"Instructor Manlin, good morning," Zelir said with a smile.

"Good morning, little one."

Instructor Manlin was no longer surprised by Zelir’s appearance. She set down the kettle in her hand and poured him a cup of flower tea.

Zelir respectfully took it with both hands and took a light sip.

The tea was fragrant. After he swallowed, a pleasant aftertaste lingered in his mouth.

"A few days ago, you performed very well in the Junior Mage assessment at the Martial Arts Arena."

Manlin leaned against the desk, a faint smile on her lips. "You became a Junior Mage even faster than I expected. Truly outstanding."

Praised like this by Instructor Manlin, Zelir scratched his head, a little embarrassed.

"I’m not as amazing as you make it sound, Instructor Manlin."

"There’s no need to be so modest."

Manlin chuckled and shook her head. "Having talent is one thing, but being able to realize that talent is another. You’ve done very well, Zelir."

"Instructor Manlin."

Zelir stated his reason for coming.

"It’s the beginning of the month, so I wanted to ask if you had any mandatory commissions to assign? I can help you with them."

Hearing Zelir volunteer, the smile on Manlin’s face deepened, and a hint of affection appeared in her eyes.

"So thoughtful."

She casually tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"Since you’ve offered, I won’t be polite. There’s nothing special, really. It’s the same as always—just help me gather some more medicinal herbs."

As she spoke, Instructor Manlin began to sketch quickly on a piece of paper, just like last time. In no time, three lifelike drawings of plants were complete.

Then, Instructor Manlin took out a map from her drawer. It was also very detailed, with the locations clearly marked.

Zelir took them and had a look.

The three plants were the Flame Blood Fruit, Cyan Moss, and Orchid Mushroom.

’They’re all plants I’ve never heard of...’

"Instructor Manlin, may I ask one more thing? What kind of Magic Potion are these used for?" Zelir asked curiously.

"Hmm... It’s a bit hard to explain."

Instructor Manlin said, "I’m trying to create a new Magic Potion, but it’s still in the experimental stage."

"Oh..."

"Be careful when you’re gathering the plants. Don’t get hurt. If you run into any powerful Demons guarding them, just leave," Manlin advised.

"Understood, Instructor Manlin."

After receiving his mandatory commission for the month, Zelir went to the General Affairs Office.

The moment he stepped into the hall, he immediately felt a completely different atmosphere from usual.

Many of the Mages who had been chatting or waiting in line turned to look at him when they saw him.

"It’s Zelir... the genius who rivals Kane!"

"I watched him during the Junior Mage assessment. He’s incredibly skilled."

"I really don’t know how he did it."

"If I go talk to him, will he turn me down...?"

Remembering Instructor Marvin’s words—’You have to get used to the feeling of being talked about’—Zelir could only try his best to keep a straight face and act as he normally would.

"Zelir."

Riley, who had been assessed by Instructor Marvin in the arena that day, was also there. He walked over and extended his hand.

"Congratulations. You’re a Junior Mage now."

"Thanks." Zelir shook Riley’s hand amicably.

"Your understanding of Magic is truly profound. I learned a lot."

Riley’s eyes held pure fighting spirit and respect. "But I won’t give up. I will definitely catch up to you!"

"I’ll be waiting," Zelir replied with a smile.

He actually quite admired this kind of pure competitive spirit.

When it was his turn in line, Zelir used Instructor Manlin’s letter to collect his monthly stipend, as usual.

With twenty Gold Coins in his pouch, Zelir let out a long sigh of relief.

’Finally... I’ve finally saved up One Hundred Gold Coins!’

’I’ll never have to use that fire poker for my missions again.’

"Genius Mage—"

A clear, melodious voice called out from behind him, drawing out the words.

Zelir knew who it was without even turning around.

He turned and saw Bev walking toward him with a light step, her hands clasped behind her back.

"Bev."

"Zelir, you really are a busy man."

Bev walked up to Zelir, her pretty brows furrowing slightly.

"Last time, after your assessment ended, I wanted to be the first to celebrate with you, but I couldn’t keep up and you just vanished."

"Celebrate...? There’s no need to go to all that trouble." Zelir scratched his head.

"What do you mean, no need?"

Bev raised her voice, puffing out her chest indignantly.

"This is an honor."

"Let me tell you, if I had become a Junior Mage at your age, my father would have thrown a three-day celebratory banquet at our estate and invited all the Nobility in Black Stone Town!"

