"Excellent!"
Benjo Roxas smiled upon hearing the answer. He then handed the sealing stave ceremoniously. He added,
"A sign of good faith."
"Good faith my foot! You just want me to be at a better condition to do your 'quest'."
Yoshino Aruven grumbled. He had heard this 'good faith' from the Magan Mayor before. He would not be fooled this time.
"That you will never know."
"…"
Roxas answered while grinning. Seeing that the person he was talking to was dumbfounded, he quickly added,
"One upfront, and one upon quest completion. See you after two days."
The mage-merchant stood from his bench. He seemed to have no further interest in hearing complaints and such. He left as fast as he could.
Yoshino gripped the stave tightly. He had actually considered partaking in the Border Run. But he was planning to join the next one.
He needed some time to prepare for his breakthrough to Tier 2 anyway. And even if six months was plenty enough for him to succeed, he could still use the spare time to prepare for other things.
But that choice was now taken out of him. He did not like the idea that he could not do his plans on his own terms. This was like following someone else's script. And that was troubling.
Screw it, if I cannot go against the flow then I'm bringing something on the table!
By adding an additional factor to the situation, Yoshino hoped that it could mitigate whatever that 'someone' was plotting.
***
For the next two days, Yoshino spent his free time in the university searching for this extra factor.
He was sure that he would succeed on this task because it was the mid-term examinations.
Why was Yoshino not reviewing for these written exams instead?
This was because he was long ready for it. The Outer university focused more on the theory side of the cultivation path. Since the students here were of lower Tier compared to the students in the Inner part.
Yoshino had been reading various works for the past two years. These were not limited to novels, comics, and literary works. He had read academic books as well.
Thus he was confident that he could pass the written examination. Just pass though not ace. That would be an entirely different issue.
But what Yoshino was more bothered with was the practical part. He was definitely sure that he would be expelled if he failed the challenge.
Sur Tan had already obtained the hints within the clue on the dungeon. The mayor no longer had any reasons to 'protect' him!
That was why Yoshino was searching for that factor earnestly. He only had today to complete this task.
By the way, the name of that factor was Steven O.
"Greetings."
O nodded when he noticed someone approaching. He had crew cut coffee brown hair. He was 170 centimeters tall with an average physique. He was around 21 to 22 years old.
But make no mistake. O was a remarkable Healer. Perhaps even one of the best in the Outer university.
Yoshino had met him by chance a year ago. He had witnessed the skills of the Healer and was truly impressed. He tried to keep in contact with the guy ever since.
But alas, Yoshino still had much to learn when it comes to socializing and communicating with other people.
Nevertheless he do understand that the male healer preferred a straight-forward approach. Thus he stated his aim directly,
"I need your help."
"What is thy problem, Mister Yoshino?"
Yoshino winced upon hearing the question. This was because he had never known any other person who spoke in such an archaic manner in this time period.
This was one of the qualities that made O… unique.
Still Yoshino was the one in need here. So he shrugged off his complaints. He then explained,
"The Border Run. I'm planning on participating this time."
"I pray for thy victory then."
No! I need more than prayers!
Yoshino wanted to yell this out. But he stopped himself from doing so. He was the one in need. So he had to put up with this.
"I need O to participate with me."
"That… cannot be done."
"Can I ask why?"
"I have yet to reach the peak of Tier 2."
"Which level are you in exactly?"
"Expert-level."
"That is more than enough!"
Yoshino let out his complaints this time. He was still not that mature to hold everything inside.
"Thy can never be too cautious with regards to thy safety."
O reasoned out. He was right on this one. Or else why would Roxas who was on the same level request for an assistance?
Despite knowing this though, Yoshino could not help but scream in his thoughts.
This Healer is strong but overly cautious!
"And besides, thou would ask me now when thy Border Run is due tomorrow? Thou have considered the preparations I had to do to aid thee?"
O began reprimanding him. He made another excellent point here.
Yoshino was ashamed upon realizing this. But he still tried to reason out. Albeit weakly,
"You… are a difficult man to find, O."
"No I am not. We are even taking the examination at the same room. Thou are simply too stubborn to ask for help."
