"Have you heard, a mage apprentice has successfully advanced to a first-level alchemist?!"

"It's the same Moriarty who got 'Excellent+' in the annual assessment last year and became the chief apprentice."

"How is that possible? Apprentice to alchemist? Is there anything wrong with this? ”

"Questions? You know, it was His Excellency Schmidt who presided over the assessment. I heard that in order to prevent cheating, Your Excellency even summoned the 'Elemental Eye' on the spot. ”

"I see. So, what was the reaction from the Academy's side? ”

"Hockenheim has officially recognized the promotion results of this alchemist assessment. I've even heard that the Dean may personally summon the new Moriarty mage......"

In less than twenty-four hours, the news that Moriarty had passed the guò alchemist exam as a mage's apprentice spread like wildfire throughout Hockenheim Academy. Including the other mage apprentices and most of the low-level mages, there was a lot of discussion about it. Among them, there are those who envy, those who doubt, and those who are half-believing and half-believing account for more than half.

As witnesses of this magical advancement test, Shute, Nicole, and Master Eck have been receiving various invitations to gatherings these days, all of which are aimed at finding out the truth and details of this incident. However, because they had received a gag order from Schmidt beforehand, the three mages did not dare to reveal anything to the outside world, and could only hide in the mage tower for a long time.

Compared to the mage's apprentices and low-level mages, Hockenheim's upper echelons are much more concise and straightforward. Not long after receiving the assessment report from Schmidt and the brute force potion, Hockenheim's provost, Master Depra, quietly visited Schmidt's mage tower. In the tower, the two men talked in secret for about half an hour before His Excellency Depra took his leave. However, the process and outcome of this meeting are not known to outsiders, and even due to some powerful spell covering, even the incident of Master Depra going to the Schmidt Mage Tower is so secretive that even Haiyuna is completely unaware.

The day after His Excellency the Provost's visit, Schmidt followed up with a face-to-face conversation with Moriarty.

"Sit down, Moriarty. Haiyna, pour us some tea. Although the place of conversation was still set on the main floor of the tower, this time Moriarty was given the treatment of being seated for the first time. It can be seen that when Moriarty became a full-fledged alchemist, Schmidt quickly made some quiet changes in the way he treated him.

"Thank you, uncle." Today's exchange should be more of a small gathering of a private nature, otherwise Haiyuna would not be able to participate directly. After a respectful salute, Moriarty sat down opposite the mid-level mage, but only half-seated with his back straight.

"Yes." Seemingly satisfied with Moriarty's still cautious and polite appearance, Schmidt nodded lightly and smiled.

"Daddy, tea, please; It's yours Morty. Soon, Hayuna held the tea tray and brought two cups of hot black tea to the two of them. Then, the maiden sat down beside Moriarty and said no more.

Smelling the scent of black tea, Moriarty immediately recognized it as the "ivy leaf" he had sold to Schmidt. Then, slowly pick up the teacup, take a sip, and immediately fill the mouth with a fresh fragrance, and the spirit is also relaxed.

"Yesterday, His Excellency Depra, the Provost of the Academy, came once." First of all, put down the black tea, and the middle-level mage got straight to the point.

"Oh? Is it for my business? Moriatilo gave him a look of surprise.

Although he also learned that the entire Hockenheim was currently talking about his promotion to a high-level alchemist, it was completely unexpected that even a high-level mage was now involved. Because as far as general theory is concerned, just the promotion of a first-level alchemist should not attract the attention and attention of master-level figures. …,

"Yes." Schmidt nodded.

"Does the college have any objections to the results of this promotion assessment?" Moriarty thought for a moment and asked.

"No, Hockenheim officials have admitted that the results of this assessment are true and valid. In about this week, the Academy will officially issue you with an alchemist qualification. His Excellency Depra also personally confirmed this. ”

"So, Master Depra is here for..."

"In addition to congratulating you on your successful promotion, Lord Depra mainly wants to know if you are willing to become a registered alchemist of Hockenheim?" At this time, Schmidt finally unraveled the mystery.

"I see." Moriarty nodded slightly.

