Advancing to Great Knight, First Steps in the Potions Department

By the time Ian went out, Victor had already left.

Though he was curious about what a Junior Potion Master was, Vivian had said so, and he was in no hurry.

Taking advantage of the last week of rest, Ian invited everyone from the Mutual Aid Society to his new home for a gathering.

"Wow, Boss, this place is huge!"

"I want to live here too. As expected of a core department."

Logan and the others pushed open the door, their faces full of envy as they looked at the enormous house before them.

"You can come by often in the future."

Ian followed them in from behind the door.

"Alchemy Department reassigned us housing too, but it's only a third the size of this place." Emily pulled a long face.

Compared to the Potions Department, the Alchemy Department could only be considered a small department.

"But once an alchemist grows capable, they can make plenty of money too. Maybe you'll be able to rent a place like this in the future," Ian said.

Alchemists were no worse than potion masters. In fact, accomplished alchemists could earn even more than potion masters.

"I'll take that blessing."

Emily's expression changed, and her face bloomed with a smile.

"Our guard unit will be stationed outside the School. The space there should be quite a bit roomier than inside the School." Logan shrugged.

"Exactly. Still, I really can't bear to leave the School!"

Coro sighed from the side.

The others' expressions darkened as well. Aside from Ian and Emily, nearly all of them would be leaving the School.

Once they entered Veridian Forest, who knew what the future would hold?

"But with the situation being so bad right now, it might instead be an opportunity for you..." Ian repeated what Charles had told him.

At once, several pairs of eyes lit up.

"That's right. War is an opportunity for us too. Maybe we'll have the chance to become Third-Rank Wizard Apprentices, or even peak Wizard Apprentices."

Alfie, who had remained silent within the group, suddenly stepped forward and made this bold declaration.

"We will definitely become powerful wizards—perhaps even Official Wizards."

Ian chimed in at the right moment.

For a time, the apprentices who had originally gathered together because of their talent were filled with lofty ambition.

The gloom was swept away.

At what might be their final gathering, they dreamed of a wonderful future.

"I propose that we gather once every three months from now on. What do you think, Ian?" Logan looked at Ian and said.

Hearing the proposal, Ian did not hesitate and agreed immediately.

This was not merely their friendship.

It was also because he would be spending long periods within the School afterward, and might not be well-informed.

With the others from the Mutual Aid Society, at least he would not be left completely in the dark about news from outside the School.

Naturally, the others had no reason to refuse. Even the Combat Department was generally given time to rest every month.

Tap, tap, tap!

Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked toward the entrance.

Ian frowned, rose to his feet, and went to open the door.

"What are you doing making such a racket in the middle of the night? Do you know you're disturbing my rest?"

Outside stood a middle-aged wizard, his face filled with anger as he demanded an explanation.

Ian frowned.

"It's only just past the afternoon. I wouldn't call it nighttime, and we weren't even being that loud."

"You say you weren't loud, so that makes it true? Which family are you from? Did you just move in as a tenant?" the middle-aged wizard questioned.

There were few members in the Academy's core departments, so most of those living here were actually members of wizard families.

"Potions Department."

"Oh, the Potions... Department. Then it's fine. I was just wondering why the neighbors were so lively. My name is Maine Thomas, from the Magic Plant Department." The middle-aged wizard abruptly choked on his words, then coughed.

The Potions Department was, after all, the Magic Plant Department's superior department.

"Enjoy yourselves. I won't disturb you anymore."

The man bent at the waist and helped them close the door.

The changes came so quickly that even Ian had not expected them.

"So this is the Potions Department!"

The members of the Mutual Aid Society clicked their tongues in amazement. It was one of the Academy's most core departments.

Another three days passed.

Along with a surge of blood and vitality, Ian slowly opened his eyes inside the room.

"A Great Knight."

More than two months had passed since Ian reached the pinnacle of knighthood.

With the later portions of the knight method now in hand, Ian had finally advanced to Great Knight just as he was about to enter the Potions Department.

"My strength is far greater than before—three times the limit of an ordinary person."

Ian pressed his lips together.

If he had broken through to Great Knight back then, he might not have been so miserable in his battle against Ross.

He opened the panel.

[Name: Ian Green]

[Age: 13]

[Strength: First-class Wizard Apprentice (43/100), Great Knight (1/100)]

[Talent: Third-grade Star (180/250)]

[Skills: Tricks: ...

