The Potions Department's Landscape Changes

Department Selection.

It should have been a tense moment, but Ian already knew where he belonged, and so he relaxed.

He began observing which departments the others from his cohort had chosen.

Among the three Second-class Talents, Lucy went to the Secret Source Department.

Levi went to the Combat Department, while Beck chose the Potions Department.

Roger, ranked fourth, chose the Potions Department just like Ian.

Rune, who had been in the same class before, chose the Combat Department.

Among the Mutual Aid Society members, Logan, Coro, Alfie, and William also chose the Combat Department.

However, they did not enter its core divisions. Logan and Coro went to the guard unit, Alfie entered the reconnaissance division, and William joined a combat squad.

Emily was the surprising one—she joined the Alchemy Department.

As for Halman, Layton had already informed Ian that Halman had reached the front lines.

There was a high chance he would not survive.

"But what if he does?"

Ian still felt uneasy.

Halman might not have posed much of a threat, but he was undoubtedly a hidden danger.

As long as he was alive, Ian could not rest easy.

"I really need to be more careful in the future."

At the same time, Ian pressed his lips together.

If he discovered any potentially threatening sprouts in the future, it would be best to strike first. He absolutely could not let things happen as they had this time.

The assignments were soon finished.

Next, someone from each department would come to lead the apprentices away. What left Ian stunned, however, was that two people had come from the Potions Department.

One was an unfamiliar Wizard. The other was Victor.

Roger and Beck naturally stepped behind the former, and the three of them left straight away.

"Ian, come over here."

Victor waved.

"Instructor? What's this?"

Ian looked at the three departing figures, puzzled.

Why was one department splitting people into two groups?

"Don't mind it. You'll find out sooner or later," Victor said.

Ian nodded.

He understood that this matter was probably not so simple.

Following Victor, Ian first made a trip to the Castle.

When he came out, there was an additional black iron badge on his chest, bearing a crucible at its center—the emblem of the Potions Department.

"Why do I get the feeling you were looking forward to something when you came out?"

After leaving the Castle, Victor turned to look at Ian behind him.

"Nothing. Lord Mickey just wasn't here today."

Ian shook his head.

"Mickey?"

Victor froze for a moment. His mind was filled with the Magic Stones he had been extorted out of—if not hundreds, then at least dozens.

Looking forward to it?

"Yeah. Lord Mickey is actually pretty nice. The Sorcery Feather that killed Ross before was given to me by him. It cost one Magic Stone."

Ian said.

"Huh?"

A puzzled expression appeared on Victor's face.

Were they talking about the same owl?

Leaving the Castle.

He went home and packed his things.

Before long, they arrived at the new Residential Area.

It was a street called Emerald Avenue.

Unlike Maple Leaf Avenue, which was lined with villas on both sides, this place was filled with four-story buildings.

"Only Wizards from core departments can live here—unless they're willing to pay," Victor said.

"Pay?" Ian looked at Victor.

"Three Magic Stones a month. It's not cheap." Victor shrugged.

So expensive!

Ian could not help but sigh as well.

Soon, they entered a four-story building, with four rooms on each floor.

They entered one of them.

It was a room of roughly a hundred square meters, with a reception room, three bedrooms, and a separate washroom.

"One room can be used as a bedroom, one as a study, and one as a laboratory."

Ian was very satisfied.

The room before him was four or five times larger than his previous one. From now on, he would have space for whatever he wanted to do.

"Put your things down, then we'll go report to the Potions Department," Victor reminded him.

"Mm."

Ian nodded, understanding that this was the final procedure.

By the time they arrived at the Potions Department, it was afternoon.

As dusk fell, Beck, Roger, and the others, led by another Wizard, happened to arrive as well.

There was no exchange of words.

The Wizard glanced at Victor, then turned and headed inside. Roger and Beck looked back at Ian, their gazes carrying an unspoken meaning.

"Instructor?"

Ian looked at Victor.

Everything seemed to be telling him that the Potions Department was not as peaceful within as he had imagined.

"Go meet Director Vivian first. You'll understand everything soon enough."

Ian nodded.

Victor led Ian to Vivian's door, then looked at him and said, "You'll go in by yourself from here."

"Alright."

Ian nodded and knocked lightly on the door.

"Come in."

He pushed the door open and entered.

Vivian had just set down a book behind her desk. Seeing Ian, she smiled.

"Ian, congratulations on joining the Potions Department."

"Thank you, Director Vivian. I'll work hard, and thank you for your help last time, ma'am."

Ian bowed.

Vivian shook her head. "It was what I should have done. Besides, this may not necessarily be a good thing for you."

Ian raised his head in confusion.

Vivian continued, "Did Victor tell you about the composition of the Potions Department? Or what you'll be doing next?"

Ian shook his head.

Vivian nodded and said, "At present, the department is jointly managed by Doug and me, the two deputy directors. He oversees resources and personnel, while I am responsible for reviews and formulas. We each oversee several laboratories, but our philosophies differ greatly."

Ian recalled what he had seen outside the door.

It was probably more than just a difference in philosophy.

"Newcomers to the department generally begin by working in the various laboratories. I originally planned to assign you to Victor's laboratory, but Doug exercised his authority and assigned you to Hal's laboratory instead."

"Hal?"

Ian frowned. He had never heard of this person.

"Doug's staunch supporter," Vivian said bluntly.

"More importantly, he has a grandson who has always hoped to enter the Potions Department through this assessment and inherit his position.

"He was also in the top ten, but unfortunately, he ran into you and got squeezed out of the spot."

Vivian sounded somewhat wistful.

When they entered the School, Halman's grandson had held great promise, but who could have known Ian would appear?

His progress was utterly unreasonable.

Ian was a little stunned.

Wasn't this a disaster falling from the sky for no reason?

"Strange, isn't it? The patrol even suspected old Halman. After all, if you died, his grandson would enter the Potions Department."

A trace of mockery appeared on Vivian's face.

Even if Ross killed Ian, Halman's grandson would still have no way of entering the Potions Department.

Ian could not help but smile bitterly.

One assessment.

Who could have imagined it would involve so many things?

"How will Halman target me?"

Ian asked.

"Halman's laboratory mainly prepares several basic potions. You'll most likely be assigned a great deal of basic, repetitive work!"

Ian's eyes flickered.

Repetitive work?

It seemed like a good environment for rapidly improving his proficiency.

"Looks like you already have an idea."

Seeing that Ian's expression was calm rather than flustered, Vivian nodded.

"Remember, in the Potions Department, a potion master's strength is the foundation. If you have the ability, no one can hold you down. I look forward to the day you become a Junior Potion Master. When that time comes, I'll transfer you out."

So transfers were possible!

But... a Junior Potion Master?

Ian looked at Vivian in confusion.

"You'll know once you enter the department. The Academy has given you a week as well. Rest well for a few days. Things won't be this easy from now on."

Vivian did not explain, merely ending the conversation calmly.

"Alright."

Ian nodded.