Chapter 57: Charisma Build Route

After finishing the boys' portfolios, Xazo opened the girls'.

This was the only female among the three candidates.

Currently, the male-to-female ratio in the entire academy was roughly 4 to 6, with slightly fewer males than females. The female students were mostly concentrated in the Pharmacy and Potion Alchemy department.

The Poison Alchemy sector was precisely the opposite, having more males than females.

This female student was quite a rare case: a newcomer who had passed the spiritual ocean test purely relying on her willpower.

Her name was Yolanda, a local of Starry Night City, twenty years of age.

Her parents had previously been wandering mercenaries who traveled together. Now, they operated a tavern in Starry Night City, drawing patrons with their past renown while running a small intelligence-gathering business leveraging the connections they had accumulated over the years.

Both parents had practiced breathing techniques, possessing formidable personal strength. They were thoroughly versed in all the hurdles of transitioning from breathing techniques to meditation methods, and they had held high hopes for Yolanda since childhood, placing great emphasis on cultivating her reading habits.

Normally, Yolanda should have joined the academy last year.

However, at that time, she was serving as a garrison soldier on Mittel Island in the kingdom's eastern waters. Traveling from the completion of her discharge procedures to her arrival at the capital for enrollment required several months, making it likely that she would miss the inaugural admission cycle.

Consequently, she simply chose to enroll this year.

She held a tremendous advantage.

Parts of this semester's examination contents and general education textbooks had already leaked into the upper-middle strata of the kingdom.

Given her parents' capabilities, obtaining this information was hardly a difficult task.

It was entirely possible that Yolanda had already begun self-studying the general alchemy curriculum textbooks.

Xazo closed the portfolio.

"Finished reading?" Clov glanced at the pensive student. "Just as well, I'm almost done writing."

Two of the three quill pens stopped, while the remaining one continued to write.

"I've finished reading, Professor. Yolanda and Hodge are more likely to remain in the academy," Xazo said, nodding.

Clov gathered the papers on his desk and bound them together with a loose-leaf folder.

"I must remind you not to treat them differently. Yolanda and Hodge possess clear advantages. They are slightly inferior to Sang, but that might simply be because, much like you and I, they lacked a proper family environment to fully display their strengths."

"Yes, Professor," Xazo replied with a solemn expression.

"Let's tackle things one at a time."

Clov retrieved a notebook and flipped through the recorded entries.

"The students of your cohort will begin their make-up exams tomorrow. Are you interested in helping me grade the papers?"

Based on his experiences in his previous life, teaching assistants primarily performed supportive tasks, which included grading homework and test papers, as well as assisting with instruction.

One rank above a teaching assistant was a lecturer, who could conduct classes independently.

The titles ranked higher than that varied, and he did not yet know how they were classified within the Starry Night Academy.

Xazo pondered for a moment. "Of course I'm interested. It is my duty."

"Good. The make-up exams for Poison Alchemy are scheduled over the next three days.

"《Toxicity Separation》, 《The Encyclopedia of Poisons》, and 《The Guide to Common Poison Identification》—one of these three foundational textbooks will be tested each day. Come and help me grade the test papers over the next three days. You just need to finish them before all the make-up exams conclude; there's no need to stay up late."

"Yes, Professor."

Clov jotted a few notes down in his notebook.

"Second matter: after the three new students arrive, you will lead them in. Dim said your performance when first wearing the poison-making leather robe was excellent, and you can help share some of his workload. Before the newcomers arrive, he will send you the key to the wardrobe. The shower room also needs to be modified in advance, though he will handle that task himself."

Xazo nodded.

Clov wrote a few more strokes in his notebook. "Third matter: expanding the Poison Alchemy sector."

He pointed toward a wall where several shelves stood.

"Clear out those shelves there, and move the bottles and jars to the empty shelves nearby. Once Dim finishes modifying the space behind the wall and opens it up, we'll rearrange the basic alchemy laboratory."

