Chapter 130: The Assessment

"You move quite quickly, don't you?" Kairu seemed well-acquainted with the methods of the Public Center.

"Indeed. After all, this concerns the entire Lost Realm!" Case remained indifferent to the sarcastic tone.

"And how do you intend to deal with this wizard named Xius?" Kairu knew that if the teleportation portal in Ghost River Valley truly existed, then this wizard named Xius would be of immense value.

*I must secure this wizard, Xius.* Kairu made the decision in an instant.

If the Ghost River Valley really possessed a teleportation portal, the factions behind the Public Center could not monopolize it; the organizations within Holy Circle City would certainly never permit it. If they could recruit Xius into the Silver Rose first, they would at least be able to prepare in advance.

"If the portal in Ghost River Valley is confirmed, we intend to refine this wizard, Xius, into a puppet. We will extract every piece of information regarding Alkeri, and then share it with the wizards of Holy Circle City," Case said, as if reading Kairu's mind, deliberately emphasizing the words "Holy Circle City" during his explanation.

"I see. That is indeed your typical approach," Kairu remarked, feeling no ripple of emotion at the mention of turning Xius into a puppet. Wasn't that their standard practice?

On the day of the examination, Xius arrived early at the Public Center, found a seat, and waited for the notification to begin.

As time passed, the Public Center grew increasingly crowded. Many wizards, following Xius's example, sat down and requested books from the staff, evidently there for the same assessment.

It was nearly three o'clock in the afternoon when Xius spotted the bunny girl who had handled his registration.

"This afternoon is the examination for joining the Silver Rose. Will all wizards participating in the assessment please follow me? We are preparing to enter the testing grounds!"

"Is it finally time?" Upon hearing the announcement, Xius stood up. Many other wizards followed the bunny girl into a long, deep corridor.

The corridor was silent; none of the wizards spoke, simply walking onward.

"Honored guests, the testing grounds are just ahead. I cannot enter from here. I wish you all success in your examination!"

The group of wizards said nothing, walking straight toward the light appearing at the end of the passage.

Pushing open the partially ajar door, Xius and the others entered a hall of approximately 800 square meters. Rows of experimental benches were neatly arranged, equipped with a comprehensive array of alchemy apparatus.

"So, it really is related to potion-making," Xius noted, his suspicions confirmed by the layout of the hall.

Soon, two wizards dressed in white robes, each adorned with a silver rose emblem, emerged and surveyed the room.

"Everyone! I am Ino of the Silver Rose, and beside me is Kairu. I won't waste words; let us get straight to the point," Ino said, his expression impassive as he looked at the wizards present.

Kairu’s gaze, however, remained fixed on the crowd, searching for Xius.

"We are a wizard organization focused on alchemy, so to join us, one must possess a certain level of potion-making knowledge. I assume you were aware of this when choosing our organization. Therefore, the content of this examination is to brew a vial of Petrification Potion within the allotted time. There are three sets of materials on the experimental benches before you, meaning you have only two chances to fail." Ino’s voice was loud, echoing throughout the hall.

"What is this? The requirements for these organizations are getting stricter!" A wizard nearby, hearing the high difficulty of the exam, turned pale and began to grumble.

"Those who do not wish to participate may leave!" A wave of formidable mental pressure swept across the hall as he spoke.

Everyone was cowed by Ino’s strength; no one dared to voice any further objections.

"Very well. Now, the examination begins!" Ino, satisfied with the reaction, flipped over a large hourglass.

Xius found an experimental bench in a corner and settled in. He had some knowledge of the Petrification Potion; it was considered a medium-level concoction.

"Chip! Initiate analysis and simulation!"

The Silver Rose’s requirements were indeed strict, but since the Chip had undergone significant upgrades, it was vastly superior to its previous iteration. Xius believed his current level of alchemy surpassed even that of his teacher—though he would likely never see his teacher again.

Xius pretended to inspect the equipment and materials on his bench, while in reality, he waited for the Chip’s results. He had never brewed a Petrification Potion before, and relying solely on his own current ability to finish it in such a short time was impossible. He had to place his hopes in the Chip.

"Beep! Analysis and simulation complete. Transferring data!"

Soon, the Chip transmitted the results to Xius.

"Now, it is time for my performance." Xius began to process the ingredients. He had dared to attempt high-level potions like the Nature’s Whisper; a Petrification Potion was nothing compared to that.

Little did he know, Kairu had been watching him the entire time.

"Why did this kid’s speed suddenly increase?" Kairu looked on with curiosity. He had seen Xius flipping through the items on the bench earlier and assumed the boy was just familiarizing himself, but in the next second, Xius had begun processing the ingredients with practiced efficiency.

"Have you taken a liking to that little fellow?" Ino, standing beside Kairu, noticed his old friend’s gaze fixed on Xius and couldn't help but look closer.

"He does seem to be a good seed. Look at the timing and technique he uses to process the materials; every step is perfect, preserving the medicinal properties of the ingredients! If I were you, I’d take him as a student now. Once he enters the Silver Rose, he’ll be highly sought after," Ino remarked with a friendly nudge.

"Mind your own business and worry about your granddaughter," Kairu retorted, rejecting Ino’s suggestion as he moved away to observe the other examinees.

Xius was performing at his peak. With the Chip’s assistance, the brewing process was unexpectedly smooth, and he soon reached the final fusion stage.

"It looks like we are going to have a new colleague," Ino remarked, noticing the Petrification Potion nearing completion in Xius’s hands.

*Bang!* A soft sound came from the bench next to Xius. Looking at the materials on that desk, it was clear the candidate had exhausted his final attempt.

"It was you! It must have been you interfering with me, otherwise, how could I have failed!" The wizard, unable to accept his failure, tried to shift the blame onto Xius.

"Heh." Xius had no interest in arguing with such a person.

"Do you want to try something?" Xius looked at the exasperated wizard calmly, confident that the two overseeing wizards would not tolerate any trouble.

"Enough. You have failed all your attempts. Get out!" Ino walked behind the wizard and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"But, honored sir..."

"Are you questioning my judgment?" Ino was naturally leaning toward Xius; Xius was about to succeed, and they would be future colleagues—it would be unwise to create bad blood. Besides, he hadn't seen Xius interfere with anyone at all.