Offer-

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Leroy and the others honed their skills against each other when time availed over the last few weeks. The fights were brutal and more than once someone was critically injured but still kept pushing themselves.

When Leroy needed to rest and couldn't spar or at least set up the scenarios of battles, Tang Ansui took up the task. When he needed to tend to Akademy's work, Tang Suo would lead instead. No time was wasted as they were pushed to new limits.

When their cultivation and understanding was stuck they would return to the library and read another book. The Akadmey was in a bind and needed to keep all students at this point. They also needed them stronger as talks of the Emperor handing down recruitment to the various Kingdoms to deal with the Rebellion that grew circulated.

Not to mention the Clear Tang Family hitched themselves to the Akademy to advance themselves and as a buffer against the Kingdom's policy. They were also the same as a few other Nobles and tried to rise in Tier during this time.

In the reading part for the Clear Tang members, they tended to ask Leroy for guidance and explanation of some problems. Ones that even the Clear Tang Elders were satisfied with and found themselves adapting to others despite the higher level of cultivation achieved.

He of course charged them to gain funds to a certain extent.

Leroy picked up on this from what was being said as an afterthought by most of them. Learning what it meant for little accomplishments in one's realm carried. Basically was the filling in of a subject matter and improving efficiency and power.

Saiori was adept in use of the Sword and helped Leroy understand the Martial Intent he had growing. Charlotte despite not liking the work of a Merchant took to hawking his wares to help speed up growth and the recovery for herself. Long Fei had done his best to help fill out maps for him.

Tang Xuan had left for his Mission to fill the condition of his Occupations.

Leroy had just finished a book called "Beastial Organs" written by someone that lived in a Town next to a weird lake. The problem with the lake was that it was in the Territory of the Light Lion-ice Family. Which meant under the supervision of the Dark Tiger-fire Family overall.

The fact the town was called Sunny Fields was quite the oddity. Yes, it had a clear view of the sun but mostly contained lakes and rivers.

Leroy did have to go there in that area anyway for the place with all the abandoned weapons the Old Tiger knew about. One of the lakes, Lake Fire also had a rumor of having nice soil to make clay pots. The distance was doable at a good pace from the Mountains to.

Lake Fire. Which is composed of several islands continually on fire was actually troublesome for all Martial Artists who did not practice Water, Wind, Ice, Shadow, Darkness, Metal, and Earth techniques. But the translation was off a bit on how this really mattered. The only thing of real note he recollected in some notes was that there were some powerful goats in the mountain area.

'I need to get to the mountains to get some stuff for myself and goats can help with that.' Leroy put the book away climbing down the ladder in the office. 'Some nice things are in that area as well in terms of herbs. I also need to figure out more secrets of the Flame Vortex Core. Demonic Beats and bodies will definitely work for that. The mountain should have tons of them from fighting as well as the Fire Lake.'

The other thought Leroy had popped up, was to head to the Mercenary Guild for a very short stint. The number of bodies available would definitely allow him to have almost an endless supply of resources. Then to fight against the North Kingdom if his guess was correct and they might cause trouble for him because of what happened at the Test.

They had to know more or be involved in the development of the Rebellion. Those North Guard should have killed the rebel members instead of playing around as they did. Especially if they were there to kill as was expected for dealing with traitors.

'But that may put me under the scrutiny of others if I "destroy" the bodies of friend and foe alike. They may want to take them home for ceremonies and all that. But resources for me are more important. Covering the bodies in flame on the outside and storing them in my Internal Space after a moment works for now. But the bodies are destroyed a little in the process.'

Leroy was so deep in thought, he didn't notice Tang Bo in front of him when he got off the ladder. Until a hand triggered his self-defense because of the brief movement.

*Pat!* The two clashed for a moment. Tang Bo was already aware that would happen. But not the other students in the library. Some fled while others looked around thinking an attack was imminent.

Some students were still dealing with the aftermath of friends turning sides. As well as teachers leaving you to fend for yourself.

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"Can we talk?" Tang Bo had a wry smile on his face. Despite his higher cultivation, he was reminded that Leroy trained more than him still in very bizarre ways. 'I guess I can not slack off on the harder cultivation methods uncle gave to me! I just stepped into the 9th Qi Refining Rank because of the medicine I received to! With all those resources my parents sent, no way am I this weak when dealing with trouble next time!'

The young Clear Tang member was forced to take a step back.

"Sure, what's up?" Leroy hoped it wasn't about Clear Tang Family matters. "Congrats on your breakthrough by the way. I think you will be able to push those techniques I gave you a little better now. After you fix yourself of course."

The techniques were found in the library and modified with the information obtained by those refined. A few Demonic Beasts' instinctual behavior helped but it would require several more of one type to make a vast improvement. Or one at a much higher realm.

