Chapter29-Echoes of the Past
"It's difficult to find any useful clues," sighed Rowan, the Head of the Academic Affairs Office. "The old headmaster took two teachers and four mercenaries into Mistwood, intending to find Dewcrystal, which can temporarily boost one's strength."
"Only one mercenary made it back alive. According to him, they found the flower but accidentally woke up a giant snake-like spell beast guarding it."
"The old headmaster specialized in fire magic, but the spell beast overpowered him. The mercenary only managed to escape by using an invisibility potion."
The academy had tried its best to investigate, but the incident appeared to be an unlucky accident.
After all, a rare herb like Dewcrystal wasn't only desirable to humans; it was natural for spell beasts to guard it, waiting for it to mature.
"Could it really have been an accident?" Ms. Isolde asked.
An accident?
Daniel didn't think so.
First, the old headmaster specialized in fire magic, which should have given him an advantage over most Mistwood spell beasts. So why did he encounter a snake-like spell beast with water abilities?
Snake-like spell beasts usually inhabit warm, humid areas, going into hibernation if the temperature drops too low.
And everything that supposedly happened in the forest came from the sole surviving mercenary, who vanished afterward and couldn't be found.
To Daniel, the whole affair was highly suspicious.
"I'll go take a look myself sometime," he decided. Even if it was something concerning the previous headmaster, he felt unsettled leaving it unresolved.
"Daniel, you can't go!" the others said in unison.
Aldric looked on the verge of panic.
"Mistwood is desolate and teeming with spell beasts, and anyone who ventures there isn't exactly friendly. The academy depends on you now; you absolutely can't risk it."
The other teachers nodded in agreement.
The academy had grown to its current size entirely due to Daniel. Any harm to him would be catastrophic.
Daniel was somewhat speechless.
Mistwood scared them that much?
But he understood they were concerned for him. Strength shapes one's perspective.
While the teachers saw Mistwood as a dangerous wilderness, to Daniel, it was about as threatening as his backyard.
Still, he promised the teachers he wouldn't go.
"If I don't go myself, I can send students," Daniel suggested, inspired by an idea. "We'll release it as a mission, and any clues found will earn a reward."
It was decided on the spot.
On his way back, Daniel noticed that Riverside City was far more crowded than usual.
Every shop was packed, and the streets were bustling with people, reminding him of New Year's crowds from his previous life on Earth.
With the city center too crowded, people had started expanding outward.
Temporary housing was popping up outside the city, effectively doubling Riverside City's area.
Especially around Crossbridge Academy.
The academy had once been isolated, located on the outskirts, with hardly anyone around except for students.
Now, the academy's surroundings were full of people, some even building small houses.
Daniel knew they were drawn to the academy.
Rowan, the Head of Academic Affairs, mentioned that some people wanted to join the academy but, after failing the entrance test, settled nearby, hoping to pick up tasks the academy occasionally released.
Others saw the academy as a safe haven.
Many held high hopes for Crossbridge Academy's future.
"We should strengthen the academy's security," Daniel said. "We need to prevent any ill-intentioned individuals from slipping in."
The academy's success had drawn many eager applicants.
But if the academy ever faced a significant crisis, these same people would turn into greedy hyenas, tearing away any part of the academy they could grasp.
This sentiment was shared by many in Riverside City.
Some people believed Daniel was ambitious, while others doubted him.
"Daniel's just riding on his old headmaster's wealth, but that inheritance will run out eventually. When he's out of mana stones, who'll stick around?"
"The academy still doesn't have much real strength. Who's to say no one will try to sneak in and steal something?"
Supporters, however, saw the influx of people as a chance. They believed that among the crowds, there must be some with real potential. With careful selection, adding these people would only strengthen Crossbridge Academy.
Regardless, opinions were divided, and Crossbridge Academy became the most talked-about topic in the area, with Daniel's name frequently on everyone's lips.
The academy's new generation of students was also drawing attention, especially groups like Dead Pink, led by Rose, and Storm Boy, led by Green.
Though these students were still relatively weak, they'd earned a positive reputation among the townsfolk by frequently helping others.
Aside from these two groups, a new team called the Ragtag Mercenary Squad had emerged, formed by those practicing Daniel's new methods.
Directly under Daniel's orders, this team had garnered support from many students.
Pleased with Rose's recent performance, Daniel upgraded her constitution, pushing her to mid-tier Silver.
She trained with the Book of the Ever-Blooming Rose, a guide Daniel tailored for her. Her awakened signature skill, Skybolt, allowed her to fight beyond her tier, capable of killing an early Tier-Gold if necessary.
Still, Rose kept this as a last resort and wouldn't use it lightly.
Daniel wasn't playing favorites; he supported any student who performed well.
Whether a student was naturally gifted, hardworking, or had unique skills outside of traditional training, Daniel provided ample resources to help them flourish.
Crossbridge Academy blossomed as a result.
Not only was there impressive strength, but nearly every class of student was represented.
Within the academy, there was no class discrimination. As Daniel put it, every class and talent had its value.
The academy felt like a large family, its atmosphere of warmth and mutual support influencing newcomers and creating a virtuous cycle.
About half a month later, Dragonscale Bank delivered new treasures.
All were three-star or higher items.
The first item was a custom-made four-star teaching rod designed specifically for Crossbridge Academy.
When Daniel saw it, he couldn't help but laugh. He handed it to Synapsis, the academy's magic and alchemy master.
Synapsis had frequently complained to Daniel recently.
With an abundance of mana stones, many students preferred buying mana rather than studying potions and alchemy in-depth.
"This won't work! If they run out of potions during an adventure and can't make their own, it's dangerous," Synapsis grumbled. "Not recognizing a poison potion and getting killed by it would be disgraceful for me and the academy!"
Daniel agreed wholeheartedly.
This teaching rod could produce different effects on students when struck, such as refreshing their minds, awakening them from sleep, forcing focus, and even suspending them mid-air for a spanking.
Highly practical.
The second treasure was a protective magic array, which Daniel gave to Aldric.
The final and most precious item was a seed from a Moonlight Magic Tree, a rare find on the continent.
Once planted, it would grow into a massive tree filled with natural energy, enhancing the area's vitality.
Whether day or night, one's body would naturally absorb this energy, boosting strength gradually.
Daniel was satisfied with this transaction.
It was clear that the "old" Elise was sincere about strengthening ties with Crossbridge Academy.
Even with her high clearance and a fifty percent discount, the three items cost him three hundred trillion mana stones.
Such an astronomical sum made no dent in his nearly limitless mana stone treasury.
Wealth was a wonderful thing.
He could buy as much as he liked.
"Well done," Daniel told Claire, who had come to handle the transaction. "Keep up the good work, and feel free to send over any treasures. I'll take them all."
This deal solidified his relationship with Dragonscale Bank.
Elise, having witnessed Daniel's formidable spending power, would surely send even more valuable items next time.