Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Fooled Another One

She looked at Chen Tong with a teasing glint and said: “Who told you Magiplant fruit can’t be eaten raw? You only think that because you haven’t found a Magiplant fruit that can be eaten raw. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”

She tapped the Defense Fruit and added: “Just because you can’t find it doesn’t mean I can’t. Your narrow view doesn’t mean mine is narrow. Want to make a bet?”

Chen Tong stared down at Qian Qi with contempt and asked: “What kind of bet?”

She smiled and said: “You buy me one Defense Fruit to eat. If there are side effects, I’ll pay you one million. If there are no side effects, you only pay the price of the Defense Fruit. How about it?”

Chen Tong let out a cold laugh and said: “No need. I’m not risking eating a Magiplant fruit with side effects.” [What if this is her trap to kill me? I’m not stupid.]

She sighed and said: “No? Then how about I eat a Defense Fruit. If there are side effects, I’ll pay you one million. If there are no side effects, you only pay the price of the Defense Fruit.”

Chen Tong hesitated. [What is happening to me? Why am I tempted?]

This was the Skylight Effect at work. She first offered a bet he would never accept, then slid in a second bet that looked safer for him. Of course he was tempted.

And also, another thought tugged at him: [What if this Defense Fruit really has no side effects? What if it really can block damage from a D level Magibeast? What if I can get both her Hemostasis Potion and the Defense Fruit?]

His eyes dropped to the newest model Light-Brain on her wrist. [Would it have her supplier’s contact?]

A perfect plan sprang up in his mind.

He straightened and said: “Only testing side effects wastes a great chance. Why not also test whether it can block a D level Magibeast’s damage?”

He felt brilliant and thought: [How can there be a villain, ahem, a hero as smart as me?]

He went on, warming to his own voice: “I know a senior in the Beast Taming Department. He has a contract with a D level Magibeast. If you can hold out ten minutes under its attacks, I’ll pay for the Defense Fruit.”

He even puffed himself up and said: “I’m doing this for the safety of the Skills Department students. I’m willing to be the fool who pays.”

Qian Qi gaped at him. [See? I told you. Classmate Chen isn’t some dumb idiot. He’s my little darling. A darling who even pays to advertise for me.]

Chen Tong lifted a finger and added: “But I have one more condition.” A thin, chilly smile pulled at his mouth as he said: “I’ll pay half as a deposit now. If you win the bet, I’ll pay the rest.”

[If she loses to the Magibeast or dies, I save money. And the school can’t punish me. After all, she ‘agreed’.]

Qian Qi grabbed his hands, face shining with excitement, and said: “Deal! Classmate Chen, over here a single Defense Fruit costs 100,000. Please pay 50,000 as the deposit.”

The pride on Chen Tong’s face collapsed into a scowl. [Wait, it’s that expensive? Is she gouging me?]

Seeing he might back out, Qian Qi raised her voice with passionate drama and called to the students: “Classmates, our Classmate Chen Tong only cares about your safety! What a rare, beautiful friendship among classmates. Let’s applaud Classmate Chen Tong and shout long live for his noble spirit!”

The nearby students, eager to make the bet happen and truly see what the Defense Fruit could do, immediately hyped it up. The crowd cheered: “Oh, long live Classmate Chen Tong!”, “Classmate Chen Tong is righteous! I love Classmate Chen Tong!”, “Learn from Classmate Chen Tong’s precious qualities!”, “Classmate Chen Tong, you are our god!”

Swept along by the cheers, Chen Tong opened his Light-Brain and transferred 50,000 to Qian Qi, then muttered: “I’m doing this for the good of the class…” [Spending one month of allowance to buy Qian Qi’s death is a bargain.] He comforted himself with that thought.

When Qian Qi saw the payment arrive, a sly grin cut across her face as she thought: [Ha! Fooled another one.]

System said: “… You really are the best.”

Chen Tong, a little sobered after paying, huffed and said: “The day after tomorrow at 10 a.m., Beast Taming plaza. Don’t be late.”

“Beast Taming plaza?” Qian Qi raised a brow. When she first arrived, she had toured the campus. The Beast Taming Department’s big plaza was used for Contract Beast duels and for walking Contract Beasts. She remembered it had a lot of stands. She rubbed her chin, then smiled in a way that no one understood.

She answered crisply: “Deal. See you there.” Then she faced the Skills Department students, clasped her hands, and said: “Everyone, come cheer for me the day after tomorrow, and please help me spread the word!” She packed up her little paper box and folding stool and swaggered off to prepare for the match.

—

Beast Taming Department.

At Awakener University, only the Beast Taming Department and the Skills Department have huge plazas. Even the Magibeast Department, when it needs to show Magibeasts, and the Commander Department, when it needs team practice, have to borrow one of these plazas.

People said this was also to strengthen ties among classmates. The Commander Department, especially, needed to work closely with Skills Department students so they could cooperate smoothly during dungeon exams and earn high scores.

Carrying a bag of oranges and a bag of apples, Qian Qi stopped before the Beast Taming plaza.

Don’t ask why she was suddenly willing to spend money. It was an early investment.

She tidied her bird’s nest hair, checked her black knee-length shorts and flip flops, and made sure she matched the kindly grandpa vibe.

She cleared her throat, pasted on a warm smile, and knocked on the guard room door.

“Good evening, grandpa,” she said as she set the two bags of fruit on the table and asked with a friendly grin: “Still on duty at this hour?”

The gate guard’s surname was Sun. He had watched this plaza for over ten years and had never met a student who cared about him. He was only a poor old man. These young, bright students with big futures didn’t look twice at a worn-out gatekeeper like him.

He waved a hand and chuckled: “Sigh, I’m here until eight. What is it, little miss? Do you need something?”

Grandpa was Grandpa. This was the first time a stranger had recognized at a glance that Qian Qi was a girl. She quickly pressed two oranges into Old Master Sun’s hands and said: “Thank you for your hard work. Have some fruit.”

“Thanks, child,” he said, not shy at all as he began to peel one. Seeing that Qian Qi looked like she had more to say, he smiled and said: “Go on, say it. It’s rare for an old man like me to chat with you young people.”

She squinted with a cheeky grin and asked: “Want to earn some extra cash?”

“Oh?” Old Master Sun’s eyes lit up as he asked: “What kind of extra cash?” He had just bought his granddaughter a C level Magibeast toy the other day and was short on money. Maybe he could pocket a little private cash.

Qian Qi glanced outside to make sure no one was around, then leaned in and whispered in his ear. A few minutes later, Old Master Sun burst out laughing and said: “You little lass really know how to make money!”

He patted his chest and said: “Alright then. I’ll help. We’ll split it the way you said.” After Qian Qi left, pleased, he stroked his white beard and chuckled: “Kids these days are so interesting. And a showdown with a D level Contract Beast? Sounds fun. I’ll go watch the excitement myself.”