Chapter 110
With the Academy assembly finally concluded, Nille decided not to immediately concern himself with the Mid-Term Examination. The rules were open-ended, the quests would remain available, and rushing into Sector One without proper preparation would accomplish nothing. For the first time in several days, he allowed himself a small break.
The morning was still young.
Students continued moving throughout the Academy grounds, forming teams, discussing strategies, and making preparations for the challenges ahead. The entire campus buzzed with excitement and anticipation.
Nille simply wanted food.
Real food.
Not emergency rations.
Not MRE energy bars.
Not whatever questionable meals he had consumed while surviving inside Sector 12.
Just a proper meal.
As he walked toward one of the Academy's more popular dining districts, his thoughts briefly drifted toward Lin Yue Meiying.
For a moment, he considered inviting her to join him.
Nothing complicated.
Just lunch.
However, the idea quickly disappeared after he spotted her in the distance surrounded by several students from her section.
She looked busy.
Very busy.
Maps were spread across a table.
Several notebooks were open.
Routes and quest markers were being discussed.
Her entire team appeared focused on organizing their first expedition.
Nille chuckled softly.
"Another time."
Truthfully, Lin had become noticeably different over the past few weeks.
More independent.
More proactive.
More confident.
The issue involving her and Trần Hữu Khang had gradually faded from public attention as newer rumors took its place.
The most popular story currently circulating throughout the Academy involved Lin allegedly beating a male student who had attempted to harass her while she was returning from Sector One several days earlier.
The story had grown increasingly exaggerated with each retelling.
Some versions claimed she had merely broken the student's nose.
Others insisted she had sent him to the Academy infirmary.
A few particularly creative storytellers claimed she had blown him through a wall using wind magic.
Nille suspected the truth was somewhere in the middle.
Still—
the rumors had accomplished their purpose.
Very few students seemed interested in testing her patience anymore.
Meanwhile, another change had occurred behind the scenes.
Lin's head maid, Corazon, had quietly begun providing her with information regarding certain individuals attempting to approach her.
Not all of them had bad intentions.
Some were merely ambitious students.
Others sought connections.
A few wanted access to her family's influence.
And some simply wished to become part of her social circle.
For wealthy heirs, such situations were normal.
Especially within Yamatai Academy.
Many high-value students arrived with attendants, assistants, bodyguards, advisors, or household staff.
The Academy permitted such arrangements under specific regulations.
After all, many influential families possessed responsibilities extending far beyond the Academy itself.
However, the institution also maintained strict policies designed to ensure students learned independence.
Staff could assist.
But they could not live the student's life for them.
Most wealthy students eventually delegated their personnel toward household management, logistics, transportation, and security matters.
Lin was no exception.
Corazon primarily handled transportation and personal scheduling.
Most mornings consisted of driving Lin to class.
Most evenings involved ensuring she arrived home safely.
Beyond that, Lin generally managed her own affairs.
At least now she did.
Nille smiled slightly as he thought about it.
When they first met, Lin had relied heavily upon her support network.
Now she was actively organizing teams, making decisions, and pursuing objectives on her own initiative.
Of course, there was another reason for the change.
One many people had quietly begun noticing.
Lin Yue Meiying had become increasingly determined whenever Nille was involved.
Whether it was training.
Exploration.
Academics.
Or social events.
She always seemed to push herself a little harder.
A little further.
Perhaps because she wanted his attention.
Perhaps because she wanted to prove herself.
Maybe both.
Nille honestly wasn't sure.
Nor did he spend much time trying to figure it out.
Relationships had never been his area of expertise.
Survival was easier.
At least monsters were straightforward.
They either wanted to kill you or they didn't.
People were far more complicated.
Eventually, he arrived at a small restaurant just outside the Academy's central district.
The place wasn't luxurious.
Nor was it cheap.
It occupied that comfortable middle ground popular among students and professors alike.
The smell of freshly cooked food immediately greeted him.
