the backyard well to wash up.
In the water's reflection, her beautiful face stared back:
A high nose bridge, clear eyes, lips like flower petals.
Her face remained emotionless, but memories pulled her back in time.
A small border territory in the southwest. The old castle of House Vyser, ruled by Baron Vyser.
A beautiful maid and a fateful encounter with the lord. The birth of an illegitimate daughter…
"You little whore, do you know why you're still alive?"
The baroness' cold voice still echoed in her ears: "Because of that face. The same face as your filthy mother's. If the old man didn't still care about her, you'd have been tossed into the moat like she was."
Growing up in such a place, Layla had learned early how to please anyone who might be of use, and how to survive in the cracks between power.
At fifteen, she overheard her stepmother and half-sister whispering in a hallway.
When she learned the baron had promised to "gift" her to a depraved noble from a neighboring country, she nearly ran away in despair.
Fortunately, fate offered a path: the academy's annual "wizard initiate selection."
Her mental aptitude test result wasn't great, but it was enough to earn her a spot as an Initiate.
However, she soon realized that lacking talent here meant life wasn't much better.
Just as she was about to give up, she met Fiona, a girl from a good family with outstanding aptitude.
Using every trick and social tactic she knew, Layla charmed her way into Fiona's good graces, becoming her closest friend.
When Fiona gained Elena's favor, Layla maneuvered herself into the herb shop as well.
All to escape the clutches of one man: August Kleins, an Intermediate Apprentice notorious for collecting beautiful female slaves.
"I'll never be his plaything," Layla whispered coldly, staring into her reflection.
She knew Kleins already had three "pets," and their fates were all tragic. Discarded, abused, or used in cruel experiments.
After washing, she returned to her dorm and opened a flat wooden box hidden under her trunk.
Inside was a delicate outfit and some cosmetics, her mother's last gift.
"Robb Reyne…"
She whispered the name: "Wizard Reserve genius, Lady Elena's prized student, professional potion master…"
Through her observations and information gathering, she had confirmed, Robb was her best shot at survival.
He was powerful enough to protect her from Kleins.
The rumors painted him as someone kind; and there were never any rumors of him mistreating others.
And most importantly, he was apparently still unattached, no romantic entanglements. A huge advantage.
She had already scouted his workshop's exact location, even watched him a few times in secret.
Tomorrow, she would take the risk, go to him and ask to become his assistant… or whatever he needed her to be.
"Better to be his… than be Kleins' toy. At least he seems like a decent man."
Layla murmured with a bitter smile, but her eyes gleamed with determination.
In this cruel supernatural world, clinging to a strong protector was the only way the weak survived.
At dawn the next day, Layla asked Elena for leave, claiming her roommate was ill.
Then she returned to her dorm to prepare.
She bathed in petal-infused water to leave a faint, alluring fragrance.
Then she donned her finest outfit: a well-fitted pale blue dress, modest, elegant, and flattering to her figure.
Finally, she applied light makeup, just enough to enhance her eyes and lips.
The girl in the mirror was stunning, youthful innocence softened by a touch of mature charm.
Layla practiced a few expressions in the mirror, humble, respectful, but never servile.
"Final touch…"
She retrieved a tiny vial of pale pink liquid from her cabinet:
"Elixir of Affection", a mild, harmless charm potion that subtly enhanced her allure.
She dabbed a drop on her neck and wrists.
The liquid quickly absorbed into her skin, releasing a subtle scent said to awaken protective and affectionate instincts in men.
Everything was ready.
Layla took a deep breath and stepped outside.
Today would be the turning point of her fate.
Meanwhile, Robb stood in the center of his workshop's training yard, carefully sensing the flow of elemental energy within him.
His recent intense training had made him near-flawless in manipulating light and fire elements, his control now practically effortless.