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

"The principle behind magic potions is completely different from that of conventional medicines."

"Conventional drugs affect our flesh and organs. But magic potions truly affect our spirit."

"So the first step in making a potion is to figure out what kind of expectations you have for this potion."

He habitually tapped the black notebook on the table with the nib of his pen, as if he were highlighting important points for his students.

"Let's look at it from another angle."

"The properties of conventional drugs are fixed; they are what they are and won't change because of your thoughts. For many drugs, you can't even say whether their effects are positive or negative."

"But potions are different. Potions are controlled by the subjective will of the alchemist."

Ivan unconsciously straightened his back a little.

"Huh? You can do that?"

Forem nodded.

"Yes. So the first priority in making potions is to be sufficiently focused."

"You need to hold onto that hope in your heart and let it correct the course of the potion's effects."

"Of course, don't go to extremes. This doesn't mean that you can make potions just by thinking about it. Subjective expectations only account for about five percent of the whole process. It merely gives you a vague outline of a direction, a vision."

At that moment, Evan felt as if the clouds had parted and the sun was shining through.

He finally understood what Professor Byron's bottle of blood-burning potion had meant.

From his own physical perspective, it should have been a negative effect, so why was he able to bypass the side effect detection of the Nine Dragons Power?

Because that's what the potion maker hoped for.

Forem continued.

"Next, let's talk about the principle of potions. As I mentioned earlier, potions affect our spirituality."

"The spiritual and the physical are bound together, so the spiritual will ultimately influence the physical in turn."

"But the core side effects of magic potions are not the same as those of regular drugs, such as decreased bodily sensitivity or drug addiction."

His eyes were serious.

"The essence of the side effects of magic potions is that they deplete your spirituality, which is to say, your life."

Ivan quickly jotted down the words in his mind.

Forem gave him a few seconds to think before speaking again.

"Speaking of which, we should first talk about the ingredients of the potion."

"Potions consist of three parts: main ingredients, auxiliary ingredients, and buffers."

He held up three fingers.

"The main ingredients all come from the organs and tissues of monsters, or some of their extraordinary properties."

"The auxiliary materials are things that are inherently mysterious: clay, poisonous mushrooms, blood, gemstones, various metals, coffin wood..."

"As for the buffer, it's for the user's own protection. It slows down the release of side effects, giving us time to adapt."

Upon hearing this, Evan vaguely understood why the potion was so incredibly potent.

The ingredients alone are quite substantial. Coffin wood. Poisonous mushrooms. None of these are decent ingredients.

Forem continued down this path:

"Once you understand the ingredients, you'll know why potions are so expensive."

"Monster organs and tissues are not cheap to begin with. A Hilichurl scalp used to make brutal potions can cost up to ten dollars."

Ivan raised an eyebrow.

Ten dollars is enough for a poor family on Guding Street to live on for half a month.

"And the buffer that protects us is completely monopolized by the Healing Church."

Forem's tone was neither judgmental nor concealing.

"The essence of that thing is a kind of holy oil that has undergone special sanctification, which can greatly protect our spirituality from the erosion of bestiality."

"A dose of buffer for one potion typically costs around five dollars."

Upon hearing this, Ivan couldn't help but click his tongue.

"Why does it feel like there's not much difference between superhumans and normal people...?"

Forem narrowed his eyes and earnestly warned, "Young man."

"Don't think too highly of yourself. Always remember that no matter how much power we hold, we are still just human beings."

"Otherwise, you are destined to be consumed by your own arrogance and hubris."

Ivan sat up straight and nodded seriously.

He had heard similar things from Richard and Armitage.

The three people had different voices and spoke different words, but the weight and meaning behind their words were almost identical.

Seeing that he was listening, Forem softened his tone and continued.

"Now you understand the nature of the potion's toxicity."

"Its essence is the lingering bestiality within the organs and tissues of demons, which continuously attacks our own spirituality."

Evan asked tentatively.

"...Isn't there any way to purify or cleanse it?"

Forem sighed.

"Once it's purified, it's useless."

"What we want is that bit of bestiality within them."

"what?"

Evan froze, his chin jutting forward half an inch.

Seeing his clearly confused expression, Forem slowly explained.

"The potion's enhancement effect can be broken down into two parts."

"The first aspect is the inherent properties of the material itself, which provide us with external enhancement."

"The second part is to use the wisp of bestiality inside the potion to suppress our spiritual protective control over our body's instincts, allowing the body to unleash more potential to cooperate with the sudden enhancement of external power."

He drew a simple arc in the air.

"Only by combining the two sides can we achieve significant improvement in a short period of time."

Evan had completely figured out the ins and outs of the potion, why it had come to this point, and why it had to be done this way.

He lowered his head and pondered for half a second, then looked up and spoke.

"Which part of my Witcher's poison resistance can neutralize?"

Forem smiled.

"It will be all right."

"The black blood in your bodies, the witchers, contains a buffer-like component that can counteract the side effects of the potion."

"The conventional toxicity from the additives, as well as the toxicity from the monster's own bestial nature, can be partially metabolized by you."

"Depending on the lineage of different Witcher lineages, the toxicity accumulated by Witchers using potions is approximately one-fiftieth to one-fortieth of that of other professions."

Ivan nodded knowingly.

"Doctor, please continue."

For the rest of the time, Forem went through the basic operations of potion making with him from beginning to end.

Details to pay attention to during the refining process: the materials of the glassware and crucibles needed, and the specific dimensions of the silver spoons.

Several magic circles and runes to be drawn on the ground in advance. Precautions when removing impurities.

The subtle differences in heat during distillation. Which main ingredient is best processed after dark, and which must be distilled in the first rays of dawn.

In short, the content is massive, and the knowledge points are so densely packed that there are almost no gaps.

Fortunately, Ivan's mental strength, which was already 3.6, combined with the 300% boost from the Mind-Concentrating Potion, made his mind function like a high-speed computer.

He memorized almost every word Forem said in an instant, and then slowly categorized them.

Finally, Forem took a sip of the now-cold tea.

"By the way. The essence of potions is somewhat similar to rituals."

"It can also receive certain blessings associated with the ritual."

"If you become skilled in rituals in the future, you should be able to learn it quickly."

Upon hearing this, Ivan couldn't help but smirk, but he forcibly suppressed it.

The effects of the mind-calming potion slowly wore off, and it was already 7:30.

Looking up at the grandfather clock hanging on the wall, the view outside the window was already completely different.

Late autumn nights come early, and the streetlights are already lit one by one, bringing a touch of warmth to the cold autumn night.

Ivan stood up and gave a proper bow.

"Thank you for your explanation, Doctor."

Forem nodded.

“I already knew from that letter that you are very proactive.”

"However, we should still be cautious about the potion."

"I won't give you the specific potion recipe today. Come over this weekend, and I'll guide you through your first attempt at brewing it."

Ivan smiled and agreed.

He bowed again, turned around, opened the door, and slowly walked away down the corridor.

The office door closed again.