’Of course you would. Your family’s loaded, after all. You have an estate to throw banquets in. If it were me, my celebration would probably just be getting a single table at the Night Flower Inn,’ Zelir thought.

"Alright, alright."

Bev waved her hand, dropping the subject. "Come on, tell me, how does it feel to be a Junior Mage? Got a new swagger in your step or something?"

"I haven’t noticed any swagger."

Zelir shook the heavy coin pouch in his hand, a look of satisfaction on his face. "But the feeling of getting twenty Gold Coins every month is pretty nice."

"Twenty Gold Coins is enough to make you this happy?" Bev said.

"You don’t understand how hard it is to be short on money. I’d have to work my tail off on several missions to earn this much."

Zelir was in high spirits. "I can finally get myself a decent Magic Wand."

"Oh, buying a Magic Wand?"

Hearing this, Bev’s eyes lit up. "Perfect! Let’s go pick one out right now. I’ll help you choose."

"Actually, I’ve been wanting you to get a new wand for a while now. For a basic Base Material like White Wax Wood to last you over a month of daily missions is already a long lifespan."

As she spoke, she very naturally looped her arm through Zelir’s and started pulling him toward the trading area.

"Wait... hold on."

Zelir said, "Helping me pick out a Magic Wand won’t get in the way of your mandatory commissions, will it?"

"Ah—those boring things can wait."

Bev waved her hand dismissively, her other hand still holding him tight.

"We have the whole day, anyway. Let’s take care of important business first. Let’s go, let’s go!"

Bev’s enthusiasm made it impossible for Zelir to refuse. The two of them went to the Magic Wand Shop where he had bought the White Wax Wood Base Material last time.

The familiar TING-A-LING of the wind chime sounded.

The shopkeeper was the same kind-faced, white-haired old lady. She looked up from behind a thick, ancient tome.

Seeing it was Bev and Zelir, she smiled and nodded.

"Welcome."

This time, Zelir wasn’t as timid as before. He felt much more confident and walked straight to the vertical rack where the finished Magic Wands were displayed.

The materials and craftsmanship of the Magic Wands here were far superior to the White Wax Wood Base Material.

Zelir picked up a Magic Wand made of Cedar Wood to examine it. The shaft was light yet sturdy, and it was engraved with delicate Demon-Guiding Patterns.

An aqua-blue Sea Crystal Stone was embedded at the tip of the wand. The moment he gripped it, he could feel the free-floating Water Elements in the air become slightly more familiar and active.

’This feels amazing...’

Zelir couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.

Having a finished Magic Wand like this would be a game-changer in a fight!

Just as Zelir was about to try another wand, Bev tugged at his sleeve, dissatisfied.

"Hey, why are you only looking at the entry-level ones?"

With that, Bev started pulling Zelir deeper into the shop. "Let’s go look at the better ones in the back!"

"Hey... Bev, wait! My budget is just over one hundred Gold Coins."

Zelir quickly stopped her, his tone a bit helpless. "Picking one from here is already great."

At that moment, the old lady, who was usually engrossed in her book, stood up. She spoke with a kindly expression.

"The Magic Wands in the back are indeed better, and some of them are on sale. You can come have a look."

’Even on sale, I probably can’t afford them...’ Zelir still felt unsure.

He still remembered that old Magic Wand from last time that cost six hundred Gold Coins.

Even at a fifty percent discount, it was a price far beyond his reach.

"It’s okay. You just go and pick the one you like the most."

Bev patted the leather pouch at her waist without a care.

It was embroidered with a family crest, looking quite extravagant. "I’ll cover the rest."

"How could I let you do that?"

Zelir stopped in his tracks at once, waving his hands to refuse. "A good Magic Wand can easily cost several hundred Gold Coins. That’s too expensive, I can’t..."

"I already told you, it’s a gift to celebrate you becoming a Junior Mage. We’re friends, right?"

Bev cut Zelir off, her magnificent, sapphire-blue eyes looking at him earnestly.

"Don’t refuse. This gift is from my heart."

"Friends..."

Looking at Bev’s serious expression, Zelir found he could no longer voice his objections. A feeling of gratitude welled up inside him.

"Alright, then... thank you, Bev."

Hearing his solemn thanks, Bev’s righteous confidence seemed to deflate a little.

She turned away, a little embarrassed, her gaze darting elsewhere.

"Hmph... no need to be so formal. Go on... go pick one!"

Although he couldn’t see her expression, the slight blush on the tips of her ears betrayed some of her feelings.