Grand Magus

Without hesitation, Fraser immediately agreed on the request of Magus Sept.

After all, Magus Sept is his mentor and an honored Magus.

Besides, trying to deny the request would probably only infuriate Magus Sept.

This decision to agree without hesitation was a good one as Fraser witnessed the delicate control of a Magus.

A single hand wave from Magus Sept sufficed to make the three wooden crate float.

One by one the basic potions formed a circle around Magus Sept.

With a small smile on his lips Magus Sept began to speak: "The potions that you have created are not superior or anything special. However, they fulfill the standard to be useful."

After casually grabbing a basic potion from each kind, Magus Sept made the other potions float back into the wooden crates.

As if touched by an invisible hand the cork on the flask got pulled out and Magus Sept personally smelled the potion.

Not showing any facial change on the basic strength potion and the basic injury mending potion caused Fraser to feel nervous.

'Does it mean that he is dissatisfied with the results? Or perhaps he is disappointed?'

To be honest, Fraser really didn't care of whether Magus Sept would be disappointed or dissatisfied. Instead, he cared about the fact of whether he would have a positive impression on Magus Sept.

Considering the fact that Magus Sept is a respectable Magus and had considerable strong social relationsh.i.p.s as well as resources that he as an apprentice could only hope to gather, it would make sense to try to not make a negative impression.

After the explosion of Fraser's potion, Magus Sept turned towards Fraser with a small smile on his lips and began to speak:

"I have to say. Even if none of your potions could be considered high standard, they are all functional and are able to do their job. Besides, the ability to create so many functional potions and still advance to apprentice level 3 is really impressive."

As if thinking something really important, Magus Sept fell into deep thought while uttering an "Mhmm."

Not daring to interrupt the seemingly important thinking process of Magus Sept, Fraser could only stay silent.

He wasn't the only one trying to stay as silent as possible as the apprentices who weren't in any inner circles tried to be silent as well.

The only sound came from the handsome youth clad in a white robe as he taunted the middle-aged magus with the white-haired woman.

Over time the place where the ten Magi stood with a little bit of distance between each of them got crowded as more and more members of their respected inner circle joined their Magus.

Naturally, no one of the members stood as close to their Magus as Fraser.

So it was no wonder that every time a new person joined the crowd, they would point at Fraser or glance towards him before asking around.

"When I remember correctly you are a grade 3 talent. So normally you shouldn't be able to advance into an apprentice level 3 so early. After all, grade 5 is able to advance into apprentice level 1 within a few hours, apprentice level 2 within a few days and apprentice level 3 within a few weeks. For each lower grade, it will be pushed a time period different so for a grade 3 talent it would normally take a few years to reach apprentice level 3. Even with diligent training."

Inwardly Fraser regretted his choice to rush out to watch the Magi.

'Does he want to know of my fusion with the insect or why does he hint that I should tell him my secret?'

"Naturally, since you are my student I won't prive into your private matters. Instead, I am more interested in grooming you into the subject of Alchemy. But as everything has a price I am not able to help you for free." spoke Magus Sept in a slow and clear manner.

Then he continued:

"How about I trade your three wooden crates filled with potions for two sets of Alchemy notes that were at least apprentice level 4?"

In order to not leave a lasting negative impression or give Magus Sept the opinion that he would ignore the goodwill from him, Fraser immediately agreed.

With a smile, Magus Sept nodded and two books floated towards Fraser while the three wooden crates floated towards him.

When Fraser stored the two books in a bag, he could see how his three wooden crates vanished when they reached Magus Sept.

Not denying or confirming anything, Magus Sept smiled and turned towards the other eight Magi and began to speak in a loud tone:

"My fellow members of the howling abyss academy. I think the horde is reaching us at any moment. How about we split the loot as usual? Every one of us takes territory and defends the small entrance. If one is no longer able to hold then you have to make trades. If you aren't able to defend it and the horde reaches the entrance, then you have to pay and receive no loot."

The handsome white youth began to sneer but still walked towards a certain territory when Magus Sept finished his speech.

In the end, Fraser could see that Magus Sept, the Magus with the white-haired woman, the handsome white youth and the female Magus who looked like a grandmother took up the spot in the middle.

The other six Magi merely choose the outer territory.

Fraser began to look at the different locations and could clearly see that the middle part would definitely bear the biggest impact if the horde decided to act like a wave.

As the entrance towards the outpost was small, the territory in front of the entrance got split into ten equally sized lines and would reach into the howling abyss.

When the magically shining lines appeared, defining the territory, the actually might of a Magus could be seen.

Every Magus had a different way on how to defend their territory.

Although the stone fortress was a small one, it was still imposing.

The magus was someone who chose the outermost part of the territory, meaning that the risk of being overwhelmed by the monsters was close to zero as the stone fortress was erected between the natural stone wall and the shining dividing line.

When Fraser watched the fascinating defenses he immediately commanded the AI to store everything that seemed important.