A new monthly meeting.
Ian left the laboratory just as the door beside him opened.
Seeing Ian, the alchemist Motuo lowered his head awkwardly.
Motuo was still torn over the idea of mending their relationship, but even as Ian left, he made no move.
"I'll patch things up after the meeting."
Watching Ian's back, he thought slowly.
Because Darwin was coming.
By the time Ian entered the meeting room, two-thirds of the people had already arrived.
This included Xia and the other senior researchers.
When Xia saw Ian, she offered him a faint smile as well.
Ian nodded in response.
This left quite a few of the senior researchers nearby rather surprised.
Wasn't it rumored that Ian had swindled research funds? Shouldn't their relationship be poor?
Strange!
Under the gazes of many people, Ian slowly walked toward the back.
This time, however, there were far fewer friendly looks than before. Many Wizards wore scrutinizing expressions.
"Brat, once I find proof that you swindled project funds, you're dead."
As Ian passed Nico, the old man fixed him with cloudy eyes and spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear.
Ian ignored him.
He soon reached the very back, casually found a seat, and sat down.
A few more minutes passed, yet the area around him remained completely empty. Clearly, the matter of him swindling funds had spread like wildfire during this period.
But to Ian's surprise, one figure sat down beside him as usual.
"Hayden?"
Ian looked at the junior alchemist before him with a strange expression.
"I believe you're not that kind of person." Hayden grinned.
Warmth stirred in Ian's heart.
"Still, I understand you. After all, your rivals Connor and Walsh have recently earned quite a lot of military merit." He shrugged.
"Oh?" Curiosity appeared