The Genius Evolution Store

Chapter 203: The Calm Before the Storm

"So, there’s nothing for now?" Mathias’ expression turned cold.

"I’m sorry, sir. It looks like whoever did this is lying low right now. They must have known that we’re protecting him, so they’re only doing it when they have a chance."

Mathias contemplated. On the one hand, he’d love to kill someone because of this annoyance. On the other hand, he didn’t have a target.

"For now, continue to monitor the situation. Do we have anyone in the university?"

"We have Cassandra, the daughter of #004. She’s currently at the university as a third-year student. However, it looks like Katarina Vasilyevna is noticing something is going on, so she has been indirectly sticking to him."

Mathias sighed. "All right then. Tell them to ensure that nothing happens right now."

"Yes, sir."

Mathias crossed his arms. "This was much harder when Maya went there. At the very least, no one dared to pick a fight with her. If they wanted to fight, I wouldn’t exactly interfere in a battle between younger generations. But old people like me shouldn’t stick their noses into this problem."

Mathias didn’t intend to get involved before. That was why Auric could get attacked by the butler. All he provided was the support Auric needed to focus on his studies.

Yet, it looked like someone took advantage of his principle to attack Auric. It was good that nothing happened to him, but if the other party had killed him, it would have been too late to even react.

Of course, he didn’t know that it was a butler who attacked Auric.

That was why Mathias couldn’t take it easy anymore.

...

At Kallarnos University, something else was going on.

"Looks like you’re doing very well, exchange student!" A guy raised his hand.

Eric raised his eyebrows. There was no one else besides them, so he was curious why this person was talking to him.

It felt as if the man approached him when Tommi wasn’t around.

"Do I know you?" Eric asked.

"You don’t know me, but I know you. You’ve been doing pretty well in the class. It looks like you’re pretty skilled. A senior asked me to go on a mission, but we’re lacking one member. I wonder if you have any intention of coming with us. This is a good chance to experience the skills of this university."

Eric frowned. It sounded sketchy, but at the same time, he couldn’t deny that this was an opportunity.

He thought that he would be more comfortable going on a mission in the usual group. Even if they brought Tommi, it would be fine.

However, the usual group had broken up. In fact, he had been with Tommi all this time.

Auric was so focused on his work with the professor as well as his store that he didn’t have time for anything else. Milinda obviously went with Auric.

Arina had been isolated in this place, while there was no news from Ellia.

They wouldn’t actually get together to go on a mission. After all, this was a perfect opportunity to study. If they went on a mission, they would lose several precious days to learn from the teachers here.

"Actually, you can’t tell this to anyone else, but..." The guy whispered to Eric. "Do you know that there are rewards for students who go on an exchange program? This exchange program takes place every three months.

"Those who have performed well will either get resources or points. The senior who asked me is intending to be one of the students who will go on the next exchange program. That’s why he wants to see the standards of students from other academies."

Eric frowned. It was understandable if that senior wanted to test other academies, but there was one thing he didn’t understand. "Why me? I’m pretty sure there are four other people coming with me."

"Well, it’s obvious that we can’t actually ask Ellia Stroph Astler. She might use this opportunity to suppress us by using her family. Arina is her childhood friend, so it’ll be the same situation.

"On the other hand, Professor Schad seems to have taken a fancy to Auric Elfe. There’s no way the professor will let him go anytime soon. Last but not least, Milinda Kompo... She is also a candidate, but she has rejected us, saying that she’s currently working in Auric Elfe’s shop. You’re the only one who seems to be free."

Eric couldn’t help but agree with the reasoning. It was true that inviting everyone wasn’t possible. If not, he wouldn’t be alone or with Tommi all this time.

"Come on, help me, man. The total points we will get from this mission are a thousand. We will receive a hundred points each. There are two more first-year students like us. The other two seniors will split the remaining points between themselves.

"It will be an easy mission since the seniors will be helping us. While we gain experience during the mission, we also gain points as a bonus."

Eric frowned. "But it will take too much time. I want to spend my time studying."

"You don’t have to worry about that. We’re not planning too far. We will go tomorrow and be back on Sunday. You can go back to school on Monday, as long as you’re not too tired."

Eric crossed his arms. The condition wasn’t exactly bad. He would lose one day’s worth of class, but he would get some points. He could use this reward to access the library.

"Send me the details of the mission. I’ll think about it after that."

"Sure." The guy smiled. "Make sure to give me a reply within an hour."

"Okay." Eric nodded in understanding.

"This is my number. Send me a message after you think it over." The guy gave him a number and walked away.

Eric looked at the number before sighing. He was truly considering whether he should go or not. He could get a lot of benefits.

...

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary until Auric returned to the classroom the next day. "Hmm? Where is Eric?"

