(Gree--> Gary)
Chapter 277 — The Alluring Witch (Part 5)
"I inherited my mother's medium abilities. I used to admire Mr. Lombard from the Wizard Association… but with my background, it was difficult…"
Gideon's gaze drifted slightly as he pieced together fragments about Iris and the Association in his mind.
Zoe nodded.
"Fiona said the same thing. There are plenty of people in the Association who only care about profit."
She didn't doubt Gideon's words at all.
"What about you?" Gideon asked, turning the question back to her.
"How did you end up at this academy?"
"I…"
Images flashed through Zoe's mind—
Her boyfriend's death.
Her mother's warning.
Before she could continue, she quickly changed the subject.
"Oh—right, you still have to process the materials. I'll help you sort them."
She pointed toward the silver containers stacked on the warehouse shelves.
"Sort them?" Gideon raised a brow, following her lead instead of pressing further.
"Mm-hmm! This is two days' worth. You can separate the ones with heavier dark energy first—handle those differently. That way you'll finish within the required time."
Gideon narrowed his eyes slightly.
The middle-aged woman earlier had insisted everything had to be processed tonight.
So that had been a trap.
"Thank you," he said, putting on an enlightened expression.
"That's really helpful. Anything else I should know?"
Seeing that she was actually helping, Zoe brightened.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and thought for a moment.
"Um… when collecting materials, we're supposed to pay five silver coins."
Gideon turned and glanced at the warehouse sign.
"1 coin / 1 unit."
Clearly written.
"Why?" he asked. "Doesn't anyone higher up manage this?"
Zoe shook her head.
"I mentioned it to Ms. Fiona once, but she just said—"
Zoe crossed her arms and imitated Fiona's tone:
"'Primary witches don't need to collect materials themselves. Focus on your training.'"
"Oh?" Gideon smiled faintly.
"So you're a primary witch?"
"I just… got lucky," Zoe said, lowering her gaze. She didn't seem proud of it.
"Anyway… don't charge less than that," she added quickly.
"Otherwise Ms. Fiona might scold you."
Gideon stroked his chin.
These materials were essential for training—
Yet Fiona allowed such a strange "unspoken rule" to exist?
There was definitely something suspicious going on.
"Oh, and one more thing!"
Zoe's face flushed slightly. Her fingers fidgeted together.
"You… you…"
Gideon blinked, thinking, Is she about to confess?
"If any young witches come looking for you… don't agree to it!"
He froze.
What?
Zoe quickly explained what had happened to the previous assistant, Gary .
"I heard he had connections with higher-ups in the Order. If you try to follow his example…"
She didn't finish the sentence.
But Gideon understood.
A nobody without backing daring to get involved with witches?
That was practically suicide.
"It's getting late. Let's start," Zoe said, crouching down.
As she moved, her pale neck became visible—
And Gideon noticed faint darkened veins beneath her skin.
His eyes flickered.
He immediately scanned her condition.
Her body was filled with residual dark energy.
At the same time, her magic was unusually active.
The two forces barely balanced each other—
Which was the only reason she hadn't collapsed.
"Your back…" Gideon began.
"Ah!"
Zoe jumped up, quickly covering her neck.
After a moment, she lowered her hand again.
"It's a side effect from the materials," she said quietly.
"The ones we receive… are low purity."
Gideon fell silent.
If this continued, the more they used magic—
The more they would burn through their own bodies.
Was this academy really training witches?
Or just using them as tools?
"This is a purification solution I made during practice," Gideon said with a smile, handing her a vial.
"It should ease your condition. Consider it repayment."
Zoe accepted it, eyes wide with surprise.
Potions were expensive—
She had never even used one before.
"Let's get started," Gideon said.
With his ability, he could process everything within half an hour.
But meeting someone this genuine?
He might as well gather more information.
Elsewhere — A Mansion Nearby
"That damned old woman… she actually expelled me?!"
Gary smashed a lamp to the ground.
"Young Master Gary, shall we inform Lord Augustus?" a butler asked.
