For a brief moment, everyone looked at each other.
Then, as if by silent agreement, the tense half-confrontational atmosphere from earlier collapsed instantly.
The mentors who had been sitting in a loose circle no longer tried to maintain unity. Instead, several of them stood up at the same time, took out their phones, and began contacting their respective leaders.
This was no longer a simple negotiation.
This was a resource war.
At that moment, the blond female mentor who had spoken earlier finally asked the most important question.
"Student Ethan, what level of materials and skill books are you looking for?"
The room became quiet again.
Everyone turned toward Ethan.
Ethan leaned back slightly and replied calmly, as if the answer was obvious.
"Of course, the higher the level, the better."
Silence.
For the third time today, the mentors were stunned.
Originally, they believed Ethan would demand rare but limited resources, something that could impress him without costing too much.
But "the higher the level, the better"?
That meant top-tier materials.
That meant high-grade skill books.
That meant money, just disguised in another form.
Credits were still credits.
They were simply converted into materials.
Several mentors immediately lost interest.
After exchanging a few glances and using sound-transmission skills, they quickly reached a private agreement.
They would step back first.
Let Ethan wait.
Let him feel pressure.
Let him realize that greed had limits.
Maybe when he became anxious, his demands would lower.
After a brief internal discussion, a few mentors spoke up politely.
"We need to return and discuss this with our leadership."
"Yes, this kind of decision doesn't need to be rushed."
"You can compare different offers calmly."
Then, without hesitation, they stood up and left.
Ethan watched them go.
He didn't stop them.
He didn't react emotionally.
He simply waited.
Then, after they were already halfway out the door, he spoke again.
"The higher the level, the better."
"Of course, I won't take anything for free. I can accept equivalent exchanges."
The remaining mentors nearly choked.
Why was he still talking now?!
If he was willing to exchange fairly, then this was a completely different matter.
At that moment, the mentor who had remained seated on the sofa finally spoke.
She adjusted her glasses and said calmly,
"Student Ethan, I am a mentor from Metropolitan University of the Magic City."
"Our principal also came from Ravenshade City, just like you."
"In that sense, I believe our university is the most suitable choice."
She continued smoothly.
"Once you enroll, you can immediately register a university account."
"Through that account, you can exchange for almost all materials and skill books that have ever appeared on the market, as long as they are not forbidden items."
"University pricing has always been far lower than market pricing."
"And I can give you an exclusive permanent 20% discount."
The offer was solid.
Very solid.
But Ethan did not look excited.
Instead, he asked a simple question.
"Can your credits be traded?"
The mentor froze.
Trading credits between students was prohibited.
This rule existed not only in Imperial University, but in almost all universities.
The reason was simple.
Universities didn't want students becoming merchants instead of warriors.
They didn't want students flipping materials, earning price differences, and avoiding real combat growth.
Hearing Ethan's question, the mentor's impression of him dropped slightly.
Why was this kid still obsessed with money?
But Ethan immediately clarified.
"I don't mean trading with other students," he said calmly.
"I mean selling items to exchange for credits."
Everyone fell silent again.
Why did this man always phrase things in ways that caused misunderstandings?
"Yes," the mentor finally replied.
"There is a special purchasing department in the university."
"As long as the materials have a legitimate source, the university can buy them."
Ethan nodded.
"I understand."
For now, Metropolitan University's offer satisfied him.
University prices were already cheaper than outside markets.
On top of that, he had a permanent 20% discount.
If he acquired just a few high-level skill books on his own, the money he saved would easily surpass the 100 million credits per year that Imperial University had offered.
In comparison, rejecting Imperial University was clearly the wiser choice.
Ethan then turned his gaze to the others.
"Do you have any other offers?"
Before anyone could answer—
A soft fragrance drifted closer.
An arm casually wrapped around Ethan's shoulder.
A mature female voice whispered near his ear.
"I'm a mentor from Han University."
"If you enroll with us, you can immediately choose two diamond-grade materials for free."
"And two purple-grade skill books."
She smiled meaningfully and added,
"Also, our university has the most girls."
"The scenery is beautiful."
"Especially the small forest behind the mountain."
"I guarantee that once you go there, you'll never forget it."
Ethan calmly took out his notebook and began writing.
Han University – Pending
Many girls
Small forest
The mentor's smile stiffened slightly.
She was a professional charm-type instructor, specially sent for this mission.
Normally, students would at least show embarrassment or excitement.
But Ethan showed nothing.
She didn't know that Ethan's mental strength far exceeded hers.
Charm skills meant nothing to him.
From a value perspective, Han University's offer was impressive.
Diamond-grade materials alone were worth over 100 million credits.
Purple-grade skill books cost nearly the same.
The total value was close to Imperial University's offer.
The difference?
Han University gave everything upfront.
Imperial University spread its offer across four years.
That gap was huge.
If Ethan failed or withdrew in his second year, Imperial University would lose nothing.
Han University took real risk.
Imperial University had calculated this long ago.
Other universities followed similar logic.
Ethan continued writing calmly.
The notes in his notebook became neater and clearer.
After stating their conditions, each mentor reminded Ethan not to rush his decision.
They would return tomorrow.
One by one, they left.
Soon, the room became quiet.
Only the blond female mentor from the beginning remained.
She silently cleaned up the tea cups.
When she came out of the kitchen, she realized she was alone with Ethan.
After hesitating for a moment, she finally spoke.
"Our Magic Capital Wuhan University can also offer you a 20% discount."
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"That's all?"
The room fell silent again.
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