The thought only flickered through Zayne's mind before fading away.
He had no interest in getting tangled up with Nia. If anything, he wanted to stay as far away from her as possible.
After eating his fill, Zayne found a quiet spot and waited for the auction banquet to begin. He was genuinely interested in the equipment and skills Francis had mentioned. Skills were not an issue for him, but when it came to gear, he was practically naked. Aside from a single ring that gave plus ten Spirit, he had nothing. That would definitely put him at a disadvantage during the college entrance trials.
The trials would be conducted under public scrutiny. He could not fight the way he did in the beginner realm, throwing Forbidden Spells at everything he saw. That would immediately raise suspicion.
Which brought him back to the real problem.
He had no money.
He wanted equipment, but he could not afford it. Was there another way?
Zayne glanced at Francis. Maybe he could sell him a dream and freeload a little.
As if reading his mind, Francis showed up the moment the thought formed, leading a large group of people with him.
"Everyone, let me introduce you. This is my boss, Zayne," Francis announced proudly, finally daring to bring people over now that Zayne had finished eating.
The moment he spoke, the expressions of those behind him turned skeptical. They looked back and forth between Francis and Zayne in disbelief.
"Francis, are you joking? He looks more like someone who should be calling you boss. You're saying you recognize him as yours?"
They sized Zayne up openly. Cheap clothes, completely out of place at the banquet. What was Francis thinking?
Francis smiled mysteriously. Most of his friends were heirs of powerful families in Old Shipyard Port. It was normal for them to look down on Zayne at first glance.
Then he lowered his voice and spoke with deliberate suspense.
"Never judge a book by its cover. An ordinary guy would never qualify as my boss, but he is different. Do you know what level my boss is right now?"
"What level?"
"Level sixteen."
"And his profession is SSS rank."
The group sucked in a sharp breath. The contempt in their eyes vanished instantly. No matter where you were, strength commanded respect.
"Now that you mention it, Zayne does sound familiar. He's the top scorer from this year's beginner realm, right? The one who broke Old Shipyard Port's record."
Someone exclaimed in realization.
Reaching level eight or nine in the beginner realm was already considered outstanding talent. Zayne had reached level sixteen. That was terrifying.
Seeing their reactions, Francis clasped his hands behind his back, wearing a smug grin. This was exactly what he wanted. Who would dare look down on the boss he acknowledged now?
Once Francis had enjoyed himself enough, Zayne decided it was time to sell his dream.
"Francis, how confident are you about getting a good result in the college entrance trials?" Zayne asked casually.
"Not very," Francis admitted honestly. "I'm only level seven. Getting into an average top tier university would already be decent."
"If we could go outside the city, I could help you grind some levels and get a much better result," Zayne said with a sigh.
"That's impossible," Francis shook his head vigorously. "To prevent people from getting carried by stronger Transcenders, leaving the city is strictly forbidden during the three days after the beginner trial."
"Is that so?" Zayne replied lightly. "Then why did I hear that the entrance to the college entrance trial is located outside the city walls?"
Francis's breathing quickened.
"You mean…"
When the college entrance trial began, all four city gates of Old Shipyard Port would open. Candidates had to travel through a stretch of land outside the city to reach the trial entrance. That was the first test.
The monsters near the city walls were not many, but they were not nonexistent either. Every year, candidates rushed through that area as fast as possible.
Zayne's implication was obvious. He wanted to grind levels there.
That was outside the city. Nothing like the beginner realm.
In the beginner realm, monsters capped at level ten and only appeared at the deepest areas. Outside the city, even the weakest monsters were level ten. One mistake meant death. Every year, countless Transcenders died out there.
"Don't forget, I'm already level sixteen," Zayne said calmly. "If we only stay close to the city walls, I should not run into anything I can't handle. It's just a shame I don't have proper equipment. Otherwise, I really could help you gain a few levels before entering the trial."
He sighed, sounding genuinely regretful.
"Equipment? That's easy," Francis waved it off. "Boss, what worries me is our safety. That's outside the city."
Francis hesitated. If Ward Group assigned powerful escorts, he would not be afraid. But relying only on a level sixteen Zayne…
"Once you call me boss, I'm your boss for life," Zayne said firmly.
"Relax. I would not say this if I wasn't confident. Even if we run into something I can't beat, I promise I will die before you do."
"Don't you want to raise your level and get into a better top tier academy? You should know that no amount of money can buy that."
"Boss…"
A trace of guilt surfaced in Francis's eyes. Zayne was clearly thinking things through for his sake, while he had only planned to exploit Zayne as a free Forbidden Spellcaster bodyguard.
But the hesitation passed quickly, replaced by resolve.
Business was business.
That was something his father had taught him long ago. Forbidden Spellcasters lived short lives anyway. Had he not already let Zayne experience an extravagant lifestyle before his end?
By that logic, he was not really hurting Zayne. A merchant always put profit first.
Zayne was right. Money could buy many things, but it could not buy entry into elite academies. There was only one way in, through the college entrance trials.
"Boss, don't worry. At tonight's auction, anything you like, just say the word. I'll take it," Francis said firmly.
"Good, good," Zayne replied eagerly. "That's exactly what I was waiting for. I mean, don't worry. With proper gear, I guarantee I'll help you reach level ten or higher."
At level ten or above, and with some effort in the trials, entry into any top tier academy in the Alliance would be all but guaranteed.
They exchanged smiles, each convinced deep down that they had struck an incredible deal.