With these thoughts, a sense of vigilance arose in Sauron's heart.
"Is it over, Amos!"
At this moment, Ron suddenly walked over, coldly saying, "If you want to fight, how about I accompany you?"
As he spoke, Ron placed his hand on the hilt of his cross-shaped sword.
"Ron?"
Amos frowned slightly, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes. He said, "What does it have to do with you, Ron, what happens between me and Sauron?"
"As a commoner, do you really have to associate with a noble?"
"Or... is there something inappropriate going on between you two?" Amos had a meaningful expression on his face.
On the side, his two followers burst into strange laughter.
"You are courting death!"
Ron's face darkened, drawing his cross-shaped sword. He was about to engage with Amos, but Sauron remained indifferent.
"I'm not interested in you, Ron."
Amos sneered, looking at Sauron, and said, "How about it, Sauron Young Master, dare to have a duel with me? If you keep hiding behind Ron, I really doubt the relationship between you two!"
Faced with Amos's provocation, Sauron remained unmoved. He simply ignored the other person, turned around, and raised his bow and arrow to continue practicing. Several arrows were shot accurately, hitting the wooden target in front.
"You!"
Seeing that Sauron ignored him, Amos was taken aback. His face immediately became gloomy, but as more and more people on the training ground looked in their direction, he could only leave with annoyance.
"Wait, Sauron!"
Before leaving, Amos left behind some harsh words, saying coldly, "In just half a month, it's the Spring Hunt Trial. I wonder how long this coward like you can last."
Sauron's expression remained unchanged as he focused on his actions.
Beside him, Ron looked a bit surprised, feeling a strange sense of unfamiliarity from him.
"Practice well. If you need anything, remember to call me!"
Ron patted Sauron's shoulder and then turned to leave. He wasn't good at archery; his usual training involved the use of a cross-shaped sword.
Soon, the morning passed.
"Hoo!"
Sauron put down his bow and arrow, a hint of fatigue on his face. After continuous practice, the proficiency of his archery technique had improved significantly.
[Archery Technique LV3 (25/100)]
"At this rate, in two more days, I can level up!"
A gleam of excitement flashed in Sauron's eyes. With the data panel, as long as he practiced, he could increase his passive proficiency.
Ding, ling, ling!
With the sound of a bell, the students on the training ground began to leave one after another. Sauron followed the crowd and headed to the cafeteria.
As an academy established by the royal family, Holy Splendor Academy had abundant food. The spacious cafeteria was divided into three layers, catering to commoner students, noble students, and academy mentors. Although Sauron hadn't received resources from Night Raven City recently, he had already paid his tuition, so he went directly to the second layer's noble restaurant.
After loading up his plate, Sauron went to a corner to dine.
After a morning of practice, he was quite hungry, and he ate quickly while contemplating.
The proficiency of archery technique could be increased through practice. However, the cultivation of the Night Raven Breathing Technique required the assistance of magical potions, and currently, Sauron's wealth was not abundant.
To purchase magical potions, he needed a considerable amount of gold coins.
"Do I have to borrow money?"
Sauron sighed inwardly. In this situation, he could only turn to Ron. Ron was his best friend at the Holy Splendor Academy and also a wealthy person.
Yes, Ron was very wealthy.
Although he came from a commoner background, Ron's father was a well-known merchant in the Taal Duchy. His total assets even surpassed some minor nobles.
If it weren't for their rapid rise, Ron's family might have already transitioned from commoners to the noble class.
"It seems I have no other choice."
Sauron sighed, realizing that if he wanted to get money quickly, he had to ask Ron.
Afterward, Sauron left the cafeteria.
"Borrow money?"
Learning that Sauron wanted to borrow money from him, Ron's face showed a strange expression. In Holy Splendor Academy, it was usually commoners borrowing money from nobles.
"Yes."
Sauron nodded and said frankly, "Since my father disappeared, I haven't received resources from Night Raven City for a long time. So, I can only come to you for help."
"Sure, how much do you need?"
Ron didn't hesitate much and readily agreed, reducing Sauron's suspicions. "Two hundred gold coins, how about that?"
After contemplating for a moment, Sauron extended two fingers. This amount of money might be astronomical for most commoners, but Ron should be able to afford it.
"...Alright!"
Hearing that Sauron wanted to borrow two hundred gold coins, Ron felt a twinge in his heart. However, due to their friendship, he didn't refuse.
"Thank you, Ron!" Sauron expressed sincere gratitude.
"You're welcome."
Ron shook his head, turned around, took out a bag of gold coins from the alley, precisely containing two hundred coins. Sauron took the gold coins without hesitation and left.
"Consider it an increased investment!"
After Sauron walked away, Ron muttered to himself. As the son of a merchant, he liked making investments in certain situations.
Becoming friends with Sauron before was not only due to their personalities but also a kind of investment for Ron. Now, lending two hundred gold coins to Sauron was Ron choosing to increase his investment. Although Sauron's value had decreased since the disappearance of the Lord of Night Raven City, Ron knew that providing timely help was always more precious than embellishing success.
After all, the Lord of Night Raven City had only disappeared, not confirmed dead.
Perhaps Sauron, in his current low state, would rise again once the Lord of Night Raven City returned. Ron's investment in Sauron would undoubtedly yield tremendous returns.
Even more, relying on the Lord of Night Raven City's connections could directly elevate the family to the noble class.