Chapter 179: Chapter 141: Master and Disciple To her surprise, Ron never showed impatience at her basic questions. Instead, he encouraged her to ask more and think deeply. "When learning Magic Potion Making, the most important thing is not to memorize formulas, but to understand the relationships between materials and the principles of their reactions." As Ron prepared a simple Healing Potion, he explained: "Only by truly understanding these basics can you make appropriate judgments and adjustments in practice." Lilia nodded thoughtfully. This teaching method was completely different from her past experiences. In her noble family, when she learned etiquette and the art of housekeeping, her teachers only required rote memorization and imitation, never explaining the reasons behind them. "Give it a try. Prepare a Stimulant Potion using the method I just demonstrated." Ron pushed the materials in front of Lilia. "Don’t worry about failure. Mistakes in the learning process are often the best teachers." Lilia took a deep breath and carefully began to follow the steps she remembered. Her movements were clumsy, yet unexpectedly precise, as if some intuition was guiding her. Ron observed silently from the side, having already sensed something. Perhaps this is the unique trait of the ’Diligence Can Make Up for Incompetence’ gift: A seemingly ordinary starting point, but with a learning curve that steepens over time. Every attempt Lilia made invisibly enhanced her understanding and operational skills. [Extraordinary Recognition Experience Points +1] He discreetly utilized his ’Extraordinary Recognition’ ability, observing the energy flow within Lilia. As she focused on preparing the potion, that special energy fluctuation became more evident, like a tiny yet resilient stream, slowly and steadily strengthening. "Not bad." When Lilia completed her first potion, Ron commented: "Although there’s room for improvement in purity, for a first attempt, it’s quite outstanding." A delighted smile appeared on Lilia’s face. This heartfelt praise gave her a long-lost sense of accomplishment. It was not because of her appearance or charm, but sourced from her genuine effort and ability. "Thank you for your guidance, Lord Ralph." Lilia said sincerely, her eyes sparkling with gratitude. "No need to be so formal," Ron replied with a smile. "On the path of learning, we are all seekers of knowledge." For the rest of the day, Lilia fully immersed herself in the basics of Magic Potion Making. She was surprised to find an unexpected affinity for the subject, especially in material identification and handling. Ron also noticed this and timely provided more challenging content. "Your learning ability is strong," Ron remarked when dusk fell and the day’s teaching concluded. "Tomorrow, we can try some more complex formulas and begin practicing basic Spiritual Control." Lilia raised her head in surprise. "Spiritual Control? But my Spiritual Talent is only a Fifth-class Star upper tier..." "The basics of Spiritual Control are not entirely dependent on innate talent." Ron explained, "The correct methods and persistent practice can also bring significant improvement. Besides, for an Alchemist, basic Spiritual Control is an essential skill." A warmth surged through Lilia’s heart. In her past life, few people would see her potential and be willing to invest time and effort in cultivating her. Most only saw her appearance, viewing her as something to be used or possessed. "I will work hard, Lord Ralph," she promised in a low voice. Returning to her small room, Lilia sat quietly at the bedside, her mind filled with countless thoughts. The schemes and cunning from when she first arrived at the workshop seemed so shallow and ridiculous now. Compared to gaining protection through seductive tactics, earning achievements through her own effort and learning seemed a brighter and more tangible path. "Perhaps my value is more than just this face," Lilia murmured, a new hope gleaming in her eyes. Meanwhile, in the Candidate Apprentice Dormitory Area, a shocking piece of news was spreading rapidly: The beautiful Lilia was reportedly now the ’special assistant’ to the genius Intermediate Apprentice, Ron Ralph. This news had no definite source, yet among apprentices, it spread with vivid details, fueling endless speculation and conjecture. "I heard that Lilia now stays in Ron’s workshop and doesn’t come out even at night..." A tall, skinny Candidate Apprentice whispered mysteriously to a companion. "Really? That Ron is an Intermediate Apprentice and even a Professional Alchemist, with a higher status than regular Intermediate Apprentices." The companion’s eyes widened in surprise. "Absolutely true! My cousin is an Elementary Apprentice. He personally saw Lilia wearing workshop attire, going to the market to purchase potion materials!" This news quickly reached Keynes’ ears. The son of a wealthy merchant had always coveted Lilia’s beauty and had made several attempts to approach her, all of which she skillfully avoided. Now, hearing she had become someone else’s ’personal assistant,’ his expression turned somewhat sullen, yet it didn’t ignite any anger. After all, recklessly provoking others in the Black Mist Jungle could often come at the cost of one’s life. "Ralph..." Keynes frowned. "I was out on a field mission for two months, and when did the school produce such a character?" The servant standing by reminded him in a low voice.