"Preparations" for a Promotion

White Dragon Port.

"Fran, which department are you going to?" Bela asked Fran after packing the last of the goods.

"Go to the Wartime Provision Department."

"What department is this?" Bela asked curiously.

If it were a seasoned veteran who had spent years in the Battle Mage Corps, they would probably immediately realize that Fran was not as simple as she seemed.

According to currently disclosed information, the Wartime Provision Department has six additional positions available this year, but 6,531 people have expressed their intention to apply.

Even though a large number of these were First Order Mage who were just there to make up the numbers, it's still a miracle that such a number of applicants were reached.

It's important to know that this recruitment drive didn't involve any written tests or interviews; the decision on whether to hire or not was made directly by the department head and higher-ups.

Even so, the fact that they were able to get into the Wartime Provision Department instead of being directly assigned reinforcements by the Command Council shows that they have enormous power behind them, or that they have a very good relationship with the minister.

"This is probably a good department. We'll be on Battlefield sidelines, but not directly on the front lines."

"However, I made a lot of preparations specifically for getting into this department, which is why I was able to get in."

Fran has absolutely no need to worry about being sent to the Battlefield to provide supplies to the Battlefield.

Because most of these tasks are done by combatants in the Wartime Provision Department who are assigned by the Command Council, they need to prepare supplies quickly in the rear, and the task of delivering supplies is done by these combatants who are not part of the Wartime Provision Department.

In addition, her lack of combat training might be a negative factor in the admissions process, but it's ultimately not as significant as the positive factor Fran gained through her connections.

She had already bribed the minister with more than half of the total registration fee; there was no way we would put her in danger.

Bela was a little envious, after all, it sounded very special, and most special positions either had good pay or easy work.

For a mage like Fran, who had only recently graduated from the City of Apprentices, it was impossible for her to assume any significant responsibilities. Therefore, this was an excellent opportunity for Fran.

"I can only stay behind and wait for further training..."

Bela scratched her head. She hadn't even finished her basic training yet because the instructors were constantly in meetings and taking leave, so they couldn't find the time to guide her. The training, which was originally scheduled to be completed next month, might now be delayed until the month after next.

"See you later. If you need anything, you can send me a letter through the Battle Mage Corps's channels. These letters don't require an address; they'll be sent directly to me by the relevant department."

"I will. Stay safe on the Battlefield, Fran."

Bela waved and watched Fran leave the temporary third checkpoint, then got up to pack her personal belongings.

Just then, on the other side, Zane, the deputy leader of the Third Inspection Group, also began to pack his things.

Like Fran, Bela also made some friends while working in the Third Inspection Group, including Zane, Zane she had known before.

Unlike the young mage Fran, Zane's friends were all old men around his age, mages he had known from his time in the Battle Mage Corps.

"Brother Zane, have you signed up for the Wartime Provision Department yet?"

An old mage started a conversation, causing Bela to slow down her movements. She had just heard that Fran was going to this department.

"No, with a resume like mine, they definitely wouldn't hire me, so I didn't apply..."

"Besides, with these recruitment requirements, how could you or I even be considered? Recruitment and appointment are entirely handled by the minister and the Personnel Appointment and Removal Office; without connections, it's simply impossible."

The old monk took over the conversation. He wasn't actually unaware of this; he just wanted to find a topic to chat about.

"If only I could save up fifty Gold Coin, it would be great. It's a pity that the salary of the Battle Mage Corps is too low, it can't compare to the outside world at all," the old mage said regretfully.

Battle Mage Corps are poorly paid; even Second Order Mage like Zane only receives twelve Gold Coin per month.

However, even support staff within the Battle Mage Corps can obtain large quantities of magical materials, and can exchange special Contribution Points for spell knowledge based on their years of service.

Although these Gold Coin are almost non-existent after deducting daily expenses, making it difficult for Battle Mage to accumulate much Gold Coin, a large number of mages still flock to this path.

"Even if there were such a place, I wouldn't want to go. What kind of hellish place is the Wartime Provision Department? I bet if they send us mages who have received combat training, we'd be there to be combatants."

"Providing supplies to mages on the Battlefield, how could that be a good job?"

"What if that mage happens to be surrounded and requests reinforcements, but the reinforcements don't arrive, and instead you, the one providing the supplies, do arrive? That would be truly..." an old mage complained.

