To her surprise, Robb never showed impatience at her basic questions. Instead, he encouraged her to ask more and think critically.
"When studying Potion Brewing, the most important thing isn't memorizing recipes, it's understanding the relationships between materials and the principles behind their reactions."
As he prepared a simple healing potion, Robb explained:
"Only by truly understanding the fundamentals can you make the right judgments and adjustments in practice."
Layla nodded thoughtfully. This teaching style was completely different from what she had experienced before.
In noble households, when learning etiquette and house management, she had only been required to mechanically memorize and mimic, never to understand the reasons behind things.
"Give it a try. Use the method I just demonstrated and prepare a stimulant potion."
Robb pushed the materials toward her. "Don't worry about failure, mistakes are often the best teachers in the learning process."
Layla took a deep breath and carefully followed the steps from memory.
Her movements were clumsy but unexpectedly precise, as if guided by some inner instinct.
Robb observed silently, already suspecting something.
Perhaps this was the unique nature of the Diligence Makes Up For Mediocrity talent:
It starts from a seemingly ordinary baseline but follows an increasingly steep learning curve over time.
Each of Layla's attempts was subtly enhancing her understanding and skill.
[Extraordinary Appraisal EXP +1]
He quietly activated Extraordinary Appraisal, watching the flow of energy within Layla.
As she focused on potion-making, a special energy fluctuation became more pronounced, like a thin but resilient stream slowly and steadily strengthening.
"Not bad." When Layla completed her first potion, Robb remarked:
"Though the purity could be improved, it's quite impressive for a first attempt."
A joyful smile appeared on Layla's face. This genuine praise gave her a rare sense of accomplishment.
It wasn't because of her looks or charm, but her actual effort and capability.
"Thank you for your guidance, Lord Reyne."
Layla spoke sincerely, her eyes shimmering with gratitude.
"No need to be so formal," Robb replied with a smile. "On the path of learning, we are all seekers of knowledge."
Layla spent the rest of the day fully immersed in foundational Potion Brewing studies.
To her surprise, she discovered a natural affinity for the subject, especially in identifying and handling materials.
Robb noticed as well and began offering more challenging content at appropriate times.
"Your learning ability is quite strong." As night fell and the day's lessons ended, Robb commented:
"Tomorrow we'll try more complex formulas and begin training in basic mental control."
Layla looked up in surprise. "Mental control? But my magic aptitude is only five stars…"
"Basic mental control doesn't rely entirely on innate aptitude."
Robb explained, "With the right methods and consistent practice, significant improvement is still possible. Besides, for a Potion Master, basic mental control is an essential skill."
A warm feeling surged in Layla's chest.
In her past, few had ever seen her potential, let alone invested time and effort to cultivate it.
Most people only saw her looks, something to use or possess.
"I'll work hard, Lord Reyne," she whispered.
Back in her small room, Layla sat silently on her bed, deep in thought.
Looking back, her initial schemes and manipulations now seemed shallow and laughable.
Compared to offering her body for protection, achieving something through hard work and study felt like a far brighter and more tangible path.
"Maybe… my value isn't just in this face," she murmured, a new hope flickering in her eyes.
Meanwhile, in the apprentice dormitories, a shocking rumor was spreading fast:
The beautiful Layla had reportedly become the "special assistant" of the genius Intermediate Apprentice Robb Reyne.
There was no official source, but among the apprentices, the tale spread with vivid details and wild speculation.
"They say Layla's living at Robb's workshop now, and she doesn't come out at night..."
A tall, skinny apprentice whispered mysteriously to his companion.
"No way! Robb's a Intermediate Apprentice and a Professional Potion Master, his status is way higher than normal."
His companion widened his eyes in surprise.
"It's true! My cousin's an Elementary Apprentice and saw Layla wearing a workshop uniform at the market buying ingredients!"
The gossip quickly reached Kleins' ears.
This wealthy merchant's son had long lusted after Layla's beauty and had tried many times to approach her, though she had always deftly avoided him.
Now, hearing that she'd become someone else's "personal assistant," his expression darkened, but no anger flared.
In the Black Mist Forest, provoking someone carelessly could easily cost your life.
"This Reyne…" Kleins frowned. "I was only gone for two months, and now there's a new hotshot in the faction?"
A servant beside him whispered:
"Master, Robb Reyne is the new rising star who emerged during your absence. It's said his ranking in the Wizard Reserve has climbed rapidly, he's already in the top twenty. And…"
"And what?" Kleins asked impatiently.
"And he's reportedly receiving special attention from Lord Griffith. He's had private mentoring sessions…"
The servant said cautiously, "Offending someone like that might bring… considerable trouble."
What he really meant was total disaster, especially since Kleins was an ordinary apprentice with no special talents.
But as a servant, he could only hint at it so delicately.
Kleins, to his credit, took the advice. He fell silent, a flicker of fear in his eyes.
Coming from a wealthy background, he had learned when to back off.
Provoking a candidate favored by a formal sorcerer might carry a cost far beyond his imagination.
"Forget it." In the end, he reluctantly let go of his desire.
"Beautiful women are everywhere. Go to the mortal markets and you can buy a dozen. There's no need to make enemies with a prodigy over a woman."
And just like that, thanks solely to her association with Robb, Layla escaped Kleins pursuit, completely unaware of the danger she had dodged.
Over the next few weeks, Layla fully integrated into life at the workshop.
Each morning, she rose early to prepare the day's potion materials and tools.
In the mornings, she studied Potion Brewing and mental control under Robb's guidance.
In the afternoons, she assisted Valenwood with organizing the workshop and caring for the little Sea Siren, Daera.
Evenings were for self-study and practice. Robb occasionally noticed the light in her room staying on very late.
Surprisingly, her cooking also proved exceptionally tasty.
