Rotgar did not deny it immediately. He thought that his current goal was to win Anna's heart so that she would agree to his proposal, so he stared at Anna with a narrow smile in her eyes and admitted almost expressionlessly. : "Yes, I'm jealous of her."
Anna was stunned. Whether it was Raymond outside or the devil inside, their expressions were serious as if what he said was true.
She turned her gaze slightly, suppressed the strangeness in her heart, and smiled: "There is nothing to be jealous of. I really only like men. I have pure friendship with Natalie. She is my best friend in the world. If she If something happens, I will go crazy."
In the last sentence, Anna seems to just express her concern for Natalie as a friend, but in fact she means something. She is warning the devil in a seemingly casual way not to get involved with her friend.
Rotgar understood Anna's hint. Of course, he didn't know that Anna was deliberately hinting. He just thought she said it casually, but he listened.
However, he still had some suspicions that Anna did this to protect Natalie and prevent him from seeing what she was doing to Natalie. After all, he is Raymond now, the son of a nobleman who is obsessed with her. It is normal for him to do irrational things for the sake of love.
Just when Rotgar hesitated, Anna suddenly raised her hand and gently tugged on his collar, pulling him close, almost cheek to cheek with him.
In the slightly dark night, Rotgar heard Anna's chuckle with a hint of refreshing wine: "Why are you so unsure of yourself? I just need time."
The low, lingering voice was so close that Rotgar's breathing almost stopped, and he seemed to be looking forward to something in the next moment.
Anna and the devil stared into her eyes, hesitating... Should she kiss him now to add a little more convincing to her words
I have paid too much for friendship...
Anna thought this as if she were dead, and closed her eyes and pressed forward, but suddenly there was a little more strength on her shoulders, pushing her away.
This was expected of her, but she still breathed a sigh of relief and opened her eyes to look at the demon.
After pushing Anna away, the devil didn't know why he wanted to hide, but he had already returned to his seat in the back. There was no light source inside the carriage, and the moonlight couldn't get in. Only the shadow of a person inside could be seen.
The shadow said: "I know."
He paused and then added: "Drink less in the future."
"I know, I was just on a whim today, and I don't like drinking at all." Anna smiled and waved to the devil, "Be careful on the road."
Anna closed the carriage door, then watched the coachman driving the carriage away, finally feeling relieved.
In the carriage, Rotgar took a while to calm down.
I don’t know whether it’s because Anna’s methods are too superb, or because Raymond’s body is too fragile. At such a close distance just now, when Anna came closer, he almost couldn’t push her away.
The heartbeat is still so fast, and as soon as you close your eyes, you can see Anna closing her eyes and asking for a kiss...
Rotgar suddenly opened his eyes and gritted his teeth angrily.
This woman Anna!
Anna stood there for a moment, until the carriage completely disappeared from her sight. She unconsciously raised her hand and touched her lips. Although they didn't kiss just now, the distance between the two was very close and their breathing could be heard.
Fortunately, she guessed correctly. Even if the devil wanted to deceive her soul, it was unlikely that he would actually kiss her. Otherwise, she might have avoided it before kissing him.
Because of the experience last time, even though the devil was downstairs and there was Epp in the attic this time, Anna was not too nervous.
As long as she is calm enough, the person hiding in her home can be ignored.
As soon as Anna opened her door, she heard Aip's unfriendly voice: "I thought you would go with that person tonight."
Anna: “…”
She looked at Aip, who was lying on the ground carelessly, speechlessly, ignored him, went into the bathroom by herself, and locked the door.
Unexpectedly, Aip got excited. He stood up and walked to the door and said maliciously: "Hey, do you think he would be very angry if he knew there was a man hiding in your room?"
The sound of water in the bathroom paused, and Anna's mocking voice came out: "Are you worthy of being called a man?"
Aip's eyes widened and he slapped the door panel hard: "Why am I not a man anymore!"
Anna turned on the faucet and continued to wash her face. After drying herself, she opened the door. She looked at the furious Aip and smiled: "Men don't hide in women's homes like you."
When it comes to criticizing people, you don’t have to care about political correctness at all, as long as you can make the other person speechless.
