novelnext Chapter 363 Becoming Darwin's Apprentice: Changes, Elevation in Status, Re-entering the First L
Chapter 363 Becoming Darwin's Apprentice: Changes, Elevation in Status, Re-entering the First L
Chapter 363 Becoming Darwin's Apprentice: Changes, Elevation in Status, Entering Another Layer of the Dream!
In the laboratory.
The crimson flames reflected in Darwin's eyes, and he felt a jolt in his heart!
It took him a month to get the hang of it.
How long did it take Ian?
One minute?
Or just a few tens of seconds?
This time is only enough for a wizard to run the entire spell model once.
In other words.
Just once.
Did Ian actually succeed?
A genius, an absolute genius.
Darwin took a deep breath, but his smile grew even brighter.
He dedicated his life to the mysteries of the elements, but he knew very well that while the alchemical aspects of the elements seemed promising, they were actually constrained in many ways.
At the same time, he is also the only top-level alchemist of the second ring in the academy, while the other alchemists under his command have no hope of advancing.
But now.
He seemed to see that a wizard had this potential.
"grown ups?"
Ian noticed Darwin approaching and stopped what he was doing.
He didn't expect it either.
It was successful on the first try.
He felt it must be related to his masterful forging skills and near-masterful rhythm of fire.
The flame felt quite at his command.
"Very good. Now it's break time. Let me tell you about this witchcraft and some of your previous questions."
Darwin said.
"Thank you, sir."
Ian immediately stood up.
Darwin didn't say much, but went straight to the experimental table and began to demonstrate and explain at the same time.
Even when explaining his problems later.
Almost all of the instruction was given hands-on, step-by-step.
In just this one instance, Ian's proficiency in all four skills increased by almost several days' worth of skill levels.
Even the increase in proficiency is only one aspect.
Ian could clearly sense it.
His alchemical knowledge, under Darwin's guidance, seemed to be gradually forming a system.
This is what is truly precious.
This goes beyond the scope of an assistant.
It's almost like the kind of guidance that only teachers and students would receive.
Ian understood this as well.
Ian looked at Darwin.
"Thank you for your guidance, Minister."
"Still calling him a minister?"
Darwin turned to look at him, giving him a half-smile.
He originally only intended to train Ian as an assistant, but after getting to know him, he realized that was far from enough.
This is a wizard who truly has the potential to succeed him.
"Teacher Darwin!"
Ian took a deep breath and spoke.
Darwin smiled, but waved his hand and said, "I'm afraid your teacher, Kieran, will unleash an elemental burst if he finds out. How about this, you can call me mentor from now on."
"A good mentor."
Ian wasn't stupid, and he still respectfully performed a teacher-student greeting.
Darwin's smile deepened.
"As a mentor, your level can't be too low. Here, take this. It's my alchemy notebook from when I was young, recording some of my experiences at the beginner and intermediate levels of the second ring. It should help you learn the corresponding skills faster and advance to the intermediate level of the second ring alchemist as soon as possible."
He handed me a notebook.
Ian glanced at it and saw the dense black lines on it, which told him how precious this notebook was.
This is truly worthy of being passed down.
"Keep it up. Learn from me for a while and improve your skills. When we reach the middle of the second ring road, I remember you applied for a project before, didn't you?"
"Yes, mentor."
Ian nodded.
The project is the Resonance Meditation Room, a collaborative project between the Society and the Alchemy Department.
Are you confident?
Darwin asked.
Ian nodded.
"Okay, I'll apply for a key project for you, increase investment and manpower. If you can really complete this project, I can promote you to project leader, and then we can consider you for vice minister," Darwin rambled on.
Ian's lips twitched.
After becoming an apprentice.
This is such a huge change!
This is practically paving the way for him.
Moreover, it was directly designated as a key project. It should be noted that such an unreliable project would almost never receive significant support from the college.
But Darwin clearly had that right.
This is undoubtedly a good thing.
It's possible to embezzle...and then more resources are used in the project.
"Is there anything else you need?" Darwin asked Ian.
Ian pondered for a moment.
No need to be polite.
"Sir, my laboratory is only in its initial stages, and the facilities may be..."
He wasn't finished yet.
Darwin spoke up, "Sure, the academy has a new batch of equipment. Normally, only senior specialists can apply for it, but you made contributions to the academy during the war. You can just submit a request and I'll approve it for you. That should be enough for you to use up to the advanced level."
"Thank you, mentor."
Ian thanked him again.
Is this the damn nepotism within the academy?
It's too bad.
It's him.
That's fine.
Ian deeply appreciated the benefits of having a powerful backer; at least things would be much easier for him when he needed to work at the Alchemy Department.
"Okay, let's continue with the alchemy."
"Yes, sir."
Two days later.
In the laboratory.
Ian let out a long breath, feeling mentally exhausted; the high-intensity alchemy had taken a heavy toll.
Darwin, on the other hand, remained unchanged.