"I heard he’s going on a mission. You don’t know about it? I thought you were the ones who invited him on the mission. If it were your usual group, I wouldn’t talk about it. I know my boundaries." Tommi tilted his head in confusion.

"No. This is the first time I’ve heard about it. I don’t think anyone knows about it either." Auric was also confused. "Is he close to anyone?"

"I don’t know. I am with him a lot, but I don’t know who he spends his time with when he’s not with me."

Auric looked down, contemplating. "Does he tell you when he’s going to come back?"

"Yeah. He’s going to be back on Sunday. At least, he will be back in class by Monday. It should be fine, right? Eric is quite strong. I don’t think he’s being threatened or anything. I may look like this, but I’m quite perceptive."

"Well..." Auric nodded in understanding. "All right."

"Just wait until Monday. We can question him at that time." Tommi grinned. "Maybe he’s just lonely because you’re not spending time with him."

"..." Auric’s eyebrows twitched. "I’m not falling for that joke anymore."

Tommi chuckled. "So, are you going to be free anytime soon?"

"I should be able to finish everything by Tuesday, but the conference will be on Wednesday. After that, my schedule should be free again."

"That’s great. We have to go sightseeing. It’s a rare chance for you to go to the capital city, so I’m planning to show you around."

"Sure. We definitely have to punish Eric by dragging him with us." Auric grinned.

"Took the words out of my mouth." Tommi nodded in agreement.

After knowing that Eric had gone on a mission, Auric chose to focus on his own task.

"This is the current version, Professor." Auric handed him the paper.

Professor Schad read it carefully, making sure that everything was correct.

"I think this is fine. You are actually able to make one so quickly... You are the first student I’ve seen who managed to learn things so fast." Professor Schad shook his head helplessly. He was impressed by Auric’s talent.

"Thank you for your praise. I’m just good at studying." Auric smiled.

"Very good. In that case, all you need to do is study those books. Make sure to understand them. On Monday, I will test you. On Tuesday, we’ll prepare the presentation. I have to register us that day, so I can’t be here for too long."

Auric nodded. "I understand. I’ll do my best to study them."

"Very well. How far are you with this technique?"

Auric raised his hand, forming two spheres. He then fused them in just ten seconds. "As you can see, right now, I’ve reduced the time to ten seconds. If I can gain a bit more mastery, I think I can go all the way down to three seconds or even less. After all, the power you can wield as you evolve your avatar will be much better for this technique."

"That’s true," Professor Schad agreed. "Now that I think about it, what is your grade as an evolution master? I heard that you’re a bronze-grade evolution master from other students, but I don’t think your control and skill are at that level."

Auric had already expected this question to come. He didn’t really intend to hide it. That was why he even showed his badge to Katarina.

"I’m currently a 3-star silver-grade evolution master."

"Silver..." Professor Schad was impressed. "Now, I finally see why you’re so monstrous. A 17-year-old silver-grade evolution master. I bet those old men will be surprised."

"I hope you can keep this a secret for the time being, Professor. Standing out too much will just create a problem for me." Auric smiled.

"Don’t worry. If you’re planning to share that information, you probably already wear a silver badge when you open your store. I will respect your decision, but those old men in the conference might attack you because of your age. At that time, my suggestion was to reveal that information."

Auric thought for a moment before saying, "In that case, feel free to do so."

It was true that being a silver-grade evolution master would give him a lot of problems, but if that was what it needed to make him look more credible, it should be fine to reveal this information.

He originally intended to reveal that his elements had evolved first. For the time being, only Vera and the others knew about this fact. That was why he could use this card to turn the situation around once.

After that, he could just reveal that he had become a silver-grade evolution master.

However, revealing the fact that he was a silver-grade evolution master first might not really be a bad idea.

This meant that when he returned to Thunderer City, he could reveal this fact and attract more customers. At that time, he didn’t have to go to the Evolution Association to find patients anymore.

Auric thought that he would have to reveal that fact during a battle, but an argument was a battle in its own way.

So, Auric could agree to this condition.

"Very well. I will keep that in mind. If those old men are cornering you, I’m going to reveal it. I don’t plan to let them bully you."

"I understand. Thank you for your understanding."

Professor Schad nodded with a smile. "In that case, you should go back. Make sure to study hard. I will be assisting you, but I want you to be able to handle it by yourself."

"Yes, Professor. I’ll do my best." Auric politely nodded back before exiting the office.

He was a bit worried about Eric, but he couldn’t exactly demand Eric explain everything about the mission. It was his life, so it was his choice.

Besides, he was already busy enough with all his current tasks, so he couldn’t afford to worry about anyone else.

In the end, Auric just focused on his studies and planned to ask Eric about it once he returned on Monday.