Don't disturb the sorcerer's scientific research

Chapter 2 Fair, Fair, Fair
"But then again, although my abilities aren't quite worthy of this award for now, I will definitely work hard to improve them and delve into spells, so that I can truly be worthy of the Outstanding Young Spellcaster award and live up to your expectations."

Jia Xiu spoke rapidly, his eyes as determined as if he had joined the party.

Letters of recommendation, a laboratory, and a sponsorship of one thousand kroner.

Isn't it just a competition with the lord's son for an award? Any hesitation would be a disrespect to the conditions.

If all goes well, he won't be able to stay in Ximu Town for too long. Once he is admitted to Saint-Dero College, who will care about the small nobles in the remote town?

Margaret didn't expect Jia Xiu's attitude to change so smoothly. She was stunned for a moment, and then laughed.

"I thought you were a stubborn person."

She admired the young sorcerer more and more. Not only was he talented, but he was also quite interesting.

When he gets admitted to Saint-Dero, I will definitely bring him into my team.

The Saint-Delo Spellcaster College implements a mentor system, and freshmen must choose their mentors from the moment they enter school.

Most freshmen do not have the opportunity to choose their advisors, and are basically in a state of “please ask which advisor to accept me”.

Those with outstanding talents will be sought after by several mentors.

Because Margaret was too young, she did not look like a magic master like her colleagues and could hardly attract good students.

This is why she wants to provide help to Jia Xiu in her personal capacity.

I really don’t want to pick up what other instructors have left behind.

"Remember to come back in three days for the final awards ceremony."

Margaret warned before leaving.

As the young mentor left, Aunt Susan, who had consciously avoided going out, also returned.

The curious eyes are full of desire for knowledge.

He looked at Jia Xiu, then looked at the direction Margaret left, as if he understood something.

In a tone of pretended kindness, he said to Jia Xiu, "It's okay, don't be discouraged. Young people are bound to be a little nervous for the first time..."

"No, Auntie, what are you thinking about?"

Jia Xiu quickly stopped Aunt Susan from letting her imagination run wild.

"She's from the Spellcaster Association. She informed me that I'll be participating in the Outstanding Young Spellcaster Awards in three days."

"real!"

Aunt Susan screamed.

"No, this dress is too old. I have to dress you up nicely to receive the award."

"No, it's a waste of money."

"What's the waste? It's on me. Auntie gave you a dress as a gift. Unfortunately, three days is not enough time to make a new one..."

Aunt Susan started rummaging through the closet as she spoke.

It was really hard to refuse the kindness, so Jia Xiu had no choice but to cooperate and play the role of a dress-up doll for several hours.

I always feel that Aunt Susan finds the joy of raising a child in him.

Soon, it was three days later.

The awards ceremony was held in the auditorium of the Spellcaster Association.

All the important people in Ximu Town were present, and the air was filled with the smell of various perfumes.

Jia Xiu was wearing the dress that Aunt Susan had carefully selected. It wasn't very comfortable, but it was the most comfortable of the options she offered. At least the lower body was wearing pants.

Aunt Susan originally wanted him to wear the most fashionable men's clothing at the time, stockings and high heels.

The award judging process was even longer than Jia Xiu had imagined. Each candidate had to be introduced one by one, and then the judges would vote.

The judges were mainly members of the Spellcaster Association, sitting on the left side of the auditorium, with Margaret sitting in the first row.

The lord and his confidants sat on the right side of the hall.

The number of people on both sides is the same, 25.

Every time a candidate is introduced, the judges will express their opinions. Judging from their previous performance, the association and the lord's confidants seem to be at odds with each other.

Jia Xiu didn't care what the conflict between the two parties was. He was more concerned about finding someone to experiment with the healing technique of making toenails grow sideways so that he could complete his research and gain enough experience to upgrade.

I heard that outside of Ximu Town, there is a cult stronghold that believes in the God of Fraud and Curse. Why not go to the Adventurer's Association to take on a related mission and practice with the cultists.

