The alchemy class flew by. Though Loko no longer dozed off, she still couldn’t absorb a single word of the lecture.

Everyone else felt the same—except Shilufei.

Most half-listened while sneaking glances back at Loko.

Logically, they knew she had no reason to compete with them for this opportunity. Emotionally? They just couldn’t accept it.

Thankfully, no troublemakers dared confront the second-ranked student—especially one rumored to be close with the top-ranked.

After class, Flora didn’t leave. She walked straight toward Loko and Shilufei.

“You two free afterward? Come with me to the lab.”

They exchanged a glance.

Shilufei found zero clues in Loko’s utterly bewildered expression. With no choice, she agreed.

After all, classes were over. Nothing waited for them back at the dorm.

Shilufei nodded. “I’m free. Loko?”

Seeing Shilufei agree, Loko had no reason to refuse.

“I… I’m fine with it too.”

*She’s a spy. Sticking close to Shilufei is the whole point.*

Flora’s mood visibly brightened.

While reviewing student files, she’d stumbled upon Loko’s family background. A little digging revealed Loko was practically tailor-made for potion work.

Asking for *two* assistants today? Just a pretext.

And now—an unexpected bonus.

Flora skipped ahead, glancing back with cheerful calls. Her joy was unmistakable.

Loko watched, utterly speechless.

*She’s just… an ordinary little girl?*

They exited the teaching building and stopped before a structure marked “Authorized Personnel Only,” enclosed by a single gated wall.

An elderly guard with silver hair stepped out. He eyed Flora, then the two behind her.

“Sister Flora, who are these two…?”

Loko and Shilufei exchanged stunned glances. *He looks old enough to be our grandfather!*

Flora remained unfazed. “New lab assistants. Let them pass freely.”

“Understood.” He nodded and retreated.

“Follow me.” Flora led them inside.

Loko froze the moment she stepped in.

The ground floor soared nearly ten meters high, walls completely lined with towering bookshelves.

“This place… bigger than the academy library?” she murmured.

Flora turned back with a chuckle. “So easily impressed? Just *this* many books surprises you?”

Loko’s cheeks flushed.

Flora pulled a bookshelf aside—revealing a hidden door.

“The lab’s underground. Stable environment. Better for brewing.”

She slipped through and vanished.

As Loko moved to follow, Shilufei scanned the shelves.

“Most of these are ancient texts…” She picked one up, flipped briefly, and set it down.

“Let me see.”

Loko glanced—and went completely baffled. The script was unreadable.

Noticing her confusion, Shilufei explained: “It’s Flare language. An ancient tongue. Impossible to read without study.”

“Hurry up, you two!” Flora’s voice echoed from below.

They hurried down.

The vast basement brimmed with cauldrons, vessels, and tools of all sizes.

Flora’s small figure darted between workstations—only her signature crimson hair visible.

“Since you’re my assistants, I won’t have you work for nothing.”

She rummaged in a cabinet and pulled out two green vials.

“This potion slightly strengthens constitution with regular use. When tired, it restores energy fast—and neutralizes toxins.”

Loko recognized it instantly: the very potion Flora gave her after the first class. Ugly color, but great taste and effect.

“Take them after. Shilufei, heat the cauldron and get familiar with the tools. Theory means nothing without practice. Loko—come here.”

Loko nodded obediently and followed.

Flora pulled out a strange… glass rod?

“Whipped this up bored. Measures liquid temperature.”

She dropped it into water, then ignited the heat with magic.

Loko stood frozen.

*Others wouldn’t know… but I’m a transmigrator. That’s a thermometer!*

Crude, no precise markings—but inventing it? Pure genius.

“Why does potion-making rely so much on experience?” Flora asked while heating the cauldron.

Loko shook her head.

“Temperature can’t be described clearly. Everyone brews by feel—even me.”

“Trial, error, time… you *can* become competent. But I chase perfection.”

“If I could monitor the potion’s internal temperature in real time… wouldn’t that brew the perfect potion?”

She turned to Loko, eyes sharp.

“Your ability is exactly what I need. Now do you understand why I called you?”

Loko’s mind went blank.

*Wait… this isn’t right.*

*In the original story, Flora valued Shilufei most. Passed down everything to her.*

*So why… do I feel like I just stole Shilufei’s destined opportunity?*