004 The Crossroads of Fate
Roland casually poured the wine onto the magical herb, then prepared to carry both the potion and the Holy Grail away.
“Why did you pour wine on that potion?” the female mentor suddenly asked coldly.
[Maturing Manhatos Herb prematurely is impossible. However, after Catherine exchanged some magic with you this morning, she discovered you are someone who can turn the impossible into possible. Therefore, she believes you might succeed in this impossible task.]
[She even entertained a wildly absurd idea—that this herb is about to mature, and pouring wine on it is the final step.]
[Obviously, your mentor is deeply suspicious; you must deceive her.]
[You know you can give two answers. This book now tells you what kind of reward the mentor will give you depending on the future each answer leads to.]
[A. Grit your teeth and lie: “Mentor, I have given up on advancing. I will be your little servant from now on. Please give me a potion for advancement tomorrow.”
Completion rewards:
1. The mentor says: “Tell the truth!” *1
2. Then the mentor says: “Hmph, trying to fool me—Avakent Dagua!” *1
3. You lie half-dead in bed *1
4. At night, with Catherine away, Miss Anna sneaks into the kitchen and complains: “Why did Catherine put the steaks on the bed? (Surprise, surprise, eat, eat, eat)… cooked half-raw… (feeling wronged)” *1]
[B. Tell the truth: “Yes, senior, I deliberately poured wine just to deceive you. My real plan is to water it with the Holy Grail tonight! As for the Holy Grail... I learned a transfiguration spell from the Alaye Manuscript—based on your current understanding of the Butterfly Theory, I will give the true reason and seriously explain the Butterfly Theory when you question and interrogate me.”
Completion rewards:
1. The mentor and Roland delve deeply into forbidden transfiguration *1;
2. Roland’s madness +1;
3. Mentor’s madness +1;
4. Roland and the mentor’s nonsense mixed with various spells *N;
5. “Lucky! Catherine cooked two big steaks today (surprise, surprise, eat, eat, eat)… but both were burnt… (crying while eating)” *1;
6. All ability enlightenment +100 (all non-forbidden magic experience +100);]
Roland paused thoughtfully before saying, “Mentor Catherine, I was just following your orders—I think it’s meaningless to continue cultivating this herb. And since you don’t want to see this potion anymore…”
Senior Catherine interrupted impatiently, “Tell the truth!”
Roland asked, “Are you sure you want the truth?”
Hearing this, the mentor’s expression became rather interesting.
She knew Roland was about to spout some incomprehensible Alaye magic theory again!
Yet she couldn’t help but want to hear it.
Miss Catherine hesitated, then spat out one word: “Speak!”
Roland thought to himself: ‘You asked for this.’
From the prophecy in the Alaye Manuscript earlier, regardless of whether Roland told the truth or lied now, death was certain.
So Roland spoke a piece of madness.
This madness was half true and half false, so he simultaneously chose A and B, yet also chose neither.
“Respected mentor, people say Manhatos Herb requires specific conditions and a long time to bear Mermaid Fruit. But with your achievements in potion-making, you should know that time is not actually necessary.”
The mentor nodded, “Indeed. According to past cases, even seedlings can sometimes weep overnight and bear Mermaid Fruit.”
Roland continued, “As you’ve seen, for the past three months, I’ve been using your alchemical tools under your permission to research and cultivate this Manhatos Herb.”
Curious, the mentor asked, “So, after all this time, what conclusion have you reached?”
Roland replied, “Today, I realized something new from the Alaye Manuscript.”
The mentor’s eyes lit up, “Tell me quickly!”
Roland said, “According to my latest insight, this potion hasn’t borne Mermaid Fruit because it’s not old enough but because it lacks some necessary condition… To be precise, it’s thirsty.”
The mentor frowned, thinking, “Thirsty… this word has many meanings. Is ‘thirsty’ a term from that book? Damn… I don’t understand that book. What does ‘thirsty’ mean? Why pour wine when the potion is thirsty?”
Pausing, she impatiently said, “Answer me directly, Roland. If a potion is thirsty, it can be infused with anything; why must it drink wine?”
Roland answered, “Because mermaids like to drink wine.”
Mentor Catherine was stunned for a long moment before reacting.
“Get out!” she ground her teeth.
Inwardly, she thought: ‘I knew it! I knew this boy would say something crazy!’
Catherine knew Roland would say mad things but couldn’t help asking.
And they talked for quite some time!
But this was not because Catherine wanted to chat with Roland!
Rather, because there is a maxim in Black Abyss Academy—that the truth of magic often appears absurd, indescribable, and mad.
Moreover, when Roland first arrived this morning, he explained some core theories from the Alaye Manuscript—the Foolishness Principle.
This logic from the underlying world is unspeakable and indescribable, understood only by a few exceptionally gifted geniuses.
Roland was a genius at comprehending these unspeakable matters.
He understood and earnestly explained these “indescribable” theories under the mentor’s questioning—but to others, it sounded like a madman’s ramblings.