Aip's face turned red with anger, and he suddenly said: "Okay, I'll leave now!"
After he finished speaking, he turned around and left. After opening the door, he walked out without stopping and closed the door again without making too much noise.
Anna didn't stop him. She applied some of the facial cream Natalie gave her to her face, and slowly rubbed it in with her fingertips little by little. She got up and tidied the room for a while, and then walked over and opened the door.
Aip was sitting on the steps outside the door, and she had already known this through detection.
"It's late, it's time to go to bed." Anna said, "I'm sorry, I drank some wine today and was a little out of sorts."
Aip didn't want to talk to Anna at first, but after hearing her apology, he stood up awkwardly, grabbed the door panel and got in.
"Since you have apologized, then I will forgive you." Aip muttered, sitting down on the meditation mat that now belonged to him, and tied his legs first.
Ana didn't say anything else, she went over and tied his hands, then blew out the candles and went to lie down on the bed.
Although there were many things hidden in her heart, it was a tiring day today, and Anna fell asleep quickly.
There were still ten days left before the exam, and Anna decided to spend the next time reviewing for wheel battles. The first day is theory in the morning, the meditation room in the afternoon, the second day theory in the morning, the pharmacy room in the afternoon, the third day all-day practice, then repeat the above cycle for two or three days, and rest on the last day to prepare for the promotion on the next day. Assessment.
When they arrived at the association, Anna learned from Theresa that President Bella had convened a committee meeting, and today was recruiting volunteers from all two-star mages and above to form an investigation team to investigate deep within the line of life and death.
Teresa also quietly told Anna that Leon signed up on his own initiative.
Anna couldn't help but sigh: "Mage Lyon is really too enthusiastic."
She actually doesn't want Leon to take risks again. She feels that this kind of thing is beyond the scope of Leon's ability. Three-star and four-star mages should be allowed to do it, otherwise they will be killed if they encounter that kind of three-headed magic eagle.
But this was Leon's own choice. He knew the actual situation and still chose it, so she had nothing to say.
After a few more words with Teresa, Anna went to the library and saw Natalie and the devil. Maybe the devil said something to Natalie. She felt that Natalie's expression was a little distressed. When she saw her coming, she hurriedly smiled, but after being looked at by the devil, she immediately put it away.
Anna guessed that the devil must have threatened Natalie, but she did not ask directly. She found a book that she had not read before, sat down, and started reading by herself.
After Leon told Anna that she might be able to take the promotion assessment consecutively, she was tempted. She now has enough money to participate in the assessment, and there is no problem with the micro-management and practice of mental power. There are only two types of potions left that she has not practiced. However, she was in a hurry yesterday and forgot to collect rabbit head grass. , those two cannot be practiced yet, so we can only memorize the process first. What she currently lacks most is a reserve of theoretical knowledge.
One month after taking the two-star mage promotion test and passing the one-star promotion test, she still had time to prepare.
As long as nothing big happens on the other side of the line of life and death.
What Anna holds is the theoretical knowledge needed to be promoted to a two-star mage. With the prerequisite knowledge, it seems to be much easier.
While reading and taking notes, leaving behind their own thoughts, time passed quickly, and the three of them parted ways after having lunch together.
Anna has actually been quietly observing the devil. Maybe she took the initiative to reassure him with the help of wine last night. He didn't do anything unnecessary today.
When Anna left the association that night, she learned that the investigation team would set off to the line of life and death early tomorrow morning.
There was nothing she could do, she just deceived another bottle of "Aria of Light" from Master Dawkins and asked Theresa to give it to Leon for protection.
In the next few days, Anna reviewed during the day and had a good rest at night. At the same time, she did not forget to continue making extraction solutions for Master Dawkins... She was so busy that she had no time to think too much.
After seven days of departure, the investigation team came back with a large number of people, but again, they returned without success.
Anna only got an idea through Teresa. After the investigation team arrived at the line of life and death, they found that everything seemed to have returned to normal. Only some bones of monsters near the line of life and death that should have come from deep within the line of life and death proved that something strange had happened here.
Naturally, it was impossible for the investigation team to just return without success. Going deeper, except for the increasing number of monsters and the increasingly uncomfortable air, no other abnormalities were found.