According to the basic rules of the game in the wizarding world, "advancing to the rank of Alchemist in Hockenheim" and "becoming a registered alchemist in Hockenheim" are two completely unrelated things. The former, which merely indicates that someone has obtained the status of an alchemist through Hockenheim's examination; The latter, on the other hand, means that a person officially joins Hockenheim's mage sequence and begins to enjoy certain rights and obligations.

In addition to Moriarty's status as a new alchemist and his unlimited potential, a more important reason for alarming Provost Depra is that Moriarty is only a mage apprentice.

Because generally speaking, only after a formal mage has enough strength and resources to attack the laurels of an alchemist. And the vast majority of mages, for their own survival and development, will choose a certain organization or force to join in very early. So, for thousands of years, Bracada never seemed to have been born as a truly free alchemist. But this time, Moriarty broke that convention once and for all. In fact, from the moment Moriarty officially passed the guò alchemist promotion assessment, he naturally removed his identity as an apprentice mage in the academy, and at the same time broke off his affiliation with Hockenheim. And if Moriarty suddenly threw himself into the arms of other city-states at this time, Blue Crystal City could only stand aside and watch, and could not take any worthy means to fight back. Because the freedom of a mage is sacrosanct, no one can force it unless he or she voluntarily wishes. This axiom is respected and strictly observed by all mage professionals.

It is for these reasons that the Provost of the Academy, Master Depra, is so eager to visit Schmidt and hope to prompt Moriarty to become a registered mage in Hockenheim before other outside forces can get definite news.

"So, would you like to actually be a part of Hockenheim?" As the uncle of the person concerned, Schmidt is naturally the best "lobbyist", and the mid-level mages in public and private also hope that Moriarty can stay.

"This—" but it seemed to be a bit unexpected by Schmidt, and Moriarty did not immediately agree, but seemed a little hesitant.

"Do you have any other ideas?" At this moment, the mid-level mage suddenly stood up from his seat and shouted at Moriarty. Clearly, Schmidt did not have much patience to bargain on this extremely sensitive issue.

At this time, Haiyuna on the other side also looked at her lover very nervously, for fear that the two would completely turn their faces if they didn't agree with each other.

"Yes, uncle. Before I can make this important decision, I need to get the consent of the other person. However, in the face of Schmidt's gradually gloomy face, Moriarty remained unmoved.

"Another person? Who is it? Could it be that aristocratic father of yours? I heard that he had married a new wife, do you still fantasize about going back and inheriting those wretched inheritances? Sure enough, Schmidt also has his own source of information, and he also knows a lot about the marriage between the Ensberg family and the Farasia family. It's just that in the past, the middle-level mage had always kept it silent, but at this moment, he finally couldn't help but vent it. …,

"Not my father." Looking into Schmidt's eyes, Moriarty also slowly stood up, with a stern expression: "Although I have a lot of affection for Ivy, land or money is not my main goal, at least not the ultimate goal. So, I don't want to inherit the title of the Ensberg family. ”

"Then you say, 'With whom will you consult?' Are there already other 'parties' who have come into contact with you? What conditions did they offer? As if realizing that his words were a bit excessive, the mid-level mage lowered his voice slightly, but still asked solemnly.

"Not some 'aspect' person." Moriarty shook his head again.

But this time, without waiting for Schmidt to ask another question, Moriarty suddenly half-turned, slowly knelt down on one knee, looked into Heyna's eyes, and said softly: "Now that Hockenheim has sent me an invitation, do you think I should accept it?" ”

"Ahh This..."I didn't expect that the person Moriarty wanted to ask for permission was actually herself, and Hayyna froze for a moment, and then before she knew it, a pair of tears dripped from her eyes.

"I want to hear from you because it's important to me." Reaching out and gently wiping away the girl's tears, Moriarty continued.

"Well... I think... You... Should be accepted... Come down" In a small sob, Hayuna stared at her lover's face for a long time, and then said.

"Okay, I got it." Gently stroking the girl's black bun again, Moriarty stood up again, faced Schmidt, and said, "Uncle, I am honored to accept Hockenheim's invitation to become a registered mage of the academy. ”

"Moriarty, you, good!" Looking at Moriarty, looking at his daughter with tears and a happy smile on her face, Schmidt was silent for a long time before finally showing his face

On Saturday afternoons, quiet codeword.