Just after the halfway point of the Fire Moon (July), scorching hot air waves swept through Rentat and Ae, leaving many people tossing and turning and unable to sleep. They could only find peace in the slight coolness of the morning.
But on this refreshing morning with the breeze, more than thirty people strangely gave up on catching up on sleep and waited outside the Arlinge Magic Tower early.
They were men and women, old and young. Some were wearing black double-breasted gowns, some were the most common magic robes with hoods, some were wearing well-tailored long skirts, and some were simply wearing white shirts with ordinary clothes.
The only thing they have in common is the tension and anticipation that invariably overflows on their faces.
Without the apprentice's robe, which could cool down and keep warm within a certain range, Luo Wei's life was quite painful these days. Plus, he stayed up late studying, and his face turned pale and haggard.
He looked at the "competitors" around him and felt a lot of pressure. Among the nearly forty people, there were only a dozen or so at the apprentice level. The others were either formal magicians, or had reached the first level of arcane magic, or even intermediate level ones.
Magicians participate.
"Being able to pass the previous written test and interview shows that I also have a shining point and cannot lose my confidence." Luo Wei kept cheering himself up, and then tried to relieve the tension by talking to the magicians and magic apprentices next to him.
He said, "Tell me, what questions will Mr. Evans ask for the interview? Will it involve the content of the new alchemy?"
A male magic apprentice with a nervous look on his face turned a deaf ear and kept mumbling something, and continued with his final preparations. The two magicians glanced at Lovi and saw that he was wearing an apprentice badge on his chest and did not even have a robe.
He turned his head away and continued to communicate on his own.
A female magician with a face as round as an apple was startled and said with a smile: "I don't know either. Mr. Evans was not involved in the previous written examination and interview, and the questions given were all within the scope of my research, so I
I’m a little nervous and unsure now. There are many things in New Alchemy that I don’t quite understand yet. What were the questions you asked during the interview?”
She is not beautiful, but her smile is kind and easy-going, making people feel no stranger at first sight.
Lowe thought for a while, then repeated several questions about elements and electromagnetic fields that Jerome asked at that time, and finally said: "What about you?"
"By the way, I forgot to introduce myself, I'm Erica." The round-faced lady also told her interview questions one by one, exchanged experiences with each other, and guessed which part of the knowledge Mr. Evans might focus on today.
.
Several other mages and apprentices saw this and joined the exchange.
Black, who was nearby, smiled at Ophelia, who had typical Holm features: "Would you like to go over and have a listen? I know their experience may come in handy later."
Ophelia smiled slightly and said: "Okay, but I'm curious why the total interview time hosted by Mr. Evans is nine o'clock in the morning. At this time, the Arlinge Magic Tower has just opened. Interviewers must be outside in advance.
Only by waiting can you catch up."
"Perhaps this strange request is used to test our punctuality and obedience. After all, we are apprentice-level assistants, not arcane masters with independent research projects." Blake thought for a while and started to analyze it seriously.
Ophelia looked up at the towering magic tower and nodded slightly: "I think so too. Mr. Evans is definitely not the kind of person who enjoys torturing interviewers. His demands must be deeper.
The meaning of layers.”
On the eighteenth floor of Arlinge Magic Tower, Lucien, Roque, Jerome and his students stood by the window, looking at the interviewers below.
After hearing what Prospell relayed and described the scene, Rock smiled and looked at Lucien: "Why do I think you enjoy torturing interviewers?"
As he spoke, he turned his attention to Annick and other poor students. Under the torture of Lucien's "Arcane Tutoring Class", although their arcane and magic skills have improved by leaps and bounds, they often have expressions of gritted teeth on their faces.
Heidi kept nodding her head like a chicken pecking at rice. The teacher was a "devil" who liked to torture herself and others with a lot of practice and profound knowledge.
Lucien coughed dryly: "This is to observe their true personality and daily communication skills.
They are here to serve as apprentice-level assistants. Only if they are good at these two aspects can they integrate into the institute faster and share chores with you."
"It makes sense. Those who are arrogant and unwilling to communicate with those below their own level are not suitable to enter the institute." Jerome quite agreed with Lucien's idea and then asked curiously, "The assistants recruited,
Will I also become your student in the future?"
Splinter and others' eyes suddenly focused on Lucien, and they were also curious about the teacher's answer.
Lucien shook his head: "Six students are already a lot. I have my own magic studies, arcane research and daily life, and it is difficult to teach more students. If you see someone with potential, just guide it yourself."
This attitude is common among high-level arcanists and above. They would rather concentrate on teaching a few students, unless a student dies, dies, or encounters a rare genius, and arcanists of this level
, their students themselves enjoy the benefits of being shrouded in his halo, and their actions also represent the teacher. When there are more people, there will be more trivial matters.
Katrina and the other students quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Even though they were all kind-hearted, when they thought that with more classmates, the teacher's time to guide them would be reduced accordingly, and they no longer looked forward to new companions.
Nine o'clock quickly approached, and Lowe and others entered the Magic Tower anxiously and took the elevator to the Atomic Research Institute.
"Let's go in together. There will be a magic contract signed before the final general interview." Rock stood waiting for them outside the Atomic Research Institute with a very sincere smile, because after this time, this troublesome matter is finally over.
I will never take on such a task again!
"Magic contract? What is that?" a middle-aged magician asked doubtfully.
