"Ah... yes, I suppose you're right."
Dailao flicked his hair with casual arrogance, the corners of his mouth lifting into his signature sneer."Too much attention would be problematic, after all. Since you all insist, I'll bear with it for another two or three years. But once I can flawlessly complete even A-level missions, I'd love to see just how much longer our esteemed Headmaster dares to refuse me!"
Voices approached. Faced with elites far stronger than himself, even a fool knew his place — to step aside. He tugged on the little girl's hand, lowered his head, and quietly moved out of the way.
Dailao and the others turned the corner. The four chatting students paused upon seeing the girl known as Bread. Though momentarily startled, they let the matter drop. Instead, Dailao disdainfully circled halfway around the fool before entering the elevator.
"Hey, beggar."
Filt strutted up, towering over the fool and barking disdainfully,"Find a time to wash off that filth! The fact that our noble Young Master Goodsay had to spare you just to let you walk—do you even grasp the gravity of your offense?"
With that vicious remark, he spat contemptuously and left. The next one up, Infelt, narrowed his eyes and shot the fool a glacial glance before following the others into the elevator—as if even speaking would soil his mouth.
"Your Highness, after you."
Dailao stepped aside, one hand extended in an elegant gesture of invitation. Hu Tao passed by the fool, tilting her head to glance at him. His head remained bowed, utterly without distinction or presence—like the lowest of servants, invisible and unimposing. A person like that would be swallowed by any crowd, forgotten in an instant.
Yet... following the line of his shoulder down, his left hand—clutching the little girl's—was clenched so tightly...
"What brings you here?"
Hu Tao suddenly spoke.
The fool gave no reply, but Dailao responded with evident displeasure."Your Highness, please step inside. That thing is filthy."
Little Bread tugged at the fool's hand, babbling incoherently at Hu Tao. She seemed to recognize her.
"Your Highness, we must hurry. This mission involves hunting three third-class magical beasts. We need to prepare thoroughly and gather enough men. Otherwise, the excitement of this hunt will be sorely diminished."
Insulton appeared practically giddy. After all, this was a B-level mission. Though he couldn't team up with Dailao, simply participating in the grand hunt hosted by the Goodsay family in honor of their young master was a tremendous honor! He imagined a spectacular display—disciplined ranks, a majestic scene. For him, this was no mere mission, but the pinnacle of entertainment and pleasure.
Dailao, pleased by Filt's prompting, once again extended his hand toward Hu Tao."Come, Princess. Allow me to escort you to your quarters. By tomorrow morning, I assure you, you'll witness an entire hunting party assembled under my command."
Hu Tao glanced at the ever-silent fool, then at the radiant, smiling Dailao. The elevator doors remained open—was it finally time for her to leave, too?
"…Gentlemen, might I trouble you for a moment of private time?"
After a brief hesitation, Hu Tao curtsied delicately, lifting her skirt slightly. The fool likely didn't understand her words, but for Dailao, well-versed in etiquette, her request was clear—she wished to visit the restroom.
At that very moment, the fool, still with his head bowed, led the little girl around the corner and walked straight into the Headmaster's office. Dailao smiled faintly and nodded his assent.
"Then we shall await you downstairs, Your Highness."
To wait outside a lady's restroom was a grievous breach of manners. Dailao and the two behind him bowed in unison. As the elevator doors closed and they descended, Hu Tao—who was supposed to enter the restroom—did not. Once sure they were gone, she crouched low, crept quietly around the corner, and arrived at the door to the Headmaster's office…
The door shut behind them.
After settling Bread on a sofa, the fool stood alone in the center of the empty room. His eyes were calm, indifferent—devoid of emotion. No one could guess what he might be thinking.
"So, you've come."
"..."
"Hmph."
Headmaster Kampa rose from his seat, holding a mission brief in hand. He approached the boy and, looming over him, began coldly,"Before I answer the questions clouding your mind, I need you to tell me a few things. Do you understand what a 'magical beast' is?"
The boy thought for a moment before speaking—his voice icy, emotionless."They are classified into ten levels of strength—from the weakest, Level One, to the most powerful: the Epic-class beasts."
Kampa let out a mocking chuckle."Good. Now let me ask you again—based on your current capabilities, which of the A, B, C, or D-level missions do you believe you're qualified to undertake?"
"...D."
"Heh. At least you have some sense of self-awareness."
The Headmaster tossed the mission brief onto the desk, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked to the glass window. Staring out into the star-dappled night sky, his tone turned icy."From my observation, even D-level missions are beyond your grasp. You've had no formal training. Your strength is indistinguishable from that of any untrained child. You're not even a student here. Still, considering your year of service to the academy, and the fact that you need money to purchase Fire Dragon Tongue, I managed to find a task suited even for someone like you—a mission so lowly, it's practically refuse."
He gestured toward the brief, signaling the boy to take a look. The fool nodded silently and stepped forward to pick it up.
Stamped boldly on the front: a large, unmistakable "D".Indeed, a D-level mission.
As the boy read, Kampa began to explain."Your mission is to eliminate a Level One magical beast. This request comes from a remote border village named Desapush. They've been troubled lately by a nuisance beast named 'Vimen.' They hope to have it slain before their festival on August 1st."
"A Level One beast is the weakest of them all—so feeble, some are kept as pets. Of course, stronger mages can tame higher-level beasts too. Many senior students here keep Level One or even Level Two creatures as companions. This mission is pathetically simple—too simple for any other student to bother with."
"Due to its low reward, remote location, and the recent border lockdown by the Stag Empire complicating travel permits, no one wanted it. So, I thought of you. What do you say—will you accept?"
The Headmaster turned around slowly, fixing his eyes on the boy's expression. He spoke no further, allowing silence to fill the room. He waited—for an answer that would satisfy him.
Three minutes passed. The boy's cold gaze lifted from the page. Without a word, he folded the brief and nodded.
At that moment, an almost imperceptible smile ghosted across Kampa's lips—quickly replaced by stern resolve."Very well. The village chief has already paid the fee. I want you to bring back the beast's heart, intact, to claim it. Write your name under 'Assigned To' on the back of that document and register it at the mission exchange desk. Within two days, your travel permits and train ticket to Desapush will be ready. The trip from Windblown Sand City to Desapush via orbal train should take no more than ten days. I expect you to go swiftly—and return the same."
Without a word, the fool picked up the pen on the table and scrawled one word on the back of the brief: "Fool."
He needed Sura. He needed the mission reward.Compared to scams and deceit, this D-level task might not pay much—but it was safer.
At least… that was what he believed.