Seeming to realize that the workload was quite large and would consume a considerable amount of time, Clov frowned slightly and said,

"Quite troublesome, isn't it? Who says we aren't allowed to use elemental servants. You'll have to handle this matter."

"Yes, Professor," Xazo silently noted it in his mind.

"Fourth matter," Clov crossed out a few lines in his notebook.

"The alchemy general education exam you passed last semester was actually only the first round of screening.

"There are only two opportunities for promotion tests in each branch of alchemy. Failing both chances means you cannot advance, are destined to fail to become a mage apprentice, and will be expelled from the academy. In the short term, personnel turnover within the academy will be relatively frequent."

Clov looked at the silently meditating student and continued.

"According to the Headmaster's estimation, last year and this year are the two years with the highest student enrollment numbers for the academy.

"Starting next year, the number of new students will decline rapidly. Over the next 3 to 15 years, the average number of new students each year will be around 30.

"Once the results of these make-up exams come out, the number of students per cohort capable of remaining in the academy can also be estimated.

"For now, the Headmaster projects that the permanent student population in the academy in the future will be roughly 50 to 60. Among them, new students will account for half, while the other half will be students who manage to stay after passing several alchemy branch promotion tests."

Clov retrieved a sheet of paper covered in handwriting from the side and read aloud as he spoke.

"The Headmaster intends to emulate the alchemy academies of the Eastern Continent and establish a new faculty system.

"Pharmacy and Oil Alchemy have larger numbers of students, and they will have 4 and 3 teaching assistants respectively. The three subdivisions of Artifact Alchemy will each have 1 to 2 teaching assistants. Our Poison Alchemy department will likewise have only 1 to 2 teaching assistants."

Clov took the opportunity to explain the duties of a teaching assistant. It sounded very similar to what Xazo had experienced in his previous life.

He returned the handwritten paper to its original spot.

"This year, you will serve as the temporary teaching assistant.

"At this time next year, one of the three new students from this year will take over. Of course, the prerequisite is that they pass the general education exams.

"If no one passes the first semester's exams, then you will continue to serve as the temporary teaching assistant. You are my first true student in every sense of the word. Your alchemy talent and temperament are entirely to my liking.

"I believe you understand the gravity of this matter."

Xazo's expression grew increasingly solemn.

His mentor had left room for interpretation, but it was more than enough to convey the profound implications behind the words.

If the academy were compared to a cake,

during the time Xazo served as a temporary teaching assistant, as a member of the academy, what he truly needed to do was not fight for existing portions, and using petty schemes to seize the teaching assistant position was something he must never do.

What the academy staff truly ought to do was cooperate with the Headmaster to make the cake bigger, and bigger still.

The share of teaching assistants would expand correspondingly.

According to the Headmaster's projections for student numbers, there was no need to worry about internal competition arising within the ranks of teaching assistants over the coming decades.

Moreover, vast tracts of wilderness around the kingdom remained undeveloped, offering plenty of places to disperse the mage apprentices within the academy.

In a split second, Xazo understood the reasoning behind it, nodded slowly, and said earnestly:

"Professor, rest assured. I will strictly adhere to the guidelines you have established for teaching."

"Good. I have a feeling you won't let me disappointment."

Clov glanced at the shelves nearby piled high with refined powders. "Do not let your own studies fall behind either. If you wish to become a formal teaching assistant, you must first possess sufficient alchemical strength."

"Yes, Professor. I will consider it thoroughly."

"Penultimate matter: give me your pendant. I will exchange it for a new one. In addition, starting from the second month of the new semester, on the 1st of every month, you may collect your compensation for serving as the temporary teaching assistant from me. Twenty silver coins per month."

Upon hearing that there was a salary, a surge of joy welled up in Xazo's heart.

He calmly accepted the new pendant and put it on, whereupon a message from his golden finger echoed in his mind:

"The host's [Identity] has been detected to change. Character template updated, new identity [Temporary Teaching Assistant] added."

