Authority Upgrade

The Forge camp was still shrouded in oppression that morning.

As usual, Ian completed his daily tasks and brewed several extra doses of each potion.

He did not immediately begin his spell training. He had something more important to do today.

After weighing the pros and cons last night, he decided to report his advancement to Sterling.

Before a Formal Wizard, there was little difference between an Intermediate Apprentice and an Advanced Apprentice, and it would be difficult to conceal.

During the war, the camp lost personnel every day. One more Advanced Apprentice would not stand out, and no one would care about Ian's past.

By reporting it himself, he could not only gain greater authority and resources, but also priority access to information. During wartime, that was extremely important.

Moreover, the good items in the warehouse required Wizard Sterling's approval before he could qualify to exchange for them.

Having advanced to Advanced Apprentice, he could exchange Contribution Points for an intermediate meditation method at half price and receive one advanced spell for free.

Ian straightened his gray robe. This robe, which represented an Intermediate Apprentice, would soon be replaced.

After leaving, he headed toward the Central Stone Tower. Outside it, two steady-aura guards stopped him.

Ian calmly explained his purpose. "Ian Marcus, camp Potion Master. I was fortunate enough to advance to Advanced Apprentice and have come to report to Wizard Sterling."

The guards examined him for a moment, and one of them turned to enter the building and report his arrival.

Before long, the guard came back out and gestured for Ian to enter.

Inside the stone building, Sterling stood with his back to the entrance, looking at the massive war map on the wall. His finger rested on an area west of the Forge camp.

That place had originally been labeled Violet Heights, but now a glaring red X had been drawn over it.

When Ian entered, Sterling turned around, his gaze sharp.

His complexion was still somewhat pale. The aftereffects of taking the Molten Heart potion last time had not yet fully faded.

"Ian Marcus." Sterling's voice was steady.

"Hank mentioned you before. Your potion-making efficiency is good, and your reaction during the last battle was quick as well. You've advanced to Advanced Apprentice? It seems you haven't slacked off recently."

"Yes, Wizard Sterling." Ian bowed slightly.

"I was fortunate enough to break through, so I came to report it. I hope to take on more responsibilities for the camp."

Sterling looked Ian over from head to toe, his gaze lingering for a moment.

His attention settled on Ian's steady eyes and condensed aura.

"Very good. During wartime, every bit of strength is vital, especially that of a Potion Master. After your advancement, both the quantity and quality of potions you can reliably produce will improve."

He walked to a nearby table, picked up a metal badge bearing an intertwined star-and-moon pattern, and handed it to Ian.

"This is the High Tower's Advanced Apprentice Badge. With it, you may claim one additional portion of intermediate-grade medicinal ingredients every day, whether for practice or personal use.

"In addition, the warehouse's third-floor exchange list has been opened to you. Your daily potion quota has increased to forty doses, while the types remain unchanged for now.

"You are now an Advanced Apprentice. Every few days, a brief report on nearby intelligence will be delivered to your residence.

"Also, your daily base Contribution Points have risen to forty. For work beyond your quota, each potion will be counted as 1.5 Contribution Points."

Ian accepted the badge with both hands. It felt slightly heavy. The front bore Shadowmoon's insignia, while the reverse carried the emblem of the Forge camp.

"Thank you, Wizard Sterling."

"This is what you deserve." Sterling waved a hand, his gaze returning to the map as his tone grew grave.

"However, I am telling you this because the camp is about to undergo changes."

He gestured for Ian to look at the map and pointed at the red X.

"You see it. The Violet Heights front line fell three days ago."

Ian's heart tightened. He had heard of Violet Heights. It lay southwest of the Forge, where there was a medium-sized magic stone mine.

Its fall meant that a gap had appeared in the Forge's defenses, multiplying the pressure on them.

"During the collapse at Violet Heights, one wizard died, while the apprentices suffered even heavier casualties."

Sterling's expression turned cold. "The higher-ups have decided to merge Violet Heights' remaining logistics personnel into the Forge camp.

"Today, a group of apprentices and a Rune Master will arrive first with supplies to reinforce the camp's rune defensive array.

"After the merger, the camp will be stronger, but it will also become a larger target. Attacks from the Crimson Court may become more frequent and violent."

He looked at Ian. "Your advancement came at exactly the right time. The potion-making workload will be heavier in the future.

"I need you to take on some of the guidance and brewing work for intermediate potions, if there are still any Potion Masters from Violet Heights."

"I will do my best, Wizard Sterling," Ian replied solemnly.

"Mm." Sterling nodded, seeming to remember something.

"Oh, right. The Rune Master arriving this time is a Dwarf named Copperbeard. His temper may be somewhat... stubborn."

He paused, then continued, "From now on, he will be responsible for the rune defenses of the entire camp. He may need certain potion ingredients, so cooperate with him when the time comes.

"Remember, the camp's safety comes first in all things!"

"Copperbeard..." Ian committed the name to memory.

Sterling had specifically mentioned his stubborn temperament, clearly giving Ian advance warning to prevent a conflict between them.

"Enough. Go familiarize yourself with your new authority. The warehouse has what you need."

"Thank you for your guidance." Ian bowed again and left the stone tower.

He gripped the badge in his hand and headed straight for the camp warehouse. After presenting his new badge, the guards respectfully let him through.

The third-floor exchange list was a massive crystal panel, and Ian's gaze quickly locked onto several items.

[Star-Moon Intermediate Meditation Method (spell model) — 1600 Contribution Points]

[Energy Missile (spell model) — 900 Contribution Points]

[Starlight Flicker (spell model) — 900 Contribution Points.]

...

[One Concentration Potion — 45 Contribution Points]

"Eh! There's even an exchange option for Concentration Potion here!"

The items here were indeed excellent, but their prices were equally steep.

Ian checked his current Contribution Points. Including his daily quota and the points from several extra potions, he had only 720 in total. Exchanging for everything he wanted was still a long road ahead.

Just as he was carefully browsing, a commotion arose at the warehouse entrance.

A rough, booming voice rang out, clearly impatient.

"Move aside! I'm the new Rune Master, Copperbeard! Sterling told me to collect materials! Damn it, why is this blasted place even hotter than Violet Heights?"

Ian turned to look and saw a figure only reaching his chest in height, yet exceptionally stocky and muscular, shove past the guards and stride inside.

So this is a Dwarf, Ian muttered inwardly.

The Dwarf's dense reddish-brown beard covered nearly half his face, and he wore leather work clothes stained with grease and metal scraps.

He carried a huge toolbox nearly as tall as himself on his back, making for a somewhat comical sight.

Most eye-catching were the dense rune markings covering his exposed, powerful arms.

"What are you looking at? Never seen a Rune Master before?"

Copperbeard noticed Ian's gaze and glared back without politeness, his voice making the warehouse hum.

"You're the Potion Master here, right? Good. Saves me the trouble of looking for you."

He walked up to Ian and tilted his head back. "I need Ash Moss, Earth Vein Crystal Powder, and Century Ironwood Sap...

"Ten portions of each to start! Hurry up. I need to reinforce this place's shabby rune array from top to bottom."

His tone was abrasive, his demands blunt, and beneath them lay a trace of urgency.