"Hmph. That old woman is just trying to curry favor with my father. I won't fall for it."
Then he asked:
"Are the materials for the summoning array ready?"
"All prepared."
Gary smirked.
"Good. Those witches are already filled with dark residue. That old woman has been planning this for so long…"
"…she'll never expect me to reap the benefits instead."
He picked up a glass of wine.
"Go. We start tomorrow."
"Yes, Young Master."
The Next Morning
Before sunrise, a long line had already formed outside the materials office.
"Why isn't it open yet?! I need materials for practice!"
"I heard the new guy is just some commoner mage—he probably doesn't know the rules!"
"Then we'd better teach him the rules!"
"Move forward! Maybe we can get high-quality materials today!"
The witches chattered loudly.
"Hey, Queenie! Don't you know how to line up?!"
A witch who had been shoved aside glared angrily.
"When Gary was around, did you line up?" Queenie didn't even turn her head.
"You—! I just learned a new elemental spell, don't push me!"
Queenie calmly pressed a knife against her own neck.
"Go ahead. Try me."
The other witch fell silent.
After all—
Damage Transfer was a terrifying ability.
Queenie glanced around.
"I'm taking materials first today. If anyone has a problem, speak up now."
Silence.
"I do."
A voice echoed down the corridor.
All heads turned.
A girl with a high ponytail, black shorts, and long boots walked forward confidently.
Madison.
She strode straight to the front, rolling her eyes at Queenie.
"Some people can't rely on looks to get what they want…"
"…so whenever that advantage doesn't apply, they try desperately to prove themselves."
A few witches snickered.
"Bitch!"
Queenie's face darkened. She stabbed her own hand without hesitation.
Instantly—
Madison winced in pain.
Blood flowed from her hand.
She raised her arm—
A painting flew off the wall and smashed straight into Queenie's face.
Energy clashed violently in the corridor.
A fight was about to erupt—
Both Jenny and Zoe stood among the crowd, hesitating whether to report it.
"Enough!"
Another voice cut through the tension.
Quentin appeared, accompanied by Dennis.
"You haven't even met the new person yet, and you're already fighting each other. Pathetic."
She stepped between them.
Just one glance—
And both Madison and Queenie backed off.
Then her eyes shifted briefly toward Jenny.
A complicated expression flickered.
Knock. Knock.
Quentin tapped on the window.
"How much longer until materials can be collected?"
No response.
Just as she was about to knock again—
Another figure appeared.
"Why hasn't distribution started yet? Where's the new guy? Don't tell me he hasn't finished the work."
Zoe turned.
It was Madam Vera—the real person in charge of the materials office.
Zoe clutched the empty vial in her pocket.
The purification potion from last night had been incredible—
Not only had her skin cleared—
Even the residual corruption had vanished.
For the first time—
She felt calm.
Peaceful.
Her heart skipped as she recalled her conversation with Gideon.
If he failed… would he be expelled?
Worry flickered in her eyes.
Inside the Warehouse
Gideon casually tossed aside an empty silver container.
After sorting everything last night, he had already processed a portion—
The lowest-quality materials.
The truly high-quality ones?
He had kept aside.
"Quite lively outside…"
He had been aware of everything.
"That middle-aged woman started by questioning me—definitely not well-intentioned."
"And those witches… they're clearly here looking for trouble."
"Looks like my 'predecessor' left me quite a mess."
He shook his head and walked toward the window.
"Please calm down," Vera said sweetly.
"He's new. Mistakes are normal. I'll assist him—please be understanding…"
But the crowd only grew more agitated.
Clang—
The window barrier lifted.
A handsome man leaned out.
"Good morning, ladies."
All eyes turned toward Gideon.
Expressions varied.
Vera spoke first.
"Why are you opening so late? These ladies have been waiting for a long time!"
"Exactly! I still have training this morning!"
Gideon calmly picked up a yellowed sheet of paper.
Some of the text was faded.
He pointed to a line.
The witches leaned closer.
It read:
"Opening hours: 7:00–8:00 AM, 3:00–4:00 PM."
