Choice

His tone was calm, with only the final mention of poisoning a legendary wizard carrying the faintest emotional fluctuation. At last, his gaze turned toward the Astrology School.

"The Astrology School interprets the paths of the stars to glimpse the river of fate. Charting star maps and constructing spatial anchors are all things they excel at. But the aptitude required for this path is not merely a talent for mental power; it also demands greater insight."

After saying that, he spoke no more. He merely looked calmly at everyone with those dark gray eyes, waiting for their choices.

Matthew moved almost the instant Selenst finished speaking.

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

His choice was entirely unsurprising. A Level 5 mental power talent and affinity for the fire element were precisely why Selenst had taken an interest in him.

Helena looked at the long line for the Elemental School, then at the quiet, deserted Potion School. After hesitating for a moment, she ultimately chose the Elemental School as well.

Ludik adjusted his thick glasses, his gaze shifting back and forth between the emblems of the Astrology School and the Elemental School. After glancing once more at Matthew waiting in the Elemental School's line, he made his decision and headed 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 cold gaze settled on Li Ang as he waited for his choice.

The Elemental School was bustling with voices, symbolizing power and Selenst's favor. The Potion School was quiet and secluded, yet it could solve his most pressing problem. The Astrology School, meanwhile, was filled with mystery and the unknown.

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

The Elemental School was certainly powerful, but its strength was mostly reflected in enhancing one's own destructive ability. Taking that path would place greater emphasis on personal cultivation, which would inevitably mean he had access to fewer facilities.

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

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

Moreover, Selenst had just said that the Potion School could even brew potions that extended 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. A few people were scattered along it, but he did not recognize any of them. They were probably brought here by other wizards.

Selenst's gray eyes lingered on Li Ang for a moment, a trace of surprise flashing across them before his expression swiftly returned to its usual stillness.

To him, Matthew, with his Level 5 mental power talent and fire-element affinity, was a perfect prospect suited to him and had already been secured as his disciple. Helena had also chosen the Elemental School.

Of the three most promising people in this group, two had already come to his side. Though Li Ang had potential, his choice of the Potion School did him no harm.

He did not linger any longer and turned to leave.

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

"Welcome to the Potion School. If you are certain 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. Its contents could be summed up as a declaration that he was voluntarily joining the Potion School, along with several confidentiality commitments.

At the bottom was a blank space. It seemed all he had to do was sign it.

After reading it, Li Ang found no issue with it. Even if there really were some unfair terms, he would sign as long as they were not too outrageous. After all, this was his only path to reaching the pinnacle of this world. Outside wizardry, all were ants.

After picking up the quill on the table and writing Li Ang Carlson on the parchment, an invisible mark of contract imprinted itself deep within his Mental World. It seemed this contract was not merely words written on paper; it possessed genuine binding force.

Seeing that all the students had signed, she smiled faintly and said, "Do not worry, everyone. As long as you do not violate the terms of this contract, it will have no effect on you. Of course, if you do violate them, you will instantly melt away."

Li Ang felt a chill run through him. How could she say something so terrifying with such a lovely smile...?

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

"Children, believe me, things are already much better now. Before contract scrolls existed, joining the Potion School required drinking a Blood Oath Potion. That potion was far less forgiving than a contract scroll. If you failed to drink the antidote on time every month, you would turn directly into bloody water."

The more Li Ang heard, 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 more brutal. He comforted himself inwardly.

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

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

"Yes, Mentor Karin."

The wizard attendant named Ellie bowed respectfully, then gave Li Ang and the others a professional smile. Her voice was gentle, yet carried an unquestionable authority.

"Everyone, please follow me."

Ellie led them through an arched doorway in the side wing of the hall and into a relatively quiet corridor filled with the faint fragrance of grass and wood.

Crystal frames displaying specimens of various strange plants were embedded in the walls on both sides. Before long, they arrived at a room marked Supplies Distribution Office.

The door was unlocked. Once they entered, they found the room quite spacious, with rows of storage compartments built into the walls and items sorted neatly within them.

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 group of reserve apprentices who have chosen to join the Potion School. They are here to collect their basic supplies."

Ellie spoke respectfully to the old man.

Old Morrie 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 stood and unhurriedly opened a drawer behind him.

"One copy of Fundamentals of Potioncraft per person."

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

"One Standard Practice Cauldron, one packet of basic herbs, and the reserve apprentice monthly allowance of thirty copper coins."

He pushed the items before each apprentice one by one.

When it was Li Ang's turn, Old Morrie'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.