Half way through the Month of Fire (July), the scorching airwaves swept across Renstadt and Allyn, making it hard for many people to fall asleep. They could only find peace in the coolness of the morning.
However, in such a refreshing morning, more than thirty people strangely gave up on catching up on sleep and waited outside of the Allyn magic tower.
There were men and women, old and young. Some of them were wearing black double-breasted suits, some were wearing the most common magic robes with hoods, some were wearing well-tailored dresses, and some were simply wearing a white shirt and a common vest. The only thing they had in common was the anxiety and expectation on their faces.
Lowi did not have the apprentice robe that could keep him warm. His life in the past couple of days had been rather miserable. Also, he stayed up late to study. His face was pale and haggard.
Observing the "competitors" around, he was greatly stressed. Of the forty people, only a dozen were apprentices. The rest were either official sorcerers or level-one arcana sorcerers. Some of them were even middle-rank sorcerers.
"The fact that I passed the written test and the interview means that I have something to shine in. I cannot lose my confidence." Lowi encouraged himself nonstop. Then, he asked the few sorcerers and magic apprentices next to him, as if to ease his anxiety, "What do you think Mr. Evans will ask for in the interview? Will it be about the new alchemy?"
A male magic apprentice who had been murmuring nervously turned a deaf ear to him and continued his final preparations. Two sorcerers looked at Lowi, only to see that he was wearing an apprentice badge but not a robe. They simply turned their heads and talked among themselves.
A female sorcerer whose face was as round as an apple was stunned for a moment. She smiled and said, "I don't know. Mr. Evans was not involved in the written test and the interview, and the questions he gave happened to be within the scope of my studies. So, I'm a bit nervous right now. There are many things in the new alchemy that I don't quite understand yet. What were the questions that you asked in the interview? "
She was not pretty, but her smile was friendly and easy-going. She did not feel strange at all.
Lowi thought for a moment and repeated the questions in the field of elements and electromagnetism that Jerome mentioned. In the end, he asked, "What about you?"
"Right, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Erica." The round-faced lady also talked about her interview questions one by one. They exchanged their experiences and guessed which part of the knowledge Mr. Evans would focus on today.
Seeing this, the other mages and apprentices also joined in the conversation.
Blake smiled at Alfalia, who had typical Holm features, "Do you want to go and listen? Knowing their experience might come in handy later. "
Alfalia smiled. "Okay, but I'm curious why the general interview hosted by Mr. Evans is at nine in the morning, when the Allyn magic tower has just opened. For the interviewees, they have to wait outside in advance in order to make it in time."
"Maybe it's a test of our timeliness and obedience. After all, we're apprentice-level assistants, not arcanists with independent research projects." Blake thought for a moment and began to analyze carefully.
Alfalia raised her head and looked at the magic tower that rose to the clouds. She nodded. "I think so, too. Mr. Evans is definitely not the kind of person who enjoys torturing the interviewees. His requests must have deeper meanings."
On the eighteenth floor of the Allyn magic tower, Lucien, Rock, Jerome and his students stood next to the window and looked at the interviewees down below.
Hearing what Prospell said and described, Rock looked at Lucien with a smile. "Why do I feel that you enjoy torturing the interviewees?"
While talking, he turned his eyes to Annick and the other poor students. Under the torture of Lucien's "Arcana Cram School", although their arcana and magic skills had soared, they were still gnashing their teeth.
Heidi nodded her head like a chick pecking at grains. Her teacher was a 'devil' who liked to torture her and the others with tremendous exercises and profound knowledge.
Lucien coughed. "It's about observing their real personality and their daily communication skills. They're here as apprentice-level assistants. Only when they're good in both aspects can they be integrated into the institution faster and share the chores for you. "
"Fair enough. Those who are arrogant and unwilling to communicate with those who are below their level are not suitable for the institution." Jerome quite agreed with Lucien's idea. Then he asked curiously, "Will the new assistants become your students in the future?"
Sprint and the rest of them focused their eyes on Lucien, also curious about their teacher's answer.
Lucien shook his head. "Six students are already a lot. I have my own magic studies, arcana studies and daily life. It's difficult for me to teach more students. If you see potential in anyone, you can teach them yourselves."
Such an attitude was common among the arcanists above the senior-rank. They would rather focus their attention on teaching the few students, unless the students perished, died, or encountered rare geniuses. Also, for the arcanists of such a level, their students enjoyed the benefits of their halo in the first place. Their actions represented their teacher. When there were more students, there would be more chores.
Katrina and the other students were relieved. Even though they were all kind, they did not look forward to new companions so much when they thought that their teacher would have less time to teach them if there were more students.
Nine o 'clock soon approached. Lowi and the rest of them entered the magic tower uneasily and took the lift to the Atom Institution.
"Let's go in together. A magic contract will be signed before the final interview." Rock waited for them outside of the Atom Institution with a sincere smile, because the troublesome thing would finally be over after this, and he would never take on such missions again!
"Magic contract? What's that? "asked a middle-aged sorcerer in confusion. He was showing signs of weight.
Lowi recognized that it was Mr. Isak who talked to him just now.
