Mirabe nodded, seemingly oblivious to Devon''s nervousness, and simply said, "Sure thing."


    Devon''s heart did a little happy dance. "Thanks a lot."


    Mirabe smiled, "No problem."


    Not wanting to overstay his wee, Devon took the recipe and headed out.


    Meanwhile, after leaving the exam area, Conrad was called in for a chat with Presley. Standing in the office, Conrad waited as Presley stayed silent for what felt like ages, his face dark and brooding.


    Conrad hung his head, feeling a mix of regret and anxiety.


    "You really messed up," the Vice President snapped, clearly frustrated. "I thought when you mentioned those ingredients earlier, you were ready to show off your skills. Didn''t expect you''d just swap it with someone else''s work. Quite the move." Conrad''s throat felt tight, "I had no idea the President had that potion."


    If he''d known, he wouldn''t have taken such a gamble, even if it meant losing out on first ce this year.


    Now, instead of overshadowing Devon, he''d taken a massive tumble.


    Presley sneered, "Do you think David''s a fool? Hasn''t he seen more than you? You tried this stunt under his watch?"


    Conrad clenched his fists, keeping his mouth shut.


    The Vice President rubbed his temples and, after a moment, asked, "And what about that girl? You got the potion from her, yet you say you don''t know her? And you didn''t know she''s a nominal Vice President here?"


    Conrad''s eyes darkened at this, "The potion came from another source, but honestly, I don''t know her or her title."


    Even though he was angry, the Vice President stayed calm, narrowing his eyes, "You might want to consider if you''ve been set up."


    How could the potion you swapped just happen to be made by a Vice President who appeared out of nowhere?


    Such perfect coincidences don''t just happen.


    Conrad then thought of his cousin, who had given him the potion. Given their rocky rtionship and her possible grudge, it all started to fit.


    No wonder she was quick to drop the Keller family''s name; it was all a setup to bring him down.


    Conrad''s face turned grim.


    Presley nced at Conrad, saying, "Don''t me me for how I spoke in front of David. A Vice President pops up out of nowhere, and suddenly, you''re the one in the spotlight. Since you''re my apprentice, David''s real target might just be me."


    He wasn''t being paranoid; the day''s events were just too neatly timed, especially with this so-called Ms. Mirabe.


    The idea of someone so young crafting an S-level potion seemed far-fetched.


    Even if someone could whip up a recipe, anyone prepared coulde up with not just one but ten recipes.


    Conrad took a deep breath, muttering, "I was too full of myself today, not careful enough."


    Presley let out a smallugh, "What''s the point of saying that now?"


    Hearing this, Conrad''s gloomy expression turned into one of helplessness.


    Yeah, what''s the use? He''d been knocked down to a junior member, losing not just the right to craft potions but even the most basic rights in the association, practically an outsider now.


    Presley tapped his fingers on the desk, his eyes focused as if deep in thought. After a couple of minutes, he said softly, "You should leave the association."