"Exactly, if you haven't had any combat training, I doubt the Wartime Provision Department would let you go..." Zane chimed in with a sarcastic remark.

"Yeah, logically speaking, without combat training, it should be very difficult to get into this department," Bela thought with some doubt as she listened to the conversation.

Last time she chatted with Fran, she heard that Fran didn't understand many basic combat terms, so she guessed that Fran had never had any basic training.

Fran's mentor? Bela shook her head. Although having a Fourth Order Mage as a mentor sounded prestigious, Bela knew a lot of secrets about such mentors.

Most of these Fourth Order Mage, even if they only take on one disciple, can only offer limited help to that disciple.

Such a direct placement into the Wartime Provision Department is unlikely to be possible unless Fran and her mentor have an extremely close relationship...

Fran mentioned before that she had prepared extensively for this position, but what exactly did she prepare for...?

"Actually, it seems like Gold Coin aren't necessary. I heard that the female head of the Wartime Provision Department has some peculiar hobbies, if..."

"Do you prefer skinny young men?" an old mage joked, filling the room with a cheerful atmosphere. Even Bela couldn't help but chuckle twice without attracting attention.

"No, quite the opposite, that minister likes cute girls..."

Those present were all old masters with relatively conservative views, and faced with this situation, they couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.

"It's normal for High-Order Mage to have their own special hobbies," Zane said, smoothing things over, which eased the expressions of all the old mages.

However, judging from their expressions, while they were prejudiced against this High-Order Mage's unusual hobby, they were mostly disappointed in themselves for not being High-Order Mage themselves, otherwise they would have wanted to do the same...

Bela could no longer laugh; she felt as if she had been struck by lightning, Fran's well-prepared words still echoing in her ears.

Considering Fran's appearance in her eyes—slender, energetic, and highly motivated—she seems almost too much to be described as 'cute'...

Bela hadn't touched her work for a long time; she remained silent for a while before starting to work again.

Her thoughts began to wander. Why was Fran able to serve as the leader of their temporary inspection team? Although she had the connections of Fourth Order Mage, as mentioned before, she might not necessarily be able to get a recommendation from her mentor.

"No, Bela, Fran has taken such good care of you, even giving you a precious Spell Ring back in the City of Apprentices... How can you think like this?!"

"Perhaps Fran doesn't know about this?"

"If she doesn't know, shouldn't I remind her? Yes, I need to send her a letter now."

Bela blushed, and she became somewhat incoherent, as Fran's actions had dealt a significant blow to her worldview.

She was secretly praying that this wasn't true, that Fran would directly refute her words in the letter.

Fran, unable to hear Bela's calls, happily boarded an airship.

This was a large airship, entirely silver-white, seemingly nearly a hundred meters long, and composed of refined iron. Just by getting close, Fran could feel the extremely powerful flight array emanating from the airship.

According to the Command Council, these reinforcements should go to the Battlefield lines immediately after reporting for duty.

Most department heads waved their hands dismissively, figuring they had to go soon anyway, and simply set the reporting location on the airship.

After conducting the inspection, Fran walked directly to the gangway.

The airship was rather cramped, Fran searched for a while but still couldn't find her department.

However, she was not in a hurry. She strolled leisurely down the corridor, constantly asking the monks around her questions.

As she walked, she kept thinking about how she had now reached the Ocean and infiltrated the Alliance's departments.

Now we need to consider two things. One is to get as close as possible to the main island of the Church of the Goddess of Ocean Currents Sect, which is a prophecy she received that the Alliance did not receive, and even the Gods may not know about it.

This incident will most likely occur near the main island of the Goddess of Ocean Currents, so she needs to find a pretext to stay on the main island of the Church of the Goddess of Ocean Currents.

Perhaps she'll hide herself away, undiscovered by anyone, or she might simply have the Alliance attack the Church of the Goddess of Ocean Currents's main island, fixing it in place so she can just stay there and ignore what the others do.

This matter needs to be considered in the long term and can be considered as part of future planning; she can't do it now.

The other matter is the Deep Sea Golden Dragon. This needs to be dealt with quickly, otherwise, if the war intensifies, Fran may miss a crucial opportunity.

Her other body has now received Legendary guidance; although she's not officially a disciple, she's in effect one. Perhaps this is...

"Fran, over here." Fran looked up and saw Monica waving at her with a bright smile.