Starting from the Dragon Tribe!

Chapter 31

Starting From the Dragon Tribe

Chapter 31: Alchemy Weapon: The Red Maple

“After considering the risks of this mission, we decided that Frigga rounds and alchemy cartridges will be distributed to everyone. Other than that, students excelling in cold weaponry may request alchemy weapons and return them after the mission.” Done with the plans, Fremont carried on with equipment preparation.

“If there are no further questions, you may return to your dorms to pack your belongings and gather at the gate by eleven. We’ll be having dinner in Birmingham.” Finishing his announcement, Fremont dismissed the team.

Due to the urgency of the mission, everything became rather hectic.

However, Lu Chen had no intention of returning to his dorm room as he didn’t have much to pack. After having learned to “utilize” his student card, he decided that he could buy some clothes in Birmingham if necessary.

On the other hand, Chu Zihang simply gave Lu Chen a wave as he was heading to organize his possessions. As garments were optional, he made sure to bring along Murasame—a blade his father left him.

All of a sudden, his pace was disrupted by a husky voice.

“Chu Zihang, Lu Chen, stay for a while.”

Turning around, they realized that it was Schneider who had kept quiet the entire meeting. Seeing him voiced out, although everyone else was curious, they tactfully left the conference room, and that included Commissioner Fremont himself.

“This will be your first mission ever. Remember, do not be reckless during the mission. But don’t hesitate either when the team needs a hand.” As Schneider spoke, he grabbed a long, black container from the cart and handed it to Lu Chen.

Upon receiving permission, Lu Chen grabbed the box and opened it. Lying inside the box was an antique saber. Like a burning flame, a mahogany pattern was carved onto its scarlet scabbard.

As Lu Chen extracted the elegant saber from its container, an oscillating pattern of maple leaves was seen on the blade. When he waggled the blade, the carvings appeared as if maple leaves were dancing to the motion of the wind. Waving it to a precise angle unexposed to light, Lu Chen fell into a trance-like illusion where red maple leaves swayed in the reflection on a lake of blood.

“The Red Maple—an alchemy weapon forged by master alchemist Zhang Jiuya from the Tang Dynasty in China. It possesses a cutting attribute that requires a certain bloodline to activate.”

Originally, the saber was in the possession of some gang in England. Before alchemy was brought back, it was merely an ordinary saber. Assuming it was a replication, the gang sold it to Cassell College for 240,000 while thinking they had made a profit. Unbeknownst to them, however, in the hands of someone capable, it could become an unrivaled weapon of destruction.

“Is this for me?” Seeing that the Origin Space System had deemed the saber a Blue item, Lu Chen couldn’t let go of it. Among all the mission rewards he had received including the Dragon Blood, this was the rarest yet.

“Only for the duration of this mission.” Even Schneider, who was usually calm and unswerving, was taken aback. What does this boy take a weapon for?

“Chu Zihang,” Schneider called as he shifted his gaze toward Chu Zihang. “Other than getting used to the scrimmage’s flow, I’ve no particular request for you, except for one: do not cast your kotodama unless your life is at risk.”

At that moment, Chu Zihang could tell the implication in Schneider’s eyes, though, the teacher didn’t try to hide it from Lu Chen knowing they were tight as two peas in a pod.

“Understood.” In acknowledgment, Chu Zihang nodded. In fact, when his kotodama first awakened, Schneider had reminded him to only use it during solo missions or special circumstances.

Shortly after, Schneider watched as Lu Chen and Chu Zihang exited the room. Left alone, he mindlessly stared at the hell that was on the screen, and he was sending the students to that very hell.

***

***

“You weren’t like this when you first enrolled, were you?”

On the college’s private jet to Birmingham, Lutecia, seated opposite of Lu Chen, facepalmed and sighed as she watched him staring out the window in astonishment.

“No matter what, I’ll always be impressed by human technology.” As he replied, he withdrew his gaze, feeling no shame toward his ignorance.

“Aren’t you guys nervous? Not even a little bit?” Lutecia helplessly quizzed as she turned to Chu Zihang. Embracing the Murasame, Chu Zihang, seated beside Lu Chen, was sitting with his back straight and legs in a perfect right angle like an ancient warrior straight out of a history textbook.

“Forget about Grade S Lu Chen, aren’t you nervous, Chu Zihang?” Lutecia couldn’t help but ask herself, Are they reptiles born without the capability to feel anxiety? Or perhaps their nervousness is concealed by their cold front?

“What for?” Casually, Chu Zihang countered as he wore a genuine curious expression, making Lutecia feel embarrassed.

“It’s a super-duper killing machine that took away our Grade A senior! This Slaughter is freakishly horrendous!”

Slaughter—an alias the department had given the target.

“Slaughter should be the nervous one. We’re the hunter and he’s the hunted.” Chu Zihang expressed collectedly. Seeing that he was speaking the truth, Lutecia was rendered speechless.

No matter how strong Slaughter was, under the power of the Executive Department and the influence of the Secret Council, he was merely a beast waiting to be hunted.

Pessimistically, Lutecia thought, Even hares would start biting when they panicked, let alone a murderer that resembles the devil himself!

“Chu Zihang is right. I’m rather eager to meet this Slaughter. Plus, I haven’t even gotten to test out the new toy Schneider lent me,” Lu Chen uttered, no longer looking out the window. If the thirst for battle that he had been enduring for a month since he arrived in this world wasn’t quenched, he would surely die from the drought.

Among all the details Schneider had warned about, Lu Chen paid attention only to the part about not hesitating when lending a hand. In the first place, would he even hesitate? In order to unlock his subsequent missions, he had decided to perform the mission flawlessly as he had a hunch that things were about to get messy. Once he had overcome this obstacle, the paradise on the other side would reveal itself—endless opportunities to enhance his power level!

“You—! Well, do as you like, as long as you protect me!” Lutecia finally blurted her main concern.

“Don’t worry. According to the Executive Department’s analysis, Milana fits Slaughter’s M.O. slightly more. Heck, he might not bat an eye to you, even!” Lu Chen smirked. After all, the main purpose of recruiting Lutecia for the mission wasn’t to use her as bait, but for her profiling abilities that could be useful to track down the target.

Meanwhile, Milana—the main bait—was currently dolling herself up in the cabin. Like serving steaks and chops to a carnivore, there was no way Slaughter could resist the temptation.

Earlier that day, Lu Chen had learned some tricks to profiling. Still, learning that Lutecia was a skilled profiler came as a surprise to him. Perhaps when it came to mind games, Lutecia would take the triumph.

“You know that’s bullshit, Lu Chen. Sure, there are some differences between Milana and me, but that’s not enough to overshadow my beauty, you know! He wouldn’t dare ignore me!” As Lutecia finished, she made a fierce expression like a tilted beast flaunting its intimidating fangs.

Having no comeback, Lu Chen wondered where her ego stemmed from. Did she feel proud getting targeted by the murderer?

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