Chapter 94: Mother and Daughter
As there was no need to teach students how to play with potted plants, most of the greenhouse’s ancillary areas were not open, only the main space was active.
Even just the main space was still quite large. Under the effect of space expansion magic, the greenhouse’s area was vast, comparable to a small rainforest. After all, a suitcase could be expanded to be like a wildlife sanctuary, let alone a building like a greenhouse.
With such a large area, plus the magical plants from Super Farm, Plants vs. Zombies, and Hogwarts, even Ai Mi Er was dazzled. She unknowingly arrived at a corner of the greenhouse.
A peculiar ancient tree grew here. It wasn’t tall, but its root system was exceptionally developed. The roots that emerged from the ground crisscrossed, forming a platform covered in a thick layer of moss, making it look like a super-sized bed.
In fact, it was a bed. Ai Mi Er reached out and touched it, finding it surprisingly comfortable despite being made entirely of plants.
The thick moss wasn’t slippery; instead, it was dry and warm like a high-quality blanket. The seemingly hard roots were not only hollow but also flexible and elastic like inflated inner tubes. Combined with the curtains woven from hanging vines, it was a natural luxurious bed.
Most importantly, it was spacious enough for Ai Mi Er to roll around on, which was the point she was most satisfied with.
Green Vine brought over a plus-sized velvet quilt and pillow, said goodnight, and disappeared into the surrounding plants. Ai Mi Er couldn’t even find a trace of her.
However, Ai Mi Er didn’t mind, as she still had plenty of time to explore this place.
The next morning, the soft and comfortable bed and the tranquil natural atmosphere allowed Ai Mi Er to have a good rest. She stretched, picked up the clothes and shoes that had been placed beside her at some point, and unfolded them to find a set of casual clothes in her size, clearly specially made for her.
“Esteemed guest, these are the toiletries that Madam Dier has prepared for you.” Green Vine approached carrying a huge tray with a toothbrush as big as a shoe brush, like a beer mug, and tubes of toothpaste and facial cleanser. The latter two were concocted by Dier based on Owen’s descriptions, much better to use than green salt and soap pod.
Although the Empire had similar things long ago, Ai Mi Er, who often stayed in the wild, rarely had the chance to use them. Besides, the sizes were not suitable. Ordinary people’s toiletries were like toothpicks to her, so she readily accepted them and, under Green Vine’s guidance, went to a nearby spring to freshen up.
Feeling refreshed, Ai Mi Er followed Green Vine to the place from last night. Dier was sitting at the table looking impatient, with a substantial breakfast spread in front of her.
Considering her guest’s astonishing appetite, the cook, Sico, had brought over basins and buckets instead of plates, much to Ai Mi Er’s satisfaction. She was long past the age of dieting, and with her physique, she no longer needed to consider finding a man. As such, eating, drinking, and enjoyment had become the few pleasures left in her life.
“Dier, regardless of what you think, my main purpose in coming here is to teach you how to be a qualified witch. Only then can you avoid following in my footsteps.” Ai Mi Er elegantly wiped her mouth with a napkin fashioned from a tablecloth and spoke seriously.
Dier, who had been silently eating, felt a touch of emotion. However, after more than a decade of separation, the longing from her childhood had transformed into resentment, which wasn’t so easily dispelled. Therefore, she simply snorted, turned, and left, returning to her room, but this time she didn’t close the door.
A child’s rebellious phase is something every parent goes through. Ai Mi Er had missed it, but it seemed she hadn’t. She smiled and followed Dier into the room.
As with the greenhouse, the room’s space was unexpectedly large. It was filled with various shelves, most of which were stacked with processed materials. Although they looked quite disgusting, Ai Mi Er’s eyes lit up. Countless inspirations and ideas flooded her mind.
Even the most skilled potion master was useless without materials. Although Ai Mi Er had her sources, they were expensive and easily lost. Seeing so many materials here, she couldn’t help but feel an itch to get started. However, she first picked up a potion from a nearby shelf, opened it, and took a light sniff.
Ordinary people shouldn’t imitate this, as most potions are not meant for them. Drinking them could be a matter of life or death, and even smelling them carries a considerable risk.
This is especially true for rare and potent potions. Therefore, if you find an unknown potion in a ruin or obtain it through other means, it’s best to sell it to a potion master rather than test your luck and life force by drinking it.
However, Ai Mi Er was no longer an ordinary person. Coupled with her own expertise as a potion master, she dared to do so.
“It’s a potion for treating illnesses, a fairly mature formula. Although the technique is a bit flawed, it’s already very good.” As a witch, Ai Mi Er was highly skilled in potions and was recognized as a potion master. Therefore, even though it was just one sentence, her evaluation was quite high. Even many witches wouldn’t receive such praise.
What surprised Ai Mi Er even more was that these potions were all concocted by Dier.
Potion-making is not just random mixing; controlling the heat is not enough. What truly matters is magic power. Only by infusing magic power at the right time and amount can the ingredients undergo magical transformations. This is the key to potion brewing.
Moreover, the higher the level of the potion, the more complex it is. Each addition of new ingredients is a fresh fusion, producing more impurities. Only by mastering the technique can the materials be transformed into medicine. This is the secret of every potion master, not something achievable through unorthodox methods.
However, judging by Dier’s skillful technique and precise magic control, it was clear she was no novice. She must have received systematic training and had ample practice. Of this, Ai Mi Er was certain.
But thinking about the magical items scattered throughout the castle and this rare greenhouse, Ai Mi Er felt she had guessed the source of Dier’s magical knowledge. She couldn’t help but feel envious. After all, her own mother, Dier’s grandmother, had taught her the knowledge of a witch, but her progress to this point was mainly due to her own hard work and luck. Any misstep could have prevented her from standing here.
In contrast, her daughter didn’t have to do anything; everything she needed was readily available.
“We’re both women, why is the difference so great?” Ai Mi Er said with a sour tone, while looking down at her own figure.
Although her figure was fantastic, thinking of Owen’s small stature, she dismissed the idea. It would be fatal, and besides, her daughter might not be willing, Ai Mi Er thought helplessly.
