"What?!" Jeffrey shot up from his seat. He looked at Kevin with fear and incredulity. "Killing Adam at any other time would have no consequences. But Edward will be with Adam during the team mission!
"If Adam dies, Edward is sure to investigate and seek revenge. You of all people should be aware of how powerful Edward's background is! And… what if Edward accidentally dies? Have you thought about that?!"
Kevin couldn't help but sneer at Jeffrey's cowardice, but he also knew that the youth's points were valid. "Do you really think I'd be stupid enough to not consider that? I've invested a lot of time and money into this plan. Naturally, I've taken everything into account."
Jeffrey dubiously looked at Kevin. He couldn't help but curse himself for involving himself with such an insecure bastard. He knew very well why Kevin was going so far as to kill Adam when the two had never even met one another.
It was because Adam was on the same team as Lisa!
Jeffrey even believed that if Edward didn't have such a solid background, Kevin would have killed him as well. But at the end of the day, Jeffrey was glad that Kevin was taking care of Adam for him.
Because at this point, the enmity between him and Adam was irreconcilable. So he might as well use Kevin to get rid of Adam. But little did he know, Kevin was also trying to make use of him.
Kevin had spent a lot of money to track down and hire killers from a mysterious assassin's guild in the Southern Federation. The assassins of this organization were known to take their own lives in the event of a mission failure.
However, should anything go wrong, and if any assassin was by chance captured alive and interrogated, Kevin made sure that any information divulged would not lead to him, but Jeffrey!
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})…
The following day, Adam and Edward were walking toward the administrative building. The latter had groggy eyes and was constantly massaging his temples.
"Ugh, my head hurts from drinking last night." Edward then looked at Adam and stated, "You've got quite the tolerance level, huh? I've never seen you get drunk or have a hangover."
Adam smiled smugly, however inwardly he thought, Hehe, that's because I can will the white lotus into clearing the fog in my mind at any time I wish and make sure I retain full clarity. The amount of time it takes me to sober up is a fraction of a second. Probably even less.
The youth had realized this very early on. Not only did the white lotus strengthen his soul and give him enhanced perception, but it also made sure that he always maintained clear-headedness. It was one of the passive effects of the artifact.
Soon, the pair reached the administrative building and walked to the designated lobby where missions were distributed to the students.
A lot of students, mostly first-years, could be seen crowded in this lobby. They were standing in front of a giant granite wall. On the wall, there were rows of information about the various missions that the students could take.
Every couple of minutes a few missions on the wall would magically vanish, indicating that they had already been taken. Then, a new mission would appear in their place.
Just as the two were viewing the various missions on the wall, a familiar voice called out to them. "Adam, Edward, here!"
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})They turned in the direction of the voice and saw Lisa standing in the distance and waving at them. Then, they made their way through the crowd and walked toward her.
Lisa saw them approaching and began carefully looking at them. She looked at Adam and didn't say anything, however, when she looked at Edward's haggard expression, she couldn't help but express her dissatisfaction.
"Why is it that every time I see you, you're either drunk or hungover? A Magus should always be of sound mind. Can't you learn a thing or two from Adam?"
"Huh? Me?" Edward was dumbfounded. He pointed at Adam with a wronged expression and replied, "But he's—"
Adam instantly interrupted him. "Hahaha! Edward just never learns."
He then put his arms around Edward and Lisa's shoulders and dragged them toward the wall. He looked at Lisa and smiled brightly. "Good morning, Lisa. Shall we take a look at the mission?"
"Hmph!" Lisa made a face and then turned her attention toward the missions.
Edward inwardly grumbled at Adam and then started looking at the missions as well.
"Hmm…" Adam rubbed his chin and viewed the missions one by one. "Let's see… Magic beast infestation in the Ruben Kingdom… Allied orc tribal invasion in the Viscus Duchy… Gather magical ingredients and ores for the academy's blacksmith…"
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})There were various missions set up by organizations or kingdoms in the Southern Federation. The federation consisted of more than a dozen kingdoms and was jointly led by the Nightingale Kingdom and the Clover Academy.
Members of the Southern Federation provided the academy with resources, and in turn, the academy provided them security as well as a safe place for their prospective Magi to grow. It was a symbiotic relationship.
After going through all the available missions, the trio discussed with one another and finally decided upon a mission set up by a wealthy Count from the Fabio Kingdom.
The trio then walked to the counter on the other side of the hall where an old lady was sitting and reading a book. Lisa walked up to her and respectfully greeted her, "Professor, we have decided on our mission."
"Oh?" The professor looked at Lisa and gently smiled. "It's you, Lisa." She then looked at Adam and Edward behind her and turned slightly irritated. "And you two dimwits."
The two roommates could only lower their heads and force a smile. It couldn't be helped. All the first-year professors disliked them. The two were simply too troublesome. On the other hand, Lisa was a model student that every professor doted on.
"Professor, we'd like to apply for the mission given by Count Hannes from the Fabio Kingdom," stated Lisa with a smile.
The professor grumbled, "Lisa dearest, are you sure you want to go on a mission with those two idiots? They'll only hold you back."
Damn you, old hag! Adam and Edward complained inwardly.
Lisa nodded. "Yes, Professor, I'm sure. Although they look useless and unreliable, I have come to trust them."
Adam and Edward didn't know how to react. Although Lisa condemned them just now, why did they feel so good about it?
"Fine, whatever you say, dear." The professor sighed. She then grabbed a paper and began filling up a document.
"An unknown threat has been wreaking havoc in Count Hanne's territory in the southern part of the Fabio Kingdom. Over the past few months, many families and cattle have disappeared in his territory. Traces of dark magic have been found at the crime scene.
"Your mission is to identify and eliminate the problem plaguing the Count's territory and restore peace. Your final grade will depend upon how thoroughly you complete the mission. Any questions?" The professor repeated the mission details as she filled out the form.
The trio shook their heads.
"Very well." The professor took out a small bag and handed it to Lisa.
"Inside you will find a visual recording orb. Make sure to activate it every few days and record your mission progress. Should you lose the orb or fail to update your progress regularly, your mission will be considered a failure. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am." Lisa solemnly nodded.
"There is also a map inside that shows the most optimal route to Hoffman County. Furthermore, other important places are also marked. That will be all. May fortune be with you."
"Thank you, Professor!" The three replied simultaneously and then left the administrative building.
One of Kevin's underlings who was standing close to them and listening in on the mission details, smiled coldly as he saw the trio's departing back.
"Hoffman County in the Fabio Kingdom, huh?"