For the first time in several days, Nille felt some of the tension leave his shoulders.
No Malignants.
No corrupted creatures.
No ancient mysteries.
No collapsing spatial pathways.
Just food.
A simple meal.
And perhaps a few hours where he could think about something other than saving entire populations or accidentally discovering abilities that seemed capable of bending reality itself.
For now, that sounded perfect.
Nille was just about to enter a small deli near the Academy district when a familiar voice called out from behind him.
"Nille?"
He turned and immediately recognized the speaker.
Miyako Ueda.
Unlike her usual professional appearance inside the Academy, she was dressed casually today. A light jacket rested over her shoulders, and for once she didn't look like someone rushing toward a meeting, a medical emergency, or an academic responsibility.
She simply looked like a woman enjoying her day.
Standing beside her was a tall elf with silver-blond hair, refined features, and the calm bearing common among many of the High Elven clans of Luminaire Boundary.
The elf appeared to be in his late twenties by human standards, though Nille knew appearances meant very little when dealing with elves.
Miyako smiled.
"I wasn't expecting to run into you here."
"Likewise," Nille replied.
Then he glanced toward the elf.
Miyako immediately noticed.
"Oh, right."
A hint of embarrassment crossed her face.
"I haven't introduced you."
She lightly nudged the elf's arm.
"This is my fiancé."
The elf smiled politely and extended a hand.
"Aelarion Vaelcrest."
His voice was calm and measured.
"A pleasure to meet you."
Nille accepted the handshake.
"Nille Dalisay."
Aelarion's grip was firm but not aggressive.
The sort of handshake given by someone accustomed to leadership positions.
Miyako folded her arms.
"Nille is the young boy I told you about."
Aelarion's expression immediately brightened with recognition.
"The one from the Philippines?"
Miyako nodded.
"The same one."
Nille blinked.
"Wait. You told him about me?"
Miyako looked genuinely confused.
"Of course I did."
Nille stared at her.
Miyako stared back.
Then she shrugged.
"You nearly gave me a heart attack back then."
Nille sighed.
"That doesn't narrow it down."
Aelarion laughed.
A surprisingly warm sound.
"I've heard several stories."
Nille immediately became suspicious.
"Several?"
Miyako coughed lightly.
"Not important."
That response only made him more suspicious.
The elf chuckled again.
"I assure you, they were mostly positive stories."
"Mostly?"
"Mostly."
Miyako quickly changed the subject before Nille could investigate further.
"Aelarion manages one of the Controlled Training Continuum facilities in Luminaire Boundary."
That got Nille's attention.
"You do?"
Aelarion nodded.
"I oversee Continuum Hall Seven."
Nille knew enough to understand the significance.
Controlled Training Continuums were incredibly expensive facilities.
Maintaining one required enormous resources, specialized personnel, and advanced magical engineering.
The fact that Aelarion managed an entire hall suggested both authority and considerable skill.
"That sounds like a difficult job."
"It has its moments," Aelarion admitted.
"Most students only see the training environments."
He smiled.
"They rarely see the amount of work required to ensure those environments don't collapse."
Miyako laughed.
"Or explode."
Aelarion pointed toward her.
"That happened once."
"Three times."
"Two."
"Three."
"Two and a half."
Nille couldn't help smiling.
The interaction felt natural.
Comfortable.
They clearly cared about each other.
Eventually Aelarion turned his attention back toward Nille.
"Miyako speaks highly of your adaptability."
Nille immediately looked at Miyako.
Miyako suddenly became interested in a nearby menu board.
Aelarion continued.
"Apparently, you possess a habit of finding solutions where none should exist."
Nille groaned.
"She's been talking too much."
"I disagree."
Miyako grinned.
"I think I've been talking just enough."
The three shared a brief laugh.
For a few moments, the conversation shifted toward lighter topics.
Food.
The Academy.
Differences between Luminaire Boundary and Earth.
Cultural misunderstandings.
