Director Qiu of the Academy's Academic Affairs Office stood respectfully to the side.
Sprawled casually in the seat that originally belonged to him was Byron.
When Morintis arrived and saw Byron, he was slightly surprised.
But he showed no particular expression.
"Greetings, Lord White God.
Greetings, Director Qiu."
Byron chuckled and waved Morintis over.
"I've seen the recording of this trial.
Your performance was excellent."
Was he called here just for this?
Morintis said softly, "I only did what needed to be done."
The purpose of this trial was the Mermaid's Tear.
Even now, Morintis didn't know its exact use.
But since the academy arranged it this way, the Mermaid's Tear must be useful.
Byron's smile widened.
Not arrogant in victory, not discouraged in defeat—this was the best temperament for becoming a top-tier expert.
"Do you know the use of the Mermaid's Tear?"
Morintis shook his head; he wasn't clear.
Byron smiled.
"Actually, not many in this trial knew the purpose of the Mermaid's Tear.
After all, the level difference is too great; most people can't use it yet."
"The Mermaid's Tear is related to the success rate of awakening a talent during the second tier change."
Morintis was slightly surprised internally.
There was a chance to awaken a talent during the second tier change, but the chance was extremely slim.
Only one in ten thousand could awaken a talent.
He originally thought it was just a matter of luck, never expecting there were items that could increase this probability.
Although slightly surprised inside, Morintis showed no expression on the surface, not even a change in his eyes.
Byron, failing to see the expected reaction in Morintis's eyes, felt somewhat disappointed.
"Of course, items that help awaken talents aren't limited to the Mermaid's Tear.
It's just that the Mermaid's Tear is relatively easier to obtain."
"Originally, we calculated the time and location of Mermaid Island's appearance.
We didn't expect the Sakura Nation to have calculated it too, which nearly caused this trial to fail."
"Luckily, you were there.
So you've rendered great service this time."
"In the Divine Dragon Empire, there must be punishment for faults, and rewards for merits."
"What reward would you like?
I'll try to satisfy you."
Byron said a lot, but the last sentence was the key.
Morintis thought for a moment.
"Can you help me find someone?"
Byron chuckled.
"I knew you would ask this.
Didn't you already check at the Academic Affairs Office?"
"Your sister, Morona, joined the academy last year.
Earlier this year, she joined Genesis Academy.
That's why you could only find blank records of her within the main academy."
"All students who join Genesis Academy have blank records."
Morintis was finally somewhat shocked this time.
"Sister joined Genesis Academy?"
He knew how difficult it was to enter Genesis Academy.
As the top college within the academy, the difficulty of joining was absurdly high.
Peach's ultimate dream was to join Genesis Academy.
Isla Ning had also told him he should definitely join Genesis Academy if possible.
Genesis Academy always held a sense of mystery in his mind.
He never expected his sister had already entered.
Morintis realized there was a problem.
His sister had been in the academy for less than half a year.
How could she join Genesis Academy?
People like Peach, who were internal members cultivated by the academy, hadn't managed to join Genesis Academy yet.
Byron said, "Morona did join Genesis Academy.
According to the rules, I cannot disclose matters within Genesis Academy to you."
"So any questions you have, you must join Genesis Academy yourself and ask your sister directly."
"Before you join Genesis Academy, you probably won't be able to see your sister."
Morintis asked without hesitation, "How can I join Genesis Academy?"
Byron was prepared.
He operated his communicator a few times, and then Morintis's communicator prompted that he had received some information.
"Alright, I've sent you the conditions for joining Genesis Academy.
You can look at them when you have time."
"Regarding your sister, that was originally meant to be told to you and doesn't count as your reward.
You can make another request."
Morintis thought again.
"I want a Cooling Charm."
Director Qiu showed an expression that said 'as expected'.
Byron slapped the table and laughed heartily.
"Old Qiu, wasn't I right?"
Director Qiu laughed.
"My lord truly predicts everything with divine accuracy.
A perfect hit."
