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nNoticing Abby’s hesitation, a surge of curiosity welled up in Howard.

n“Is there something else?” he inquired.

nBiting her lip, Abby whispered, “Howard, you won’t leave me alone, will you?”

n“Of course I won’t.” Howard affectionately tousled Abby’s hair, chuckling, “Don’t let your mind wander. Just remember one thing.”

n“We are meant for each other, always. Never believe otherwise.”

nHearing those words, a flutter ran through Abby’s heart, and she clung tighter to Howard’s arm.

n“My love,” she said, a serious look in her eyes, “What do you say we don’t return to the academy tonight? Perhaps we could find a hotel to rest?”

nThe implication in Abby’s voice was not lost on Howard, causing him to swallow hard.

nWhile Abby might not possess Margaret’s figure, her youthful vibrancy exuded a charm of its own.

nHowever, having experienced such intimacy before and no longer the impassioned youth, Howard didn’t immediately give in.

nHe sensed that Abby’s proposal was driven by insecurity, a stark contrast to his experiences with Margaret.

nMoved by Abby’s vulnerability and cherishing her deeply, he couldn’t bear to let her first time be driven by such concerns.

nStroking Abby’s head gently, Howard responded with a serious tone, “Silly girl, don’t overthink things. I’ll never leave you. Right now, you seem quite emotional. Let’s head back and get some rest.”

nAt his words, Abby puffed up her cheeks in a semblance of petulance.

nYet internally, she brimmed with happiness, perceiving Howard’s tender protectiveness toward her.

nThis tender interlude drew Howard and Abby even closer.

nPreviously, it had always been Abby ardently pursuing Howard.

nEven after affirming their relationship, she never truly felt secure.

nHowever, their recent exchange assuaged many of her anxieties.

nReturning to the academy, Howard escorted Abby to her dormitory and then headed to his mentor’s residence.

nFollowing Tana’s guidance, he knocked on her door.

nWhen Tana opened it, Howard’s pupils contracted sharply.

nAt that moment, she was draped only in a white towel, her hair damp and fragrant, the scent wafting toward him.

nA cursory glance revealed the towel tightly embracing her prominent curves.

nHoward quickly averted his gaze, maintaining eye contact with Tana.

n“You’re here quite early,” Tana remarked, seemingly oblivious to her appearance.

nFlicking her wet hair back, she teased, “It seems money’s allure holds strong sway over you.”

nHoward responded with a noncommittal smile.

nIt wasn’t so much the allure of money, but rather of Wales.

nHe was eager to find Wales and understand the reasons behind certain matters.

n“Come in. Once I’m dressed, I’ll take you to Wales,” she said, turning to change.

nHowever, Howard interjected, “Ms. Tana, please take your time to dress. I’ll wait outside.”

nTana didn’t respond.

nAfter a while, she emerged, fully dressed.

nPerhaps because Howard’s mind hadn’t completely settled, a quick glance at her quickened his heartbeat.

nTana, with a hint of moisture still clinging to her, looked ethereal, much like a celestial nymph.

nBlack stockings highlighted her shapely legs, and her short leather shorts emphasized her perky posterior.

nA leather jacket draped her upper body, revealing a pristine midriff devoid of any excess.

nIt was a sight tempting enough to make one wish to get closer and savor the view.

nEven if Howard wasn’t the lascivious type, his heart raced uncontrollably.

nYet, on the surface, Howard remained impassive, every inch the gentleman.

n“Kudos, young man, for your composure!” Tana complimented with a chuckle, proceeding to say, “Come, I’ll take you to Wales.”

nAt her words, any fleeting thoughts in Howard’s mind evaporated. His foremost concern was making contact with Wales.

nFollowing Tana, Howard quickly exited the Holy Abyss Academy.

nHowever, he astutely noted that Tana wasn’t headed towards the heart of Adia City or even any urban districts.

nInstead, she was leading him into a more remote, secluded corner.

nThis realization sent a chill through Howard. Such secluded areas typically weren’t associated with wholesome activities.

nHoly Abyss Academy was among the elite institutions within the Alliance.

nSurely its mentors wouldn’t be of ill repute?

nAfter what felt like a long trek, having left the bustling main streets with their many academies and guilds, the thoroughfare became more populated.

nThroughout the journey, passersby were invariably drawn to Tana’s alluring figure.

nFortunately, none were brazen enough to approach and strike up a conversation.

nAmidst Howard’s growing bewilderment, Tana led him to a decidedly unremarkable storefront.

nOutside the shop was a table where an elderly man with a grizzled beard was hunched over, seemingly dozing off with his eyes half-closed.

