Helen's Story, Part Two

Helen didn't wait for Du Chen to ponder further, continuing: “It happened one night. After that, her father, bearing grievous wounds, carried the little girl and fled from the relentless pursuit of his enemies. This flight lasted for seven or eight years; every day and night, the little girl spent her time amidst pursuit and escape. Fortunately, her father protected her with all his might, ensuring she remained unharmed. Until one day, the father and daughter fled to a place teeming with experts, yet they could still have continued their escape. However, the daughter suddenly discovered that this place contained medicines capable of healing her father's old wounds. So, she conveniently stole some…”

Helen offered a faint smile, her expression still unperturbed. “The result, well, only later did that daughter realize she had stolen something she shouldn't have, drawing the ire of several true apex powerhouses who pursued the father and daughter for a thousand li. Fleeing while fending off the pursuing experts, they eventually reached the waters near Antwerp Port. There, the father commanded his Divine Pet to protect his daughter, while he alone lured away the pursuers.”

Du Chen listened in silence, musing inwardly, *If Helen truly recounts her own story, then the earthquake and tidal wave at Antwerp Port must have been instigated by this father-daughter duo. As for that place teeming with experts, it must be Battle God Academy! The medicine… Philip's Alchemy Laboratory! All medicines on Battle God Isle originate from there!*

Helen continued, “Next, her father was captured, and the daughter was captured as well. However, the expert pursuing the daughter encountered some trouble, allowing his captive to escape! Francis, what do you suppose happened next?”

Du Chen secretly shook his head, replying, “That daughter will undoubtedly exhaust every conceivable method to rescue her father!”

Helen smiled. “Precisely. Her mother already died for her; if she doesn't rescue her father, she’ll be consumed by guilt for a lifetime!”

*This girl came to Battle God Isle to save her father. In that light, her actions might not be considered excessive. If it were me, my methods would probably be far more detestable!* Du Chen's aversion to Helen somewhat diminished. *Yet, this absolutely cannot constitute a reason to help Helen! Du Chen had no interest in courting death!*

Gazing up at the moonlit sky, Helen murmured, “This is all I know of the story, Francis. Can you tell me what ending this tale should have?”

Du Chen offered a faint smile, then straightened his face, declaring solemnly, “I have no interest in this story, nor do I wish to know its ending!”

Having spoken, Du Chen quickened his pace, continuing forward. Helen stood frozen, not following Du Chen. Not long after Du Chen had walked away, a small golden snake slithered out from her sleeve, coiled up her arm, and rested on her shoulder, asking in an almost imperceptible serpent's hiss, “Mistress, what did he mean by that last remark?”

Helen replied in the same serpent's tongue, “He means he will absolutely not help me rescue my father, nor will he hinder my actions. However, it would be best if we no longer appeared before him!”

The golden serpent, Sulan, flicked its tongue, “Human speech... Damn it! We serpents simply can't comprehend it!”

Helen stared coldly at Du Chen's retreating back, her brow furrowed. “Sulan, we truly are on our own now. Tell your brethren to prepare. It's time to begin!”

After parting ways with Helen, Du Chen ascended Hot Spring Mountain with a furrowed brow, his thoughts churning. *From Helen’s words, it seems her father and she attracted this pursuit because they stole something from Philip's Alchemy Laboratory. Otherwise, Battle God Academy's higher-ups would likely have turned a blind eye. What important item did she steal from Philip? And Phil, the Flaying Battle God, Arthur... Damn it, everything lately seems connected to Philip's Alchemy Laboratory!*

The summit of Hot Spring Mountain housed the very core of Battle God Academy. At its center lay a hot spring, around which most of the academy’s vital departments were clustered. Beyond these encircling buildings, a vast plaza stretched out.

The Student Assembly's induction meeting for new members was convened in the circular conference room on the third floor of the Dean’s Office building. By the time Du Chen arrived, the room was already bustling with people. The moment he entered, the early-arriving, corpulent Jason warmly greeted him. “Francis, come quickly! Let me introduce you to our senior members of the Student Assembly.”

He led Du Chen to the seat closest to the door around the round table—the spot for new recruits. He chuckled, “This is Jennyfer, the President of the Student Assembly, and this is... oh, and this esteemed individual is our direct superior!” He gestured to a youth with short purple hair, smiling. “I haven't told you yet, have I? We've both been assigned to the Department of Supervision, and Senior Brother Louis is our Department Head!”

As he spoke, Jason, without any reservation, raised his voice, “He is also the nephew of Dean Ricardo!”

“Praise be to Battle God Ricardo! Senior Brother, I hope for your continued guidance.” Du Chen promptly stood, extending his hand to shake Louis’s. Yet Louis merely nodded with an arrogant air, seemingly oblivious to Du Chen’s extended, friendly hand. “Sit down. Be sharper in the future; don't bring shame upon the Department of Supervision!” With that, he turned away, no longer acknowledging Du Chen.

*Arrogant brat!* Du Chen retracted his hand, casting a sidelong glance at Louis, who was now conversing with others. The youth, seventeen or eighteen years of age, possessed a fair complexion and wore the yellow battle armor of a third-rank Yellow-Robed Martial Fighter, appearing quite handsome save for his purple hair. Yet, his demeanor was utterly obnoxious. *Haughty and condescending!*

Jason, though also rebuffed by Louis, maintained his beaming smile. He leaned in, whispering to Du Chen, “Department Head Louis just has that temperament. He’s from Arcania Continent and holds a Divine Grant Earl title valid across the Three Continents!”

*No wonder this brat is so arrogant! A Divine Grant Earl title, recognized across the Three Continents, means he enjoys the privileges of an Earl anywhere under the sun, at any time, unless the other party also possesses a Divine Grant title. Simply put, he is a noble among nobles. In his eyes, a Divine Scion like Francis might be considered his peer, but common nobles and ordinary citizens don't even have the right to speak to him! To be saddled with such a superior, truly unfortunate!* Du Chen whispered, “Jason, what exactly does the Department of Supervision do?”

“It’s like this: every student’s performance is divided into three components—academic, martial, and moral character, just like the entrance exams. The Department of Supervision assists the instructors in assessing students’ moral character.” Jason’s round face drew close to Du Chen’s ear, and he chuckled, “It wields considerable power!”

“Oh? Is that so?” Du Chen also smiled.

Not long after, Helen also arrived at the venue. The induction meeting proceeded with much fanfare. Afterward, the department heads gathered with their newly recruited subordinates.

Louis cast a sweeping glance over the dozen or so members of his department, his gaze lingering particularly on Du Chen. “Our daily tasks are complex; I won't waste words explaining. Instead, I’ll take you on a mission right now, and you’ll understand once you see it!” He then fixed his stare on Du Chen again. “As members of our Department of Supervision, the most crucial rule is: absolutely no favoritism or corruption! Remember this, every one of you, or I will show no mercy!”

*Why does he keep staring at me?* Du Chen wondered, a flicker of suspicion in his heart.

At that moment, Louis continued, “Dean Zigurd has decreed that students are absolutely forbidden from visiting the island’s pleasure houses or gambling dens. Yet, I've just received intelligence that several new students from Fiery Gorge, on the very first day of formal classes—today, no less—have visited a brothel on the island!”

*Fiery Gorge... and a brothel... Department Head Louis is glaring directly at me. Hmm, Big Brother Steve is certainly capable of such antics!*