??Bary was a Rank 2 Magus, a middle-aged man in his thirties. Being able to be a Grade 2 Herbalist at such a young age naturally birthed an arrogant nature in him.
For the three major professions, the Grade corresponded with the Rank.
Meaning, a Grade 1 Herbalist could concoct potions useful for a Rank 1 Magus. Simrly, a Grade 2 Herbalist could concoct potions useful for a Rank 2 Magus and below.
The reason why professions were divided into Grades was that each grade had a mana requirement corresponding to a Magus''s Rank.
A Grade 1 Herbalist couldn''t concoct the same potion that a Grade 2 Herbalist could because the former wouldn''t have that much mana avable to begin with.
However, mana wasn''t the only requirement for bing a Grade 1 Herbalist, let alone a Grade 2.
A Magus needed to have vast medicinal knowledge and decades of practical experience to even be a Grade 1 Herbalist.
The fact that Bary could be a Grade 2 Herbalist in his thirties meant that he was a true prodigy in the field of Herbalism.
That is why he thought Adam was joking with them when he said he wanted to be a guild member. Moreover, Bary also didn''t care about the youth''s status as a student of Saratoga Castle.
So what if the Saratoga Castle was one of the Four Pirs of the Empire?
The Herbalist''s Guild was an independent organization that had its branches spread throughout the world!
Why should he be bothered about an organization only limited to the scope of the Acadian Empire?
Adam nced at Bary with displeasure. "Is this how the Guild treats every Herbalist thates to its doorsteps?"
"Herbalist? You?" Bary scoffed. "A hairless brat like you wanting to be a member of this guild is the funniest thing I''ve heard this week."
He paused for a moment before arrogantly iming, "You think you''re me? You think you could be a Grade I Herbalist in your twenties—"
Adam viciously interrupted him, "Grade I Herbalist?"
He raised his chin and spoke with even more arrogance, "I had be a Grade I Herbalist in my teenage. Now, I''m only 22, yet I''m already a Grade 2 Herbalist. How dare trash like youpare yourself to me?"
The next moment, his eyes narrowed and he looked straight into Bary''s eyes. His lips parted and he coldly muttered, "Know your ce."
When it came to interacting with others—strangers, to be more precise—Adam thought himself to be a mirror. If he was spoken to politely, he would also speak politely.
But if someone was rude and disrespectful to him, he wouldn''t be nice about it either.
Why should he?
He was no saint.
When Bary gazed at Adam''s abyss-like eyes, his body involuntarily shuddered. And when the youth spoke those words, his back was instantly drenched in cold sweat.
He couldn''t help but subconsciously retreat a step.
Damn it! Realizing what he had just done, that too in front of so many people, Bary couldn''t help but curse inwardly.
He was a genius of the Herbalist''s Guild, a Magus respected and admired by many. Yet, he had disyed such a show of weakness in front of this raven-haired youth.
Bary couldn''t have it. This interaction with Adam had severely wounded his pride.
Thus, he pointed his finger at Adam and roared angrily, "You dare lie tantly to my face?! Who the hell do you think you are? Do you think just any random cat or dog could be a Herbalist?"
Realizing that all the people gathered were witnessing this scene take ce, Bary''s lips curled up ever so slightly. He knew that the youth was lying, so he decided to hammer down on his actions.
"This is a great disrespect not only to us, Herbalists, but also to this prestigious guild," he said. "I, Bary Weiss, hereby ban you from ever stepping foot inside this—"
Once again Adam cut him off, "I see you''ve been handling Ironmoon Mint leaves." He nced at Barys''s skin under his nails and added, "Judging by the subtle discoloration, it should be freshly crushed."
Hearing his words, Bary''s eyes widened in sheer disbelief. "You! How did you—"
But Adam didn''t give him the chance to speak. He leisurely stepped forward with his hands sped behind his back, walking around the reception desk and toward the dumbfounded middle-aged Herbalist.
"Although mint leaves a barely noticeable mark, the Ironmoon Mint leaves are special. They emit a special scent when being crushed," Adam began.
"But that''s not all. I also detect a hint of Higgins Root and wildvender. Thatbination is quite conspicuous." Bary remained frozen on his spot. His jaws widened with every word Adam spoke. He nced at Adam, who was walking around him like he was some sort of monster.
The fact that he could identify so many magical herbs and ingredients with just a simple look, clearly indicated that he was a remarkable Herbalist.
The skill Adam had just disyed to everyone present was something that only came with time and practice.
Any detail, no matter how small, could reveal a great deal to a Herbalist about what someone was working on. They would be able to read traces of herbs and ingredients like reading a book.
"Every herb has its own signature, a unique aroma that blends in specific ways whenbined," Adam stroked his chin and spoke like a wisened old Magus teaching his apprentice.
Clearly, he was taunting Bary.
"Ironmoon Mint, Higgins Root, and wildvender aremonly used together to concoct potions that soothe and refresh the spirit sea."
Then, Adam leaned forward ever so lightly and took a sniff. "Your robes carry the faint scent of Winterweed and sunflower petals." He paused for a moment and mocked, "There''s also the stench of an amphibian; a toad, perhaps."
He walked back around the reception''s desk and stood where he was earlier standing. By now, all the people gathered here were looking at him with utter shock.
Even Ada, who had been silent all this while, was looking at Adam with bright eyes.
"Winterweed and sunflower petals are often added in the final stage of concocting a potion that soothes the spirit sea," said Adam with confidence.
The following moment, his lips curled up into an arrogant smirk.
"Conclusion: a Potion of Spirit Pacifier brewed by a frog in a well."