Olovice was fully focused on the potion in the cauldron. He added ten grams of fresh human-faced nutmeg powder and five drops of giant lizard venom to the potion, which was bubbling continuously. Besides that, he had previously added tranquil herbs to balance the violent properties of the potion, moon grass, and one gram of black goat hoof powder and black mandrake flower powder.

Only the essential oil of moon grass, illuminated by the silver moon, could have a neutralizing effect. When paired with the black goat hoof powder, which shares the same dark attribute, and the black mandrake flower powder, representing unknown death and love, it could suppress the Hellfire potion. Otherwise, if it exploded, both the cauldron and the potion would be destroyed.

Olovice took a gentle breath. The red brain matter of the salamander, like jelly, melted in his palm and slowly dripped into the magical cauldron. With a sizzle, the brain matter quickly dissipated, and the potion’s color changed, with a mesmerizing white mist instantly turning into a kaleidoscope of colors.

Seizing the moment, Olovice gently but swiftly gathered the floating colorful mist with his spiritual power and then slowly pressed it down. Soon, the colorful light covered the black potion, and as the potion gradually cooled, the flowing color turned from black to a reddish hue.

Olovice took out a prepared exquisite potion sealing bottle and transferred the potion into it. Once done, he carefully examined the potion bottle. After all, this was his first time making a mid-level high-grade potion, Hellfire. If any magician could successfully absorb this potion, they could gain some abilities of the salamander, such as having blood that becomes toxic, filled with corrosiveness and a slight curse. This is why, despite being a mid-level magical beast, the salamander is feared by many magicians.

The salamander’s ancestor, the more pure-blooded corrosive giant lizard, is a powerful presence among high-level magical beasts. It’s said that in the early days, great magicians would often keep corrosive giant lizards as door-breakers. Regardless of the barrier or magic array, they would first send in the thick-skinned, highly defensive corrosive giant lizard to spray a wave of corrosive venom.

However, since the enactment of the “Natural Magical Creatures Protection Act,” high-level magical creatures of the Ainu faction, like the corrosive giant lizard, have gradually disappeared from the magical world. Even more so, by his teacher’s generation, even the salamander lizard, a branch of the corrosive giant lizard, was hard to find.

Many mysterious magical creatures have retreated to the background, becoming entities found only in books in the new era.

The Hellfire potion in the bottle shimmered with enchanting rainbow colors. Olovice wondered if drinking it would grant him such abilities, but he quickly dismissed the thought.

Father Andre had specifically instructed him that the clergy of the Radiant Church should not drink potions that conflict with their own holy magic. Otherwise, it could trigger a magical outburst within, leading to death if not careful. Only the potions provided by the church are safe.

Randomly trying potions is dangerous. Each potion has its own attributes, reflecting different magicians. Some magicians have consumed contaminated potions. After all, there are evil gods, tempting demons, dangerous and chaotic ritual secrets, and many black magicians who have fallen and become wanted criminals in the magical world.

Believing in a righteous god seems much more reliable and safe, and being a follower of a righteous god has many benefits.

For example, the clergy of the Storm Church naturally have the ability to control water flow and wind direction, a favor from the righteous god to their followers. Mr. Briel, on the other hand, is particularly sensitive to life, nature, and fertility. In contrast, their opposites are death, plague, and disease. It seems that the Death Church in the Northern Continent has developed to a considerable scale. It’s uncertain if it will negatively impact the native goddess of fertility in Hearn.

In the overlap of the Natural God Religion and the authority of the goddess of fertility, Olovice privately believes that the Radiant Church he belongs to, the Glorious Lord, and the Flame Church of the Northern Continent must have similarities in doctrine.

However, the Flame Church of the Northern Continent is certainly weaker than the Radiant Church. The Glorious Lord, the sun, is undoubtedly the source of light. The Flame Church of the Northern Continent doesn’t even dare to directly use the name of the Sun Church, which says it all.

The Glorious Lord of the Radiant Church is domineering and dictatorial. Olovice could sense some of this when the church changed magic to holy spirit. Magic is spiritual power, which is the holy spirit power within him. Every magician has magic, and other churches don’t shy away from saying magic. Only the Radiant Church is petty, insisting on creating a term to show that their magic is the holy spirit, bestowed by the Glorious Lord, unique and superior.

As one of the strongest churches to date, the Glorious Lord naturally holds the authority of other gods.

Light, warmth, healing, as well as law, peace, and soul, covering all aspects.

Thoroughly implementing the doctrine of the Radiant Church, under the glory of my Lord, nothing is impossible.

In Hearn, the Radiant Church stands alone, with the Goddess of Night, the Goddess of Fertility, the Order Church, and the Church of Knowledge and Wisdom all making way for it.

And naturally, where there is light, there is shadow. According to what Olovice found in books, the Blood Moon Church, the Bliss Church, the Omniscient Brotherhood… are emerging one after another.

