Chapter Eighty-Nine: Bean

At the western edge of Market Number Three stood a most unusual building, erected entirely of redwood. Above the entrance hung a plaque bearing the name of the beast-training hall.

The room facing the market street served only as a reception area; beyond it lay a vast courtyard.

From the courtyard came, now and then, the roars of beasts and the angry shouts of men.

A white-haired youth, guided by a clerk at the front desk, stepped curiously into the yard and looked around. Perched on his shoulder sat a small snow-white fox. Its luxuriant fur and lively eyes drew more than a few glances.

After a moment, a black-haired young man emerged from the inner building. His blue eyes regarded the youth from a slight height as he said, “You’re the Xiaer my sister mentioned?”

“Hall Master.” The clerk hurriedly bowed, then stood quietly to the side.

“Hello. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Xiaer smiled and held out his hand.

But the other man made no move to shake it. Standing straight with a lean, spare frame, he said calmly, “Lyre’s terms were far too simple. Forgive me, but I cannot agree.”

“Then what would you have me do?” Xiaer asked.

The man looked slight and almost frail, like some dissipated noble ruined by wine and pleasure, yet he gave off an intensely dangerous feeling.

That sensation was even stronger than when he had faced Rody’s evolved ultimate totem.

Xiaer could already foresee that if the man before him wished to kill him, there would be no obstacle at all.

“Young man, take this as advice: many people become so confident they swell with arrogance. My sister and I both think you need to study hard right now, not act presumptuously. At your current level, I don’t see what gives you such confidence.”

“Sorry, but I believe I should be capable of handling basic duties.” Xiaer looked at him calmly, still smiling. “Mr. Bean, I need to purchase some totem beasts. Preferably mid-grade; high-grade would be even better.”

Noticing a trace of doubt in the other’s eyes, Xiaer displayed the string of numbers on his wristband. The figure, nearing nine digits, finally brought a flicker of surprise to the man’s gaze.

“Speak. What type do you need?”

“I need one flying-type totem beast and one defensive-type. I only want the best,” Xiaer replied.

“Very well. Follow me.”

Xiaer followed him through the courtyard and into the building.

He suddenly realized that this place was somewhat similar to the beast arena in Stormport. In cage after cage were imprisoned all kinds of ferocious creatures, each several times stronger than those in the arena, their savage aura pressing upon him from all directions.

“I own a totem beast breeding facility. The lowest grade here is mid-tier, and just recently we bred a high-grade one,” said the black-haired young man, Bean, pointing toward a cage.

Xiaer turned his gaze and saw, in the center of the cage, a metal rod with a bird about half a meter tall standing quietly atop it.

“Annos Eagle. Price: twenty-five million. High-grade totem beast. Its inherited factor contains the legacy of the ancient ferocious Annos Divine Eagle. After evolution, its feathers become as hard as steel, and it can shed them as concealed weapons,” the woman in clerk’s attire explained. Her tone was much like that of a salesperson in another life, thoroughly professional.

The eagle was extraordinarily handsome. Though not large in body, it possessed a naturally commanding presence.

Its feathers stood sharply upright, and its claws were black as cast iron. When they struck the iron rod beneath its feet, they rang with a clear sound, evidently as sharp as blades and fully capable of piercing bone with ease.

“All right, then I’ll buy it.”

Xiaer nodded without the slightest hesitation, leaving the woman beside him momentarily stunned. She had not expected to meet someone who treated money so lightly.

She glanced at Bean. He said nothing more and walked on to the next cage. The woman hurried after him and continued her polished introduction: “Moni Turtle. Price: 6.5 million. Mid-tier totem beast. A fierce water-element tortoise-type totem beast with extremely strong defense.”

It was a strangely shaped blue turtle, with a pair of tiny purple eyes and a wave-like tail trailing behind it. All four limbs were withdrawn into its shell, whose back was deep blue while its underside was yellowish brown. Where the two colors met, a faint white wave pattern curled along the seam.

After she finished speaking, she looked again at this peculiar customer, only to see him nod once more. “Fine. I’ll take it.”

The three-million transaction was completed in the blink of an eye, equivalent to several days’ worth of normal business. Her eyes gleamed with a different light, and she could not help but lift her chest a little higher.

The three of them left the place. Bean waved the woman away and said blandly, “You truly insist on this?”

“Yes. This is my choice. I feel that battle is what will set my life alight, not remaining forever obscure.” Xiaer’s tone grew a little more fervent.

“Ah... you’re just like I was back then, so reckless, so determined to throw everything away. What a pity...” Bean suddenly let out a soft sigh, then cut himself off. “Very well. Since you’ve made your decision, I’ll agree.”

“Tomorrow, report to Building 106 of the academy under my name, Bean.”

“Thank you.” Xiaer offered heartfelt thanks.

After learning more, he had come to understand quite a few things. Within the academy, the enforcement team was without a doubt a profession that made many life-commanders green with envy.

A monthly salary of one hundred thousand was only the foundation. What was most enviable was that every mission came with full reimbursement of all source crystal expenses, and any injuries would be treated with the academy’s most meticulous care.

As long as one did not die on the spot, then with the world-leading biotechnology the academy possessed, even severed arms and legs could be restored.

For most people, this was nothing less than using public funds to temper their own strength. Where else could one find benefits this good?

Not to mention that every mission earned far more contribution points than others could hope for.

Contribution points, in full, were reward points granted for contributions made to the academy. As the name implied, they were a quantified record of how much one had given back to the academy.

They were a precious thing, because many of the academy’s coveted potions, high-grade totem beasts, and even the finest rune factories could be exchanged for contribution points.

Moreover, once contribution points exceeded ten thousand, one could be promoted to Level Two clearance and enjoy a twenty percent discount on purchases within the academy. At one hundred thousand, one advanced to Level Three clearance and received a forty percent discount.

This clearance level was not determined purely by strength, but by how much one had contributed to the academy. Naturally, it was a measure intended to encourage the students.

Otherwise, if everyone were selfish and never considered the academy, not only would it be impossible to forge unity, the academy itself could never have grown to such a scale, nor inspired countless people to risk their lives for it willingly.

Bean gazed at the sky with a wistful expression and said softly, “Back then, many people joined the enforcement team with me. By now, most of them have either been killed or have completely left the team...”