On the tree-lined path, Nancy bit her lower lip and stared at Lancelot with a resentful look. Anyone who didn't know better would think that the latter had done something to wrong her.
After a long while, Nancy finally came to her senses. She let out a breath and muttered, "No wonder she gets the treatment of Joint Entrance Examination champion..."
"Senior, now that we've covered the permissions, it's time to talk about the credits, right?" Lancelot reminded her.
Nancy rallied, cleared her mind, and organized her thoughts before replying, "You can think of these so-called credits as a unique currency of the Holy Sword Academy."
Many of the academy's specialties, such as equipment and potions, require credits to purchase.
In addition, things like entering secluded training grounds, having equipment crafted, attending advanced courses, and borrowing key knowledge from the library... all of these require a significant number of credits.
In short, without academic credits, you'll find it impossible to get anywhere at the Holy Sword Academy!
Nancy sighed. If she hadn't wanted to earn credits, she wouldn't have come to explain the college to the new students.
However, even without earning any credits, meeting Lancelot this time won't be a loss.
Countless people at the Holy Sword Academy want to get in touch with Lancelot but don't have the connections.
This is the champion of the Joint Entrance Examination; barring any unforeseen circumstances, he's a sure-fire star in the college.
"How do I earn credits?" Lancelot asked.
"Hmm... there are many ways to earn credits, the two most common being: first, taking on missions."
The various tasks posted by the school's task office will earn varying amounts of academic credits upon completion, and sometimes additional Transcendent resources.
"Secondly, it's about exchanging it for Crimson Notes."
"Exchange with Crimson Notes?" Lancelot was quite surprised. "Aren't academic credits supposed to be hard to come by? How can they be exchanged with Crimson Notes?"
Nancy explained, "This is a school support policy to help students who have difficulty earning credits, like me."
The tall senior student made a self-deprecating remark, then continued, "Moreover, there are limits to how many credits you can redeem. Each person can only redeem a fixed number of credits per year, and the number of credits you can redeem varies depending on your access level."
I have level 3 access, which allows me to exchange 300 credits annually with Crimson Notes. You, junior, have level 6 access, which allows you to exchange 600 credits annually.
"The official exchange rate at the school is 1 credit = 100,000 Crimson Notes..." As she said this, Nancy glanced around warily, her guilty conscience practically written all over her face.
All I could hear was her barely audible voice saying, "Besides official channels, there are many private exchange channels, but the prices will be several times, even dozens of times, higher. If you're interested, junior, I know someone who sells credits..."
Upon hearing this, Lancelot raised an eyebrow and asked in a very low voice, "Doing this? Doesn't the school care?"
"Alas, the teaching philosophy of our Holy Sword, or rather the six highest academies, has always been: the master leads you through the door, but the cultivation is up to you."
As long as you don't force the other party to exchange the money, and the amount doesn't exceed a certain limit, no one will interfere.
"Of course, this is a violation of the college's rules and regulations, so it can't be done openly."
If they make a big show of it and disregard the academy's higher-ups, their hideout will be raided in no time.
"Turn a blind eye?" Lancelot pondered. "Water that is too clear has no fish, and a person who is too discerning has no followers."
When a certain interest becomes too great, no matter how tight the net is, it cannot contain the restless crowd.
Instead of blocking, it's better to guide. It's better to leave a loophole under our noses, making it easier to supervise while relieving some pressure. This is somewhat similar to the working principle of a dam.
"Then, can I add your contact number?" Lancelot offered.
Nancy's eyes lit up; she'd been waiting for those words. She quickly took out her communicator, entered Lancelot's number, and the two even added each other on social media.
Afterwards, Nancy recommended an unfamiliar account nicknamed "Caterpillar" to Lancelot, "This is the credit broker I was talking about, but he only does small-scale exchanges."
If your junior isn't satisfied, you can ask him to introduce you to other credit brokers. They're all in this business, so they definitely have connections with each other.
"Senior, I didn't realize you knew so much about this stuff. Why don't you do it yourself?" Lancelot teased.
"I'm a coward." Nancy shrugged. "Although there's a high probability I won't get caught, it's better to be safe than sorry."
If I get caught by the Student Council even once, my academic career is basically over, and I might even be burdened with huge debts.
This business may seem lucrative, but it's murky and requires powerful connections to operate successfully. Those credit brokers almost always have powerful backers.
My family has no power or influence, and I myself am of mediocre talent; I dare not get involved.
Upon hearing this, Lancelot. This senior student was at least self-aware enough to know her own limitations, but her assessment of her talent as mediocre...
Lancelot glanced at the badge on Nancy's prominent chest, which displayed her basic information: A-rank potential user, mediocre talent?
Well, at the Holy Sword Academy, A-level potential is indeed not surprising, especially in the Sublimation Department, where A-levels are a dime a dozen, and S-level and above are rare.
As for the Innovation Department, it is different from other departments. There are not many students with potential of A-level or above. Most of them have potential of B-level or C-level, and there are even some with potential of D-level or E-level.
However, the Innovation Department is also the most dangerous, with a large number of students dying on the path of innovation every year; it truly is a case of thousands of troops crossing a single-plank bridge.
Those who successfully graduate from the Innovation Department, regardless of anything else, are absolutely unparalleled in their indifference to life and death among the six most prestigious universities.
Half an hour later.
The clear, blue lake is like a sapphire inlaid on the earth, sparkling and reflecting a rainbow of colors under the sunlight.
Villas stand along the lake, surrounding the entire lake.
"We're here. This is where my junior lives." Nancy pointed to the exquisite villa in front of her, her eyes sparkling with longing.
Sea Lake Villa District.
Generally speaking, only people with access level 8 or above can live here. Not only is the energy more concentrated, but the villas also have very complete supporting facilities, and even have dedicated treatment chambers.
This was also one of Lancelot's entrance rewards.
"Thank you for your help today, senior," Lancelot said with a smile as he stepped off the floating platform.
Nancy quickly waved her hand and said, "No trouble at all, junior. If you have any questions in the future, feel free to ask me. And if you need any help, just let me know."
"Okay, if needed, I won't hesitate to ask my senior for help."
After saying that, Lancelot walked towards the villa.
Once the intelligent system confirmed his identity, the gate opened, and a green indicator light in front of the gate lit up, signifying that the place was now occupied.
"Sigh, the Joint Entrance Examination champion, too bad, it's destined to be impossible for us." Nancy shook her head and sighed inwardly.
The gap between the two was so vast that Nancy didn't even dare to mention it, for fear of damaging the fragile relationship that had just been established between them.
Watching Lancelot's figure disappear completely, Nancy stepped onto the floating platform and slowly left the villa area.