Travel stories.
Nothing particularly serious.
It felt surprisingly normal.
Then Aelarion glanced toward the Academy in the distance.
"The Mid-Term Examination was announced today, wasn't it?"
Nille nodded.
"It was."
"Then I suspect the city will become very busy."
"Probably."
Aelarion smiled knowingly.
"Whenever ambitious students are given freedom, chaos usually follows."
"That's oddly specific."
"Professional experience."
Miyako immediately nodded.
"He's right."
Nille wasn't sure whether to be reassured or concerned.
Eventually Miyako checked the time.
"Oh."
She looked disappointed.
"We should get going."
Aelarion nodded.
"We have reservations."
Before leaving, Miyako turned toward Nille.
"Try not to get injured."
Nille immediately looked away.
Aelarion noticed.
Miyako noticed.
Both exchanged a glance.
Then they looked back at him.
Nille already knew he had been caught.
"You heard."
"We heard."
"Everybody heard."
Nille sighed heavily.
The incident at Rune Forge had apparently traveled faster than expected.
Miyako folded her arms.
"I'm serious."
"I know."
"No collapsing dimensions."
"I'll try."
"No experimental spells."
"I'll try."
"No near-death experiences."
Nille paused.
"...I'll definitely try."
Miyako narrowed her eyes.
Aelarion laughed.
Then the elf offered Nille a respectful nod.
"It was a pleasure meeting you."
"You too."
As the couple began walking away, Miyako suddenly looked over her shoulder.
"Oh, and Nille?"
"What?"
She smiled.
"If you're planning to ask a certain Chinese girl to lunch one day, don't overthink it."
Nille froze.
Aelarion immediately started laughing.
Miyako waved casually and continued walking.
Leaving Nille standing outside the deli while questioning several life choices at once.
For some reason, he had a feeling that conversation would somehow be more difficult to survive than fighting a very complicatedly strong Malignant.
Nille watched Miyako and Aelarion disappear into the busy streets before letting out a slow breath. For some reason, that brief conversation had exhausted him more than fighting Malignants.
"...How does everyone suddenly know everything?" he muttered.
Shaking his head, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the Academy-issued communication device.
The sleek black phone was something he rarely used.
Unlike most students who constantly checked messages, social circles, rankings, and Academy announcements, Nille mainly treated it as an identification card that happened to make calls.
The moment the screen lit up, he immediately regretted ignoring it for so long.
Dozens.
Then hundreds.
Notifications flooded the display.
Academy alerts.
Quest updates.
Bulletin announcements.
Missed messages.
Merchant requests.
System notifications.
And among them was one message that immediately caught his attention.
Debt Status: Cleared.
Nille blinked.
Then opened it.
His outstanding Academy debt balance had been completely paid.
Not partially.
Not reduced.
Completely eliminated.
A second message appeared beneath it.
Sponsor Authorization Confirmed.
Rune Forge Merchant Group.
Nille stared at the screen for several seconds.
"...That old dwarf."
A small laugh escaped him.
Of course Rume Ironbark would do something like this.
The moment Nille had transferred the exclusive mining rights beneath the Drow Castle to Rune Forge, the merchant leader had immediately moved to remove every financial burden connected to him.
For Rume, it wasn't generosity.
It was business.
And perhaps the best business decision he had made in decades.
Because the numbers involved were absurd.
Absolutely absurd.
Even now, the discovery beneath the swamp castle was likely causing chaos among Rune Forge's senior accountants.
The mine wasn't merely producing gold and silver.
It contained naturally infused mithril veins.
A treasure capable of changing regional trade routes.
A hundred ounces of refined mithril powder alone could sell for nearly one hundred thousand credits depending on purity and demand.
And the initial extraction teams had already reported results beyond expectations.
Within only a few hours of organized mining operations, Rune Forge had gathered nearly an entire ton of mithril-bearing material.
Not pure mithril.
But ore rich enough to refine into enormous quantities of the precious metal.