Both of Morintis's requests were within Byron's expectations.
Byron looked at Morintis with amusement.
"Do you know the value of a Cooling Charm?
Even a Low-Grade Cooling Charm isn't something you can buy casually."
Morintis nodded.
Indeed, he couldn't buy one.
Not even the Academy Exchange had it.
Byron said, "Let's keep matters separate.
You performed excellently in the major exam, became the National Top Scorer.
The due rewards have been given to you.
That matter is settled."
"This trial mission, you rendered service.
But based on this alone, it's not enough to exchange for a Low-Grade Cooling Charm."
"I have a task here.
If you complete it, I'll get you a Low-Grade Cooling Charm."
Morintis's eyes lit up.
"Deal."
With a Low-Grade Cooling Charm, it would be much more convenient for Morintis.
He could repeatedly run dungeons in a short time, greatly increasing his leveling speed.
Byron said, "First, raise your level to 20.
Then you can undertake this task."
"As for how to level up, you can consult Director Qiu.
He's an expert in this area."
"Alright, contact me again once you reach Level 20."
Now, Morintis's communicator had Byron's contact information.
He could contact Byron once he reached Level 20.
Get the Cooling Charm, join Genesis Academy, find his sister.
Morintis set these goals for himself.
After Byron left, Director Qiu finally sat back in his own seat.
He looked at Morintis with a smile.
From Byron's attitude earlier, he could tell Byron thought highly of this young man.
He knew all too well what Byron was usually like.
Over so many years, he had never seen Byron be so amiable towards anyone.
Even the top talents in Genesis Academy got scolded harshly by Byron.
Byron's attitude towards Morintis had completely surpassed that towards other students.
If he didn't know Morintis's background, he might have suspected Morintis was Byron's illegitimate son.
Director Qiu said smilingly, "There are many ways to level up, but the fastest method is definitely soloing dungeons."
"However, soloing dungeons is difficult and dangerous.
Ordinary people can at most handle Normal difficulty, and might not even attempt the final BOSS because they can't defeat it."
"Besides soloing dungeons, you can also find elite monster areas in the wild.
There are quite a few such places."
"But those places are also crowded with people, often leading to disputes over territory."
"Then there are the field BOSSes.
Field BOSSes provide a lot of experience, more than dungeon BOSSes, and can also yield good equipment."
"But field BOSSes are often monopolized by major guilds.
Those who don't know won't even know the respawn times."
...
Director Qiu listed many methods.
Apart from the initially mentioned dungeon method being somewhat reliable, all the subsequent methods were impractical.
These directions were only suitable for ordinary Professionals, not for Morintis.
Morintis understood this perfectly, yet he remained very patient, listening throughout.
Even if it wasn't useful for him, it was still knowledge.
Maybe it would come in handy someday.
For example, Director Qiu mentioned public monster areas between nations, which Morintis hadn't heard of before.
Director Qiu talked for a full ten minutes without stopping.
Finally, seeing Morintis show no reaction, he couldn't hold back any longer.
"Lord White God was right.
You really do speak very little.
I admit defeat, no more joking with you."
"Give me your identity card.
I'll process the procedures for you."
Morintis handed over his identity card.
Director Qiu quickly processed the procedures and also handed Morintis a seemingly special Teleportation Stone.
"This is a Teleportation Stone for the Dungeon Hall."
"Within the academy grounds, you can use it to teleport to the academy's Dungeon Hall."
"If you want to run dungeons, go there."
"Oh, and this Teleportation Stone costs 1000 points.
It's already deducted from your points card."
In the academy, everything was a transaction.
If you want something, you have to pay the corresponding price.
Be it labor, points, or gold coins.
There's no such thing as a free lunch.
After leaving the Academic Affairs Office, Morintis first thought of contacting Isla Ning.
He had promised to power-level her; naturally, he couldn't go back on his word.
His communicator vibrated, receiving a message from Isla Ning.
"Something came up.
Leaving for a few days.
Will contact you when back."