But when he caught a glimpse of Ian out of the corner of his eye, he couldn't help but smile.
The progress is too fast.
Almost every time I gave him guidance, I could feel his progress; it was almost visible to the naked eye.
It can only be said that his training started too late.
But thankfully, it's not too late now.
"Let's schedule the next alchemy session for next month. I'll give you time to digest it first, and also to familiarize yourself with the alchemy knowledge of the intermediate level of the second ring."
talking.
Darwin then granted Ian several permissions, allowing him to retrieve some books from the department library.
Among them are books that require contributions or even military service to view.
Access control dog.
Ian suddenly really liked the nickname.
soon.
Head to the department library.
As Darwin requested, Ian received more than a dozen books, which stacked up to be nearly three meters high.
During registration.
A wizard with a furrowed brow approached from a distance; that was Leo.
He was in a state of distress at that moment.
Because the book he wanted to exchange had just been borrowed.
This would normally be normal, but this time it's not, because the document he needs can only be redeemed directly by the project leader.
He was also involved in a project.
Only then will you have the authority to redeem.
What a coincidence!
"Ian?"
He looked up and saw Ian. He managed a weak smile, but his eyes widened when he saw the large number of books Ian had exchanged.
So many?
You should know that every book that remains in the library in the college contains a certain amount of knowledge.
Therefore, the price is quite high.
Being able to exchange for so many books often signifies a wizard's status and wealth.
His gaze paused slightly when he saw the grayish-brown book at the bottom of the bookshelf.
These are exactly the books he needs.
and many more.
Isn't Ian a senior commissioner? He hasn't even advanced to the second-level intermediate alchemist.
How could I have that permission?
Let's look at the others.
His gaze swept over the books, and the more he looked, the more astonished he became, for many of them contained invaluable knowledge.
"Ian, long time no see! You exchanged so much knowledge? That must have cost a lot, right?"
His lips felt a little dry.
"Yes, it was my tutor, Darwin, who came to see me and said that my foundation is still a bit weak."
Ian said casually.
Having powerful backers means you should let others know.
"Darwin...my mentor?"
Leo's breath hitched; he was startled by the title.
"Yes, I've been practicing alchemy with my mentor recently, acting as his assistant. My mentor has very high standards. Lord Leo, I see you're staring at this book; you need it. I'm not in a hurry; you can read it first, or perhaps you could exchange for it now?"
Ian pulled the book out.
"grateful."
Leo took it, paused for a moment, and said, "You can just call me Leo from now on. Thanks, I have something to do, so I'll be going now."
Done.
He left in a hurry.
Ian didn't pay any attention, quickly completed the registration, and then left.
That night.
But to my surprise, Leo came to visit again.
At this moment, he smiled and took out an invitation, handing it to Ian and saying, "This is also an invitation to an alchemy salon. It's in a day, and the participants are mostly senior specialists and above, as well as some project leaders. If you're interested, you can come and take a look; you'll find it worthwhile."
A salon for project leaders?
Looking at the invitation, Ian immediately understood that this was a salon for someone at a higher level within the department.
As for why he wasn't invited before...
They suddenly invited me.
The reason is obvious.
"Okay, I'll be there."
Ian put it away.
"Then I look forward to the arrival of my junior."
Leo left with a smile, his expression familiar.
One day later.
Leo arrives.
Ian followed him to another private banquet hall in the City of Elements.
Elemental crystal chandeliers float on the dome, each emitting a different elemental color, like starlight.
The floor was covered with a single piece of dark blue glass, and each step created ripples of light. The long table in the hall was carved from a single piece of obsidian, and there were also huge murals on both sides of the hall, depicting a wizard holding a staff, with many people who looked like tribespeople kneeling in worship below.
Ian glanced at it.
"This is a legendary history of Metataron. It is said that his tribe was located in White Stone Territory, and under his leadership, all parts were subjugated."
A voice came from behind, and Ian looked over.
He was a black-haired alchemist with a goatee, who was smiling at him.
Lord Theodore.
Ian bowed.
Before me is one of the project leaders of the academy's Alchemy Department, and one of the most senior among them.
But Theodore's words piqued Ian's curiosity.
Or rather, he was curious about everything about this original wizard.
"White Stone Collar?"
He asked the question as if it were casually asked.
"Yes, but it's probably not true, because this original wizard remained single ever since his fame spread. There are various versions of his past experiences, and after thousands of years, no one can tell which are true and which are false."
He shook his head.
But Ian was also stunned.
Suddenly, I thought of the volcanic area in my dream. In fact, in theory, there really is such an area in White Stone Territory.
Crimson eyes.
It is also a volcanic area.
But it is very different from the one in the dream in terms of both scale and other aspects.
"But what if it changes over thousands of years?"
Ian shuddered slightly.
In the past world, the changes over thousands of years would be relatively minor, but this world is different.
The existence of the extraordinary and the elements.
The changes to the terrain can sometimes be quite dramatic; a single massive elemental shift can completely alter the landscape.
