Looking at the girl sitting right beside Master Akali, Lucian shook his head hard to make sure his eyes were not playing tricks on him.
There was no mistake. This girl was the mysterious girl he had met last month!
Lucian had thought he would probably never see her again, yet here she was.
He was just about to raise a hand in greeting when the girl glanced his way and gave him a slight shake of her head.
Lucian could only suppress his questions and look toward Master Akali at the head of the table with everyone else.
"Sit wherever you like." Akali greeted them casually. Once everyone was seated, she swept her gaze over them and nodded. "Since you all passed the test I set, your individual abilities clearly meet my requirements. That means I have nothing else to test you on. What I mainly want to discuss with you are some practical requirements."
Everyone focused intently on Akali, even slowing their breathing.
"The research assistants I'm recruiting this time will be posted outside the Sains Continent for extended periods. You will only be able to return once every six months at the shortest, and possibly once a year at the longest. If any of you cannot accept that arrangement, you may withdraw now."
The group exchanged looks, and several people appeared troubled.
Although becoming Master Akali's personal assistant was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, being away from the Sains Continent for six months or even a year was indeed unacceptable to some of them.
After a short silence, two people stood and bowed to Akali, their faces full of regret, explaining that they could not accept such an arrangement.
Akali did not mind. She waved a hand and said, "Go back and take the regular assessment. If you pass,