Cultivators at the Wizarding Academy

Chapter 185 The Will to Dedicate

The restaurant is called Little Fish Canteen.

Why use my sister's name? Because a small fish is a type of food, while a leaf is not.

It is common, not offensive, catchy, and has an approachable and casual feel.

Find a carpenter to make a simple plaque and attach it to the lintel.

They didn't spend any extra money on things like illuminated shop signs.

Rather than spending extravagantly, Yezi prefers affordability and places greater emphasis on safety.

Installing a sturdy door is essential. It will at least prevent petty thieves from breaking in at night. Stronger individuals won't be interested in the property of a small, run-down shop.

As for the thugs and hooligans, they can be dealt with using Guts' and his father's names. If that fails, they can be reported to the butler, Mussophie.

They hand over 80% of their profits every month, and their security measures are naturally considered their own property.

Not publicly acknowledging the relationship is for protection. Blue Rose has too many enemies; some are too powerful for the nobles, but targeting a commoner's restaurant would pose no challenge.

……

The arena battles are drawing to a close. As everyone predicted, Aglaia has won with ease. Her dominance in the elite stage, surpassing all others, is overwhelming.

Even Guts, whose strength and battle aura talent far surpassed that of ordinary people, was no match for Aglaia when using dual swords. This was because Aglaia was also exceptionally gifted.

"The improvement to the elite rank is truly astounding!"

On the final stage, Guts stopped abruptly, a slash mark appearing on his shoulder. He looked at Aglaia with bewilderment. This transfer student, who had always been unremarkable in the Warrior Division, had displayed such astonishing strength. He had thought his own progress was significant enough, but now it seemed his opponent's progress was perhaps even greater.

The followers chosen by the young master were indeed extraordinary. Guts deeply regretted his misjudgment, and his inner arrogance was shattered by the blows of reality.

Like a caterpillar emerging from its cocoon, Aglaia's progress might be more accurately described as evolution and morphological sublimation.

The competition will consist of eleven rounds over two days. Each participant starts with 100 points, which doubles with each round. The winner will receive 102,400 points.

One point is exchanged for one silver coin, and in total, you can obtain resources worth more than one thousand gold coins.

The top student of Violet Academy will naturally receive preferential treatment and training from the nation's top resources.

As the most outstanding student in the top academy, he will at least reach the super rank in the future and join the upper echelons of the kingdom.

Moreover, while a thousand gold coins is a lot, it's not something you can get every time. The course of a battle is subject to various unpredictable variables. Generally, it's awarded in rotation to the top students of each department.

The vast majority of top marks are achieved at least in fifth grade. It's unlikely to be achieved more than three times throughout the entire school year.

Points are generally used to exchange for inscription sets and mounts. Some people also use them to exchange for spatial equipment and special combat skills and spellcasting techniques that require patents.

Aglaia's points have been reserved for the Heavenly Set.

The complete Heavenly Kingdom set originally cost over five million points. Due to its limited applicability, it is now discounted to one million seven hundred thousand points.

It belongs to the top-tier set, containing thirteen complementary components, as well as the exclusive inscribed sword, Divine Judgment.

At the closing ceremony of the ranking competition, Vice Principal hope appeared in the center of the arena to deliver a speech.

First, the winners of this qualifying battle will be announced. First place goes to Aglaia. Second place goes to Gus.

Both were followers of the Blue Rose family. Their final encounter was clearly orchestrated by a mysterious force behind the scenes.

Currently, the tulip family needs something from others and can only try to curry favor in various ways.

hope added that Aglaia's performance once again broke the record for the fastest time to break through to the elite rank at Violet Academy, and is destined to be recorded in the school's history.

He rose from humble beginnings to a position that all noble children could only look up to. To many, the significance of Aglaia far surpasses that of winning a ranking battle or breaking historical records.

She is a hope!

Just like the legend of Imperial Marshal De Juran, it means that ordinary people favored by fate can also surpass nobles and become the protagonists of their time. Social mobility has never been completely closed off, and miracles still exist.

"Students in their third year and above should prepare themselves mentally for the weekend, as we may be deployed to the front lines at any time next week. Students in their first year and below who have reached a formal class rank are welcome to apply to join the Violet Academy Expeditionary Force."

After he finished speaking, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment.

Most people understand that military service is unavoidable. However, this mobilization is far too dangerous. It's no longer about guarding the border or fighting against a weak orc tribe, but about facing a ferocious and powerful demon army.