Therefore, after staying inside the line of life and death for five days, the investigation team had no choice but to return the same way. However, fortunately, there are often mages who go to the line of life and death. If anything unusual happens, they can report it to the association as soon as possible. That's all it can do for now.
Based on Anna's experience in watching various movies, TV dramas and novels, this anomaly is likely to be a precursor to some kind of big change. However, three-star and four-star mages have already conducted in-depth investigations to no avail. Of course, she is even less likely to find out anything.
As the saying goes, if the sky falls, there will be tall people holding it up. The most important thing for her right now is the promotion assessment.
The day before the exam, Anna and Natalie went to the registration office to get the specific arrangements for the exam.
There are a total of four assessment subjects, which will be completed in one day. Theory and mental strength in the morning, potions and practical combat in the afternoon. Since the entire scale of the Mage Association is not large, there are only thirty-three mage apprentices in total, and not everyone can take the exam. Anna heard from the staff at the registration office that there were a total of twenty-four people who signed up for the promotion exam this time, so The size of the required examination room does not need to be large.
The theoretical examination is arranged in the study room outside the elementary library. The examination time is from 8 to 10 am. Latecomers are not allowed to enter, but they can submit papers in advance. The mental strength assessment is in the meditation room. The examination time is from 10 to 12 o'clock. During this period, candidates must go to the meditation room and enter according to the candidate number. Each time takes about five minutes. The assessment will be conducted in both examination rooms at the same time. At 12 o'clock Those who have not entered before will receive zero points. During the assessment, the examiner will select several spells from the question bank and ask the examinee to cast them on the spot. The examiner will score based on the examinee's micro-manipulation ability of mental power.
The afternoon exam starts at one o'clock. The exam location is the pharmacy room. It is similar to the mental strength assessment, except that because the potion preparation takes a little longer, there are four exam rooms. The examiner will draw a magic potion from the question bank and ask the candidates to prepare it on the spot. The successful preparation is the most basic, and the examiner will give points based on the performance during the preparation process.
The actual combat is arranged in the martial arts arena. There will be an examiner on the ring. Each candidate has three minutes to attack the examiner as much as possible during these three minutes. After the time is up, the examiner will score points based on the candidate's performance.
Of course, there is no examiner's name on the assessment instructions, but Anna feels that she is well prepared. No matter what strict standards the examiner uses to judge, she can pass the promotion assessment.
For the rest of the day, Anna had no review plans, and Natalie was a little nervous, so she accompanied Natalie around the association to enlighten her.
Anna also understands Natalie's mood. After all, for her, tomorrow's assessment is about five gold coins, but for Natalie, it is related to her future.
After walking around for a while, Natalie felt much calmer. She had never been as confident in herself during an assessment as she was now. It was just because this assessment was so important that she inevitably worried about gains and losses.
Early the next morning, the two of them, who had recharged their batteries, arrived at the Mage Association early and waited at the entrance of the library, waiting to enter the study room to take the theoretical exam.
Anna was a little surprised that the devil was also there.
Anna has been busy reviewing these days and hasn't paid much attention to Rotgar. However, after the experience of almost kissing her that night, Rotgar's tolerance for Anna's "neglect" has become much higher.
Seeing Anna, he raised his eyebrows and asked, "Can you pass?"
Anna smiled and said: "Of course!"
She could see that the devil just asked casually and didn't really care whether she passed or not. After all, what he wanted was her soul, not the badge of a one-star mage.
"So, you don't have to wait here." Anna continued, otherwise she would feel weird that the devil is like a parent waiting for his child to finish the college entrance examination.
Rotgar sneered: "I will stay wherever I like."
Anna: "...Okay, you have the final say."
Natalie covered her mouth and snickered.
Seeing that the study room had begun to be entered, Anna quickly pulled Natalie inside and took her seats according to their respective candidate numbers.
Anna is number seven, Natalie is number eight, and they are the front and back desk.
There were ink and quills on the table. Anna checked them to make sure they were OK, then quietly waited for the examiner to hand out the test papers, while observing the surroundings.
