Ron was a bit surprised: "How did you know..."
"Hehe... I’ve been in this marketplace for quite some years; I’m quite familiar with the school’s processes."
As she spoke, she took a crystal bottle out of a locked drawer: "I’ll return this to you first."
Ron took the crystal bottle and recognized it as the bottle of Artificial Star Dew that Holt had given him.
"Remember? I promised you I’d temporarily keep it safe for you and return it once you passed the apprentice qualification test."
Lady Allen said, a touch of sternness melting into something akin to a senior’s comfort towards a junior: "Now that you’ve broken through, it rightfully belongs back in your hands."
"I almost forgot about that promise." Ron honestly admitted, "Thank you for safeguarding it, madam."
"And this." Lady Allen handed him a letter with a peculiar seal: "Present this recommendation letter to the personnel during your initial resource distribution application."
Ron took the letter in confusion, noting the ancient-looking seal: "This is...?"
"As an Elementary Apprentice, you are eligible to apply for a one-time resource distribution from the school." Lady Allen patiently explained: "Usually, the quality and quantity of resources are determined by your potential rating."
She paused, her eyes glimmering with concern: "Considering your initial talent and breakthrough timing, your rating may not be very high; this recommendation letter should help you gain one level of authority."
Warmth filled Ron’s heart; he hadn’t expected such care: "Madam... I’m really unsure how to thank you."
"You cheeky kid, don’t get all sentimental."
Upon hearing this, Lady Allen quickly reverted to her usual stern demeanor, waving a hand as if shooing away an annoying fly:
"I just find you more agreeable than those overambitious fools and don’t want to see you being treated unfairly by the school."
Ron put away the recommendation letter and Star Dew, at a loss for words, preparing to gather his emotions to express his gratitude...
"Alright, alright, hurry up and leave, don’t delay my closing time."
Lady Allen waved her hand, her tone impatient yet her deep green eyes shimmering with gentle light:
"Don’t forget to come to work on time tomorrow."
The school’s Central Hall was situated on the outskirts of the Black Mist Jungle, an ancient and grand building.
Several dozen luminous stones were embedded on its towering spire, casting soft light even in the darkest nights, illuminating the surrounding area.
Ron slowly approached the entrance of the hall, a slight unease creeping into his heart.
Though he confirmed firsthand that he had reached the Elementary Apprentice standard in Spiritual Power, this was his first experience of formal qualification recognition.
"I’d best not attract a crowd like Locke did..." he mused: "Being ogled like a monkey isn’t exactly pleasant."
He recalled when Locke tested his Spiritual Power — nearly half of the Candidate Apprentice Dormitory Area came to the hall center, gesturing and pointing.
Such a scene would be bothersome anytime, and in the Black Mist Jungle environment, drawing too much attention also means potential danger.
Ron was always cautious, especially after his conflict with Marcus; he understood more the importance of acting discreetly.
Fortunately, there weren’t many people in the Central Hall at this time, as most apprentices were busy with experiments or carrying out external tasks.
Ron relaxed slightly and walked towards the corner’s duty area.
The duty area was a relatively independent space within the hall, where several apprentices in grey and white uniforms were handling various affairs.
Ron observed for a while and chose a seemingly free and friendly-looking female duty personnel.
"Hello, I’m here for the Elementary Apprentice qualification recognition." He maintained a polite yet assertive attitude.
The female duty personnel glanced at him; she appeared to be in her thirties, with a pretty but slightly tired face, and the light blue insignia on her chest identified her as a Middle Apprentice.
"Name?" Her tone was business-like, though not impatient.
"Candidate Apprentice Dormitory Area, East Wing." Ron replied concisely, trying not to attract unnecessary attention.
The duty personnel nodded, flipping through a thick booklet next to her, her fingers gliding swiftly over it: "Your name doesn’t seem to be on the school’s predicted breakthrough list?"
"Yes, I broke through in the Detention Room." Ron answered truthfully.
The duty personnel’s pen halted, she looked up, a trace of surprise in her eyes: "Detention Room? There’s no auxiliary Meditation Cultivation conditions there."
"Precisely because of that environment, it actually helped me a lot." Ron vaguely explained: "The isolation allowed me to focus more on Meditation."
The duty personnel scrutinized him for a few seconds, comparing the data in her hands, her gaze gradually filled with interest:
"Ron Ralph... I’ve found it; your initial Spiritual Talent test result was Sixth-class Star, right?"
Ron tensed up internally but remained outwardly calm: "Yes, ma’am."
"Sixth-class Star... you arrived at the Black Mist Jungle over nine months ago..."
The duty personnel said somewhat incredulously, the surprise in her eyes becoming more apparent: "Such Spiritual Talent to break through within the time limit is indeed extraordinary."
She closed the booklet and stood up: "Follow me, we need to conduct a formal Spiritual Power assessment."
Ron breathed a sigh of relief, at least he didn’t have to test publicly in the hall center.
The duty personnel led him through the corridor to a small door marked with ancient runes.
Inside was an independent test room with a smaller Crystal Ball than the one in the hall center, surrounded by intricate runes.
"Place your hand on the Crystal Ball and release your Spiritual Power." The duty personnel instructed, her tone calm but her gaze revealing overt curiosity.
Ron nodded and gently placed his right hand on the Crystal Ball.
He closed his eyes, using the Meditation Technique rhythm he mastered, steadily and orderly channeling his Spiritual Power.
As the Spiritual Power flowed in, the Crystal Ball began emitting soft light.
Dark red mist swirled inside the ball, gradually forming a clear and stable symbol.
Unlike the indistinct and dim symbol when he first arrived, now the symbol was bright and solid, without a hint of fluctuation.
The duty personnel’s pupils slightly contracted, evidently surprised by the result: "Virtually no impurities in the Spiritual Power fluctuation, stability far exceeds ordinary Elementary Apprentices... How did you achieve this?"