Three Master-Level Masters, Applying for Assessment

Days passed one by one.

With Chris's support, Ian was briefly freed from his Magic Stone crisis.

His proficiency with Minor Stamina Potions steadily rose.

In the blink of an eye, another half month passed.

His Minor Stamina Potion skill reached Master Level, its proficiency rising to 190 points.

Over the following days, Ian's success rate in processing materials gradually increased, as though he were growing at breakneck speed.

Sure enough, just three days later, Hal had him begin processing the materials for Minor Antidote Potions.

However, unlike the previous two kinds of materials, the ingredients for Minor Antidote Potions were far from simple.

Several of them were poisons.

As a result, Ian worked more slowly and spent more time on them.

Forget practicing Wizardry—even his meditation time had been cut down somewhat.

In the blink of an eye, another half month passed.

He still received zero Magic Stones in wages this month, but Vivian's Magic Stones arrived right on schedule!

At the same time, there was another piece of good news.

"I've finally condensed the tenth rune."

In his room, Ian sensed the changes in his Mental Power Space and took a deep breath.

He had never set aside meditation during the two months since joining the department.

He had basically maintained a pace of one Mental Power Rune per month.

Even during the previous month, when he had been busy to that extent, it had remained the same.

Today, he had finally condensed his tenth rune.

"But!"

Ian frowned.

Compared with before, the time needed to condense this rune seemed to have increased slightly—by four or five days or so.

It was longer than before.

"Condensing runes only gets harder and harder!"

Ian was not surprised by this. He had experienced it when he had first entered the School as well. It was only because his talent had constantly been improving that he had been able to maintain his speed.

And even improve it.

But his talent had grown slowly over these past two months.

As a result, his meditation speed had slowed.

Ian shook his head.

No matter what, this was not good news.

Fights broke out every day outside the School, and the inside of the School was not peaceful either. Even within the Potions Department, there were open and covert struggles.

Even Hal could turn into a threat at any moment. He was, after all, a Second-class Apprentice Witch.

Even if age had weakened his mental power, he was still a Second-class Apprentice Witch.

There was a chasm-like gap between him and a First-class Wizard.

In this environment, the strength of a First-class Wizard was simply too feeble.

"Once I advance, I'll have to shift my focus back to improving my talent."

Ian took a deep breath.

To rapidly increase mental power, one either had to use a great deal of resources, or use a great deal of resources to improve one's talent.

The results would not differ much.

But with the former, once the resources were spent, they were spent. The latter involved more steps, but what it improved was his foundation.

"Half a month remains."

Ian calculated.

In half a month, his Minor Antidote Potion skill should also reach Master Level.

Then he could leave this place directly.

"Victor took a month and a half back then, but many wizard families thought highly of him and invested considerable resources in him. In an environment like this, I'll take three months."

Ian considered the information he had gathered during this period, thinking it over.

Three months was what he considered a reasonable amount of time, and it would also reveal part of his talent.

Back when Ian was still studying, he had been labeled a Sorcery Talent, and it had brought him quite a few benefits.

Likewise, if he wanted to remain secure in the Potions Department, hiding was often useless.

Chris's matter, especially, had driven that home for him.

The weak were bullied!

He had to make Vivian take notice of him.

He needed an even greater reputation, so Hal would not dare touch him casually—or even touch those around him.

Sometimes, putting oneself on display was also a way of lying low.

Exposing part of his abilities in exchange for greater security.

In the blink of an eye.

Half a month passed.

During this time, the materials Hal had Ian handle became increasingly miscellaneous, though there was still a portion of the materials for Minor Antidote Potion.

He still raised Minor Antidote Potion to Master Level.

His talent had risen to 195.

He was only one step away from 200.

Then, on this day.

Ian decided to apply for the Junior Potion Master assessment.

Knock, knock, knock!

Ian knocked on Vivian's door.

"Come in!"

A crisp voice rang out, and Ian pushed the door open and walked inside.

Not far beyond the door, Vivian sat behind her desk, frowning as she dealt with the documents before her.

"Ian?"

She looked up, somewhat surprised to see him.

"Minister Vivian!"

Ian nodded.

"Do you need something? If you want to transfer out of the department, and you've truly made up your mind..." Vivian guessed at Ian's purpose.

Vivian naturally knew about Ian's situation.

But she had not intervened.

She had merely hoped to test Ian's talent.

Couldn't endure it anymore?

A trace of disappointment immediately rose in Vivian's heart.

"That isn't it, Minister Vivian. I wish to apply for the Junior Potion Master assessment."

Ian shook his head.

"The Junior Potion Master assessment?"

Vivian froze at first, then her pupils gradually widened.

It had only been three months since Ian entered the department!

And he was in Hal's laboratory, with only the support of a small family.

Under such circumstances, he was actually telling her that he wanted to take the Junior Potion Master assessment?

"Are you sure?"

Vivian suppressed the shock in her heart and confirmed it once more.

"I'm sure."

Ian nodded.

"Alright."

Vivian had always been decisive.

She also believed Ian would not lie to her about something like this.

"Go wait for me in the laboratory downstairs—no, forget it. We'll do it here. I'll send word for Hal to come over shortly."

Vivian rose as she spoke.

Under normal procedures, a supervising Wizard needed to be present for someone to advance to Junior Potion Master.

Very soon.

The door opened, and Hal walked in.

His face was full of confusion.

Just moments ago, Vivian had sent someone to summon him to her office.

But he and Vivian should have had nothing to do with each other!

Yet the moment he saw Ian in the room, a flicker of realization passed through his eyes.

"Deputy Minister Vivian, if you called me here to mediate, then I don't think there was any need to invite me today."

He spoke to Vivian in the distance without the slightest courtesy.

He was Doug's man. He had no reason to fear Vivian.

"No. Ian is taking the Potion Master assessment, and as the supervising Potion Master, you need to be present!"

Vivian shook her head, not taking offense.

"Wait... a Junior Potion Master assessment?"

Hal froze. Then he looked at Ian in the distance, his eyes widening.

How was that possible?

It had only been three months!

Within the department, he had practically never allowed Ian to touch potion brewing. He had even withheld Ian's Magic Stones.

With Ian's financial means, and the support of that little family of his, could he possibly afford to brew magical potions?

"Deputy Minister Vivian, this joke isn't funny." Hal forced out a smile.

"I'm not joking with you."

Vivian shook her head. By then, the servants had already delivered the materials to the experimental bench nearby.

A recording crystal had also been set up.

Vivian said directly, "Now that everyone is here, Ian, begin brewing."

"Alright."

Ian walked over to the experimental bench.

And began brewing.