Alvin and Felia then left sometime later. They also had to take missions since their training with Linfel was a lot more expensive than before. As for Linfel, he wasn't much different. He did get a source of Magic Energy, but that was a truly very poor Yellow Magic Energy. After cleaning it, he would be left with way less Magic Energy than if he used Low-Grade Magic Stones.
The trio made their way to the Mission Hall, ready to take on whatever tasks came their way. However, Linfel noticed a peculiar change. "Strange, some of the missions I saw yesterday are now offering fewer Academy Credits," he remarked, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"It's the time," Felia explained. "Because it is late at night, it is considered worse, so the payments get a 10% bonus. You probably saw a few missions or tasks worth 33 Academy Credits. During the day, however, they are worth only 30. It's that simple."
"I see..." Linfel looked at Alvin, who selected a cleaning task. "Is this enough?"
Alvin, undeterred by the challenge, shrugged. "Clearly, it's not enough. But I'm accustomed to this type of task, so I reckon I can finish in four to five hours. I'm aiming to complete at least two per day, maybe even three. With Felia's assistance, I believe we can make it happen." His words were filled with a quiet determination.
"Even so, that would be only 60 Academy Credits," Linfel spoke. "That would give you only 60 Low-Grade Yellow Magic Stones. We use a lot more during the night."
"Nothing to be done there," Alvin sighed. "I'm already happy enough we can train in that manner, even if it is just a few days of the week."
Linfel thought about Lucau and the day he was saved, so he made the decision. "Alright, I'm going to join you in these simple tasks. The Academy Credits we make during the day will go toward your training."
Felia and Alvin looked at Linfel, surprised. "Why?"
"This is me repaying your father, and there was also your help and the fact you are keeping my secret," Linfel spoke the reason straight away. "However, the Academy Credits I make in the night will be mine alone. Don't forget, I don't need to sleep, so I can keep taking missions day and night nonstop."
Alvin obviously accepted. "Thank you, Linfel. I will try to make it up to you someday."
Just like that, the trio decided to spend the rest of the week working on missions. Linfel was an independent Familiar, so he could take missions of his own as well. They worked together, completing two to three missions during the day. As a result, they were making between 120 and 180 Academy Credits every time at least. Of course, Linfel was saving his own Academy Credits from the pillars at night, too.
Even though they were getting quite a sizeable amount of Academy Credits, each Low-Grade Yellow Magic Stone cost 01 Academy Credit. The training they did in Alvin's room used more than three hundred every time, so it obviously wasn't enough.
That said, they only did that training once every two days. On the days in between, they went to the Floating Blades Faction during the early night. All the equipment that Alvin usually had to pay Academy Credits to use was free there, so he made the most of it.
Even Linfel and Felia used that Soul Strengthening Equipment, which brings quite some good benefits for Familiars. Linfel was a Wisp, but he also had no problem with the equipment.
Just like that, the last day of the week arrived, and the Field Exam was about to start again.
"Alvin!" As Alvin, Felia, and Linfel waited in front of the Academy's Gate, Connor also appeared with Tratil, his Familiar. "How was it? I've seen you going crazy with missions these last few days."
Alvin seemed a little tired, but the excitement in his eyes was obvious. "The free equipment in the Floating Blades Faction is truly worth it. I can feel myself improving a lot faster." Of course, he wouldn't mention his work with Linfel. "Still, you two truly came for the Field Exam. I had my doubts."
"After what I heard that day in your Faction, I couldn't possibly stay still anymore, right?" Connor sighed in response. "I'm not exactly brave, but I'm not just stay put and die either. Well, that is if what they said was true."
"I don't think they were lying," Linfel commented. "If anything, that feels a lot more like what a world with beings like Maguses and Familiars would usually be. This peace you have feels like quite a miracle, in my opinion."
Connor looked around but noticed Alvin, Linfel, and Felia were alone. "What about the other Floating Blade Faction members?"
Alvin pointed away. "All the way there with their classes. You don't really think that just because I'm in their Faction, I would join the same group as them, right? I'm still a Rank F Student for all intentions and purposes. Those are the A and B classes."
"That makes sense," Trail and Connor nodded.
"All of you, gather up!" Suddenly, the academy instructor responsible for Alvin and Connor's class called everyone. Following that, tens of airships landed near the various classes, each one capable of carrying hundreds of students.
The Academy did have over a hundred thousand students, but the Field Exams were indeed dangerous. Some ignored it completely, while others only took the exams once in a while. Thanks to that, there wasn't the need for too much of this transportation. There were only around eight thousand students total this time.
Linfel and Alvin found a place to sit with Connor, Tratil, and Felia. Not long after, the airships took flight, disappearing in the distance. While it flew, the instructors inside began to explain this week's exam. "Alright, this week we are going to the Dark Canyons. The place is pretty much a maze and has quite a few Magical Beasts. Don't drop your guard."