"Alright, let's discuss your assignment now…"
Lei'anuo addressed Leilin.
"According to what Vad said, you have astonishing talent and ability in Potionology. We certainly can't let someone of your caliber go to waste. With that in mind, I plan to place you in the Potionology Division. What do you think?"
"That would be wonderful!" Leilin said with a smile.
Since there was a Potionology Division, there had to be other divisions too—alchemy groups, combat squads, and the like. Leilin had only come here to pick up a salary and secure a supply of resources. There was no way he was going to fight and risk his life.
Being placed in the Potionology Division meant the requirements would naturally revolve around potions—exactly his area of expertise.
It seemed the strength and talent he had deliberately shown earlier had played a role in pushing things along.
"Good! Vad, take Leilin to Teigate in the Potionology Division, then come back. Regarding the matter of the Moonlight Flower Flame from last time, I think there's a better way to handle it…"
"Yes, teacher!" Vad bowed respectfully and led Leilin out.
"So? My mentor's a great person, isn't he?"
Vad asked with a hint of pride and showmanship. Around Leilin, who was now a fellow member, he had loosened up considerably.
"A wise and kindly elder!" At a time like this, Leilin naturally had no intention of being contrary.
"Ha ha… everyone says so. Come on, I'll take you to the Potionology Division. Teigate over there is a bit of an old fossil, but he really puts effort into nurturing young Wizards who have genuine talent…"
Vad casually dropped quite a bit of information as they walked.
At a turn in the corridor, a Wizard in black robes emerged from the opposite direction.
This Wizard was perpetually wrapped in a frigid killing aura, and faint wails of restless spirits drifted about him—something Leilin picked up on instantly.
Most striking of all, right in the middle of this Wizard's forehead grew a third vertical eye!
The eye was open, its pupil pitch-black, seemingly devoid of any emotion, sending a chill down one's spine.
"Vad, this new Wizard seems to have no manners at all…"
The three-eyed Wizard said coldly. A wave of icy Spiritual Power shot straight at Leilin.
"Hm?!"
Leilin was startled, but immediately mobilized his Spiritual Power to defend himself.
Pop! A series of minute sonic booms crackled through the air.
In that instant of spiritual clash, Leilin sensed that the opponent's Spiritual Power carried a heavy reek of blood—so thick it was suffocating, nearly making him gasp for breath.
Moreover, the degree of elemental transformation in the opponent's spirit far exceeded that of a semi-elementalized Wizard. Leilin's Spiritual Power crumbled under the assault in a single exchange.
Leilin stumbled back two steps as if struck in the chest by a heavy hammer, his face draining of color.
The three-eyed Wizard opposite him studied Leilin with a flicker of surprise: "Not bad Spiritual Power… but still far from enough."
With that, he didn't spare Leilin another glance and strode past.
The whole encounter looked as though he had come specifically to put on a show of dominance.
"Are you alright?" Vad asked, looking at Leilin with concern.
"Fine. Just some Spiritual Power turbulence—I'll recover after a few days of rest!" Leilin watched the direction the three-eyed Wizard had gone. "Who is he?"
"That's Lord Xishan. He's a Wizard raised internally by the Four Seasons Garden. His combat ability is extremely formidable—he heads the Hunting Division. And on top of that, he's our Vice Commander!"
Vad glanced at Leilin, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Lord Xishan believes that external Wizards only destroy the unity of the Four Seasons Garden. He's the main opponent to recruiting new Wizards…"
As if afraid Leilin might worry, he added quickly, "Of course, my mentor Lord Lei'anuo disagrees with his view. And my mentor is one of the organization's leaders. Right now, the upper echelons of the Four Seasons Garden are still fairly supportive of bringing in new Wizards…"
"Head of the Hunting Division…"
Leilin stared at the direction Xishan had departed, a faint gleam flickering in his eyes.
"Chip, estimate his strength!"
"Based on the energy fluctuations just emitted, estimated combat level: peak of the First-rank Wizard tier. Spiritual Power elementalization exceeding 80 percent…"
"Similar to that elder from the Lilisite family I encountered before. It looks like if I went up against them now, I'd still have very little chance of winning…"
Complex thoughts churned through Leilin's mind.
"Come on, I'll take you to the Potionology Division…"
Vad hurriedly changed the subject, and Leilin followed behind him without comment.
Along the way, Vad did his best to bring up other topics, hoping to help Leilin shake off the unpleasant encounter. Though both of them knew it was unlikely to work, Leilin still cooperated and made a show of listening.
"After you become a member of our organization, you can get a house here for free as your permanent residence. But life here is very monotonous—nothing but experiment after experiment. That's why a lot of full-fledged Wizards own property in the City That Never Sleeps and like to take vacations there from time to time…"
Vad dutifully explained as they walked. Before long, they passed through several branching corridors and crossed a stone bridge spanning a chasm mid-air, arriving at a botanical garden.
The floor was made of metal, and everything around them was a clean, crisp white. It gave Leilin a strange sense of déjà vu, as though he had stepped back into one of his previous world's laboratories.