"We must first complete your registration as a certified alchemist," Rurik explained patiently. "Your identity has to be formally recorded and communicated to the other branches of the Alchemists Association. Only after that can you apply for the Rank-2 assessnt."
Zora nodded in understanding. "So that’s how it works."
A faint smile appeared on Rurik’s face. "Once everything is processed, it will take about a week before you can undergo the rank-2 assessnt. After all, not everyone is like you, Miss Zora, attempting to clear two levels in one go."
His words carried open admiration.
Normally, after passing the first-grade assessnt, refining alchemists would need years of accumulation before daring to attempt the second grade.
Even Sylvandria had not made the leap in such a short span.
Yet Zora spoke of it as if it were rely the next step.
"I understand," Zora replied with a light nod. "I’ll return for the rank-2 assessnt in a few days."
Under Rurik’s guidance, she completed the necessary registration and left her information with the Alchemists Association. Once her refining alchemist robe was prepared, soone would deliver it directly to her.
As for the rank-2 assessnt, she felt no urgency.
For her purposes, confirming her identity as an alchemist was already enough. With that certification in place, no one could question the authenticity of the Elixir of Tranquility.
After all, her visit to the Alchemists Association today had been for precisely that reason: to ensure the upcoming auction of the three Elixirs of Tranquility would proceed without obstruction.
After Zora departed, Rurik turned to Gerrad, his expression thoughtful. "Vice Principal Gerrad, this Miss Zora... she’s no ordinary character."
Gerrad smiled faintly. "From her conduct alone, you can tell she’s extraordinary. Her true background is definitely not simple."
"Then... should we look into it?" Rurik asked cautiously.
Gerrad raised a hand, stopping him. "There’s no need. Whatever her origins may be, they don’t conflict with us. Why stir up unnecessary trouble? If we were to provoke the forces behind her, the cost might be far greater than the gain."
Rurik nodded solemnly. "I understand."
The moon hung thin as a hook, pale light spilling across the courtyard. A cool night breeze slipped in like water through silk.
Zora was cultivating quietly when a set of footsteps approached outside her door, followed by a familiar knock.
Her lips curved at once.
After Reesa had visited a few tis, Zora could recognize her footsteps without even opening the door.
"You’re here," she said with a soft laugh, opening the door and ushering Reesa inside. Her delicate face carried a warm, gentle smile. "Perfect timing. I was planning to look for you tomorrow anyway. Now I don’t have to."
Reesa lifted a brow in surprise. "You were looking for ?"
Zora nodded lightly. With a flick of her wrist, she reached into her storage pouch and produced a small white porcelain bottle.
"This is for you."
Reesa took it instinctively and opened the lid. Inside lay a plump, glossy potion, its surface smooth and faintly lustrous.
Her mind raced. Her eyes widened. "Zora... this can’t be... it wouldn’t be..."
Before she could finish, Zora smiled faintly. "Yes. It’s Elixir of Tranquility."
"Hiss—!"
Reesa sucked in a sharp breath. When she first accepted the bottle, she had already suspected sothing. Now that it was confird, her shock only deepened.
Such a precious potion!
"This is far too valuable. I can’t take it," Reesa said imdiately.
Although she already regarded Zora as a close friend, they had not known each other for long. She hadn’t done anything in return. How could she accept sothing so priceless?
After all, ever since the news of the Elixir of Tranquility auction spread, the entire academy had been in an uproar. Everyone was scrambling to gather resources just for a chance to bid on one.
"You should take it," Zora said calmly. "This potion is extrely helpful for us right now."
Reesa shook her head. "I know how helpful it is. That’s exactly why I can’t accept it."
She truly treated Zora as a friend. Precisely because of that, she didn’t want to gain such a huge advantage from her.
Zora’s smile softened. "Reesa, I understand what you’re thinking. Since we’re friends, don’t overthink it."
Their ti together wasn’t long, but the affinity between them felt natural and unforced.
Seeing the seriousness in Zora’s eyes, Reesa hesitated for a mont before finally accepting the bottle.
"Zora," she said quietly, "if you ever need in the future, I won’t refuse. No matter what it is."
Her heart felt warm, almost full. This kind of sincerity was not sothing she would ever forget.
Zora chuckled softly. "Alright."
Then, as if suddenly rembering sothing, she asked, "By the way, Reesa, what brought you here tonight?"
"Oh!" Reesa slapped her forehead lightly. "I almost forgot. I actually ca to tell you so news."
"What news?"
Reesa smiled. "I heard today that a new special enrollnt student will be joining the academy. You should be getting a notice about a eting tomorrow morning, right?"
Zora nodded. She had heard the sa thing after returning from the Alchemists Association, though no details were ntioned.
"A new special enrollnt?" Her brows knit slightly. "Wasn’t it just Baldwin and this year?"
That, she was quite certain of. "Yes. I’ve never heard of a third special enrollnt before," Reesa said with a mysterious grin. "That’s exactly why this one is special. Very special."
Her excitent was written all over her face. In the academy, the status of special enrollnt students was already extraordinary. Anyone who could join them beyond the usual quota was bound to be even more remarkable.
Zora’s brows knitted slightly. She had never heard any ntion of a third special enrollnt, not from Raphael, not from Alaric Von Seraph, not from anyone. Judging by that, even they were likely unaware.
That alone made this newcor intriguing.
"But that’s not the main point," Reesa said, suddenly leaning closer, eyes sparkling.
"The important thing is this. I heard that this special enrollnt isn’t just powerful... he’s also very handso."
Her brows danced as she spoke, her expression bright with anticipation.
Zora couldn’t help but laugh, a helpless smile touching her lips. As expected, this was Reesa’s real focus.
"He hasn’t even arrived yet," Zora teased. "How do you know he’s handso?"
Reesa blinked. "There are always well-inford people in the academy. Ordinary students are very different from special enrollnt students like you."
She waved her hand lightly. "You special enrollnts put all your energy into cultivation. Ordinary students, especially girls, put a lot of energy into gossip."
"And you?" Zora raised a brow, amused. "Aren’t you planning to focus on cultivation too? Didn’t you say you wanted to enter the Refining alchemist class as soon as possible?"
"Of course I do," Reesa replied quickly, laughing. "But when you’re cultivating and hear shocking news from the people nearby, how can you not listen for a mont?"
She leaned in conspiratorially. "Everyone is extrely curious about this new special enrollnt."
"You know, Alaric Von Seraph is already clearly paired with Sylvandria, and Raphael..." She glanced at Zora aningfully. "he is very close to you."
Zora paused. "We’re just classmates."
"I know, I know." Reesa nodded earnestly. "But other people don’t."
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