"Ugh…"
Yoshino felt the impact on those words. Perhaps the real difficulty on finding O was from him finding the courage to ask someone for help.
Yoshino could still not accept this point about his true self though. Hence he actually tried bargaining,
"Can I offer you something in exchange for helping me?"
"Forsooth! Thou thought that I only seek worldly desires?"
Yoshino quickly translated the words in his mind: You dare think you can bribe me with money?
O was a good person. To a fault even. That was why it was terrifying to hear him get angered. Yoshino immediately apologized,
"Sorry. I just need your help badly."
"Then the more reason thou should have asked for help earlier!"
"But you just said that you can't because you're still not at peak-level."
"I do. But I would help nonetheless."
"?"
"Thou would have done the same."
O smiled. He was confident that what he said was true.
But Yoshino was not. He doubted if he would do the same if he was in the guy's shoes. He felt guilty. Thus he confessed,
"I have to come clean now. I'm also participating in order to clear my debt. Apparently, I have to accompany someone during the run."
"That is thy comeuppance for dealing with shady businesses."
"Hahaha…"
"Worry not. I had already given thee my word."
O reassured. In a transmigrated world where most of the people were busy hatching their own plans, this Healer was like a pillar of hope.
He was even willing to set aside his cautiousness in order to help someone in need.
"Thanks."
Yoshino expressed his gratitude. He promised to himself that he would return the favor someday.
***
Yoshino went home after saying goodbye to O. The apartment complex where he was renting was actually located at Keshun City.
Well strictly speaking, it was located near the border of Anira and Keshun. But the apartment complex in question was situated more to the later. It was a quick bus ride from USB nonetheless.
Yoshino went up to the second floor. Unit number 210 was the last door in the wing. So he walked straight along the corridor.
But Alshura Soura was waiting outside unit 209. She greeted,
"How was the mid-term exam?"
"It's alright."
"Huu, I didn't think you were book smart."
Yoshino had neither time nor energy to narrate a two-year-old backstory to the grinning Soura. So he settled with a shorter version. He answered,
"I'm not. But if it was around the passing mark, I'd say my scores would surely make it."
"Hawu, good for you."
"How about your examination?"
"I will settle it after the run."
Soura replied. There was indeed no point in her taking the written examination for now. Since she was aiming for the Inner university, any other result would just make her leave USB on her own.
And besides, the written exam would only be a formality in her case.
Yoshino nodded upon hearing this. Soura then changed the topic,
"Anyway, did you read my message?"
"Yes. What are you so excited about?"
"Tomorrow will be the Border Run. I have to make a few adjustments so I need your help."
Yoshino tilted his head upon hearing her reply. This request for help had confused him. So he decided to inquire,
"Are you sure? I thought you were adamant about not sharing your skill information."
"It's fine, I guess. I would have to reveal my non-advanced skills on the challenge anyway."
Soura explained her side. But then she made a huge grin. She quickly added,
"Besides, you need to know the extent of my usable skills if you were to protect me."
When did their roles reversed?
Yoshino wanted to complain. But he felt tired for some reason. He accepted the request just so they could be done with it. He said,
"Alright, if Soura insists."
"[Heat Shroud]!"
The grin grew wider as Soura activated her skill. A phantasmal cloak made of faint orange flames wrapped around her. She grabbed the side of the cloak and raised it in front of her. She declared,
"Tensu!"
Her figure then started to become blurry. She completely vanished after a few seconds.
Was that stealth?
Yoshino was surprised upon seeing the activated effect. He used his skill in return.
"Scan!"
A vague presence of heat was detected but the exact location was unknown. Since the female lieutenant was not planning on attacking, [Danger Perception] did not have its effect triggered.
In short, Yoshino was not able to find where Soura went. He tried activating Scanner once more but to no avail. He stretched his arm forward. Hoping to feel where the lieutenant was.
"Don't move your hands any further!"
Soura warned. A strong killing intent was detected in front of him.
The female lieutenant then appeared. She seemed to have taken off the cloak made of heat.
Yoshino then realized that the reason he received a warning was simple. His hand was about to reach the chest of someone he could not afford to offend.