Ye Fan silently held out his right index finger.
Fang Zhou made a disdainful face. "One contribution point? That's too little, I'm not doing it!"
Seeing Fang Zhou turn to leave, Ye Fan could no longer contain himself and said hurriedly, "Ten contribution points! That covers two weeks. All you need to do is spend an hour sparring with me at the research group after class each day, and you'll get ten contribution points as payment."
Now that's more like it. Fang Zhou nodded with slight satisfaction and added, "No problem, but I require payment upfront."
Hearing Fang Zhou agree, Ye Fan's face lit up with excitement, and he naturally accepted the condition. Ever since he saw Fang Zhou summon twenty skeletons in the last combat class, Ye Fan had been deeply impressed and dreamed of sparring with him. After being studied by the research group for nearly half a month, he had not only mastered the use of the Blade Bow, a weapon exclusive to the Demon Hunter Profession, but had also comprehended a powerful new skill. Thus, he was confident he could face Fang Zhou's Skeleton Army head-on.
Of course, poor Ye Fan had not yet realized that the sparring partner he had invited was an Undead Mage who had mastered five skills and possessed the power to crush him.
Ye Fan tapped his personal terminal a few times, presumably communicating with a researcher from the group. Soon, Fang Zhou's personal terminal received a labor contract from the Demon Hunter Research Group.
Fang Zhou glanced over it briefly. The contract required him to report to the Demon Hunter Research Group with Ye Fan for an hour each afternoon for two weeks and participate in combat sessions arranged by the researchers. The payment was ten contribution points, payable in advance.
Ten contribution points was equivalent to a Junior Sergeant's salary for ten months and enough to buy an Apprentice-tier Skill Book. The research group was willing to pay such a high price just to get Ye Fan a sparring partner.
To be honest, I'm a bit envious. Why can't Sea City Military Academy set up a research group for the Undead Mage Profession?
Beside them, Bai Xiaochan pouted with even more envy. Support Professions have no rights. Ye Fan, for instance, not only had a dedicated research group helping him enhance his strength but also had surplus contribution points to recruit sparring partners. Even Fang Zhou could sell his skeletons' labor to earn contribution points. If only I had an easy way to earn contribution points too, Bai Xiaochan thought.
...
That afternoon, after Meditation class, Fang Zhou followed Ye Fan to the research group. The room resembled a laboratory, filled with all sorts of experimental equipment. Fang Zhou even noticed a few of the testing automatons that Instructor Lu Hu had operated in the past.
The instructor responsible for Ye Fan's research was named Chen Qingshan, a Silver Middle Rank [Gale Ranger]. Similar to Shen Hongyu, his right arm was a mechanical prosthetic, a clear sign that injuries had forced him off the front lines.
Chen Qingshan greeted Fang Zhou and led him on a brief tour of the lab. He explained, "Recently, in the Mythical World, another [Demon Hunter] predecessor from humanity achieved the Legendary Crown and successfully slew an Abyss Lord, demonstrating immense combat power. Therefore, after Ye Fan's Awakening as a Demon Hunter, Sea City Military Academy has placed great importance on him, establishing a research group to fully develop his potential.
"Next, you and Ye Fan will undergo combat training. We have established thorough safety measures, so you can fully immerse yourselves in the battle without worrying about life-threatening risks.
"Additionally, to fully unleash your combat potential, you may each select three pieces of combat equipment from the armory."
Fang Zhou nodded and followed Ye Fan into the armory.
Ye Fan obviously had a plan. He unhesitatingly chose a Blade Bow, a set of leather armor, and a pair of boots. He proudly raised an eyebrow at Fang Zhou and said confidently, "Fang Zhou, I've recently mastered the [Weapon Specialization] skill and chose the Blade Bow as my specialization. The Blade Bow is the signature weapon of the Demon Hunter Profession, capable of both long-range attacks and devastating power in close combat. Moreover, I've comprehended a skill of tremendous power. Don't think you're guaranteed to win just because you can summon twenty skeletons!"
With that, Ye Fan walked out of the armory full of enthusiasm, head held high.
Fang Zhou smiled slightly and looked at the weapon rack before him. It displayed Apprentice-level equipment and some highly practical battlefield items. After a moment's thought, Fang Zhou chose a Magic Staff first, then took a hooded Mage Robe from the rack. For his last item, he hesitated briefly before selecting a piece of optical camouflage fabric.
[Apprentice Magic Staff] (Gray Inferior): A standard-issue staff produced on an assembly line. Slightly enhances magic effects.
[Apprentice Mage Robe] (Gray Inferior): A standard-issue robe produced on an assembly line. Slightly reduces incoming damage.
The optical camouflage fabric was a high-tech product. When draped over the body, it added a layer of environmental camouflage, making the wearer harder to detect.
Fang Zhou exhaled gently, a spark of excitement igniting within him. Although his Skeleton Clone had accumulated a wealth of combat experience in the Undead Realm, his actual body had never been in a real fight, aside from dismantling the testing automaton.
Ye Fan, my friend, don't let me down.
...
On the training ground, Ye Fan was already holding his unique weapon, poised and ready. Forged from a special alloy, the Blade Bow gleamed with a cold metallic luster. The bow's body was slender yet solid. Blade-like barbs extended from the sides of its limbs, and the edges of these blades curved elegantly like a crescent moon, concealing a deadly purpose.
Fang Zhou arrived at the training ground, standing about fifty meters away from Ye Fan. This was the standard combat distance for spars between Apprentice Stage Combat Professionals and Magic Professionals.
He glanced around, noticing that a dozen or so instructors and researchers had already gathered around the training ground in small groups. Clearly, they were drawn by the spar between him and Ye Fan. These instructors were Bronze or even Silver Tier Professionals, while some of the researchers were merely ordinary people who hadn't had an Awakening. Although the spar between two apprentices might seem like a chicken fight to the powerful, the rarity and specialty of their Professions made it an intriguing spectacle.
Suddenly, Fang Zhou froze for a second.
Instructor Lu Hu is here too? Is he also part of the Demon Hunter Research Group?
From the sidelines, the instructors and researchers exchanged low whispers as they watched the two opponents. Ye Fan's eyes were blazing, making him look like a predatory leopard ready to pounce. In contrast, Fang Zhou stood tall and straight with a calm gaze, his long robe giving him the distinct air of a Mage.
"Who do you think will win?"
"Definitely Ye Fan! After seeing him in action so many times this week, surely you know how terrifying his combat instincts are?"
"Not necessarily. I heard this Fang Zhou can summon twenty skeletons! I doubt Ye Fan could stand up to the Sea of Bones Skill."