Chapter 28 (1/2)
Chapter 28: Stage Cleared
Translator: Yukidaruma Translations Editor: Yukidaruma Translations
Hogan obvious knew Dick’s personality, so he had not been keeping a close relationship with him. Laughing right away, he said, “Hehe, there’s really no way you can judge his talent with a single glance.”
Glancing sideways at Fang Xingjian, and seeing the tattered clothes and frost on his face, Dick knew immediately that Fang Xingjian did not hail from any kind of prestigious background, and that he ought to be a commoner. Then, he replied, “Oh? You think that his talent is good?” Dick, having been born of nobility, was looking down on the commoners with great talent the most, and he was also jealous of them. Thus, from the first glance, Fang Xingjian had already filled his heart with unhappiness.
Contrary to expectations, Hogan hailed from a poor and humble family. Therefore, seeing Fang Xingjian’s appearance and learning of his circumstances, in his heart, he secretly felt a sense of closeness to this examinee.
Hearing Dick’s reply, Hogan laughed, saying, “I feel that he’s not too bad. How about it, do you want to make a bet with me? He will get one of the top five rankings in the Prefectural Selection.”
“Top five?” Dick furrowed his brows. Robert had already completed his first transition. No matter what, Fang Xingjian would never be able to defeat him. In order to enter the top five, he would have to defeat either Kaunitz, Barbara, Boris, or Ferdinand.
For him to surpass the four of them? All of them are proud offspring of the heavens. They will become Kirst’s pillars in ten years. How can this poor chap of unknown origins surpass them? It’s impossible.” In a soft voice, Dick went on, “How much money do you want to bet?”
“How about one hundred gold?” Hogan nonchalantly laughed along.
After hearing his answer, Dick replied in shock, “One hundred gold?!” It was basically his earnings for an entire year!
However, after thinking about it for a few seconds and glancing a few more times at Fang Xingjian, he silently exclaimed in his heart, ‘Kaunitz and the others have been nurtured by their clans from the moment they were born. Whether teachers or martial arts guidance, medicinal cuisine or food, they haven’t ever lacked any of it. And completing their first job transition is a done deal for them. Their target has always been the second and third transitions.
‘If a poor chap manages to surpass such geniuses, so what if I lose one hundred gold?’
After thinking about this, he smiled. “Okay, Hogan, I will wait to collect the gold from you.”
On the other side, Fang Xingjian and the rest had already registered their names. Less than thirty seconds later, Kaunitz and the other three had also caught up, looking at Fang Xingjian as if they were looking at a monster.
Unexpectedly, they had not been able to catch up to Fang Xingjian from beginning to end.
Kaunitz in particular, kept looking at Fang Xingjian as though he had turned into a stranger. The way he was acting obviously attracted the other three’s attention.
Barbara’s countenance was slightly off as she glanced at Fang Xingjian before asking Kaunitz, “You know him?”
“Mmm.” Immediately, Kaunitz revealed information about Fang Xingjian. “A month ago, he wasn’t up to my level at all. How could he have surpassed me in terms of physical power now?”
“Are you saying that he’s a commoner without any special background?” asked Boris from Shadow Moon Academy.
Kaunitz disgruntledly replied, “This poor chap didn’t even have the money for food back then.”
“Without any special background to learn high level techniques, without money to buy medicinal aid or medicinal cuisine, and without the nourishment from ferocious beasts, the chance that his attributes would surpass yours is very little.” Boris continued, “Unless he has a specialization for a particular attribute.”
From beginning to end Ferdinand had stayed silent. He drew in several deep breaths to recover from his fatigue and said, “Maybe he’s specialized in long distance running?”