The vast majority of third-year students have not reached the formal training stage, and their abilities are questionable compared to regular heavy infantry. On the battlefield, they would be nothing more than cannon fodder, with no chance of contributing anything. They haven't even received any training whatsoever.

In theory, only students who have reached the formal stage are eligible to participate in this operation. However, fairness must also be considered.

We are all students of the same age in the same college, and it's impossible to force some people to take on more responsibility. Only by treating everyone equally can we quell all discontent and disputes.

In any case, the Violet Academy's expeditionary force is unlikely to appear on the front lines; at most, it can conduct flanking maneuvers provided there is sufficient intelligence.

Students who are still in their developmental stage have more potential. The kingdom's higher-ups will not use them directly as consumables.

"Do all students in the third grade and above have to be mobilized?"

"That's how it is!"

"With Mr. Bruno's protection, you are much safer than the average student. I will send more people later, so there's no need to worry too much."

Taiya's face remained troubled. Her main concern was the businesses related to the capital. Fortunately, the scholar Palamides had begun to gradually take over. The family planned to send another group of managers this Saturday, so things shouldn't be too difficult…

"Xiao An, what should I do if I miss you?"

"Maybe I'll come to see you."

"Don't go! You're only in first grade, not an adult yet. There's no need for you to take on responsibility first."

Tai'an remained silent, neither confirming nor denying the matter.

At the dinner, Aglaia and Gus reported on their results in the qualifying rounds.

Afterwards, everyone gathered together to discuss matters related to military service.

According to past practice, the standard service period after graduation is usually three years.

Students can choose to use their points to shorten their service period, or pay money directly at double the cost.

The exchange rate is 1 point to reduce two days, and 1 silver to reduce one day.

Exemption from three years of military service typically costs over a thousand taels of silver. This is difficult for common students to afford, and too easy for nobles. Ten taels of silver is less than one-tenth the price of an inscribed sword.

I heard that this time, the price for refusing military service is 200 gold coins per person, or 10,000 points.

Aglaia and Guts both have enough points. Although Taiya doesn't have enough points, the Blue Rose family's finances will allow her to pay 200 gold without any problem.

Whether to go or not was not up to the two followers. It all depended on Tai'an and Taiya's decision.

"What I mean is, since you can solve this by spending money, then don't go. Going will only cause trouble and require others to protect you."

"If I don't go, I'll have to pay two hundred gold coins! I feel like I'm losing out..."

"I'll pay for you."

"Xiao An, thank you so much." Taiya walked behind Tai An and affectionately cupped his chin. She was definitely taking the opportunity to be affectionate with him. "But I still want to go!"

"Why!" Tai'an frowned and raised his voice.

"Because we're nobles!" Taiya replied matter-of-factly. "We enjoy treatment far superior to commoners normally, what kind of talk would it be to hide behind them when it really matters?"

"Nonsense! Our territory is in the North, the South has nothing to do with us, don't be stupid. You're a woman, just stay in the logistics and stop causing trouble for the men."

"Xiao An, how dare you look down on me!" Taiya huffed, intending to punish him. Brainwashing was a common tactic, but with everyone watching, she felt embarrassed to use it: "We're all from the same country, it's only right that we offer support, isn't it?"

"The key issue is that the students at the academy haven't received any training; they're just a bunch of rabble," Tai'an said, shaking his head to indicate his skepticism.

The mage corps is undoubtedly a prime target for the enemy. If they were to be ambushed by a powerful enemy, Taiya might not be able to escape unscathed.

"You promised to send people to protect me."

"It's not that you have no choice; you do now, it just costs money. To protect your safety, we'll have to expend at least some Tiniham-level combat power."

Unable to reach an agreement, Taya displayed the same stubbornness she had shown when buying the magic car: "I'm going anyway, you brat, what right do you have to tell me what to do? I'm the older sister, you have to listen to me."

Tai'an stared quietly at Taiya's angry face. The moment she made her decision without hesitation, the faint red aura of calamity on her body intensified.

"You want to go, huh! Don't you know your own limitations? Look around, who can you possibly beat?"

"I can beat you!"

The siblings battled it out, drenched in sweat. Finally, Taeya emerged victorious. Breathless and her breasts heaving, she flashed a victory sign to the restaurant's patrons: "Long live defeating An!"

You can never stop someone who has made up their mind.

With Lady Taiya of the Blue Roses deciding to go on the expedition, her followers naturally had no room to retreat.

The Violet Academy Expeditionary Force is organized into classes, and individuals are allowed to have followers, with a maximum of three.

