Enchantment Workshop Main Hall.
That day, two deputy deans and four chief stewards arrived in succession, and other sorcerers from the Enchantment Group were invited to come, along with many others who rushed over upon hearing the news.
“I hear they’re going to decide on the stewardship for the Enchantment Group?”
“It won’t be that easy, the prerequisite is to fix the issue with the defensive barrier. That’s a problem even the entire Lidia family couldn’t resolve.”
“Which of the three sorcerers do you favor more? It’s a shame they’re only choosing from within the Enchantment Group. Otherwise, we could join in on the fun.”
Groups of sorcerers stood together, chatting lively without any difference from ordinary people. Under such circumstances, no apprentice dared to approach; they would rather be far away from the enchantment workshop.
“Silence!”
Deputy Dean Victor’s voice arose, clearly reaching the ears of everyone present.
After the sorcerers ceased their conversations, he turned his head looking at Teresa, who was keeping a stern face.
“Deputy Dean Teresa, everyone has arrived. Let’s get started promptly so as not to delay everyone’s time.”
“The three sorcerers, the protective barrier repair scheme you were tasked to prepare, how is it coming along?” Under his urging, Teresa fixed her sharp gaze on Ivan and the others.
“The academy has entrusted me with such an important task, I will certainly not let everyone down. The repair scheme is ready; we just need the raw materials and to perform the verification.”
Sorcerer Paitt replied willingly, pulling out a Crystal Ball to indicate that the repair scheme was stored inside.
“This one is the same.”
“I am willing to give it my utmost effort.”
Arian and Ivan’s responses were nearly identical, with each of them having a Crystal Ball floating above their palms, well-prepared for the occasion.
“Good—good job.”
Hearing their replies, Teresa’s complexion darkened somewhat; she knew she had been outmaneuvered.
Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible to deduce a proper repair scheme with such brief contact. The situation at hand clearly indicated that all three had previously accessed the information about the defensive barrier.
There was someone supporting them from behind. No wonder they didn’t object when she proposed several harsh conditions.
“Deputy Dean Teresa, the defensive barrier is a top priority issue for our academy. It’s urgent. Please set aside the other matters.” Chief Steward Ove said solemnly.
“Fine, I just want to see what ingenious methods you have.” At this point, Teresa was left with no other choice.
She waved towards the three of them, and the three Crystal Balls flew towards her, other five senior members exchanged looks; Ove and Barbatt each ‘grabbed’ a Crystal Ball.
Only Paitt’s Crystal Ball ended up in Teresa’s hands.
Ivan noticed that the Crystal Ball containing his message had fallen into the hands of the Talent Nurturing Team Chief Steward Ove Watkin, a woman said to be the mouthpiece and representation of Dean Watkin.
“Sorcerer Ivan, can this scheme truly be implemented?” Ove was the fastest to review the contents; as her lovely eyes flashed, she looked up and inquired.
Her question instantly drew everyone’s attention. Many thought to themselves, could it be that this Sorcerer Ivan’s repair scheme was particularly impressive, convincing a chief steward with just a glance?
“Of course it can. A lie would be easily exposed, and there would be no point in it.” Ivan asserted confidently.
“Your talent in enchantment remains as admirable as ever,” Ove nodded slightly, acknowledging his statement.
“Chief Steward Ove, could I have a look at it too, to also admire Sorcerer Ivan’s masterpiece?” Christian hastened to ask, genuinely curious about the plan within the Crystal Ball.
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Ove didn’t refuse and casually handed the Crystal Ball to him.
“Brilliant, indeed worthy of the one who could develop the Black Magic Wind Array. I support this repair proposal,” Christian couldn’t wait to immerse his perception into the Crystal Ball. He saw a clear and straightforward repair plan and couldn’t help but commend it.
“Chief Steward Christian, you shouldn’t speak so soon.”
“Hehe, it’s just my personal opinion. Of course, we should defer to Deputy Dean Teresa’s decision, given that you’re the one steering the Enchantment Group,” Christian replied knowingly, smiling as he passed the Crystal Ball to Teresa.
Seeing his smile, coupled with Ove’s appreciative gaze, Teresa suddenly felt a strong sense of foreboding.
‘Small Ant King Four Obelisks Array’
The next second, the repair plan from within the Crystal Ball came into Teresa’s view. It mainly documented a runes sorcery array, a novel Formation derived from the Ant King Barrier Array.
According to the description, this Formation could utilize the Ant Being Barrier as an array dais, constructing a related Array upon Array to suppress and seal off different sections of the Ant Being Barrier.
What’s the difficulty in repairing the Ant Being Barrier?
Teresa knew full well it was the residual issues within the Barrier. Whenever they began repairs, these hidden issues would erupt in unison, leading to the efforts falling short of completion.
The Small Ant King Four Obelisks Array offered a targeted solution: first suppress and seal a section, isolating those lingering problems, or at least isolating most of them. This approach would allow for the calm repair of the Ant Being Barrier.
The materials needed were also exceedingly simple, mostly available locally, making the proposal all the more irrefutable.
How does he possess such an exceptional talent and insight, able to devise new runes sorcery arrays at every turn?
Teresa regretted internally. Had she known this before, she would have brought him to the Lidia family from the get-go. Even marrying him off to her granddaughter Heidi wouldn’t have been a bad idea.
“Sorcerer Ivan, this proposal seems incomplete?” Teresa took a deep breath and pointed out an issue.
“Apologies, I was a bit rushed for time and didn’t manage to record everything,” Ivan explained earnestly. He wasn’t foolish—how could he possibly hand over a newly deduced sorcery array all at once, only to be discarded after use?
“That’s not a problem at all. Even someone with my modest expertise in enchantment can see the high likelihood of your proposal’s success, and even if it fails, the losses would be minimal. Whether the record is complete is of no major concern.” Before Teresa could respond, Christian spoke up.
Hearing his words, Teresa’s face shifted from dark to ashen, a sight to behold.
Seeing that Teresa could not find any other fault, Victor took the Crystal Ball into his own hands. The Crystal Ball was then passed in turn to the other two chief stewards, who after examining it, raised no objections.
After all, Ivan’s proposal was too targeted. Unless one wanted to nitpick, it seemed an excellent plan for repairs.
As senior members of the academy, Victor and the others couldn’t behave shamelessly in front of so many sorcerers.
“Deputy Deans, chief stewards, may we have a look as well? We’d also like to behold Sorcerer Ivan’s work.”
The leadership had all seen it, and it seemed they were all convinced by Sorcerer Ivan’s proposal—surprising the other sorcerers, who grew even more curious about the repair strategy.
In front of the crowd, Paitt and Arian exchanged glances, each seeing the dissatisfaction in the other’s eyes.
They couldn’t let things develop like this; if they did, their hard-researched proposals would be utterly wasted.