"Ian!"
Seated in her chair, Elena's pupils widened slightly, disbelief flickering in her eyes.
That shouldn't be possible!
How could it be?
Although she did not know much about the Four Symbols Academy's circumstances, she was certain its finest elites were already approaching the completion of their fourth crystal.
Yet Ian, who had only just entered, had actually defeated them.
"Interesting, very interesting. He's rather like Kieran back then."
She smiled.
It seemed to stir certain memories.
Then she took out the application document from before and added Ian's name to the researchers' column.
Originally, she had planned to include Ian in the second batch, since some people might object.
But she was confident now.
With Ian advancing to core membership after taking first place in the second assessment, many things would become easier to arrange. She might as well include him in the first batch.
The two situations were entirely different.
The former meant that Ian's position within the project team could rise even further. If he truly made a contribution, his name might even be listed alongside theirs.
"I hope he can play a role in the project."
97
She took a deep breath.
She summoned a Wizard and instructed him to submit the project to the Academy.
Elsewhere.
"Father, Ian advanced in first place this time. He's a genuine genius. You can't go wrong investing in him."
Nicole held Gunnar's hand, blinking at him.
Gunnar felt rather helpless.
Normally, if Nicole spoke of a male Wizard like this in front of him, he would never have agreed.
But Ian... an academic genius, an alchemical genius, someone who had entered the core ranks by taking first place in the second assessment...
Gunnar's gaze flickered. His earlier resistance was already gone.
"Upgrade his contract to a core contract."
"7