Translator: AnubisTL
After bidding farewell to the wizards, Jieming turned to face the empty Logistics Department area, feeling somewhat dazed.
He could clearly sense that as soon as he turned his back, the seemingly indifferent mentors of the Logistics Department had all turned their attention to him.
It was obvious that the illusion barrier only worked on ordinary apprentices; it was utterly ineffective against these mentors, whose true strength Jieming couldn't even begin to fathom.
Though reluctant, having already boarded the pirate ship, he had no choice but to continue on this path.
Even so, Jieming glanced at the blurred names in the unclear area, some familiar, others not, and couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.
"This feels like making a recent high school graduate choose a college major," he muttered silently.
As he wandered aimlessly through the Logistics Department area, Jieming calmly pondered his situation:
"Though I don't want to, now that I've joined the academy, leaving anytime soon is likely impossible. I'll have to focus on strengthening myself while staying hidden as much as possible, to prepare for future battles."
If he could, Jieming would have gladly abandoned his cultivation and switched to the Wizard World's transcendent system, thus concealing the greatest threat to his existence.
Unfortunately, that wasn't an option.
Although the cultivation method of refining essence into qi was nearing obsolescence, it wasn't without its merits.
The most significant advantage was that practicing this method strengthened the connection between the cultivator's three treasures: Essence, Qi, and Spirit.
In simple terms, enhancing any one of these three would simultaneously boost the other two.
Conversely, if one suffered severe damage, the other two could be depleted to accelerate healing.
This was indeed an advantage, but when applied to the "abandon cultivation" option, it became an insurmountable flaw.
The excessively tight bond between Essence, Qi, and Spirit meant that abandoning his cultivation would inflict near-irreparable damage on Jieming's body and soul.
At that point, becoming a wizard would be the least of his worries; his very survival would be in question.
"Since I can't abandon it, I'll have to disguise it as native power. Once I become a proper wizard, there might be other solutions... Adding this option means I also need to consider my future development..."
Jieming began to examine himself: What distinct characteristics set him apart from other wizards?
What was it like to live a second life?
What was the transcendent system of another world like?
Or perhaps...
Jieming instinctively shifted his focus to the white jade palace deep within his consciousness.
The greatest difference between him and others, of course, was this transcendent knowledge from another world!
"Having such a massive advantage and not using it would be a waste. But I can't use it directly either. I need to add a layer of disguise. Moreover, the Wizard World lacks spiritual energy, so this knowledge must be adapted to this world..."
After careful consideration, Jieming's needs gradually became clear.
Overall, he didn't need to worry about enhancing his combat power in the short term. The discipline he chose should ideally reveal the essence of this world, or at least allow him to understand and utilize the unique properties of its materials, energies, and rules.
"Then the answer is obvious."
Having made up his mind, Jieming decisively turned and headed toward a specific area.
As he approached, he could immediately detect a peculiar odor—a mixture of molten metal, burning plants, and various unknown reagents.
"Alchemy, which fools mistake for mere transmutation of metals, is in truth a mirror reflecting the fundamental truths of the universe. This ancient wisdom is not merely a technique for transforming matter, but a path to the sublimation of the soul..."
Jieming silently recited the description on the luminous screen before him, confirming his decision.
This was his choice: alchemy.
A discipline dedicated to exploring the transformations of matter and soul, ultimately seeking to unravel the fundamental truths of the world.
Mastering alchemy would not only help Jieming "localize" the techniques from the Great Dao Library Pavilion but also aid him in concealing his true power.
He walked straight to the innermost consultation desk, where a wizard who looked every bit the "alchemist" sat. The man was gaunt, his hair so thin that his scalp was clearly visible. He wore a peculiar monocle, behind which sharp, weary eyes peered out.
His knuckles were thick and gnarled, yet his fingers moved with remarkable dexterity, clearly accustomed to handling various materials.
"Hello... Mentor Clark," Jieming said, glancing at the nameplate on the man's chest and pausing slightly. "I wish to join the alchemy discipline."
Clark calmly raised his head, his gaze piercing through Jieming's facade as he approached.
"Talent... Sixth-tier?" Mentor Clark pushed up his monocle, his tone devoid of surprise, merely seeking confirmation.
Clearly, Mentor Clark had already learned Jieming's assessment results through some means.
"Yes, Mentor," Jieming replied respectfully.
"A wise choice." Mentor Clark nodded slightly, his voice still even, but with a hint of subtle approval. "A dead genius is nothing. One who survives, even with mediocre talent, will eventually see their own unique vista."
"Yes, I will heed your teachings."
Seemingly satisfied with Jieming as his apprentice, Clark said no more and withdrew a scroll from beneath the table.
The scroll's surface shimmered with a faint glow, radiating a palpable energy signature.
"The Noren Workshop Apprentice Contract." Mentor Clark unfurled the scroll, presenting it to Jieming. "Read it carefully. If you have no questions, you may sign it. Remember, once the contract takes effect, any violation of its terms will carry severe consequences."
Jieming took a deep breath and accepted the heavy scroll.
Since the scroll itself was small, the amount of text it could display was quite limited.
The scroll displayed text composed of glowing characters, but it seemed to have been cut off midway, lacking any continuation.
Jieming glanced up at Mentor Clark, who showed no intention of offering an explanation.
Examining the small scroll in his hand, Jieming had an idea. He first pretended to inspect the scroll's edges, then "tentatively" slid his finger upward across the glowing screen.
Just as he'd imagined, the text on the scroll scrolled upward with his finger's movement—it was clearly a scroll-shaped display.
Seeing Jieming "discover" the scroll's proper usage so quickly, Mentor Clark couldn't help but crack a satisfied smile, despite his usual stern demeanor.
Due to the Logistics Department's quiet atmosphere and Jieming's previous performance, the other Logistics Department mentors had been secretly observing the scene.
When they witnessed Jieming's demonstrated ability and Mentor Clark's smug grin, their gazes turned resentful.
Especially when Clark deliberately looked up and flashed them a triumphant smile, their resentful stares intensified into envy, jealousy, and resentment.
(End of the Chapter)
Translator's Corner:
For those who are enjoying this story, I absolutely recommend My Apocalypse Train. It's been finished and available for free on this platform and also on my site.
🔓 𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦 — 13 Series (7 Ongoing) | 14+ New Chapters Daily | 6,100+ FREE