I'm a proper student; I only take nine kinds of potions every day.

Chapter 193 Byron: What am I on guard against?!

At that moment, Evan was staring blankly at the bowl containing ghoul feed when he suddenly heard Gust's voice.

"An extraordinary person is rapidly approaching; it's the Master. He's been here a few times before."

Upon hearing Gust's hint, Ivan knew who it was.

However, he doesn't even need to pretend; he can just let things take their course.

After all, he was almost driven mad by his own stupidity in those actions.

This situation and this attitude are quite in line with his public persona.

While he was pondering, he saw Byron, with only half his body remaining, silently pass through the wall.

As soon as he entered, Byron frowned, with only one arm covering his nose, which was now only half-hidden.

"What are you doing?"

Ivan coughed. "Professor Byron, I'm making a potion."

Upon hearing this answer, Professor Byron's only eye widened slightly, and then the strange half of his body walked over.

The next second, half of his face was squeezed together, just like an extremely devout believer who saw something being ruined.

The dilapidated stove, the roaring black coal fire, the copper crucible covered in soot, and the strange smell that hadn't been cleaned out yet.

"This bastard actually concocted a sacred potion like this?!" Byron cursed inwardly.

But a master is a master after all; he has a strong ability to control his emotions.

Without changing his expression, Byron glanced at it and then took two steps back in disgust.

"What kind of thing are you making?!"

Evan shook his head blankly: "I don't know, I just feel like I turned into a ghoul after eating it."

Byron stepped forward and sniffed carefully, his brows furrowing even more: "There is indeed a ghoul stench about him."

"Where did you get the potion you just brewed?"

Ivan looked up, his eyes filled with frustration and naivety: "The potion recipe I got from those ghouls during the battle."

"It's all because of this potion; they say it can reduce the side effects of other potions."

1

Upon hearing this, Byron couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Only you would believe such idiotic nonsense."

He took the bowl with disgust, smelled it, and immediately returned it.

"Why does this taste a bit like what those ghoul priests like to eat?"

Evan, on the verge of tears, said, "I don't know either. It says it can be used to make potions."

"But this stuff didn't have any special effects after I ate it; on the contrary, it made me feel very full, like I had eaten a high-end meal!"

Upon hearing this, Byron looked at Evan, and all his remaining doubts and worries about the man vanished completely.

This state of being is definitely not something that can be faked.

Moreover, the various smells throughout the house, and the extremely poor operating environment—

You can tell from this that this guy is a complete idiot who doesn't know anything!

Even his pursuit of magic potions couldn't compare to that of the old witches deep in the forest!

After a few seconds of silence, Professor Byron sighed, "Arkham, you don't have the talent for potions, so don't try to make them yourself for now!"

"Over the years, I've seen many cases of potion-making failures."

"But being able to refine normal potion ingredients into ghoul fodder—"

He paused, then said earnestly, "You are undoubtedly the first person I have ever met!"

Professor Byron then looked at the crumbs on Evan's lips and couldn't help but retort, "How could you eat something like this?"

Evan sighed and said, "This is all money! It's such a waste to refine it and not eat it."

"I----"

Professor Byron raised his hand, wanting to slap him, but in the end he held back.

Ivan, seemingly oblivious to Byron's condition, stood up from the ground, turned around, and placed the bowl on the filthy stovetop.

"Professor, what brings you here today?"

Professor Byron sighed: "Nothing much, just came to check on you."

"Just go to school to take your medicine tomorrow."

He then turned and strode away, glancing at Ivan's copper pot, which was covered in soot, just as he was about to pass through the wall.

"Arkham, I advise you to first understand the concept of potions."

"Don't be in a hurry to achieve results."

"Also, don't learn those monsters' potion recipes."

"The laws governing the dream world are completely different from those governing the material world."

"The same recipe might produce completely different results in the dream world compared to the real world."

Hearing this, Ivan, who had been full of doubts, finally understood.

"I see!!"

"My goodness, thank you! Professor Byron!"

Hearing these words of relief, Byron clenched his fists in silence, cursing inwardly.

"I was such an idiot! I wasted so much energy and time on him!!"

Then he walked through the wall and left.

His posture appeared so resolute and determined, without any trace of regret.

After Professor Byron had completely left, Evan finally managed to smirk, a smile that he had been suppressing.

