Translator: AnubisTL
After completing the initial construction of the Five Aggregates Rainbow Transformation Mirror, Jieming suddenly found himself with free time.
However, he didn't have long to enjoy his leisure before Clark summoned him with a notice.
"The aptitude tests for the new apprentices? I can't believe it's already time for that," Jieming remarked, hearing the news from Amy.
Time had flown by. Unbeknownst to him, five years had passed since Jieming first arrived at Noren Academy.
In those five years, he had transformed from a clueless freshman into an extraordinary individual with cultivation at the late stage of qi refining, a third-tier wizard apprentice rank, and mastery of various exceptional skills.
The sea of knowledge was boundless, and within this grand hall of magic, he had carved his own unique path.
According to Noren Academy's established tradition, every five years, the academy underwent a major cyclical adjustment: bidding farewell to the graduating apprentices who had completed their ten years of study while welcoming the new cohort of apprentices selected from other cities.
By this reckoning, Jieming had completed his five years of enrollment, placing him at this pivotal moment of transition between the old and the new.
The academy's atmosphere buzzed with extraordinary activity and bustle.
The vast plaza was adorned with lanterns and decorations, bustling with old apprentices packing their belongings and bidding farewell to friends.
Beyond this scene, another distinct group drew considerable attention: the wizards returning from the frontlines.
Noren Academy served not only as a sanctuary of learning but also as an armory supplying strength to the frontlines.
After completing their foundational studies, apprentices typically ventured to various planar battlefields for practical experience.
To allow these battle-hardened wizards ample time to process their battlefield gains, digest the trials of blood and fire, and serve as "successful student" showcases during the upcoming welcoming ceremony for new apprentices, they were recalled to the academy for a six-month respite after five years of frontline service, regardless of whether their contracts had expired.
Jieming felt little connection to these events.
He had few interactions with the departing apprentices, and the welcoming ceremony held even less relevance to his research and cultivation plans.
Though the academy had assigned numerous related tasks, he showed little interest in them.
Knock, knock.
The door to the reception room was rapped. Jieming and Amy turned to see Victor standing in the doorway.
"Victor, you got the notice too?" Amy waved at him.
Victor spotted them too, a hint of awkwardness on his face, but he still nodded in greeting.
After the Greyrock Realm trial, his initial arrogance toward Jieming had transformed into a complex sense of equality.
But after hearing about Jieming's performance in the Greyrock Realm, that sense of equality had morphed into embarrassment.
Fortunately, Victor was skilled at interacting with people and quickly adjusted his attitude. "You got the message too? It seems Mentor Clark has summoned us all... probably to assign our next missions."
"Speaking of missions..." Amy pouted, muttering under her breath, "My friends say the academy's been assigning tons of pointless tasks... like sending off old apprentices, hosting returning wizards, and even acting as 'plants' among the new apprentices!"
"Plants?" Jieming frowned.
"Yeah!" Amy grumbled, her voice dripping with bitterness. "We have to blend in with the new apprentices, pretend to be in awe of the returning Combat Department seniors, and help hype up their 'heroic deeds.' Just like when we first enrolled—those people who were mixed in with the crowd, giving glowing accounts of the returning Combat Department apprentices? They were basically this year's batch of us, conscripted into the role!"
Jieming suddenly understood. He remembered the "new students" who had vividly described the frontline battles when he first enrolled.
He had even scoffed at them back then. So this was what it was all about.
The wizards were nothing if not pragmatic, even arranging for people to create hype when showcasing "success stories."
"Are these missions mandatory?" he asked Victor.
Victor straightened his cuffs and shook his head. "Generally, the academy doesn't assign mandatory missions outside of contracts. However, since the rewards for these missions are quite generous, most people don't refuse them. For example, I've taken on a mission to host this group of returning wizards."
"I heard this batch is returning from the Shadow Plane... They must be quite difficult to host," Amy said, blinking.
"The environment in that plane is said to be harsh, so they might have trouble adjusting to academy life. We need to introduce them to the academy's new developments, familiarize them with the surroundings..." Victor paused, then added, "And also introduce them to the academy's internal resources and channels."
"Oh, so that's the mission to host returning wizards," Jieming said, understanding dawning.
Compared to being a "shill," this mission seemed far more dignified and offered access to more useful information.
Victor, born into a noble family, possessed exceptional social skills, making him a natural fit for this role.
As they spoke, a familiar figure entered the reception room.
It was Mentor Clark, Jieming and Amy's instructor, still as disheveled and slightly balding as ever.
"Victor, Amy," Mentor Clark nodded briefly. "Are you both clear on your assignments? Especially the reception of returning wizards—this is an academy tradition and an important opportunity for exchange. Make sure you handle it well."
"Understood, Mentor Clark," Victor replied immediately, straightening his posture and speaking earnestly.
Amy nodded in agreement beside him.
"Excellent." Mentor Clark gave them a satisfied look and handed over two sets of documents. "These detail the specific tasks and requirements. Study them carefully."
Then he turned to Jieming. "You two can get started. Jieming, come with me for a moment."
Amy and Victor glanced enviously at Jieming but didn't ask any questions. They left the reception room to carry out their assigned tasks.
"Jieming, have you been busy with your research lately?" Mentor Clark asked bluntly after the others had left.
"Yes, Mentor," Jieming replied.
"Excellent," Mentor Clark nodded. "I have a commission for you as well. Are you willing to accept it?"
"What is it?" Jieming asked, intrigued.
"You're aware of which plane the returning wizards are from, aren't you?" Clark said. "The Shadow Plane's unique rules and energy are highly corrosive to outlanders. The frontline battles have been incredibly taxing, causing many spell artifacts to be damaged and in need of replenishment and upgrades. Adamantium's properties make it an ideal material for these purposes."
"They'll likely purchase a significant quantity?" Jieming immediately understood Mentor Clark's implication.
"Not just significant—vast quantities," Mentor Clark corrected. "Having returned from the battlefield, they possess both merit points and real-world needs. The academy also encourages them to convert their merit points into tangible power."
(End of the Chapter)
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