Chapter 155: Emphasis

Rights and obligations are equal, this is very reasonable.

And no matter what, in the worst case, he can at least "free ride" on the resources of the Mutual Aid Society for one year.

It's no wonder that no freshman would refuse the invitation of the Mutual Aid Society and the Lion Society.

Seeing that Gao De didn't respond, Shadi actually added: "Even, the Mutual Aid Society can help you coordinate some things internally, such as the freshman credit ranking." 【1

"The first place in freshman credits this year will definitely be Yilan's."

"And this ranking will provide you with a significant weight bonus when you prepare to advance to a 1st-circle magic user and apply to the academy for Spirit-Ascension Water."

"You enrolled in eight courses as soon as you arrived, clearly intending to compete for this ranking, and with the 5-credit reward for breaking the enrollment task record, you certainly have a good chance—if Yilan didn't exist."

"However, Yilan is already a 1st-circle magic user and no longer needs Spirit-Ascension Water."

"If you need it, I can help you coordinate with Yilan so he takes fewer courses this year and clears the way for you."

"Of course, besides covering the bonus he would have received for first place, you would also have to pay additional compensation," Shadi said calmly, looking quite confident.

Clearly, Yilan had already joined the Mutual Aid Society and had communicated and interacted with them to a certain extent.

Hearing this, Gao De's expression shifted slightly.

He truly had not expected the Mutual Aid Society to be capable of reaching such lengths.

This could already be called reallocating academy resources.

However, Gao De shook his head at Shadi's proposal.

He did not need Yilan to "clear the way" for him.

Firstly, Gao De was confident he could earn first place in freshman credits on his own.

Furthermore, Gao De disdained accepting a "first place" yielded by others.

This was a bit of "persistence" and "pride" brought from his past life; perhaps it was not suitable in this world, but Gao De was not prepared to change it.

Another point was... where would he have the strength to pay Yilan additional compensation?

If he had that spare money, he would rather buy spell formulas or enroll in other courses.

"I am willing to join the Mutual Aid Society, but I do not need Yilan to clear the way for me," Gao De said slowly.

"You aren't prepared to compete for the honor of first place in freshman credits?"

Gao De's answer slightly surprised Shadi. She thought for a moment, perhaps recalling something, and reminded him: "I know that as a student admitted with the highest status, the academy will allocate you a bottle of Spirit-Ascension Water..."

"But I heard from my mentor that you already gave that bottle of Spirit-Ascension Water to Commissioner Lale for his apprentice to use for advancing to a 1st-circle magic user."

"Perhaps Commissioner Lale promised you something, like returning a bottle of Spirit-Ascension Water to you next year or something similar..."

Shadi seemed to trust Gao De deeply and did not shy away from saying things that might offend others. "I can only tell you that perhaps when he promised you, Commissioner Lale was sincere."

"But now..." Shadi left a suspenseful pause.

Gao De frowned. "What about now?"

"The situation is different now."

"Commissioner Lale's highly anticipated apprentice, Telifu, still failed to advance to a 1st-circle magic user after drinking the Spirit-Ascension Water that Commissioner Lale had sought for him."

"Telifu is not just Commissioner Lale's apprentice; he is also the only offspring of his own sister."

"So, do you think if Commissioner Lale could really obtain another portion of Spirit-Ascension Water, he would return it to you, or continue to give it to Telifu to help him advance to a 1st-circle magic user?" Shadi asked rhetorically.

Gao De fell silent instantly, though amidst the silence, he actually felt somewhat relieved.

Upon careful reflection, perhaps when he agreed to "lend" this portion of Spirit-Ascension Water, he had already prepared himself for the possibility that the other party would not return it.

So, upon hearing of the other party's misfortune, his mood naturally became lighter.

"I do have the intention to compete for first place in freshman credits, but I will rely on myself," Gao De explained.

"You mean you intend to compete with Yilan for first place on your own?"

"Correct."

"You are being too whimsical. Yilan will enter with 22 credits as soon as he completes his enrollment tasks—some students have about that many credits by the end of their second year."

