Graduation

Chapter 48: Graduation

August 1, early morning.

Sulu and Sean stood outside the dormitory where they had lived for years, their suitcases in hand and a mountain of luggage piled beside them. Their expressions were complicated.

"Goodbye... my university!"

Sulu sighed and gave Sean a hug. "What are you going to do next?"

"I've already rented an apartment, and I have an interview today. I'll head over after I drop off my things." Sean rubbed his bewildered face. "Maybe... we could share a place. It'd help keep our expenses down."

"Although I'm not leaving for Green Tree Castle right away... I've already found somewhere to stay."

Sulu answered with some reluctance.

If he stayed with Rhode at that abandoned factory, Rhode would be delighted to save a good deal of money and gain more time to train.

"Is that so? Take care... brother!"

"You too!"

Sulu watched Rhode's departing figure as he dragged his suitcase away, then let out a quiet breath.

He took one last look at the campus before finally turning away and leaving.

The Twilight of the Gods had passed, and a new era was about to begin.

And in the tides of that era, he would find a place of his own!

Sulu quietly set himself a small goal.

Inside the abandoned factory.

"You... are you hurt?"

As Rhode came in, Sulu sniffed and caught the strong scent of blood.

"It's nothing..."

Rhode plopped down. "I just punished a certain someone, then got into a fight with some others... It's all settled now. The Church of the Goddess of Light will have a new contact from now on."

So... you killed them?

Sulu's eyelid twitched. He didn't press Rhode on whether he'd killed or merely crippled the person. "Are you still planning to take jobs?"

He had already advanced to [Medium]. Although that didn't mean he would stick to one path forever, ordinary supernatural practitioners wouldn't consider taking a second profession until they'd hit a wall with advancement.

In other words, he no longer needed to risk his life taking jobs to exchange for the [Apprentice] class information.

"Of course... why wouldn't I?"

Rhode paused. "Whether it's my [Witch Hunter] or your [Medium], we both need to advance, and we both need resources... If we have to choose a path anyway, why not choose the Church of the Goddess of Light?"

This guy could be stubborn at times, but at least he had a clear head.

Sulu nodded to himself, then suddenly asked, "What does a [Witch Hunter] need to do to advance?"

Rhode's expression changed. He drew a deep breath. "You have to keep hunting demonized creatures and seize their supernatural power! That's one of the prerequisites for advancing to [Demon Hunting Expert]!"

So you have to keep increasing the concentration of Demonic Power in your body? The further you advance, the more dangerous it gets? And... no wonder you handled the corpses of three Little Imps last time and secretly kept quite a few things.

Sulu's expression darkened. Rhode asked, "What about your [Medium]?"

"I don't know..." Sulu answered honestly. As expected, Rhode's face fell, so he hurriedly added, "But I have a lead!"

That adventurer and archaeological team member, Kira Gales, was apparently on close terms with Catherine's mentor. He had the advanced profession of [Medium]—[Occultist]!

He was fairly well known. With enough time and money, Sulu could find out where he was.

As for improving as a [Medium], it mainly involved more contact with spirits and helping people drive out Evil Spirits.

And if all else failed, he could simply use experience to raise his skills.

Sulu felt that his progress along the path of his profession would surpass Rhode's expectations.

After Sulu shared some of his theories about training as a [Medium], Rhode fell into thought.

After a long while, he finally stood and said, "[Mediums] are weak physically. Since you've moved in, we'll have to train—intensively, and a lot!"

Please, no!

Sulu wailed inwardly. But he knew it would do him good, so he listened without changing his expression.

"Also..." Rhode continued. "I'll put out some information at the shop and take more jobs involving the supernatural. That'll give your [Medium] abilities a chance to develop and improve!"

"Hold on... did I just hear something incredible? A shop?"

Sulu stared at Rhode in surprise.

You have enough money to own a shop, but you're still sleeping in this run-down factory?

Big dog, you've changed!

"It came with the reward for the job I just completed... It originally belonged to that craftsman named Galan!"

Rhode replied unconcernedly. "I think it can serve as a contact point for us. That's better than exposing our hideout... Besides, the shop was doing well. We only need to hire an employee and find a supplier to keep it running. It could bring us two or three Gold Dragons in profit each month!"

"Sounds good!"

Sulu nodded. He hadn't expected that one job would make them property owners.

Of course, it wasn't that the reward for the job was so generous. Most of it was probably compensation for Rhode. It really was true that crying babies got the milk. Making a fuss wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

"Exactly. The Church will take care of supplying us, so all we need is an employee!"

Rhode said cheerfully.

A shop, with profits coming in steadily... The Church is showing real sincerity this time... Though the price of the job certainly justified it!

Thinking of the danger they'd faced last time, Sulu couldn't help shivering. They'd nearly been wiped out!

He hesitated, then asked, "Are all supernatural incidents as terrifying and dangerous as that Evil Spirit last time?"

If so, they might as well hunt demonized creatures and build up experience. With the Attribute Panel, the results would be about the same anyway.

"Not every supernatural incident is dangerous... but they're all bound to be bizarre!"

Rhode fell silent for a moment before answering. "Although I prefer demonized creatures with physical bodies to incorporeal spirits... they don't always stay the same, either. If a Little Imp catches a demon's attention, it could advance into a much more powerful monster in a very short time. It could be even more dangerous than an Evil Spirit! In fact... any supernatural incident is dangerous. Take your Corpse Princess, for example."

Sulu's expression stiffened. Could they not bring that up?

After advancing to [Medium], he'd sensed a connection within his soul.

Unfortunately, he couldn't use it to track her down. Beatrice must have blocked him on her end.

Otherwise, with their master-servant bond, as long as the gap between them wasn't terrifyingly large, he was confident he could suppress her face-to-face and give Rhode an opening.

For now, it looks like my plans for this month are set. I'll stay in Nia City for a while and look into Kira Gales and Beatrice's whereabouts. If I get a lead on either of them, I'll head there immediately!

Sulu quietly made up his mind.