"Martin, what about you? How's the Frost Potion production coming along — three hundred batches a month?"
The man called Martin was a short, elderly fellow. When his name was called, he stood up looking visibly uncomfortable.
"Y-Your Excellency, you know I've been short-staffed… and lately the equipment has also been—"
"I don't want to hear your excuses! Martin, this is already the third time this year, isn't it?" Tigert's expression was grim.
"Please… please forgive me, sir!" Martin's face flushed red.
"As it happens, you've been complaining about not having enough people, haven't you? Leilin will be assigned to you first. I'll also throw in three more synthesis machines. If you still can't complete next month's quota, your entire annual share gets cut! Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" Martin kept wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.
Leilin, whose name had been called, also rose to his feet.
After that, Tigert called on several more Wizards to inquire about their progress and made arrangements accordingly.
After the banquet, Leilin deliberately slowed his pace and walked alongside Martin.
"This… having you come to my department, it's really a bit—" Martin's face showed a sheepish expression.
"No need to worry about it."
In any organization, newcomers always had to deal with some hazing or hardship. Leilin had long since made his peace with that.
"Alright, enough about that. Let me show you to your laboratory and your quarters. There are also some essentials that every newcomer needs to know…"
Despite his seemingly unimpressive abilities, Martin was quite enthusiastic as he guided Leilin through the rest of the registration procedures.
"Here you go — this is the key to your room, and this is your identity badge within the organization."
The old man led Leilin out of a building constructed from black stone and handed him a bronze-colored key along with a card that looked like an identity document.
The bronze key had an antique design, with a row of tiny numbers and letters engraved on it.
As for the identity badge, it was made from a semi-transparent metallic material, with Leilin's name and other information inscribed on it.
"Using this badge, you can go to the organization's resource depot each month to exchange for a certain quota of rare materials and some advanced academic knowledge," Martin patiently explained.
"This badge is extremely important. If you lose it, it'll be a huge hassle, so make absolutely sure to keep it safe…"
Seeing Leilin nod to indicate he understood, Martin then took him on a tour of his future laboratory and quarters.
"The laboratory is in the common area — its designation is dkh-328. The equipment inside is quite decent, sufficient for a full Wizard to use. And if you have any special requirements, you can always submit a request to the organization. As long as you have contribution points, they'll do their best to accommodate any request…"
Regarding these contribution points, Leilin had already heard Martin mention them. They were a unique merit-recording system within the Four Seasons Garden. Full Wizards could earn contribution points each month by completing a certain amount of assigned work.
These contribution points could not only elevate one's standing within the organization but were also the essential currency for exchanging resources and knowledge. In Leilin's view, they served as the general equivalent within the Four Seasons Garden.
"Speaking of contribution points — Leilin, you just joined, so you're probably a bit short right now. How about it? Want to take on a couple of apprentices? This kind of task pays really well in contribution points…"
Martin offered the suggestion enthusiastically.
"As for that, I don't currently have any plans to take on students!"
Leilin smiled and politely declined Martin's proposal.
"However, I'd like to ask — regarding the academy's protections for Wizard families, how exactly does that work?"
Leilin then briefly told Martin about the grudge he had incurred with the Lilisite family.
As long as his own safety and interests were secured, Leilin was naturally willing to provide some measure of protection to the Farell family behind the original Leilin. After all, he was still, in name, their eldest son and heir. And having simply accepted the body of their son, he felt that if it was within his power, he should try to make it up to them.
"Oh, that? You have absolutely nothing to worry about!"
Martin heard him out and shook his head dismissively.
"Our Four Seasons Garden is far more powerful than the Black Bone Forest Academy. One word from us, and the Farell family in the Keli Archipelago will receive special treatment. Besides, according to the Wizard Pact we've signed, the Lilisite family cannot move against your mortal family as long as you haven't been confirmed dead…"
"There's actually such a rule?" Leilin was somewhat surprised. In any world, threatening a criminal's family was a common enforcement method — let alone in the Wizard world, where legal consciousness was notoriously thin. "Could it be… because they're wary of retaliation?" Leilin guessed.
"That's right! Leilin, you're a sharp one — I only had to hint and you understood immediately!"
Martin's face lit up with admiration. "The retaliation of a full Wizard with nothing left to lose is absolutely terrifying. Especially since not everyone in the Lilisite family is a Wizard — among them are apprentices, and even ordinary mortals…"