“Professor, isn't that technically embezzlement?”
Hearing Perseline’s question, August immediately flared up.
“Erylin takes 500,000 Golden Branch Coins from me every year. Isn't that robbery?”
“She makes me pay every time—why doesn't the Dean pay for it herself?”
“No, I really have to go and have a word with her about changing this rotten, outdated bonus system!”
August knew well that the bonus system intended to motivate students had particularly harsh requirements for the first-class scholarship.
He had never even considered that a student would meet those requirements, but who would have thought a genius mage like Erylin would appear?
After hearing August’s rant and remembering the last time he and the Dean discussed funding in the garden, Perseline immediately stepped in front of him and guided the old man to a chair.
Good grief, those two had already argued so fiercely last time that they nearly burned down the entire garden. This time, they might actually tear down a building.
Perseline got a headache just thinking about the scene of them coming to blows.
“I know what you’re worried about,” August said suddenly.
“You’re afraid it will harm the students during the exam, and you’re afraid it’s a time bomb planted by the Secret Order.”
“Actually, I discussed it with the Dean a few days ago. I’ve already placed a Forbidden Curse inside it; it won't go berserk.”
“Moreover, I’ve already stationed informants around the testing grounds. If anyone from the Secret Order dares to show up, they’ll all be staying here for good.”
Perseline breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as Erylin wasn't in danger, it was fine.
“Hehe, Perseline, you don't actually think I’m doing this just to save a bit of scholarship money, do you?”
Looking at the old man’s knowing smile, Perseline quickly shook her head, even though she had indeed thought exactly that.
“Speaking of which, you’ve always been Erylin’s instructor, haven't you?” The old man’s voice was low and carried a hint of mischief.
“Y-Yes.”
“If Erylin doesn't get the first-class scholarship, would that count as a decline in academic performance? Would it be a regression?”
Perseline nodded.
“Good grades get rewards, so shouldn't there be punishments for bad ones?”
“Perseline, a student’s performance is largely related to their instructor.”
Perseline suddenly felt a wave of malice.
“If Erylin doesn't get first place this time...”
“Shouldn't we deduct some Golden Branch Coins from you as punishment?”
For the first time, Perseline felt that the kindly professor before her was like a bandit who had never seen money before.
Erylin, I think I’m about to be robbed.
...
“Is the active territory of the Tier 3 magical beast up ahead?”
“...There are still plenty of beast droppings, and the green leaves on the trees haven't shown signs of mana erosion yet. Clearly, we’re still on the outskirts.”
“Lillian, Ain is right.”
“...Oh.”
Ain walked to the edge of a pond, glanced at the murky water and the Tier 1 magical beasts constantly fleeing toward the outskirts, and spoke softly.
“Tier 3 magical beasts possess intelligence and value their territory most. They will surely choose the place with the best resources as their habitat and drive away beasts of lower tiers.”
“The water here is murky. If we follow the river upstream, clearer water should prove there’s less activity from low-tier beasts, which means we’ll be getting closer to that Tier 3.”
Erylin nodded, while Lillian curled her lip.
“Tell us something we don't already know.”
Faced with the girl who was constantly bickering with him, Ain didn't hold back.
“The magic wolf Mordred: body length 2.78 meters, shoulder height 1.35 meters, mana attribute is lightning, fur color is grayish-black with a white magic mark on its forehead. It prefers to live in areas with sparse vegetation and often feeds on Tier 1 Creeping Spirit Grass...”
“Stop, stop, stop! What are you gibbering about?”
“I’m giving you information about that Tier 3 magical beast.”
After hearing Ain’s words, Lillian gave a contemptuous laugh.
“I can make up stories too.”
Clearing her throat, Lillian said with a mock-serious air, “It is active at night, emits low-frequency warning sounds when meeting its own kind during breeding season, and often leaves marks around its territory with mana residue...”
The girl quickly ran out of things to make up.
“It can highly compress mana into the tuft of black fur at the tip of its tail to release a nearly white lightning tail. It also has a move where it explodes the mana in its body from its mouth in the form of a thunderstorm, and it can also condense mana into the fur all over its body to achieve speeds dozens of times faster than normal...”
Ain spoke with conviction. Back when he fought this boss, he had memorized its patterns until they were second nature.
Of course, Lillian didn't believe a word of it.
Getting detailed data on an exam beast? You must be having an affair with the Dean or something.
Ain shrugged; he didn't care whether Lillian believed him or not.
Watching Ain and Lillian bicker the whole way, Erylin didn't know how to intervene and could only urge them to pick up the pace.
“If we don't snatch the Tier 3 mana crystal first, we probably won't get a perfect score for the practical exam. Let’s hurry.”
Lillian grumbled, “Among the students below the third year, besides you, Erylin, who else could possibly defeat that Tier 3 magical beast?”
Just as she finished speaking, a student wearing a school uniform and a Bronze Titan Badge ran toward Ain’s group.
“Erylin! Phew, I knew it. Following the route to the Tier 3 magical beast’s habitat would lead me to you.”
“Are you... Silas from the Titan Prosecution Office?” Erylin recognized him immediately.
Ain also sized up the person before him.
Silas had an old, dark red scar on his left forehead. His short, ink-black hair was as sharp as a sword, and his azure pupils were faintly etched with dim runes.
Silas—the name was somewhat familiar to Ain.
He seemed to be a key character in the second act boss raid, and like Erylin, he was a third-year student.
“Is Lillian here too? Oh, and you are...” Silas looked at Ain with a questioning gaze.
“My name is Ain. Hello, Senior.”
“Ain? Ain Aldric?! The Ain who publicly used taboo magic in front of a crowd, got backlashed, lost all his mana, and still thought he was fine?”
Lillian burst out laughing.
Erylin also coughed twice, signaling Silas not to continue.
Ain smiled. “That’s me.”
“Why are you with Erylin?”
Before Ain could speak, Erylin stepped in to explain the situation and the reason.
“You’re saying you invited him to your team just to help him resolve his expulsion crisis?” Silas wore an expression of disbelief. “Student Ain, you actually agreed?”
“Yes.”
Lillian was giggling on the side.
“My God, Erylin, by the Goddess of Mercy, I believe you are more suited to descend to the human world as her messenger.”
“Facing someone so wicked, so conceited, and so reckless as to use taboo magic...”
“Stop, stop! Silas! Don't say any more, okay?” Erylin was truly afraid he would hurt Ain’s pride.
“And he likes to act all mysterious!” Lillian added.
“Lillian!” Erylin covered Lillian’s mouth and apologized to Ain.
Ain waved it off, indicating he didn't mind, then asked Silas, “So, Senior, why were you in such a hurry to catch up with us?”
Silas looked at Erylin and replied, “My instructor requires me to get a perfect score in the practical exam, but there’s only one Tier 3 magical beast. I’m too lazy to go looking for Tier 2 mana crystals one by one, so, Erylin, I’m here to team up with you.”
Ain knew in his heart that Silas actually lacked the ability to capture a Tier 3 magical beast on his own.
However, as soon as he heard the other party was a Tier 3 Mage, Ain reacted quickly, stepping up to Silas and grasping his right hand with both of his, his eyes full of sincerity.
“Senior Silas!”
“Please, you must join us!”
Excellent, one more power source.
Now he wouldn't have to worry about there not being enough mana for Mordred to absorb.
Rate on N.U.