Lowe recognized that this was Mr. Isaac with whom he had just communicated.
Rock said with what he thought was a handsome smile: "Our Atomic Research Institute is exploring the forefront of the element field and has many secrets, so everyone needs to sign a confidentiality agreement, and Evans is a quasi-grand arcanist, a member of the church and other forces.
The one who is eager to be eliminated has also become a side target along with other arcanists at the Atomic Research Institute, so in order to prevent assassins, the new recruits must have a relatively harsh magical contract."
"Harsh..." Ophelia and others' faces became serious. Although they could understand the Atomic Research Institute's behavior, harshness always made them worried.
Isaac frowned: "I hope the magic contract won't be too harsh."
Rock smiled and said: "Don't worry, I won't treat you as slaves, but it will be uncomfortable for those with evil intentions."
Lowe didn't care about the contract. He just wanted to enter the Atomic Research Institute and study with Mr. Evans. For him, as long as he didn't sell his soul and body, that would be enough.
Under Rock's guidance, the interviewers entered the conference room of the Atomic Research Institute.
Apprentices or foreign magicians such as Lowe, Black, Ophelia, etc. could not control their curiosity, and peeked at the two magicians sitting upright with respect and excitement.
That's Mr. Jerome whom I met. This, this should be Mr. Lucien Evans, right?
In Luo Wei's eyes, this is a young man with thick black hair, clear outlines, deep facial features, and excessively handsome, but his pair of black eyes that seem to contain countless mysteries, his calm and confident demeanor, and his peaceful and gentle smile.
But people completely ignore his appearance, thinking that he is so in line with the "aura" that surrounds him. There is no doubt that he is a powerful and terrifying magician, and an arcane master with profound wisdom.
"Good morning, Mr. Evans." Under the leadership of several magicians who had met Lucien before, Lovi and others saluted with mysterious etiquette.
Lucien nodded and motioned for them to find a seat and sit down. Then, his eyes became darker and darker, and he pointed at a stack of parchment on the table and said: "This is a magic contract that you need to sign. It will be supervised by the Duke of the first level of hell. Any violation will
The one who will bear the punishment will be punished by him. You should take a look first and start if there is no problem."
Listening to Lucien's words, for some reason, all the magicians and apprentices who came for the interview became nervous. Then they took the contract that flew in front of them driven by spiritual power and began to read it quietly.
Suddenly, Isaac stood up with a red face: "What kind of contract is this? This is basically a unilateral slave contract!"
"Whether it is intentional or not, no matter what form is used, anyone who leaks anything about the Atomic Research Institute and Lucien Evans will have his soul taken away by Duke Agostinius of the first level of hell!"
"... The mind will be completely relaxed. As long as there are thoughts of harming Lucien Evans and other arcanists at the Atomic Research Institute, Agostinius will immediately sense it!"
"This kind of contract is not only harsh but also does not treat us as human beings. I will not sign it and will not participate in interviews again!"
Amidst his angry shouting, three magicians and apprentices also stood up. They were equally excited and despised this kind of contract.
Isaac was about to leave when he saw Lowe, Blake and others looking at him and others with strange expressions, and suddenly said in disappointment: "Do you still have bones? Are they all like ooze monsters? You guys have this kind of contract
Dare you sign it too?"
Lowe scratched the back of his head and said doubtfully: "Mr. Isaac, the contract we saw is not like this."
"What?" Isaac was stunned.
Lucien spoke in a low voice: "Magic contracts are all processed with eight-ring illusion magic' hint text. People who see it will amplify the fear in their hearts tenfold, so the content of the contract will change according to his fear.
What are you afraid of?"
"No, no!" Isaac and the others shook their heads with pale faces.
Lucien looked outside the conference room: "You don't need to answer me, just state it to the affairs committee, Tang Pu, please excuse me."
Tang Pu, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, walked in and took Isaac and the others away.
Roque asked doubtfully in the spiritual connection: "How could they be afraid? This completely unequal contract is not binding at first glance."
"From the moment you talked about this matter outside, you were hinting at them. My previous words only emphasized that Agostinho would supervise it, and deliberately did not mention the specific effectiveness. At the same time, I also deliberately hinted that the signing would start without any problems.
Instead of interviewing first and then signing the contract, through the layers of hints combined with illusions and magic and my image shaping, they have already believed in the truth of this contract in their hearts." Lucien explained roughly, "Truly believe in the truth.
God’s magicians are easy to identify, but spies who betray their secrets and companions for money and materials are the most difficult to guard against.”
In the shocked and happy eyes of Luo Wei and others, Lucien smiled and said: "Now you can take a look at the real contract. It is not too harsh. If you are willing to accept it, then we will start the interview."
After looking at the new contract, Lowe and others agreed to sign it after passing the interview. Then they looked at Lucien expectantly and nervously, not knowing what questions he would ask.
Mr. Evans, please don't bring "New Alchemy" to the interview. I'm completely confused, Lowe and other apprentices begged in their hearts. They only understand the rough model and concept of New Alchemy.
Lucien smiled wickedly and said: "Everyone should first talk about why you want to enter the Atomic Research Institute?"
"Then introduce yourself to your strengths and weaknesses, and talk about your life plans."
Huh? What kind of baffling interview question is this?
Ophelia, Blake and other interviewers were at a loss.