Locke finally understood why they were recruiting so many students from outside their network.
There was only one reason.
They needed scapegoats.
By hiring so many Second-Class Wizard Apprentices who could be presented as mere assistants, if any issues arose during experiments, the White Wizard Association or the academy's higher-ups could immediately pin the blame on these dozen or so 'assistants' in the Pharmaceutical Room.
With Harun Vera's powerful connections backing Angron, the matter would be handled seamlessly. Meanwhile, those Second-Class Wizard Apprentices without any backing would have no means to resist and would be forced to shoulder the blame unjustly.
Thus, Angron and his associates would remain unscathed.
But for those unjustly scapegoated Second-Class Wizard Apprentices, their futures would undoubtedly be affected. Their paths in Potionology might be cut short as a result.
Yet clearly, no one would spare a thought for this.
The plain-looking Tilly Calvin watched Locke nervously, as if awaiting some kind of verdict.
Studying Potionology already required substantial resources, and now she was caught up in this scandal.
This interview was likely her last chance.
If this didn't work out, she would have to abandon Potionology and focus solely on studying plant magic.
Locke tapped his fingers on the desk, deep in thought, weighing the pros and cons.
He glanced at the poor resumes of the other Second-Class Wizard Apprentices and then at Tilly Calvin's. Undoubtedly, Terry was the most suitable candidate. In fact, one could say she had been trained quite professionally in Angron's Pharmaceutical Room.
She even had experience working in a medium-sized personal pharmaceutical room.
Of course, she had her flaws—her resume was tainted.
'I need to ask Mentor Sophia whether this person's issues would affect my pharmaceutical room's approval process. If it does, then forget it. I can't afford to lose a watermelon while picking up a sesame seed,' Locke pondered. 'But if it doesn't affect the approval, then I'd be getting a bargain.'
'Most likely, it won't. After all, she's just an assistant. The approval process mainly focuses on me and the personal potion formulas I've registered.'
'The rest are just accessories. To the academy higher-ups handling the approval, these assistants and helpers are no different from the equipment in my pharmaceutical room.'
Locke looked at Tilly Calvin, his tone no longer cold but carrying a hint of warmth—after all, she might soon become his assistant. "The standard monthly salary for a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice assistant is about ninety Magic Stones."
"But since you're carrying some blame that isn't yours, I can only pay you sixty Magic Stones per month. What do you think?"
Locke felt this was quite fair.
After all, Tilly Calvin would gain additional benefits by working as his pharmaceutical room assistant. If she stayed with him for over a year, it would essentially cleanse her resume.
After that, finding related work would no longer be as difficult as it was now.
Moreover, hiring her might bring some minor troubles, so it was only reasonable that she receive two-thirds of the standard pay.
If not for his special circumstances and his Wizard Mentor's connections, Locke wouldn't even be recruiting assistants externally - he'd simply hire his own juniors from school.
That would be more reliable.
So meeting him was actually good luck for Tilly Calvin. Not every First-Class Wizard Apprentice opening a personal Pharmaceutical Room would publicly recruit like this.
Moreover, sometimes certain positions—like those in Angron's Pharmaceutical Room—might hire you just to make you the scapegoat when things go wrong.
Tilly Calvin bowed deeply to Locke in gratitude. "Thank you, Lord Augustine."
"I appreciate this opportunity. I'll work hard to repay your kindness."
Locke waved it off. "It's not completely settled yet. I still need to confirm that your... situation won't affect my Pharmaceutical Room."
A flicker of guilt crossed Tilly Calvin's face.
Locke continued, "Go outside and announce that I've already filled the position. Tell everyone to disperse."
There was no point in continuing the interviews.
Open recruitment was inherently inefficient.
Many Second-Class Wizard Apprentices with no background in Potionology still came hoping to get lucky—maybe Locke had some other suitable position available.
Some even had the audacity to forge their credentials.
On average, their professional competence simply wasn't up to standard.
Locke had been fortunate enough to encounter Sophia, which meant he had received the best possible foundation in Potionology, breeding studies, and plant magic—a complete, systematic education.
But most students in the academy only had access to the standard public courses. The rest of their knowledge was pieced together haphazardly from scattered sources.
Their Potionology skills were nowhere near adequate—unlike Tilly Calvin here, who at least had some proper training.
So in her last position, you couldn't necessarily say she got the short end of the stick.
If they hadn't chosen her as the scapegoat, she wouldn't have even had the chance to receive that level of professional Potionology training.
With slightly trembling excitement, Tilly Calvin stepped outside and relayed Locke's decision to the waiting crowd of Second-Class Wizard Apprentices.
Disappointment was evident on their faces, but there was nothing to be done. With so many applicants, it was always going to be a competition for a single position.
After the interviews concluded, Locke moved to the adjacent wooden laboratory. He had just purchased a new set of basic, standard Cauldron equipment the day before.
"Potionology is a discipline that combines theory and practice," Locke mused as he studied a recipe. "I'll start by practicing with some cheaper substitute materials to brew the Lesser Emerald Potion."
"If I can consistently produce Lesser Emerald Potions, just selling them for healing purposes alone could earn me a decent amount of Magic Stones."
He spent the entire morning working in the lab with his basic equipment and practice materials. Just before noon, a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice from Lijin Secret Language arrived, delivering a message from Yuli Burns with utmost respect.
"Lord Augustine, Shopkeeper Burns has sent me to invite you to dine with her at the Witch's Kitchen."
"Shopkeeper Burns mentioned that joining us for dinner will be First Class Wizard Apprentice Zach, who oversees the Academy Centralized Procurement. Lord Zach is very satisfied with your Crystal Palmfire Lotus but wishes to meet you in person to discuss the specifics of the Academy Centralized Procurement contract."
"Would you like to attend? Or should we arrange another time?"
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