The interview ended, and Lovi and the others walked out of the conference room with peculiar expressions. All the knowledge about the atomic field they had prepared, all the techniques for manipulating magic circles — none of it had come in handy. Mr. Evans's questions were bizarre beyond imagination, especially the one about life planning. Did that even need answering? Wasn't it simply a matter of advancing from Arcane Magic level one to two, from two to three, and so on?
But such a straightforward answer obviously wouldn't satisfy Mr. Evans. Each interviewee had, to varying degrees, added their own personal understanding. Ophelia had outlined plans for her knowledge system and areas of expertise. Black had described how he intended to return to Allinge from the Solal Archipelago. Many others had woven the Atomic Research Institute into their life plans as well.
Thinking back to the scene where they'd been asked to introduce their strengths and weaknesses, remembering how he'd inexplicably included "finding a like-minded partner" in his life plan, Lovi's face burned with shame. He couldn't bring himself to meet his companions' eyes, afraid he'd see mockery in their gazes. In his heart, this had been a thoroughly humiliating interview.
The others weren't much different. Who knew how many interviewees had, in a moment of impulse, poured out their tragic pasts during their self-introductions, hoping to win sympathy and pity. By the time the interview ended, all they had left was the scorching embarrassment on their faces, wishing they could tear off their clothes and hide their heads beneath them.
Rock beamed and said: "Wait here for ten minutes. Lucian will be making his selections shortly."
This unconventional interview format had delighted him greatly — especially watching each interviewee awkwardly fumble through expressing themselves.
At Rock's words, the embarrassment of Lovi and the others instantly evaporated, replaced by nervousness and anticipation. As Rock entered the conference room and the door shut behind him, their heartbeats grew faster and faster, louder and louder.
Thump-thump-thump, thump-thump-thump. Lovi felt he absolutely had to say something, or he might faint from sheer tension. He opened his mouth: "Erika, who do you think Mr. Evans will pick?"
The moment the words left his lips, Lovi startled himself. He had never imagined his voice could sound so hoarse, so dry, as though someone else were speaking.
Erika's nostrils flared slightly, and she said in a low, heavy voice: "At this point, anything we say is pointless. Whatever abilities we had to show, we've already shown."
Beside them, Black was anxious inside, but having advanced to the rank of full mage in the harsh environment of the archipelago, he at least maintained a composed exterior. With a somewhat stiff smile, he said to Ophelia: "I think you have an excellent chance. You performed very well."
Ophelia smiled faintly. "Don't say things like that. It'll make me build up expectations I can't help nurturing. And the higher the hopes, the more devastating the disappointment."
She spoke in a calm, even tone, but at some point her hands had clenched tightly together.
In the suffocating silence, the door creaked open. They all looked up at once, gazing at Mr. Evans with a mixture of eager anticipation and intense nervousness as he emerged.
Lucian smiled. "You are all excellent, and full of potential. Unfortunately, the Atomic Research Institute currently needs only ten assistants, so I've had to make some very difficult selections, choosing those whose profiles best match our needs. The first selection — Mr. Balzali."
Lovi's school teacher, the middle-aged man, excitedly pumped his fist several times in rapid succession. But being a second-ring mage after all, he managed to keep his composure.
"The second selection — Ophelia." Lucian's clear, gentle voice reached Ophelia's ears.
For a moment, she couldn't process what she'd heard. She looked up blankly, then saw Lucian smile and nod at her.
Only then did it truly register — she had been selected by the Atomic Research Institute. A sudden mist welled up in her bright blue eyes.
This success had been achieved without bribing anyone with money or materials, without trading her body or emotions for it. It had been earned entirely through her own Arcane Magic and arcane abilities — fair and square!
For Ophelia, who had been forced to leave Allinge because of certain circumstances, this was a hard-won affirmation. She raised both hands and covered her face, unwilling to let anyone see her momentary weakness.
Listening to Mr. Evans announce each name one by one, hearing excited cheers erupt around her, Lovi grew increasingly tense and instinctively held his breath. Mr. Black had been selected. Erika had been selected. The two apprentices she'd known before had been selected too. But why hadn't she heard her own name yet?
"The tenth selection — Lovi."
Lovi felt a cascade of stars burst before his eyes and nearly buckled at the knees. Intense joy and excitement erupted within him like a volcanic eruption, making his head spin and his eyes grow damp.
"Don't pass out. If your health is that poor, I might have to return you." Lucian delivered his deadpan quip — one nobody else understood.
But to Lovi's ears, it sounded as beautiful as an elf's song. He hurriedly replied: "I won't, I won't, Mr. Evans — I'm in excellent health!"
Everything in his field of vision seemed to have suddenly become lovable and radiant.
After instructing Jerome to handle the arrangements for the ten assistants, Lucian headed to the Executive Committee to check on the progress of Tomp's interrogation.
"They've already confessed. Two are spies for the Southern Church, one has ties to the Northern Church, and one was recruited by intelligence agents from the Sacred Hertz Empire. They were all promised generous rewards for infiltrating the Atomic Research Institute, with additional compensation for every piece of intelligence they provided about the institute or about you." Tom handed the interrogation report to Lucian and asked with puzzlement, "Why would the Sacred Hertz Empire be interested in you? Dealing with mages has always been the Church's domain."
Lucian rubbed his brow. He had disrupted Rudolf II's plans in the Extraordinary Space and was clearly connected to the Silver Moon — of course they would be keeping tabs on him. Naturally, this was not something he could discuss with Tom; it was a matter of the highest-level secrecy, belonging to the Supreme Council.