The Situation Takes a Shocking Turn, First Meeting with Doug

"205!"

Although it had only increased by five points, Ian could still feel the change within it.

"And this is only the beginning."

Ian narrowed his eyes slightly.

By now, every obstacle to improving his talent had been swept away.

Only time stood in his way.

"Next, I'll focus wholeheartedly on improving my brewing skills and training the Wizardry I already know."

Ian's eyes gleamed.

The next day.

Ian did not go to the Potions Department.

He had already gone there more than fifteen days this month.

He intended to spend the remaining time practicing other Wizardry.

What happened with Ross had made him realize that maintaining a certain level of combat power in Wizardry was indeed necessary.

Moreover, he had noticed that Mickey seemed to care about this a little!

Though Ian did not quite understand why, since Mickey cared about it, practicing more could not be wrong.

In the blink of an eye.

Half a month passed.

Ian had practiced all three Acid Splash spells to proficiency, exhausting his casting materials.

He had also reached the final stage of comprehending the feather Mickey had given him. Give him a few more days, and he would definitely be able to get started!

He was already more than halfway to getting started with the Guidance Technique.

As for Faint Glimmer, without materials, it had remained at proficiency for half a month.

"Tomorrow, I'll go ask Director Vivian for the accompanying materials for Faint Glimmer."

Ian made his decision.

He had already delayed for half a month. It should not be too outrageous, yet it would still be enough to display his talent.

The next day.

The moment Ian stepped outside, he saw his neighbor, Maine Thomas—the middle-aged man from the Magic Plant Department—hurrying out with an anxious expression.

"Good morning, Potion Master Ian."

Though Maine was in a hurry, he immediately put on a smile.

Ian was quite familiar with this.

Ever since Maine had learned that he had advanced to Junior Potion Master, he had been like this.

"What happened?"

Ian asked.

The anxiety on Maine's face just now had been almost visible to the naked eye.

"Oh!" At the question, Maine's expression immediately turned ugly. "Something enormous has happened."

"Just this morning, Blackstone School launched attacks on several of Horton School's core resource sites. The school suffered heavy casualties, but worse still, some of those resource sites have been captured by Blackstone School!"

What??

Ian froze at once.

The news was simply too shocking.

So-called core resource sites were the school's most vital assets, the very foundation supporting the operation of Horton Wizard School.

Even losing a single one would likely make the school ache terribly.

Let alone several.

For quite some time to come, the school probably would not have a moment of peace.

"I can't talk anymore. One of our Potions Department's plantations has been captured too. The department is holding a meeting—I'll be going now, Potion Master Ian."

As he spoke, Maine hurried away.

Ian returned to his house and looked outside through the window.

Emerald Avenue was filled with wizards hurrying about.

Especially those from the Combat Department. Quite a few were fully armed and heading beyond the school grounds.

"Things had only just settled down in the Potions Department, and now the situation outside has worsened!"

Ian immediately felt a sharp ache in his teeth.

"It's just that I don't know whether the department will hold a meeting."

Ian's gaze narrowed slightly.

Everyone above Junior Potion Master in the Potions Department had a regular meeting every month. He had never attended one before.

Could his very first meeting be happening like this?

Just as Ian was thinking.

He saw Farn hurrying up the stairs.

"My lord, Minister Vivian has summoned you to a meeting."

With Farn accompanying him.

Ian quickly arrived at the Potions Department.

"The meeting is in the main conference room. Only Junior Potion Masters may enter, so you'll have to go in by yourself."

On the first floor of the Potions Department, Farn pointed to the room at the far end of the corridor.

"Alright."

Ian nodded.

He could see that quite a few people in the department were heading toward the conference room.

Every one of them wore a gloomy expression, as though the skies had darkened.

"Ian!"

A familiar voice rang out. Ian turned and saw a familiar figure.

"Instructor Victor!"

Ian's eyes lit up. Seeing someone he knew at a time like this undoubtedly brought a measure of reassurance.

"Let's go. I'm afraid there'll be quite a lot to discuss today."

Victor patted Ian on the shoulder and headed toward the conference room.

Ian followed.

They entered the conference room.

It was a huge, tiered chamber. At the very front stood a semicircular table, with three high-backed chairs behind it.

Below, rows upon rows of seats stretched backward, rising higher and higher.

Quite a few witches had already taken their seats.

Victor pointed to the fourth row on the left and said to Ian, "Go sit over there."

Then he directly took the first seat in the first row on the left.

The seating had rankings?

Puzzled, Ian followed Victor's instructions and sat in the fourth row.

As more witches entered, he gradually noticed something unusual.

These seats were arranged with great care.

The first row consisted entirely of Second-class Apprentice Witches, all of whom were also Intermediate Potion Masters.

The second row held Intermediate Potion Masters and Second-class Apprentice Witches.

The third row was for veteran Junior Potion Masters.

The fourth row was for Junior Potion Masters.

"And they're divided into left and right sides too!"

Ian's expression turned strange. The row at the very center of the conference room was completely empty.

"Hal!"

Suddenly, Ian saw Hal walk in from outside. Upon seeing Ian, Hal shot him a vicious glare before taking a seat on the right.

"Looks like Doug's side is on the right, while ours is on the left."

Ian guessed.

He waited quietly.

Before long, Vivian strode in with decisive efficiency and took the seat at the front on the left.

Then a gloomy-faced man with snake-like pupils entered and sat at the front on the right.

That had to be Doug.

"Everyone is here. Let this meeting begin!"

The moment Doug sat down, his not particularly loud voice instantly spread through the entire room, making everyone feel a chill.

Ian straightened his body as well!

"But I'm sure you've all guessed what happened?" Doug's gaze swept across the room.

The potion makers below immediately began whispering among themselves.

"Next, our Potions Department may have to get busy—prepare greater reserves of potions. At the same time, one of our frontline bases has fallen. Everyone should also be ready to head to the front lines at any time."

The potion makers instantly erupted in an uproar.

Brewing potions itself was nothing much, just working overtime—but one of their bases had actually been lost.

That meant someone had to go fill that gap.

"In principle, this is for Wizards who have been enrolled for over two and a half years. Resources will be tripled or more. But if any newly promoted potion makers are willing to go, that's acceptable too—starting at five times the resources."

Doug looked down at the crowd.

Ian had the distinct feeling that the man had glanced at him, especially when he spoke that last sentence.

Five times the resources.

What an extravagant offer!

Ian clicked his tongue in amazement.

But... resources were good, yet they were far inferior to being able to brew potions freely!

Better to lie low here and focus on brewing potions.

Not many people signed up either, because everyone knew just how dangerous this time was.

Doug seemed to have anticipated this. After saying that much, he announced the end of the meeting.

After the meeting ended.

Ian decided to go find Vivian.

It had been over half a month since his Faint Glimmer had reached the beginner level, and he felt it was about time to tell her.

He knocked on Vivian's door.

Seeing Ian arrive, Vivian raised her head.

She had been just about to look for Ian.

According to the department's arrangements, they would have to brew large quantities of basic potions over the coming period, especially Minor Hemostatic Potions, Stamina Potions, and Healing Potions.

Everyone was the same.

So she had planned to talk to Ian. The next month or two might delay him somewhat.

But just as she was about to speak.

She saw Ian slowly open his mouth. "Minister Vivian, my Faint Glimmer has entered the first stage. I've used up all the materials."

The words she had prepared were instantly swallowed back down.

Shock gradually surfaced in Vivian's eyes.

"What did you say?"