When we wearily rushed back to the academy, it was already evening. Actually, it would have been quicker for us to flash back directly, but based on our personalities, how could we pass up the opportunity to enjoy the interesting journey back while training along the way? After casually taking care of a few monsters wanted by the Mercenary Guild, our training for the day came to an end.

"I mean, why does it feel like we're the ones always taking care of these monster extermination tasks?" After handing in the mission book, Aliyah complained.

"Well, the capable should do more work, and we're very willing to help out, aren't we?" I replied.

"True," Aliyah said with a wry smile. "But where did all the mercenaries go?"

I took a look around and indeed, the hall of the mercenaries was quite empty, with only a few mercenaries from distant lands checking the mission board.

"They probably have their own tasks. Unlike us, who move quickly, most mercenary groups prefer to act collectively, scout monsters, then launch an attack. So most of the time, they are out in the wild, unlike us idle people; we can't compare with them," I explained.

"True," Aliyah agreed, and we left the mercenary hall.

By the time we stepped out, it was already dark, so we headed straight to the restaurant reserved by Ms. Mary. Of course, we never expected Ms. Mary's choice of venue to be a high-end restaurant, but that didn't mean we disliked it. On the contrary, we particularly enjoyed these taverns bustling with travelers. Here, no one cared how messy you ate; it was truly a foodie's paradise.

When we arrived, Ms. Mary was already devouring chunks of roasted meat and sipping beer.

"Over here! Why did you take so long to come? I've been waiting for you for a while," she exclaimed.

"Hey, we were on time, you just came early to drink," I retorted.

"Don't worry about that. Sit down, quick, let's get more beer and meat!" Ms. Mary beckoned the waiter cheerfully.

"Sure thing," the busy manager replied with a smile.

"Hey, you've had quite a lot to drink, are you sure you're okay?" I asked concernedly.

"I'm fine, don't worry," she assured, despite her flushed face and the enticing redness creeping up her neck, barely concealed by her purple long-sleeved shirt.

Ahem, I didn't say anything.

"Alright, spill the beans. What's the activity about?" I asked after we sat down and grabbed a bite.

"Exploration, or in other words, treasure hunt. We're going to take a look at a treasure that has surfaced and explore as an adventure," Ms. Mary explained.

Just then, another familiar voice chimed in, none other than Bai Yueguang... accompanied by Taishi Xi.

"Seems like your group's situation is even worse than ours," Bai Yueguang remarked as they approached, covered in dust, even Taishi Xi looking a bit worse for wear.

"What happened? Monster invasion?" I inquired.

"Pretty much," Bai Yueguang replied. They dragged over a table and a few chairs and settled down beside us.

"Dale mentioned he had something to attend to, so he won't be joining, but he's still inside the school and knows all about the situation," Bai Yueguang added.

"Are we the only ones left who still don't know what's going on?"

"Not exactly."

Bai Yueguang took a sip of his drink and let out a long sigh.

"Actually, the academy only mentioned the appearance of rare magical beasts externally, so they are planning a school-wide exploration activity."

"Really?"

"Of course... it is indeed rare magical beasts."

Bai Yueguang said while eating and drinking.

"The dragon!"

A heavily armored knight next to us suddenly turned around and said.

"Definitely the dragon, otherwise they wouldn't keep it so secretive."

"What nonsense are you talking about! It's clearly a divine bird!"

A big man on the other side retorted.

"Stop talking nonsense, it's obviously a golden snake!"

The tavern, already very noisy, became even more lively under these arguments. However, amidst the loud voices, we found it easier to talk.

"Well, I have to say, some people have quite the imagination."

Bai Yueguang nodded and said.

"So, are they right?"

"More or less, especially one of them."

"Which one?"

"The dragon."

This time it was Taishi Xi who spoke.

"I also sense it, a aura very similar to the Azure Dragon."

"The dragon..."

Finally, after encountering the demon and elf races, are we going to encounter another extremely powerful race?

"Is this a good thing or a bad thing?"

"It depends on how you look at it."

Bai Yueguang smiled.

"I think it's reckless for a school to put so many people in danger to compete with dragons for treasure. Isn't that asking for trouble?"

"Something that can make a dragon take action is definitely not ordinary."

Taishi Xi remarked.

"The dragons also pay a price for it."

"Well, anyway, no matter what, we shouldn't let such a good opportunity slip by, right? Aliyah, do dragons usually put treasure in boxes?"

"They usually don't."

Aliyah sighed.

"If dragons also lock it, then we're really in trouble. No one can open that kind of lock."

"Yeah, that's true..."

I chuckled and glanced to the side, only to find Ms. Mary had somehow passed out from drinking too much.

"Alright, Taishi Xi, I'll leave Ms. Mary to you. We have some other things to take care of."

"What things?"

"Meeting some old friends."

I smiled.