Chapter 117: Edmund of the Roland Family (fixed)

Half an hour later.

Starlight Royal Academy, Advanced Resource Exchange Hall.

Compared to the resource exchange area used by ordinary students, this place was noticeably quieter.

Dozens of transparent display cabinets stood throughout the spacious hall, each protected by an independent defensive magic array. Inside them were various precious magical materials, weapons, and special items.

Students qualified to enter this place generally possessed considerable status or had accumulated a substantial number of academy contribution points.

Victor had barely entered the hall when several senior students browsing the available resources recognized him.

"Isn’t that Victor Alves?"

"The guy who killed that Level 45 magical beast?"

"I heard the Vice Dean personally awarded him three hundred thousand contribution points."

"Seriously? Three hundred thousand?"

The students lowered their voices as they discussed him.

Victor naturally heard them, but he paid no attention.

By now, he had already grown accustomed to this level of gossip.

However, just as he was about to approach the counter, a slightly mocking voice suddenly sounded from nearby.

"Well, look who it is. If it isn’t the famous Young Master Alves who’s been stealing the spotlight recently."

Victor paused slightly. Turning his head, he saw a young man dressed in a blue noble uniform standing not far away, accompanied by two companions.

The young man appeared to be in his early twenties. A senior student badge was pinned to his chest, and his face carried an undisguised expression of arrogance.

Since Victor didn’t recognize him, he simply turned around and continued walking toward the counter.

The smile on the young man’s face instantly froze.

"Hey! I’m talking to you!"

Victor stopped. "And you are?"

"..."

A vein twitched slightly on the young man’s forehead.

"I’m Edmund Roland of the Roland family!"

"Oh." Victor nodded before continuing to walk.

Edmund almost laughed in anger.

"Victor, do you really think killing one injured Second Tier magical beast gives you the right to act however you please in this academy?"

Hearing those words, several nearby students immediately turned their attention toward them.

Victor finally stopped walking as well. He turned around and looked at Edmund.

"What did you just say?"

Edmund sneered. "I said you were merely lucky enough to take advantage of the rescue team’s efforts. If you’re really capable, then once your injuries heal, let’s have a match in the arena."

Victor looked him up and down.

"What level are you?"

"Level 29."

Edmund puffed out his chest, a trace of pride appearing on his face.

Level 29 was only one step away from the Second Tier. Even among senior students, that could be considered quite impressive strength. But after hearing his answer, Victor merely revealed a strange expression.

"Level 29?"

"What? Are you scared?"

"Not exactly." Victor smiled. "I just think your level puts you in a rather awkward position."

Edmund frowned. "What do you mean?" 𝔣𝖗ⅇℯ

"You’re six levels higher than me, so winning wouldn’t be anything worth boasting about." Victor spread his hands. "But if you happen to lose..."

He deliberately paused, causing several nearby students to immediately burst into laughter.

Edmund’s face turned as red as a ripe tomato.

"You!"

"Alright, that’s enough." Victor waved his hand. "Once my injuries heal, we’ll talk about it if I have time."

With that, he turned around and walked away.

Edmund remained standing in place, his expression alternating between anger and embarrassment.

He had originally intended to use this opportunity to dampen Victor’s recently growing reputation, but he hadn’t expected the other party to respond so unpredictably.

What infuriated him even more was that the surrounding students were now clearly looking at him with amusement.

"Victor!" Edmund gritted his teeth. "You’d better not be too afraid to show up when the time comes!"

...

Advanced Resource Exchange Counter.

A female instructor responsible for reception immediately revealed a professional smile when she saw Victor approaching.

"Young Master Victor, what can I help you with?"

"The Spirit-Core Resonance Stone." Victor went straight to the point. "I’d like to inspect it."

The female instructor was slightly startled, but she quickly regained her composure and said, "Please wait a moment."

She turned around and entered the storage room behind the counter.

A short while later, a silver-white metal box was placed on the table.

Inside the box was a fist-sized, deep-blue crystal.

It was as though a miniature starry sky had been sealed within the crystal. Countless tiny silver lights slowly revolved inside it, forming faintly visible energy patterns between them.

Even through the box, Victor could sense the exceptionally pure special mana contained within.

"So this is the Spirit-Core Resonance Stone?"

"Yes." The female instructor nodded. "It’s an Epic-grade special auxiliary material that helps professionals with special energy cores strengthen the connection between their cores and spiritual power."

"However, it doesn’t directly increase one’s total mana capacity. Its primary functions are stabilization and control."

This was exactly what Victor needed right now.

"I’ll take it."

A look of shock appeared in the female instructor’s eyes. Although most students qualified to enter the Advanced Resource Exchange Hall didn’t lack contribution points, there were still very few who would purchase a material worth sixty thousand points without the slightest hesitation.

"Very well. Please present your academy identification card."

Victor took out his identification card.

A pale-blue light flashed, and the exchange was completed.

(Academy Contribution Points Deducted: 60,000)

(Remaining Academy Contribution Points: 228,000)

Victor placed the Spirit-Core Resonance Stone into his storage ring, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

...

That afternoon, in the Noble Dormitory District.

After receiving the message, Leah quickly hurried over.

When she entered the study and saw the open metal box on the table, she immediately froze.

"Young Master, this is..."

"The Spirit-Core Resonance Stone." Victor smiled. "Didn’t your Astral Core experience resonance instability during this morning’s test? I looked into it, and this should help solve your problem."

Leah stared at the deep-blue crystal inside the box, a trace of surprise flashing through her eyes.

Although she had never personally seen a Spirit-Core Resonance Stone, she had read about it in the academy’s resource catalog.

"Young Master..." Leah raised her head. "This is too precious."

"Whether something is precious depends on who it’s used for." Victor smiled. "If it can make your Astral Core more stable, then it’s worth it."

Leah gently bit her lower lip.

She knew Victor had already invested many precious resources in her.

From her initial profession awakening to the astral cultivation materials he had provided afterward, and now this Spirit-Core Resonance Stone.

Every single time, he had taken the initiative to help her.

Yet she still seemed to have no real opportunity to repay him.

"Young Master, I..."

"Don’t get emotional just yet." Victor interrupted her. "This thing isn’t meant to sit around as a decoration. Once your Astral Core stabilizes, I’ll be checking your training results."

"I understand!" Leah nodded seriously. "I’ll definitely work hard!"

Victor pushed the metal box toward her.

"Then accept it."

Leah extended both hands and carefully picked up the crystal.

The instant her fingers touched the Spirit-Core Resonance Stone, a familiar System notification suddenly sounded in Victor’s mind.

...

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