Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Halfway through the Month of Fire (July), sweltering air had already swept across Rentato and Allyn, making it impossible for many people to go to sleep. They could only enjoy brief peace under the cool breeze in the morning.
However, in the cool morning, some thirty people, strangely, gave up the chance to sleep, and waited outside of the Allyn magic tower.
They were of different genders and ages. Some were wearing double-breasted suits, some were in the most common magic robes with capes, some were covered in well-cut long dresses, and some were simply donned with a white shirt with a regular waistcoat. The only thing that they had in common was the anxiety and hopefulness on their faces.
Having lost the apprentice’s robes which could reduce heat, Lowi had passed a few rough days. Since he was also staying late for studies, his face was pale, and he couldn’t have looked more haggard.
He observed his ‘competitors’ around him, greatly pressured. Of the almost forty people, only ten were apprentices. The others were formal sorcerers and level-one arcanists. Some were even middle-rank sorcerers.
“The fact that I passed the previous exams and interviews suggests that I have shining parts, too. I cannot lose my confidence.” Lowi encouraged himself. Then, to relieve his anxiety, he asked the few sorcerers and apprentices nearby, “What do you think Mr. Evans’ questions be in his interview? Will it involve the new alchemy?”
One male apprentice, who was mumbling something nervously, turned a deaf ear to him and continued his final preparation. Two sorcerers looked at Lowi and, upon noticing the apprentice badge on his chest, turned their heads away, resuming their own conversation.
A female sorcerer whose round face was like an apple was stunned for a moment. Then she smiled, “I don’t know. Mr. Evans was not involved in the previous exams and interviews. The questions given happened to be within my research field. I’m rather nervous right now, because I haven’t understood many concepts in the new alchemy. What were the questions for you during the interview?”
She wasn’t pretty, but her smile was amiable and made whoever saw it feel warm.
Lowi thought for a moment and repeated the few questions about elements and electromagnetism that Jerome asked him. In the end, he asked, “What about yours?”
“Right, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Erica.” The round-faced lady repeated her questions during the interview and exchanged their experiences, speculating what Mr. Evans would focus on asking today.
Seeing that, a few sorcerers and apprentices nearby joined their conversation.
Not far away, Blake smiled at Alfalia, who had the typical features of Holm. “Do you want to go over and listen to them? Their experience may be of use soon.”
Alfalia replied with a casual smile, “Alright, but I find it odd that the final interview hosted by Mr. Evans is set at nine in the morning. The Allyn magic tower is only just opening at such a time. For the interviewees, we have to wait outside in advance for the meeting.”
“Maybe this strange request is meant to test our punctuality and obedience. After all, we are expected to be apprentice-level assistants, not arcanists with independent research programs.” Blake thought for a moment and analyzed carefully.
Looking at the magic tower that rose to the sky, Alfalia nodded softly, “I think so, too. Mr. Evans is definitely not one of those people who enjoy torturing the interviewees. His request must have deeper meanings.”
On the eighteenth floor of the Allyn magic tower, Lucien, with Rock, Jerome and his students, stood next to the window and looked at the interviewees down below.
Hearing the scene forwarded by Sprint, Rock smiled at Lucien, “Why do I feel that you do have fun torturing the interviewees?”
While talking, he turned his eyes to the poor students such as Annick. Under the torture of Lucien’s ‘Arcana Build-up School’, while their arcana and magic expertise soared, they had always been gnashing their teeth.
Heidi nodded her head quickly. Her teacher was a ‘devil’ who loved tormenting them with abundant exercises and profound knowledge.
Lucien coughed, “This is to observe their real personality and their ability in daily communication. They are here as apprentice-level assistants. Only if they are good at both aspects can they be melted into the institution sooner and take over the chores for you.”
“Fair enough. Those who are too arrogant to communicate with the lesser minds are unsuitable for the institution.” Jerome agreed with Lucien’s opinion. Then he asked curiously, “Will the assistants we recruit also become your students in the future?”
Sprint and the rest of them immediately focused their eyes on Lucien, wondering about their teacher’s answer.
Lucien shook his head. “Six students are already too many. I have my own magic studies, arcana research and daily life. I can’t teach more students. If you find any of them promising, you can direct them yourselves.”
It was a shared attitude of the senior-rank arcanists, who would rather focus their attention on only a fixed number of students, unless some of the students perished, or they encountered a rarely-seen genius. Also, the students of such high-level arcanists enjoyed their halo in the first place, and their behavior represented their teacher. If there were too many of them, there would also be unnecessary incidents.
Katrina and other students were relieved. Although they were kind in nature, they did not really look forward to new classmates, because it meant that the time their teacher spent on them would be reduced.
Nine o’clock soon came, and Lowi as well as other interviewees entered the magic tower with trepidation, reaching the Atom Institution in the lift.
“You can go in together. Before the final interview, there will be a magic contract for you to sign.” Rock was waiting for them outside of the Atom Institution with a very genuine smile, because the troubles would be over very soon. There was no way that he would ever take such a mission again!
“A magic contract? What’s that?” Asked a middle-aged, slightly-fat sorcerer in confusion.
