Chapter 276: Chapter 276: Exchange Ideas

What Mr. Black White said makes much sense.

However, Fate Space itself is highly dangerous, requiring us to venture into a completely unknown and unfamiliar world.

Just a single misstep could derail us, plunging us deeper into crisis.

The fact that the difficulty level has to be forcibly escalated using the ‘Fate Card’ inevitably makes the team somewhat tense.

It seems necessary to inform the closest person about it… After all, there’s a good chance you might die in there.

Abe’s behavior today is markedly different from usual, perhaps from being too nervous upon meeting Mr. Black White, rendering him absent throughout.

Upon leaving the high tower, Abe finally realized he had overreacted, quickly restoring his folded beast ears to their original shape.

Pretending to have a captain’s serious demeanor, he said, “Cough… I’ll take care of all the necessary items and potions. I need to explain the situation to my grandfather today. See you all tomorrow.”

Abe then led his White Seat Wolf out of the beast pen and headed straight back to the Behemoth Knight Group.

A similar flicker of uncertainty could be seen in Winry’s eyes too.

This was, after all, her first time.

“I… I’ll go and speak to my master about this.”

“I’ll also bring as much ‘Efficient Auxiliary Solvent’ as I can. It should help repair or temporarily strengthen your equipment within Fate Space.”

“Hmm, you’ve been training in real combat a lot lately, Winry. Go home and get some rest early today… Don’t worry, I can at least ensure our basic survival.”

These reassuring words from Han Dong immediately relaxed Winry, who then led a mechanical steed out of the beast pen.

As Winry prepared to set out,

A crow dropped a letter into her hand.

After three caws, it flew into the woods.

Han Dong hastily translated the communication from the crow, “Sir has asked you to deliver this letter to Heidrig, the Great Blacksmith.”

“Oh! Alright.”

Once this letter is delivered, then there wouldn’t be any issues with Master Winry.

Han Dong approached the mechanical steed and gently patted the sturdy back of Winry.

“Relax, I am here… We will be fine.”

“Okay…”

For a moment, nearly all of Winry’s tension melted away, a blush bloomed on her face, and she rode her steed back to the [Underground Furnace Bastion].

“Oh, some people certainly know how to flirt… I never expected you to fancy muscular girls.”

Mia deliberately joked from the side.

However, Mia herself wasn’t too jealous. Over the past few days, she and Winry had developed a meaningful relationship. With such a pure and good-hearted blacksmith girl, Mia seemed to gain some ‘completeness of humanity’.

“Whether I like them or not is none of your business… Anyway, shouldn’t you be reporting Mr. Black White’s decision to the witch?”

Mia suddenly stepped forward and wrapped an arm around Han Dong’s arm, her eyes radiating a sickly glow, “Why should I report? I’m not scared of any high-difficulty challenges. It would be nice to die together with you, Nicholas.”

Han Dong could only manage an awkward smile in response.

Then, Mia began to gently circle a fingernail on Han Dong’s chest.

“Since Abe is taking care of all the supply obligations,

Why don’t we relax on the last day? If you don’t want to go to the treehouse, we can stay somewhere else overnight…”

“Is this your ‘request’?”

“Bah! Don’t think it’ll be that easy… It’s up to you whether or not you want to.”

Han Dong suddenly remembered something, “Mia, how about we pay a visit to the Witch Academy?”

“What for?”

“I’d like you to help me with some real combat practice. I’ve been studying hard for so long… I want to test the changes in my body and my abilities.”

“No!”

“If real combat practice provides effective results, it might not be out of the question for me to accompany you for the night.”

“Really!?”

“Mmm… The prerequisite is that it must meet my anticipated result.”

“Don’t worry, for sure I will make you ‘satisfied’…Let’s go! The teacher has been away from home recently, she seems to have gone for a meeting due to the return of the [Death God] to the city.”

“Huh? The witch isn’t around… Then you wait a moment.”

Han Dong sent an urgent message through the watch device on his wrist.

“Wait for what?”

“Wait for an ‘almost’ familiar person to join us for an ‘unconventional’ exchange.”

About fifteen minutes later.

A luxurious carriage drove into the Dark Moon Forest and stopped at the crossroads where the towering tower and swamp meet.

Luxurious carriages like this with passes to the entire academy area are extremely rare, only a few high-ranking assistant directors possess such private cars.

Brother Dumps, wearing a single copper mirror and a grey stand-collar windbreaker, got off the carriage.

Han Dong also accidentally caught a glimpse of a slender jade hand waving goodbye to Dumps from inside the carriage…

In ‘this respect’, Dumps really is an expert.

With his appearance and figure, as well as the unique finger method that is unmatched throughout the Holy City… he really could stride across the campus.

Not only upper-class women, ordinary female students are also attracted to Dump’s unique temperament and manners.

However, Mia is not interested at all, but treats this soft and tender Dumps as a ‘love rival’.

“Brother Dumps, I’m really sorry for making you hurry over.” Han Dong politely greeted him.

Dumps showed a kind smile and said, “Getting an opportunity to have real combat in the mysterious [Witch Academy] is rare, I should thank Nicholas brother for inviting me.”

At the same time, he also greeted Mia on the side.

Mia, however, was dismissive and ignored this ‘third party’ with an arrogant look.

“Let’s go.”

Dumps, who set foot in the [Dead Water Marsh] for the first time, didn’t show any change in his expression.

Stepping on the swamp wooden board hanging on the twisted tree, he closely followed behind Han Dong.

In a short while.

Dumps’ temperament attracted the eyes of many witch apprentices.

There were interested eyes cast from every small tree house, and some witches with tattoos all over even crawled out of the tree houses to get a closer look at this tender-skinned young man.

“Brother Dumps has a high ‘charm value’.”

“Haha, vice-captain shouldn’t make fun of me…but this ‘ability’ can be very useful at times.”

“Indeed.”

Rowing a dilapidated wooden boat, they arrived at the [Witch Academy] in the center of the swamp.

The academy was completely sealed during the witch’s absence.

Only direct students like Mia have the qualifications to enter the academy.

Standing in the wet and plant-filled real combat area of the academy, Dumps couldn’t help but spread his arms and feel the unique atmosphere here.

“The air is full of the strong breath of wizards…The effect of performing witchcraft will be stronger than outside, and the energy consumption will be reduced as well.”

After saying this, Dumps picked up a handful of soil.

He rubbed the dirt with his fingers until it turned into powder, spreading it in the air.

A black muddy shield imprinted with a skull head formed in front of Dumps.

This surprised Mia.

“Hmm!? You know witchcraft?”

“Didn’t I say it when I introduced myself? I know a little bit of everything…In terms of witchcraft, naturally it’s not as proficient as Mia.”