Choice

His tone remained calm, with only the final remark about poisoning a legendary wizard carrying the slightest emotional ripple. At last, his gaze turned toward the Astrology School.

"The Astrology School interprets the paths of the stars, using them to glimpse the long river of fate. Drawing star charts and constructing spatial anchor points are all things they excel at. But this path requires more than simple talent in mental power—it also demands greater comprehension."

Having said that, he spoke no further. He merely regarded everyone with those deep gray eyes, waiting calmly for their choices.

Matthew moved almost the instant Selenst's words fell silent.

His eyes shone with ambition, along with a deliberately provocative look directed at Li Ang. Without hesitation, he strode toward the long, winding queue of the Elemental School.

There was no suspense in his choice. Level-five mental power talent and fire elemental affinity—this was precisely why Selenst valued him.

Helena looked at the long queue for the Elemental School, then at the deserted Potion School, hesitated for a moment, and ultimately chose the Elemental School as well.

Ludik adjusted his thick glasses. Behind the lenses, his gaze shifted back and forth between the emblems of the Astrology School and the Elemental School. After glancing once more at Matthew waiting in line at the Elemental School, he made his decision and stepped toward the Astrology School's queue.

Most of the other reserve apprentices who had condensed Astral Stars were likewise drawn by the surging crowd at the Elemental School and its emblem representing power, joining the long line one after another.

Selenst's icy gaze fell upon Li Ang, awaiting his choice.

The Elemental School buzzed with voices, symbolizing strength and Selenst's favor. The Potion School was cold and quiet, yet it could resolve his most urgent problem. The Astrology School, meanwhile, was full of mystery and the unknown.

Li Ang's gaze wandered among the three, but his mind raced. The core of his cheat, the Facility Upgrade Panel, lay in binding and upgrading facilities.

The Elemental School was undoubtedly powerful, but its strength was mostly reflected in enhancing one's own destructive power. If he took that path, personal cultivation would matter more, which would inevitably mean fewer facilities he could come into contact with.

The Astrology School was mysterious and unknown. Only the Potion School... those crucibles, distillers, perhaps even herb gardens...

Those were the things he was most likely to encounter at present, and the path through which he could steadily strengthen himself using his cheat.

What was more, Selenst had just said that the Potion School could even brew potions that prolonged one's lifespan. That made Li Ang even more tempted.

Having made up his mind, Li Ang no longer hesitated and walked toward the Potion School's queue. There were only a scattered few people standing there, none of whom he recognized. They were probably brought by other wizards.

Selenst's gray eyes lingered on Li Ang for a moment, a trace of surprise flickering across them before they returned to their placid, rippleless state.

To him, Matthew—a fine seedling with level-five mental power talent and fire elemental affinity, perfectly suited to him—had already been confirmed as joining his ranks. Helena had also chosen the Elemental School.

Of the three most promising people in this group, two had already come to his side. Li Ang had potential, but his choice of the Potion School was no great loss to Selenst.

He lingered no longer and turned to leave.

The blue-robed witch looked calmly at Li Ang and the other reserve apprentices who had arrived aboard different ships and had likewise chosen the path of potioncraft. Then she spoke.

"Welcome to all of you who have chosen our Potion School. If you have confirmed that you wish to join, write your names on these parchments." As she spoke, she pointed to the stack of parchment on the table.

Li Ang picked up a sheet of parchment and read it carefully. In summary, it was a declaration that he was voluntarily joining the Potion School, along with several clauses requiring confidentiality.

At the bottom was a blank space. It seemed he only needed to sign his name.

After reading it, Li Ang felt there was nothing problematic about it. Even if there truly were some unequal terms, he would sign as long as they were not too outrageous. After all, this was the only path to reaching the pinnacle of this world. Outside wizards, all were but ants.

He picked up the quill on the table and wrote Li Ang Carlson on the parchment. An invisible brand of contract sank deep into his Mental World. It seemed this contract was not merely words written on paper—it possessed real binding power.

Once she saw that all the apprentices had signed, she smiled faintly and said, "Don't worry, everyone. As long as you do not violate the terms of this contract, it will have no effect on you whatsoever. Of course, if you do violate it, you will instantly melt away."

Li Ang felt a chill in his heart. How could she say something so terrifying with such a beautiful smile...?

Seeing the reserve apprentices' faces turn ashen with fright, she narrowed her eyes and revealed a foxlike smile again.

"Children, believe me, this is already quite good. Before contract scrolls appeared, joining the Potion School required drinking a Blood Oath Potion. That potion was nowhere near as easy to deal with as a contract scroll. If you failed to drink the antidote on time every month, you would directly turn into bloody water."

The more Li Ang listened, the colder his heart became. He began to wonder whether he had made the right choice... But the other schools were probably the same, perhaps even crueler. He comforted himself inwardly.

After saying this, the blue-robed witch withdrew her smile and spoke to a female wizard attendant behind her.

"Ellie, take them to collect their supplies and familiarize themselves with the apprentice area."

"Yes, Mentor Karin."

The wizard attendant named Ellie gave a respectful bow, then showed Li Ang and the others a professional smile. Her voice was gentle, yet her guidance allowed no doubt.

"Everyone, please follow me."

Ellie led them through an arched doorway on one side of the hall and into a relatively quiet corridor filled with the faint, fresh fragrance of grass and trees.

Crystal frames displaying specimens of various strange plants were set into the walls on either side. Before long, they arrived at a room with a plaque reading Supply Distribution Office.

The door was unlocked. Inside, the room was spacious, with rows upon rows of storage compartments built into the walls, their contents sorted and neatly arranged.

An elderly man with graying hair, reading glasses, and a green robe sat behind a broad wooden desk. He was dipping a quill in ink and recording something in a thick parchment ledger.

"Wizard Mori, these are the latest batch of reserve apprentices who have chosen to join the Potion School. They have come to collect their basic supplies."

Ellie spoke respectfully to the old man.

Old Mori raised his head, pushed up the reading glasses that had slipped to the tip of his nose, and casually swept his eyes over the group of reserve apprentices before him.

Then he rose to his feet and slowly opened a drawer behind him.

"One copy of Fundamentals of Potioncraft for each person."

Old Mori placed several thick books, carrying the fresh scent of parchment and ink, onto the table.

"One standard practice crucible, one packet of basic herbs, and a monthly allowance of thirty copper coins for reserve apprentices."

He pushed the items before each apprentice one by one.

When it came to Li Ang's turn, Old Mori's hand paused as he passed over the supplies.

He carefully examined the brand-new gray apprentice robe Li Ang wore, and a trace of surprise flashed through his cloudy eyes.