Chapter 330: The Invitation

Chapter 330

The Invitation

Ellie and Aman were sent back to the institute the next day. The first day at the institute was bustling as usual, but what had changed was the significant increase in missions assigned to the institution. However, not a single person could be found to undertake these tasks. The students were now hastily accumulating their class hours to pass the second year. The abundance of points from their previous missions made them unnecessary for everyone.

Ellie consistently handed over missions to Professor Medik while diligently studying stratagems. Over 2 months passed by uneventfully. Ellie’s life no longer encountered any difficulties. Previously, it was due to the power of the Setter family, but now her importance increased as she was one of the few who had reached the 7th floor. Many people preferred to befriend her instead.

The important individual Ellie wished to avoid had been pushed aside. Grace, who had been reprimanded by her family, nearly caused Professor Lucien to sever their disciple-mentor relationship due to her prior narrow-mindedness. Fortunately, the Emperor had high hopes that she might awaken a significant power one day. Thus, her status was reluctantly maintained.

Grace was always aware of her situation. After realizing her standing and acknowledging her impulsiveness, she changed her approach, starting with the men and women in the Light Elemental Branch. This strategy of currying favor left her no time to bother Ellie. Naturally, this was just the beginning of her trials. Grace knew that things could no longer follow the story’s original plot. Therefore, she chose not to follow the storyline anymore.

Her survival strategy was more important than meddling with the main characters. It seemed like the novel had portrayed everything as progressing effortlessly. Grace still thought this was merely an imaginative tale. The author hadn’t considered the principles of reality, leading her to disregard the storyline and focus on more practical actions.

Ultimately, Grace started to fit in with someone from the Light Elemental Branch, proving her decision to be quite correct. At the very least, she wasn’t entirely foolish.

As mentioned, 2 months had passed. Many things had started, and some were beginning to conclude. Ellie had trained proficiently and could now easily create level 2 stratagems. She also developed 2 new types of stratagems. Her talent was quite remarkable, but it was slightly unfortunate that Ellie’s stratagems were solely for aiding in herbal cultivation.

Even so, an uninvited guest finally appeared at the Ares Institute.

"Princess Ellie, there is someone here requesting to see you,"

A student called out. Ellie looked up from the level 2 stratagem she was working on to hand over to Professor Nico and glanced at the newcomer in surprise. Professor Nico was equally confused. For a student from another branch to suddenly burst in like this, had something happened to his students?

"Who is requesting to see her? And don’t you know it’s study time? You’re being very rude."

"P-Professor Nico, it’s just that...No! I mean, Professor, you must come as well. The Director has summoned you along with Princess Ellie," the student explained. Initially startled by the reprimand, he quickly remembered that he was here under the director’s orders, not on his own volition. Suppressing his fear, he told Professor Nico excitedly.

"Hmm? Me too?"

"Yes, Professor. You’ll be shocked when you get there, but the Director forbade me from saying anything. You must see it for yourself." To prevent a commotion, the director had instructed everyone in the know to keep silent.

Ellie put down her work and joined the still-confused Professor Nico. Judging by the student’s demeanor, this was likely something important. Ultimately, Professor Nico had no choice but to set aside his tasks and head to the director’s office. This was the first summons in a year. The director rarely called the professors together, not even when the Setter family reached the 7th floor, displaying no signs of fear.

"Let’s go." Professor Nico patted the girl’s back to prompt her to follow. Ellie tried to investigate the situation through her spores, but she hadn’t been able to access the director’s office for a long time. None of the surrounding students had any clue either. It seemed this summons was indeed significant; otherwise, the director wouldn’t have used concealment devices.

Ellie followed Professor Nico to the director’s office. This elderly man with a white mustache was not the acting director from before; he was the true director. His imposing aura exuded strength, making Ellie feel slightly pressured. Fortunately, she was accustomed to being around powerful individuals, so his aura didn’t affect her much.

The sharp eyes of the director briefly glanced at Ellie before turning to Professor Nico. The usually stern middle-aged professor appeared more composed in the presence of the true director.

"Director, when you returned, I haven’t yet congratulated you on completing your training. So, here is a gift I have prepared," Professor Nico quickly took out his equipment. It was a level 4 stratagem he had created himself, a significant gift indeed.

This director had been secluded in training for a long time, and finally, he had reached level 8 at his advanced age and vast experience. He had become one of the most powerful individuals of the humanity.

Observing Professor Nico’s actions, Ellie showed more respect. The director didn’t speak much, simply nodding and accepting the gift. He did not blame Nico for just now coming to see him, as he had ordered others not to disturb him. There was no need for congratulations or gifts; performing their duties well was sufficient. Hence, whether Nico presented a gift or not was irrelevant.

"You two sit down first. As for you, you may leave now."

"Yes, Director," the previously instructed student responded promptly and exited immediately, understanding the importance of not overstaying and risking that person’s displeasure.

The director watched as Professor Nico and Ellie sat opposite him before looking at the others already seated.