Then he pointed at the clock above the window.
7:00 AM. Exactly.
"This is the official opening time," Gideon said lightly.
"Did Madam Vera… never inform you?"
"I…"
Vera was speechless.
The witches exchanged awkward glances.
Only now did they realize—
They had been following Gary's rules all along.
And that man—
Had wanted this place open all day…
Just so he could drag girls into the warehouse whenever he pleased.
Now, standing here causing trouble—
They suddenly looked like…
They were the ones eager to throw themselves into that situation.
Seeing no one respond, Gideon sighed lightly.
"I've always heard that the witches in this academy are incredibly hardworking… but I didn't expect it to be this true."
"Pfft—"
Zoe quickly covered her mouth.
Then she glanced around.
Those who had once dealt with Gary—and even taken pride in it—now all lowered their heads in silence.
The atmosphere spoke for itself.
Zoe couldn't help but feel a quiet sense of satisfaction.
"Mr. Gideon!"
At that moment, Madam Vera suddenly grabbed his arm and pulled him into the storage room.
Her eyes swept over the silver containers scattered across the floor. Only a small portion had been placed neatly on the shelves.
She already understood what had happened.
"...Hm."
Suppressing her earlier irritation, Vera forced a smile.
"Mr. Gideon, have you finished processing all the materials?"
"If this is all there is… it's far from enough."
"You know how important the joint witchcraft ritual is. If the girls fall behind because of your ability…"
Her tone sounded considerate—almost as if she were thinking entirely for his sake.
"I understand that for a civilian witch, securing a position at the academy is no easy feat," she continued.
"So, I can make a special request to Lady Fiona on your behalf."
"But in return… all material processing from now on will be entirely your responsibility."
Gideon raised an eyebrow.
"So that's her angle," he thought.
At first, he had noticed that Vera carried no trace of dark energy. He assumed she used some purification method.
But now it was clear—
She had never handled the materials herself.
Gary likely never allowed her near them.
And now…
She intended to keep it that way.
But Gideon had no intention of being labeled incompetent in front of the Supreme Witch.
After all—
He still needed Fiona to lead him to the saint's remains.
"Oh, so that's what you were worried about."
Gideon looked genuinely surprised.
"You're truly a kind person."
Vera's wrinkled face twitched slightly as she forced a smile.
"But don't worry," Gideon continued calmly.
"These materials have already been processed."
"The only difference is their purity."
He casually picked up a silver container.
Vera's smile froze.
She hurriedly checked—
And her expression immediately turned stiff.
Every single batch…
Two full days' worth of materials—
All processed.
Perfectly.
Her face twisted into something indescribable.
"Well then, I'll go distribute the materials."
Gideon gave a slight bow and turned to leave.
"Five portions of high-quality materials."
Quentin was the first to step forward, placing five silver coins on the table.
For some reason, from the moment she saw this new assistant, she felt an instinctive resistance—
As if she really didn't want to deal with him.
But for the sake of the ritual—
She forced herself forward.
Gideon glanced at her—
Then shook his head.
Quentin frowned immediately.
"What do you mean?"
"One silver coin per portion—that's the rule."
"Don't tell me you're charging five now?"
Gideon shook his head again and pointed toward a faded sheet of paper on the wall.
Quentin followed his gesture.
After squinting to make out the worn handwriting—
She understood.
One portion per day.
This rule had originally been set for safety—
To prevent witches from absorbing too much corrupted energy at once.
But over time…
It had been quietly forgotten.
"One silver coin per portion."
"One portion per day."
"We'll be following this rule from now on."
Gideon spoke calmly.
The moment he finished—
Many of the girls showed surprise.
They had been fully prepared to argue with the new assistant.
But instead—
He enforced the rule himself.
That was rare.
In this academy—
Competition and self-interest were the norm.
"Of course," Gideon added,
"That applies to standard-quality materials."
He raised five fingers.
"For high-quality materials…"
"Five silver coins."
Quentin, who had been ready to drop the matter—
Frowned again.