Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 90 Crystal Spire: East, West, North, and South
The entire examination room was so quiet that one could hear the faint hum of the magic crystal lamp, and everyone was holding their breath waiting for the final result.

"A total of 27 candidates participated in this potion master certification examination. After a comprehensive assessment in three stages..."

Magnus paused for a moment, scanning the tense faces of the crowd. "Only two candidates have passed the certification standards."

Low sighs and grumbles of disappointment spread throughout the examination room. Several older candidates even turned pale. It was obvious that this was not their first failure.

"First up is... the lizardman Bazak. He has met the requirements and obtained the professional potion master certification, with a rating of 'qualified'."

In the corner, an old lizardman whose scales had begun to lose their luster slowly stood up.

His claws were deformed and bent from years of handling herbs, and his eye sockets were sunken, but there was an incredible light shining in his eyes.

He bowed deeply to the examiner, his whole body trembling slightly with excitement.

Then, Magnus's eyes fell on Ron, and the corners of his mouth rose slightly:
"Next is... Ron Ralph, a junior apprentice of the Black Mist School."

The eyes of the entire audience were instantly focused on Ron, with surprise, disbelief, and jealousy that was difficult to conceal.

"I've met the requirements and obtained the professional potion master certification. The rating is - 'Excellent'!"

A buzz of discussion suddenly broke out in the examination room, like a swarm of startled bees.

"Excellent rating?"

"You must be joking! This kid looks no more than fifteen or sixteen years old!"

"Excellent rating? I took the test five times and didn't even get the most basic 'passing' rating."

A candidate with gray hair was so surprised that he almost dropped the test tube in his hand. He kept smiling stiffly, but he couldn't suppress the extreme imbalance in his heart.

Magnus waved his hand to silence him. "The certification results have been confirmed. Those who failed, please don't lose heart. You'll have another chance next year. The assessment is now over. Please, the two successful candidates, please stay and receive your certificates. The rest of you may leave on your own."

Most of the candidates packed up their belongings and prepared to leave in frustration, only Ron and Bazak stayed in the examination room.

Magnus walked up to Ron and personally handed him a certification badge with a magical anti-counterfeiting seal.

"Young man." The old man stroked his gray beard, his tone not too tentative, as if it was just pure praise:

"I've been a potion examiner at the academy for decades, and I've rarely seen talent like yours. Especially that bottle of 'Sobriety' potion, its quality exceeded my expectations."

Ron respectfully accepted the badge of certification: "Thank you for your recognition, Master Magnus."

Magnus narrowed his eyes and looked at him thoughtfully: "By the way, I have a question for you, is Mrs. Allen your mentor?"

Ron was slightly stunned: "Yes, how did you know that?"

The old man smiled kindly and motioned Ron to come with him to the small lounge next to the examination hall.

After the two of them took their seats, Magnus spoke:

"Haha, the way you used that silver tree root extract was very unique. It's Mrs. Allen's signature technique. Besides, the precise rhythm you used when refining it is her unique style."

His eyes became distant, as if lost in memories:

"Over a hundred years ago, I worked briefly with Mrs. Allen. Back then, she was one of the most dazzling talents in the entire Crystal Spire. We even thought she had the potential to become a Grand Wizard..."

Ron was surprised by this past event: "I'm sorry, I didn't know Madam had such a past."

"She rarely mentions her glorious past in front of her students."

The old woman's voice was deep and powerful: "It can be seen that Mrs. Allen has devoted a lot of effort to you."

Ron lowered his head modestly: "I'm just trying my best to live up to my lady's teachings."

"Your humility is commendable, but sometimes excessive humility can be a form of arrogance."

Magnus chuckled and looked at him sharply:

"Okay, is there anything else you need my help with?"

Ron was taken aback. Seeing that the old man in front of him looked like he was listening attentively, he stopped talking and went straight to the point.

"Yes, Master Magnus. Actually, after passing the Alchemist certification this time, I also want to apply to the school for an independent workshop for brewing potions."

As he spoke, he took out a letter he had prepared long ago:
"Excuse me, this is Mrs. Allen's letter of recommendation. I hope it will be helpful with your application."

"Now that you've become a professional potion master, you really need an independent workshop."

Magnus nodded, took the letter, opened it and read for a moment, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly: "And it's an enthusiastic recommendation from an old friend. I understand." He closed the envelope and looked at Ron again:

"Applying for an independent workshop requires approval from the school's top management, and the process usually takes about two weeks. But for Mrs. Allen's sake, and your outstanding performance today..."

A hint of encouragement to the young man flashed in Magnus's eyes:
"I will exert some influence and should be able to shorten the time to about two days. I believe that with the potential you have shown, the school will not reject such an outstanding young person as you."

"Thank you very much for your help, Master Magnus," Ron said sincerely. This went much more smoothly than he had expected.

"You're welcome. This is also for the future of the school."

Magnus smiled and said, "When you enter the workshop, I will evaluate the first batch of potions."

"Of course, it's my pleasure."