"Relying on yourself, how can you compete with him?"

"Besides, there is only one chance to be first in the freshman year; once this passes, you will no longer be a freshman," Shadi said quite bluntly, but it was an objective fact.

"What if I can surpass Yilan's credits on my own?" Gao De remained very calm regarding Shadi's lack of confidence in him.

"That is impossible," Shadi said, laughing in spite of herself.

After this sentence, she stopped discussing this matter with Gao De.

She was not anyone special to Gao De and had no need to do this thankless task; reality would teach Gao De a lesson soon enough.

Next, the two walked toward the outer academy while talking, during which Shadi gave Gao De a detailed introduction to the situations of the Mutual Aid Society and the Lion Society.

On the Mutual Aid Society side, the chairman is Xilei, who currently ranks second in total credits in the Magic Department.

According to Shadi, Xilei has been in the late stage of a 1st-circle magic user for many years and could break through to a 2nd-circle magic user at any time.

He is only deliberately suppressing his magic user level to awaken a more powerful specialty.

There are two vice-chairmen: one is herself, the chief student of the Potion Department.

The other is Lei Ao, the chief student of the Basic Knowledge Department.

As for the Lion Society, the chairman is the current chief student of the Magic Department, Meili Fritze.

However, this person has already broken through to a 2nd-circle magic user and will graduate from Ceris Academy this academic year.

The two vice-chairmen below are Geli Haier, the chief student of the Alchemy Department, and Jiula Shalining, who ranks third in total credits in the Magic Department.

Shadi also specifically mentioned that the current chief student of the Rune Department, Tang Ni Ese, is also a member of the Lion Society.

"Your mentor is Master He Xi, the chief mentor of the Rune Department."

"Although logically speaking, if you want to surpass him in attainments in Runology, it will take at least four or five years."

"But regardless, you are always his potential competitor, so he might target you; be careful yourself."

"Thanks for the reminder, I will be careful."

Not until they left the back mountain did the two part ways.

"Senior Sister Shadi, before entering the academy, I was a restoration craftsman. If anyone in the Mutual Aid Society needs to repair supernatural items, they can come to me to try; I charge 80% of the market price," Gao De mentioned casually.

Finances were tight now, so every bit earned helped.

"I didn't realize you could do that... Alright, I understand; I will inform the other Mutual Aid Society members."

After Shadi watched Gao De leave, she shook her head where she stood and then walked toward the Potion Department.

"Do you value this freshman that much?" A figure followed up from behind after she had walked only a few steps.

"Among this year's freshmen, besides Yilan and Jielika, he should have the highest potential," Shadi said.

"You know as well as I do that Master He Xi specifically helped him apply for an exemption from 'Runology.' If he didn't have a certain talent in Runology, why would Master He Xi go to such lengths?"

"If he can follow Master He Xi in Runology and learn Rune Construction, he should be the one to support the Mutual Aid Society after you and me."

"Why not Yilan?" said Lei Ao, who had a square face and was also wearing the standard student robe.

"Yilan... with his talent, he might graduate even earlier than us," Shadi said, spreading her hands helplessly.

"That is true..." Lei Ao murmured.

Without many resources and without having drunk Spirit-Ascension Water, Yilan had become a 1st-circle magic user at this age; once he entered Ceris Academy, wouldn't it be like a fish leaping into the sea?

"Exactly, this Gao De seems to have a bit too much pride, a bit ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth?" Shadi hesitated for a moment but still brought up what Gao De had said earlier.

"It doesn't matter; that's not a major flaw. When the school year ends and he hits a wall, his pride will naturally vanish," Lei Ao said very calmly.

"I'm just afraid he will miss this opportunity and not have enough weight when applying for Spirit-Ascension Water later."

"People always have to suffer a bit before they learn to bow their heads. Besides, if he really has the ability to master Rune Construction as you said, is he afraid of not getting Spirit-Ascension Water?"

"If he doesn't have that ability, what is the point even if we help him apply for Spirit-Ascension Water? The Mutual Aid Society cannot be carried by an ordinary 1st-circle magic user."

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

(End of chapter)