[Identity 3] Temporary Teaching Assistant
[Identity Level] N/A
[Promotion Condition] Unknown
[Identity Bonuses]
1. Any behavior conforming to the identity of a teaching assistant can grant basic experience rewards.
2. Additional experience rewards will be settled based on the new students' learning progress and exam scores.

Sure enough, a teaching assistant was an identity recognized by the golden finger.

An identity like this, which required frequent interaction with people, should probably be considered the charisma-moxie route, right?

Raising the charisma attribute value as high as the Headmaster's, making all the students obediently listen to one's every word... whatever one said, the students would do...

Xazo doubted whether he possessed any social-butterfly tendencies and remained skeptical about the viability of the charisma route.

Seeing the student opposite him fall into deep thought, Clov did not interrupt. Once the other recovered his focus, Clov spoke.

"The final matter is the precautions I wrote tonight."

The third quill pen wrote the final line and flew back to its pen holder.

Dozens of sheets of paper covered in writing were bound into a loose-leaf booklet and floated before Xazo.

"Read this document right here. Do not take it out, and certainly do not speak of it to outsiders. Hmm... you and Anruor have a good relationship. If she also becomes a temporary teaching assistant, you may exchange information. If she does not, never mention the contents of this document to her."

Clov emphasized his tone.

"Otherwise, both of you will be punished simultaneously. Do you remember?"

"Yes, Professor."

Clov wrote a note and transmitted it through the air to Dim, then stood up and walked toward the soft sofa. "Read the document first. Go back and rest when you feel sleepy."

Xazo watched his mentor enter meditation.

The wall clock pointed to 8:00 PM. Dim stipulated that students must return to their dormitories before 8:30 PM. 10:00 PM was bedtime.

His current routine matched the schedule set by Dim, and he would grow drowsy right at 10:00 PM. Tonight, he had at least an hour and a half to read this document.

Opening the first page of the loose-leaf booklet, familiar words appeared upon it:

Mage Sanctuary.

As early as seven months ago, these four words had appeared in the questionnaire.

The Mage Sanctuary was the ruler and administrator of all orthodox mage factions.

It had laid down countless edicts for every faction, each originating from historical lessons. Once violated, punishments would be meted out based on the severity of the circumstances.

Clov had written down more than a dozen of the Sanctuary's edicts on the paper, requiring Xazo to commit them firmly to memory.

One of them was marked with a horizontal line and an asterisk:
【Do not reveal the formula of the antidote to alchemists below the proficient rank.】

Then... did formulas figured out by students themselves count? The mentor had merely provided the correct solvent, after all.

Xazo recalled the night when Clov had asked him to try finding the antidote for the White-Jaw Poison...

No wonder his mentor hadn't taught him the formulas for other antidotes...

Xazo memorized this edict and continued reading the subsequent content, which consisted entirely of regulatory guidelines for instructing novice-rank poison alchemists.

9:30 PM.

Xazo stretched, tidied his desk, and walked out at a leisurely pace.

In the castle's great hall, a dozen bright clusters of light hovered amidst the pristine, silvery moonlight.

He stood below them and looked up for a moment, experiencing the peace and tranquility, before returning to his dormitory to rest.

...

The next day.

Today was Sunday, and also the first day of the students' make-up exams.

The restaurant during the early morning hours was a bustle of hurried figures, with many students carrying lunchboxes back toward their dormitories.

It appeared that a great many people had failed their Poison Alchemy exams.

Xazo walked over carrying two cups of warm milk, placed one of them in front of Anruor, sat down, and asked,

"Did your mentor have you serve as a temporary teaching assistant?"

"Mm!" Anruor nodded, cradling the warm milk, and said, "After returning to the dormitory last night, my mentor sent me a letter asking me to visit the Oil Alchemy department this morning."

Splendid, simply splendid. Both of them were temporary teaching assistants with salaries to collect.

Xazo and Anruor finished their breakfast happily and headed off to their respective alchemy sectors.

Within the Poison Alchemy sector.

Xazo arrived in front of the shelves piled high with refined poison powders.

After waiting for a whole month—a full month—he could finally ingest these poisons into his stomach.

