My Beautiful Disciples, I'm really not the Main Character!

Eren's expression softened slightly. "Can they complete this mission? I guess we will find out."

The old man sighed but nodded in understanding. "Very well. I hope your faith in them is not misplaced."

Eren watched the disciples as they were led out. Even though he understood that the mission was risky, he still had to complete it.

Although those Sects were weaker than the Demon Sect, they weren't so weak that a mere ten disciples could eradicate them.

He knew the option he had chosen was filled with danger, but it was a necessary step. Not just for his own growth, but also for his future.

As for these youngsters, he wasn't planning for them to die. His success depended on their success. If they died, how was he going to get the reward?

He knew that he had to complete the mission with just these ten without fighting in their place. But it didn't mean that he couldn't help them in other ways.

'If I had my Phoenix, I could have cheated in this mission. Unfortunately, that's out of the question now. I can't even take another person's help as that would count as the eleventh person.'

For quite some time, Eren sat there silently, thinking of ways he could help them succeed without failing the selected option.

.....

As the hour passed, Eren stood at the edge of the pier, watching the sun rise over the horizon.

The flying boat was ready, and the ten disciples stood behind him, their faces still not entirely confident.

"Remember," Eren said, turning to face them. "This mission is an opportunity for you. If you can complete it, I will have you become Inner Disciples. So don't waste this chance I have given you."

Eren stepped on the flying boat.

When the outer disciples, who were filled with hesitation, heard Eren, their eyes lit up. An opportunity to become Inner Disciples?

It was hard to become an Inner Disciple, especially for them. They were weakest even in the Outer Sect, so they didn't even have a chance to participate in the test to become an Inner Disciple.

If an Inner Elder was willing to support them, they could actually become an Inner Disciple without even having to fight for the limited places.

The youngsters in the group were even more excited. If they had the opportunity to become an Inner Disciple, didn't that mean they had even more opportunities?

This entire mission was truly an opportunity and a test for them. Elder Ren was going to be observing them throughout the mission.

If they could put on a spectacular performance for him, didn't they also have a chance of catching his attention even more? What if they put on such a good show that he decided to accept them as his personal disciple?

As the weakest in the Outer Sect, they didn't have much of a position in the sect. But still, they were praised in their home cities. They were stars of their cities, who managed to join the sect.

What if they became a Personal Disciple of an Elder? Their families could rise with them, gaining influence throughout the Kingdom.

Even the Kings would have to be respectful to their families. And that was just the tip of the iceberg.

The fear in their eyes was replaced by greed. Eren's words motivated them even more than any motivation word could have done.

They boarded the boat, looking forward to the mission.

The Boat that could carry a thousand people easily was filled with only a dozen or so people, most of them responsible for guiding the boat.

The Flying Boat soon started rising into the air.

....

Great Elder Zia had spent the entire night going through the recording.

Not for a single second was she bored. Instead, every time she watched the recording, she gained a new insight.

By morning, she felt that her comprehension had improved even more.

She thought she might even be able to use sixth-grade herbs to create a Seventh Grade Pill.

Quickly, she prepared a cauldron that Eren had used before. Using the same herbs, she attempted to create the Consciousness Elevation Pill that he had crafted.

She carefully repeated his steps, noticing her own improvement. She followed his method exactly, yet still, something felt amiss.

Although she managed to create a seventh-grade pill like him, it was the lowest tier. On the other hand, Eren had produced the highest seventh-tier pill.

No matter how many times she tried, she couldn't create the highest tier seventh grade pill. The best she could manage with the sixth-grade herbs was a mid-tier seventh-grade pill.

"What am I doing wrong? I thought I could do the same. Do I have no choice but to ask him?"

Though she had prepared herself to seek his guidance, as morning drew near, she hesitated. She felt embarrassed at the thought of asking him for help.

She hoped she could do it without his assistance. Then, instead of approaching him as a disciple, she could approach him as a fellow Seventh Tier Alchemist. That would be less embarrassing.

Unfortunately, she didn't succeed in reaching his level. Her realm was still lower than his, despite both of them being seventh grade alchemists.

With a deep breath, she gave up and decided to seek his guidance, despite the embarrassment.

She kept the cauldron back into her storage ring along with a few more sets of herbs for the same pill.

She left her courtyard and flew towards the Ninth Peak.

"This is his house? Is he crazy? Who builds a house in a place like this?" she muttered, looking at Eren's abode.

She flew to the door and knocked, but no one answered.

After several tries, she lost patience, kicked the door open, and entered.

"Hmm? He isn't here?" She glanced around but didn't find Eren anywhere.

As she was about to leave and search elsewhere, her gaze fell upon a spot under Eren's bed.

"That is... not human blood?"