Speaking of practicing Bagua Palm, there are unexpected benefits—kneading dough and pulling noodles become incredibly easy, done in no time, and the dough turns out very elastic. Don’t think this is Ethan Brooks’s first time making hand-pulled noodles; back at home, he was often ordered around to knead and make noodles using Bagua Palm, under the pretense of encouraging his training, but in reality, it was just for the sake of eating delicious food.

Thinking of this, Ethan Brooks couldn’t help but muse to himself: Why not set up a noodle stall at the night market tonight? Then I’ll never have to worry about money for food again.

Because of this idea, a strange stall appeared at the night market in Qili City...

But that’s a story for another time. For now, after finishing his noodles, Ethan Brooks took his magic crystal sword and headed to the academy. As for the bow and arrows he got yesterday, those were for hunting, so naturally he didn’t bring them along.

Today, Ethan Brooks attracted a lot of attention at the academy. This time, the way people looked at him was different from before. Previously, it was with disdain; now, it was with curiosity.

The events of yesterday had already spread throughout the academy, so everyone was curious about Ethan Brooks’s transformation. But curiosity was one thing—they wouldn’t lower themselves to talk to Ethan Brooks, and Ethan Brooks didn’t bother with them either, heading straight to his classroom.

If people knew what he was thinking right now, they’d be speechless.

What’s going on today? Why is no one challenging me to a duel? How am I supposed to earn my living expenses in the future? Sigh, Colin Lacy young master, are you coming to get revenge on me?

Now, who would still want to spar with him? That would be foolish. Winning wouldn’t be honorable, and losing would be like Colin—laughed at by everyone. But this suited Ethan Brooks just fine; he was happy to have some peace and quiet.

Today’s classes were the same as usual, and nothing special happened. The only difference was that the instructor had changed—after all, this was Class Z, and instructors changed frequently.

Ethan Brooks didn’t do anything out of the ordinary today, just borrowed a few books from the library: one on basic swordsmanship, one on how to activate magic crystals, and another on poisons.

The first two need no explanation—everyone knows what they’re for. The last one, Ethan Brooks borrowed to prepare for “taking medicine” in the future. He needed to take medicine before practicing every day, and the supply at home would run out in less than a month, so he’d have to buy more then.

But Ethan Brooks couldn’t afford to buy it, so he’d have to gather herbs himself. When he went hunting in the forest, he could collect some herbs along the way. Since he’d be gathering herbs, he needed to learn about them, so he borrowed this book on poisons.

Generally speaking, anyone in the martial world, anyone who practices internal energy, will have some knowledge of traditional medicine. Ethan Brooks didn’t know much, but he often went up the mountain to gather herbs, so as long as he learned about the appearance and habits of the herbs in this world, he could quickly get the hang of it.

Right now, Ethan Brooks didn’t know that his original intention of “taking medicine” would eventually lead him to become a master poison-maker, because ordinary poisons would no longer satisfy him, and so he began his own research...

At noon, he had lunch with Olivia Smith (since he had no money, he had to mooch a meal, and Olivia Smith was the easiest to talk to), then spent a pleasant and leisurely afternoon—sitting by the training field reading. Thus ended another day of academy life for Ethan Brooks.

Now, Ethan Brooks was looking for a place in Qili City—a place that exists in every other world: the Mercenary Guild.

Chapter 14: The Otherworldly Version of Work-Study

The Mercenary Guild, a well-known organization, according to the “Otherworldly Public Code,” can accept tasks from clients and assign them to its mercenaries.

It’s also a passionate organization, having produced countless heroes for the world and countless inspiring deeds, legendary figures, and legendary stories. But that’s only part of it; another part is quiet and ordinary.

Not all tasks are grand and dramatic; some are quite mundane. Not all tasks are dangerous; some are completely safe.

Because the tasks commissioned aren’t just high-risk ones like guarding, escorting, exploring, or even waging war—there are also simple odd jobs, like finding pets, running errands, and any kind of work you can imagine.

Simply put, the Mercenary Guild is actually a job placement agency, introducing mercenaries to various jobs. Of course, the guild will investigate the client’s commission, assign a task level and the required payment. If the client hides anything and it’s discovered later, they’ll have to pay at least double the price, depending on the seriousness of the matter.

However, the Mercenary Guild’s intelligence network is so thorough that it’s almost impossible to hide anything, except in very special cases. So basically, no client dares to conceal the truth, since it would only bring them harm, not benefit.

After accepting a task, the Mercenary Guild will make different arrangements depending on the nature of the job, since most tasks are local and not posted everywhere. For example, if a hotel in Qili City (don’t mistake this for a modern hotel—it’s more like a tavern) needs someone to help out for a few days, naturally they won’t wait for mercenaries from other places to come, nor would mercenaries from elsewhere bother—the pay wouldn’t even cover their travel expenses.