Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 5 Recruitment Information and Potion Configuration
As they gradually approached the center of the market, Ron's eyes began to look around.

Everything here is new to him——

Various strange hawking sounds came one after another:

"Fresh demon snake gallbladder! I guarantee it was taken this morning!"

"Finest-quality phantom scale powder! Imported directly from the fairyland!"

"Special sale! Selling failed experimental subjects at half price!"

The stalls at the market were filled with a dazzling array of goods, many of which Ron had only seen in books.

——Glowing figures in glass bottles, colorful crystals floating in the air, and magical beasts under a spell of immobilization
A vendor with goat horns waved at them enthusiastically: "Take a look, sirs! This is authentic goblin craftsmanship."

"Ignore him," Andre whispered. "This guy's stuff is all fake. He's specifically trying to scam us apprentice candidates."

Not far away, a female snake vendor with a long tail was expertly weighing a color-changing salamander. As she spoke, her slender snake tongue spitted out from time to time:

"Hiss... This batch of goods comes from the edge of the abyss. The efficacy is three times stronger than ordinary ones. Come buy from me and I will give you a discount."

"Don't look at it for now..." Andre patted his shoulder. "The most important thing now is to find the ingredients for the burning essential oil. Let's go quickly."

As they walked through the market, a scene in the distance caught Ron's attention.

A middle-aged man in a white wizard robe was leading more than a dozen apprentices towards the central hall of the school.

"Which wizard is that?" Ron asked softly.

Andre followed his gaze, a hint of respect flashing in his eyes:
"That's Master Fernandez, a formal wizard specializing in elemental magic. He holds several paid consultation sessions every month to answer questions from talented apprentices."

"A formal wizard?" Ron's heart tightened. He was filled with awe and fear for beings at this level.

In his understanding, formal wizards have the power to turn apprentices into experimental materials and are terrifying existences that are difficult to resist.

Andre seemed to see his thoughts and smiled slightly:
"Don't be so nervous. Although official wizards do possess terrifying power, most of them don't abuse it. Especially those wizards who choose to serve as mentors. They are really happy to train newcomers with potential."

"You mean, they won't randomly capture apprentices for experiments?" Ron was a little unbelievable.

"Of course not." Andre shook his head.

"They will only punish apprentices who violate important rules of the school, or deal with dangerous targets who have begun to deviate. In fact, if you show enough talent and potential, they will be more than happy to provide guidance and assistance."

Ron seemed to understand something, which was somewhat different from his previous understanding: "Then why are people so afraid..."

"Because the power gap between a formal wizard and an apprentice is so huge, it's like the life levels of different species."

Andre explained seriously, "Even high-level apprentices are as fragile as children in front of real wizards."

This explanation made Ron feel a little more relaxed. At least he didn't have to worry about being caught as an experimental subject because of his outstanding performance.

Perhaps in such an environment, performing well and abiding by the rules is the best way to survive.

"After we buy the materials, if there's still time, you can check out the instructor's bulletin board."

Andre suggested, "It will list the directions each wizard is willing to guide, as well as the criteria for selecting students. Although you are still a candidate apprentice, it is always beneficial to know these in advance."

"Thank you very much," Ron said sincerely.

………………

When you push open the mottled wooden door of the herbal medicine store, all kinds of strong smells instantly hit you in the face.

The store was dimly lit, and the flickering flames on the bronze candlesticks cast distorted shadows on the densely packed shelves on the wall.

"we need to."

Andre pulled out his wrinkled notebook and began searching for materials according to the list. "First, find the red sand grass. I need three."

He pointed to a glass jar covered with red spots and said, "This is it. Remember to choose the one with intact roots."

Ron looked at the various materials on the shelves and was a little overwhelmed.

"What's this?" Ron pointed to a round container with a bunch of translucent spheres floating inside. They looked like some kind of eggs.

"The egg sac of a moon jellyfish."

The blond boy replied without even looking up, "It's used to make transparent potions. But it's too expensive. One potion costs twenty magic stone fragments."

"Here." Andre walked to another row of shelves. "Phenix pollen. Ah, here it is."

He carefully removed a bottle containing golden powder, which sparkled with tiny sparks in the dim light.
"This thing is very delicate. It will lose its effectiveness if it gets a little bit of moisture."

"We also need some carbonaceous grass stems." He continued searching. "The one that emits smoke. Yes, that one."

