Wizards begin with Occlumency.

Chapter 100 Return Gift

The fifth week of the holiday.

Wednesday was a clear and sunny day.

The East District was quite lively today, with vehicles constantly arriving from all directions since early morning.

After two days of extensive publicity, all the official wizards and wizarding apprentices who reside in the city of Rivosos know that a good show is about to take place today.

The wizards Paro and Peter Lionel, who have been feuding for decades, are at it again.

Last time, Peter Lionel pulled off a brilliant move by orchestrating a life-or-death duel between the current president and vice president of the "New Blood Mutual Aid Society," which was a topic of much discussion among wizards, especially third-level wizards, who were familiar with the decades-long feud between the two.

This time, it's clear that the wizard Paro wants to get revenge, and who knows what kind of trouble he'll pull off.

Many wizards were filled with anticipation.

Many people arrived at the East Zone Exhibition Center early, eagerly awaiting the start of the show.

Two very retro-style fabric banners hang on either side of the main entrance to the exhibition center, making them very eye-catching.

The banner on the left read, "Wishing Lucia's Pharmacy a disastrous new product launch," while the banner on the right read, "Warmly congratulate Serene's Pharmacy's new product launch on a complete flop."

Those who saw these two banners couldn't help but laugh.

In order to better resonate with the consciousness of the wizarding world, a level three wizard in the process of transformation must maintain his true nature as much as possible.

If you do whatever comes to mind and vent your anger, you might end up making a lot of jokes.

The lobby on the first floor is divided into two parts: the east side is occupied by Serin's Pharmacy, and the west side is temporarily occupied by Lucia's Pharmacy.

Two groups of people were busy in their respective areas.

Link and Jasmine were also there.

The star of the press conference was the stunningly beautiful witch Celine, dressed in a vibrant emerald green fishtail gown.

Three soon-to-be-formed wizards, along with the inexperienced young Jasmine, served as hostesses, responsible for showcasing the various new potions released by Celine's Apothecary.

Link has an important mission and needs to make a grand finale appearance.

Paro Wizard's arrangement was both unexpected and not unexpected for Link.

Unsurprisingly, he played a part in the press conference.

After all, how could he hide and not show his face if he wanted to get revenge on Sufi Lucia?

Otherwise, this would be no different from wearing fine clothes in the dark.

Surprisingly, the wizard Paro arranged a very important role for him, implying that he was to be the main focus of the press conference.

On the west side of the exhibition hall, Sophie Lucia, dressed in a well-fitting dress, felt a little uneasy when she saw Link Grand, who looked energetic and gentle, in the opposite area.

Her intuition told her that something was bound to happen today.

Before she could think it through, her cousin, Soren Lucia, approached her and said, "Be prepared. When you're hosting the press conference later, if anything unexpected happens, don't panic. They're just here to cause trouble. We don't care about anything else; as long as we complete the entire process, we've succeeded. Understand?"

Sophie Lucia replied confidently, "Understood, Cousin Soren."

"Um."

Soren Lucia nodded, then asked, "What were you looking at so intently just now?"

Sophie Lucia thought for a moment, then, without hiding anything, revealed the truth: "I'm looking at that country bumpkin, Link Grand. He's recently published four 'papers' on the academy's intranet. One introduces the characteristics of a plant called 'Liu Tiancao' and the special effects of its leaf extracts. The other three are aromatherapy essential oils, fragrances, and perfumes developed based on Liu Tiancao leaf extracts. I think the other side will probably use this series to cause trouble as well."

Soren Lucia didn't take it lightly when she heard this, but just as she was about to arrange for someone to access the relevant information, Peter Lionel arrived with a group of people.

That's really unfortunate.

Otherwise, even if no countermeasures can be found in a short time, they won't be caught off guard later.

Soren Lucia could only keep this in mind and arrange for someone to investigate it later when she had more free time.

Taking two quick steps, Soren Lucia met Peter Lionel.

The two exchanged a few casual pleasantries.

Peter Lionel then began to introduce the guests he had specially invited to support Soren Lucia.

Soren Lucia smiled brightly on the surface, warmly welcoming all the guests, but inwardly she was groaning.

It was originally just a regular new drug launch event. Even if it was ruined, it wouldn't have any impact on him or the Rukia family.

But with the interference of the wizard Paro, Soren Lucia, the Lucia family's apothecary, and the Lucia family were all put on hold.

Any minor problem that occurs during a press conference will be magnified, discussed, and used to attack the Rukia family afterward.