Five novice-rank poisons: White-Jaw, Black-Eye, Brown-Foot, Venus, and Green-Bone. Their alchemy crafting difficulty increased sequentially from left to right, while the duration of their toxic effects decreased one by one.

At the novice rank, if one only considered experience acquisition efficiency, the most suitable poison for leveling up was Green-Bone Poison.

Its toxic effects lasted only 10 seconds. Aside from causing pain in the bones, it had no other ill effects.

Now, refined Black-Eye Poison could provide four elemental resistances all at once without causing pain, and its experience yield was even superior, allowing it to completely replace Green-Bone Poison as the undisputed king of leveling up.

Clov had previously worried that toxins would accumulate within the body.

In truth, there was no need for such concern.

With the aid of [Immortal Body], as long as one's health was restored to full, no toxin could possibly linger in the body.

Yet this secret was, after all, unpresentable.

With last night's unknown potion serving as a cover, he would no longer face obstruction during future drug trials; Xazo simply needed to calculate his health pool properly and avoid making any blunders.

"Gulp."

The first dose of refined Black-Eye Poison went down his throat.

Xazo sat in his chair, lowering his head to gaze at his own body.

The small dots of light he anticipated appeared. Both of his arms and both of his legs moved about like slippery swamp eels.

Compared to the distorted appearance of his limbs, the floating motion of the small dots of light followed a discernible pattern.

While his torso remained completely stationary, they floated along arc-shaped trajectories with extreme regularity, never abruptly making a sharp turn halfway through.

Gradually, a trace of inspiration bloomed in his mind.

The scene of the small dots of light floating and the scene of the visual distortion effect were actually two different layers of imagery!

It was merely due to some reason that they had been superimposed together.

If one could find a method to independently extract the imagery of the floating light dots while removing the visual distortion effect...

Could Black-Eye Poison perhaps be renamed Black-Eye Potion?

Xazo experienced a sudden flash of enlightenment.

It was toxicity.

It was the toxicity that caused the visual distortion effect.

He thought of the supplements and functional potions he had seen in the potion shop.

These potions, possessing solely positive effects, were exclusively related to water elemental resistance.

In other words, stripping away the toxicity of Black-Eye Poison—meaning the traces of the earth element—while retaining only the traces of the wind element...

Wait? No, that's not right.

Potions were exclusively related to the water element. Yet after stripping away the earth element traces from Black-Eye Poison, what remained were wind element traces, not water element traces.

Xazo scratched the back of his head in puzzlement, and the small dots of light before his eyes immediately burrowed back into his body.

He felt as though he had found some clues, but he could never quite lock onto the critical point, constantly groping in the blind spots of his knowledge.

All morning, he continuously drank the refined Black-Eye Poison until the refined Black-Eye Poison powder on the shelves was completely exhausted.

11:50 AM.

Xazo stared blankly at the more than 200 empty glass bottles on the table, reviewing in his mind the information sent by the golden finger.

The first few hundred lines of information were feedback after drinking the poison, and since the contents were largely similar, he skipped directly to the end to check.

[Level] Lv.12
[Experience] 500 + 600 → 1100 / 1600
[Willpower] 5 + 2 → 7
[Earth Resistance] 0.5% + 0.5% → 1%
[Wind Resistance] 0.5% + 0.5% → 1%
[Water Resistance] 0.5% + 0.5% → 1%
[Fire Resistance] 2% (No change due to being no less than 2%)

The reward to the willpower attribute had noticeably diminished due to the increase in resistances, but the experience rewards, under the effect of the extra bonuses, remained very abundant.

There were still over 30 bottles of refined White-Jaw Poison powder left on the shelf. The refined White-Jaw Poison possessed stronger toxic effects and lacked a corresponding antidote.

Using White-Jaw Poison to level up was neither as convenient nor as safe as Black-Eye Poison.

Acting on the principle that waste is a crime, Xazo decided to consume them slowly.

He packed the more than 200 empty glass bottles from the table onto the shelves, and then quietly slipped away from the Poison Alchemy sector.