Chapter 96: The Fearful Young Masters

Field was momentarily stunned, then suddenly changed his demeanor as if he had just discovered Hilda's beauty.

"Oh my, is an angel standing before me?" he exclaimed dramatically. "How else could someone be so beautiful? My God, my Virgin Mary, praise this world for letting me witness such beauty!"

Watching Field's exaggerated and playful performance, Hilda, who had been pouting a moment ago, couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Alright, alright, nobody praises people like you do. It's really cheesy," she retorted.

"Didn't you ask me to praise you?" Field blinked innocently, then added, "Can I go to the ball with you now?"

Hilda pursed her lips and hummed, "We'll see how you behave."

Field continued his exaggerated act, "Oh my god, is an angel standing before me? Praise the heavens..."

"Alright, alright, I'll take you," Hilda conceded.

"Hehe~"

Seeing Field's smiling face, Hilda couldn't help but feel amused and helpless.

Then she glanced at her dress.

Everyone else always showered her with compliments. Why did Field have to be so dismissive and teasing?

She began to doubt if she wasn't beautiful enough...

But Hilda was proud. She believed in her own beauty. It was Field who had the problem.

Definitely intentional.

Yeah, that's it!

So one day, she would prove herself with her beauty. She would make Field genuinely appreciate her beauty without any teasing!

Seeing Hilda's suddenly intense gaze, Field raised an eyebrow.

What's with that look? It seemed like the gaze he had when sparring with Hilda?

Full of determination!

But Field didn't mind. He enjoyed teasing Hilda, it was quite fun.

Now, he had finished his tea, given her the dress, and was ready to leave.

Although he was reluctant, he couldn't stay too long.

He couldn't be too enthusiastic. He needed to maintain a sense of freshness and anticipation so that Hilda would be gradually lured into his trap and become his "prey"!

So, Field began to think about reasons to leave.

Meanwhile, Hilda sat down next to him and asked, "Do you have any missions these days?"

"Why do you ask?" Field inquired.

"If you have any missions, maybe I can help," Hilda said sincerely. "After all, you've helped me again."

"Helping each other is what friends do," Field smiled.

"Then you must tell me if you need help," Hilda insisted earnestly.

What a good girl~

Field sighed inwardly and nodded. "Don't worry, I won't be polite with you when the time comes."

"Alright, I have to go now. Rested enough and it's time to do some missions. I probably won't come to Hestia's for a while."

"Ah, are you very busy?" Hilda asked, feeling a bit reluctant.

She also enjoyed spending time with Field, feeling relaxed and happy.

"Of course, I'm a mercenary. Many people want me for missions," Field replied. "I also need to present your design tonight, and start working tomorrow."

"So the next time I come, it will be the night of the ball."

"I see..." Hilda nodded, then remembered something. She quickly rummaged through her desk and pulled out a small notebook, handing it to Field.

"What's this?" Field asked.

"You said you couldn't learn magic," Hilda smiled. "I talked to Professor Holland about your problem, and she thinks the root cause lies in your magical power."

"These are some of my insights into training and using magic. Maybe they can help you. Perhaps if your control over magic is a bit stronger, you can do it."

Field burst into laughter and took the notebook. "I really need this, thank you!"

Actually, he didn't really need it. His control over magic wasn't weaker than Hilda's. But this was Hilda's goodwill, so he naturally accepted it. It also showed that Hilda really saw him as a friend and genuinely wanted to help him.

"You're welcome. Helping each other is what friends do," Hilda echoed Field's tone from earlier, deliberately deepening her voice.

But her voice was naturally clear and melodious, even if she deliberately deepened it, it still sounded pleasant.

As soon as Hilda finished speaking, she couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Afterwards, I'll ask Professor Holland again. She's a professional in magic research, and if there are projects that can help you, I'll approve them to the maximum extent and help you mobilize the resources of the academy," Hilda continued.

Field felt warm hearing this and nodded. "Thank you."

"If you really want to thank me, stop teasing me all the time," Hilda raised her chin.

"In that case, I won't thank you," Field replied.

"..."

The quiet student council office suddenly became lively.

The door suddenly opened, and Field grabbed Kiki and ran off, leaving behind Hilda's voice.

"Field!"

"Hahaha!" Field laughed heartily and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Hilda looked at the empty corridor, her pouting lips tilting up.

"Didn't even ask to be punched, why run so fast..."

She closed the door, but a smile gradually formed on her lips.

She pinched the edge of her dress, looking left and right.

Hmm, this dress is really pretty.

Running out of the Student Council building, Field was in a very good mood. Since he was already at the academy, he decided to visit the academy store.

The academy store offered items that were unique to Hestia's Academy and couldn't be found elsewhere. As the captain of the Student Council security team, Field had access to shop there.

Arriving at the academy store, Field was amazed. It was more like a mall than a store, with dozens of shops selling magical items such as scrolls, equipment, teleportation discs, and even magic stones.