Zero-ring: Lionheart Knight Method (Great Knight Chapter—Beginner 70/100), Magic Plant Identification (Proficient 30/300), Minor Hemostatic Potion (Expert 70/400), Wind Blade Spell (Master Level)...]

"Talent's already at 180!"

Ian sighed.

Compared to before the final assessment, he had never stopped studying tricks, but unfortunately, it had only risen to 180.

At this point, the Compendium of Tricks could be considered fully retired.

"Next are several zero-ring spells, as well as the Minor Hemostatic Potion."

He had yet to begin learning wizardry.

The potion was the closest to Master Level.

"Now it depends on what the Potions Department says, and that Wizard Hal!"

Ian pursed his lips.

In the blink of an eye!

Four days later.

Ian left early and headed for the Potions Department.

As he passed the square, the Combat Department was just preparing to depart.

Among the crowd, Ian saw Logan, Rune, and even Levi.

Ian gave them one glance before setting off for the Potions Department.

"Ian."

Rune spotted Ian from afar, his expression complicated.

After the final assessment, although he had ranked below Ian, he had happened to catch the expansion of the Combat Department's core team, so he had gotten in as well.

"If not for the war, I might not even have made it into a core department. But Ian..."

"But things will be different from now on. The Combat Department will be the mainstream for some time to come. Brewing potions will only slow his progress. I'll gradually surpass him."

Rune's gaze was complicated at first, then gradually turned resolute.

The next time he returned, he would surpass Ian.

Levi also glanced at Ian.

Although Ian had not surpassed him, Ian had constantly kept him down in combat classes.

Even by the final assessment, he had failed to overtake him.

"Once you enter the Combat Department, the gap between you will only grow wider. You are, after all, second-class talent, while he..."

Charles, who was in charge of leading the team, spoke from beside him.

"That's true. From now on, perhaps his name will appear in my ears less and less."

Levi nodded.

The past half year or so had only been the starting stage of a wizard's path. What came next was when their Second-class Talents would truly begin to show their strength.

Perhaps the next time they met, the gap between them would be so great it could no longer be seen.

"Keep it up."

Logan's eyes were filled with determination.

So what if he had Fourth-class Talent? He would definitely become a stronger wizard.

Potions Department.

After reporting in, Ian arrived at a large laboratory on the second floor.

The room spanned several hundred square meters and had been meticulously planned, divided into different functional areas.

There were roughly five or six people inside at the moment, some processing materials and others preparing potions, while more than a dozen School slaves carried out even more arduous work.

Along one side of the room, there was a connected chamber, its door currently closed.

"Are you Ian?"

A School slave came before Ian and looked up at him.

"Yes."

"Wizard Hal is already waiting for you."

Following the Servant Witch, Ian entered the connected room.

Inside was a smaller laboratory, where two other people were present.

One was a wizard with graying hair, dressed in a white robe stained with a few potion marks, his face deeply lined with wrinkles. The other was Roger, who had entered the Potions Department alongside Ian.

Roger?

Had he been assigned here too?

Ian was somewhat surprised.

"My lord, this is Ian!"

The Servant Witch went to Hal's side and bowed as he reminded him.

The white-robed wizard slowly raised his head, then slowly stood, and slowly walked up to Ian.

His slightly clouded eyes stared fixedly at Ian, as though he were looking at some sworn enemy, his gaze icy.

"Ian?"

Ian lowered his head. "Yes, Ian Green."

Only after several full seconds did Hal speak, his voice slightly hoarse.

"As a newcomer, you should have arrived early to familiarize yourself with the environment. Your attitude is a serious problem."

"I'll pay attention in the future."

Ian did not get angry and simply went along with him.

"Forget it. I won't hold it against you this first time."

Hal waved his hand magnanimously.

So easy to talk to?

Ian felt somewhat doubtful.

"I'll arrange your work from here on out." He looked at Roger. "Roger, go assist with preparing Minor Hemostatic Potions."

Then he turned to Ian. "Ian, go process the potion materials. Get some practice first."

Well, damn.

What a pure old bastard.

He was not even pretending. They were both newcomers, yet they received completely different treatment.

There was no doubt about it.

This was targeted discrimination!