Chapter 129: Hunter and Prey

"Junior Lando, you are truly diligent; I’ve run into you here again." A gentle voice interrupted Lando’s thoughts.

Lando turned to see that it was none other than Senior Laurel.

"Senior, you know my foundation is quite poor. I have to work extra hard just to keep up with the curriculum," Lando said, sounding slightly agitated.

Laurel’s expression softened into one of admiration, as if he were truly impressed by the junior’s ambition.

"You must still watch the time. It would be counterproductive if you missed tomorrow’s lecture because you stayed up too late."

Only then did Lando realize how late it had become outside. He quickly adopted an expression of humble receptiveness and bid Senior Laurel farewell.

As Laurel watched Lando walk away, his gentle smile remained, but his eyes grew deep and inscrutable.

By the time Lando returned to his dormitory, it was very late. The neighboring rooms were all dark; it was impossible to tell if the occupants were asleep or out gallivanting.

The dormitory consisted of single rooms. After all, anyone capable of awakening possessed parents who were, at the very least, powerful, wealthy, or influential. Even if they were merely geniuses like Lando—though his status was a fabrication—the academy ensured they received top-tier accommodations.

The next day, Lando followed his usual routine, planning to head to the library after class. However, the script for today clearly deviated.

Three noble students blocked Lando inside the classroom. The leader wore a friendly, artificial smile.

"Hello there, classmate Lando. My name is Nikta Torrance. You’ve been enrolled for quite some time, and yet we haven't had a proper chance to get acquainted. That is my oversight; please, forgive me!"

Looking at the smirking Nikta and the two noble students behind him, whose lips curled in faint, mocking sneers, Lando thought to himself: *So, it begins.*

He had long anticipated someone coming to stir up trouble; in fact, it was exactly what he had been hoping for.

Lando feigned a hint of nervousness and asked, "Classmate Nikta, is... is there something you need from me?"

Nikta’s smile broadened. "Classmate Lando, you’ve just arrived at the Central Academy and don’t yet understand our customs here. Every student in the Awakening Class is granted a quota to enter the Necropolis once a year. But you must understand, it is a place fraught with danger. A newcomer like you, who knows nothing, would likely face fatal peril upon entering. So, I was thinking, why not hand that quota over to me this year? That way, you won't have to risk your life. Don't you agree?"

The Necropolis was a special territory established by the Imperial Court. Despite its ominous name, it was a treasure trove. It contained not only rare and powerful undead creatures but also even rarer mutated undead. Since those who had awakened possessed an innate ability to contract undead creatures, these entry quotas were one of the most important fundamental benefits provided by the Central Academy to its awakened students.

Seeing this man attempt to swindle him out of his benefits with nothing but empty words, Lando felt a surge of genuine irritation, even though everything was going according to his plan. He had expected these people to at least offer some compensation in exchange for the quota, but this outcome was acceptable as well.

Lando said, looking troubled, "But I heard the Necropolis was a benefit provided to us by the academy."

Nikta’s expression cooled, and he said with profound implication, "It is indeed a benefit, but you have to be alive to enjoy it!"

Nikta stepped forward and patted Lando’s shoulder, his tone returning to a gentle veneer. "Sometimes, recognizing one's own status and making the right trade-offs is the only way to secure a better future. Don't you want to be friends with us? Think it over carefully and give me your answer tomorrow."

With that, the three of them swaggered away.

Once they were gone, Lando slowly dropped his trembling facade. After a moment of contemplation to ensure he hadn’t missed anything, he proceeded to the library as usual to read.

Time trickled by until dusk, when Lando finally spotted Laurel arriving at the library—a result of his observations over the past few days.

Just as Laurel was about to head toward the upper levels of the library, he noticed his junior, Lando, whom he had been observing for some time. Of course, this had been happening frequently lately, but today the junior seemed off. He held a book, flipping through the pages aimlessly, his eyes glazed and his expression heavy with worry.

He hesitated, then walked over and asked, "Junior Lando, you look troubled. Would you care to tell me about it? Perhaps I can help."

The junior’s eyes brightened, and he opened his mouth as if to speak, but he hesitated and said with a dejected sigh, "No, Senior, it’s nothing!"

Laurel sat down across from him and said gently, "You can trust me completely. I will certainly help you!"

Hearing this, Lando chuckled inwardly. The personality profiling he had conducted on this senior over the past few days had not been in vain. Lando could sense that the man had intentions of recruiting him, so everything he had done was to force the man to grant him a favor, allowing Lando to board his bandwagon in a natural and logical manner. After all, the most skilled hunters often appear in the guise of the prey.

Of course, the balance had to be struck perfectly. Laurel was no fool; if Lando were too obvious, and Laurel discovered the ruse, the "infiltration" plan might fail.

Lando put on a look of being moved, then finally said firmly, "No, Senior, I admire you greatly. Your achievements today were hard-earned, and I cannot bring you any trouble!"

Lando was actually quite nervous at this moment, terrified that if he overacted, Laurel might just say, "In that case, I'll take my leave," which would leave him stranded.

Fortunately, everything went exactly as Lando had projected. Laurel looked at him with encouraging eyes and said, "Don't worry, I said I would help you."

In truth, Laurel could guess the nature of Lando’s "trouble," but even if the boy brought up something he couldn't solve, it wouldn't matter—he could always find some excuse to back out later.

Lando shuddered internally, feeling that this dialogue was becoming a bit too oily. He decided to get straight to the point, spilling the story of what happened today to Laurel like beans from a jar, and finally added, with a touch of anxiety, that he didn't want to give up his quota.

Laurel felt relieved, though his expression gradually darkened. After a long pause, he said, "This Nikta Torrance... his background is not simple. His father is a powerful Count in the Imperial Court and a Level 7 Archmage. It is even rumored that their family has a Legendary-tier powerhouse still alive. This situation is not easy to handle!"

Lando’s face turned deathly pale, and he remained silent in frustration. Of course, the silence was mostly because he felt the act had reached its peak, and now all that remained was to watch Laurel’s performance.

As expected, Laurel shifted his tone and said, "However, rest assured. Since I said I would help you, I will never go back on my word!"