Field needed magic stones because he couldn't cast spells directly but could release magic power through them. However, he was disappointed when he saw the prices. While he could afford them, platinum-level magic stones cost several tens of thousands of gold coins. The most expensive ones, like the ones Hilda used, were just over a hundred thousand.

But the catch was that academy store items couldn't be purchased with gold coins; they could only be bought with academy contribution points. One contribution point could be exchanged for ten gold coins. A platinum-level magic stone typically cost six hundred to two thousand contribution points, making them cheaper than outside prices by thirty to forty percent.

However, contribution points could be exchanged for gold coins, but gold coins couldn't be exchanged for contribution points. And the only way to earn contribution points was through academy missions. Field, as a member of the Student Council security team, could only passively accept academy missions and couldn't actively choose them. Only dispatched personnel could do so to prevent internal staff from neglecting their duties.

Field hadn't taken any academy missions, so he didn't have any contribution points. Plus, he hadn't been entered into the academy system yet. He needed to become an officially dispatched member and receive a badge to be entered. His current badge was just a position badge and couldn't connect to the academy system.

The real Hestia's badge was a miniature magic device. Students could use it to view the academy map, take on academy missions, send messages, and communicate with magic within the academy's range. However, it required a core magic device within the academy to fully function. Most functions would be disabled outside the academy.

Field really wanted to get one.

In the end, Field could only buy some potions that could be purchased with gold coins. He would have to wait to buy contribution point items until he completed academy missions in the future.

As he walked out of the academy store, Field saw a group of students approaching, chatting and laughing. Other students around them automatically made way. However, the group soon stopped because the leader was none other than Feidens, whom Field had beaten up before.

Feidens' face darkened as soon as he saw Field. Field glanced at him, raised an eyebrow, sneered disdainfully, and continued walking with his hands in his pockets.

Instantly, veins bulged on Feidens' forehead, and he waved his hand, blocking Field's path with the group of students.

Field was speechless. This was why he didn't like hanging out with academy brats. They lacked social experience, had no courage, liked to form cliques, and would do anything when they were fired up.

There were twelve people in total, thinking that numbers would make a difference. Five were platinum, and seven were gold, but Field still didn't need to lift a finger.

"What's up? Got your teeth fixed and now they're loose again?" Field took out a cigarette, placed it in his mouth, and lit it with Kiki.

Smoking was prohibited on campus, but he wasn't one to follow rules.

Hearing Field's words, Feidens' face turned iron blue, and frost formed around him.

"I'll settle the score with you for last time!" Feidens growled.

Field burst into laughter. "Hahaha, wow! You're so amazing, you scared me!"

Everyone: "..."

Damn, I really want to punch him...

"Boss..." one student looked at Feidens, but Feidens clenched his fists, clearly furious. However, mixed with his anger was fear.

"It's necessary to remind you that fighting is prohibited on campus unless it's in the arena," Field said calmly.

"Are you afraid? Then let's go to the arena!" a hot-tempered student immediately retorted.

Field chuckled and slowly approached him.

"What I mean is, the arena won't kill you. It's boring." "I remember there's an arena in Grilla City."

"There's no protection there."

"Let's go there and sign a life and death contract. We'll fight to the death."

"There are no rules. You can use any weapons or magic you want. You can even gang up on me. And then..." Field leaned in close, his face twisted into a menacing grin.

"Fight until one side is completely dead."

"How about it?"

Everyone's faces changed, looking at him as if he were crazy.

A fight to the death after just a few words?! 

Such arrogance was not something these sheltered students could bear. Despite having the numerical advantage, they couldn't help but take a step back.

Even the student who had just boasted about going to the arena was now red-faced and speechless.

"What? Are you scared?" Field chuckled, then straightened up, looking down at the group of students.

"Scared? Then get lost."

"A bunch of cowards."

"Wanna go to the arena?"

"I'll go to the arena and kill you all. If you have the guts, answer me."

"Answer?" Field raised his voice slightly.

Even Feidens took a step back this time.

"Tsk!" Field looked disdainful and walked away with long strides, and the students who had blocked his way quickly stepped aside.

"Here's some advice for you. Focus on studying at the academy and stop messing with someone like me, a seasoned mercenary who doesn't hesitate to kill."

"Unless your family can protect you at all times."

"Otherwise..." Field turned his head slightly.

"You won't even know how you died."

"After killing people, I'll run away. Even if your family catches someone to avenge you, they won't be able to save your life."

"Think about whether it's worth it."

With that, he put his hands in his pockets and left.

Leaving behind a group of students with clenched fists.

"Boss..." a student looked at Feidens, but Feidens gritted his teeth, silent for a long time before suddenly becoming low.

He looked at his hands, recalling Field's words.

Indeed... such a person, killing without blinking an eye.

He had a promising future. Was it really necessary to confront such a person?

Maybe his old man could hire an assassin to kill him, but what if it failed?

Wouldn't he have to live in constant fear of being assassinated?

For the first time, he began to think whether it was worth it.