Just as he was about to inquire about the price, a commotion came from the direction of the marketplace square.

The argument coming from the market interrupted their conversation. The merchant frowned and said apologetically:

"It seems there's some disturbance over at the central square, which is the most common place for Apprentice adults to conduct slave duels. You might want to take a look first. These goods aren't going anywhere, and you can come back at any time to continue selecting."

Ron pondered for a moment and decided to go check out the situation, as there are often noteworthy pieces of information hidden behind any public conflict.

As he left the Blake Exchange, he was still processing the information he had just obtained in his mind.

According to some conversations with the merchant earlier, he mentioned that almost all middle and advanced-level apprentices in the School cultivate combat slaves, which is both a symbol of strength and a practical means of protection.

"Perhaps once my position is more stable and my funds more ample, I should consider cultivating a combat slave too,"

Ron mused, "Preferably a hybrid capable of both ranged and melee combat, to complement my fighting style."

......

It was nearing dusk, and a sizeable number of apprentices had gathered in the central square of the marketplace, forming a loose circle.

Ron squeezed through the gaps in the crowd, eager to find out what was going on.

Amidst the crowd, he keenly noticed a familiar figure with brown long hair and a tall stature—it was Trish.

He initially intended to greet her but soon found out Trish seemed to be confronting a woman in a purple long gown.

"Who is that? Why are they having a confrontation here?" Ron curiously asked an onlooking apprentice beside him.

The apprentice turned his head, initially wearing an impatient expression, but upon seeing who it was, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and he became more amicable.

"Apprentice Ron, long time no see." He nodded slightly in acknowledgement,

"I am Norris; we met briefly last month when the Law Enforcement Team handled the Darrend mutation incident."

Ron had little impression of this name, but evidently, Lady Allen and Holt's regard left him with quite a notable reputation among the apprentices.

He politely nodded: "Hello, Apprentice Norris, what exactly is happening over there?"

Norris's gaze swept toward the center of the crowd, and he softly explained:

"The ones in conflict are Apprentice Trish and Apprentice Cynthia. Trish is a student of Wizard Corina, while Cynthia is the prized pupil of Wizard Marsala. Their masters have always been at odds within the School, and open or covert conflicts among their students are common."

"What's the reason for their argument?" Ron frowned slightly.

"It's said to be about an ancient note on starlight energy conversion,"

Norris shook his head: "Such rare materials are always a trigger for disputes, and both claim the document should belong to their master's research."

Ron felt somewhat puzzled; although the resources within the Black Mist School aren't particularly abundant, it seems unlikely for two official wizards to have a public dispute over such a trifling matter, or perhaps they are merely going with the flow...

"But it seems to have escalated beyond a mere argument, and they're likely about to engage seriously," His thoughts were interrupted by Norris's words.

As they talked, the whispers within the crowd rose one after another, containing both anticipation and worry, and there was no lack of schadenfreude too.

Trish stood at one end of the open space, her expression calm and focused, exuding a restrained confidence.

And opposite her stood a woman in a purple silk gown, a crown encrusted with Starlight Stone on her head, her face adorned with a smile that wasn't quite a smile.

Judging by her appearance, she seemed much older than Trish, with eyes projecting a nearly arrogant coldness and contempt.

"Is that Cynthia?" Ron softly confirmed with Norris.

"Yes, that's her." Norris nodded, with an almost imperceptible fear in his voice:

"She's not someone easy to deal with. Rumor has it her male servants don't have a lifespan exceeding half a year, on average."

"Servants?" Ron frowned slightly, "She should be an advanced apprentice, shouldn't she spend her spare time in cultivation instead of toying with servants?"

"Of course, that's her greatest personal hobby," Norris lowered his voice, "Cynthia has been an advanced apprentice for several years now. She's also one of the members of the Candidate Wizard sequence."

"Could you explain more about this Candidate Wizard sequence?"

Ron feigned ignorance and asked, although he had already learned about it from the elementary apprentice's must-read booklet.

But since the other party brought it up, he might as well take this opportunity to gather specific operational rules from Norris, who was in the know.

Norris glanced around to ensure no one was eavesdropping, then explained in a low voice,

"It's a special list wherein only those apprentices deemed likely to be promoted to an official wizard can enter. However, the information in the apprentice manual isn't comprehensive. Once in the sequence, the School awards points based on their performance, with top-ranked apprentices receiving more resources and opportunities."

"Trish is also in this sequence, right?" Ron asked further.

"Yes, she just entered not long ago, probably one or two months ago." Norris nodded:

"But due to her exceptionally excellent Spiritual Talent, her initial score was rather high, reportedly exceeding some of the long-established sequence members, including Cynthia."

"So, this conflict actually has nothing to do with the document?"

Ron sharply identified the key point.

"Mm... you're quite perceptive; it indeed has nothing to do with it."

If it were anyone else trying to entice information out of him, Norris would've walked off by then.

But recalling that this young man in front of him was a promising newcomer highly regarded by his team captain, he went on to share what he knew:

"That document means little to the two official wizards. It's simply an excuse Cynthia found; her true intention is to use this to suppress Trish's rising momentum and, in the process, boost her own points within the sequence."

While they were talking, the atmosphere in the center of the open ground suddenly became tense, as Cynthia strolled with elegant steps into the middle of the area.

"My dear little Trish,"

Cynthia spoke, her voice melodious like honey, but each word carried hidden sharpness:

"Do you really believe that ancient manuscript should belong to Lady Corina?"

"Of course," Trish responded calmly, undeterred by Cynthia's aura:

"The manuscript clearly records the resonance theory between star mapping and spiritual waves, which is precisely the focus of Master Corina's recent research."

"Oh?" Cynthia raised an eyebrow,

"It seems you are quite knowledgeable about the masters' research. Truly surprising that a newcomer who just joined the sequence dares to evaluate the work of two masters. Do you know what such behavior is considered as in the Candidate Wizard sequence?"

"Disrespectful, but I am not being disrespectful," Trish replied with neither timidity nor arrogance:

"I am merely stating the publicly recorded data in the School's archive. If Senior Cynthia believes the data is erroneous, she can file a correction request with the School."

The murmurs around them grew more animated; many apprentices looked surprised at how poised Trish was in her responses, quite unlike a novice who had just become a middle apprentice.

Cynthia's expression turned increasingly somber; clearly, she hadn't expected her carefully crafted verbal trap to be defused one by one by Trish.

"Very well," she suddenly changed her strategy, a dangerous smile appearing at the corner of her mouth:

"Since words can't resolve the dispute, I propose we decide the ownership of the ancient manuscript through the traditional method of the School."

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