War Erupts, Ian's Choice

The Fifth Assessment.

Ian had long since lost his earlier restlessness. Instead, he was remarkably calm.

In the meditation class, Ian condensed six Mental Power Runes.

Several others had also condensed their sixth rune, but their mental power was inferior to Ian's, so Ian still ranked eighth.

If I take Minor Energy Potions every day next month, I might be able to condense my eighth. With eight, I should be able to break into the top five.

Ian calculated silently.

The top five was already the limit of his talent.

As for the top three, there was no need to mention them—they all possessed Second-class Talent.

Even Lucy, the fastest among them, had already condensed her ninth Mental Power Rune. Even Levi and Beck had eight Mental Power Runes.

The others ahead of him were all talented members of major families or second-generation Wizards.

Claiming fifth place would already be quite good.

Combined with his foundation in basic potion-making, it should be enough.

Very soon, the combat class test began.

The battle for first and second place was still between Ian and Levi.

Although Levi was not as fast as Ian now, he had learned a new excellent-grade defensive spell.

With mental power that surpassed Ian's, his defenses were difficult for Ian to break.

Unless Ian used the Wind Blade Spell.

But the Wind Blade Spell was Ian's trump card, so naturally, he could not use it casually.

Of course, in a real battle, he would not need the Wind Blade Spell at all. Ian would simply use instant-cast spells, leaving Levi no chance to cast anything.

But either option would draw too much attention.

It was only a Magic Stone, anyway.

Thus, Ian narrowly lost to Levi.

"Is mental power talent ultimately still a cut above the rest?"

Not far away, Charles watched the scene, pondering how he should persuade Levi to join the Combat Department later.

Ian was impossible to persuade, but he had to fight for a promising seedling like Levi.

At the very least, in terms of future prospects, Ian could not compare to Levi. That was an uncrossable chasm between third-class and second-class talent.

It was not something hard work could bridge.

Basic Potion Studies class.

Victor watched Ian's terrifyingly fluid speed below the stage, then looked at the others. At the very least, they were half as slow as him.

First place, without question, went to Ian again.

"Damn it, why hasn't my brother come back yet?"

From afar, Halman watched Ian's terrifyingly smooth movements and was nearly driven to despair.

They were both Wizards—how could the gap be this vast?

So unless Ian died, there was no way he could enter the Potions Department.

That was why his original plan had been to wait for his brother's return, then find an opportunity to kill Ian.

But strangely, a month had passed, and Ross still had not returned.

"Did something major happen?"

Worry darkened Halman's face.

He could not possibly make a move himself, could he?

He truly could not beat Ian now!

The tests passed peacefully.

That afternoon, Ian headed for the Academy's back mountain to practice spells, only to be stopped.

Charles happened to be on duty that day.

"Restricted access today!"

Charles blocked his path and said.

"Instructor Charles, did something happen?"

Ian stopped and asked.

Charles did not hide it either. Letting out a breath, he said, "I shouldn't have told you, but you should find out tomorrow anyway.

Ahead of the School, small-scale fighting had truly broken out, so martial law had been declared.

The war had begun?

Ian was somewhat surprised as well.

"But Ian, are you really not considering the Combat Department?" Charles could not help asking again.

Ian shook his head.

Charles hesitated for a moment, but still tried to persuade him:

"A Wizard's war is different from a mortal's war. It often lasts a very long time, and it will greatly affect the distribution of resources in the future."

"Once war begins, the Combat Department will definitely have the best and most abundant benefits and opportunities.

"If the war escalates and resources become scarce, even the Potions Department may not be able to obtain sufficient resources. This has happened before."

"I understand."

"No, you don't." Charles shook his head. "The Potions Department consumes the most resources in its early stages, and its cultivation progress is often the slowest among those at the same stage. Even a genius like Victor, after five years in the department, is only a second-rank apprentice."

Charles looked at Ian, hoping he would have a change of heart.

Ian nodded.

Much of what Charles had said was clearly secret lore. He clearly truly wanted Ian to join the Combat Department.

Ian also fully understood that he was right.

War would change many things.

The Potions Department would only become better once one had grown strong, but the initial investment was enormous—terrifyingly so.

Joining the Combat Department at a time like this was indeed a tremendous opportunity for many Wizards.

Especially those with average aptitude.

But that was for ordinary Wizards.

He had a cheat!

"And it's safer."

Ian remained very calm.

The Combat Department might have a thousand virtues and ten thousand merits, but none of them outweighed one thing: danger.

Those with third- or fourth-rank talent truly needed to fight for it, to fight for more resources if they wanted a chance to advance.

But he could improve his talent.

Improvement was merely a matter of time.

As long as he stayed alive, his talent would sooner or later rise.

Why risk his life?

Even if there were restrictions, as long as he lived, there would always be a way.

At the same time, with the panel, the Potions Department's early resource consumption might not be so difficult for him after all.

As long as he made it through, the situation would become the exact opposite.

"Fine, then."

Hearing the word "safe," Charles stopped trying to persuade him. Yet the look in his eyes gradually changed.

He admired those with high talent, but he despised Wizards without courage most of all.

"You'll regret this."

He shook his head and slowly left.

Years later.

Ian would understand what a wonderful opportunity this war had been for him.

But by then, it would be too late.

"Oh, let me tell you some good news. Levi is already preparing to join the Combat Department. You have one less opponent."

Charles suddenly turned back.

His eyes no longer held any admiration for Ian. They seemed more like pity for his shallow courage.

Ian did not feel insulted.

But when he heard the news about Levi, his eyes lit up.

That meant there would be two slots. It was indeed rather good news.

The scent of war gradually spread through the School.

But interestingly, at some point, a subtle current of thought began to spread.

War was an opportunity for Wizards.

The resolve of many Wizards was gradually beginning to waver.

Especially after Charles announced that every core squad in the Combat Department would be expanding its numbers this year.

Their inclinations gradually shifted.

Even within the Mutual Aid Society, nearly everyone leaned toward the Combat Department.

Ian also went out less often.

After nearly ten hours of meditation every day, he spent six hours studying zero-ring Wizardry and one hour studying cantrips.

The time he left for cantrips was dwindling because their overlap was growing ever higher; only a very small number of cantrips could enhance his talent.

But Ian still did not want to give up.

He simply practiced them over and over.

Silently accumulating talent.

Bit by bit.