"Ian! You finally made it!"
As soon as Ian stepped through the door, he saw Hyde smiling at him.
"Sorry, Head Hyde. These past few days..."
"It's nothing. Come with me to the Alchemy Department!"
Hyde waved it off.
A carriage was already waiting outside. A servant bowed and lifted the curtain for them.
"A carriage!"
Ian climbed in after Hyde.
The carriage sped along the road, passing through the Residential Area and even the Teaching Area...
Ian was astonished.
The school had carriages, but they could travel only within designated areas. This one went wherever it pleased.
Evidently, that was a privilege of a Peak Wizard Apprentice.
Before long, they reached a vast complex of buildings.
Unlike the soaring Castle that housed the Potions Department, these buildings were low and squat. Chimneys jutted from their roofs, belching thick smoke in different colors.
The moment Ian entered the area, he felt as though the temperature had risen considerably.
"Come on. We'll go straight to Ed."
Hyde stepped out of the carriage.
"Ed?"
"The head of the Alchemy Department. His authority is on par with a deputy head of the Potions Department, but he holds it all himself. I can't begin to match the wealth in his hands!" Hyde explained, turning his head.
Ian understood.
Hyde headed the Potions Department alongside his other duties. The Alchemy Department, by contrast, had a dedicated head.
They got out of the carriage.
The two walked toward the center of the Alchemy Department.
No one stopped them along the way.
At its heart stood a low building that looked like a smithy. Banging rang out from within.
"Ed, open up!"
Hyde pounded on the door without ceremony.
"Coming!"
A deep, muffled voice came from inside. Then a stocky, short Wizard with a face full of