Chapter 22 Power Ascended

John once again saw the options before him.

[Option 1: Agree with Michael to become the company's dedicated pharmacist. Completion reward: Full unlock of the Pharmacology Compendium, contract spirit disappears]

[Option 2: Politely decline, firmly become a Beast Tamer. Completion reward: Moderate Beast-Taming power]

John almost didn't hesitate and directly chose the second option.

Although the first reward was extremely tempting, once unlocked, he could instantly become the world's top pharmacist, it wasn't very useful.

After all, pharmacists always served Beast Tamers.

"Mr. Blake, that's not what I'm aiming for," John said, rejecting the offer.

Michael laughed lightly, "That's the spirit. If you ever decide to pursue a career as a potion maker, know that our company's doors are always open for you."

The two shook hands slightly, and Michael looked at Ava.

Michael said, "Ava, I didn't expect your school to have such talent. You should have a good exchange with John and learn some pharmacology."

Although John refused, Michael still wanted to make an effort.

If he could keep John, it would make a lot of money for the company.

"It's the end of the workday now. Do you need a ride?" Michael asked.

John replied, "No, I'll go home with my friend."

"Alright then, Ava, please see our colleague out," Michael said as he exited the potion room.

"I didn't expect you actually to know how to make potions." Ava kept looking at him, even showing admiration in her eyes.

Although she was at the top of her class and had a good chance of getting into the Quantum Academy of Techno-Magic, she knew nothing about pharmacology.

In fact, many college graduates couldn't reach this level; they needed time to practice and hone their skills.

"You're so young. How do you know how to make potions?" Ava was very puzzled and couldn't understand.

John replied, "That goes back to my childhood."

The two walked and talked.

"That day, the sky was very dark, and it was about to rain. I was eating snacks and getting ready to go home." John seemed to be reminiscing about that day.

John said, "Suddenly, the wind picked up, and deep in the clouds, a golden dragon was churning. Its mouth was very large and looked very terrifying. I felt something, looked up, and made eye contact with the golden dragon. I didn't expect it to speak."

John paused deliberately and swallowed.

"And then? What did it say? What did it say?" Ava's eyes showed interest.

"I'll remember the dragon's words for the rest of my life." John pressed the elevator button for the first floor.

John added. "It exclaimed in surprise at the time, 'Boy, I sense a strong talent for potion-making in you. I have a book on potion-making that I can sell to you at a low price. Would you be interested?'"

Ava fell silent.

Ava wondered, 'What exactly was I hoping for?'

"And then you bought it. And then you automatically learned how to make potions." Ava felt a bit angry.

"I'm not stupid," John said. "I questioned it at the time. Why was it so expensive? Who knew the golden dragon would churn and say, 'I won't deceive you.'"

Ava rubbed her head, feeling a headache.

"I can prove it. It's true. I am that dragon." A voice suddenly sounded.

David, dressed in a security uniform, walked over with a serious expression.

David said, "John, I didn't expect you to remember things from your childhood. When are you going to pay me back for the book?"

Ava patted her forehead and decisively left.

She was afraid that if she stayed with them too long, she would go crazy, too.

David asked, "John, how did the interview go today?"

"Now you can call me by my other name, Potion Maker!" John coughed slightly, emphasizing the words 'Potion Maker.'

David said, "As expected of my friend!"

The two walked together, had dinner in the city center, and then returned home.

John said, "Mom, Dad, I forgot to tell you. This is the 100,000 Stellar Coins awarded by the Spirit Control Bureau."

John took the money out of his backpack. He had been so busy with the interview that he almost forgot about it.

"John, what did you do?" Sebastian frowned, not showing joy but asking seriously.

After John's explanation, his parents breathed a sigh of relief.

Sebastian said, "There must not be a next time. A fugitive with a bounty of 100,000 Stellar Coins must have committed serious crimes, likely involving murder. They are not someone you students can handle." 

John nodded repeatedly, thinking his parents would gladly accept the money, but they refused.

Sebastian said, "We don't need any at home for now. You're currently practicing Beast-Taming power, so buy any potions you need yourself. If that's not enough, then tell me." 

"Don't need it. Dad, are we rich?" John's eyes widened. The family was just an ordinary one, and 100,000 Stellar Coins was a lot of money, but his parents refused it.

"Don't worry about it. The family doesn't need it." Sebastian didn't explain further.

John had to put away the 100,000 Stellar Coins and returned to his room.

John thought, 'Could there really be a secret in the family?'

John had a thought, recalling various clues.

John thought, 'Carter is a Black Iron-level Beast Tamer, but he often calls father 'big bro' without any of the arrogance of a Beast Tamer. Could there be a deeper reason?'

John shook his head, not thinking further. If there really were a secret, his father would tell him.

He placed all the Power Potions from the system space on the table,

John said happily, "So many Power Potions. I didn't expect wealth to come so easily."

There were forty bottles of Power Potion, worth 200,000 Stellar Coins at 5,000 Stellar Coins per bottle.

John muttered, "Hope it won't disappoint me."

John focused his mind, and a golden Slime appeared in his arms.

The Slime wobbled, moving in his arms affectionately.

Although the Slime's potential rating was only E, its temperament was very gentle, and its obedience to its owner was over 80%.

John opened bottle after bottle of Power Potion and poured them all into the golden Slime.

The Power Potion's effect was to increase the contract spirit's power permanently, but one potion didn't increase it much, only about 0.5%.

The golden Slime opened its big mouth and drank all forty bottles of Power Potion.

The Slime burped contentedly, bouncing back and forth, extremely excited.

Although its strength was weak, it could be slowly nurtured.

John rubbed the golden Slime in his arms and put it back into the Beast Taming space.

Forty bottles of Power Potion permanently increased its power by 20%, enough to give the contract spirit a certain advantage in battle.