Chapter 145: Chapter 144: Magic Potion Department

"Teacher Alevia thinks highly of you," Malena said softly. "This is the first time she’s ever invited someone to join the Magic Potion Department."

"Please thank her for me." Ian put away the letter. "I will be there on time in three days."

Malena nodded and added a reminder. "But you must be careful. While a recommendation from Teacher Alevia can save you a lot of trouble, it will also draw the attention of certain people."

"For instance?"

"For instance... Wizard Douglas." Malena lowered her voice.

"He’s from the Shadow Faction. After Nolan died, although he made a deal with Teacher Alevia, he’s been secretly keeping an eye on anyone who had a conflict with Nolan."

Ian’s gaze hardened. "He suspects me?"

"I’m not sure, but your promotion was too fast, and you just so happened to have a conflict with Nolan... It’s hard not to make the connection."

Malena paused. "Besides, the factions within the High Tower are complicated. The Magic Potion Department and the Shadow Element Department already have some competition over resources."

"If you’re brought into the Magic Potion Department by Teacher Alevia, Douglas might make a move."

"I understand." Ian nodded. "Thank you for the warning."

After Malena left, Ian was lost in thought.

’Douglas, is it? Hmph. You’d better not mess with me.’

He was a Level One Wizard now. With Alevia’s recommendation, any move Douglas made to test him would have to be within the rules.

’I’ll deal with it when it comes.’ A silver light flowed in Ian’s eyes.

「One day later.」

Ian changed into a new Deep Blue Wizard Robe, pinned on his Tier One Badge, and headed for the main tower with Gaga perched on his shoulder, its feathers now mostly restored.

At the entrance to the main tower, two Wizard guards inspected his badge and letter of recommendation before respectfully letting him pass.

As he stepped inside the tower, a dense wave of Magic Power washed over him.

The first floor was a mission hall and public gathering area. Dozens of Wizards were accepting missions and exchanging information in a bustling but orderly fashion.

Ian’s arrival drew the attention of quite a few people.

"A new guy? Never seen him before."

"A Tier One Badge, but his aura is very solid... Doesn’t seem like he was just promoted."

"That Raven on his shoulder, is it a variant species?"

Amidst the quiet chatter, Ian stared straight ahead and walked directly to the spiral staircase leading to the second floor.

The second floor was the common area for the various departments: the Magic Potion Department, the Shadow Element Department, the Alchemy Department, the Rune Department...

Each occupied its own section, complete with display cases and information desks.

Following the signs, Ian arrived outside the office of the Magic Potion Department’s vice-dean.

After he knocked, Alevia’s cool voice came from inside. "Enter."

He pushed the door open and entered. The room was spacious and bright, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with Leather Scrolls and crystal recording slates.

In the center was a massive moonlight wood lab bench, upon which were various instruments and a Magic Potion currently undergoing a reaction.

Alevia stood behind the lab bench, holding a Test Tube in which a pale blue liquid was slowly swirling.

She glanced up at Ian and set down the Test Tube. "Sit."

Ian sat down in the chair opposite the lab bench. Gaga remained obediently on his shoulder, curiously observing the room.

"Your Summoned Demon is recovering well." Alevia’s gaze fell on Gaga.

"There’s something in the Moonlight Forest called ’Starlight Feather Dew.’ It works wonders for feather regeneration. I can help you apply for some later."

"Thank you." Ian gave a slight bow.

"Don’t mention it." Alevia walked to a bookshelf and took out a Scroll.

"I’ve already submitted your recommendation paperwork. The Deacon Council has approved it. As of today, you are an officially registered Level One Wizard of Shadow Moon Tower, with all basic access rights."

She handed the Scroll to Ian. "This is an updated copy of your personnel file. Keep it safe."

Ian took it and glanced over it.

It detailed his basic information, power level, Merit Points from the Demon Hunting war, and Alevia’s recommendation assessment:

"Exceptional Talent, resilient temperament, outstanding combat ability, possesses potential for independent research. Recommended for priority development."

It was a very high evaluation.

"Also, regarding the invitation to the Magic Potion Department, what have you decided?"

Alevia sat back down behind the lab bench, her gaze calm as she looked at Ian.

"I’m willing to join," Ian replied without hesitation.

Operating independently offered freedom, but resources were limited.

His current Realm was still in a period of rapid growth; it was too early to think about traveling.

As one of the High Tower’s core departments, the Magic Potion Department offered not only a rich knowledge base and material supply chains but also a steady source of Contribution Points—which was exactly what he needed right now.

