Currently, Lilya is still raising funds, and Ron has been paying her an assistant’s salary.
She already has a little treasury with over two hundred Magic Stone Fragments, but it’s still far from the basic Meditation Technique needed for advancement.
Unexpectedly, Lady Allen helped her resolve it directly?
"Alright, stop standing there stupidly."
The elderly woman resumed her usual sharp tone:
"Quickly take these things back to that brat. Remember, don’t let anyone see the box, and definitely don’t let anyone touch it."
"Yes, madam."
Lilya bowed deeply, carefully placing several items into her bag: "Thank you for all your help."
When leaving the Herb Store, the girl’s mood was complex and heavy.
Dark clouds gathered in the sky, seeming like it was going to rain again.
Lilya quickened her pace; the rain in Black Mist Jungle always carried a strange smell and prolonged exposure would make the skin itch.
Passing through the marketplace, she habitually looked around
Carrying such important items now, she had to be extra cautious.
Just as she was about to leave the market area, a figure suddenly entered her sight.
It was Ogg Keynes, an Intermediate Apprentice with past ill intent towards her, standing by the roadside with a few companions, laughing and chatting.
Lilya instinctively wanted to avoid him, but then calmed down, walking past them expressionlessly.
She was no longer that isolated Candidate Apprentice.
Keynes noticed her, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
But soon returned to normal, even nodding slightly in greeting, his eyes seemingly carrying a hint of... respect?
He certainly wasn’t afraid of her, but of Ron standing behind her.
A rapidly rising Advanced Apprentice, who had gained widespread attention from the upper ranks of the School, a genius with dazzling achievements in various fields.
The clouds in the sky grew heavier, and distant thunder faintly resounded.
"Teacher will be very glad to receive these."
She whispered to herself, fingers grazed the wooden box tucked close, a smile surfaced on her lips.
The girl quickened her steps back, her mind held only one thought—return to the workshop, to the place which had truly become her home.
.........
Today, the conference hall at the Black Mist School Central Tower was exceptionally solemn and majestic.
Beneath the high dome, circular long tables were arranged in sequence, each seat had a nameplate engraved with a number.
In the center of the hall, a giant three-dimensional projection slowly rotated, displaying a complex pyramid-shaped structure—the Bloodline Altar’s three-dimensional model.
Ron wore a neat apprentice robe, adorned with the double emblem of Advanced Apprentice and Professional Alchemist on his chest.
This time, he arrived early at the venue, sitting quietly in his seat.
Fourteenth seat, this was his position after the last evaluation meeting.
Though it was already a quite good ranking, the gap with those higher seats at the front of the hall was still apparent.
People began arriving one after another, Chief Holt remained calm and steady as usual, nodding to Ron upon arrival.
Other sequence members arrived subsequently, each person’s face showing varying degrees of anticipation or nervousness.
Once the appointed time arrived, Vice President Hayek’s voice echoed in the hall:
"Now that everyone is here, let’s start the evaluation meeting."
He wore a deep purple robe, his chest decorated with a complex badge of office, looking stern and unapproachable.
"First, let’s confirm the two main topics of this meeting: the allocation of Bloodline Altar slots opening in a month, and filling the vacant seats following Oliver and Cynthia’s defection."
The whispering in the conference hall instantly fell silent.
The Bloodline Altar and rank shifts, these topics were enough to make any sequence member hold their breath.
"Regarding the Bloodline Altar," Hayek continued:
"As per official notification from the Crystal Tower, we, Black Mist School, have five slots as usual. Considering the altar’s traits and risks, participants must possess sufficient strength and compatibility."
His gaze swept over each of the sequence members present, lingering a bit longer on some.
His eyes seemed to assess everyone, as though evaluating something.
"First, let’s address some necessary procedural issues.
Regarding Oliver West and Cynthia Novik’s defection, the School has established a special investigation team, now formally announcing their removal from the Candidate Wizard sequence."
A murmur rose in the hall, but soon quieted down again.
Hayek continued: "The vacant sequence seats will be filled based on the latest evaluation. Now, let’s move on to the main topic—the adjustment of sequence rankings."
He gestured, the Crystal Ball in the center of the hall emitted a gentle light, projecting a transparent ranking list.
The list displayed each member’s name, current ranking, and various evaluation indicators.
"Based on this quarter’s comprehensive performance, the top five positions in the sequence remain unchanged:
Holt Elvin remains in the first place, Herbert Levin and Caitlin Gardner maintain second and third places respectively."
The result was expected, Holt’s strength had always been far ahead in the entire sequence, no one questioned his chief position.
However, the subsequent ranking adjustments drew the entire room’s attention.
"Due to recent performance and achievements, Ron Ralph will be promoted from the fourteenth to the sixth position, directly taking over the original seat of the defector Oliver."