A sense of oppression still hung over the Furnace camp in the early morning.

Ian completed his daily tasks as usual, concocting a few extra of each Potion.

He did not immediately begin his Witchcraft training; he had more important things to do today.

Last night, after weighing the pros and cons, he had decided to report his promotion to Sterling.

In the eyes of an Official Wizard, there was no real difference between a Middle Level and a High Level Apprentice, and it would be hard to hide anyway.

During the war, the camp lost personnel daily. One more High Level Apprentice wouldn’t be conspicuous, and no one would care about Ian’s past.

By reporting it proactively, not only could he gain greater authority and resources, but also priority access to information—which was extremely important during wartime.

Besides, the good stuff in the warehouse required Sterling Wizard’s approval to even be eligible for exchange.

Upon breaking through to High Level Apprentice, he could exchange for a Middle Tier Meditation Method at half the Contribution Points cost, and receive one High Level Witchcraft for free.

Ian straightened his gray robe. This robe, representing a Middle Level Apprentice, would soon be replaced.

He walked out and headed towards the Central Stone Tower. Outside the Stone Tower, two guards with steady auras stopped him.

Ian calmly stated his purpose: "Ian Marcus, the camp’s Magic Potion Alchemist. I was fortunate enough to have just broken through to High Level Apprentice and have come to report to Sterling Wizard."

The guards scrutinized him for a moment before one of them turned and went inside to announce him.

Soon, the guard came out and gestured for Ian to enter.

Inside the Stone Tower, Sterling stood with his back to the door, looking at a huge war map on the wall. His finger rested on an area west of the Furnace camp.

The words "Ziluo Plateau" were originally marked there, but now it was covered by a glaring red X.

Seeing Ian enter, Sterling turned around, his eyes sharp.

His face was still somewhat pale; the side effects from taking the Heart of Magma Potion had not yet fully subsided.

"Ian Marcus." Sterling’s voice was steady.

"Hank mentioned you before. Your Alchemy efficiency is good, and you reacted quickly in the last battle. Broken through to High Level, have you? It seems you haven’t been slacking off."

"Yes, Sterling Wizard." Ian bowed slightly.

"I was fortunate to break through. I came to report, hoping to take on more responsibility for the camp."

Sterling looked Ian up and down, his gaze lingering for a moment.

He focused on Ian’s steady eyes and condensed aura.

"Very good. During wartime, every bit of strength is crucial, especially from a Magic Potion Alchemist. Now that you’ve broken through, the quantity and quality of Potions you can reliably produce will increase."

He walked over to a nearby table, picked up a Metal Badge with a star and moon pattern, and handed it to Ian.

"This is the High Tower’s High Level Apprentice Badge. With it, you can receive an extra portion of Middle Level Potion Materials each day. You can use them for practice or for yourself, as you wish.

Additionally, the third-floor exchange list in the warehouse is now open to you. Your daily Potion quota is increased to forty, though the types will remain the same for now.

You are now a High Level Apprentice. Every few days, a brief on local intelligence will be sent to your residence.

Also, your daily base Contribution Points will be increased to 40. For any Potions you produce beyond your quota, you will receive 1.5 Contribution Points each."

Ian took the Badge with both hands. It felt heavy. The front bore the emblem of Shadow Moon, and the back had the insignia of the Furnace camp.

"Thank you, Sterling Wizard."

"You’ve earned it." Sterling waved his hand, his gaze returning to the map as his tone grew heavy.

"However, I’m telling you all this because the camp is about to undergo some changes."

He gestured for Ian to look at the map, pointing to the red X.

"You see this? The Ziluo Plateau front fell three days ago."

Ian’s heart clenched. He had heard of the Ziluo Plateau. It was southwest of the Furnace, and there was a medium-sized Magic Stone mine there.

Its fall meant a gap had appeared in the Furnace’s defenses, doubling the pressure.

"During the rout at Ziluo, a Wizard was killed in action, and the Apprentice casualties were even more disastrous."

Sterling’s expression was grim. "The higher-ups have decided to merge the remaining logistics personnel from the Ziluo Plateau into the Furnace camp.

Just today, a group of Apprentices and a Rune Master will be the first to arrive with supplies to reinforce the camp’s defensive Rune Array.

After the merger, the camp will be stronger, but it will also become a larger target. Attacks from the Deep Red Royal Court may become more frequent and ferocious."

He looked at Ian. "Your breakthrough couldn’t have come at a better time. Your Alchemy tasks will be heavier in the future.

I need you to take on some of the guidance and Refining work for Middle Level Potions—if the Ziluo Plateau has any Magic Potion Alchemists left, that is."

"I will do my best, Sterling Wizard," Ian replied in a low voice.

"Mm." Sterling nodded, then seemed to remember something.

"Oh, right. The Rune Master coming this time is a Dwarf named ’Copperbeard’. His temper can be a bit... stubborn."

He paused before continuing, "From now on, he will be responsible for the entire camp’s Rune defenses. He might require some specific Magic Potion Materials, so I expect your cooperation.

Remember, the safety of the camp is the top priority!"

’Copperbeard...’ Ian committed the name to memory.

Sterling’s deliberate mention of his ’stubborn temper’ was clearly a heads-up to prevent conflict between the two.

"Alright, go and familiarize yourself with your new privileges. There are things you need in the warehouse."

"Thank you for your guidance." Ian bowed again and exited the Stone Tower.

He clutched the Badge in his hand and walked straight to the camp warehouse. After he showed his new Badge, the guard respectfully let him pass.

The third-floor exchange list was displayed on a massive Crystal Plate. Ian’s eyes quickly locked onto a few items.

[Star Moon Middle Level Meditation Method (Witchcraft Model)... 1600 Contribution Points]

[Energy Missile (Witchcraft Model)... 900 Contribution Points]

[Starlight Flickering (Witchcraft Model)... 900 Contribution Points.]

...

[A dose of Concentration Potion... 45 Contribution Points]

"Huh! They have Concentration Potions for exchange here!"

The items on here were truly amazing, but their prices were steep.

Ian checked his current Contribution Points. Between his daily quota and the extra Potions, he only had 720 points in total. He had a long way to go if he wanted to exchange for everything he had his eye on.

Just as he was browsing carefully, a commotion erupted at the warehouse entrance.

A coarse, booming, and clearly impatient voice rang out.

"Out of the way! I’m the new Rune Master, Copperbeard! Sterling sent me to get materials! Dammit, how is this godforsaken place even hotter than Ziluo!"

Ian turned to look and saw a figure who only came up to his chest, yet was exceptionally stocky and stout, push past the guards and stride in.

’So this is a Dwarf,’ Ian thought.

The Dwarf’s face was covered in a thick, reddish-brown beard that concealed almost half his face. He wore leather work clothes stained with grease and metal shavings.

He carried a huge toolbox on his back that was nearly as tall as he was, creating a somewhat comical sight.

The most eye-catching feature was his bare, brawny arms, which were covered in intricate Rune engravings.

"What are you looking at? Never seen a Rune Master before?"

Copperbeard noticed Ian’s gaze and glared back without hesitation, his voice booming so loudly it made the warehouse hum.

"You the Magic Potion Alchemist here? Good, saves me the trouble of looking for you."

He walked up to Ian and tilted his head up. "I need Ashen Moss, Earth Vein Crystal Powder, and Centennial Ironwood Juice...

Give me ten portions of each to start! Hurry up, I need to reinforce every last one of these pathetic Rune Arrays."

His tone was aggressive, his demands direct, and there was an underlying sense of urgency.