He knew what the old potion master meant. He wanted to accept him into the circle of potion masters in the sect, so of course he would not refuse without knowing how to behave.

After politely saying goodbye to Magnus, Ron was about to leave when the door opened...

When the candidates saw the young potion master coming out from Magnus, their eyes lit up and they turned back one after another to surround him.

"Apprentice Ron, I'm Conrad, and I own a fiefdom in Cedar City."

A white-haired old man stepped forward first, his face full of smiles, but his eyes flickered with complex glints:
"Your refining skills are truly astonishing! There's a special mineral vein in Cedar City near the Black Mist Jungle that produces a rare mineral called 'Star Crystal', which is very beneficial for potion refining. If you're interested, we can establish a long-term cooperative relationship."

As he spoke, he took out a small bag of sparkling crystals, and the enthusiasm in his eyes could not hide his inner jealousy.

This boy, who was less than a third of his age, actually obtained the Potions Master certification that he had always dreamed of but could never achieve.

"Master Ron." Another blue-skinned snakeman came forward and pushed Conrad aside.
"I am Misty Shadow, the shaman of the Hydra tribe. Our tribe has lived in the Duskmoon Lake in the east for generations. There are many rare aquatic plants there, especially the 'Dream Spirit Flower', which is said to enhance the spiritual amplification effect of potions."

"Don't listen to that blue-skinned monster. The plants in their tribe are all poisonous!"

A curvy female potion master took the opportunity to interject. She had a charming face, but the wrinkles around her eyes betrayed her actual age:
"I'm Grace, an independent potion master from the southern edge of the Black Mist Jungle. I collaborate with various nomadic tribes, allowing me to obtain the freshest animal materials. Especially the heart of the Blood Moon Wolf, which is an excellent ingredient for refining physical strengthening potions!"

Ron politely responded to this sudden enthusiasm, but he could see clearly in his heart that these people's real intention was nothing more than to take the opportunity to establish a connection with a promising potion master and seek benefits for themselves.

But he did not refuse. In a place like the Black Mist Jungle, personal connections and resource channels are equally valuable.

These potion masters who were jealous but had to flatter him on the surface could just be his window to understand information from the outside world.

"I appreciate your kindness," Ron said gently.
"I'm happy to connect with everyone and exchange experiences on potions. However, I've just passed the certification and still have a lot to deal with. I hope to have the opportunity to have in-depth exchanges in the future."

At this moment, the lizardman Bazak who had received a "qualified" rating walked slowly over, and everyone automatically made way for him.

Unlike the affectation of others, the eyes of this weathered old lizardman showed sincere admiration.

"Potion Master Ron." Balzac's voice was low and hoarse.
"I come from the Snake Scale Swamp in the southeast, where our lizardmen have lived for generations. I have been studying potions for over forty years, but I have never seen a young man as talented as you."

He paused, his eyes beneath his scaly eyelids slightly reddened with excitement:
"If you don't mind, I can provide you with some swamp-specific materials later, such as 'Abula' and 'Blue Rush'. They grow deep in the swamp, and only we lizardmen know the exact location."

Ron could sense the sincerity in the old lizardman's words and bowed slightly to him. "It is my honor to be able to associate with such an experienced potion master as Mr. Balzac. I look forward to our future cooperation."

Bazak nodded with satisfaction, a flicker of relief in his eyes:

"Forty years of perseverance have finally paid off. I am already fully satisfied to be certified as a Potions Master in my lifetime. And you, a young man with the talent of a shining morning star, will surely achieve far more than us in the future."

As more candidates joined the conversation, Ron gradually understood the distribution of forces around the Black Mist Jungle:

The orcs and goblins who roam around everywhere are the largest in number among the alien races and are also the invasive alien species in this area.

They have strong reproductive abilities, but do not have their own systematic extraordinary professions, so they are left undisturbed by the Black Mist School. When needed, they are captured and used as experimental materials and slaves.

The Cedar City in the north of the Black Mist Jungle is one of the important towns in the human territory. It borders the Dwarven city-state and therefore has access to many fine mineral materials.

Eastern Duskmoon Lake is the territory of the snake people and other aquatic races. There are many kinds of aquatic plants there, but most of them are poisonous to some extent.
The south is a loose nomadic alliance of multiple beast tribes. They worship the blood moon, perform regular hunting rituals, and are extremely obsessed with the various extraordinary organs of monsters.

The Snake Scale Swamp in the southwest is where the Lizardmen live. It is hot and humid there, but it also has many rare materials that can only grow in specific environments.

However, everyone unanimously avoided discussing the Blackwater Bay area west of the Black Mist Jungle, as if some taboo lay hidden there...

In this short exchange, Ron not only obtained a lot of geographical and material information, but also established a preliminary network of contacts.

When the crowd finally dispersed, he had a few more pieces of paper with contact information in his hands, as well as a few small bags of material samples given to him as a "greeting gift".

Magnus watched all this from a distance, stroking his beard:
"Haha, in some situations, reputation can indeed be more effective than strength, but it can also lead to more danger. But as for this child... I don't think I need to remind him too much."

(End of this chapter)