Even after processing losses, the projected profits were staggering.
Entire merchant houses would fight wars over deposits like that.
Nille scrolled further down.
More notifications.
Several scholarship offers.
Three sponsorship requests.
Two research proposals.
And one extremely suspicious message offering "exclusive investment opportunities."
He immediately deleted that one.
Then another notification appeared.
Transfer Received.
Nille opened it.
His eyes widened slightly.
Rume had transferred an advance payment directly into his Academy account.
Not a loan.
Not a contract payment.
Simply his share of the mining agreement.
The amount made him stare at the screen twice just to confirm he was reading it correctly.
"...What."
He looked again.
Then a third time.
"...What?"
For perhaps the first time since arriving on Yamatai Island, Nille realized he was no longer poor.
Not rich compared to ancient clans or merchant houses.
But certainly no longer struggling.
The realization felt strangely unreal.
Then his phone vibrated again.
A message from Rume Ironbark appeared.
"Stop worrying about money, lad. Focus on staying alive. Dead partners don't make good business."
Nille couldn't help but laugh.
That sounded exactly like something Head Merchant Rume Ironbark would say.
He quickly typed a reply.
"Thanks."
Only a few seconds later, another message appeared.
"Bring me another mine and I'll pay for your grandchildren too."
Nille stared at the screen for a moment before shaking his head and putting the academy phone back into his pocket.
The old dwarf was becoming impossible.
A faint smile lingered on his face as he walked.
It was still somewhat amusing to see how much the older races had adapted to modern technology. Dwarves, Elves, Beastkin, and countless other awakened races had once relied almost entirely on magical communication artifacts. Yet over the years, many had embraced human inventions alongside their own traditions.
The smartphone was perhaps the best example.
Originally a human invention, it had eventually been modified and integrated with spiritual technology, becoming common throughout Yamatai Island and many parts of Luminaire Boundary. Messages could now be sent through encrypted rune networks, communication arrays, and ordinary digital infrastructure all at once.
Even someone as traditionally minded as Rume Ironbark now carried an academy-issued phone.
And somehow, the gruff dwarf had become surprisingly good at using it.
Nille wasn't entirely sure whether that realization was comforting or concerning.
After a moment, he remembered what he had originally intended to do.
Lin.
He opened his contact list.
Fortunately, finding her wasn't difficult.
Half the Academy probably had her number.
Nille stared at the message screen.
Then realized he had absolutely no idea what to write.
He deleted the first attempt.
Then the second.
Then the third.
Finally, he settled on something simple.
Have you eaten yet?
Nille pressed send.
Then immediately regretted it.
"...That's what I came up with?"
Unfortunately, it was already sent.
A few seconds later, his phone vibrated.
Lin replied almost instantly.
"Not yet 😊"
A second message followed.
"Are you inviting me to lunch, Nille?
Nille stared at the screen.
Then slowly remembered Miyako's teasing smile from earlier.
For the first time all day, facing countless of Malignants seemed significantly easier than answering a text message.
Nearly thirty minutes later, Nille was seated inside one of his favorite deli shops near the Academy district.
The shop itself wasn't particularly large.
A long glass display counter showcased freshly made sandwiches, pastries, and baked goods, while the aroma of roasted coffee beans filled the air. Several small wooden tables occupied the dining area near the windows, though most remained empty throughout the day.
The reason was simple.
Most customers were office workers.
They came in, grabbed lunch, bought coffee, and immediately returned to work.
Few had the luxury of sitting down and enjoying a meal.
Academy students, however, lived by a different schedule.
As long as they completed their studies and responsibilities, much of their time belonged to them.
That freedom was one reason Nille frequently visited the deli.
The sandwiches were large, filling, and surprisingly affordable.
More importantly, they actually tasted good.
Nille was halfway through his coffee when the entrance bell chimed.
He looked up.
Lin Yue Meiying entered the shop.