I don't know if there is any team willing to accept a sorcerer who only knows basic healing skills.

While Jia Xiu was thinking, the long award process finally reached the most important stage.

Announce the vote results.

The results will be announced in order of ranking.

"Bruce, 3 votes."

"Wright, 7 votes."

"Jack, 11 votes."

...The previous entries were just filler; after all, Riverwood is just a small town, where would you find so many outstanding young spellcasters?

"Hays, 25 votes."

As soon as the number of votes for the lord's son was announced, the people sitting on the right immediately cheered.

Hays also stood up from the candidate seat and bowed slightly to his supporters, looking confident of victory.

"Jia Xiu, 25 votes."

The auditorium fell silent instantly.

The silence lasted for several seconds before Hays asked incredulously, "Did the vote count get it wrong?"

The host replied: "That's correct, Mr. Hays."

"How is it possible? He, Jia Xiu, is just a handyman in a tailor shop!" Hayes shouted angrily.

His words showed no disdain for Jia Xiu.

His father, the Baron of Riverwood Town, was much more composed than him. He said nothing and looked directly at Margaret.

I thought it wouldn't be difficult to embellish the resume of my most unsuccessful son, but who would have thought that I would offend this young girl from the big city.

He is stubborn and has a big background.

However, he was prepared for the current situation. He waved his hand and the servant standing beside him immediately came over.

The baron whispered, "Get the potions ready."

Meanwhile, the host was reading out the rules.

"According to tradition, if there is a tie in votes, a spell duel can be conducted to select the final winner. Do you two agree to the duel?"

"Agree, of course I agree!"

Hays said impatiently.

Even more excited than him were the people who came to watch the fun. They immediately started to cheer, "Agree! Agree!"

I was afraid that Jia Xiu would surrender before the fight.

There is little fun to be had in small-town life.

"I agree." Jia Xiu said calmly.

There was an instant cheer in the auditorium.

Jia Xiu chose to agree not because he was coerced by the clamor, but because he had to win the award for the big promise Margaret had made.

On the other hand, he needed a test subject.

"Both parties are not allowed to use items above normal level, nor are they allowed to use lethal spells. Falling to the ground, losing consciousness, or conceding defeat will be considered a failure. Any questions?"

The host read out all the rules.

"No problem, very good. Please both candidates wait in the designated room."

Jia Xiu came to the room provided by the association and cast two modified healing spells to warm up his hands.

As far as basic healing skills were concerned, he thought it would be difficult to find someone with higher proficiency than himself.

Instant high hit rate and long range.

While studying the "code", he discovered that healing magic had a very novel feature: extremely high hit rate and it ignored defense.

Perhaps it's because no one has needed defensive healing so far.

While he was warming up, Margaret walked in with a frown on her face, looking very dissatisfied.

"I saw people from the lord's mansion carry several bottles of potions to that kid. He was openly taking drugs, but the referee didn't care! This local lord is so rude."

She really wanted to report her background directly and use her identity to pressure the Baron.

But there have been some troubles at home recently, and many eyes are watching her when she is on a business trip. If she does this, it will most likely become a stain for political opponents to attack her father.

Although this was common among the nobility, it was still an improper act that violated aristocratic virtues.

"Cough cough!"

Margaret suddenly coughed twice.

Then he pulled a ring out of his pocket and dropped it on the ground.

He pretended to be surprised and said, "Oh, who dropped this rare ring here?"

Rare, it is the top item level second only to legendary. It is unlikely that even the Baron family in Ximu Town can have a ring of this level.

Margaret picked up the ring. "It's actually a ring that can cast the Domination of Humans spell. It also has a layer of enchantment that makes it look like an ordinary item. No one should want it."

The words "no one wants" were deliberately emphasized.

After a small theater performance, he placed the ring on the table and then left the room.

Jia Xiu glanced at the ring on the table.

It’s hard to say if it’s fair in some sense if both parties are cheating.

(End of this chapter)