Lore on demonic beasts was not plentiful in the Akademy for some reason in certain regards. There were books that alluded to others that covered that information but they were checked out or put in the restriction section for some reason.

"Well.. it is about old Jin." Tang Bo started walking out as they talked. "He took me and everyone else in as disciples and not just students. I guess he wants to try and make amends to you through us. As well as having some people fight on his behalf in the Country Martial Cup. The Akademy Unarmed Division needs it as well. Especially for the Empire Martial Cup in the Capital afterward for those who qualify. Maybe he finally realized Chu Xue is not as great as he thought?"

Several students moved out of the way after greeting them. Both had a pretty good reputation thanks to what happened in the Test. Gossip had done its job during the downtime as new teachers were vetted and brought in.

As well as the praises of teacher Old Jin to beat back Ms.Itsumi, Leroy was still a Medical Doctor of the 5th Tier. So his information in regard to the medical application was taken to heart and not brushed off.

"I doubt he gave up on Chu Xue revitalizing and changing things. Call it a hunch." Leroy greeted others in response while moving. Just a simple head nod and wave really to those he actually spoke with. Some habits are hard to remove. "What does he want in return?"

The students looked fully energetic. The additional rewards for the Country Martial Cup were supposed to be really good. A way for the Akademy to try and bring the students back to their side. Help build faith in them again.

"For you to not change teachers for one." Tang Bo remembered how dissatisfied the rumors said Leroy was over the matter before. However, they also didn't know how angry he was some times in regard to the Occupation rewards.

His Uncle had apparently spoken to Old Jin to see what was wrong after hearing about the incident at the Departure Gate. One of the reasons he kept in the library looking over stuff. Lots of incomplete skills that required too much time. Like... 5 years. That was just stupid. Especially for an incomplete technique.

"And to join the tournament. It is a single-elimination set of matches. Pretty easy I think."

"And that's how you will end up losing. Most have more experience than you do remember?" Leroy shook his head in disappointment. After all, the competition would have second and third years mostly. "I swear you are impatient too much. Have the others been building your ego up again?"

"What!? No!" Tang Bo denied it quickly. It was in fact the truth. "Speaking of my family.."

"Hmm, what do they want?" Leroy knew it wouldn't be anything good by the tone shift. They hopefully were not trying to recruit with weak little offers. His response was for them to fuck off. In a very polite way of course. "Not heading there unless they have a lot of serious patients for me to work on. Unless I need to improve on increasing my Medical Abilities."

Which he really didn't besides ones that required the high realms of cultivation. He could operate on Nascent Soul Cultivators to a certain degree but it would be exhausting to do so.

"That would be more believable if you participate in the Country Martial Cup." Tang Bo took the chance quickly to push the matter. "As well as earn old Jin some face. Which will make him more willing to push back in case the Akademy cuts access for you due to age."

It sucked to be considered not worth the time due to age and future cultivation prospects still officially. Especially after what skill he showed and his actual Occupation ability. They even asked about the Inscitpyion Formation that Tang Xui helped fix in the courtyard to be made in the Merchant Division much larger.

The credit and resources for it were still pending. Of course, Leroy told him that he was way too busy as he needed to cultivate to grow stronger still. They could not refute this especially with everything going on. Far as they knew he was far behind and lacking resources from starting late and to busy experimenting to help directly.

Like come on, a bunch of Nascent Soul Realm Cultivators couldn't drop some Artifacts they no longer used! Or broken weapons and armor!

"You have a point." Leroy agreed. It was weak but until he had more power and was more comfortable in his abilities, it would have to do for now to take out to gather those resources. "Guess the Country Martial Cup it is then."

"Yes!" Tang Bo gave a cheer. He did not say he had bets already that Leroy would win. If he didn't participate, that would be money lost. "I think we will learn a lot from the competition."

"Yeah... oh." Leroy opened the door to his housing residence surprised. His little group plus old Jin were sitting down drinking tea. It was ok for the group to currently do this, but Old Jin not so much. "What are you doing here?"

It was directed toward the old man. He was the vice-principal yes but Leroy felt the situation between the two was hampered by outer factors.

"I see you are still upset." Old Jin placed the cup down and stroked his beard. A look from Tang Bo let him know the matter had changed enough though. "About the tournament..."

"I will participate." Leroy moved to sit down. "Can't have the Akademy students thinking I am a coward and all that." He waved his hand off dismissively about anything reason-wise. "Is there anything else?"

"The Armed Division, even though you have not joined or anything like that does not mean we have no manuals for weaponry." Removing a few Manuals regarding weapons to the group it was the right move. Especially since they came from a personal collection by the looks of it. "I will do my best to advise each of you before the Country Martial Cup."

Leroy let them pick first as he thought over the information regarding weapons he knew. Not to mention the techniques he already knew that started to develop higher. Saiori gave him a look as she held up a Manual.