64: Ellie's Return

January, 18th year of the wizard's path.

Glynn concluded his uneventful studies and attended the welcome banquet for Alice's return.

Alice had originally planned to go on an exchange for a year.

But for some reason.

She arrived at Radiant Fire Wizard Academy and stayed there for over a year.

Not having seen Alice for two years, Glynn missed her a little... Upon seeing Alice again.

Facing an Alice whose style had completely changed, Glynn was almost afraid to recognize her.

Alice was wearing a Gothic court bubble dress, the pink hue complementing Alice's skin tone, and the two high, exposed snow-white mounds attracted the gaze of all passing male apprentices.

Alice's eyes were no longer as lazy and lively as before, but had become mature and sharp.

Glynn, filled with trepidation, greeted Alice.

“Alice, you've changed so much in these past two years.”

“Glynn, you haven't changed little either, you've gotten fatter again.”

...Glynn's first bloodline transformation was now complete.

More than three years had passed since April of the 14th year to January of the 18th year.

Glynn's bloodline transformation proceeded very smoothly.

He was 2.18 meters tall, with a waist of 1.38 meters, shoulders wide enough to run a horse on, thighs thicker than Alice's waist, and a large round face. He looked ordinary; just by his face, everyone would think he was a wealthy businessman.

It seemed that even after breaking through to become a Grand Knight, Glynn had not successfully lost weight.

Alice smiled and greeted everyone:

“Everyone, please sit. You don't have to look at me like that.”

“Alright, wearing this dress is really uncomfortable.”

“How about I go change into another outfit and come back?”

...“Alice, we didn't mean anything else.”

“It's just that you've only been away studying for two years, and the change is too great. We were just a little surprised.”

Oakes interjected, smoothing things over:

“Everyone, sit down. It's rare for us to gather together, so let's have a good chat.”

“Come, let's first have a welcome ceremony for Alice.”

“Alice, welcome home. You've worked hard outside. Let's drink together.”

“Come, come, come...”

“Cheers...”

Glynn and Bigg also raised a glass to Alice.

This time, Alice didn't drink juice, but rye ice beer like them... After one drink.

The atmosphere among everyone became much more harmonious.

“Alice, you've seen a lot in the past two years outside, there must be some fresh stories, right? Tell us some of the new things you've encountered and what you've gained, so we can broaden our horizons too.” Oakes asked curiously.

“There are definitely new things, and many of them.”

Alice lay on the sofa, looking relaxed.

“This time, representing our Wizard Academy, I participated in the Seven Towers Alliance's exchange meeting for the younger generation.”

“I truly witnessed a broader world. There are so many geniuses in this world.”

“Oakes, Glynn...”

“If you have the chance, you should also participate in such exchange meetings. Constantly cooped up in the Wizard Tower isn't a good thing.”

“At this exchange meeting, our Seven Towers Alliance even specially selected the top ten genius Apprentice Alchemists of the younger generation.”

“The Academy should heavily promote these genius apprentices, because two apprentices from our Academy are among them.”

...“Haha, Alice, you must be among them, right?”

Glynn said with a smile. He was very clear about Alice's talent. Since Alice could represent the Academy in the competition, her name must be in the top ten.

“The results weren't very good. My teacher once told me that this world never lacks geniuses.”

“This time, I truly understood that.”

“With my talent, I only ranked tenth.”

Alice said lightly.

“Tenth, how is that possible?”

“Alice, is it because you're young, and they looked down on you?”

Bigg exclaimed. Even the honest Bigg couldn't help but be surprised. Alice's talent was the only one he had ever seen in his life, and even the Academy's Mentor had said:

“Regarding talent in Pharmacology, for Plant Heart Wizard Academy, the first fifty years belonged to Mentor Serena, and the next fifty years will belong to Alice.”

Alice's talent was unanimously recognized by everyone in the Academy... “Alice, did someone cheat and deliberately suppress you?”

Glynn said somewhat darkly. He also didn't believe that Alice would only rank tenth.

“No, my teacher, Mentor Serena, was also among the judges.”

“How could such a thing happen?”

Alice explained impatiently.

“It's just an empty title.”

“Let me tell you about the achievements of these people, and you'll understand.”

“The selection scope this time was for younger generation apprentices who had entered the wizard's path within 30 years.”

“The selection criteria were the same as our Academy's criteria for evaluating star-rated Apprentice Alchemists.”

“Among the top ten geniuses, 3 were 5-Star Apprentice Alchemists, five were 4-Star Apprentice Alchemists, and 2 were 3-Star Apprentice Alchemists.”

“Over a hundred Apprentice Alchemists participated in this exchange competition, coming from all White Wizard forces along the Mist Coast.”

“The scoring mainly considered the Apothecary level, age, and spiritual insight in potion refining.”

“This was already very objective and fair.”

...Oakes said with an indifferent smile.

“I don't care about their so-called scoring standards. In our hearts, Alice, you are the most talented and genius Apothecary. No one can compare to you. Brothers, don't you agree?”

“That's right, our Alice is the most amazing.”

“Yes, support Alice, Alice is the most awesome.”

“You guys...”

Alice looked at the three of them; they were still the same as two years ago.

Oakes, who loved to show off; Glynn, who was shy but inwardly passionate; and Bigg, who was honest and didn't talk much.

It was as if time had stopped. The three of them were still playing and joking together, their affection still strong and unchanged... But Alice recalled... the past two years.

The splendid and varied scenes she had witnessed... the exceptionally talented apprentices she had met... and the praise and guidance she had received from many Formal Wizards.

Alice knew it wasn't that they hadn't changed, but that they had changed too slowly.

In this peaceful and quiet Wizard Tower, life was so slow it felt like living in retirement.

Alice's experiences over the past two years also made her realize that there are always people better than you, and always a higher heaven.

Especially that "Child of the Sun"; the pressure he brought to Alice was unparalleled.

Alice now desperately wanted to improve herself, to become a more excellent Apprentice Alchemist, and not to be crushed like dregs. Experiencing such a strong sense of failure for the first time, Alice's strong-willed personality emerged.

She wanted to become a better and more excellent version of herself, and then defeat him — the "Child of the Sun"... Alice finished the beer in her glass in one gulp.

She solemnly said to the three of them:

“Oakes, Glynn, Bigg.”

“I have a very important decision to tell you.”

“From now on, I might not come to the mid-month gatherings.”

“This exchange with other geniuses made me understand my shortcomings. I also gained a lot, a great deal.”

“So, next, I will go all out to digest these gains and improve myself.”

“I have already earned the title of 3-Star Apprentice Alchemist, and Mentor Serena has graduated me.”

“I won't be participating in the fourth five-year grand exam either. I'm going straight for 4-Star Apprentice Alchemist.”

“So, from now on, you don't need to invite me to any celebratory activities.”

“Of course, I also know that all of you can successfully pass the fourth five-year grand exam and stay in the Academy.”

“So, I will congratulate you in advance here.”

“I wish your wizard's path a smooth journey and a bright future. We'll meet again when we have the chance.”

...“Alice...”

“Alice...”

“You don't need to see me off.”

Alice stood up and left without any hesitation.

“I need to go back and change out of this cumbersome dress...”

“As soon as I returned to the Academy, you guys dragged me here to celebrate. Now that the celebration is over, I'll be leaving first.”

“Remember to look at the Academy's top ten genius promotional brochure. Don't be a frog at the bottom of a well.”

“Bye-bye...”

Alice waved her hand, taking nothing with her, and simply left.

Leaving only the three of them looking at each other in dismay...