Chapter 1, The Warrior and the Virgin

If Roddy is a struggling commoner student, then Star is a veritable miser

Before he could call out a second time, a window on the second floor was suddenly flung open with a bang, revealing a head with long, multicolored hair.

Rodi carefully descended the stairs, taking each step with great caution. God knows whether those wooden floorboards could still bear his weight after two hundred years of erosion. He certainly did not want to be the first swordsman in the empire's several hundred years of history to fall to his death from the stairs

In this regard, Roddy has completely lost hope. He is well aware that if he wishes for a woman to take an interest in him, it would only be possible if that woman were blind or had some mental issues. Roddy has no interest in women who are blind or have mental problems.

This is the cheapest student dormitory at the Imperial College, with an annual price of only 5 silver coins, but the environment is shockingly poor

However, individuals like Si Da are not the type to behave obediently and quietly. Just after the school's security team monitored him moving out, he secretly moved back into that room.

Roddy's eyes immediately lit up! What he needs most right now is money! Without money, even if he passes next month's swordsmanship assessment and becomes a true swordsman, he still won't have enough money to pay for next year's tuition.

As Rody slowly nodded his head, he was unaware that this nod marked the beginning of an endlessly rich and colorful legend in his life

Putting on his longsword, Roddy rummaged through the wardrobe for a while and finally found a relatively clean and nice-looking uniform for a warrior student to wear. He decided to take a walk outside. After hesitating for a moment, he chose not to bring his own longsword. He might want to stroll around outside the school and perhaps buy some cheap bread to bring back for tomorrow's meal—he certainly did not want to go out with a weapon and risk being caught by patrolling soldiers and taken back to the police station.

To speak honestly, this building is quite decent. It can accommodate two hundred civilian students, and each person can have a single room—although this single room is indeed too small, hardly larger than a pigeon coop. However, since the death of Dandong, the position of principal of the Empire has been held by nobles, and it is already a considerable grace that these gentlemen have not completely expelled the civilian students from the Imperial Academy—of course, this is also out of respect for the wishes of His Majesty the Fifth Emperor of the Empire from years ago. Nevertheless, these noble gentlemen have not spent a single copper coin on the maintenance of this building—this has been the case for two hundred years!

In fact, Teacher Shalu is aware that his young students will participate in the annual swordsmanship assessment at the Imperial Academy next month, which is why he has been conducting special training in recent days. Rody is a student whom Shalu greatly admires. Shalu has privately told Rody that, given his abilities, passing the assessment is almost certain, as Rody's skills have long surpassed the standard of a Level 1 swordsman. In fact, according to Teacher Shalu, Rody is the most outstanding student he has taught in many years, a true genius. Of course, while everyone knows that Rody's skills are indeed impressive, no one takes Shalu's comments about genius seriously. After all, that old man has never taught a student above Level 3 swordsman in all his years; what kind of genius could such a mediocre teacher produce? The only trouble Rody might face in passing the assessment is to avoid encountering the Rock Instructor, who always enjoys opposing Teacher Shalu. People in the academy know that the Rock Instructor and Teacher Shalu have never been on good terms. The origin of their discord seems to stem from a certain infatuation with a female teacher several years ago. They always find opportunities to create trouble for each other. This time, it just so happens that Teacher Shalu's student is participating in the assessment, and the Rock Instructor is likely to serve as one of the judges.

Regrettably, Rody knew that his wish was likely very difficult to realize... The facts were clear; although he was quite confident in his swordsmanship at that moment, he understood that his biggest problem was not passing the exam... but rather the tuition required for the next stage of courses after passing the exam, which was completely uncertain... However, if he could place in the top three in the swordsmanship assessment, according to the imperial education regulations, he would receive a substantial bonus, enough to cover all his future tuition at the academy.

Rodi frowned at him: "Have you climbed through the window again? Aren't you afraid of being seen? You should know that even though it's night, you still need to be careful"

However, Roddy's mind is still relatively normal. He knows that every year, those who secure the top three positions are either the sons of some count's family or the offspring of some general's household. Damn it, those people are not short of money at all. Why do they have to compete with us, the children of poor families, for that meager prize? For them, the title of being in the top three is merely a title used among nobles to show off to one another during their games.

This is still thanks to the great philosopher of the empire, the Sage of Dandong, from two hundred years ago. That great scholar initiated a series of reforms across the empire, significantly enhancing its national strength. In his later years, he persuaded His Majesty the Emperor to allow commoners to enter the Imperial Academy for study. He personally served as the president of the Imperial Academy. Despite strong protests from the nobility, he still allocated a piece of land within the Imperial Academy specifically to accommodate commoner students. The building where Roddy currently resides was constructed during Dandong's presidency, designated as a living area for those commoner students.

What Roddy could not have anticipated even more was that at this moment, his two greatest wishes—whether related to money or women—would undergo significant changes after tonight

Making money

His body was very agile; when he landed, he cleverly rolled on the spot, reducing the impact. Then, he effortlessly stood up, brushed off the dust from his clothes, and smiled at Roddy, saying: "Alright, my swordsman sir, let's go."