He certainly knew what Byron's core purpose was in coming here so suddenly.

"Too bad, although you're on the third floor, I'm actually on the hundredth floor!"

Having successfully fooled Byron once again, the terrible mood he had just experienced from the failed attempt to refine the item was immediately greatly relieved.

"Failure doesn't matter! There's plenty of time to improve later!"

"I have to say, this ghoul food is quite filling."

The next few days passed without any major incidents. Evan continued to go to school, help out at the hospital, and take his medication every day.

Finally, another point was added: continue to improve the previous protective potion at night.

After all, this unfinished protective potion is clearly more promising than high-grade ghoul feed.

Three days later, on December 25th, the annual Christmas Day.

In Bolton, now covered in snow, people have begun to revel in the snowy weather.

Various colored lights and streamers can be seen everywhere, hanging in strings on the eaves and door frames facing the street.

Almost everyone's face was beaming with joy and excitement.

Meanwhile, in the past few days, the side effects of the protective potion in Ivan's body, as well as the effects of the high-grade ghoul feed, have all been reversed.

-

[The unfinished protective potion's side effects have been reversed!]

[You have gained the following special abilities: Bone Mastery +1% (click to view details), Constitution +0.2.]

Your overall digestive system has been strengthened; Constitution +0.1

Seeing this unexpected twist, Ivan couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

"As expected of my homemade 'tough stuff,' the side effects are truly terrifying!"

"If it can directly improve one's constitution by 0.3, that means that for others, after drinking three bottles, their constitution would be completely reduced!"

"This is six or seven times more toxic than the Lion Potion!"

"And this first bone mastery—does that mean the side effect is bone loss of control?"

"Improvement of the overall digestive system — the digestive system can include many things."

"The mouth, teeth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver and gallbladder—these are all part of the digestive system."

While pondering, Evan clicked on the details.

[Skeletal Mastery: Human Strengths - This allows you to perform precise manipulations of your own skeleton.]

[Based on your progress and your own bone density, combined with your body's flexibility, you can extend your bones outwards, while simultaneously changing their shape and structure.]

"Great stuff! This skill is interesting!"

With these thoughts in mind, Evan closed his eyes and carefully sensed the effects of the potion.

He clearly felt that he seemed to have gained some control over his bones, and could vaguely manipulate some of them to extend outwards.

At the same time, he could feel that his mouth, teeth, and all parts of his body related to eating and digestion had been slightly enhanced.

After all, both of these attributes are functional enhancements, with no dilution in their values; they are truly independent multipliers. "This potion is amazing! If I keep taking it—wouldn't I be able to turn into Kimimaro directly?"

"His entire body is covered in bone spurs, combined with his body's flexibility—and copper-like texture, plus the enhancement effect of the Silver Key—Holy crap!!"

Ivan had already pictured a scene.

In the sky, a monster covered in a bronze luster had an enormous wing on its back.

His entire body's bones extended outwards, and after being reinforced with brass, they formed one cannon hole after another.

Eventually, two cannons formed on his shoulders and two six-barreled Gatling guns formed on his wings.

Following them, bullets and shells, stained with copper plague and poisonous blood, rained down from the sky.

"Holy crap! That's amazing!"

"This isn't even human anymore, it's a combination of a Guyver armor and a humanoid Gundam!!"

The thought of this scene made Ivan shudder, yet he was filled with anticipation for this form.

"It seems my initial assumption—the plague bomb that causes festering sores all over the body, spinning 3,600 times per breath—actually has a chance!"

Finally, he checked the reversal effect of the other high-grade ghoul feed.

[The side effects of the unfinished high-grade ghoul fodder have been reversed!]

Your self-awareness has increased by 4%.

Your bone density has increased, and your physical fitness has increased by 0.1.

There is also a Deep Diver fluid that was previously reversed.

[The Deep Diver's Fluid Side Effects Have Been Reversed!]

Your self-awareness has increased by 1%.

Your speed in water is permanently increased by 2%.

"The high-grade ghoul feed has some good side effects too; it can actually increase bone density and self-awareness."

"Can I eat more from now on? Most importantly, it'll keep me full longer!"

Just as Ivan finished thinking, a burst of laughter came from afar.