"Very good." A flash of satisfaction appeared in Alevia’s eyes.

"The Magic Potion Department currently has openings on three Tier One research projects."

"They are: ’Improving High-Efficiency Spiritual Power Recovery Potions,’ ’Developing an Abyssal Contamination Neutralizer,’ and ’Exploring New Compound-Attribute Magic Potions.’"

She pushed three project summaries in front of Ian.

"You can choose one to join as a way to accumulate Contribution Points in the beginning. Each project provides a base of 500 Contribution Points per month, with additional rewards for results."

Ian quickly scanned them.

The first project was practical and less difficult, but it offered stable Contribution Points.

The second project involved Abyssal contamination and was related to the [Abyssal Soul Contract] and Law Fragment in his possession. He might be able to use it as an opportunity for his own research.

The third project was cutting-edge exploration. It was high-risk, but the rewards for a breakthrough would be extremely high.

"I’ll choose the second one, ’Developing an Abyssal Contamination Neutralizer,’" Ian decided.

Alevia raised an eyebrow. "This project is very difficult, and progress is currently slow. Are you sure?"

"During the Demon Hunting war, I came into contact with Abyssal contamination. I want to try my hand in this area."

Ian said calmly, "Besides, I’m very interested in this kind of Rule distortion phenomenon."

"If you’re confident, then so be it."

Alevia took out a deep blue badge engraved with a potion flask and a crescent moon and star pattern.

"This is the badge for members of the Magic Potion Department. It grants you access to the department’s library and material warehouse."

"The project Laboratory is in Room Seven of Area B. The person in charge is a Level Two Wizard, Herman. I will inform him ahead of time."

"Thank you."

Ian accepted the badge and pinned it to his chest.

And with that, he officially became a member of the Shadow Moon Tower’s Magic Potion Department.

Leaving the vice-dean’s office, Ian went straight to the Magic Potion Department’s library.

He gained entry without issue using his member badge.

The space inside the library was far larger than it appeared from the outside, clearly the result of spatial expansion magic.

Bookshelves stood in rows, clearly categorized: Basic Theory, Formula Collections, Material Encyclopedias, Refining Techniques, Rule Analysis...

Ian walked to the "Abyssal Contamination" section. There weren’t many books here, but each one was thick and ancient.

He pulled out a book titled *Abyssal Rule Distortion and Material Transformation* and opened it.

The book recorded numerous phenomena and theories regarding Abyssal contamination. It mentioned concepts like "Earth Hernia," "Tumor of Deformation," and "Rule Scar," all of which perfectly matched what he had seen during the Demon Hunting war.

’As expected, the High Tower’s research into the Abyss is already quite advanced,’ Ian thought to himself.

He continued to flip through the pages and, on a torn page from a notebook, he found a passage that made his pupils shrink.

"...The essence of Abyssal contamination is a ’Contract Coverage’ at the Rule level."

"In a contaminated area, the underlying Rules are forcibly replaced by Abyssal Rules, which in turn causes the deformation of matter and Energy."

"To neutralize the contamination, one must operate on the Rule level, using an Order Contract to counter an Abyssal Contract..."

’Rule Contract...’ Ian’s heart trembled.

’The principle is so similar to the [Abyssal Soul Contract]!’

He suppressed his excitement, checked out the notebook, picked out a few more related books, and then finally left the library.

Over the next few days, Ian first familiarized himself with the environment of the Magic Potion Department.

The project leader, Herman, was an Elder Wizard with white hair and a Level Two Crystal Cultivation. His personality was so rigorous it bordered on rigid.

He wasn’t particularly warm toward Ian, this new Level One Wizard who had just joined.

He just tossed him a pile of basic experimental data and a list of materials, telling him to familiarize himself with the procedures first.

Ian wasn’t impatient. He planned to take care of his personal affairs before fully participating in the "Abyssal Contamination Neutralizer" project.

’Gaga,’ he sent in a mental message.

’I’m here, Ian,’ the Raven on his shoulder immediately replied.

’Get ready. We’re leaving the tower tomorrow. We’ll sneak out.’

’Are we going to fight?’ A flicker of excitement flashed in Gaga’s mismatched eyes.

’Yes. We’re going to settle an old score.’ During this time, he had already gathered plenty of intelligence on the Osborne Clan.

The initial reason he’d had to flee was because of Leon Osborne.

’It’s about time certain people learned exactly who they provoked back then.’