"No wonder she was able to win." Andre looked at him with some concern, "But now, I'm afraid Cynthia has set her sights on you too. She's not an easy character to deal with."

"This kind of thing is nothing to worry about. As long as you stand out, you will definitely be noticed." Ron waved his hand dismissively.

"Instead of worrying about her little tricks, better focus on preparing for the exam. Once we pass the Alchemist certification, many of the issues we currently face will be easily resolved."

The two chatted a while longer about their progress and various intelligence within the school, then Andre stood up to take his leave:

"I won't disturb your exam preparations any longer. If you need any help, feel free to send someone to find me."

Ron escorted Andre to the door, "You should also work hard and focus on preparing for the ceremony. The real test is in a month's time."

After watching Andre leave, he closed the door and was about to continue his evening magic potion practice but suddenly fell into thought.

Cynthia's hostility, albeit not to be feared, but the presence of Oliver always made him uneasy.

What secrets lie behind the perfect smile of that grey-robed youth?

...

Oliver's laboratory was located on the top floor of the school's most remote tower, where hardly any other apprentices would come to disturb.

The tower was old and in disrepair, with dark purple vines climbing up its outer walls, said to be the result of a failed experiment by a certain Wizard, capable of devouring small creatures that came near them.

The exterior of the tower was unremarkable, but the interior held surprises.

Following Oliver through the door carved with bizarre patterns, Cynthia's expression had shifted entirely from how she looked on the square.

The previously enraged face was now peculiarly calm, the frenzy in her blue eyes retreating like the tide, leaving only deep calculation and coldness.

"Well, this is where those annoying surveillance eyes should be absent."

Cynthia gracefully took off her outer robe and casually hung it on the rack by the door.

Her movements were seamless, devoid of the rage from the square, as if the frenzied screaming woman was just a temporary disguise.

"So, you'd better give me a reasonable explanation why you stopped me when I was about to act?"

She asked coldly, deliberately stepping closer to Oliver, staring directly at him, close enough to feel each other's breath.

Oliver stepped back slightly, seemingly to turn around and fetch something, but in fact, subtly pulling back to keep distance.

On that flawless face was a meticulously crafted smile, while a trace of vigilance flickered in his eyes.

"If you had acted on the spot, it would have drawn more attention to Trish over there,"

He said with a voice as calm as water, "Moreover, have you ever wondered why the Daughter of the Hunter, with such an unremarkable background, could train an ordinary leopard girl to such a degree in a short time?"

Cynthia snorted without answering, instead circling around to Oliver's side, intentionally brushing her body lightly against his:

"Oliver, you are always so... rational. I'm curious, what could possibly crack your icy mask?"

Her fingers grazed Oliver's hand, a predatory gleam in her eyes.

Oliver's back tensed slightly, a fleeting look of disgust crossing his eyes before being forcibly suppressed.

He deftly evaded the touch under the guise of adjusting his sleeve, while maintaining a polite smile.

"My mask? You misunderstand, this is merely basic calm thinking."

He nonchalantly moved towards a cabinet on the other side of the room, increasing the distance between them: "Emotions are a luxury in the Black Mist Jungle, especially for people of our standing."

Cynthia narrowed her eyes, watching Oliver's subtle evasive actions with amusement: "You're afraid of me, Oliver."

"Afraid?" Oliver chuckled lightly, a chill flashing in his eyes:

"It's more like caution. I am well aware of your...special talent. If I were truly to be drawn into such a relationship, I might end up as just one of your many puppets."

Cynthia did not get angry, instead showing a satisfied smile: "You know quite a lot, even among the Advanced Apprentices, there are few who can see through the essence of my ability."

"So why not discuss some serious matters?" Oliver calmly shifted the topic, bent down, and opened a cabinet, "Rest assured, I never break promises."

He held up a crystal bottle, containing a light purple liquid that flickered enticingly in the light.

"Joyful Liquid, the latest formula." Oliver's voice remained steady, unwavering: "The effect is 30% stronger than last time, and the side effects are reduced by 50%."

Cynthia's pupils slightly dilated, her body unconsciously leaning forward, but soon she regained her haughty and aloof posture: "It seems our collaboration will remain very pleasant."

Oliver handed her the crystal bottle and then clapped his hands.

An secret door in the laboratory slowly opened, and a burly figure walked in.

It was a hulking figure over two meters tall, sewn together with countless scars on its sickly dark green skin.

The most notable aspect was its grotesquely deformed body, adorned with several clearly grafted organs, each exuding unnatural energy fluctuations.

"A specially modified experiment subject for you, its body has undergone countless surgical transformations, each organ treated specially to provide unimaginable sensations of joy."

Oliver introduced it calmly, as if discussing an ordinary artifact: "Of course, remember to use the Joyful Liquid before use, the effect will be better."

Cynthia slowly stood up, circled around the stitched figure with interest, examining the extra organs closely, with a smile that was hard to describe.

"Not bad, but don't think this will satisfy me." She suddenly turned around, a glint of danger in her eyes: "Our transaction involves more than just these."

Oliver nodded, moved to one side of the room, and pulled open another hidden door, revealing a well-arranged potion rack, filled with all kinds of vials and jars, each emitting subtle energy fluctuations.

"Everything is here, forbidden potions, sensory stimulants, and also the item you've always wanted..."

He spoke softly, pointing to a black box at the bottom of the rack.

Cynthia's eyes lit up, she quickly walked over, cautiously opened the box.

Inside lay a black crystal, its surface seeming to crawl with countless tiny worms.

"Sin Domain Black Crystal." She whispered to herself, eyes full of greed, "You actually managed to get it?"

"I never break my promises to you." Oliver's voice remained gentle: "Of course, the premise is that you can continue to provide those 'materials'."

Cynthia showed a satisfied smile:

"Don't worry, this year's supply will be more than before, and of better quality. Those ignorant and young servants always manage to provide the purest Resentment Crystals in this world."

After looking through it, she carefully put it back, as it was not yet time for its official unsealing.

The two exchanged a smile, a chilling tacit understanding pervaded the air.

Oliver walked towards the window, gazing at the distant apprentice dormitory district:

"By the way, you should behave yourself for a while, and especially avoid provoking Ron, and that Thirteenth Prince the Farouk Royal Family promised to send you."

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