Orek only glanced at Basru as he slammed the door shut. His lips twitched briefly, but his face quickly returned to its usual calm.

“Let’s continue the meeting.” Orek said softly, as if nothing had happened.

“Continue, hehehehe…” Ah Hei waddled over, his plump frame shaking as he dragged the broken chair Basru had left behind. No fight to watch! Shana shrugged, feeling a twinge of disappointment.

“The second announcement is that our Great Wall Legion has just taken down a Wolf Seductress.” The Seer spoke loudly.

Finally! We’re talking about this! Shana sat up straight, her eyes sparkling.

“The so-called demon hunter ‘A Shan’ was actually a Wolf Seductress in disguise, who infiltrated Shield Fort with the Witch Coven. On her first night here, she killed Hunter Hannibal. But no one escapes the eyes of the gods. The arrogant werewolf only had three days of triumph before she was unmasked!” Orek rubbed his nose and looked at Shana: “The greatest hero of this takedown is Shana, the ‘Genius Witch’ from Mandala Palace.”

Applause broke out at just the right moment. The witch stood up gracefully and waved to the crowd—she’d been through this kind of scene countless times at Mandala Palace, and she was a pro. Wait, Boss Orek got it wrong! I’m not just a “Genius Witch”—I’m an all-around genius magic maiden! But since you’re praising me publicly, I’ll let this tiny mistake slide!

Shana saw Fito give her a thumbs-up. But her joy didn’t last long—she spotted Ray sitting stiffly, not clapping at all, her cold gaze fixed on Shana. What are you looking at? Still not convinced? Sister Na has real talent! Shana stuck her tongue out at her.

“Sister Na, I heard this is your first werewolf takedown?” Orek asked.

“Um… yes.” Shana cursed inwardly: Come on, I’m having a staring contest with Ray—did you have to bring that up right now? Sure enough, she saw the female knight’s lips curl into a sneer of disdain.

“Taking down a werewolf qualifies you for promotion to Bronze Mage.” Orek reached into his robe and pulled out a bronze-brown medal: “For divine beings below Silver-tier, I have the authority to make promotions without going through the Royal Council.”

Shana’s heart skipped a beat: Boss Orek, you mean—

“In my capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Frost Great Wall, Seer of the Crystal Temple, Holy Grand Mage, and Earl of Luminara City in the Western Marches, I formally grant Shana the rank of Bronze-tier Divine Being.”

Wow, this is real! Shana was thrilled. Even though she’d earned high praise from her teachers and seniors at Mandala Palace for mastering ten magic abilities, she’d remained an Apprentice Mage because she lacked real-world combat experience. Me, an all-around genius magic maiden, stuck as an Apprentice Mage? That’s ridiculous! Shana had thought she didn’t care about these fancy titles, but now that the Seer was actually promoting her, it felt different.

“Boss Orek, I don’t really care about this.” Shana tried to sound calm and indifferent.

“Of course, a mage’s power can’t be measured by a medal or a title.” Orek smiled. “But it is a testament to your combat achievements.”

Shana took the medal. It was the same pentagram shape as the Golden Medal, just made of bronze, with a green gemstone set in the center. This bronze one is just okay—I’ll earn a silver one next, then gold.

“Wait!” Just as Shana was about to tuck the medal away, Ray spoke up: “Seer, I object!”

You again! Shana’s anger flared up.

“I don’t think all the credit for taking down the Wolf Seductress should go to the witch.” Ray said coldly. “Fito also participated in the battle. If we’re counting merits, half should go to the Guard. So this witch from Mandala Palace only killed half a werewolf—her record isn’t enough for promotion to Bronze-tier Divine Being.”

This woman keeps picking on me! Shana shouted: “You scheming vixen! I’ve had enough of you! Do you really think I won’t make you drink my poison?!”

Ray snorted: “Seer, this witch from Mandala Palace has openly insulted the Chief Knight of the Golden Knights, Golden-tier Divine Being—Lady Ray. What do you have to say about that?”

“That’s a lie! You insulted me first!” Shana yelled back.

“I raised a reasonable question about the divine being evaluation, while you launched a personal attack and threatened me.” Ray looked around the room. “I didn’t misquote her, did I? Everyone here can witness it.”

That manipulative bitch! She’s so sneaky! Shana was furious and was about to retort when Orek held up a hand to stop her: “Sister Na, calm down. We need to make this fair and convincing.”

Oh so you’re on her side now, Boss Orek! Shana thought, feeling betrayed. I thought you were on my team!

“Divine being evaluations are open, fair, and just. Anyone can raise reasonable objections.” Orek said.

“Fine! What objections? Spit it out!” Shana crossed her arms, looking defiant.

“Fito, you were there. Why don’t you tell us—should you get part of the credit for taking down the Wolf Seductress?”

Fito glanced at Shana and said: “Um… I did participate in the battle, but at the start, I fell for the Wolf Seductress’s trick and let her escape. Later, Sister Na chased her down alone, and the werewolf was indeed killed by her poison. So it’s only fair to credit the demon-hunting merit to Sister Na—I fully agree with that.”

Shana’s heart swelled with joy as she listened. I was right about him—Fito is on my side! She looked at Ray triumphantly: What do you have to say now?

Ray said: “Fito, merits aren’t something to be polite about. You blocked a fatal strike for the witch—how do you explain that?”

“Boss said before that the Guard’s role is unique. Defensive merits are counted separately and don’t affect demon-hunting merits.” Fito replied.

“Fito is telling the truth.” Orek coughed twice. “So the demon-hunting merit still goes to Sister Na, and I’ll give Fito a separate merit for his defense. Does that arrangement work for everyone?”

“No problem.” Shana and Fito said in unison, then exchanged a smile.

The female knight snorted and said nothing.

“Good. Since no one has objections, that’s settled.”

“Thank you, Boss Orek!” Shana said loudly, just to annoy Ray. She saw Ray’s face turn ashen, her lips pressed tight in frustration. The sight of Ray hating her but being unable to do anything filled Shana with delight.

Orek sighed: “Sister Na, sit down. Now for the third announcement.”