Ron watched Andre move expertly between the shelves, stopping occasionally to carefully examine the quality of a particular material.

"This silver mushroom looks a bit old." He frowned as he examined a silver-glowing mushroom. "But I'll just have to make do with it."

Putting the last material into the cloth bag, Andre clapped his hands and said, "Okay, everything is ready. These materials are enough for you to practice the configuration several times." Having said that, he glanced at his waist with a little hesitation, and his wallet was obviously a little flatter than when he came.

Just as the two of them were about to leave after paying the bill, the owner's hoarse voice suddenly rang out: "Wait, two young guests."

It was an old woman with a wrinkled face, and the half of her eye that was exposed shone a faint green in the dim candlelight:

"Are you interested in potion-making? I'm looking for an assistant."

Ron's heart skipped a beat, but Andre had already pulled him out: "Sorry, we have something else to do."

It was not until they walked a long way from the store door that Andre pursed his lips and explained:

"That old woman is notoriously demanding. Her assistants keep changing. Although the salaries are high, she's not willing to give them even a single magic stone fragment during the probation period. Over time, no one wants to waste their time."

I see. That suits him quite well.

"Really?" Ron said thoughtfully, "But since he can offer such a high salary, he must have some skills."

Andre saw what he was thinking: "You don't want to..."

"I'm going to try it tomorrow." Ron nodded, and then stated his plan:

"Anyway, I need a place to practice now. Instead of spending a lot of money to buy materials and figure it out on my own, it's better to find an experienced master to guide me."

"Okay then." Andre sighed, "But I have to warn you, the store manager has a bad temper. If you don't meet her expectations, you might not even make it through the probation period."

"I understand." Ron smiled. "So please come with me tomorrow."

He helped Andrei pack up the materials and said, "I'll go back and arrange a time with her for tomorrow."

Seeing Ron's confident look, Andre suddenly had a strange premonition - perhaps the result of this application would be different from the previous ones.

He handed Ron a cloth bag filled with various materials, a barely perceptible worry flashing in his eyes.

"These materials should be enough for now." Andre said with some distress, and added: "Remember, every failure is a waste of materials."

Ron took the bag and saw the other party's concerns.

He's probably afraid that I won't be able to practice well and ask for a refund, Ron thought.

After all, fifty pieces of magic stone fragments are a considerable fortune for the Thirteenth Prince now.

Back in the room, the blond boy didn't say much and immediately began to teach Ron how to prepare the burning essential oil.

The tools were very simple - a broken clay pot served as a stove, a few crooked iron bars served as stirring rods, and even the measuring tools were replaced by rough homemade graduated cups.

"First, chop up the rhizomes of the red sand grass."

Andre tilted his head to observe the special reaction in the pottery jar while giving instructions:

"Yes, that's right. Be careful not to throw away the roots, as they contain the richest fire element."

As the materials were put into the pottery jar one after another, a strange heat flow began to surge in the jar.

Tiny bubbles burst out from the surface of the red liquid, with slight popping sounds coming from time to time.

"Now add the phoenix pollen."

Andre's voice suddenly rose: "Wait! Don't pour it in directly, the reaction will be very violent! Sprinkle it in slowly and spread it evenly on the liquid surface."

Ron followed the instructions carefully, watching as the golden powder formed a complete circle on the surface of the liquid, then slowly sank in, stirring up circles of rippled flames.

The first attempt was successfully completed under Andre's guidance. When it came to the second configuration, Andre deliberately stepped aside and stopped talking, intending to see Ron's true level.

What surprised him was that Ron's movements were smooth and fluid, as if he had done it a thousand times.

The dosage in each step is just right, and the timing is extremely precise.

Although it was far from the actual potion making, Ron believed that he was still capable of mixing the relatively simple body-hardening essential oil.

"Could it be that this kid really has a talent for potions?"

Andre muttered to himself, "Back when I was under my father's guidance, my conditions were much better than they are now, but it took many attempts before I could achieve this."

Just as the second batch of "burning essential oil" was completed, a string of translucent information suddenly appeared in front of Ron:

【One refining has been completed√】

[Career transfer conditions have been met:

1. Basic Potions (Proficiency 9/100)√

2. Complete a refining process√
Do you want to change your job to Potions Apprentice immediately?】

(End of this chapter)