novelraw Chapter 147-1: Rona’s Training, the Illusionary Book (1)
Chapter 147-1: Rona’s Training, the Illusionary Book (1)
[Guilty Apostle, what will you do?]
Lin Xun suddenly recalled that Grand Scholar Rona was none other than the ice-cold beauty whom the Smelting Plant Owner had been pining for.
The Plant Owner loved her but could not obtain her, practically a textbook example of a simp.
He even went so far as to extract the Refined Copper Essence from the Refined Copper Monstrosity he kept and added a love letter, all in the hopes of winning her favor.
The Grand Scholar Rona standing before him was undoubtedly formidable. Even before he possessed any shell that could amplify his Knowledge stat, he had already obtained 800 Knowledge points upon first meeting her.
This made it clear that facing her head-on was not the most reasonable choice at this moment.
[1. Quickly put on the Association Scholar Robe and tell Grand Scholar Rona that you are a newly promoted Scholar. Since your family is so poor that you can barely afford food, you had no choice but to steal books. And besides, stealing books shouldn’t count as theft… stealing books! How can something done by a man of learning be considered stealing?]
[2. Quickly put on the Examiner Uniform of the Multivision School Association and tell Grand Scholar Rona that you are here to retrieve the Book Containing Trace Knowledge for an assessment candidate. As for why you look unfamiliar, it’s because an examiner suddenly dropped dead, and you were newly appointed as a replacement.]
[3. Quickly take off your Ornate Performance Costume and ask Grand Scholar Rona whether your broad frame and impressive physique suit her tastes.]
Two longs and one short, of course, pick the short one… pfft.Pretending to be an examiner was not very reliable. By comparison, the first option seemed more reasonable. After all, he was indeed a newly promoted Scholar, and it was normal for newcomers to be unfamiliar with the rules.
However, he had another option.
That was to spend a bit of Soul Strength and reshape the Plant Owner’s shell.
In his inventory, there was a Special Item called Confession Letter to Grand Scholar Rona.
[Confession Letter to Grand Scholar Rona (Special Item): A finely sealed envelope with a bright red wax stamp. The letter inside is full of scribbled characters expressing explicit adoration toward Grand Scholar Rona. Using this item on a specific target will trigger unknown outcomes. It might lead to a passionate night, a ‘let’s just be friends’ response, or maybe even a slap in the face. Who knows?]
Confessing as the Plant Owner likely wouldn’t make Grand Scholar Rona mistake him for a thief.
However, Lin Xun had a faint feeling that this was not the optimal moment to use the item.
Based on the item description, he speculated that the game probably had a favorability system.
Even the Plant Owner had to use precious items like Refined Copper Essence to pursue Grand Scholar Rona.
If he used the item now just to escape being caught stealing, it would undoubtedly be a great waste.
The three options on the panel began to tremble slightly, indicating that he had little time left to decide.
Lin Xun stopped hesitating and selected the first option.
[You equipped the Association Scholar Robe (Fine-Grade Equipment)!]
[As you put on the Association Scholar Robe, you also pulled out your Multivision School Association Scholar Certificate to present your identity to Grand Scholar Rona.]
[The cold gaze of Knowledge-Seeking Multivision School Grand Scholar, Rona softened slightly, and she gestured for you to follow her.]
[Grand Scholar Rona turned and walked away, leaving you with a graceful and alluring silhouette…]
[Do you wish to follow Grand Scholar Rona?]
Lin Xun frowned slightly. What was Grand Scholar Rona up to?
He pressed the follow option.
[Grand Scholar Rona led you out of the Ancient Book Archive. On her way out, she lightly tapped the counter, waking the clerk who was snoring away.]
[She then brought you into the elevator, taking it directly to the fifth floor of the Association Building…]
[You secretly pulled out the Directory Map of the Multivision School Association Building and glanced at it. The third floor of the Association was where the Grand Scholars gathered, while the fourth floor housed the offices of Scholars.]
[The fifth floor was where the Grand Scholars resided, and the sixth floor belonged to the Association President…]
Lin Xun narrowed his eyes.
The first and second floors of the Association Building were not combat zones.
However, these upper floors gathered many Scholars, and perhaps they were places where shells could be farmed.
[The lobby and corridors of the fifth floor were completely deserted and eerily quiet. You glanced around and saw only a few offices here, but each occupied a vast area, suggesting that the Grand Scholars ranked just below the Association President.]
[Grand Scholar Rona led you straight into an office and casually closed the door behind her.]
Lin Xun’s heart tensed.
Having a private conversation in the office… could it be that Grand Scholar Rona had some unspeakable intentions?
Or perhaps… something like, “This newly promoted Scholar, you wouldn’t want anyone else to know you were stealing books, would you?” Some sort of inappropriate proposition?
[Grand Scholar Rona frowned slightly as she looked at the Battle Angel – Valkyrie closely following behind you.]
[In a cold tone, she questioned how a newly promoted Scholar, supposedly so impoverished, could afford to purchase a maid doll of such high quality.]
[Moreover, this doll was undoubtedly a top-tier doll, one that even her vast knowledge had never encountered before.]
[If not for this doll having broadened her understanding somewhat, she would have slain you on the spot for your attempted theft, purging the filth from the Association.]
[As she spoke, she sighed quietly, lamenting how the Association was declining year after year, where anyone could become a once lofty Scholar by simply offering enough wealth. The once pure and sacred Temple of Knowledge had been corrupted by filthy riches…]
[Grand Scholar Rona looked at you and remarked that, for some reason, this doll gave her an unusually familiar feeling.]
[Your doll was slightly different from others. It seemed… to possess a degree of intelligence. With proper training, perhaps it could even absorb knowledge from books.]
[Grand Scholar Rona wishes to train your Watcher, instructing her in knowledge skills.]
[Do you wish to issue a command to the Battle Angel – Valkyrie, allowing her to remain here for advanced study and training?]
Lin Xun never would have expected this.
He himself hadn’t yet received the opportunity for advanced study, yet the Valkyrie was already getting it.
Was it because his own appearance lacked any hint of wisdom?
In his mind, he was already imagining the Valkyrie wearing a mage’s robe, wielding a staff, and chanting spells while firing massive fireballs.
A flying spell turret, what boss could possibly withstand that?
So the real powerhouse was the Valkyrie after all…
Without hesitation, he pressed ‘Yes’ and issued the stay command to the Valkyrie.
After all, he still held the Refined Copper Sand Maraca summoning item. There was no need to fear Grand Scholar Rona pulling any tricks.
As long as the Valkyrie peacefully studied… knowledge… here, she would eventually become a Watcher capable of mastering all classes.
[Grand Scholar Rona waved her hand, signaling that you may leave. Once she has completed the training, the doll will come find you on its own.]
[During this period, unless absolutely necessary, you must not summon the doll, so as not to interrupt her studies…]
[Grand Scholar Rona pulled out several books from the bookshelf behind her and began to instruct the Battle Angel – Valkyrie on the profound knowledge within them…]
[The Battle Angel – Valkyrie looked at you longingly, but due to the command given, she could only remain here to study…]
Since there was nothing more for him to do here, Lin Xun exited Rona’s office.
The third, fourth, fifth, and sixth floors should be areas where Scholars could be farmed. And since the Scholar shells wouldn’t run away, he figured it was best to first finish exploring the non-combat areas on the second floor before returning to farm and level up.