On the other side, Link was also secretly groaning in his heart.

He had expected the event to be large, but he never imagined it would be this big.

Judging from the sight, there are at least ten important figures who are on par with the wizards Paro and Peter Lionel at the scene!

Link is certain and sure that he will become famous after this press conference!

And so, time passed amidst the different feelings of the individuals involved.

The clock in the exhibition center chimed precisely at 9:00 a.m.

Two press conferences started simultaneously.

At Lucia's Pharmacy,

Sophie Lucia walked onto the stage in high heels, her lips red and her face pink, graceful and charming.

It attracted a lot of attention as soon as it appeared.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the new product launch of Lucia's Pharmacy. I am the host of this event, Sophie Lucia."

Before the press conference officially begins, please allow me, on behalf of Lucia's Pharmacy, to thank Wizards Peter Lionel, Henry Percyville, Embiid Smith, and Todd Jensen, and all the distinguished guests present at this press conference.

Today, our Lucia Pharmacy is proud to launch a total of sixteen new potions…

Sophie Lucia's voice was loud and clear, her pronunciation was fluent, and her opening was smooth without any mistakes.

If Sophie Lucia is given just one more minute, her opening mission can be completed.

Later, as the presenter of the new fragrance series, I will explain and promote it to guests who are interested in the new fragrances.

However, at that moment, Serene's Pharmacy press conference started to troll.

The day before yesterday, Link was chatting with Jasmine when she mentioned that Salia, Ella, and Tina were discussing how to start their press conference to attract more attention. Link casually remarked, "A conventional opening by a host is too ordinary. Wouldn't it be more effective to smash an expensive potion on the spot?"

But somehow those words reached the ears of the witch Celine.

Surprisingly, the witch Celine was actually prepared to adopt this approach and even came to ask Link for his opinion on which potion would be more appropriate to break.

Link, forcing himself to make a suggestion, offered a solution.

A mournful melody began, instantly drowning out Sophie Lucia's voice.

After most of the people in the exhibition hall looked over.

Celine the Wizard stepped onto the podium and, without saying a word, smashed a bottle of potion.

A strange smell filled the air.

A touch of "sweetness" rose in everyone's hearts, as if returning to the "happiest" moment of life.

They came with high spirits and left happily.

Festive!

This potion is worth a full 10 standard level 2 magic stones.

It was Celine the Wizard's masterpiece, which took four years to develop and was only successfully produced after she returned to her homeland.

The potion is called "Regret," and its effect is to make people recall the most regrettable thing in their lives, strongly stimulating their emotions. The potential customer base is level three wizards.

Because wizards emphasize rationality, not inhumanity.

Many experienced level 3 wizards tend to become too indifferent and ruthless before reaching the standard for advancement to sage, affecting their humanity and hindering their resonance with the consciousness of the wizarding world.

Resonance is not assimilation.

A global consciousness must be impartial and ruthless, but humans are not machines; they must have humanity and individuality.

Otherwise, faced with numerous challenges, they are likely to become puppets of knowledge and power, rather than wizards who master knowledge and wield power.

Regret has a far stronger and more direct impact on human nature than positive emotions such as beauty and love.

Therefore, this potion will definitely not lack buyers, and it is absolutely the work of a master!

With this "Repentance" potion, once the wizard Celine is promoted to sage, she can add the prefix "Great" to her title of apothecary, becoming the Great Apothecary!

Like the Sage Percy, he was respectfully called the Great Alchemist.

A hint of regret flashed in Link's eyes.

Ten standard level 2 magic stones are equivalent to 10,000 standard level 1 magic stones at market price.

It was smashed like that!

However, there's a reason why things are expensive.

The "Repentance" potion was sprinkled, and after being activated by the witch Celine using special methods, its scent permeated the entire first-floor hall.

Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to it.

Peter Lionel and Soren Lucia were no exception.

Sophie Lucia, who was hosting the event, burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably.

She recalled how, due to her shortsightedness and looking down on the newcomers from the countryside, she lost the position of acting director of the Third Botanical Garden, a position she had worked so hard to secure.

Forgive her for her shallow life experience; this is the only thing she regrets in her life.

Peter Lionel reacted the most strongly, bursting into tears, pounding his chest, and repeatedly crying out, "The rod! The rod! My rod!"

This reminded me of the painful events that happened more than a decade ago.

In a secluded place, he was so engrossed in admiring the dazzling beauty of the Sage Percy Diamond that the Wizard Paro snatched the Sage Percy Staff right under his nose.