If we were to describe Rody's current mood, it would be: frustrated, frustrated, and still frustrated

Of course, if before his eighteenth birthday, heaven could grant him a charming companion who is quite good-looking, allowing him to end his awkward period of being single, that would be even better

Rodi picked up his only relatively clean silk scarf and gently wiped the blade of his longsword. In his mind, he recalled the sword techniques and skills taught by Master Shalu during the swordsmanship class that morning

Rody stepped out of his room, and the corridor was filled with a damp, moldy smell. Although he had been tormented by this odor for nearly two years, Rody still could not adapt to it

The weather tonight seems quite pleasant, and there is even a moon in the sky! He took a detour through a small path and arrived at another building where civilian students also resided. He shouted towards the second floor: "Sida!"

Facing his best friend, Roddy sighed: "Alright, where are we going?"

Although the floor occasionally emitted alarming creaks and squeaks, Rody finally reached the top of the stairs. With hope in his heart, he pushed open the door and stepped out of the building

Rodi immediately displayed a wary expression on his face; he was all too familiar with his good friend's reckless personality. From the tone of his voice, it was evident that this money-making scheme was clearly not a legitimate one

Fortunately, he still had the student ID from the Imperial Academy, which allowed him to carry weapons within the premises of the academy.

He is unable to pay even the annual rent of five silver coins. Since last month, Sida has been expelled from the residential area by the school. If he had not already paid a full year's tuition, he would likely have lost his status as a student.

"Don't look at me like that! Rody!" Star pushed Rody slightly and pulled him down a secluded path within the academy. After glancing around and confirming that there was indeed no one around, he whispered, "I recently met a few people who are involved in some special businesses. They happen to need a few hands right now... temporary work, get paid once it's done, and then we all go our separate ways. Of course, it involves a bit of risk... But I've already tried it; I only did it once, and it was enough for me to earn a year's tuition!"

Si Da chuckled softly and said, "This method carries some risks, but I have already tried it. To be frank, I have secured my tuition for next year. Initially, I was hesitant because I thought this method might not suit you, but seeing how distressed you have been over money lately, I might as well involve you in this too"

"Rodi! Fool, keep your voice down!" Star's expression was somewhat flustered as he glanced around, then fully opened the window, stretched his body, and jumped down from the second-floor window

With a mysterious tone, Si Da turned his eyes and whispered, "Rody, do you want to make some money? I happen to have a way right now"

In recent years, the number of civilian students at Imperial College has significantly decreased. Even if Star moves out of that house, no one will occupy it. Moreover, the poor environment here, along with the odors from the dilapidated buildings that have been corroded for hundreds of years, means that the school's security team has no absolute assurance that they will not come here to conduct inspections. Therefore, Star brazenly lives here for free! Furthermore, the poor environment here, along with the odors from the dilapidated buildings that have been corroded for hundreds of years, means that the school's security team has no absolute assurance that they will not come here to conduct inspections. Therefore, Star brazenly lives here for free!

Sida patted Luodi on the shoulder. Despite his short stature, he was a whole head shorter than Luodi. However, he possessed a face that Luodi envied greatly; that handsome face was enough for Sida to navigate social situations with girls effortlessly. According to Sida's own private claims, he had bid farewell to the awkward status of being a single man three years ago.

As for the matter of women, Roddy dared not hope any longer. To speak honestly, he was quite good-looking. He possessed a tall and upright stature that was uncommon among the nobility, and outwardly, he could be considered a standard man. Unfortunately, it seemed that fate had deliberately played a trick on him, leaving a mark of life on his face—a black birthmark, the size of a palm, covered the left side of his cheek, transforming what should have been a face capable of captivating countless young women into a true representation of a yin-yang face. This mark of life—a black birthmark, the size of a palm, covered the left side of his cheek, transforming what should have been a face capable of captivating countless young women into a true representation of a yin-yang face.

Is it... is it an illegal business?" Rody struggled to utter the words "illegal".

Si Da rolled his eyes, displaying an expression of "nonsense".

Rody has always been a very honest person. He does not have much ambition and enjoys a calm, free, and leisurely life—swearing to the omnipotent God, Rody's greatest wish is merely to pass next month's swordsmanship assessment at the academy and become a low-ranking swordsman... This was already the greatest wish of that deceased old man when he was alive for Rody... This was already the greatest wish of that deceased old man when he was alive for Rody...

"Making money? Do you have any methods?" Rody stared wide-eyed at his good friend

Alright! Rodi sighed and said, "Take me to see it first!"

Rodi sat on the only bed in the room, taking down the only valuable item in the room—the imperial standard long sword. This sword had cost Rodi three silver coins. In fact, he was not yet qualified to use this sword, as his swordsman examination would not take place until next month. Until he passed the examination and obtained the title of swordsman, he was not permitted to carry any weapons. It is important to note that in the Empire, ordinary civilians are not allowed to carry any weapons, except for nobles, professional soldiers, and those who hold various swordsman titles.

If it can be said that Rody has never envied the identity of the sorcerer of Star, this particular aspect, however, made Rody's eyes turn red with envy