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Outside, in the outer courtyard of Helia’s Castle, Vaan quickly gathered with everyone to watch the True Witches test Cyrena Ashenborn’s newly concocted Pore Stimulation Potions.

Only three True Witches had been chosen for the potion-testing. If there wasn’t a limit for potion-testers, several more True Witches serving under the Ashenborn Household would have volunteered.

After all, the Pore Stimulation Potion might be considered a low-end market item, but that doesn’t make it cheap to the point that everyone could afford it—at least not lots of it.

Furthermore, the benefits of a single Rank 1 Pore Stimulation Potion, which only lasts an hour, couldn’t compare to a night of pleasure in the red-light district.

However, that was only applied to an ordinary environment.

Within the vicinity of Helia’s Castle, which has a large-scale mana gathering spell deployed, using a Pore Stimulation Potion to absorb mana would grant a multiplicative boost in its effectiveness.

As such, the True Witches serving Helia Ashenborn were more than willing to be potion-testers, especially when they acknowledged Cyrena Ashenborn’s potioneering talents, even if Helia Ashenborn herself doesn’t.

After Cyrena Ashenborn handed each of the True Witches a two-ounce Pore Stimulation Potion, they quickly removed the corks and drank the potions.

Several breaths quickly passed before a surge of mana started rushing towards the three True Witches from all directions.

The True Witches welcomed the influx of mana and devoured them all as they came, feeling euphoric and excited. But despite that, their faces and complexion remain unchanged and clear, as if they were enjoying an evening’s cool breeze.

“No signs of flushing, increased blood flow, or body temperature… There really aren’t any side effects. Even if there are side effects—they are so insignificant that they are negligible,” Helia Ashenborn confirmed with amazement after some time passed.

Cyrena Ashenborn’s eyes beamed, finding it unbelievable that Vahn Cadieux would teach her something so valuable.

“Is it alright for you to teach me something this valuable, Teacher?” Cyrena Ashenborn wondered after realizing the value of the Equilibrium Principle and Pore Stimulation Potion with zero side effects.

“Aren’t you worried that your knowledge might be exploited by others for their own benefit?”

“Well, that possibility certainly exists. But the people doing the exploiting would also have to consider whether it is worth it. Not that it matters to me. More importantly, I chose to become your teacher. Did you think I would be half-assed in teaching you?” Vaan casually replied with a shrug.

Cyrena Ashenborn immediately felt instant gratification. Just by that statement alone, Vaan was a more qualified teacher than most.

Meanwhile, when Helia Ashenborn heard Vaan’s words, she understood a completely different meaning.

‘People can exploit me if they want. However, they have to consider whether it is worth offending the Delarosa Household or not. I don’t care if my knowledge is exploited by others. It was taught to me by the Delarosa Household, so they will deal with it. I’m just a small fry. It’s the Delarosa Household that people have to worry about,’ – was what Helia Ashenborn got from Vaan’s statement.

Helia Ashenborn smiled wryly.

She naturally wouldn’t dare to cross such a behemoth like the Delarosa Household.

Whether it was power, resource, knowledge, or connections, the Delarosa Household was vastly superior to the Ashenborn Household in every aspect.

The Transcendent Witch of Black Rose forbids territorial wars within the Kingdom of Black Rose, but there were many other ways to make a household decline with enough power.

“Cyrena, if you’re done here, go back and study on your own. I have something to talk to Sir Vahn,” Helia Ashenborn stated, placing a greater emphasis on addressing Vaan.

Cyrena Ashenborn’s good mood was quickly ruined after hearing that. Her expression turned cold and indifferent.

Shortly after Cyrena Ashenborn snorted and stormed off to the Brewing Chamber, Helia Ashenborn turned her attention to Vaan without caring for how her daughter felt.

“Using the Whirlpool Technique to introduce all the ingredients into the pot at once is such a novelty that it leaves me in awe. May I learn of its name, Sir Vahn?” Helia Ashenborn spoke, unhurried to jump straight to business.

“The Cocoon-Weaving Technique,” Vaan casually answered.

“Oh? Hahaha! Is that so?” Helia Ashenborn burst into pleasant laughter after discovering the name matched the one she thought of. “It seems I share a strong fate with the Delarosa Household.”

“Shall we have a talk over some tea in the Great Hall, Sir Vahn? I have a business proposition for you. I hope you’ll be willing to hear me out.”

“Why wouldn’t I be, Lord Ashenborn?” Vaan raised a slight smile in reply.

“Please, just call Lord Helia or Lady Helia. I don’t dare to pull my weight around someone I acknowledge. Your profound knowledge has earned my respect, Sir Vahn,” Helia Ashenborn stated.

Vaan could sense that Helia Ashenborn’s words were meant for the Delarosa Household, but he pretended not to notice.

Helia Ashenborn’s misunderstanding was favorable to him.

“As you wish, Lord Helia,” Vaan replied courteously.

…

“So what is this business proposition you have to offer, Lord Helia?” Vaan asked politely despite knowing full well what it was about. “I might be interested after hearing about it.”

“Surely, you jest, Sir Vahn,” Helia Ashenborn smiled wryly.

“I’m quite certain that you already know what I want to talk about; it’s about the Pore Stimulation Potion with no side effects. Given your high intellect, I’m also certain that Sir Vahn knows about its value.”

“Would you like to start a business on it with me, Sir Vahn?” Helia Ashenborn stated her intention.

However, Vaan wasn’t in a hurry to agree as he replied, “I’ll decide after listening to the split and conditions required for this business cooperation, Lord Helia.”

“That’s only fair,” Helia Ashenborn nodded with acknowledgment.

She would have been disappointed if Vaan blindly agreed without grasping his obligations and where he stood to gain out of the business deal.