Although Peter Lionel was in a period of transformation and his situation was special, all the other level three wizards were also affected by the "Repentance" potion and were all moved.

With a gentle wave of her hand, the witch Celine dispelled the smell of the potion and seized the opportunity to begin:

"Welcome everyone to my new product launch."

This press conference is divided into three parts:

First, there's this potion I named "Regret," which is only sold to level 3 wizards and costs 10 standard level 2 magic stones.

Refining is difficult and production is limited, so please act quickly if you wish to purchase. Those interested can make an appointment in advance.

Secondly, there are six potions for first- and second-level wizards, divided into three categories: daily use, training, and combat, with two potions in each category. Those interested can learn more about them on their own.

Finally, the highlight of this new product launch was the Li Xuan Cao series of products, including aromatherapy oils, fragrances, and perfumes, independently developed by Link Grand, a first-year student in the South District of the Junior Academy and a potion-making prodigy favored by the wizard Paro.

Now, please welcome Link Grand, a first-year student, to introduce the Li Xuancao series.

The wizards and wizarding apprentices whose attention had been stolen, the staff of the Lucia family's apothecary, the staff of the exhibition center—almost everyone wore strange expressions.

Well……

You guys are really good at this.

I smashed a rare potion worth 10 standard level 2 magic stones just so everyone could hear a product recommendation from a freshman?

Wow, they're really rich and powerful, talented and willful.

Unbeknownst to them, even without the influence of the "Regret" potion, most people had turned their attention to the east.

Composing herself, Sophie Lucia wiped away her tears and prepared to continue hosting the press conference. Looking at the few people still paying attention, she felt a mix of emotions.

Under the watchful eyes of many wizards, Link stepped onto the stage with steady steps, showing no stage fright whatsoever, and loudly announced: "The Li Xuancao series is aimed at competing with the new fragrance series of our rivals across the street."

We solemnly promise that while the results may not be better than our competitors, they are at least as good, and the price is the same!

Not a single magic stone more, not a single magic stone less. Whatever price our competitors sell at, that's the price we'll sell at!

This pricing strategy was decided by the wizard Paro.

Nothing else, just do it!

"We welcome everyone to pay attention to the subsequent sales performance of the two companies and make a comparison."

Let sales figures and reviews speak for themselves; let's see which product is good and which is bad!

After discussing the pricing, Link dropped another bombshell.

Since the wizard Paro has abandoned his plan to use the "Repentance" potion, a famous work of bullying, to cause trouble, and has decided to use the Li Xuancao series as a starting point and the freshmen as a gimmick to slap Soren Lucia in the face and "repay" Peter Lionel, he can't let this matter lack a media attention-grabbing element.

What could be more newsworthy than a face-to-face sales challenge?

What?

You're saying you won't take on this challenge?

Do you still care about saving face? Do you still care about your reputation?

Link's role ends here; he makes an appearance, has two lines, and it's very simple.

But the significance is by no means simple.

From then on, for a long time to come, Link will live in the spotlight and will never be able to keep a low profile.

The wizard Paro finally appeared, a bright smile on his face. He greeted the three level wizards present before turning to Peter Lionel, whose face was grim, and Soren Lucia, whose expression was blank.

"Peter, Soren, it's been a long time."

With a smile and a wave, the wizard Paro glanced at Sophie Lucia, who was standing awkwardly on the stage, unsure whether to continue hosting or leave. "Tsk... Do you guys really lack that many magic stones? You could at least hire a more professional host."

This statement is extremely damaging.

Sophie Lucia's face turned deathly pale.

The other side used unreasonable tactics, which caused her to make a complete mess of the situation, and it was not her fault.

But after the wizard Paro said that, it seemed that she was too low-class and that's why she failed to maintain the situation.

This will affect her image in her cousin Soren's eyes and how the family regards her!

It's a large family with many members, and quite complicated!

"Paro, that's going too far."

Peter Lionel cast a calming spell to pacify Sophie Lucia, then said in a deep voice, "How dare you bully the weak?"

"Ah! I'm sure I made a mistake on that, I admit it!"

The wizard Paro readily accepted Peter Lionel's accusations, then winked at Link, "I'll apologize right away."

Link understood, and reluctantly picked up the entire Li Xuancao series.

Under the unseen protection of the wizard Paro, it passed through the crowd and was delivered to Sophie Lucia:

"I hope you like this return gift!"

(End of this chapter)