Grand Warlock: My System Gave Me Infinite Classes

"Robb, it's been a while." Talisa's voice was noticeably lighter. "I didn't expect to run into you here."

"Talisa, congratulations on your victory," Robb replied, slightly surprised but offering sincere praise. "Your leopard girl is impressive."

This scene immediately stirred a ripple of whispered surprise and envy among the surrounding apprentices.

"Isn't that..."

"Robb? The one who…"

"Lady Elena's new assistant! I saw him at the apothecary…"

"No wonder Talisa's leopard girl is so strong, she must've used some kind of custom advanced potion!"

"Gods, look at Cynthia's face, she looks like she's about to kill someone…"

Talisa's effortless victory and her familiarity with Robb instantly elevated her standing in the eyes of the crowd. Eyes that might have once carried scrutiny were now filled with respect.

Far off, Cynthia's gaze was filled with jealousy and rage. Her eyes locked onto the leopard girl beside Talisa with a dark, simmering glare.

"She definitely used some kind of advanced potion, not a common one either…" Cynthia speculated inwardly. "No ordinary potion would produce effects like that. Where did she get such high-quality magic drugs?"

She scowled and shifted her gaze toward Robb.

"Elena's apprentice…" she murmured. "So that's the secret behind Talisa's sudden rise?"

"Quite the coincidence," Talisa said with a smile. "I was planning to visit you in a few days to commission another batch of potions. Didn't expect to run into you here."

She gently patted the leopard girl's shoulder, pride obvious in her eyes. "The bloodline activator you made for me last time worked wonderfully. Luna's combat power increased by at least 30%. Her recovery and pain suppression during battle were especially effective."

Robb smiled modestly, pleased to hear it, but then looked slightly apologetic.

"I'm sorry, Talisa. I probably won't be able to make you any more potions in the short term."

Talisa's expression shifted to concern.

"Why? Is something wrong? If there's anything I can do, "

"Don't worry," Robb quickly explained. "It's just that I'm preparing for the potion master's certification. It'll take up most of my time and energy for the next week."

"Potion master certification?" Talisa's eyes widened briefly but quickly returned to calm, even flashing a look of admiration. "Of course. With your skill, it's only natural to pursue certification. Honestly, your level already surpasses most apprentices."

The two stood at the edge of the square, chatting as if no one else existed.

For the many average apprentices, being addressed by a rising star of the Wizard Reserve was already a rare honor. To see Robb and Talisa talking as equals made many green with envy.

"When's the exam?" Talisa asked with genuine interest.

"A week from now," Robb replied. "I was actually out buying ingredients, prepping for the formulas that might come up."

"I understand," Talisa nodded. "Honestly, if it weren't for those potions you gave me today, I doubt Luna could've beaten that half-orc."

She glanced at the downed half-orc, a hint of pity flickering in her eyes. "That rage crystal is banned, but among the reserve members… stuff like that is common. No one really reports it."

Cynthia, still standing nearby, had been ignored for far too long. Her face had twisted into a mask of barely-contained fury.

"Cynthia's been trying to climb the reserve rankings ever since she got in," Talisa whispered to Robb, "but her actual performance has always been mediocre. Without Lady Marshala's backing, her rank would be lower. She probably thought I'd be an easy mark since I'm new. Without your potions, I'd have been in real trouble today."

Just as Cynthia seemed about to erupt, a shadowy figure appeared behind her.

"Cynthia," a calm, low voice said softly in her ear. "I wouldn't recommend losing your temper here."

Cynthia turned and found Oliver standing behind her, wearing his usual perfect smile.

His gaze was gentle but carried a quiet authority that cooled Cynthia's rage instantly.

"Get out of my way, Oliver," she muttered furiously. "I just lost a prized battle slave and got humiliated by that mongrel peasant girl."

"Temporary setbacks are meaningless," Oliver replied smoothly. He glanced subtly at Robb. "Besides, I have more important things to discuss with you."

He leaned in and whispered something into Cynthia's ear. Her expression shifted, first confusion, then shock, then something more twisted: excitement.

"You're serious?" she murmured. "You've actually decided, "

"Of course." Oliver nodded. "But now isn't the time. Let's talk back at the tower."

He turned to leave, and after a moment of hesitation, Cynthia shot Talisa one last venomous glare before following.

Robb, having caught this exchange, felt a flicker of unease.

As they left, two servants appeared quietly and efficiently bagged the half-dead half-orc in a thick burlap sack, dragging him away without a word.

No one stopped them. Not even the crowd looked over, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.

"What's going to happen to that half-orc?" Robb asked, glancing toward Norris.

Norris, slipping the witness fee into his tunic, simply shrugged.

"Defeated slaves? They don't have good prospects. If the injuries are minor, they'll be sold off. If they're like him, critically wounded, they'll be sent to the resource reclamation center."

"Which means?" Robb asked, though he already had a guess.

"They get harvested," Norris said casually. "Their skins are tough, hearts and organs good for alchemy. Bones get powdered for ritual use. His owner, Cynthia, gets half the profits from whatever's salvaged."

Robb nodded grimly and said no more. This was simply how things worked here. Brutal, yes, but not surprising.

After Norris left, Robb turned his gaze back to Luna.

The effects of the bloodline activator had begun to fade, but the grace and latent danger in her presence remained.

"Your leopard girl is truly remarkable," he said sincerely, his eyes lingering on her poised and lethal form. "I've brewed plenty of bloodline activators, but I've never seen such a pure awakening."

Talisa raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at her lips. The usual careful distance she kept seemed to melt a little.

She gently stroked Luna's shoulder, her voice soft, laced with pride.

"Luna is… special." She lowered her voice further. "I bet you're curious about where she came from?"

Robb nodded, his eyes gleaming with interest.

"If you're willing to share, I'm all ears."