A Mission That Will Inevitably Come Knocking

Professor Mina was indeed his contact. Du Chen couldn't help but offer a wry smile; this beautiful spy's method of making contact was simply too brazen, utterly insufferable.

But ever cautious, Du Chen refrained from shaking her hand. Instead, he stared at Mina, a bewildered frown on his face, and asked in feigned surprise: "Enforcement Temple? I've never heard of such a thing. Professor Mina, what jest are you making? This is hardly amusing, truly!"

"Alright, little one, stop trying to fool your poor 'Sister Rose'!" Mina chided playfully. She tugged a nearby table closer, then hopped onto it, one leg casually swinging, the other bent to support her on the surface. The pose, coupled with her sleek black bodysuit, was utterly provocative; Du Chen couldn't help but wonder if she was a bona fide femme fatale, a spy whose primary weapon was her allure.

"Your caution is commendable, though," Mina continued, idly twirling a strand of her long hair. "In our line of work, vigilance is paramount! Boss already told you the secret phrase for our rendezvous. Ask away!"

Du Chen subtly shifted his stance, breaking eye contact and creating a slight angle between them. "I'm afraid I don't understand what you're talking about," he drawled, feigning ignorance.

"Damn your meticulousness, you little brat!" Mina exclaimed, clearly exasperated. "Fine, I'll prompt you then! You're supposed to ask me whose portrait is on page thirty-seven of the Holy Church's Code, and I'll reply: Boss Mars's beard is red!"

Du Chen's lips twitched into a genuine smile. The code was indeed correct; Mars, the Battle God had given him these exact instructions: once inside the academy, someone would reach out to him. The secret phrase was precisely these two seemingly nonsensical lines.

"Heh, so my liaison turns out to be a professor!" Du Chen chuckled dryly. "However, Miss 'Rose,' your method of introduction leaves much to be desired."

Du Chen deliberately dragged a chair further away before settling into it. "Any instructions for me? You can speak freely now."

"Hold on, you! I'm a White-Robed Arch-Bishop, three tiers your senior! At least show some respect for your superior!"

"My only superior is Boss himself; that was established when I joined the ranks! Furthermore, whether I accept a mission depends entirely on my mood. You have no authority to command me. So, if you have something to say, spit it out. My time is not infinite."

Du Chen's impression of this beautiful spy, who had tried to seduce him immediately upon meeting, was exceedingly poor. Consequently, his tone lacked any semblance of courtesy.

"Damn that Boss, sending me a troublesome fellow like you!" Mina grumbled under her breath. "Listen closely. I am the Enforcement Temple's chief liaison officer within the academy, responsible for all communications between you and Boss Mars. During regular days, you have no duties; if a mission arises, I will approach you, and naturally, accepting it is entirely your prerogative. However, if you ever find yourself in a bind, you can always seek me out!"

"Is that all?" Du Chen asked, a dismissive wave of his hand. Before she could respond, he rose from his chair and headed for the door.

"Hold it right there!" Mina's hand shot out, grasping his arm. "Official business concluded! But 'Sister Rose' has a personal query for you!" She leaned in close to Du Chen, a sly smile playing on her lips. "What exactly is your secret that makes Boss spoil you so? Honestly, I've been a spy for years, and I've never encountered a rookie as brazen as you!"

"When you're promoted to Cardinal Arch-Bishop or Godfather Ferdinand, then perhaps I'll tell you!" Du Chen chuckled.

*Damn that little brat! He's intentionally trying to rile 'Sister Rose'!*

*A brazen rookie daring to disrespect an 'elder'? Fine, then 'Sister Rose' will just have to conjure up some trouble for him!*

Mina sprang from the table, crossed to the bed, and retrieved a rolled parchment from beneath the mattress. "I just remembered a task that would suit you perfectly," she said, unrolling the parchment. "Interested in taking it on? 'Sister Rose' will warn you, though: Boss made it clear that your relationship with him is strictly cooperative. The amount of support you receive from the Holy Church within the academy will be directly proportionate to your contributions."

"Let's hear it then," Du Chen replied casually.

Mina tossed the scroll into Du Chen's outstretched hand. "Initially," she began, "there were two students in this incoming cohort who possessed no battle qi. You, naturally, are one of them. The other is named Arthur!"

Two individuals gaining admission to the Battle God Academy without battle qi? Curious indeed!

Du Chen lowered his gaze and unfurled the parchment. It bore the exquisite portrait of a golden-haired youth – strikingly handsome, yet exuding a faint, sickly air. His prior disposition, not so long ago, had mirrored this boy's somewhat.