Rock said with a smile that he thought was handsome, "The Atom Institution explores the frontier of elements and has a lot of secrets. Therefore, we need everyone to sign a confidentiality agreement. Also, Evans is a quasi-grand arcanist and a target that the Church and other forces are eager to eliminate. The other arcanists of the Atom Institution are collateral targets too. Therefore, to prevent assassins, the new recruits must sign a relatively harsh magic contract."
"Harsh …" Alfalia and the rest of them became solemn. Although they could understand the Atom Institution's decision, they were still worried about the harshness.
Isak frowned. "I hope that the magic contract is not too harsh."
Rock smiled. "Rest assured. You will not be treated as slaves, but those who have ill intentions will suffer."
Lowi did not care about the contract at all. He only wanted to enter the Atom Institution and learn from Mr. Evans. For him, it was fine as long as he did not sell his soul and his body.
Under the guidance of Rock, the interviewees entered the meeting room of the Atom Institution.
Lowi, Blake, Alfalia, and the other apprentices and sorcerers from other places couldn't hold back their curiosity. They peeped at the two sorcerers who were sitting at the head of the table respectfully and excitedly.
That's Mr. Jerome, whom they had met before. This must be Mr. Lucien Evans, right?
In Lowi's eyes, it was a young man with dense black hair. His face was chiseled, and his facial features were too handsome. However, his black eyes that seemed to contain countless mysteries, his calm and confident demeanor, and his peaceful and gentle smile made people completely overlook his appearance. They thought that he was a perfect match for the "halos" that covered him, and they had no doubt that he was a powerful, horrifying sorcerer and a wise arcanist.
"Good morning, Mr. Evans." Led by the few sorcerers who had met Lucien before, Lowi and the rest of them bowed in the etiquette of Mysteries Above.
Lucien nodded, hinting for them to take their seats. Then, his eyes became even deeper. He pointed at a stack of parchments on the table and said, "This is the magic contract that you need to sign. It will be supervised by the duke on the first level of hell. Whoever violates it will be punished by him. Take a look first. We will begin if there are no problems. "
Hearing Lucien's words, all the sorcerers and apprentices who came for the interview became nervous for some reason. Then, they took the contract that flew to them under the control of spiritual power and began to read it in silence.
Suddenly, Issac stood up with his face flushed. "What kind of contract is this? This is a one-sided slave contract!"
"Whoever leaks anything about the Atom Institution and Lucien Evans intentionally or unintentionally will have their soul taken away by Agostinho, the duke on the first level of hell!"
"… Their mind will be completely open. As long as they think of harming Lucien Evans or other arcanists of the Atom Institution, they will be sensed by Agostinho immediately!"
…
"Such a contract is more than harsh. We are not treated as human beings at all. I will not sign it. I will not attend the interview again!"
As he shouted angrily, three sorcerers and apprentices stood up too. They were equally agitated and despised such a contract.
Issac was about to leave, when he saw that Lowi, Blake and the rest of them were looking at him weirdly. He immediately said in disappointment, "Do you have any bones? Are you all like the Sludge Monster? You dare to sign such a contract? "
Lowi scratched the back of his head and said in confusion, "Mr. Issac, the contract we saw was not like that."
"What?" Iysak was stunned.
Lucien opened his mouth in a low voice, "Magic contracts are all processed with 'Suggestive Words', an eighth-circle illusion spell. Whoever sees it will be ten times more scared. So, the content of the contract will be changed according to their fear. What are you scared of exactly?"
"No, no!" Issac and the rest of them shook their heads palely.
Lucien looked out of the meeting room. "You don't need to answer me. Just state it to the Affair Committee. Thompson, thank you."
Thompson, who was wearing gold-rimmed glasses, walked in and took Issac and the rest of them away.
Rock asked in the telepathic bond in confusion, "Why are they scared? Such an unequal contract is obviously not binding."
"You have been hinting to them since you talked about it outside. In my previous words, I only emphasized that Agostinho would supervise and did not mention the specific effects. I also hinted that they would sign the contract if there were no problems, instead of signing the contract after the interview. Through the layers of hints and my 'image building', they have been convinced of the authenticity of the contract." Lucien briefly explained, "The sorcerers who really believe in the God of Truth are easy to identify, but the spies who sell secrets and companions for money and materials are the most difficult to guard against."
While Lowi and the rest of them were both shocked and relieved, Lucien said with a smile, "Now, take a look at the real contract first. It is not too harsh. If you are willing to accept it, we will begin the interview."
Looking at the new contract, Lowi and the rest of them all agreed to sign it after the interview. Then, they looked at Lucien expectantly and nervously, not knowing what questions he would ask.
Mr. Evans, please don't use 'new alchemy' for the interview. I don't know anything about it at all. Lowi and the other apprentices begged in their hearts. They only knew the general model and concept of the new alchemy.
Lucien chuckled wickedly. "Everybody, tell me why you want to join the Atom Institution first."
"Then, you will introduce your advantages and disadvantages, and your plan for your life."
Huh? What kind of uncanny interview question was that?
Alfalia, Blake, and the other interviewees were all at a loss.
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