Thus, the mentor’s expression became extremely intriguing after hearing him out.
She harshly scolded the mad boy, then secretly went to the back mountain to run an experiment based on Roland’s morning nonsense.
After the experiment, she reached a shocking conclusion—Roland was not mad; he was a genius! He understood the indescribable theory and revealed secrets of the underlying world!
She was far behind him and had initially mistaken his words for madness, but practice proved Roland right.
It was like a modern person telling ancient people the earth is round; ancient people would think you’re mad because if the earth were round, people would fall off!
But when the ancient person tested it, they found the earth was indeed round.
From then on, Catherine dared not doubt Roland’s words—even if they sounded absurd, she believed this absurd theory might be the standard answer.
“Wait, put that herb back first,” Catherine called after Roland.
He turned again, “Are you sure?”
The senior slightly narrowed her eyes.
Roland hurriedly placed the herb back on the table and slipped out to heat some water.
Watching Roland’s hurried retreat, Mentor Catherine closed her eyes and circulated her energy for a while.
“You brat, if that herb doesn’t bear Mermaid Fruit tonight, you’re done for!”
In truth, Catherine’s status was extremely noble. In magic, knowledge, etiquette, and experience, she was impeccable.
Although usually cold as ice, she was actually very refined.
But before Roland, she found it hard to keep her composure—neither cold nor refined.
After calming herself somewhat, Catherine approached the table and carefully examined the herb.
“This brat didn’t tell the whole truth—just pouring wine is absolutely impossible,” she mused. “This herb has been cultivated for a long time; could he really have found a way to hasten its maturity… no! Impossible, absolutely impossible!”
Catherine sat down and sighed deeply.
‘Catherine, Catherine, you’re about to be driven mad by this brat...’
Rubbing her forehead, Catherine looked at the herb on the table and said, “You brat, go crazy if you want! You’d rather go mad than beg me—I want to see how you advance tonight!”
After scolding him, Catherine sat down and took out a magic box from another wallet-like space at her waist. The box was full of potions needed for apprentices to advance to low-level adepts.
Even for advanced adepts, these items were valuable, but she had a whole box.
“The effect of Elemental Water far surpasses Mermaid Fruit. Giving him a bottle tomorrow should be enough...”
It seemed Catherine had long prepared advancement potions for Roland.
Previously, she had made a bet with Roland, mostly on a whim—this brat was interesting and confident. So Catherine wanted to teach him a lesson; let him know the consequences of gambling with a wizard.
As his mentor, it was better he suffered losses with her than outside, to prevent future foolish acts that might sully the reputations of the Alaye and Alexandra families.
Thus, she proposed a cruel wager—if Roland lost, he would surrender his soul and become her servant.
Apprentices needed pressure, and Hall had told her Roland was lazy. He had to be forced; otherwise, he wouldn’t succeed.
The most critical thing was time waited for no one; if Roland could not advance within three months… all would be lost.
So Catherine went along with the wager.
As the deadline neared and the contract was about to take effect, Catherine expected Roland to submit and beg her, but he didn’t—worse, this morning he seemed half-asleep and called her “dear”… he was far too disrespectful to his mentor!
‘Hmph, fine. Then wait to be my servant… when you behave and learn to respect your teacher, I might consider freeing you.’
Catherine planned to give Roland the potion tomorrow to help him advance and then take him to the Tawny Fern Forest.
‘Should I tell him about the Tawny Fern Forest... no, Hall already tried; he won’t go!’
‘This brat is a coward who clings to life, lacking his father Anthony’s resolve!’
‘He won’t come with us for that matter...’
The Tawny Fern Forest was of great importance; if no one dealt with it, consequences would be dire.
Besides, even disregarding the safety of Valeria Town, she owed Baron Hall a favor. They were old friends, and she had to help him.
Most importantly, the Tawny Fern Forest contained many “oddities” or “peculiar magical treasures.”
Among them was a treasure that could cure Anna’s illness and lift the curse on Narl.
Catherine was determined to obtain this treasure.
“Roland followed me only to avoid going to the Tawny Fern Forest.”
“I wonder how he’ll feel after wandering for three months, only to be sent there himself.”
Thinking of Roland’s bitter expression tomorrow, Catherine’s mood brightened.
She walked outside, looked at the kettle boiling water, and decided, “While this brat goes to bring food to Narl and Anna, I’ll take a bath first.”
“Tomorrow, when he returns, I’ll deal with that one-eyed giant and take its heart… At my current level, handling such a wizard-class creature is tricky—I need a helper. Anna’s condition has worsened recently, so I’ll bring Sir Narl along.”
Miss Anna and Sir Narl... two names.
So Catherine actually had two “trolls.”
However, she worked hard to hide this fact, even calling Narl “Anna” in front of others.
Thus, everyone believed she only had one troll. In all of Valeria, only she and Baron Hall knew the truth.