Even dressed casually, she attracted attention almost immediately.
Several customers glanced her way before returning to their meals.
Lin quickly spotted him sitting near the window.
A bright smile appeared on her face.
Nille found himself smiling back.
She walked over and slid into the seat across from him.
"You really invited me to lunch."
Nille raised an eyebrow.
"You sound surprised."
"A little."
Lin laughed softly.
"I thought you might spend the entire Mid-Term preparing for some impossible quest."
"I haven't decided yet."
"You?"
Nille nodded.
Lin rested her chin against her palm.
"Then maybe the world really is ending."
Nille nearly choked on his Tea.
Just as Nille was about to stand and explain how the deli operated, an older man suddenly emerged from behind the counter and made a direct path toward their table.
Nille immediately recognized him.
Mr. Salvador.
The owner of the deli.
The old man had owned the shop for years and had seen countless Academy students come and go. Since Nille frequently bought meals there, the two were familiar enough to exchange greetings whenever he visited.
Nille blinked in surprise.
"Mr. Salvador?"
The elderly man waved a hand dismissively.
"Sit down."
Nille frowned.
"I was just about to explain"
"Sit."
The old man pointed at the chair.
"Today you're a customer."
Nille looked genuinely confused.
"I am a customer every time I come here."
"Not like this."
Mr. Salvador glanced toward Lin before looking back at him.
The meaning was immediately obvious.
Nille nearly groaned.
Lin covered her mouth to hide a smile.
The old man shook his head.
"I can't let a young man bring a lovely young lady here and then make her stand in line to order her own food."
"This isn't"
"It is."
"It isn't."
"It is."
Lin was now openly smiling.
The old man turned toward her.
"What would you like, miss?"
Lin politely answered.
"A grilled chicken sandwich and iced tea, please."
"Excellent choice."
Mr. Salvador nodded approvingly before turning toward Nille.
"And you?"
Nille sighed in defeat.
"The usual."
"The large roast beef?"
"Yes."
"The extra cheese?"
"Yes."
"The double serving?"
"...Yes."
The old man looked toward Lin.
"He always orders the double serving."
Lin immediately laughed.
"Really?"
Mr. Salvador nodded.
"Every single time."
Nille felt the sudden urge to disappear.
The old man wasn't finished.
"He also buys enough food for two people sometimes and claims he's 'saving it for later.'"
Lin raised an eyebrow.
"Is he?"
"No."
The answer came far too quickly.
Nille buried his face in one hand.
"Mr. Salvador..."
The elderly shop owner ignored him completely.
"Young people these days are terrible at socializing."
"You're making this worse."
"I'm helping."
"You are absolutely not helping."
Mr. Salvador looked unconvinced.
Lin was now struggling not to laugh.
Satisfied with himself, the old man finally nodded.
"Good."
Then he began walking back toward the counter.
A few steps later he stopped and looked over his shoulder.
"Oh, and Nille?"
Nille already feared the answer.
"Yes?"
The old man grinned.
"Good luck."
Then he disappeared toward the kitchen.
Several seconds of silence followed.
Nille stared at the table.
Lin stared at Nille.
Then she finally laughed.
Not a polite laugh.
Not a restrained laugh.
A genuine one.
Nille sighed.
"I come here too often."
"I think he's nice."
"He is."
"And he clearly likes you."
"He enjoys causing problems."
Lin smiled warmly.
"Maybe."
A few moments later she tilted her head slightly.
"You know..."
Nille looked up.
"What?"
"I don't think I've ever seen you this embarrassed."
Nille immediately answered.
"This is worse."
Lin laughed again.
The atmosphere around the table felt noticeably lighter afterward.
For the first time since arriving at the deli, neither of them talked about Academy rankings, Mid-Term quests, dangerous sectors, or mysterious discoveries.
They simply talked.
About favorite foods.
About strange classmates.
About professors with unusual habits.
About life before Yamatai Academy.