Olovice casually shook the potion bottle, sealed it, and then felt the door being opened.

“Olovice, how’s the potion coming along?” his teacher, Father Andre, asked, while Mr. Briel’s eyes lit up.

Mr. Briel sniffed the lingering potion and smiled, “Looks like we don’t have to worry. I can already smell the abundant dark-attribute fire potion scent.”

Olovice handed the potion to his teacher, saying, “I think it’s a success.”

The two elders examined it for a while, and Andre nodded, “A perfect Hellfire potion, Olovice, you’ve done well.”

He handed the potion back, “Keep it safe. In five days, take my letter of introduction and head to Montpelier.”

Andre took out a sealed letter of introduction from his pocket and gave it to him.

“Thank you, teacher,” Olovice said with delight.

“I think selling this potion for one hundred and fifty gold pounds wouldn’t be too much,” Mr. Briel also congratulated Olovice, “Olovice, with your potion skills, you might be able to get a high-level potion master certificate from the archbishop in Montpelier, which will be beneficial for you in the future.”

Olovice realized that indeed, having a certificate for business is very different from not having one.

“Alright, I’ll be prepared,” Olovice replied with a smile.

After the two teachers left, Olovice tidied up for a while. The most important thing was to seal the black mandrake flower powder properly. After checking everything, he placed the potion in the drawer and left the basement.

The church’s main door was already locked at night. Olovice looked up at the large cross inside the church and said a prayer. After finishing, he opened the door.

A skinny black magic dog whimpered lowly, wagging its tail in a flattering manner. Its owner, a similarly thin and short red-haired witch, was angrily pulling it away. Hearing the door open, she stiffened.

“Witch Lily, what’s wrong?” Olovice looked around but didn’t see Grace. “Where’s Grace?”

The red-haired witch sat down angrily, holding the magic dog’s tail to stop it from wagging too much. “Grace went to find her godfather.”

Olovice understood. It was probably about getting Andre’s permission for her to go to Montpelier. Kids grow up and always yearn for the big city.

“I’ll get you some bones to eat,” Olovice said, patting the magic dog’s head and walking into the church. He had heard the magic dog scratching the door in hunger while he was praying, which was quite pitiful.

Lily hugged the magic dog’s head and gave it a flick, grumbling, “Why are you so greedy? Don’t you know you’ll disturb people?” She looked at the bright cross inside the church, and guilt bubbled up inside her like a gurgling stream.

Actually, this priest named Olovice was quite nice.

At least he was the only human willing to lend a helping hand.

Olovice brought a large bucket filled with leftover bones. The magic dog excitedly grabbed one and started gnawing, its eyes glowing red and dimming, eating with great enthusiasm.

Olovice couldn’t help but pat the magic dog’s head again, “Eat slowly, they’re all yours.”

The red-haired witch hugged the magic dog, remaining silent.

Olovice smiled, “In five days, I’ll be leaving the town by carriage.”

Lily suddenly looked up, her eyes instantly lighting up.

Olovice looked down at the little witch. She probably had siren blood, as her hair would uncontrollably turn into sea snakes when she got excited. However, her siren blood was weak, and her eyes couldn’t transform, so she couldn’t be taken into the city as a demon enforcer.

As a powerful righteous god church, the Radiant Church allows the acceptance of submissive demons. Only demons who don’t follow the doctrine are the main targets of the Tribunal.

Olovice didn’t speak, and the red-haired witch started bouncing up and down, raising her hand and promising, “Can I follow you? I’ll be obedient. Whatever you tell me to do, I’ll do. I can turn into a frog, a snake, or even a mouse.”

The red-haired witch looked up and pleaded, “Take me into the city. I can avoid the magic detection orb at the city gate.”

“Is that how you used to enter and exit cities?” Olovice asked.

“During transformation, my magic fluctuations are very low. As long as I make myself dirty, eat some garbage, and get a stench, I can pass through smoothly,” Lily shared her past experiences.

Olovice was silent for a moment, then patted the little witch’s dry red short hair, “You don’t need to turn into those things or eat garbage. Just follow me and enter as a person.”

Lily twisted her hands, feeling uneasy, “But I’m a wandering witch. Those people, those people say…” She lowered her head, recalling past events, “That I’ll cause some negative impact on society, that I’m a hidden danger and disaster for humans.”

“Who said you’re a wandering witch?” Olovice said, “You’re my potion apprentice, remember?”

Lily slowly raised her head, tears falling one by one. She wiped her eyes with her sleeve, trying not to appear too embarrassed and weak.

“I, I’m sorry.”

She was apologizing for her initial prejudice and anger towards this priest, even attempting to kidnap him.

Olovice bent down to look at the little witch, who was crying her heart out, and softly said, “It’s okay.”

Lily sniffled, her eyes filled with tears, only able to vaguely see the priest’s thick golden hair and his gentle deep blue eyes.