"Both of you, pay your respects to “Master Tadio” and “Master Jen.” They are members of the Annihilation Stratagem Association,"

When the director mentioned this, Nico was greatly shocked. The Annihilation Stratagem Association was practically his ultimate goal, wasn’t it? From the perspective of a stratagem creator, there was no association greater than this one. It was the highest dream of every stratagem creator. They all desperately wanted to be a part of it.

Not to mention that everyone wanted to be part of it—just meeting the members of the association was already incredible. There was a saying that listening to a scholar for one minute was worth ten years of self-study. Therefore, if he could meet them and exchange knowledge, his understanding would advance greatly. Who would have thought that this opportunity would now be right in front of him?

Professor Nico suddenly stood up to pay his respects to both visitors. Ellie was no fool; seeing her mentor stand up so quickly, she followed suit.

Both mentor and disciple paid their respects properly, causing Tadio and Jen to exchange glances. Although they hadn’t particularly wanted to come here—if not for the association leader’s orders, would they really spend their valuable time meeting these two? Still, seeing their respectful behavior, they felt somewhat better. At least the people they had to meet weren’t causing trouble.

"Both of you, my name is Nico, and this is my disciple, Ellie," Professor Nico introduced himself and Ellie after paying respect. Tadio and Jen already knew this, so they didn’t let him waste time with unnecessary pleasantries.

"We are here to deliver some details to you two. Due to the Setter family’s conquest of the 7th floor, it became clear that we have only 10 years left to prepare. Therefore, the various associations have collaborated to overcome this challenge. However, in the past, our association limited the number of participants by selecting only the strongest. This has become a great obstacle right now.[PL1] ”

"We have convened and urgently need a solution. As a result, every association will increase its membership by lowering their entry standards, allowing more people to qualify. And naturally, we are here because you both have the right to join.”

"However, this expansion requires testing to ensure that new members won’t cause problems or be a burden later on. So here is an invitation for both of you. Accept it, and make sure to arrive at the testing site on time. That is all we came here for."

After they finished speaking, the two representatives immediately walked out, leaving Professor Nico and Ellie standing there in silence. Professor Nico’s stillness might have been due to his joy, but Ellie didn’t share his sentiment at all.

Their words were a bit too arrogant, weren’t they? It was true that they were the central association that was very powerful, and she had once wanted to learn from them. However, from what they said...Ellie doubted they would let the new members learn much.

Wasn’t it just that their current number of strong and valuable members wasn’t enough to gather resources, so they opened up more slots? Their words made it clear they needed more hands to gather resources. Wouldn’t joining them just mean becoming their labor force?

And then there was that terrible attitude. Saying they had to "lower their standards" to let them in? Just hearing that showed how little respect the association had for them!!

"Ellie!! This is truly our fortune. Do you know what kind of place the Annihilation Stratagem Association is? I believe it must be a place with countless types of stratagems. If we can join them, you’ll learn so much. I can’t believe that not only did I catch their eye, but even my little disciple did too!"

Professor Nico was elated. Even though he would have to undergo more tests later, just having this opportunity made him feel ecstatic.

Ellie looked at Professor Nico, who was too thrilled to think clearly. She then glanced at the director, who showed no reaction. She had no idea what he was thinking. But that was beside the point...Professor Nico’s interest was his own affair. Such an organization, such an association, held no appeal for her.

It’s not that Ellie wasn’t interested in learning about stratagem creation. Her interest in stratagems laid in learning to create conveniences for herself. She preferred to learn at her own pace and think from different perspectives. She had no interest in other matters.

Moreover...if she had to constantly create stratagems in that association, she wouldn’t have time for anything else. How could she confidently ascend to the 7th floor this way? Ellie only believed in her own power. She had the most faith in the power of her comrades. So, after learning to her satisfaction, she intended to spend the remaining time training and enhancing the plants in her bond and the little Nocturnal Rabbit.

Her goal was to surpass level 10 and become one of the spiritual power users like the high-ranking races. She didn’t want to be like the Elf race, who excelled in creation, plantation, and many other fields. They were highly skilled and intelligent, but in the harsh hierarchy, if they weren’t a predator race, they would be preyed upon by others!

Her mindset was so different that no one thought she would reject this invitation. After the members of the Annihilation Stratagem Association left, many students became aware of the news.

It wasn’t just Ellie and Professor Nico who had received sudden invitations. It seemed that other associations had also started sending out invitations. Her Professor Medik and Professor Lucien received them as well. However...both professors seemed to share her sentiments. Ellie watched her professors complain about the situation with a smile.

"Hmph, recruiting more members now is pretty obvious, isn’t it? They just want more labor for their association."

"Exactly. Their words were not pleasant to hear at all! Do you know how many levels 3-4 potions I had to make to prove my abilities? Why should I have to prove anything to them?!"

"Mmm, you don’t need to work so hard. Just this, you can barely take it anymore. Next year, you should refuse some requests. Don’t forget that you also have to start anew at the 7th floor like everyone else."

"I know, I know. It’s you who needs to take on more work." Professor Medik, seeing Professor Lucien pacing around his own building, slightly pouting in response. Despite his complaints, he didn’t really mind the other.

Professor Lucien, with his combat abilities, wasn’t interested in creating anything. So, if he wanted to gather resources for exchange, he would need to conquer a city and annihilate beasts to collect the resources!