The Endless Ocean, the Solaris Archipelago, Arcane Magic Council Branch Office.
Though the shadow of a mid-level mage's head exploding in public still hadn't been fully wiped from Blake's mind, nothing could stop him from tuning into "Voice of Mysteries" and "Truth of the World." These programs had become the most popular form of entertainment across the entire archipelago — surpassing banquets and galas alike.
"Good evening, everyone. This is the 'Allinger Weekly News Review.' I'm your old friend, Skylark."
Every evening, listening to that clear and composed voice, Blake felt as though he truly had gained a friend — someone he could listen to peacefully in the dead of night as she recounted the day's events. A friend he had never met yet felt intimately familiar with.
Skylark reviewed the major news stories one by one. Blake listened with rapt attention, sometimes rejoicing at advances in Archanist research, sometimes worrying about the increasingly ominous situation in Holm.
"…Over the past few days, Allinger has witnessed an unprecedented wave of enthusiasm. Countless apprentices and mages have submitted résumés to the Atomic Research Institute, flooding to the eighteenth floor of the Allinger Arcane Tower to sit for written exams and interviews. According to insiders, the area around the Atomic Research Institute was packed shoulder-to-shoulder during those days, like wave after rolling wave. She had only ever seen such a spectacle when the Grand Archanists gathered for an Archanist conference — they completely blocked off all nearby passages."
A hint of amusement crept into Skylark's cool voice, especially when she said "insiders."
"Résumés? Written exams, and interviews?" Blake muttered to himself in bewilderment, though the words "Atomic Research Institute" had sparked a fierce interest in him. That had to be Mr. Lucian Evans's Atomic Research Institute, wasn't it? Had he proposed some new era-defining theoretical framework? No — if both apprentices and mages were involved, it must be something else.
Skylark continued: "Many listeners outside Allinger probably still don't understand what's happened, so let me briefly recap. On July 3rd, the Atomic Research Institute released an 'Apprentice Recruitment Task,' planning to hire ten apprentice-level assistants to help the Archanists in the institute conduct experiments."
"What's peculiar is that the method the Atomic Research Institute used for recruitment is quite unusual. Applicants first need to obtain a résumé form, filling in their name, age, school affiliation, magic academy evaluation results, and attaching their own magical portrait. After screening, they select outstanding candidates for interviews…"
Blake could no longer make out what Skylark was saying next. His brain was buzzing. Phrases like "Atomic Research Institute" and "planning to hire ten apprentice-level assistants" seemed to crash against his mind like towering waves.
"The Atomic Research Institute is short of apprentice-level assistants?"
"If I could get into the Atomic Research Institute and participate in cutting-edge research in the microscopic domain, I might be able to raise both my Archanist and magic levels to mid-tier in no time!"
"It's over, it's over — their interviews must have already ended…"
In Blake's mind, if the Atomic Research Institute wanted apprentice-level assistants, a line could immediately form outside stretching all the way around Allinger — and in reality, that was exactly what had happened. But in his thinking, shouldn't they have directly recommended elite apprentices from the magic academies, or looked after the juniors of high-ranking mages they knew personally? They had actually released a public recruitment task!
"It's said that Mr. Lucian Evans is a man of integrity with a rigorous attitude toward Arcane studies — this must have been his idea. Fair, open, and impartial selection of the most outstanding…"
Many magic apprentices who weren't considered outstanding at their academies, due to all manner of circumstances, actually possessed stronger Archanist and magic abilities than the so-called elite apprentices. Yet because of that initial disparity, they couldn't catch up in rank and had no access to greater opportunities.
"This is the downside of being far from Allinger — you only learn about things after they've expired. It's so frustrating…" Blake sighed quietly, then gathered his focus and listened to Skylark's voice once more.
"…As we understand it, on that very day, over five hundred apprentices submitted résumés. Nearly eighty formally ranked mages and mid-level mages were also willing to join the Atomic Research Institute under apprentice-level terms…"
Blake let out a hollow laugh without any real joy. He had been thinking the exact same thing when he first heard the news — giving up his formally ranked mage privileges to join as an apprentice. He'd be willing to do even menial work.
He had heard that Mr. Evans held a discussion meeting once a month, and even just sitting in as an observer would be immensely rewarding.
"…Currently, the Atomic Research Institute has completed the first round of résumé screening, written exams, and interviews. Mr. Lucian Evans did not participate — the entire process was handled by Mr. Jerome and Mr. Rock. According to them, twenty-five qualified candidates have been selected, and after a second round of recruitment, they will all undergo a final comprehensive interview, which Mr. Evans will personally oversee."
A second round? Blake nearly jumped to his feet. Did that mean there was still a chance?
Skylark's bright, clear voice reached his ears: "At this point, I would like to remind members of the various branch offices and local magic organizations outside Allinger — today is July 8th. At 6:00 PM on July 10th, résumé submissions will close. On July 12th, the second round of written exams will begin. If you're interested, please make your way to Allinger in time."
"You are all members of the Arcane Magic Council. The Council and the Atomic Research Institute will treat you equally. This second round of recruitment was in fact specifically added by Mr. Evans for your sake. He said he couldn't let mages and apprentices outside Allinger feel abandoned."
The corners of Blake's eyes stung slightly. He was deeply moved. Mages and apprentices in Allinger could never understand the pain felt by those like himself, who seemed to have been forgotten by the Council. Why had "Voice of Mysteries" and "Truth of the World" become the most popular entertainment across the archipelago? Beyond the wealth of knowledge they offered and the ability to keep up with the latest research trends, they provided a vital link between Allinger and the archipelago.
"Thank you, Mr. Evans. Thank you, the Council…"
"…You may ask friends in Allinger to help you fill out and submit your résumés. I believe every branch office and local organization should have electromagnetic telegraphy installations. If you have no friends in Allinger, you can contact the Council's Task Division directly — here is their contact information… Please don't set out until you've received your written exam invitation. Don't let the operations of your branches and organizations grind to a halt…" At this moment, Skylark's voice sounded impossibly sweet to Blake's ears.
Fighting back his excitement, Blake finished listening to the "Truth of the World" broadcast, then waited impatiently for dawn, counting the hours until Allinger time reached nine in the morning.
Once the sun was high in the sky, Blake hurried to the branch's arcane tower to use the electromagnetic telegraphy device. As expected — yet still surprising — he saw a long line snaking through the building.
"What an incredible scene…"
This sight left an indelible impression on Blake. He waited until well into the afternoon before finally getting his turn.
Blake had originally intended to contact the personnel in charge of the Task Division, but suddenly a figure that had haunted his thoughts day and night appeared in his mind. As if guided by some unseen hand, he changed the recipient of his message.
"Hello? Who is this?" A perfectly ordinary female voice came through.