Chapter 15: The All-Purpose Agency and a Tempting Offer

On the second floor of the cafeteria, still fearing for my life, I chose the same stall I had eaten at for lunch. I was wary of getting an upset stomach; after all, the infirmary’s services weren’t free.

Knowing there would be a charge, I abandoned any thoughts of trying exotic dishes elsewhere.

At most, I would sample a different dish from this same place. Again, it was one meat and one vegetable. The vegetable was still leafy greens, but the meat seemed to have changed. Its crispy, pan-fried exterior perfectly sealed in the tender, succulent meat within.

It was, without a doubt, far more delicious than my lunch.

Thus, dinner was a thoroughly enjoyable meal.

After leaving the cafeteria, I immediately used my phone’s navigation to find the All-Purpose Agency.

Honestly, I had been using my phone all day, yet its ‘battery’ hadn’t budged an inch. Was this thing powered by a nuclear battery?

It was utterly black technology!

Moreover, it was impervious to attacks from Witches, making it an excellent offensive and defensive tool. If it weren’t so small, it would be quite handy. Still, a corner jab from this phone would definitely sting.

Following the navigation, I arrived at the All-Purpose Agency and found a somewhat desolate building. Upon closer inspection, the structure was quite large, especially the spacious front hall right after entering. It would have been even better if it weren’t so empty.

Could it be that no one was here at this hour? Had I perhaps guessed wrong, and the All-Purpose Agency wasn’t a mission hall after all?

I stood at the entrance of the All-Purpose Agency, hesitating whether to step inside.

Just then, a beautiful older sister, or perhaps a senior student, emerged from within.

“Yo~ Are you a new student~? Welcome to the All-Purpose Agency!”

She enthusiastically ushered me inside the All-Purpose Agency. “Little junior, are you here to apply for an All-Purpose Membership? You can become a member by paying just 100 academic credits each month, and new students get a 50% discount for the first month~ Our All-Purpose members enjoy numerous services: posting missions, earning academic credits, low-interest loans, and even purchasing rare materials. You can even spend academic credits to upgrade your membership level and receive more discounts when buying items at the All-Purpose Agency~ And, and…”

She guided me to a nearby table, her actions and continuous speech flowing seamlessly.

“Stop, stop, stop!” I quickly interrupted her. If I hadn’t, I felt she would have continued her sales pitch for quite some time. I had heard this kind of rhetoric many times before; it was always designed to trick people into paying.

“Is it only by becoming a member that I can accept missions and earn academic credits at the All-Purpose Agency?” I inquired.

“That’s right~ And new students get a 50% discount for their first month~”

“Are there missions suitable for new students? And are the rewards generous?” I asked, hoping to glean more information. However, beneath the table, I felt the senior student’s touch.

“There are, indeed, but whether you accept them or if they’re suitable is another matter. What’s certain is that such missions exist. If you’re short on academic credits, new students are eligible for low-interest loans, up to ten thousand credits, which can be repaid in…”

“That’s enough. I don’t need a loan at the moment.” I cut her off, but after a moment’s thought, I amended, “If I do need one, I’ll consider it then.”

“Alright! So, junior, would you like to apply for an All-Purpose Agency membership? There are discounts, you know~”

“Uh… mm…” I nodded, my face flushing slightly. This senior student was far too skilled, wasn’t she? The subtle encounter beneath the table was almost more than I could bear.

However, the moment I agreed, the senior student immediately became serious, leaving me somewhat bewildered.

‘I should have stalled for a bit longer…’

‘Pah! Yang Yuehan, Yang Yuehan, you can’t fall into depravity like this! If I become a Witch, won’t I be able to experience this every day?’

“Alright~ Junior, will you be paying with your ID card or mobile payment? New students who sign up for membership also receive a complimentary Witch’s Heart pendant~ It’s convenient for carrying your Witch’s Heart with you, so you don’t have to worry about losing it~”

“There’s that too? May I see what kind of pendant it is?” I asked, a little surprised. Was the All-Purpose Agency’s service really this good?

“Of course. We offer seven styles that perfectly fit a Witch’s Heart. These are alchemical items, so there’s absolutely no chance of them falling off. Naturally, if the pendant gets damaged, we still recommend replacing it for safety.”

The senior student produced the pendants as if she carried such items everywhere.

“I have three styles here. If none of them suit you, I can go find some others.”

“J-just this one, then.” I chose a rather ordinary pendant. It was designed to encase the Witch’s Heart, transforming it into a hanging ornament. Delicate metal filigree adorned the Witch’s Heart, with flowing decorative ribbons dangling below.

“Alright~ Since you’ve chosen this one, I’ll prepare your Witch’s Heart for you. Also, please hand over the membership fee and your ID card temporarily. I’ll process your All-Purpose Agency membership card right away.”

“Mm.” I handed over my Witch’s Heart and ID card. I felt at ease doing so because the contract explicitly forbade students from acquiring another’s Witch’s Heart through any means such as snatching, confiscating, or stealing, as this would violate school regulations.

Violating school regulations was extremely serious. The lightest penalty for stealing a Witch’s Heart was expulsion.

Thus, I was completely reassured.

After paying the academic credits, I felt a pang of heartache. My daily meals only cost 6 credits, yet I had just spent 50. Naturally, my heart ached, and next month I would have to pay another 100 credits! The thought was even more painful.

Still, once I became a member, I could try taking on some well-compensated missions to earn credits. That wasn’t so bad. I just hoped I wouldn’t spend a whole month working only to fail to earn back the membership fee; that would be truly miserable.

A short while later, the senior student returned with my Witch’s Heart, ID card, and membership certificate.

“Here you go, junior. Don’t lose them~ Especially your Witch’s Heart.”

“Thank you, senior student.” I quickly stood up and took the items, especially the Witch’s Heart. It was my lifeline; I couldn’t afford to lose it. I still needed to try resonating with it tonight when I got back.

“No trouble at all. Oh~ Right, there’s one more thing.” The senior student seemed to recall something. “Take out your phone; I’ll help you download an app.”

“Download an app?” I asked curiously. After all, I hadn’t found an app store on my phone, so how would I download anything?

“Yes, I’ll send you a download link. Do you know how to operate it?”

“Mm, probably…” I replied modestly. Then, she looked at my phone and transferred a message to me face-to-face.

“Let’s add each other as friends~” The senior student added me as a friend using the same chat software she’d used for the group. “Ren~ What a lovely name. Remember me, okay~? My name is Koutifushizuku; you can call me Senior Sister Fushizuku~”

“Hello, Senior Sister Fushizuku.” I responded, knowing that I might need to ask her for favors in the future, so building a good relationship was essential.

I then saw the app link the senior student had sent me; it had a house icon and was the All-Purpose Agency app.

Once it quickly downloaded, I tapped to open it and examined its functions. It was incredibly comprehensive, even synchronizing with the academic credit system. One could directly complete credit transactions, post missions, accept missions, and handle various other services right from the app.

It was truly exhaustive.

I probably understood why the All-Purpose Agency building was so deserted. After all, who would bother coming here when they didn’t need to?

The app handled everything. New students likely weren’t even aware of this place yet, and even if word spread, it would take time. Furthermore, the 50 academic credit fee might deter some new students. After all, on the first day of school, everyone was busy with the seven-day elimination trials. Who would have the leisure to come here and plan for the future?