Chapter 76

Chapter 76

The annual assessment of the Mage Tower wasn't surprising for Garrett Nordmark.

In this day and age, the Health Bureau evaluated hospitals, departments assessed sections, and sections reviewed doctors. Everyone carried Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), striving for their metrics. He'd spent over a decade in his past job, undergoing evaluations year after yearhe was accustomed to it.

The custodians of the Mage Tower, residing in the tower built by the Magic Council, drawing their salary and funds from the Council, underwent an annual review. Wasn't that just par for the course?

He calmly followed the others up to the fifth floor. Watching the elder mage pull out a large leather-bound book, flipping through pages filled with tables at least the size of A4 paper. Reviewing left and right, he began ticking off each item one by one:

"First item: Maintenance of the Mage Tower.

Just came up here, I took a look, timely repairs to the Mage Tower, and the magic circuits are smoothly functioning.

No new facilities, but added a new set of alchemical tools. Let's give you a 90 on this."

Mage Gelman nodded, unfazed. Clearly, he'd anticipated this evaluation. The elder mage lowered his head, scribbled a few lines, and continued:

"Second item: Maintaining the Mage Tower's status.

During the midsummer feast in daylight, your seating remained unchanged, the Lord's reception remained the same, and at least five nobles around expressed interest in sending their children for learning.

However, you maintained the status quo without elevating the Mage Tower's position, so this item only scores an 82."

"Teacher!"

Mage Gelman called out, a mix of protest and appeal. The elder mage shook his head:

"The Magic Council's regulations are precise. Gelman, considering the teacher-student relationship, I'll push it to an 85 at most, no more."

Huh?

What kind of scoring system was this? It sounded oddly familiar!

Garrett tiptoed, craning his neck, trying to peek at the table. The elder mage caught sight and waved, gathering the lower-ranked mages around, spreading the table among them:

"Haven't seen this before? Come, come, have a look. You're all mages, possibly future Mage Tower custodians. It's good to see this early, no harm!"Read latest chapters at nov(e)lbin.com Only

Mage Elliott glanced sorrowfully at Garrett and slowly inched forward. Who wanted to see this stuff? It's not like they hadn't seen it before. Last year, when their assessment score wasn't high, Mage Gelman slammed the assessment form in front of them and ranted for a good hour!

There must have been another transmigrator! In this world, another transmigrator must have appeared to transform the Magic Council like this!

And most likely, it's someone from the humanities... considering the mages' worldview is solely based on elements and not advancing into the periodic table, that predecessor transmigrator probably couldn't apply scientific research methods, so they just followed the existing path...

Right. Judging by the professionalism of this KPI table, they might have been an HR professional.

Suppressing all curiosity and complaints, Garrett continued listening to the assessment process. As he listened, he couldn't help but admire that predecessor HR person: their success wasn't without reason, at least within this scope, he wouldn't have thought of it.

For instance, the Mage Tower industry was detailed down to villages, workshops, stores, mineral resources, and flora-fauna resources as separate items. Under the village category, it was further divided into population, land area, irrigation, seasonal harvest, each with different scores.

More terrifyingly, the table the elder mage brought also recorded the values and scores of the past three years...

It was impossible to cheat.

Fortunately, Mage Gelman had been managing the Mage Tower for several years. Though not exceptionally skilled in management, he hadn't made any major mistakes. Following the previous two years' rules, he managed an 85 score. Not too high, but it didn't drag down the average.

Next came the training and progress of the mages. This was a crucial assessment as, after all, within the Magic Council, power held greater importance than anything else. This section held a 30% weightage, and the elder mage didn't go easy, having everyone at the Mage Tower cast spells for individual evaluations.

"Hmm, at your level, Gelman, progress is already challenging. But I can't give points if they're not deserved;

Karen? Learned three new spells, and there's a boost in mental strength, not bad! But, not yet at level three, can't give higher marks;

Elliott? Substantial growth in mental strength! Very good, almost on the brink of a breakthrough, your score can be higher... Oh, also taught a mage apprentice. By the way, young one, how many spells can you cast in a day now?"

"Five," Garrett calmly replied. Before the elder mage could inquire further, he seized the opportunity and added:

"It's been over a month, but I can't break through. Your Magehood, could you spare a moment to look into my situation?"

"Over a month?" The elder mage raised an eyebrow. Counting on his fingers, it had been just over a month since this youngster began studying magical scripts. That meant, from the moment this young boy became a mage apprentice, he could cast five spells a day

With such talent, it was truly worth his guidance.

"First, meditate. Then, casually cast a spell, let me assess the situation."

Following the instructions, Garrett complied. The elder mage also immersed himself in a meditation environment, carefully sensing the surroundings. After a while, coming out of meditation, frowning deeply:

"Weird. Your mental strength, manipulating the surrounding magic, feels like... it's as if there's a layer of gauze in between. The utilization isn't too high. At this rate, aiming for a breakthrough... well, take your time..."

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