The Test Setters' Mindset Underwent a Subtle Change

"Wait, the Adventurer Association takes that much from commissions?" a professor unfamiliar with the Adventurer Association asked.

In the examination center, after their brief surprise, the teachers of the proctoring team began to consider Mia's approach.

"They do, Professor," a somewhat younger teacher in the group answered. "The Adventurer Association has always taken thirty percent. And they don't just take a cut of commissions. For requests like recovering lost items or treasure hunting, they also take thirty percent of the lost item or treasure before it is handed over to the client."

"They take from both ends? That's shady as hell," the professor said in astonishment.

"It's a platform. Of course it's shady."

The remark immediately resonated with the other teachers present who had extensive adventuring experience.

Everyone began denouncing the Adventurer Association's various inhumane practices.

They eventually concluded that the Association not only took from both ends, but even exploited the rank-and-file employees of its branches. They were eating from three sides!

After the "victims" exchanged their experiences of "victimization," a new question arose.

"Why did the test-setting team include the Association's commission cut in Phantom World? It doesn't seem to have much to do with the original purpose of testing the candidates' practical abilities in adventure."

"The team leader required it. He said we had to do everything possible to simulate a real adventure process. All I can say is that the test-setting team truly did an excellent job."

"So how is this Mia going to solve the commission problem?"

They looked at one another and shook their heads.

"Since she did this, she must have a solution. Let's see what she does."

"That makes sense."

Thus, the senior teachers of Saint Delro Academy gathered together and watched Mia in the projection with rapt attention. Some even pulled out little notebooks, ready to take notes.

At that moment, in Phantom World.

Ever since Mia put up her GG sign, the response had been excellent. Quite a few candidates had lined up in front of her little table.

If Mia could help them reliably save some money, even just twenty percent, then after five trips they would have saved enough for roughly one commission. That was far safer and more reliable than adventuring in a dungeon.

"Excuse me, what do I need to do to reduce the Association's cut?"

The first customer asked.

"Consultation fee: 10 Hel."

"Here." The customer hurriedly pulled out 10 Hel. He had earned it by selling ore from the dungeon.

"Do you have an adventuring party?"

"No, I'm by myself."

"Find other solo candidates and register an adventuring party together. You don't have to adventure together. The Association has preferential policies for new adventuring parties. Although adventuring parties have to pay an annual fee, you won't need to pay it during these next few days. That should save you around five percent."

Mia wrote rapidly on a sheet of paper. This was the written guide she would hand to the candidate later. That was how considerate her service was.

"When registering the adventuring party, register it as an out-of-town team. I'll write down a few places for you. Teams from those places also receive support incentives. Now then, what race are you?"

"I-I'm human?" the customer answered.

"Do you have any other bloodline? Think about your ancestors. Go back as many generations as you want. Even the slightest connection will do."

"Hmm..."

The customer lowered his head and thought hard.

In this world, where multiple races coexisted, humanoid races had no reproductive barriers between them, and the various races had cooperated closely during the war against the demon race, it was extremely common for people to have at least a little blood from another race somewhere in their ancestry.

"I've got it. I remember my grandfather saying that his grandmother or maternal grandmother seemed to have been a halfling."

"Excellent. You're a halfling now. Go change your registered identity at the Association, and you can enjoy the rare-race exemption policy."

The young candidate was already feeling a little dizzy from listening.

"Will that work?"

"Why wouldn't it? Do you think there are really that many rare races? Plenty of people change their registration just for the benefits."

Mia kept going. "Do you believe in the Holy Light?"

"No."

"You can. Gaining the Church's protection can reduce the taxes collected by the lord. Also, when buying supplies from the Association, buy more to qualify for discounts, then have the staff issue proof using the price of individual purchases. As for your dungeon gains, do you report them at a low price?"

The candidate shook his head blankly.

"Listen carefully. Here's how to calculate this part..."

Next, Mia began an even more detailed mini-lesson on tax calculations.

This was the result of her day spent adapting to the environment. She had stayed in the Association for the entire day and, relying on her astonishing memory, memorized every regulation and fine-print rule.

Then, under Jia Xiu's guidance, she hunted down every loophole she could exploit and integrated them all into a single system.

"That's how you can reduce it by another twelve to fifteen percent. Do you understand? Calculate everything carefully and prepare yourself. You'll probably need to fill out six to eight forms."

Looking at the densely written paper Mia handed him, covered in all kinds of complicated symbols and equations, the young candidate wore an expression of utter misery.

"No, I can't do this. My head hurts. Is there an easier way?"

Hearing that question, Mia smiled faintly.

"Of course, honored customer. I estimate that I can help you earn an additional twenty-five percent on every commission. If you are unable to complete these things yourself, I can take five percent of each commission and handle all the paperwork for you. You may let the Association take the full cut first. I'll process everything together in the evening, and once the refund comes through, I'll give it to you the next morning as agreed. I'm Mia. Many people in the city know me."

"Great, then I'll go with that."

"Next." Mia called out.

The previous candidate happily headed to the Association to submit his task, but after taking only two steps, he suddenly thought of something.

He turned back and asked, "Is any part of this process against the rules? I saw a candidate try to steal something, and the city guards took him away. I won't be at risk of getting arrested too, right?"

"Please rest assured, honored customer. Under normal circumstances, this process will not be found to violate any rules."

Mia's wording was exceedingly subtle.

"If an unfortunate accident occurs, trust me. As a professional tax accountant, if there's blame to take, I'll take it. If someone has to go to prison, I'll go!"

When she said those words, it seemed to the candidate as if a halo were shining above Mia's head.

The main hall of the examination center.

The leader of the test-setting team for the second round came to inspect how the examination was going.

He entered the hall with a smile. In his mind, this batch of candidates had to be fighting their way through the dungeon with all their might.

He truly was a genius, able to design such a perfect examination segment.

Next year, his position would surely advance somehow.

However, the moment he entered the hall, he discovered that every member of the proctoring team was crowded together in one place. Quite a few were still scribbling rapidly in their notebooks.

At the sight, cold sweat immediately poured down the team leader's back.

Could something have gone terribly wrong?

Why had no one notified him if there was a problem?

He hurried over and squeezed into the crowd.

"What happened? What happened?"

When they heard him shout, someone even told him to be quiet.

"Shh—this is the crucial part."

The team leader followed everyone's gaze and saw Mia's little stall, along with the dozens of candidates gathered before it.

He quickly understood what Mia was doing.

On the morning of the first day, his supposedly perfect exam design had already been bypassed through such an unorthodox method.

And the entire proctoring team was earnestly studying it.

The team leader panicked.

"Break it up, break it up. Stop watching. This loophole will definitely be fixed before the second batch of candidates enters. Please return to your posts first and ensure the examination continues normally."

Since he had said so, they could not remain gathered there. It was indeed somewhat negligent of them, so they dispersed and returned to patrol the grounds.

After the other teachers left, the team leader patted Margaret on the shoulder.

He asked quietly, "Did you save the recording?"

According to the rules, projections of controversial candidates had to be preserved.

"I did," Margaret answered.

"Copy one for me. I'll study it."

"Study it? What are you studying?"

"Uh, no, I mean... well, I'll research it. Research whether there's anything against the rules, hahaha..."

The team leader laughed awkwardly a few times.