“Sixty… sixty?!”
The trio sprang up from their seats like zombies suddenly reanimating in a graveyard. “Is that for real?!”
“When have I ever been stingy with credits?”
“Sixty credits… surely this isn’t some high-danger mission?” As Kasia’s teammate, Fanny was the first to regain a shred of sanity from the shock and spoke cautiously.
“It’s not a small number, after all. It might be difficult,” Lyfe, another teammate, echoed, subconsciously hugging her arms.
“On the contrary,” Luomiu added, seeing their interest. “For this job, you don’t need to defeat any magical beasts, nor do you need to clash with other teams!”
“Huh??”
“I can understand not dealing with other teams, but we don’t even have to clear out magical beasts?”
“Sixty credits… we’ll do it!”
Kasia forced the words out through gritted teeth, fearing Luomiu would take back the offer if she delayed even a second. Behind her, Fanny and Lyfe were filled with doubt, but in the face of the absolute temptation of credits, they could only choose silence.
They had no way out.
“Very well, a wise choice.” A warm smile hung on Luomiu’s face. He skillfully took out three contract scrolls and pushed them toward the trio. “Sign them.”
“Aren’t you going to tell us the details first?” Fanny couldn’t help but ask.
“Sign first, talk later.” Luomiu’s answer left no room for argument.
“You…”
“Fanny!” Kasia pressed down on her teammate’s hand and picked up a pen. “I’ll sign!”
She was like a gambler who had lost all her chips; she had to grab onto any lifeline. Especially since this lifeline was gilded with gold.
Soon, the three contracts were signed, turning into points of light that merged into their bodies.
“Alright, can you tell us now?” Kasia asked.
Luomiu nodded with satisfaction and handed them a simple map. “After the assessment begins, I will take you to this location.”
“The assessment will last for several days.”
As Luomiu spoke, he had Kasia open the map and pointed to several spots. “Your mission is to attack the monsters in these camps once within the five minutes before 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM every day, and then run to this position.”
“Just touch them and run?”
“Yes, it’s that simple. Just hit them and run!” Luomiu acted perfectly natural. “If you manage to mess this up, the three of you might as well stop hanging around the academy.”
The three took the map, their minds blank. Was this really a mission worth sixty credits? Provoking monsters and then running away, twice a day? What was the point?
“Alright, I’m done talking.” Luomiu clapped his hands. “I look forward to your performance.”
With that, he turned back to his seat.
“It looks like you’ve found a new way to make money?” Annie stood quietly beside him, her expression twisted with a bit of a grimace.
“Hey, how can you say that?” Luomiu wagged a finger. “I’m clearly giving my classmates a surprise!”
As if!
It was all an act, without a single shred of sincerity! Having witnessed the entire process of how he dealt with Silvia, Annie now understood completely. This man was absolutely obsessed with money! Especially when he called himself “charitable,” he didn’t even blink while scamming people!
Sixty credits were clearly just a casual amount for him now, but they represented the entire academic careers of those three! What examiner? What guide? In the end, didn’t it all come back to “making money”?
How did a man like this look like some big shot?!
“Heh, then you truly are far too kind.”
—
Inside Silvia’s exclusive alchemy workshop.
It was silent. A list lay spread out on the table, the handwriting belonging to Luomiu. Every name on the list represented an alchemy card.
Silvia looked at the list. She saw what lay behind the words.
“Caphniel…” Silvia whispered the name.
He really didn’t treat people like human beings!
Silvia reached out and touched the writing on the list. “I have to help Luomiu, give him a chance to escape the contract…”
Turning around, the young woman walked toward the safe in the deepest part of the workshop. She entered the password. The door opened.
Inside, there were no gold or silver treasures, only a crystal bottle sealed with layers of enchantments. Inside the bottle, a single drop of golden liquid floated. It was the power of her bloodline that she had gradually collected over the months.
The essence of draconic power.
Returning to the alchemy bench, Silvia picked up a blank magic card and began to draw the mana circuit for “Great Blazing Flame.” Her technique was precise, without a single tremor. Red lines of mana spread across the card’s surface, constructing a stable energy structure.