Guardian Bruno is certain to take one of the spots. However, considering his advanced age and significantly diminished combat strength...

Giving the remaining two spots to Guts and Aglaia is definitely not enough; we need at least one strong individual who can truly control the situation. Tinyham, a young super-level powerhouse skilled in both magic and martial arts, falls short; the only reliable candidate is Ovisga.

Tai'an was not in a hurry to make a decision. He fell into deep thought and thought that he could communicate with the higher-ups of the academy to increase the number of followers. If he could arrange five people, it would be much easier to handle. Maybe he could even bring along a maid to take care of everyone's daily life.

Wilderness survival is no easy feat!

Not only are supplies scarce, but they also face various unexpected situations. They might encounter problems with using the toilet, getting water, sleeping, food supplies, and daily living arrangements. Fortunately, Taiya had prior experience in team training and possessed a spatial ring.

It's worth noting that the transfer array requires calculating the actual weight of items within the inscription space equipment. This is not the case for items within the space ring.

The sumptuous dinner ended in a tense atmosphere.

Aglaia approached Taian, hoping to have a private talk.

The two arrived at the open-air courtyard.

Taian noticed Aglaia's hesitant demeanor and used his mental energy to block out sound.

"Don't worry, no one will hear you. What do you want to say? Or would you like to hear some praise?"

"Young Master," Aglaia said, her eyes lowered, "I am very grateful for your favor and guidance."

"Hmm..." Tai'an gave a soft hum.

"I'm about to go to the front lines to fight, and my life will be out of my control. If you need me, I can..." Aglaia slowly raised her head, her eyes shining brightly, everything was understood without words.

Some things are better left unsaid. Taian saw Aglaia's willingness to give everything: "You must understand, I am not after your looks."

"Then why did you choose me in the first place?" Aglaia was just an ordinary student back then. Neither her strength nor her talent could compare to Guts, who was already the second-ranked student in the Warrior Division.

Besides her beauty, she couldn't understand what other merits she possessed that made her worthy of special treatment.

"I just did it on a whim, going with the flow." Taian carefully looked Aglaia over and acknowledged her beauty: "People always like to collect beautiful things, like to pick flowers and put them in vases at home, like to frame colorful paintings in the living room. I don't deliberately pursue them, but as long as beauty comes to me, I won't deliberately shut it out."

The logic makes perfect sense! Aglaia pursed her pale lips in frustration, a doubt creeping into her heart for the first time about her own beauty. A look of embarrassment and annoyance appeared on her pretty face. Unable to continue the conversation about self-sacrifice, she could only casually steer the topic towards the Heavenly Set. Because of the limited number of users, the vice-principal had given her special permission to use it.

"Excellent! Your talent has impressed me greatly."

"Young Master, the Heavenly Kingdom Set is a top-tier inscription set, consisting of thirteen inscription components. I hope to entrust it to the family for arrangement."

"You don't need to worry about it. Since you fought for this reward, you naturally have priority in using it. In any case, only you can use it, so there's no need to overthink it. We'll have a long time together in the future, so you don't need to keep thinking about giving back. When the time is right, make the right choice accordingly."

"But you've given me so much..."

If it weren't for Young Master Tai'an's meticulous care, Aglaia knew she would inevitably fall into the abyss of darkness, and would she never have achieved her current fame and fortune.

"keep it up!"

Taian noticed the watchful eyes watching him from the shadows. On the third floor, his fiancée, Greenfield, stood by the window. The intensely curious Silvermoon pretended to be taking a stroll nearby, her hands behind her back.

The troublesome older sister's eyes widened like saucers, as if trying to decipher the conversation from the two people's lip movements.

"Alright! You can all go back..." Tai'an said impatiently, issuing the order to leave.

"Xiao An, you must get my permission before you get intimate with other girls in the future." Yin Yue sensed that the soundproof barrier had been lifted and rushed over, clinging to him like a koala.

Even with Taiya right in front of her, Yinyue still boldly asked for a kiss, completely disregarding the stares of others.

Agrea's face flushed as she looked at it.

Dorothy wasn't as uninhibited as Silvermoon. Since confirming her position, she had lost her former sense of urgency and fear, regaining her princessly reserve and elegance. Of course, the competition for favor in private would continue. In public, she still needed to maintain appearances. A woman who was oblivious to the situation and didn't know her place would be the first to lose favor.

"Xiao An, don't take advantage of girls just because they like you." Before leaving, Taiya frantically smeared saliva on both sides of Tai An's cheeks.

(End of this chapter)