Chapter 2525: Lucine’s Gambit

Date: Unspecified

Time: Unspecified

Location: Myriad Realms, Card World, Central Region, Central Academic City, Morningstar University District, Morningstar University Campus, Garden of Beginning, Time Vestige, Morningstar University 2nd Campus

I had underestimated the Time Vestige. It turned out to be far more than what I expected it to be. Morningstar University did a good job ensuring that other Card Apprentices never learned about its true capabilities or the possibilities it could unleash.

Inside the Time Vestige, they could obtain any number of rare or extinct ingredients from the Labyrinth of Myriad Past. They could also conduct experiments without worrying about time limiting their research. With the Time Vestige, they never had to fear falling behind their competitors—rather, it was their competitors who had to worry about keeping up with them.

With so much time and so many resources at their disposal, it was no surprise that they produced countless useful and practical patents and copyrights each month. What was truly surprising was how the other top universities managed to keep up with such an overwhelming advantage and stay in the race for so long.

The more I thought about it, the greedier I became for the inheritances held by the other top ten universities. Learning this alone made my trip to Morningstar University worthwhile.

"What’s with that creepy look in your eyes? What are you thinking?" Lucine, who had been celebrating her minor victory, froze when she noticed the expression on the teenager’s faces. She could tell he was up to something, and her guard shot up instantly.

"It is important that I return to our past as soon as possible," I stressed to Lucine so she could understand that I wasn’t just saying that but it was true.

"I am sorry, Wyatt. There is nothing I can do. If you don’t follow the schedule, you will lose a lot of money. Enough to affect our university’s overall performance. With the Grand Academician Bowl coming up, we really can’t afford this loss. It will affect our ranking. You know how seriously we take our ranking," Lucine rejected my plea, saying that the loss there made his request unreasonable.

"What if I cover your losses out of my own pocket? Would you set sail for our present immediately?" I offered to compensate them so we could return as soon as possible. It would put a dent on my wallet, but that was nothing compared to the losses I’d suffer if I were stuck in here for two whole weeks without any contact to the outside world.

"No," Lucine rejected me without hesitation before explaining, "First of all, I don’t believe you have that kind of money. Secondly, no amount of payment can make up for the setback our various researches will suffer if the Time Vestige goes off course taking time out of our already delayed schedule just to drop you back in our present. Wyatt, forget it and wait."

"Sigh!" I let out an exaggerated breath at Lucine’s reply. I wanted to shout, ’Somebody, please, I’m begging you—tell this stupid woman who I am and what I’m worth!’ At first, it had felt refreshing to meet someone who didn’t know my achievements and treated me like a normal person, but now it felt as if Lucine was going out of her way and finding new ways to underestimate me.

Lucine frowned at my long sigh and said, "You do realize most Card Apprentices would gladly pay an arm and a leg just to spend a day or two in the Time Vestige. Yet here you are, crying and complaining even though you get to stay for a year or two for free. Aren’t you being a little entitled?"

I no longer had the patience to argue with this woman. All I wanted was to return to our present as soon as possible. So, with a heavy heart, I made an offer. "How about this—I’ll cure your time-rule dementia for free. And if I manage to treat it to your satisfaction, you repay me by getting me back to the present within a day. How does that sound?"

I wasn’t worried that Lucine would go back on her word after I delivered. In this Time Vestige, I was the strongest—strong enough to force things to go my way if I wanted. But I wasn’t a bully, and besides, Lucine had risked her life to come rescue me. Even if I didn’t need the help and ended up saving her instead, the intention still counted. Especially when I remembered how, back when that Viltronian bastard terrorized Earth, the very people I considered as friends had turned against me, fearing for their lives. So, Lucine, a stranger, risking her life for me, moved me.

"It seems you really are desperate if you’re willing to put your trust in me. Returning to the present within a day must be very important to you," Lucine said solemnly. She listened to me with a serious expression, as though she finally understood my situation and was giving it genuine thought.

Lucine nodded. "I understand your situation. I can get you back to our present before a full day passes there—but in return, I don’t want you to cure my time-rule dementia or compensate us for any losses we’ll suffer by helping you. Instead, I want Slay to cooperate with us in studying the Dark Realm. What do you say?"

’Finally,’ I shouted in my mind as Lucine revealed what she wanted more than anything. I had suspected this, but I didn’t expect her to go after it so directly. This was good.

"Nope, that price is way too high," I replied. "How about this—you make a list of everything you want to ask Slay, and I’ll have her answer the questions I’m comfortable letting her answer. If you want information that’s truly valuable, then we’ll discuss the price separately. Basically, as long as you’re willing to pay what it’s worth—aside from sending me back to the present as soon as possible—I’ll have Slay cooperate with you."

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