"Done! I did it!"

Tharvis's cheerful voice broke the silence. Merlin turned to him and asked curiously, "Did you really finish it?"

It wasn't that he didn't believe him, but it had been too fast. Not even fifteen minutes had passed, yet Tharvis was already done, which felt a little unbelievable.

"Of course, Young Master. You can see for yourself," Tharvis replied proudly.

Merlin blinked twice, then walked over. When he saw the red liquid inside the tube on the desk, he rubbed his chin and asked, "Is this the final result? There's nothing else to add, right?"

Tharvis nodded slightly, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Yes, nothing needs to be added. It's sufficient and perfect. However, we still need to test it on someone infected with Blackpox to observe the reaction."

Merlin pondered for a moment before asking, "Does this potion have an expiration date?"

"An expiration date? Of course not, Young Master. However, the sooner it is taken, the better. The ideal time limit is two days, when the effectiveness of the ingredients is at its peak," Tharvis explained casually.

"Two days…" Merlin narrowed his eyes, then nodded in understanding. "I see. May I take it? I'll bring it to my friend and have it tested on her daughter, who has been infected with blackpox. At the latest, I'll give you the results in three days."

For now, his relationship with Lisa was close enough. He was sure she would ask for his help in curing her daughter.

However, he couldn't bring up the topic himself. Otherwise, it would seem suspicious.

"Alright. Wait a moment."

Tharvis immediately took an empty sterile bottle from under the desk and carefully poured the potion into it.

He handed it to Merlin eagerly. "I hope your friend's daughter recovers quickly, Young Master."

He didn't know who Merlin's friend was, but he was eager to see the results.

After all, he was the first to successfully concoct the potion.

Among alchemists on this continent, his name would be remembered alongside Merlin, the owner of the formula.

Merlin took the bottle with a small nod. "Leave it to me."

After exchanging a few words, he turned and left the room.

…

"So, this is the final result, huh?"

In her office, Linda observed the red potion in her hand with amazement.

Although she already knew the original formula, seeing the finished product firsthand still impressed her.

"Yes, that's the final result," Merlin said casually, nodding.

Linda handed it back to him and asked, "So, what do you plan to do with this potion?"

She had a hunch that Merlin wouldn't have brought the bottle without a clear purpose.

Merlin slipped it into his pocket and chuckled softly.

"Master, you are indeed very clever!" He gave her a thumbs-up. "I want to give it to the child of one of the shop owners in the academy cafeteria."

"The child of a shop owner in the cafeteria?" Linda was stunned. "Don't tell me… the child has contracted Blackpox?"

Her face instantly grew serious. Blackpox was extremely dangerous, and it spread rapidly.

That was why anyone infected had to be immediately quarantined in sterile areas set up at specific locations.

She hadn't expected that one of the children of a food shop owner in her academy's cafeteria would be infected.

Noticing her concern, Nolan quickly reassured her, "Don't worry—the child doesn't live at home or in the academy. She's in a sterile area in the city, so you can relax."

Hearing this, Linda's worry gradually eased.

"I see… so you plan to use that child as a test subject?" she asked, leaning back in her chair.

"Yes, that's the plan," Merlin replied honestly.

"But will her mother agree? Using her child as a guinea pig carries the risk that the potion could fail. If that happens…"

Linda trailed off, confident that Merlin understood her concern.

Merlin sighed softly before explaining, "The child has been infected for a long time. Her mother has already given up hope, since the cost of a gold-level potion with over forty percent purity is extremely high. I'm sure she'll agree."

Actually, Merlin could have simply used an A-level healing potion from the system shop.

He had enough system points, and he could even buy more than ten if he wanted. That had been his original plan.

But who would have thought the system would give him a formula to create a potion that was both more effective and cheaper?

So, he changed his plan and decided to use that potion instead of the A-level healing potion.

"Hah…" Linda sighed deeply, massaging her temples. "I understand. You've grown up now, and I won't interfere in your affairs. Still…"

Her eyes flashed coldly as she warned, "Don't get any funny ideas about that woman. She's married and has a daughter. Do you understand?"

Her voice was sharp, filled with anger and intense disapproval.

Merlin was taken aback. He froze for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing.

Seeing his reaction, Linda frowned and asked sharply, "Why are you laughing? Is something funny?"

Merlin kept laughing for a few moments before slowly calming down.

He wiped the corner of his right eye and said playfully, "Master, do you really think I'm that kind of person?"

Linda gasped, then replied coldly, "I'm just worried—nothing more. I'd rather warn you now. If this continues, I won't know how to explain it to Ardhis and Livia later."

"Heh…" Instead of answering seriously, Merlin gave a strange, knowing smile, as if he could see straight into her heart.

Linda's annoyance grew, and she snorted coldly. "What does that smile mean?"

Merlin stepped to her left side. Under her confused gaze, he lifted her chin and looked directly into her eyes.

"Master… don't tell me you're… jealous."

His words made Linda's eyes widen. Her heart raced, and she felt the immediate urge to refute him.

Unfortunately, the words got stuck in her throat. She had to admit that she did harbor improper feelings for her disciple.

No matter how hard she tried to forget, she couldn't.

And now, with her jealousy exposed by Merlin, her embarrassment peaked, turning her face as red as an apple.

Seeing this, Merlin let out a quiet sigh. Although he had already conquered Linda, making her honest about her feelings was far from easy.

After all, her love was restrained by morality. Linda was his master and also his parents' best friend.

He was certain she would feel utterly mortified at the thought of having to call Ardhis and Livia her father-in-law and mother-in-law.

For that reason, Merlin deliberately did not rush her to confess her feelings.

But who would have thought his beautiful master could get so jealous over something as simple as him wanting to heal Nivis—Lisa's daughter?

Such an opportunity was far too good to waste for teasing.

Merlin quickly withdrew his hand from Linda's chin and turned to leave.

"Well then, I'll go take care of my business first. Take care of yourself, Master. I love you."

His figure disappeared behind the door, and Linda finally snapped out of her embarrassment.

"That stinky disciple…" she muttered angrily.

Yet the red flush on her face hadn't faded, making her look undeniably adorable.

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