At this glance, Anna discovered that she and Natalie were definitely the two most eye-catching people. Because generally, you are a mage apprentice when you join the association at the age of seven, and after almost five years of study, you can take the promotion examination and become a one-star mage. Most of the mage apprentices who are taking exams here are around ten years old. Twelve years old is already quite old. It is very, very rare for someone like Anna to save enough money to join the association.
I've only been here two months.
Anna met the examiner's surprised gaze very calmly, and even smiled.
At 7:55, the examiner with two gold stars on his badge began to hand out test papers.
At eight o'clock sharp, the exam officially started.
Anna was already accustomed to using a quill at this time, and she wrote quickly when looking at the questions on the test paper, hardly needing to use her brain.
The quills in the hands of all the mage apprentices were writing in a hurry, and the surroundings were quiet except for the occasional sound of chairs moving and sporadic coughing.
Anna had the illusion that she was back in school. She was in a daze and almost made a mistake in writing. She quickly composed herself and continued to concentrate on the questions.
After about half an hour, Anna finished all the questions and started checking. She checked more carefully, spent fifteen minutes, and put down the pen after finding no errors.
Seeing that no one had handed in the paper yet, Anna continued to look at the paper in a daze. She didn't want to put pressure on Natalie. She knew very well that if someone in an examination room handed in their papers early, it would have some impact on the remaining people present.
Meditation is prohibited in the examination room, so Anna can only let herself wander, review what she has done so far, and think about whether there is anything that can be optimized.
When there was half an hour left, the examiner started to call the time, and people handed in their papers one after another. Anna waited for two people, and then got up and handed in their papers. When she handed in the paper, she glanced at Natalie. Natalie had already finished writing and had a smile on her face. She must have done well in the exam, so she felt relieved.
Not long after Anna handed in the paper, Natalie also came out. She hugged Anna and said excitedly: "Anna, Anna, I have never known the answers to those questions so clearly as I do today. I can do most of the questions!"
Anna thought to herself that the question-sea tactic was not for nothing. She smiled and said: "Forget about it after you finish this exam. Let's go to the next exam room!"
Natalie responded loudly: "Okay!"
She held Anna's arm excitedly, and when she looked up, she saw Master Raymond staring at her coldly. She was frightened and quickly let go of Anna's hand.
She was just too happy and accidentally got carried away. In fact, she remembered what Master Raymond told her that morning to ask her not to touch Anna! real!
Anna didn't pay too much attention to Natalie's strange behavior. When she saw the devil following them, she smiled at him, suddenly picked up Natalie and ran away.
Rotgar: "..." What are you running for
Anna and Natalie came to the meditation room. The mental test had not yet started. Their numbers were relatively high. It was best not to wander around at this time.
The two found a place to sit outside and saw Rotgar walking slowly.
Among a group of mage apprentices taking exams, there is a two-star mage who is not an examiner, which inevitably attracts attention. Anna noticed that no matter how young these mage apprentices were, they were not accompanied by their parents to take the assessment, so the appearance of the devil seemed too outstanding.
But she and Natalie were already eye-catching older mage apprentices, so multiple demons didn't matter.
"Won't you be bored when we finish the exam?" Anna still didn't want the devil to wait for her to finish the exam. It felt too strange. "We have to take exams all day long, so you'd better go."
Rotgar originally had a slight smile on his face, but when Anna drove him away, the smile disappeared and he said with a sullen face: "Why do you have to drive me away? Do you want me to move my seat for someone else?"
Ana was speechless, waved her hand and said, "Okay, just wait if you like. Anyway, I'm not the boring person."
Rotgar snorted coldly and simply sat down next to Anna.
Anna and Natalie arrived quite early and occupied a bench outside the meditation room. As soon as Rotgar sat down, the chair instantly became crowded.
Anna turned her head to look at Rotgar, and he looked back calmly.
The clock on the wall of the meditation room showed that it was now 9:45 a.m., which was still early before the start of the mental test. Anna couldn't drive away the demon, so she could only meditate on the spot.
Rotgar looked at Anna's side face without hesitation. He suddenly remembered that when he first saw her, she was not looking good due to long-term malnutrition.
But now, her skin is much fairer and more delicate, her complexion is also very good, and she is even more energetic because of her power, which makes people unable to take their eyes away.