It seems I should be more careful next time I enter a dream.
They exchanged a few more pleasantries.
Ian sat down at the long table in the hall.
There were only three people in the hall at this time, along with the guards serving on both sides.
soon.
Another wizard arrived. Ian saw that he was also a senior specialist, a mid-level alchemist of the second ring.
"Lord Caleb."
Ian greeted him.
"Ian?"
The wizard named Caleb was taken aback, because logically speaking, this was not a place Ian should be.
Isn't the minimum standard for the salon an intermediate alchemist?
However, seeing that Theodore, the organizer of the salon, was also there, he nodded slightly and sat down with a question in mind.
Intermediate Alchemist in the Department.
According to his understanding, including Jonah before, there should be a total of six people, three of whom are project leaders and three of whom are senior specialists.
"Ian?"
Almost everyone who came in looked at Ian with a puzzled expression.
Jonah also opened his mouth wide.
He had only recently been promoted and qualified to join, so why was Ian sitting here first after he just came in?
Two project team leaders.
Isaiah scrutinized, while Chandler was perplexed.
"Our salon is much more lively this time, with two new partners." Theodore tapped the table.
"Theodore, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
He had barely finished speaking when Isaiah frowned and spoke up.
Without saying it directly, everyone clearly understood the meaning: "It's only a matter of time before Ian advances to the intermediate alchemist level, and it might not be long at all. After all, being accepted as a student by Minister Darwin isn't something just anyone can do, Ian, am I right?"
He looked at Ian.
"I'm just following the minister's lead and learning from him."
Ian spoke slowly, without denying it.
Minister's student?
Theodore's words stunned all the wizards present: Darwin had taken Ian as his student?
If that's the case?
"Does anyone have any objections?"
He glanced around at everyone, especially at Isaiah and Chandler. "No, no, that's true. Look at my brain. With Ian's level, it was only a matter of time."
Isaiah immediately smiled.
Chandler immediately stood up and said, "With Ian's talent, I've actually thought we should invite him in a long time ago."
.
The other wizards also praised it.
joke.
Before Darwin, he had no students; some wizards had tried, but all had failed.
And Ian became his only student.
Both their potential and ability are beyond question.
As for the membership criteria...
At this moment, he was facing the minister's only student, so naturally, he was dispensable.
Jonah also looked at Ian with a complicated expression.
Unexpectedly, the wizard I had initially favored suddenly became the minister's student, and his status rose dramatically.
Things are changing too fast.
The salon began soon after.
Since it was his first time participating, he mostly listened and didn't speak much, except when chatting.
Ian also noticed the difference in this salon.
Previous salons may have focused more on alchemy and a small amount on task allocation, but this one focuses more on profit sharing, task formulation and redistribution, and so on.
Basically, all the lucrative projects and tasks have already been divided up here, leaving only the most insignificant ones to go outside.
"This is a good task. No one has completed it yet. Why don't you do it, Ian?" Theo suddenly looked at Ian.
Ian was taken aback.
This project has very few tasks, but actually has a lot of resources. Even a mid-level alchemist in the second ring should not miss it.
"Indeed, I agree. This is a perfect mission for Brother Ian, who is visiting for the first time."
"agree."
The others readily agreed.
Ian somehow ended up with a project with extremely rich resources.
This once again made him realize the difference between the minister's students and others.
That is, until the casual conversation that followed.
The group continued to subtly inquire about the matter until it was confirmed, and they were all quite enthusiastic.
As for whether anyone is unhappy about it, Ian doesn't know.
Several hours later.
Ian obtained the contact information for all the wizards, and only left after the salon ended.
A few more days passed.
Ian submitted applications for experimental equipment, which were quickly approved one by one.
In the department, Ian felt that everything he did went incredibly smoothly, and he almost never encountered the obstacles he used to face.
Whether it's applying for resources or transferring personnel, things have become much more convenient, which made Ian feel incredibly grateful.
Several more days passed.
Ian has mastered all of the new witchcraft techniques.
Then he also learned the first witchcraft technique that the Four Symbols Furnace had completed.
Ian quickly realized something was wrong.
That is, the learning speed of this witchcraft is faster than he imagined, and he even estimated that he might reach the master level in less than a year.
This is knowledge from the middle stage of the second ring road.
Ian quickly realized the reason: it was still related to the Rhythm of Fire, and even more closely related to the fragments of the Crimson Law.
The knowledge Ian gained was more or less related to this.
It is helpful.
His promotion was rapid.
What a pleasant surprise!
In the blink of an eye.
A month has passed.
Ian continued to study under Darwin, who was extremely satisfied with his progress.
And his alchemical sorcery is getting closer and closer to master level.
And after this one ended.
His presence at Darwin's laboratory became known to many more wizards.
This further solidified his position within the department.
And everything settled down.
Ian finally had the time and energy to deal with another matter.
"Dream".
Ian arrived at the third level of the secret realm, looked at the dreamscape before him, and took a deep breath.
Falling.