Chapter 38
Chapter 38: Fooled Another One Into Limping
“Who told you magic plant fruit can’t be eaten raw?” Qian Qi asked, eyes full of amusement as she looked at Chen Tong. “It’s ‘can’t’ because you haven’t found any that can be eaten directly. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”
“You can’t find it. That doesn’t mean I can’t.” She flicked a finger toward the paper box. “Your horizons are short. Don’t assume mine are, too.”
Chen Tong scoffed. “So what are you trying to do?”
“Bet.”
He narrowed his eyes. “What kind of bet?”
Qian Qi smiled. “You buy one defense fruit and eat it. If it has side effects, I pay you one million. If it doesn’t, you just pay the price of the defense fruit. How about it?”
Chen Tong snorted. “No thanks. I’m not risking my life eating some fruit with side effects.”
What if this was a trap? What if she was trying to kill him?
He wasn’t stupid.
Qian Qi sighed dramatically. “Not willing, huh…”
Then she leaned forward, like she was handing him a gift. “Fine. I’ll eat one. If it has side effects, I pay you one million. If it doesn’t, you pay me the price of the defense fruit.”
Chen Tong hesitated.
Why did that suddenly sound… reasonable?
It was classic. She’d thrown out an offer he’d never accept, then replaced it with one that looked safer and more beneficial. The difference hit him like a lever in his brain.
And what if—
What if it really had no side effects?
What if it really could block D-rank magic beast damage?
What if he could get not only the hemostatic potion, but the defense fruit too?
Chen Tong’s gaze slid to the newest-model lightbrain on Qian Qi’s wrist.
Inside that lightbrain… could there be a way to contact her supplier?
A neat plan sparked in his mind and grew legs.
“Testing side effects alone is a waste,” he said, voice turning slick. “Why not test whether it can withstand D-rank magic beast damage too?”
He lifted his chin, satisfied with himself. Truly, the world had never seen such a brilliant villain—no, no, such a brilliant protagonist.
“I know a senior in the Beast-Taming Department. He’s contracted a D-rank magic beast.” Chen Tong spoke loudly enough for the crowd to hear. “If you can last ten minutes under a D-rank contract beast’s attacks, I’ll pay you for the defense fruit.”
He even polished the lie with a halo. “I’m only doing this because I care about the safety of Skills Department students.”
Qian Qi stared at him, mouth slightly open.
Look at that.
A man who handed her money and advertised for her.
Not a dumbass at all. A treasure.
“But I have one more condition,” Chen Tong added, a shadow of malice curling at the edge of his smile. “I’ll pay half as a deposit now. After you win, I’ll pay the rest.”
If she died or lost, he’d save half the money.
And the school couldn’t punish him, because this would all be “voluntary.”
“It’s a deal!” Qian Qi grabbed his hands with both of hers, eyes shining like she’d just met the love of her life. “Classmate Little Chen, one defense fruit is one hundred thousand. Please pay fifty thousand first~”
Chen Tong’s face went dark so fast the crowd could feel the temperature drop.
Wait.
It was that expensive?!
He hesitated, visibly thinking about backing out.
Qian Qi didn’t give him the chance.
She turned to the crowd and shouted, “Classmates! Classmate Chen Tong is doing this for your safety! Such precious friendship—let’s applaud his noble spirit! Long live!”
The crowd, already desperate to see whether the defense fruit really worked, instantly erupted.
“Long live Classmate Chen Tong!”
“So righteous!”
“Classmate Chen Tong, you’re our god!”
The flattery hit like a wave. Chen Tong stood in it, basking, and before he could fully think again, he opened his lightbrain and transferred fifty thousand.
“I’m doing this for the classmates,” he muttered, as if repeating it made it true.
One month of allowance to buy Qian Qi’s death was worth it.
He told himself that, anyway.
Qian Qi received the payment and smiled like a villain in broad daylight.
Ha.
Fooled another one into limping.
The System sighed in her ear. “…You really are something.”
“The day after tomorrow at 10 a.m.,” Chen Tong said sharply, finally regaining a sliver of clarity. “Beast-Taming Plaza. Don’t be late.”
“Beast-Taming Plaza?” Qian Qi lifted an eyebrow.
She remembered it. When she’d toured the whole campus on her first day, the Beast-Taming Department had a huge plaza for contract beast duels and training.
It also had stands.
Lots of stands.
Qian Qi’s smile turned… private.
“It’s a deal. See you there.” She cupped her fists to the students. “And don’t forget to come support me. Spread the word.”
Then she packed up her paper box and little stool and swaggered off, already preparing for the show.
—
Awakeners University had two massive plazas: one for the Beast-Taming Department and one for the Skills Department.
Other departments borrowed them constantly. The Magic Beast Department used them for observation and training. The commander major came here for team drills. Supposedly it was all to encourage interdepartment connections—especially for commanders, who needed to coordinate smoothly with Skills students during instance exams.
That night, Qian Qi showed up at the entrance to Beast-Taming Plaza carrying a bag of oranges and a bag of apples.
Investment.
She gave her messy bird-nest hair a quick pat, then checked her outfit: black shorts, flip-flops, and an attitude that said, I am definitely someone’s uncle.
Perfect.
She cleared her throat and knocked on the duty room door.
“Grandpa, good evening!”
She set the fruit bags on the desk and beamed at the gatekeeper. “It’s late—still not off work?”
The gatekeeper’s surname was Sun. He’d guarded this plaza for more than ten years, and this was the first time a student had ever acted like he mattered.
He chuckled and waved a hand. “Ah, I’m on until eight. What’s up, girl?”
Qian Qi blinked.
A stranger had recognized she was a girl?
She immediately seized the moment, slipping two oranges into Grandpa Sun’s hands. “Grandpa, you work hard. Here—have some fruit.”
“Thanks, child.”
Grandpa Sun didn’t stand on ceremony. He started peeling right away. When he noticed Qian Qi hovering like she wanted to speak but didn’t dare, he smiled. “Say what you want. This old man doesn’t get to chat with you youngsters often.”
“Heh-heh.” Qian Qi leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Grandpa… want to earn some extra cash?”
Grandpa Sun’s eyes brightened. “Oh? What kind of extra cash?”
Recently he’d bought Little Sun a C-rank magic beast, and his pockets were hurting. If he could stash some spending money, why not?
Qian Qi glanced outside, made sure no one was close, then leaned in and whispered into his ear.
A few minutes later, Grandpa Sun threw his head back and laughed.
“You little girl—you really know how to make money!”
He slapped his chest. “Fine! I’ll help. We’ll split it the way you said!”
Qian Qi left with a satisfied grin.
Grandpa Sun watched her go, still chuckling. He stroked his pale beard. “Kids these days… really are something.”
Then his eyes gleamed with curiosity. “A duel with a D-rank contract beast, huh? That’s going to be lively. This old man’s definitely going to watch…”