Unlike Valenwood, who only knew how to make simple vegetarian meals, Layla had learned refined culinary skills in noble households.
She began preparing lavish daily meals for the workshop, combining rare ingredients to create delicious and nutritious dishes.
"This tastes like something from a five star chef," Robb said in surprise upon tasting her food for the first time.
He quickly remembered that restaurants didn't really exist in the mortal realms, only private chefs hired by nobles, and corrected himself:
"I mean… it's very delicious."
Layla smiled. "I trained under the family chef for a while."
She didn't mention it was to win favor with her siblings. "I'm glad you like it."
Robb nodded. "Talent and effort will always pay off, no matter the field."
Those words struck a deep chord with Layla. Ever since arriving, she hadn't dared relax for a second.
Especially since she could see the lights of Robb's second-floor lab burning late into the night.
If someone as accomplished as Robb worked this hard, how could a fledgling apprentice like her afford to slack off?
And her efforts were clearly paying off.
Her Potion Brewing knowledge and skills improved rapidly, far exceeding Robb's expectations.
Even the little Sea Siren Daera became more lively with Layla around, enjoying her stories about the outside world.
Layla also loved spending time with Daera, teaching her simple games and basic knowledge.
"Daera, look, this is called the Light Chase Game."
Layla used a small mirror to reflect sunlight onto the wall of Daera's crystal tank, then moved the mirror so the light danced across the water.
Daera squealed with delight, chasing the glowing dot, her laughter ringing through the workshop.
The entire workshop seemed livelier with Layla's presence.
Even the Dryad Valenwood, who had initially been a bit sullen, likely due to sharing her workload, seemed to gradually recover.
Perhaps she was afraid of being replaced entirely…
Robb, who had been quietly observing, came to that conclusion, marveling at how human the Dryad had become, inside and out.
Robb stood on the workshop balcony, pushing aside the dark blue curtains billowing in the night breeze.
Outside, the Black Mist Forest was shrouded in light fog. In the distance, the magic lamps of the tall towers pierced the haze, twinkling like ethereal stars in the deep night.
Tonight marked the twentieth day since he formally began teaching Layla.
Reflecting on the past few weeks, Robb felt a subtle yet undeniable sense of fulfillment.
Layla's learning ability had far surpassed his expectations. Her focus and knowledge absorption made her a dream student.
The effect of the Diligence Makes Up For Mediocrity talent was truly remarkable.
From a seemingly ordinary start, her learning curve had grown dramatically over time.
Especially in recent days, her progress had been astonishing.
Perhaps it was the two months of basic accumulation under Lady Elena, combined with over half a month of focused learning here, that had finally triggered her true potential.
She could now independently craft basic healing potions and was even beginning to improve simple recipes.
Just two days ago, she enhanced the stimulant potion's effectiveness by nearly 20% while using only 80% of the materials.
The success rate surprised even Robb, it was comparable to his own proficiency when he reached an advanced level in potion crafting.
Even more impressive was her rapid adaptation to basic mental control training.
Despite a middling five-star aptitude, her intense focus allowed her to master meditation techniques faster than others with the same rating.
That morning, she successfully passed the first phase of the meditation test. Her mental stability exceeded what her innate aptitude would predict.
"Teacher, may I ask one more question?"
Layla's voice came from behind him.
At some point, "teacher" had naturally replaced the formal "Lord Reyne."
Robb turned to see the girl in her workshop uniform, holding Basic Potion Brewing in her hands, her expression humble yet attentive.
"Of course. What is it?"
"About the ratio of Silvermoon Grass to Morning Dew Flower, I found that the recorded 3:2 ratio doesn't seem optimal."
She said cautiously:
"Last night, I experimented a bit and found that a 5:3 ratio results in more stable effects and uses fewer ingredients…"
A flicker of surprise crossed Robb's eyes, followed by a satisfied nod.
"Your observation is accurate. The traditional ratio is based on standard conditions, but given the Black Mist Forest's magical environment, 5:3 is indeed more effective. That kind of initiative in thinking and experimenting is rare."
Layla's eyes brightened with joy but quickly turned humble again.
"It's all thanks to your teaching…"
"No, it's thanks to your hard work."
Robb corrected her habitual modesty clearly and firmly.
"Learning isn't just about receiving knowledge, it's about questioning and validating it. You're already showing the mindset of a true Potion Master."
Layla lowered her head slightly, a blush rising to her cheeks. Clearly, she cherished such recognition deeply.
"It's late. You should rest. Tomorrow we'll begin learning Life Essence Extraction. It requires complete focus."
Layla thanked him and quietly took her leave.
After her footsteps faded, Robb returned to his room and pulled out the silver pocket watch hanging from his chest.
Its black gem surface shimmered faintly, as if responding to his touch.
He closed his eyes and entered a meditative state.
Moments later, a sensation unlike any he'd felt before welled up inside him:
A warm and pure energy stream flowed into the core of his mind like a fresh spring.
Unlike his usual self-cultivation, this was effortless and nourishing.
"So this is a boon…" Robb whispered in awe.
He finally understood what Lady Elena had described, a special connection.
This was far beyond the faint boons he had once accidentally received by inspiring others during lectures.
This time, as a true mentor offering targeted guidance, the boon was clearly much stronger.
He could feel the energy flow clearly and even guide its direction.
Typically, mentors use this energy to purify mental pollution, delay aging, or heal old wounds.
But Robb's situation was unique.
"I have the Timewarden Pocket Watch. It regularly cleanses mental pollution. At least until I reach full sorcerer rank, I won't have to worry about that…"
After some thought, he decided to invest the entire boon into what he currently lacked most, his mana capacity.
Robb carefully guided the energy into his mana core.
As the boon entered, he felt his inner mana core begin to transform in wondrous ways.