Chapter 155 - 154: High Regard

Chapter 155: Chapter 154: High Regard

Equal rights and obligations—it was perfectly reasonable.

Besides, even in the worst-case scenario, one could still "freeload" off the Mutual Aid Association’s resources for at least a year. It was no wonder that no freshman would refuse invitations from either the Mutual Aid Association or the Lion Society.

Seeing that Gaode didn’t reply, Shadi actually upped the ante. "The Mutual Aid Association can even help you coordinate certain things internally, such as the freshman credit rankings.

"This year’s first place in freshman credits will definitely go to Yulan.

"And this ranking will give you a significant weighting bonus when you prepare to advance to a 1st Ring Mage and apply to the academy for the Spirit Ascension Water.

"You took eight elective courses right from the start, so it’s obvious you’re highly motivated for this ranking. Coupled with the five-credit reward for breaking the enrollment task record, you’d actually have a very good chance... if it weren’t for Yulan.

"However, Yulan is already a 1st Ring Mage. He doesn’t need the Spirit Ascension Water.

"If you need it, I can help coordinate with him to take a few fewer courses this year and clear the way for you.

"Of course, in addition to making up for the first-place prize money he would have earned, you’ll also have to pay an extra fee," Shadi said calmly, looking very confident.

Evidently, Yulan had already joined the Mutual Aid Association and had a certain level of communication with them.

Hearing this, Gaode’s expression shifted slightly. He truly hadn’t expected the Mutual Aid Association to be capable of going to such lengths. This could already be considered redistributing Cyrus Academy’s resources.

However, Gaode shook his head at Shadi’s proposal. He didn’t need Yulan to "clear the way" for him.

For one, Gaode was confident he could secure first place in freshman credits on his own. Furthermore, he disdained accepting a "first place" handed to him by someone else. This was a bit of persistence and pride he had carried over from his past life. It might not be suitable for this world, but he had no intention of changing it.

The other point was... where would he find the means to pay Yulan an extra fee? If he had that kind of spare cash, he would use it to buy Magic Formulas or take other elective courses.

"I’m willing to join the Mutual Aid Association, but I don’t need Yulan to clear the way for me," Gaode said slowly.

"You’re not planning to compete for the honor of ranking first in freshman credits?" Gaode’s answer surprised Shadi slightly. She pondered for a moment, then seemed to realize something and warned, "I know you were admitted with the highest tier of benefits, and the academy will allocate a bottle of Spirit Ascension Water to you...

"But I heard from my mentor that you’ve already given that bottle of Spirit Ascension Water to Commissioner Lael, for his apprentice to use in advancing to a 1st Ring Mage.

"Perhaps Commissioner Lael promised you something, like returning a bottle to you next year..."

Shadi seemed entirely at ease with Gaode, showing no fear of saying something offensive. "I can only tell you that perhaps when he promised you, Commissioner Lael was sincere.

"But now..." Shadi paused deliberately, keeping him in suspense.

Gaode frowned. "What about now?"

"The situation is different now.

"Commissioner Lael’s highly anticipated apprentice, Triff, still failed to advance to a 1st Ring Mage even after drinking the Spirit Ascension Water that the Commissioner had begged for.

"Triff isn’t just Commissioner Lael’s apprentice; he’s also the only child of his biological older sister.

"So, do you think if Commissioner Lael manages to get his hands on another bottle of Spirit Ascension Water, he’ll return it to you, or continue giving it to Triff to help him advance to a 1st Ring Mage?" Shadi asked rhetorically.

Gaode instantly fell silent, but amid that silence, he actually felt a sense of satisfaction. Thinking about it carefully, perhaps when he had agreed to "lend" the Spirit Ascension Water, he had already prepared himself for the other party never returning it. Therefore, upon hearing of the other party’s misfortune, he naturally felt quite delighted.

"I do intend to compete for first place in freshman credits, but I can rely on myself," Gaode explained.

"You mean you’re going to compete with Yulan for first place on your own?"

"Exactly."

"You’re being too whimsical. As soon as Yulan completes his enrollment task, he’ll enter with twenty-two credits... Some students only have about that many credits by the end of their second academic year.

"How can you compete with him on your own?

"Besides, you only get one chance to be first among freshmen. Once this is over, you won’t be a freshman anymore."