He thought that it was lucky that she left Blue Stone City, otherwise he would not have been able to see her in such a real way.
Anna in Black Cloud City is much more interesting than in Blue Stone City.
At 10:30, the meditation rooms No. 1 and 2, which are the examination rooms, were already crowded with people. Association staff at the door began to call, allowing No. 1 and No. 2 to enter the two meditation rooms respectively to participate in the assessment, while the rest of the people retreated to Waiting quietly a few meters away.
Less than twenty minutes later, it was Anna's turn. She quickly got up and entered the meditation room No. 8 directed by the staff.
She was relieved to be able to enter the examination room quickly. The feeling of the devil staring at her was too scary, like some kind of horror movie with a dark and weird tone.
Natalie, who hadn't yet had her turn, stood there stiffly, praying silently in her heart: It's my turn soon, it's my turn soon... Master Raymond, don't talk to me... It's my turn soon!
She has never had an exam so eager to get to her as quickly as now!
When she heard the staff call No. 9, Natalie's face lit up and she rushed over.
Anna stayed in the meditation room for three minutes and then came out. The examiner selected three spells based on her elemental affinity and asked her to cast two of them. She chose Wind Gathering and Thunder and Lightning, and cast them quickly and concisely.
After seeing the look of appreciation on the examiner's face, Anna knew that she was safe.
Natalie also came out after a while, her expression not very nervous.
"I should be able to pass, but I might not get a high score." Natalie said.
"As long as you can pass it, your exam fee will not be refunded if you get a high score." Anna joked, "Let's go eat."
It's already eleven o'clock, and lunch has begun in the cafeteria.
Anna saw more people who looked like servants. They should be here to deliver lunch to their little master. After all, she was in the minority who dragged Natalie to eat in the canteen every day.
After eating lunch and resting for a while, the three of them walked to the pharmacy.
After realizing that the devil would follow her for a day, Anna stopped resisting and let him go if he wanted to cosplay as a parent of a college entrance examination student.
The potion test was not a problem for Anna. The examiner selected a potion that she could make based on her affinity element and asked her to prepare it on the spot.
In fact, just from this point of view, if there are too many affinity elements, you will be at a disadvantage. The same goes for the previous mental strength assessment. The more affinity elements there are, the more potions that can be prepared, and the range of potions that candidates must be familiar with is also wider.
However, this kind of "suffering" does not exist for top academics.
Anna started to prepare the potion without thinking about it. After about ten minutes, the potion for sleeping aid was successfully prepared.
Observing the exclamation on the examiner's face after checking the potion, Anna left with satisfaction.
Natalie was in a good mood when she walked out of the exam room. She also said, "The person who took my exam was Master Dawkins!"
Ana raised her eyebrows: "Don't you need to avoid it?"
"Ah? Why do you want to avoid it?" Natalie asked confused.
Anna thought about it and felt relieved. There were only so many people in the Mage Association, and many of them knew each other. If they wanted to avoid it, they might not be able to find a suitable examiner. And it's just a promotion test to become a one-star mage, so no one would cheat in it.
The last item was actual combat. Anna was not surprised when she saw that the person standing in the ring was Leon.
Speaking of which, it seems that she hasn't fought Leon yet.
Rotgar, who followed, looked a little gloomy when he saw Leon, and when he saw Anna's eyes shining when she looked at Leon, her expression became even more ugly.
"Are you so happy to see Leon?" Rotgar snorted coldly.
Anna turned her head and arched her eyebrows: "I'm so happy, just as happy as when you stood and let me beat you at the line of life and death."
After speaking, Ana pulled Natalie forward. The actual practice is slightly different. Candidates can choose to go on stage first, and those who are willing are first come, first served. Anna plans to go to school first, finish the exam first and go home first!
Rotgar frowned.
Why did the special training on the line of life and death come to Anna's mouth, so he just stood there and let her beat him
Was she saying she was happy when she hit him
Lotgar was confused.
Looking at Anna's enthusiastic appearance on stage, he realized that, as expected, Leon and him were currently her sparring tools, and magic still ranked first in her heart.
But except for spells, his status in Anna's heart is obviously much higher than that of Leon. At least Anna tried to kiss him.