The next day.
Azure Sky Hunter Agency.
Old Man Bao was reading Dean Xiao's handwritten letter of recommendation.
"An Intermediate Mage, an Advanced-level hunter?" Old Man Bao tapped the ash from his pipe and blew a smoke ring, then began scrutinizing this unusual-looking young man.
"Kid, you're so young. What are you becoming a hunter for?"
"To make money," Lu Ling said.
"Since an academy's dean personally recommended you, you must have something exceptional about you. How's your magic coming along?"
All Old Man Bao had seen in the recommendation letter was Dean Xiao's lavish praise for Lu Ling, without any specifics about what made him so powerful. He was a little curious. There were also safety considerations, so a small test was necessary.
"Three elements at the Intermediate Level, and my Summoned Beast can fly. I can fight, run, and defend. Pretty good, right?!" As though bringing out some treasure, Lu Ling manifested his four enormous nebulas in his palm.
Ice Element, Summoning System, Shadow Element, Space Element!
"..."
"You are an Intermediate Mage, right?!" Old Man Bao squinted one eye wider than the other, staring at Lu Ling as though he had seen a ghost.
Even Little Ling Ling, who had been hiding in a corner to avoid the smoke, braved the smell and rushed out when she heard this.
"Freak," Ling Ling said abruptly.
"Yeah, I'm an Intermediate Mage. Innate Dual Element is my innate talent," Lu Ling said, spreading his hands.
Though he still had five elements hidden away, revealing them all might cause unnecessary trouble.
Come to think of it... it's been over a year since my last awakening, and I still haven't awakened my tenth element.
My ninth element was the Blessing Element, awakened under the guidance of the Parthenon Divine Soul. I wonder what magic element my tenth awakening will bring? Without any guidance...
"Your strength passes muster. You're hired."
"Grandpa, didn't you say we could just send young guys like him away with a few words? Why hire him?" Ling Ling suddenly muttered very loudly.
"Why do you think?! And I never said that." Old Man Bao raised his voice and glared at Ling Ling.
"Ha!" Ling Ling leaped high into the air and snatched the antique pipe from Old Man Bao's hand.
"I wasn't finished smoking!"
"No smoking!" Ling Ling stuck out her tongue playfully, then quickly emptied all the unburned tobacco from the pipe into the trash.
Shaking his head helplessly, Old Man Bao turned his attention back to Lu Ling.
"Lu Ling, this little one will be your hunting partner from now on. Her name is Ling Ling."
"Oh, hello, Ling Ling. I look forward to working with you." Coming back to his senses, Lu Ling held out his hand to Little Ling Ling.
"Likewise." Ling Ling was a little puzzled by his reaction, but politely shook his hand anyway.
"The Azure Sky Hunter Agency's reputation is far-reaching. Even a little girl here must have something exceptional about her," Lu Ling said, seemingly having guessed what puzzled Ling Ling.
"Hmph, at least you have a discerning eye." Ling Ling gave a little snort.
"I'm a student at Pearl Academy. I should be free to take jobs over the next six months," Lu Ling said.
"Oh, right. Are you interested in vampires?" Something suddenly occurred to Lu Ling.
"Vampires?" At those words, Ling Ling became interested. "Aren't those things from Western stories?"
Old Man Bao's gaze shifted slightly. This kid knew quite a lot. Vampires were not conventional demon beasts covered by the education system.
Ordinary people, especially Easterners, basically knew nothing about them. Or rather, no one believed they were real.
"I'd like to get a vampire tooth to play with. Interested in helping?" Lu Ling chuckled.
"Sure! What do you need me to do?! There haven't been any commissions lately. I'm bored to death." Bobbing her head, Ling Ling hopped onto a stool only a little shorter than herself and blinked her big, adorable eyes. Clearly, anything involving hunting demon beasts made her very excited.
"What to do... The first step in hunting demon beasts is, of course, finding a vampire!"
Old Man Bao smiled without speaking, but lit his pipe again.
A week later.
North Country Club.
Amid the dim tones, dark red neon strips wound along the passageway, their light making it look as though a dark red carpet had been laid there.
The bartender behind the counter displayed his dazzling skills like a circus performer, elegantly demonstrating his cocktail-making artistry.
He held a green lemon, which kept bouncing before him yet could never escape his palm.
Finally, it landed squarely on an upright knife, the freely spraying lemon juice signaling the completion of its final task.
"Little beauty? How did you dare come here all by yourself?"
"If your family found out, wouldn't they give you a proper scolding?"
A middle-aged man noticed a little girl in a corner. She sat in that inconspicuous spot, drinking juice in utter boredom.
At the sound of his voice, the little girl looked up and blinked her bright, lively eyes, which seemed full of curiosity about the world.
"I always have to sit in school attending classes, while grown-ups get to do whatever they want. I hate it! I want to drink what grown-ups drink too!"
Then the little girl put on a furious expression, puffing out her cheeks and shooting a disgruntled glance at the bartender behind the counter.
"That bartender wouldn't let me order because I'm young!"
Hearing such an interesting answer, the distinguished-looking middle-aged man could not help laughing aloud.
He was as delighted as though he had stumbled upon some wonderful surprise.
"Little one, this drink was just made. I haven't touched it yet. You can give it a try."
The middle-aged man gently set the glass in his hand on the table before the little girl, as elegant as a servant in a royal palace inviting a princess to partake with the most gentlemanly etiquette.
"But even the most expensive wine doesn't taste all that good. You shouldn't get your hopes up too high."
"Huh? Should I say thank you?" Ling Ling looked at the middle-aged man with delighted surprise, her eagerness tempered by a little restraint. She hesitated like a well-behaved child about to do something naughty.
The middle-aged man seemed even happier, his smile clearly visible.
"How interesting. Whether you thank me is your choice. Personally, though, I would still like to hear a thank-you from a little beauty."
The little girl suddenly put on a wary expression.
"Inviting a little kid like me to drink? Mister, you really aren't a good person, are you?"
"Hahahaha, indeed, I shouldn't invite a child to drink. But you're so full of curiosity and longing for the adult world. It's always difficult for people to teach people, but an experience only needs to teach you once. Perhaps after tasting this fine drink, you won't be curious about the adult world anymore."
"I'd better not. My family won't let me drink."
The little girl hopped off the tall chair as though nothing had happened and slowly walked away.
Heh, it's not every day I meet such a lively little loli. How could I possibly let you leave?
The middle-aged man watched the little girl's retreating back expressionlessly and was about to follow her.
Suddenly, a white-haired youth strolled up in front of him.