From a distance, David's dilapidated wooden villa has been completely renovated.

The walls, which were previously covered in mold, holes, and drafts, were completely repaired and then covered with a beautiful layer of beige wallpaper.

The creaking floorboards have now been renovated and are clean and tidy at a glance, so there's no longer any need to worry about slipping and falling on flat ground.

The previously dusty internal structure has also been cleaned and repaired.

Both sides of the roof were decorated with various colorful ribbons and streamers.

Although there was no electricity in the place, the kerosene lamps, turned up to their maximum setting, still illuminated the huge room brightly.

A Christmas tree about two meters tall was placed in the middle of the living room, planted in a large pot, filling the whole house with a festive atmosphere.

Outside, heavy snow was falling and a cold wind was blowing, but inside, it was lively and cozy.

The stark contrast made Evan feel extremely happy and joyful.

"It's a pity that my dear senior sister isn't here."

Having successfully been promoted to expert, Hill has resigned from that library and has been working full-time as a detective recently.

And for reasons unknown to them, Hill's relationship with his family improved significantly.

Although Hill still lives alone, she chose to go home and spend Christmas with her parents this year.

Meanwhile, the four men huddled together for warmth.

"Chicken soup is here!!"

Now these four people each have their own duties.

Erlong prepared his signature chicken soup for the soul.

David was in charge of starting the fire, while Richard used his unique skills to roast the meat.

Ivan wasn't idle either; he assisted all three of them at the same time.

Go get some seasonings here, go get a piece of meat from there and bring it over. If necessary, cut the meat into chunks and skewer it.

After a flurry of activity, the four of them sat down happily at nine o'clock in the evening.

The table was covered with all kinds of meat.

Grilled meat, meat skewers, smoked meat, chicken soup, pea soup, grilled mushrooms —

Then everyone bowed their heads to thank the Healing Father and offered their routine prayers before picking up their glasses.

Richard, beaming, exclaimed loudly, "We've lost a lot this year!"

His voice lowered as he said this.

"Our teachers are gone, our factions are declining, and life is getting worse!"

"But fortunes don't always go downhill!"

"We've gained so much in the last two months!"

At this point, Richard's voice rang out with fervor: "Our faction has welcomed a true genius to whom we would entrust our lives!"

"Evan Ludwig Arkham! His arrival has given us new hope!"

"His arrival changed our previously dire situation!"

"His arrival made us money! It earned us respect!"

"And it allows us to sit here so warmly and happily for our dinner!"

"Now, brothers, raise your glasses! To Arkham!"

"At the same time, welcome to this brother who may change the future of our faction!!"

David and Erron then picked up their glasses, their faces beaming with delight, and said, "Come on! Arkham experts!"

Ivan grinned, raising his glass: "To the master! To my brother!"

Meanwhile, on the other side.

In a high-end apartment building located on Federal Avenue.

The understated yet luxurious decor was adorned with exquisite festive lights and decorations by the servants.

The bright lights illuminated the entire room, leaving no dark corners.

However, unlike the warm and happy festive atmosphere that filled the whole house, the four people at the dining table were quite somber.

-

Hill sat there, head down, silently eating his steak.

Hill was not as carefree as usual today.

She wore light makeup, her long golden hair was neatly styled, and she wore a hair clip with pretty hair flowers hanging from the ends.

She wore a pristine white blouse with lace trim, the hem of which tapered to perfectly accentuate her beautiful bust and slender waist.

Her father sat to her left, her mother sat opposite her, and her younger brother sat to her right.

The three people surrounded her in a triangular formation.

The parents looked quite serious, while the younger brother, who was about fifteen or sixteen years old, was engrossed in playing with a storybook.

Hill took a deep breath and said, "Father, Mother, I'm all grown up now. I can make my own decisions."

At this moment, the dignified and beautiful woman sitting opposite Hill paused for a moment, and then spoke earnestly.

"Child, this is all for your own good. We hope you can understand our good intentions."

Hill sensed something was wrong the moment she heard this, and she stood up abruptly: "Mother, you think—"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a strange power suddenly appeared.

Hill's body was slammed away by the immense force and then sucked into the storybook.

Just then, a woman wearing a veil quietly appeared: "Please rest assured, both of you!"

"When your daughter emerges from this book, she will be a perfect lady!"

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