บท 18: Chapter 18 Growth and Challenge
The next day had arrived.
It looked exactly the same as described, and with the surge of Experience Points on the Academic Prodigy panel, he had no reason to doubt the authenticity of the potion.
"It's somewhat cool, with a hint of sweetness."
Ivan leaned in to sniff it, then poured the Ocean Blue Potion into his mouth. It felt like slurping cold noodles, melting instantly as it flowed down his throat into his belly.
A few minutes later, he noticed a sensation different from that of the Gushing Potion. It was a cool breath, as if he were in the ocean, refreshing and comfortable, making him forget the usual fatigue.
While the potion was taking effect, the improvement in practicing his Breathing Method was significant.
"Quick, quick, Peggy, I'm hungry."
"It's all ready, Brother Ivan."
"Not enough, I need more food."
Feeling hungry is a human instinct. After practicing the Breathing Method, Ivan experienced an unprecedented sense of hunger. It was as though every cell in his body was crying out for food, urging him to eat and to eat in large quantities.
The effects lasted for three days, one day longer than the Gushing Potion.
Those three days were painful yet joyful to him.
Strength: 2.3, Agility: 1.7, Body Constitution: 2.1, Spirit: 1.4
As expected from an intermediate-quality Universal Secret Medicine, he saw significant improvements in all aspects, especially in body constitution, which directly increased by 0.6 graduated degrees, indicating that the Ocean Blue Potion placed more emphasis on body constitution increase.
In addition to body constitution, it also increased strength by 0.4 and agility by 0.3.
The Spirit continued to remain unchanged as always.
"Strength surpassing 2 graduated degrees is the standard for a 2nd Class knight's page."
Ivan felt deeply moved, he had become a 2nd Class knight's page, and he wasn't far off from the 3 graduated degrees of a squire. The exploration into the secret medicine was well worth the expenditure.
Undoubtedly, an increase in strength was a pleasant thing.
However, since the Breathing Secret Medicine has strong resistance, it would be best to wait five or six days before taking the second dose. In high spirits, he once again made his way to West City.
In the front yard of the small villa, with the small iron rod in his palm, he rang the doorbell.
"Mr. Ivan, welcome back."
The one who came out was Mrs. Harayer, her face wearing a smile with eyes curved in a way that was infectious.
Ivan greeted with a smile, "I'm very happy to see you, Mrs. Harayer."
From his observations, Mrs. Harayer had few students, and this esteemed lady always had high standards for living, her expenses far exceeding many. This was probably the reason for Mrs. Harayer's happiness.
They both sat down in the living room.
"Mr. Ivan, what would you like to learn this time?"
"Brolderth, also known as Tidal Language."
Mrs. Harayer expressed approval, "A very good choice. In fact, both ancient Golgandar language and Tidal Language are commonly used by sorcerers. It seems that Mr. Ivan has quite an interest in sorcerers."
Upon hearing her words, something stirred in Ivan's heart, and he nodded slightly, "Sorcerers possess the most mysterious means, and I'm certainly interested in understanding more."
"Then you must study hard; language is, after all, the foundation of everything."
Seeing that Mrs. Harayer didn't continue the topic about sorcerers, Ivan didn't presume to ask any further, as their relationship was, after all, merely an employment one.
[Linguistics Skill Experience Point +1]
[Linguistics Skill: lv1 (6/100)]
Learning a new language had an immediate effect, causing the Experience Points to start increasing.
Having recently experienced a significant increase in Experience Points, Ivan was now unexcited about it.
After the lesson, he didn't linger in the villa but headed straight to Bat's Eye Medical Hall in East City.
Midway, Ivan sensed something and stopped in his tracks, turning around to look back, but found nothing suspicious.
"An illusion?"
He looked for two or three seconds, abandoned the idea of pursuing the matter, and continued on his way back.
Hidden behind a pile of goods not far away, Benson breathed a sigh of relief as he watched the man leave.
"That was close, he almost discovered me. What do we do now?"
With him was Rosyth, who had stumbled upon Ivan and started to follow him.
Rosyth frowned and said, "What's he doing in the city center?"
Impatient with guessing, Benson complained, "You shouldn't have dragged me along. It would have been easier to confront him directly instead of having to track him like this."
Rosyth spoke resentfully, "The patrols in West City are frequent; it's not suitable to make a move."
He didn't want to just beat up Ivan like last time; he wanted more. He sought to humiliate his adversary and inflict serious injury—how else could he quench the rage in his heart?
Benson stood in the street, looking off into the distance when suddenly an idea came to him, "I have an idea, what if— we challenge him directly?"
"He won't be that foolish."
"Let's try. I'll issue the invitation. We'll choose that cave at the bottom of the cliff as the location, and say it's to settle our past issue. I think he definitely won't remain indifferent."
In the face of Rosyth's refusal, Benson still insisted on his idea. They had already alarmed the quarry, so what harm was there in trying again?
The next day.
Early in the morning, Peggy, who had returned from helping Aunt Kasey with shopping, found a letter at the door.
"Brother Ivan, there's a letter for you."
"A letter?"
Ivan took it with a puzzled face. Sure enough, it was addressed to 'Ivan Marichardon' and written in Vandanese. The handwriting was standard, giving no clue to its author.
Remembering what had happened on his way the day before, he discreetly tucked the letter into his pocket.
"It is indeed my letter, from a pen pal from afar."
Peggy tilted her head and asked, "A male or female pen pal?"
"Why do you care so much?"
Seeing Ivan extend his hand to ruffle her hair, Peggy quickly jumped away in fright and ran back inside the house.
Ivan only opened the so-called letter after returning to his room. It was an invitation from Benson, proposing to settle the matter of their past adventure and to deal with those culprits once and for all.
"I haven't come looking for you yet, and you're already eager to get a beating."
Of course, he intended to avenge the humiliation of the past, especially since a life was involved.
However, now was the time when his strength was growing rapidly, so he might as well put it on his account for now.
Struck by a thought, Ivan put on a mask, hastily grabbed his sword, and walked outside, leaving the Marichardon family home.
He stood at the door looking left and right for a while but didn't spot any sneaky figures. He went into the nearby roads and alleys to have a look and, sure enough, spotted Benson slowly making his way back.
Ah, fortune favors me!
"Benson!"
Ivan approached quietly and called out as he got near.
At the sound, Benson turned around only to find a cloud of grey powder enveloping him. He instinctively closed his eyes and stepped aside, gripping his sword, ready for a surprise attack.
But Ivan was no longer the same as before. The Quillen Sword, still sheathed, swept across, striking Benson's arm and neatly disarming him.
"Cough cough, stop, I surrender, I surrender."
The sword sheath kept fanning down, forcing Benson to cover his head and cower, crying out for mercy.
"Listen, half a month from now, same time, our usual place. Remember to bring Rosyth with you to settle our past blood debt."
After letting Benson lie there for a while, Ivan finally stopped, satisfied. He left a final remark and departed in a good mood.
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