Chapter 81: Hands-Free
Chapter 81: Hands-Free
"Stir at a steady pace for 4 minutes and 32 seconds..."
"At 5 minutes and 16 seconds, gradually add the moonflower powder..."
"Once stirred, cool for 3 minutes and 7 seconds before adding the red amberlo leaf powder..."
"..."
Under Matthew's guidance.
Mountain demonstrated an extraordinary talent for comprehension and execution, following all steps meticulously.
After only four failed attempts, he successfully brewed the blood-replenishing potion.
With a completion rate of 75, the quality was between acceptable and excellent.
It was fully fit for sale!
Matthew noticed that Mountain's alchemy skill had increased by 2 points.
This unique lifeform possessed growth potential.
However, Mountain's self-growth ability was limited; Matthew needed to teach, load, and update him regularly.
Even so, Matthew was very satisfied with Mountain and handed over all blood-replenishing potion production to him, not minding the occasional failure.
At worst, the trolls would just have to give more blood in rotation...
Matthew was now freed, relieved from the need to spend time making potions for profit. Watching Mountain busy at work filled him with an odd sense of satisfaction.
This was the essence of an arcanist—crafting and utilizing tools.
And Mountain was certainly one such tool!
With a light step, Matthew set all the clay golems to standby and left the lab.
Now, Matthew had time to teach his "cheap" apprentice.
After all, even tools should be trained from a young age!
Carefully writing down intricate Draconic runes, her eyes full of delight, Liana felt a sense of fulfillment she had never known before.
Beside her, Yaya slept soundly, causing no disturbance but rather adding a cozy atmosphere.
"Mmm... food... Yaya... don’t take it..."
Liana pursed her lips at Rebecca’s sleep-talking.
She resisted the urge to look at Rebecca’s face, afraid she might burst into laughter.
The fatigue of learning had vanished, and Liana happily returned to the ocean of knowledge.
She was determined to study hard and become a powerful arcanist!
At the workbench, Sulin watched her daughter studying intently, her smile full of satisfaction, carefully stitching fabric.
Occasionally, she cast curious glances at the sleeping Yaya and Rebecca, feeling a warmth deep inside.
This peaceful life filled her with immense contentment.
"Purr?"
Yaya, still in slumber, let out a cute snore, her slender tail raised and gently swaying in the air.
Matthew quietly entered, greeting Yaya with a thought to "keep sleeping," and she obediently continued to snooze.
Eating and sleeping to grow stronger—such is the way of dragons!
Sulin noticed Matthew and began to stand, but then stopped herself.
Smiling at her, Matthew turned his gaze to Liana.
The little girl was fully engrossed, utterly absorbed.
After half a month of study, Liana had made tremendous progress.
Liana
Age: 9
Class: None
Talent: None
Specialties: None
Skills:
Knowledge 32 (basic), Meditation 21, Evasion 36, Jump 11.
Attributes:
Strength: 5
Dexterity: 6 → 7
Constitution: 5 → 7
Intelligence: 14 → 15
Perception: 10 → 11
Charisma: 18
Luck: -1 (Cursed with misfortune)
Evaluation: Plagued by bad luck, destined for hardship.
Liana's rapid improvement in knowledge and meditation was evident.
Matthew had no doubt that within a month, both skills would reach the mid-tier.
Her physical attributes had also begun to show considerable promise.
Now that she had a steady food supply, her hidden bloodline ability was starting to manifest.
If all went well, Liana could become a mage within a month or two.
But her true potential lay in her bloodline ability.
Should Matthew follow the original path and train Liana to become a legendary sorcerer? Or should he completely alter her fate?
One thing Matthew couldn’t ignore was that Liana’s luck, which had previously reset to zero, had somehow dropped to -1 again.
“Could it be? If left unchecked, Liana’s luck might continue to deteriorate and eventually return to -5!”
While Matthew pondered, Liana, having just finished a page, looked up and saw him. She flashed a shy, sweet smile:
"Teacher, you're here..."
"Knowledge +1, now 33!"
Her progress was so impressive, even fate seemed jealous!
Her fair, rosy cheeks radiated a captivating charm. With a charisma two points higher than Matthew’s, she was nearing the limit of mortal beauty, and Matthew couldn’t help but admire her:
“You’ve completed this book. You now have a solid grasp of both Elvish and Draconic. You can start reading spell scrolls and learning some cantrips."
"If there's anything you don't understand, come to me anytime..."
The little girl blinked in surprise and delight. She had been eager to start this. She was just about to stand and thank him when a hand gently ruffled her hair.
Matthew, with a warm smile, said softly:
“But don’t overwork yourself. You’re still growing, so make sure you sleep by 9 o’clock every night.”
Nodding obediently, the little girl was very well-behaved, though a little anxious inside.
"I’ll have to study more during the day..."
Seeing how adorable she was, Matthew took out a teaching scroll that Adam Smith had acquired and began explaining it in detail.
Liana quickly became immersed again, the magical world full of wonders captivating her completely.
Sulin let out a quiet breath beside them, lost in her own thoughts, with a slight sparkle in her eyes.
...
The bright sun rose into the sky.
Clearing away yesterday’s fog.
Eager adventurers poured out of the village, no longer able to wait to capture more trolls.
People hustled about, one by one, beginning another busy day.
Adam Smith stood on the wall, marveling at the sight of the thick smoke in the distance, observing the streams of people rushing into the lumber mills with a curious expression:
“Do they really need this many people to get the job done?”
Confirming that the next round of registration and line formations was proceeding as usual, Ralph, who was taking notes, responded calmly:
“All the products are immediately consumed, all contributing to the construction of Bay Village.”
Blinking in confusion, Adam Smith hadn’t expected that response, pointing toward the other factories in the distance, he asked curiously:
“Are all the goods from those factories also being bought by the lord?”
Ralph, feeling a mixture of pride and slight exasperation, thought that the lord’s method of rapidly developing the territory was indeed very effective.
However, it all depended on Matthew’s continuous investment of funds and resources to maintain this pace. Ralph nodded with pride:
“That’s right. The lord believes in ensuring everyone has a job and helping them adapt to working as much as possible!”
Ensuring everyone had work?
And the lord buying up all the goods?
Recalling the bustling shops throughout Bay Village, Adam Smith widened his eyes, muttering to himself:
“This is an unprecedented business model…”
“What exactly is the lord planning?”