**Chapter 83: Tina's Favorability Increases, Return to the Capital**
In his previous life, [Sunflower Seeds] had an immense reputation.
Once a player attains noble status and secures a [Village] level territory, they receive 10 plots of [Farmland]. As they upgrade their territory, this farmland grows in number.
Planting large quantities of [Sunflower Seeds] in these plots creates a valuable yield: each mature [Sunflower] produces a burst of [Sunshine].
Absorbing [Sunshine] grants players substantial experience, which becomes invaluable in later stages when experience sources dwindle. In fact, over 60% of non-noble players' experience comes from these [Sunflowers]!
However, obtaining a [Village] territory is no simple task. Beyond select main story giveaways, players must earn 10 points of "World Reputation" to secure a territory.
And "World Prestige" is notoriously challenging to obtain. Even by level 50 or 60, most players have little to none, resorting to renting farmland from other players who own territories.
The territory's ultimate structures—[Mage Tower] for mages, [Flesh Condensation Field] for warriors, and [Hidden Sanctuary] for assassins—all require the territory to reach [City] level or the player to be level 75 before construction.
This is why Su Yu focused on advancing the main storyline rather than grinding, aiming to reach a point where he could build the coveted [Mage Tower].
With the [Mage Tower], he would have a shot at reaching the game's pinnacle.
…
"Hey, Tina, can you give me some 'World Reputation'?" Su Yu asked, gazing sincerely at Tina as they stood near Dave's body in the Monster Garden.
"World Reputation?" Tina blinked, puzzled.
"Never mind," Su Yu replied, shaking his head.
World Reputation is usually earned through significant acts that impact the kingdom. For instance, a heroic stand in battle or a spectacular public achievement can grant it.
Or, more dramatically, if he were to marry Princess Alizee, the sensation would likely skyrocket his reputation by over 150 points!
At the moment, though, secluded with Tina in the hills, it made sense that he wouldn't earn any reputation here.
However, Tina suddenly looked thoughtful, her cheeks pink with a hint of blush: "Nemesis, how about coming back to Oran City with me! Come visit my house!"
She hadn't forgotten his earlier "promise" to rest with her, and her mind wandered to the possibilities. She'd recently bought a lovely, pale-yellow dress—maybe she could wear it and show him.
But as she stood there, lost in her thoughts, Su Yu's apologetic voice broke the silence: "I'm sorry, Tina, but I can't join you just yet. There's something important I need to do."
The "important" task, of course, was the eighth stage of the Queen's Questline.
Only 40 minutes remained on the countdown.
Tina's heart sank at his words. Though inexperienced in love, she'd read enough romance novels to know the usual implications when someone said they had "something important to do."
She sighed, her tone laced with sadness: "Then go. I don't want to keep you if it'll only make you unhappy."
**Ding! [Tina Garcia] has -1 favorability toward you. Favorability has dropped to 'Indifferent.'**
Su Yu froze. Had he somehow said the wrong thing?
Realizing he'd made a blunder, he hurried to explain: "Tina, let me clarify! A week ago, I was entrusted with a letter from the village chief to deliver to the capital for Princess Alizee."
Su Yu then recounted his journey to Plantagenet City, taking the Senior Scholar exam, meeting the princess, and narrowly escaping the Dark Priest [Sivan].
Unlike the stubborn heroines in drama series, Tina listened intently, absorbing every detail.
She hadn't known about his perilous journey before he arrived in Oran City—nor that he was a "Senior Scholar"!
As a simple village girl, Tina understood the prestige associated with the title of Senior Scholar, though she'd never seen the [Senior Scholar Badge] before. Only now did she realize that the crystal badge Su Yu always wore was indeed the Senior Scholar's emblem. And with such a distinguished invitation from the princess, she could understand why he couldn't stay.
A smile of relief and pride spread across her face.
"Then, go see Her Royal Highness! In the meantime, I'll train at the Unicorn Barracks or wait at home. I'll be here when you return," Tina said warmly.
**Ding! [Tina Garcia] +6 favorability toward you. Favorability increased to 'Interested.'**
"Alright then, let me escort you home first, and then I'll head to the capital," Su Yu replied, taking Tina's hand.
The two mounted Tima and began their ride back to Oran City.
…
During the journey, Su Yu embellished a bit, describing (boasting) how grueling the Senior Scholar exam was, with only a handful of people passing each year. Tina listened, eyes wide with admiration, which led her to a realization:
Moments ago, she'd felt insecure, fearing that her growing strength might make Su Yu feel inadequate.
Now, knowing he was a Senior Scholar, she saw that there was no reason for disparity between them. They were equals—perhaps even a perfect match.
This thought warmed her heart.
**Ding! [Tina Garcia] +5 favorability toward you. Favorability increased to 'Friendly.'**
After about half an hour, they reached the gates of Plantagenet City.
Su Yu directed Tima toward the palace, pondering as he rode: "I came into this game to build my strength, not to get caught up in a dating sim. These favorability boosts are getting a bit out of hand."
He glanced at Tina's favorability level on his interface—it was at "Friendly." Another 10 points would push it to the highest level: "Enthusiastic."
"If only I could raise Princess Alizee's favorability that quickly. At 'Friendly,' I could at least aim for an earl's rank," he mused as he continued onward.
…
While on the move, he checked his private messages.
[Heaven Slaying Sword], [True Red-Eyed Black Dragon], and [Snow Leopard] had all sent him inquiries, wondering how he'd managed to level up so quickly—six levels in one go!
Su Yu paused, considering his response, before replying to all three: "A high-level NPC buffed me, which allowed for rapid leveling."
And this time, he wasn't bluffing. Tina's special buffs had indeed fueled his swift progress.
But his friends seemed less than convinced.
Each of them replied with a note of frustration, clearly skeptical: *"Can't you come up with a better excuse? Last time, it was 'an advanced NPC buff,' and the time before that. Again?"*
*"Do you think we're that easy to fool?"*
(end of chapter)