Chapter 16: The Price of Power and the Serpent Gun

The midday dismissal bell chimed, signaling the end of classes.

All the students dispersed to attend to their own affairs.

After all, there were no fixed requirements for the afternoon; even third-year students were free to choose how they spent their time.

Particularly those students who were Mystics vanished without a trace the moment this time came.

It seemed the lives of Mystics were not as leisurely as one might imagine; in fact, they appeared quite demanding.

Bai Yu remained seated, the girl who had been beside her now gone.

Yet, the girl’s recent words continued to echo in Bai Yu’s mind.

A sudden engagement and an inexplicable duel invitation left her utterly bewildered as to how to proceed.

After all, she had no idea her deceased father had arranged an engagement for her, and her Mother had never once mentioned it either.

And now, of all times, her Mother was unreachable.

With no other relatives, she had nowhere to turn for answers.

She certainly couldn’t summon her departed father back to inquire about the situation.

Was she truly expected to duel Cecilia?

The crucial point was that she had no combat experience whatsoever.

Not only now, but even when she had been male, she had never once been in a fight, having always been a quiet, law-abiding individual.

****

Perhaps she should first resolve the issue of acquiring a weapon.

Currently unarmed, she couldn’t possibly face a duel with just her fists.

The previous night, she had specifically asked Lu Xingyao where Mystics obtained their weapons, and the answer remained the hidden outpost they had accessed through the warehouse yesterday.

Furthermore, Lu Xingyao had informed her that this place not only served as a repository for mystic materials but also housed the academy’s mystic texts and the various missions available for acceptance.

Bai Yu was instantly crestfallen.

It appeared that the resources of this elementary Mystic academy were far too scarce, with everything still needing to be hidden away.

It bore none of the mystique she had envisioned for a secret academy.

Perhaps she had simply watched too many movies.

Bai Yu returned to the location they had visited yesterday, finding it deserted.

[Given the inherent dangers of the missions, how could low-level Mystics like those here possibly risk their lives to undertake them?]

The Woman in her mind observed the scene and spoke.

[Most low-tier Mystics remain at this rank their entire lives. Without cultivation from a prominent family or faction, they can only desperately strive for progress. Not everyone possesses such daring, and this rule holds true in any era.]

Hearing this, Bai Yu couldn’t help but retort.

“What are you saying? Am I not without family or influence myself? Don’t be so discouraging.”

Moweila was practically dismantling her self-confidence.

[You are different. Even without my assistance, your talent alone is enough to overcome anything.]

“Is that so…”

A faint blush crept onto Bai Yu’s face; it was rare for the witch to speak so kindly.

Perhaps she could consider resurrecting her in the future, for in a mystic world, any method of revival would be considered normal.

Still at the spot where she had previously entered the hidden passage, Bai Yu extended her hand and infused it with spiritual energy.

“Every time I see something like this, it feels magical.”

[One day, you will learn it too.]

Bai Yu stepped into the passage, and the warehouse instantly returned to its original state.

****

Upon reaching the hidden space, the same Old Man as before was present.

He sat in a chair, his face obscured by a wide-brimmed hat, completely disregarding Bai Yu’s appearance, as if he were asleep.

Apparently, the Old Man had been in the same state during her last visit; Lu Xingyao had simply taken the materials without exchanging a single word with him.

“Doesn’t he worry about people stealing things?”

Bai Yu didn’t wish to disturb him; she merely wanted to look around first.

On her previous visit with Lu Xingyao, she hadn’t had a chance to properly examine the area before leaving.

This time, she intended to thoroughly explore the place.

However, just as she was about to step further inside, a deep, resonant voice echoed.

“You… I have no record of your arrival.”

“Huh? Do I need to make an appointment here?”

Bai Yu was slightly bewildered; she had no idea.

“State your request.”

“I’m here to buy a weapon and, while I’m at it, see if there’s a way to enter the Inner World.”

“Weapons, select them yourself. As for the Inner World… ignorant child, abandon that notion. Only destruction awaits there.”

The Old Man’s voice was as placid as still water, imbued with the weight of time.

‘Ignorant child’?

Bai Yu was thoroughly incensed by the arrogant Old Man before her.

‘What’s with all this pretense of profundity? If you’re so formidable, why are you still serving as a gatekeeper at an elementary academy?’

Deciding to simply ignore the Old Man, she proceeded directly to search for a weapon.

“Ah, fine, fine. If you are insistent on entering the Inner World, then accept a mission, or you may purchase an item that grants access.”

Upon hearing this, Bai Yu nodded.

‘As expected, this old man is still a businessman; how could he possibly refuse to earn money?’

As for accepting a mission, Bai Yu would need to carefully examine its nature; she wouldn’t undertake anything too perilous.

After all, she only had one life, and she possessed no ability to resurrect herself.

Bai Yu stepped into the area designated for selecting weapons and mystic artifacts.

A quick glance revealed a considerable number of weapons.

Most, however, were cold weapons, which made sense, given that Mystics’ greatest adversaries were Shadow Beasts, and firearms inflicted only negligible damage upon them.

Only artifacts crafted from special materials or imbued with spiritual energy could harm Shadow Beasts.

Such materials were exceedingly rare and could not withstand the mass consumption of bullets.

The only firearms available here were antique handguns.

They used specialized bullets, each one exorbitantly expensive.

While ordinary weapons could also inflict damage upon Shadow Beasts when infused with spiritual energy, they simply couldn’t endure prolonged use.

She couldn’t very well carry an arsenal of disposable items.

Bai Yu browsed, finding every item ridiculously overpriced.

Even the most basic special metal fruit knife cost a staggering fifty thousand Dragon Xia coins.

‘This is highway robbery!’ she thought. ‘No wonder so many people have to risk their lives to improve their strength; how else could they afford such exorbitant prices?’

Gritting her teeth, Bai Yu continued her search.

Yet, no matter what she found, the prices were outrageous, far beyond what she could currently afford.

‘What should I do? I can’t possibly go back empty-handed; fighting bare-handed would be utterly absurd.’

Just as Bai Yu found herself at a loss, something in the corner caught her eye.

Ordinarily, all firearms here had their prices clearly marked, yet this particular gun lay tucked away in a corner.

It was a large-caliber handgun, its unusually heavy barrel emitting a faint, ethereal blue glow.

Its nearly .70 caliber bore made its muzzle resemble a flared trumpet.

Bai Yu stood on tiptoe, her height barely enough to reach the gun; fortunately, her eyesight was keen.

The moment she picked up the gun, Bai Yu decided that no matter the cost, it would be worth it.

A meticulously carved nine-headed serpent adorned the gun’s rosewood body, its craftsmanship exceptionally intricate.

Bai Yu swiftly carried the gun to the Old Man in the rocking chair.