Lowi recognized that it was Mr. Issac whom he talked to just now.
Rock replied with a smile that he thought to be charming. “The Atom Institution explores the cutting edge of the elemental field. A lot of secrets are kept here. Therefore, I need everyone to sign a confidentiality agreement. Also, since Evans is a grand-arcanist-to-be and a target that the Church and other forces are desperate to get rid of, the other arcanists of the Atom Institution have unfortunately become collateral targets, too. Therefore, to avoid assassins, the new hires have to sign a relatively rigorous magic contract.”
“Rigorous…” Alfalia and the rest of them became solemn. Although they could understand the Atom Institution’s decision, rigorousness still made them worried.
Issac frowned. “I hope that the magic contract is not outrageously rigorous.”
Rock smiled. “Rest assured. You will not be treated as slaves. Only those with ill intentions will feel uncomfortable.”
Lowi couldn’t care less about the contract. He only wanted to enter the Atom Institution and study under Mr. Evans. For him, anything was acceptable as long as he did not have to sell his soul or his body.
Under Rock’s direction, the interviewees entered the Atom Institution’s conference room.
Lowi, Blake, Alfalia and other apprentices and sorcerers, unable to contain their curiosity, peeped respectfully and excitedly at the two sorcerers who were already seated.
That was Mr. Jerome, whom they met before, and… and this should be Mr. Lucien Evans, right?
In Lowi’s eyes, it was a young man with a dense black hair and an unbelievably handsome face. However, his black eyes that seemed to contain countless mysteries and his confident, casual smile made everybody completely overlook his face. Lowi had no doubt that he was a formidable sorcerer and a wise arcanist.
“Good morning, Mr. Evans.’ Led by a few sorcerers who met Lucien before, Lowi and other interviewees greeted him.
Lucien nodded and hinted for them to be seated. Then, with his eyes even deeper, he pointed at the parchment papers on the table and said, “These are the magic contracts you need to sign. They will be guaranteed by the duke of the first level of hell, and violators will be punished by him. Take a look now. We will begin if there isn’t any problem.”
Hearing Lucien’s words, all the sorcerers and apprentices grew nervous for some reason. Then, they picked up the contracts and began to read in silence.
Suddenly, Issac stood up, blushing. “What kind of contract is this? This is purely a one-sided slavery contract!”
“Whoever exposes anything about the Atom Institution or Lucien Evans, intentionally or unintentionally, and in whatever form, will be captured by Agostinho, duke of the first level of hell!”
“… Their mind will be completely opened. Whoever has the thought to hurt Lucien Evans or other arcanists in the Atom Institution will immediately be detected by Agostinho!”
…
“This contract is more than rigorous. We are not regarded as human beings at all. I will not sign it or participate in the interview!”
While he complained in fury, three sorcerers and apprentices followed him and stood up, despising the contract in excitement.
Issac was about to leave, only to discover that Lowi, Blake and the rest of them were looking at him strangely. He was disappointed, “Do you have any backbones? Are you going to sign such a contract?”
Lowi scratched the back of his head and asked in confusion, “Mr. Issac, that’s not the contract that we are reading.”
“What?” Issac was stunned.
Lucien opened his mouth. “Those magic contracts have been processed with ‘Implicit Words’, a eighth-circle magic. Whoever sees it will be grabbed by ten times of their horror, and the content of the contract will change accordingly. What is it that you are scared of?”
“No, no!” Issac and the rest of them shook their heads palely.
Lucien looked at the door of the conference room. “There’s no need to answer my question. Explain it to the Affair Committee. Thompson, thank you for your trouble.”
Thompson walked in and brought away Issac and his fellow complainers.
Rock asked in the telepathic bond curiously, “Why were they scared? Such unequal contracts do not entail any restraint at all.”
“The hint has been started when you told them the arrangement outside. Also, what I said before stressed that Agostinho will guarantee the contracts but neglected the specific consequences. In the meantime, I hinted that we would sign the contracts if there was no problem, not after the interview. Through the multiple hints and my ‘Image Creation’, they were already convinced of the authenticity of the contracts.” Lucien explained briefly. “It’s easy to identify a sorcerer who believes in the God of Truth, but it’s hard to resist a spy who sells secrets and partners for money and materials.”
While Lowi and the remaining interviewees looked at him in shock, Lucien smiled, “Now, read the real contracts first. They are not too harsh. If you are willing to take it, we will begin the interview.”
After reading the new contract, Lowi and the rest of them all agreed to sign it if they passed the interview. Then, they looked at Lucien with expectation and anxiety, wondering what his questions would be.
Mr. Evans, please don’t ask us about the new alchemy. I don’t know anything about it. Lowi and other apprentices begged in their hearts, because they only understood the general model and concepts of the new alchemy.
Lucien smiled rather delightedly, “Everybody, tell me why you want to enter the Atom Institution.”
“Then, tell me your shining points and your drawbacks, as well as your plan for your life.”
Huh? What is that all about?
Alfalia, Blake and all the other interviewees were bewildered.