Just as the final core rune was about to be completed, she stopped.
“Not enough.”
“A mere third-tier Great Blazing Flame is not enough.”
Silvia broke the seal on the crystal bottle. Her bloodline began to emit a scorching aura. Using an alchemy needle, she carefully picked up a thread of liquid finer than a strand of hair. The golden liquid merged into the core of the red mana circuit.
Hum—
the entire magic card emitted a low hum. The originally stable mana structure began to vibrate violently, as if it would collapse at any moment. Silvia’s expression was grave. She pressed her hands onto the card, her own mana pouring in to forcefully stabilize the runaway circuit.
“Fuse.”
“With my blood as the guide.”
“Evolve.”
The golden thread of blood and the red circuit became completely interwoven. Upon the surface of the card, above the crimson patterns, a faint, almost imperceptible layer of golden dragon scale patterns emerged. The flame rune in the center of the card twisted in shape. It became more complex, more ancient, and more majestic.
A pressure far exceeding that of a third-tier spell radiated from the card.
Silvia let go, beads of sweat appearing on her forehead. She looked at the card in her hand.
“This is no longer Great Blazing Flame.”
“This is… Dragon Flame.”
A satisfied smile appeared on her face. This was the true weapon she could give him. A weapon Caphniel knew nothing about.
A secret that belonged only to the two of them.
She began to produce the second card, the third…
—
The next day.
Inside the Elite Team’s common room.
Luomiu sat in the main seat, with Karenina and Mio Ibuki sitting on either side. Annie stood behind Luomiu.
“Is the stuff on the list ready?” Luomiu looked at Silvia as she walked in, his tone flat.
“Yes, Master.” Silvia bowed, her posture humble and submissive. She held a wooden box in both hands and offered it forward.
Luomiu did not stand up. He glanced at Karenina.
Understanding his intent, Karenina stood and took the wooden box, placing it on the table in front of Luomiu. She opened the box. A stack of brand-new magic cards was neatly arranged inside. Every card shimmered with a full glow of mana, the craftsmanship being nothing short of perfect.
“Check them,” Luomiu commanded.
“Yes.” Karenina picked up the top “Great Blazing Flame” card. She injected a sliver of mana to investigate. “The mana structure is stable, and the energy is abundant. They are at least of the ‘Exquisite’ grade.”
Karenina gave a professional evaluation.
“Mm.” Luomiu nodded. He picked up one and toyed with it in his hand. The card felt strange, warmer and smoother than ordinary cards. Under the effect of [Material Perception], he noticed the well-hidden golden patterns on the surface.
“What’s this?” he asked.
Silvia’s heart skipped a beat. She kept her head down, her voice devoid of emotion. “It is a trace left by a special catalyst used during the refinement process to pursue the highest quality.”
“It is harmless; it only makes the spell release more smoothly.”
“Is that so?” Luomiu didn’t ask further. A fifth-tier alchemist having some of her own unique techniques was normal. As long as the cards worked, it was fine.
“Very well.” Luomiu tossed the card back into the box. “Until the assessment begins, you are not allowed to leave your workshop without my order. You need to provide us with a continuous supply. That is your only value.”
“I understand, Master.”
“Go.” Luomiu waved his hand as if shooing away a fly.
Silvia bowed again, then turned and silently left the common room. Only after her figure had disappeared did Mio Ibuki speak. “Lord Luomiu, treating her like that, is it perhaps…”
“Is it what?” Luomiu looked at her.
“Nothing.” Mio Ibuki shook her head. She didn’t understand. But she chose to believe.
“As expected of you.” Karenina looked at the cards on the table, her eyes filled with praise. “Using the most direct means to completely control an unstable factor. And, fully converting her abilities into help for the team.”
Luomiu’s mouth twitched.
*Brother, I might really not be as calculating as you think… she just happens to be a total pushover!*
He picked up a “Dragon Flame” card and held it up to the light. The golden patterns flickered faintly under the lamps.
Was it enhanced?
“Whatever.”
“As long as it can blow stuff up.”
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