nUpon closer inspection, Howard noticed only a sign reading “Open for Business”, with no other identifying markers.

n“Ah, the old gambler himself. Why am I not surprised to see you guarding this place today?” Tana approached familiarly, her delicate, crystal-like fingers tapping the table.

nHearing the sound, the old man opened his eyes, which were murky with age.

nAt first glance, he looked like any other elderly person.

nHis gaze settled on Howard, and with a cough, he chuckled, “Quite the handsome lad you’ve got there. What’s this? Planning on indulging in a bit of cradle-robbing, are we? Didn’t you once vow never to marry until you’ve obtained the Power of Law?”

n“You old lecher, he’s my student!” Tana retorted, exasperated. “Is Ravenous Wolf inside?”

nInstead of answering Tana directly, the old man teased, “A student-teacher romance? Now that’s even more intriguing! If you two ever decide on a wedding, I’d refrain from gambling for a month just to save up for a fitting gift.”

n“Tch!”

nTana uttered a sound of contempt, not wanting to waste more words on the man.

nShe turned to Howard, “Kid, now think of a pseudonym for yourself to register.”

nGrasping the situation, Howard quickly deduced this was undoubtedly a concealed organization.

nWhy not call it mysterious?

nFrom Tana and the old man’s blatant jesting, it was apparent that many were aware of the enigmatic nature of this place.

nThey just couldn’t access it.

nIt seemed like a membership-exclusive organization, requiring an existing member’s endorsement to join.

nHowever, Howard was confident that the Alliance was surely aware of this organization’s existence.

nTheir inaction towards it signified that it wasn’t an inherently malevolent group.

nHaving understood this, Howard harbored no reservations.

nHe stepped forward, greeting with a smile, “Elder, kindly register me under the name Briar.”

nHoward wasn’t naive.

nAnyone trusted with gatekeeping duties, like the old man, wouldn’t be ordinary. .

nEven if he wasn’t exceptionally powerful, his capabilities would surely be above average. 𝑖𝘦.𝑐𝘰𝘮

nAfter all, the countless tales and novels he’d read hadn’t been for naught!

nThe old man chuckled, “A polite lad indeed, much more courteous than your teacher. Keep it up, young man. The day you lay claim to a bottle of Agave, I’ll have a special gift for you.”

nWhile speaking, the elder noted down ‘Briar’ and ‘Agave’ on the registry.

nIt was evident that ‘Agave’ was Tana’s pseudonym.

nWitnessing this, Tana didn’t engage further with the old man and, leading Howard, stepped through the grand entrance.

nAs they entered, a vast and seemingly endless corridor stretched out before them.

nFollowing behind Tana, Howard suddenly queried, “Given that pseudonyms don’t truly hide one’s identity, why not wear a mask instead?”

nAt this, Tana chuckled softly. “Who told you that we use pseudonyms to conceal our identity?”

nShaking her head and not waiting for Howard’s response, she continued, “This isn’t some assassin’s guild. It’s an exchange organization! We don’t need to hide our identities; pseudonyms simply ensure that others don’t know too much about us.”

n“…”

nHoward looked genuinely puzzled, “Exchange? What kind of exchange? Information or treasures?”

n“Both,” Tana replied with a smile. “As for making money, that’s something that Wales will teach you. His starting fee for any task? A hundred gold coins. And that doesn’t even include any share of the profits.”

nAt this, Howard’s pupils contracted sharply.

nHe had fought tooth and nail for days on end and had barely managed to earn a few dozen gold coins.

nYet Wales, with just one assignment, starts at a hundred?

nIncluding his share of profits, the earnings would undoubtedly be astronomical!

nAs they conversed, Howard, led by Tana, strolled down a long corridor and entered a bustling hall.

nCasting his gaze around, Howard realized the place was strikingly similar to a tavern, complete with background music, though it was divided into several zones.

nNumerous individuals had set up makeshift stalls, but unlike the typical offerings of skill books and equipment, these stalls displayed an array of worn, ancient scrolls and blueprints.

nOthers had peculiar assortments of fruits on display, each more unique than the last.

n“Don’t get fooled by these trinkets,” Tana warned, sensing Howard’s lingering gaze. “The real treasures only appear during auctions. These items on display have been researched for ages, deemed to contain no hidden mysteries or inaccessible secrets.”

nSeemingly perceiving where Howard’s attention lay, Tana cautioned, “Don’t get your hopes up about stumbling on a hidden gem. Fortune doesn’t often favor the ordinary.”

n𝑖.𝘤ℴ𝘮

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