Shadi spoke very bluntly, but her words aligned with objective facts.

"What if I can surpass Yulan’s credits on my own?" Gaode remained incredibly calm despite Shadi’s lack of faith in him.

"That’s impossible." Shadi couldn’t help but laugh.

After saying that, she dropped the subject. She wasn’t related to Gaode in any way and had no need to engage in a thankless task. Reality would naturally teach him a lesson.

The two of them continued talking as they walked toward the outer academy. Along the way, Shadi gave Gaode a detailed introduction to the Mutual Aid Association and the Lion Society.

On the Mutual Aid Association’s side, the chairman was Xi Lei, who currently ranked second in total credits in the Magic Department. According to Shadi, Xi Lei had been in the Late-period of a 1st Ring Mage for many years and could break through to a Second-Ring Mage at any time. He was merely suppressing his Mage Level intentionally in order to Awaken a more powerful specialty.

There were two vice-chairmen. One was her, serving as the chief student of the Magic Potion Department. The other was Leo, the chief student of the basic knowledge department.

As for the Lion Society, the chairman was Melli Fritz, the current chief student of the Magic Department. However, he had already broken through to become a 2nd Ring Mage and would graduate from Cyrus Academy this academic year.

Under him were two vice-chairmen: Gerry Harrell, the chief student of the Alchemy Department, and Juula Shalinen, who ranked third in total credits in the Magic Department.

Shadi also specifically mentioned that Donnie Eiser, the current chief student of the Rune Department, was a member of the Lion Society.

"Your mentor is Mage Jose, the chief mentor of the Rune Department," Shadi noted. "Although logically it would take you at least four or five years to surpass Donnie’s accomplishments in Rune Science, you are still his potential competitor regardless. He might target you, so watch your back."

"Thanks for the warning. I’ll keep that in mind," Gaode replied.

It wasn’t until they left the back mountain that the two bid each other farewell and parted ways.

"Shadi, before entering the academy, I was a Repair Craftsman. If anyone in the Mutual Aid Association needs to repair an Extraordinary item, they can come give me a try. I charge eighty percent of the market price," Gaode mentioned in passing. Finances were tight right now, so every bit he could earn counted.

"I really couldn’t tell you knew how to do that... Alright, understood. I’ll inform the other members of the Mutual Aid Association."

After watching Gaode leave, Shadi shook her head and turned toward the Magic Potion Department.

"Do you really think that highly of this freshman?" Just as she had taken a few steps, a figure caught up from behind.

"Among this batch of freshmen, besides Yulan and Jelica, his potential should be the highest," Shadi said. "You know full well that Mage Jose specifically applied for him to be exempt from Rune Science. If he didn’t have a certain degree of talent in Rune Science, why would Mage Jose go to such lengths?

"Rune Science... If he can learn to craft Rune Armors under Mage Jose, he should be the one to hold up the Mutual Aid Association after you and I leave."

"Why not Yulan?" asked Leo, a man with a square face who was also wearing the standard student robes.

"Yulan... with his talent, he might even graduate earlier than us," Shadi said, throwing her hands up helplessly.

"That’s true..." Leo muttered.

Without many resources and without having consumed the Spirit Ascension Water, Yulan had become a 1st Ring Mage at his current age. Now that he had entered Cyrus Academy, wouldn’t the sky be the limit for him?

"It’s just that this Gaode seems a bit too proud. He might be biting off more than he can chew," Shadi hesitated for a moment before mentioning what Gaode had just told her.

"It doesn’t matter. It’s not a major flaw. Once the academic year ends and he hits a brick wall, his arrogance will naturally vanish," Leo replied very calmly.

"I’m just worried he’ll miss this opportunity, and when it comes time to apply for the Spirit Ascension Water, his weighting won’t be high enough."

"A person always has to suffer a bit before learning to bow their head. Besides, if what you say is true and he has a chance to master Rune Armors, do you really think he’d have to worry about not getting the Spirit Ascension Water?

"If he lacks that capability, what point is there even if we help him apply for the Spirit Ascension Water? The Mutual Aid Association isn’t something an ordinary 1st Ring Mage can shoulder."

Hearing this, Shadi nodded in profound agreement and said no more.