Chapter 26: Castle Administrator
"I am Dim Carl, the Order Administrator of Starry Night Castle."
Dim crossed his arms, his sleeves outlining muscular bends, his rugged face expressionless beneath a thick cover of hair.
His voice boomed, resonating through the vast hall, precisely reaching each person's ears.
"Advanced students call me 'that guy,' 'the big beard,' 'the meddler.'"
Mars lowered his head, embarrassed, as Dim continued, seemingly unperturbed by the reactions of the advanced students.
"My elemental servants patrol the entire castle. If anyone breaks the rules, I will appear behind them."
He pulled out a manual, holding it high above his head, pacing slowly in front of the newcomers, speaking with solemnity:
"This is my 'Castle Rules.'"
"It's on your bedside tables."
"Before I became a mage, I was just a brute handling swords."
"The 'Castle Manual' has no fancy embellishments, only the simplest and most straightforward rules."
"Every newcomer must memorize it before tomorrow morning when leaving the dorms!"
The newcomers were awed by Dim's seriousness, nodding in unison.
"Now, I'll assign your mentors to arrange your courses."
Dim returned to the front of the group, resuming his crossed arms posture, effortlessly reciting the names of the present newcomers:
"Liley Moben, Bridge... your mentor is Professor Bolton in the Alchemical Artifacts Department."
"Green Finn, Gray Finn, Lucas... your mentor is Professor Barry in the Ingenious Devices Department."
"Fain, your mentor is Professor Bertley in the Elemental Manifestation Department."
Dim extended his right arm, pushing aside the wall on both sides with his palm, revealing a corridor illuminated by alchemical lamps.
He addressed the tall, thin student at the left end of the group:
"Paul, take those whose names I just mentioned. My elemental servants have already taken their luggage to the dorms."
Paul's fingers were elongated, more prominent when he raised his arm.
"Liley Moben, Bridge ... follow me," he announced loudly, nodding slightly to Mars and Xia Zuo as they departed from the rear of the group.
As Paul led the Alchemical Artifacts newcomers into the corridor, the opened wall closed behind them.
Groups of newcomers followed advanced students into different corridors.
Xia Zuo feigned curiosity, discreetly using sensing magic to probe everyone leaving the hall.
Not enough time to check each person individually, he recorded the information, saving it in his repository for later use.
Among the four Alchemical Departments, the Alchemy of Potions had the most students, exceeding 60.
It had two branches.
Madam Morton taught the Discipline of Healing Potions and Remedies, seemingly related to Mars, becoming Keli Muller's mentor.
The Discipline of Functional Elixirs was taught by the Academy's Headmistress, Birch.
Additionally, she was the professor for Alchemical Linguistics, a mandatory course for all students.
Oily Elixirs ranked second in numbers, with no subdivided disciplines, solely taught by Professor Zholang. The artist Anju became his student.
Ten minutes later, the once crowded line of newcomers dwindled to a few.
Even Mars departed with a group of newcomers.
Xia Zuo cast sensing magic toward the remaining individuals.
Their mental attributes all scored 7 points.
Their spiritual attributes were also 7, just enough to reach the minimal threshold for elemental resistance.
Xia Zuo checked his own character template.
[Vitality] 14
[Mental Power] 3
[Spirit] 2.8
He compensated for the lacking mental attribute with vitality.
In terms of spirit, based on his reading experience of the past two months, a transformation wouldn't occur unless reaching 9 points, similarly unable to perceive the light within elemental bottles.
Overall, the likelihood of being discovered for inadequate attributes seemed minimal.
"Mason, Brandon, Xia Zuo."
Dim gestured, walking toward a doorway emerging deep within the hall, speaking as he went:
"You three, come with me."
"Toxic Alchemy's Professor Kurov will be your mentor."
Xia Zuo used sensing magic toward Dim's departing figure, noting the information for later review during idle moments.
Mason and Brandon were two average-looking boys.
They appeared similar in age and physique to Xia Zuo.
The trio followed Dim into the corridor, walking under orange lights for about 20 meters, arriving at a room with iron cabinets and a shower.
Dim retrieved a key from his pocket, handing out three to the young men.
"Keep these keys safe. You're Kurov's students. I'll be keeping an eye."
Dim stood before the three, speaking gravely:
"The Toxic Alchemy area is entirely separate from the rest of the castle."
"There's only one entrance and exit passage."
"Do you know why?"
Xia Zuo and Mason, Brandon exchanged glances, nodding in unison toward Dim.
At Rosak City's checkpoint, Mars mentioned that the products of toxic alchemy were highly poisonous.
Starry Night Castle isolated the Toxic Alchemy area to prevent the spread of toxic substances to other regions.
"Good, no need for further explanation from me."
Dim pointed to the cabinets and shower room:
"Remember, every time you exit the Toxic Alchemy area, shower for 5 minutes here and change clothes. Now, go put on the robe, gloves, and shoes from the cabinet."
Xia Zuo found his named cabinet, using the newly acquired key to unlock it, taking the basket containing the garments toward the shower room.
A few minutes later.
He emerged in a black leather robe.
Tightened at the cuffs and neckline with thin ropes, the hood covered his hair and ears. On his hands were leather gloves extending to his forearms, his trouser legs tucked into boots secured with cords.
Only his face remained exposed.
Dim subtly nodded, seemingly pleased with Xia Zuo's appearance.
His gaze shifted beyond Xia Zuo's shoulder, towards the shower room, suddenly becoming sharper.
"You two!"
Dim's voice resonated like a low growl, startling Xia Zuo.
Mason and Brandon faced Dim's intense gaze, visibly shaken by the intensity in his eyes.
Dim pointed at Xia Zuo, speaking sternly:
"Wrap yourselves up just like him. Not a single strand of hair must be visible to me!"
"Yes, sir."
Mason and Brandon replied in unison, their eyes slightly trembling, but they quickly recovered from the fright.
Xia Zuo faced them, half-raising his arms, allowing them to adjust their attire accordingly.
Approximately five minutes later.
Dim finished inspecting the three boys' clothing, leading them to a tightly closed metal door.
The smooth panel, crafted from an unknown alloy, bore the inscription "Toxic Alchemy Area," devoid of any other ornamentation.
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