At the Civil Affairs Bureau, Director Harvey was attending to official business.
Bang!
Harvey jumped and looked up to find his secretary, Wente, rushing in so hastily that he had forgotten to knock.
"What are you doing? Why are you bursting in like that?" Director Harvey's fierce eyes widened slightly as he looked at Wente, his tone displeased.
Wente smiled apologetically, then said excitedly, "Director, I was just so happy. We've just received some good news."
"What good news?" Harvey asked curiously. His secretary had also retired from the military and had once been a combat staff officer. Wente was meticulous in his work and rarely showed such strong emotion.
Not many things could make Wente lose his composure like this.
"Do you remember Lancelot?"
"Oh, that kid? Of course I remember. It's only been three days. Do you think I'm a fish?" Director Harvey said with an exasperated laugh.
"The ability testing department just sent word. They said there was an error in Lancelot's first ability test, and his potential was rated incorrectly!"
"What?"
Director Harvey shot to his feet and hurriedly asked, "Then what grade is his ability potential now?"
Wente adjusted his glasses and smiled. "A-grade!"
With a thud, the chair toppled over. Director Harvey rushed out of the office like a whirlwind.
Leite City Transcendent Bureau.
In the ability testing hall, when the conclusion of an A-grade evaluation appeared on the electronic screen, everyone present congratulated Lancelot.
Because this was a second test, they had not only used the machine but also conducted numerous experiments to test him.
These experiments were effective methods compiled by the Alliance to make up for the shortcomings and omissions of machine testing.
The final ability rating was also determined primarily by experienced testers, with intelligent analysis serving only as an aid.
After nearly half a day and more than a dozen experiments of various kinds, Lancelot's ability potential was finally rated A-grade.
Perhaps A-grade was not particularly rare across an entire province, but in Leite City, someone with A-grade potential appeared only once every few years. They were all unquestionably gifted and highly prized.
"Lancelot!"
Director Harvey strode over. The Transcendent Bureau was right next to the Civil Affairs Bureau, so it was very close.
When he reached Lancelot, Director Harvey stretched out a large, rough hand and clapped him hard on the shoulder, laughing heartily. "Good lad, you actually have A-grade potential! You're going to be famous now."
Lancelot merely scratched his head and grinned foolishly without saying a word, showing the side of an inexperienced youth.
At that moment, a properly dressed middle-aged man walked over with a kindly smile. He first greeted Director Harvey, then turned to Lancelot. "Mr. Lancelot, Deputy Mayor Kaidiwen would like to see you."
"The deputy mayor?" Lancelot froze and instinctively looked at Director Harvey beside him.
"Go on. Your good fortune has arrived, kid!" Director Harvey gave him a gentle push.
Lancelot understood and left with the middle-aged man.
Harvey watched him go, a trace of genuine amusement flashing in his eyes. The boy really was lucky. Though reckless, he had truly fought his way to a place for himself.
The Leite City government building was neither tall nor lavishly decorated, but it was the governing center of the entire city.
Deputy Mayor Kaidiwen was one of the Mela People. He had pale skin, sharply defined features, and golden hair. His blue eyes beneath his hooked nose were remarkably bright.
He was not a transcendent, just an ordinary human.
But Kaidiwen wielded so much power that even high-ranking transcendent lifeforms would not dare behave presumptuously before him.
"Haha, you must be Lancelot. You actually had the courage to use a low-quality gene potion to awaken an ability. Young heroes truly do emerge! Even more remarkable, you awakened an ability with A-grade potential. That's a first in the history of our Alliance!"
Kaidiwen came over with a smile and naturally put an arm around Lancelot's shoulders, like a warm and kindly elder.
"You flatter me, Mayor," Lancelot said. He appeared very reserved and awkward, but there was just the right trace of excitement and curiosity in his eyes, perfectly displaying how a common-born youth should react upon meeting such an important figure for the first time.
Seeing this, a hint of amusement flashed deep in Kaidiwen's eyes. After chatting amiably with Lancelot for a few moments, he went straight to the point.
"According to established practice, anyone with A-grade potential receives strong government support, and you're no exception. Tell me, what do you need?
Potions, precision training equipment, one-on-one instruction-ask for anything I can provide!"
Kaidiwen appeared quite generous.
It was not his money being spent, after all. Being generous with others' resources and giving gifts at others' expense were essential skills for a politician.
"I don't really know what I need. Do you have any suggestions, Mayor?" Lancelot asked quietly, looking embarrassed.
"Haha, I didn't think that through. Andy, bring the resource list for the genius support program and let Lancelot choose."
"Yes, Mayor!"
A moment later, the secretary answered, took out a communicator, and brought up the relevant document. After opening it, he came over to Lancelot and handed him the communicator.
A dazzling array of resources appeared before his eyes. There were not only written descriptions but also pictures and video materials. Each resource had a price listed beside it, much cheaper than the market price.
For example, the Vitality Elixir cost only 21,000 Crimson Notes on the list.
The Light of Revival Potion Windsor had used was also on the list, priced at 40,500 Crimson Notes.
"You have an allowance of 500,000 Crimson Notes per month," Secretary Andy reminded him.
"Five hundred thousand?" Lancelot exclaimed, nearly dropping the communicator. He was practically possessed by a drama king.
That reaction also matched Kaidiwen's impression of him. He came from a common background, and although his family could barely be considered middle class, 500,000 Crimson Notes was no small sum.
Especially when it was 500,000 every month, spent on various discounted resources.
"Take your time choosing; there's no rush. Andy, get Lancelot a drink." After giving the order, Kaidiwen left the office, went into the corridor, and lit a cigarette, smoking slowly.
A short while later, Secretary Andy came out.
"Mayor, what should we do about Lancelot's father?"
Kaidiwen thought for a moment, exhaled a mouthful of smoke, and said, "Test the waters first. Have someone let a little information slip to him. He'll certainly contact Lancelot. Let's see how the boy reacts before deciding how to deal with Grove."
"He is his biological father, after all, and they lived together for twelve years. That bond is there, so it wouldn't be wise to target him directly. Otherwise, it could easily backfire."
"Understood!" Secretary Andy nodded lightly, then withdrew, taking out his communicator and dialing a number as he walked.