And while Nille didn't realize it, Mr. Salvador occasionally glanced toward their table from behind the counter.
Each time he did, the old man seemed increasingly satisfied with his work.
After all, in his opinion, no young man should spend all his time fighting monsters when there was clearly a nice young lady willing to spend her lunch break with him.
The atmosphere remained relaxed.
Comfortable.
No fighting.
No Malignants.
No professors.
No exploding dimensional gateways.
Just lunch.
Eventually their food arrived.
Lin took a bite of her sandwich and immediately looked impressed.
"You weren't exaggerating."
"Told you."
"This is good."
"It always is."
For several minutes they simply ate and enjoyed the rare moment of peace.
Then Lin asked the question she had clearly been waiting to ask.
"So."
Nille looked up.
"What quest are you taking?"
He leaned back slightly.
"Honestly?"
Lin nodded.
"I'm curious about something."
"That doesn't sound like a quest."
"It isn't."
Lin laughed.
"Then what is it?"
Nille took a moment before answering.
"A piece of information landed in my lap recently."
Lin immediately recognized the serious tone.
"And?"
"I'm trying to determine whether it's connected to something I encountered."
"What kind of encounter?"
Nille hesitated.
Not because he didn't trust her.
But because he still didn't fully understand what had happened himself.
"The kind that raises more questions than answers."
Lin studied him quietly.
Then smiled.
"I'll take that as your way of saying you don't want to talk about it yet."
"Pretty much."
"Fair enough."
She wasn't offended.
In fact, she seemed to respect the answer.
After all, everyone attending Yamatai Academy carried secrets.
Some simply carried bigger ones than others.
Eventually Nille asked,
"What about you?"
Lin's eyes brightened immediately.
"I already chose."
"You did?"
She nodded enthusiastically.
"The Nythera Outpost Expanse."
Nille paused.
"That's a long way from here."
"It is."
The excitement in her voice was obvious.
"The population is almost three million people."
"And there are only five interconnected Mid-Term quests available there."
Nille raised an eyebrow.
"Only five?"
"Exactly."
Lin grinned.
"Which means competition will be less intense."
That much was true.
Fewer quests meant less students chasing the same opportunities.
Nille remembered reading the briefing.
Nythera Outpost Expanse was located near one of the largest mountain systems connected to the outer sectors.
Massive peaks stretched across the horizon for hundreds of kilometers.
Ancient ruins.
Lost fortifications.
Forgotten battlefields.
And countless mysteries.
Lin continued.
"The mountain range was once part of the Draconian territories."
Nille nodded.
The Draconians.
One of the most powerful races in recorded history.
Their civilization had dominated entire regions before the Constellation Domain War erupted centuries ago.
The conflict had eventually wiped them from history.
Or at least, that was the official version.
Lin lowered her voice slightly.
"Some scholars think remnants still exist."
Nille smiled.
"That's probably why you're interested."
"Maybe."
"Definitely."
Lin laughed.
"Fine. Definitely."
For someone whose primary skill involved wind manipulation and mobility, exploring ancient mountain territories was almost irresistible.
She leaned forward slightly.
"If we cross paths during the Mid-Term..."
Nille already knew what she was going to say.
"We help each other."
Lin smiled.
"We help each other."
Nille nodded.
"Deal."
The two quietly returned to their meals.
Outside the deli windows, students hurried through the streets preparing for the Academy's most ambitious Mid-Term examination in decades.
Some sought power.
Some sought fame.
Some sought graduation.
Others sought answers.
As for Nille, he stared briefly out the window.
Beyond the Academy.
Beyond the city.
Beyond the known sectors.
Somewhere out there existed answers connected to the strange voice he had heard, the mysterious third halo within his metaphysical enclave, and the impossible reaction triggered by his attempt to master Path Frequency.
For now, however, those mysteries could wait another hour.
Because for the first time in several days, he was simply sharing lunch with someone whose company he genuinely enjoyed.
And strangely enough, that felt important too.