Of course, on the surface, Leilin still put on the act of an inexperienced young man, engaging in a warm and friendly conversation with the group of apprentices.
Once the ball concluded and the carriages of various families departed, Viscount Jackson, whom Leilin had met that day, was speaking with his subordinate in a secret chamber of the Lord's Manor.
"Is it confirmed?"
"I smelled the scent of a mystic on him, and I can be certain he is very young!" The response came from a figure entirely wrapped in black robes, whose face was also covered in a ring of yellow fuzz.
"He is different from those Wizards who drown themselves in hedonism. So young, it's impossible for him to be retired. Whether he's hiding from an enemy or has other purposes, it's bad news for us!" Worry appeared on Jackson's stern face.
"Forgive my bluntness! Our current strength, while capable of dealing with one mystic, would face severe backlash if we aroused the opposition of their entire group. That would be a net loss for us!"
The half-beast spoke slowly.
"Indeed!" Jackson pondered for a long while before finally issuing a command: "Do not anger him, but do not let him slip from our sight or control!"
"Understood!" The half-beast retreated into the darkness...
Since the ball, Leilin's other affairs had also progressed very smoothly. First, through Meierfeile, he purchased the previous manor for four thousand five hundred gold coins.
Then, through the searching of old Walker, Leilin selected a pharmacy in a decent location that was on the verge of closing down and bankruptcy, and signed a purchase contract.
Because the Lord's Manor acted with unexpected enthusiasm, many procedures were surprisingly completed within a few days.
Of course, Leilin also noticed some obvious spies lurking near the pharmacy and the manor, but they had a good grasp of his tolerance threshold, only taking the most basic precautionary measures. They also didn't extend their reach to the people Leilin had brought, so he didn't care.
After hiring several pharmacists through Meierfeile and getting the pharmacy barely on track, Leilin completely let go of its affairs and devoted himself wholeheartedly to his Wizard experiments.
The original baron's manor, after some renovations, became even more pristine and grand.
The baron who lived there previously had occupied a three-story white-brick turret. Now, Leilin unceremoniously requisitioned several of the largest bedrooms.
The largest one became the master bedroom, while the two adjacent rooms were turned into a study and a laboratory. Both were protected using several warning spells obtained from the Black Bone Forest Academy. He also issued strict orders to the servants that no one was allowed to enter without Leilin's command.
As for Gelin and Fuleisa, they were assigned nearby the bedrooms as guards.
Felen and some other mercenaries were also given tasks, taking turns on patrol duty around the pharmacy and the manor. Leilin also issued a notice, announcing that diligent and hardworking individuals could redeem a plot of manor land after three years to gain permanent residency. This was a significant incentive for the common mercenaries and farmers.
Leilin occasionally looked through the window and could still see the mercenaries diligently on duty and the farmers toiling away.
Because Leilin had been staying cooped up inside the manor, rarely even visiting the pharmacy except for the occasional meeting with Meierfeile, rumors of a "benevolent but lazy lord" were already quietly circulating outside.
"Young Master! People from the pharmacy have arrived!" Anna's voice came from behind the door.
"Have them leave the goods in the outer living room. Tell Gelin to move everything to the laboratory!" Leilin tapped on the window with his knuckles, producing a muffled sound.
"Your will shall be done!" The voice quickly receded, followed mostly by the sounds of things being moved.
A dozen or so minutes later, Leilin arrived at the adjacent laboratory.
What had once been a spacious laboratory was now crammed with long wooden tables and crates. There were no windows, only a hanging chandelier casting its dim glow.
"Young Master! Per your orders, the apothecary has delivered one sample of every medicinal herb currently available on the market."
Anna curtseyed, holding the hem of her skirt, then turned to open a large redwood chest behind her. Inside were bundles of plant roots and many other unrecognizable medicinal ingredients. Beside each herb was a yellow slip of paper, listing its name.
"Furthermore, here are all the potion formulas known to ordinary apothecaries, though they are only effective against mortals!"
Anna handed over a stack of dark yellow parchment sheets.
Leilin took them, glanced through them, and casually set the formulas aside on a long table.
"You are dismissed! Anna, stay!" Leilin waved a hand at Gelin.
Gelin bowed and strode out, pulling the heavy door shut behind him.
With a loud clang, the light inside the laboratory grew even dimmer.
Leilin furrowed his brow and produced a white stone from his bundle.
He pressed a finger lightly against it, and a bright, white light emanated from the stone.
This was a Sunlight Stone, a common travel accessory for Wizards. It contained trace amounts of radiant energy, capable of emitting a steady, bright light.
Unfortunately, the radiant energy was minimal, serving only as illumination.
"Now this looks much better!" Leilin surveyed his surroundings with satisfaction, then turned to Anna. "Prepare the herbs and place them on the workbench in sequence!"
"Yes, Young Master!" Anna turned and set to work.