CHAPTER 100: CHAPTER 94: THE PATH OF THE BLACK WIZARD

"Nothing important, Apprentice Norris." Andre adjusted his breathing, suppressing the turmoil in his heart: "Just ran into a few... old acquaintances."

Norris glanced at the three people kneeling on the ground, a sly smile appearing on his face:

"I suppose they hope to become Ron the Alchemist’s servants through you, right?"

Andre did not answer, but the subtle expression on his face already revealed the answer.

"As far as I know, Ron the Alchemist has just acquired a workshop and is preparing to expand his business."

Norris’s tone seemed casual, yet carried obvious probing: "At such a time, helpers are indeed needed..."

Andre’s thoughts raced; Norris mentioned facts, Ron indeed intends to recruit assistants.

But they have already discussed it; the first choice is those Alien Races with Special Talent, such as dryads or shellfolk, who often can offer extra advantages in processing Magic Potion Materials due to their racial talents.

"Ron the Alchemist, he..." The blond boy chose his words carefully, while pondering how to respond.

"Please consider for my father’s sake..." Helena’s pleading voice rang out again, only to be interrupted by Andre’s raised hand.

He struggled inwardly for a moment and finally made a decision—a bitter and cold one.

"I’m sorry." Andre heard his own voice, indifferent to the point of unfamiliarity: "Ron the Alchemist currently has no plans to take in ordinary servants."

Byron’s body shook uncontrollably, Helena’s eyes turned from despair to a bitter hatred, while Tony was completely slumped on the ground, his eyes empty like a dead thing.

"Especially..." Under Norris’s gaze, he steeled his heart and continued: "Those ordinary people without any special Skills, who only consume resources."

Words like knives sever the last thread of hope for the three.

"I understand." Norris’s face revealed a shade of satisfaction, casually waving an invisible wave.

Concentrated Spiritual Interference while not affecting unrelated parties is a skill only learned in advanced courses and is one of the entry thresholds for the Law Enforcement Team.

The three Candidate Apprentices almost collapsed to the ground in sync with the moment the spiritual wave hit them, falling into a coma.

They were utterly powerless against the Spiritual Interference of an Intermediate Apprentice level, akin to ordinary people facing overwhelming natural disasters, yet Andre standing beside remained completely unaffected.

"Please trouble you to drag away these defective items," Norris instructed the two officers behind him without turning his head, then casually spoke to Andre:

"Your Highness, don’t worry about this kind of thing; their fate is already sealed."

Andre nodded silently, watching his former acquaintances being dragged away like trash, his sleeves concealing a clenched palm.

He knew the decision he just made might lead to the death of these three, but in the survival-of-the-fittest Black Mist Jungle, any choice was beyond one’s subjective intent.

"Your Highness is too kind; this is already the best arrangement for them, at least being thrown out gives them a sliver of hope for survival, if chosen by those few..."

Norris’s voice carried a subtle mockery, directly pointing out:

"Moreover, you should also know who gave you your current position; doing less unnecessary things is the first rule for your long-term survival."

Andre did not respond, but his gaze was drawn by a sudden disturbance rising on the other side of the courtyard.

He saw a female Apprentice in a purple dress passing through the crowded group, it was Cynthia.

Others consciously made way for her, as a member of the Candidate Wizard sequence, she had the right of first selection.

Her gaze wandered among the male Candidate Apprentices, like a professional hunter searching for the most favored prey in the hunting ground.

"This one looks quite nice..." The woman gently touched a blond boy’s face, her voice carrying a sticky chill:

"Skin is tender too, should last a few more times..."

Saying that, she took out a delicate silver chain from the silk bag at her waist, and personally tied it around the boy’s neck, like putting a collar on a pet.

"Don’t worry, sister won’t let you suffer too much..." Cynthia whispered in the boy’s ear, like a viper licking an apple: "At least not at first..."

Watching this scene, Andre felt a nauseating churn in his stomach.

Although Cynthia’s "hobby" was no secret within the School, witnessing her selection of "playthings" still sent chills down the spine.

The Law Enforcement Officers turned a blind eye to all this; their task was only to clean up those unclaimed "defects."

Those Candidate Apprentices not selected by Advanced Apprentices would be directly expelled into the wilderness outside Black Mist Jungle.

Awaiting them was more than hunger and cold, but also the hunt and enslavement by various Alien Races.

This time of year is the most active season for various alien slave-hunting teams.

They also know the Black Mist Jungle periodically releases a batch of "fresh goods," and these Candidate Apprentices with no combat ability are the ideal source of slaves.

"Your Highness, we must continue our work." Norris’s voice pulled Andre back to reality: "Do you have anything else?"

Andre shook his head, understanding Norris was tactfully asking him to leave.

This cleanup operation neither required nor welcomed spectators.

"Then I won’t disturb your work." Andre nodded, feeling a bit dizzy.