Chapter 205: Smartass Instructor
Leoâs expression darkened.
The instructor immediately corrected himself.
"I have already verified your treasure..."
As he spoke, Shub closed his eyes, as if sensing something invisible in the air. A moment later, he nodded to himself.
"But you cannot use it," he continued smoothly. "What I mean is, the mana emitted by this treasure is poisonous. I can feel it. Staying within this poisonous mana for a long duration will make you go mad, rupture your blood vessels, and might even turn you into a mindless berserk beast."
He spoke with broad, reassuring hand gestures, his tone measured and persuasive, sounding very sincere.
"And as a matter of fact, this treasure doesnât even hold real value unless you obtain high-grade purifiers to cleanse the mana. That alone would cost up to one million AC." He sighed theatrically.
"So, as your senior, I couldnât bear to watch you suffer so much, only to gain nothing in the end. Thatâs why I brought another treasure with meâone I happened to have an extra of."
He gestured toward the potted plant on the eagle.
"This is called Blueleaf. Its rank is Low-Blue-Tier. And even though it performs the same function as that one, this is clearly the superior choice. You can directly enjoy the benefits of a mana-dense region along with enhanced soil fertility. Even though it pains me to part with such a high-grade treasure... well, anything for a fellow new student."
Without waiting for Leoâs response, Shub looked around the terrain, whistling softly.
"I have to say, you found a greatâno, the best location to establish a territory. Honestly, if I hadnât already established mine, I wouldâve snatched this place myself. Haha." He chuckled, then suddenly remembered something.
"Oh! By the way, Iâm Shub. A junior(third term) as well as an instructor in the academy."
He extended his hand toward Leo, clearly expecting a handshake.
Leo understood everything.
This instructor wanted the treasure for himself. To achieve that, he had completely undermined the value of the Fluxsoil Heart, twisted the meaning of chaotic mana into poisonous mana, and even casually promoted a Mid-Green-Tier treasure into a so-called Low-Blue-Tier one.
Even Leo had to admitâif not for his system, he might have believed it. With how flashy the Blueleaf looked, its bluish leaves pulsing faintly with mana, anyone would assume it was blue-ranked.
"Iâm Leo," he said calmly. "Nice to meet you."
He reached out and shook Shubâs hand.
Shubâs face immediately began to beam, clearly believing Leo had agreedâ
"But Iâm sorry," Leo continued evenly, "I plan to use the treasure I found myself as my beacon. Even if it emits poisonous mana."
Shub froze.
Instinctively, his grip tightened around Leoâs palm. Leo didnât even react.
"What did you say?" Shub asked stiffly, finally letting go.
"I said Iâm keeping the treasure I found," Leo replied matter-of-factly.
Shubâs smile cracked for a brief instantâbut he quickly forced it back into place.
"You should reconsider," he said. "Iâm saying this for your own good."
"No," Leo replied flatly. "My decision is final. Since youâve already verified my treasure, please proceed with the next step and register my territory."
His tone left no room for negotiation.
Shub clicked his tongue quietly, clearly regretting his earlier words.
He stepped closer and placed a hand on Leoâs shoulder. Though Shub was a full head shorter, he pressed down firmly, releasing a faint aura meant to intimidate.
"I wonât repeat myself," Shub said coldly.
"As your upperclassman, Iâm giving you a golden opportunity. The treasure Iâm offering is valued at 200000 ACâfar more than youâll earn in your entire first year. Meanwhile, the one you possess is worthless without that one-million-AC purifier."
Leo tilted his head slightly and smirked.
If Lily were here, his hand would already be gone,
Leo thought.
And doesnât this idiot know Iâm ranked first?
"I donât want to be indebted to anyone," Leo said calmly. "Even if it kills me. Iâm keeping the treasure I found."
A vein throbbed visibly on Shubâs forehead.
"So thatâs how it is, huh?" Shub sneered, his aura flaring sharply.
"Then, as your upperclassman, Iâll have to discipline you for your misconduct."
"W-what misconduct are you even talking about?" Leo asked, deliberately letting fear creep into his expression.
Seeing Leoâs âfearfulâ face, Shubâs confidence skyrocketed.
"Assaulting an instructor!" Shub barked. As he spoke, he pressed down harder on Leoâs shoulder, trying to force Leoâs head down to his own level.
As expected, Leo didnât budge an inch.
But Shub wasnât done.
He pulled his other arm back and threw a full-powered punch straight toward Leoâs chest.
Leo casually extended one arm and caught the punch mid-air effortlessly.
The fear vanished from Leoâs face, replaced instantly by a sharp smirk.
"Having a phone is really convenient," Leo said lightly. "Now I can actually record evidence of someone trying to frame me."
He raised his phone in front of Shubâs face. The red recording light was already on.
Shubâs baffled face was clearly captured on screenâhis hand pressing on Leoâs shoulder, his fist trapped in Leoâs grip.
Leo had anticipated this. With a treasure of such value, it was only natural that a greedy instructor who might stiil be a student would do something stupid. So he had started recording long before Shub even landed on ground.
Seeing his own image on the screen, Shubâs expression turned ugly.
Leo even lifted the phone higher, making sure everything was in frame.
Then he stopped the recording.
Shub immediately backed away.
"Now, Instructor Shub," Leo said calmly, "do you still wish to exchange the treasure I found with your âhigh-rank treasure,â under the banner of goodwill?"
As he spoke, Leoâs thumb hovered over the share button. The interface clearly displayed a section dedicated to filing complaints against academy managementâand directly beneath it, complaints against instructors.
Seeing Leo about to press it, Shub went pale.
"W-wait!" Shub blurted out. "IâI was wrong! I was only testing youâto see if you had the intelligence to protect your belongings! I didnât mean anything bad by it. And voilĂ ! You passedâno, you passed with flying colours!"
"Oh?" Leo replied, his voice now cold.
"So, are you going to register my territory or not?"
"Yes! Yes! Absolutely!" Shub nodded rapidly.
Leo gave a small nod in response.
Then Shub hesitated before asking in a much softer voice.
"Could you... Please delete the video?"
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Standard Cost of Natural Treasure:
White -> 1000 AC - 20000 AC
Low Green -> 20000 AC
Mid Green -> 30000 AC
High Green -> 40000 AC
Peak Green -> 50000 AC
Low Blue -> 200000 AC
Mid Blue -> 300000 AC
High Blue -> 400000 AC
Peak Blue -> 500000 AC
Low Purple -> 2 Million AC
Mid Purple -> 3 Million AC
High Purple -> 4 Million AC
Peak Purple -> 5 Million AC