Mina elaborated, observing his reaction. "You gained entry to the academy because the Holy Church facilitated your 'success'," Mina explained. "Arthur, on the other hand, received a special dispensation from Zigurd. Moreover, he is the grandson of the Lionheart King!"

Arthur's background was formidable indeed! Du Chen was genuinely astonished.

Lionheart King Alonso, a Tenth-Tier Titled Battle God renowned as 'Lionheart' and the peerless overlord of the Renault Empire – his grandson's identity was, naturally, far from ordinary.

But what purpose did a 'waste' bereft of battle qi have in entering the Battle God Academy?

Du Chen's own reasons for joining were twofold: first, to escape the chilling confines of the Saint Sigurd Cain Estate, and second, to acquire more skills to better wield his Lotus Internal Force. But what could Arthur's true motivations be?

Mina, as if reading his thoughts, addressed the very same question. "Considering the Lionheart King's unparalleled wisdom and martial strategy, there's no logical reason for him to send his only grandson to the Battle God Academy. He could easily tutor Arthur himself! Furthermore, Dean Zigurd and Lionheart King Alonso have long been antagonists. Yet, this time, the notoriously obstinate and rigid Zigurd actually violated academy regulations to grant special admission to the Lionheart King's grandson – a 'waste,' no less. The entire affair reeks of suspicion, hence the Holy Church requires us to uncover the true reason behind Arthur's enrollment. However, due to his illustrious lineage and his lack of battle qi, Arthur has cultivated an extremely reclusive personality, making it challenging for ordinary individuals to glean any information from him."

Du Chen seized the opening. "I, too, was once devoid of battle qi, only to suddenly manifest a Heaven-Bestowed Hydro-Body. Arthur will undoubtedly see in me the hope of transforming from a 'waste' into a genius. Therefore, I can befriend him and gain the opportunity to uncover his reasons for matriculating."

"Exactly! So, what do you say? Are you in?" Mina retrieved the parchment from Du Chen's grasp and casually tucked it beneath the bed.

Du Chen shook his head subtly. This mission, he mused, was utterly despicable.

To be born into a family of Titled Battle God Scions, yet possess no battle qi – Du Chen had experienced this torment firsthand. The peculiar gazes, the disdainful sneers from strangers, and the contempt from even his own family; all these had crashed down upon him, a torrent of suffering unimaginable to the uninitiated.

Putting himself in Arthur's shoes, Du Chen imagined the scenario: if Arthur, after discovering a glimmer of hope to escape his suffering, and then finding a single, solitary friend, only for that friend to be a spy, and that glimmer of hope utterly false – how devastating would such a betrayal be?

To be hurled from the pinnacle of hope into the abyss of despair was surely the most unbearable cruelty.

This mission was nothing short of a cruel deception, designed to toy with a pathetic, introverted child, offering him hope only to ruthlessly shatter his entire world.

Furthermore, this child's grandfather held the title of the first Battle God on the Azure Heaven Continent. Indeed, Big Brother Steve had once mentioned it!

"My apologies," Du Chen said, already at the door, turning back to face her. "If I were to uncover his secrets, I would first need to befriend him. But I never betray my friends! Though few in number, my friends are sacred to me. I will not undertake this mission."

Mina shrugged, utterly unconcerned. "You're free to leave then. However, 'Sister Rose' feels compelled to remind you: even if you don't seek out Arthur, he will undoubtedly seek you! Your transformation from a 'waste' into a genius has surely spread like wildfire by now – oh, forgive 'Sister Rose' for using that term, but I daresay you no longer mind it – and our poor little Arthur will most certainly come seeking your guidance on how to replicate such a miraculous metamorphosis."

"Indeed, he will surely seek me out. But that, Professor, is hardly your concern!" With that, Du Chen pushed open the door.

"Hee hee! You truly are an intriguing little scamp! Oh, and one final question before you vanish!" Mina floated to the doorway, propping herself against the frame, and teased provocatively: "You don't seem particularly enamored with beautiful women, do you? In fact, you almost seem to… despise them!"

"And what if I do?" Du Chen retorted flatly.

"Then you, my dear boy, are in for a world of vexation!" Mina declared with a triumphant chuckle. "As a water-attributed student, you'll be assigned to the Water Pavilion for your studies. And that, my little hater of beauties, happens to be the most concentrated haven of loveliness in the entire Battle God Academy!"