Climbing the Social Ladder and Throwing Oneself into Someone's Arms

Ron finished his work at the Herb Shop. Mrs. Allen was as strict as ever today, but when teaching him how to make an antidote, she was exceptionally patient.

"Don't be late tomorrow." As he was leaving, the old witch reminded him, "I have a few new formulas that I need you to help test."

As he walked back to the dormitory, his thoughts churned.

He had been a formal Primary Apprentice for some time now. Although nothing seemed different from before on the surface, he could clearly feel the change in the way those around him treated him.

"Apprentice Ron!" A familiar voice came from behind him, interrupting his thoughts.

When he turned around, he saw Gregory, a Candidate Apprentice who usually barely spoke to him.

Gregory came from a merchant family and had always been accustomed to currying favor with the powerful. He had never deigned to spare even mediocre or inferior classmates a glance.

But at that moment, Gregory's attitude was completely different. He came hurrying over with a broad smile:

"I heard you've passed the apprentice qualification assessment? That's truly admirable!"

"Is there something you need?" Ron asked coldly.

"Of course, I don't have anything urgent." Gregory's smile grew even more obsequious.

"I just wanted to ask whether you need a capable assistant. I'm very experienced in organizing documents and searching through materials. I'm also proficient in bookkeeping and the ancient languages of the three kingdoms. If there's anything you need..."

Ron immediately understood his intentions. Gregory was seeking protection, hoping to become his servant.

In the Black Mist Forest, becoming an apprentice's servant at least guaranteed basic survival rights. For Candidate Apprentices who could see no hope ahead, that was already a fairly decent outcome.

"No need. I'm used to working alone." Ron rejected him bluntly.

The smile on Gregory's face became strained, but he still forced himself to continue.

"If you change your mind, you can find me anytime! I live in Room 34 of the west wing..."

Ron had already turned and left before he could finish.

But after only a few steps, another voice called out to him.

"Apprentice Ron~"

A sweet, almost cloying female voice came from the side.

Ron saw a shapely female apprentice walking toward him. Her steps were light, and her dress had deliberately been worn looser than usual, exposing large expanses of snow-white skin.

Ron recognized her as Isabella, a Candidate Apprentice from a noble family in the south.

In his memories, she was usually very close to Emily, and the two often attended various apprentice gatherings together.

"I heard you're very talented in Potions." Isabella blinked her big eyes, her voice sweet.

"I happen to be very interested in that field. I wonder if you could give me some guidance?"

She deliberately moved extremely close, trying to press her ample bosom against the arm of the person before her. The strong scent of perfume mingled with a suggestive aura and assaulted his senses.

Ron keenly noticed that behind the deliberately cultivated worship in her eyes lay calculation and worldly sophistication.

What made him even more uncomfortable was that, after becoming a Wizard Apprentice and gaining a further boost to his senses, he could clearly detect an indescribable "trace of use" on this noble lady.

She was clearly no pure maiden. She was a seasoned veteran of the bedchamber who had experienced lovemaking many times.

Just as Ron subtly avoided her approach and prepared to refuse again, several more female Candidate Apprentices gathered around him.

Every one of them was dressed especially seductively, and their words were filled with blatant suggestions:

"Apprentice Ron, I can do anything for you..."

"My family has some connections in the Farouk Kingdom as well. If you need..."

"I've learned all kinds of ways to please people since I was little. I guarantee I can make you..."

Their words made Ron feel sick.

He knew their purpose all too well: they wanted to attach themselves to a newly promoted Primary Apprentice and trade their bodies for security.

In their eyes, he was nothing more than a new patron, a tool they could cast aside at will.

"That's enough." Ron spoke coldly while simultaneously radiating an almost imperceptible Mental Fluctuation.

It was the new ability he had gained after becoming a Primary Apprentice—Mental Interference. Although it only had an interfering effect in battles between people of the same rank, it was more than enough to deal with these Candidate Apprentices.

Mental Interference (Beginner) Experience +1

Perhaps because Mental Interference had been recorded as a skill, Ron felt that his control over it was now much stronger than when he had first acquired the ability.

An invisible fluctuation spread outward with him at its center. The apprentices surrounding him immediately felt dizzy.

Their thoughts became muddled. Some staggered backward, while others even dropped straight to the floor, their faces blank with confusion.

"I have no interest in any of you, and I don't need servants." Ron's tone was calm, but it carried a deep chill.

"Don't bother me again. Otherwise, I won't mind removing a few of your parts."

With that, he turned and left, leaving behind a group of Candidate Apprentices who had yet to fully recover from the Mental Interference. They stared at one another, each seeing intense jealousy and resentment in the others' eyes.

When he returned to the dormitory, he had just locked the door when he heard a knock.

"It's me, Andre." A familiar voice came from outside.

Ron opened the door and saw the blond Thirteenth Prince standing outside, his expression somewhat solemn.

"I heard you just gave those Candidate Apprentices an unforgettable lesson in the hallway?" Andre raised the corner of his mouth, but his smile looked somewhat forced.

"Word travels fast..." Ron stepped aside to let Andre in. "Those people were like dung stuck to the soles of my feet. They really did get on my nerves."

"That sort of thing is perfectly normal." Andre shrugged. "In the Black Mist Forest, every apprentice who advances goes through this sort of 'welcome ceremony.' Those Candidate Apprentices who can see no hope ahead are always eager to latch onto a new powerful patron."

Ron nodded, then noticed that something was off about Andre's expression. His usual elegant confidence was still there, but his eyes held a trace of worry and inner conflict, as if he had some difficulty he could not speak of.

"What's wrong?" Ron set down the refining vessels he had been organizing and looked at Andre seriously. "You look troubled."

Andre sighed and sat down in a chair. "Nothing. Just some annoying demands from my family again."

He forced a smile, then changed the subject. "By the way, I heard you just passed the qualification assessment for Primary Apprentice. That's excellent news. How are things with the School? They haven't shortchanged you in the distribution of resources, have they?"

Ron did not answer immediately. Instead, he poured two cups of herbal tea he had just received from Mrs. Allen and handed one to Andre.

"Thanks." Andre accepted the cup and took a sip. "What is this? It tastes good."

"A mixture of Calm Spirit Grass and Moon-viewing Root." Ron sat across from Andre. "Mrs. Allen said it could relieve mental fatigue. It looks like you need it right now."

The corner of Andre's mouth twitched slightly. Clearly, Ron's words had struck home.

He stared at the liquid in his cup, seemingly considering how to respond.