Now, I could sell that information for 25 merit points without worry.
I was fortunate.
I wouldn't go broke if I continued in the line of business.
Ding!
I received another unread message.
It was from miniman.
[ Sent by miniman (Reputation: +500) - Thanks, bro. I have gathered information about the duel between the Worst One and Ivory. I can share them with you if you want to know what they are. ]
[ Okay. Thank you, bro. ]
I sent my response to miniman.
In my friend's list, miniman was one of the true friends I had managed to build.
However, this statement was only valid on the server.
I was certain that he wouldn't be happy to learn that one of his good friends on the Grand Avalon Server was the Worst One.
[ I have some interesting information about Ezekiel Zahara. How much are you willing to pay? ]
I sent a reply to Iamthegoat.
I needed to gauge how much information he already had at hand and then tailor the price and information to provide him.
[ I recall a few pieces of information I obtained regarding Ezekiel Zahara that seemed interesting. Pay up first. ]
I sent my response to the Queen of Solitude.
[ Make it 15 merit points. And 30 merit points for the latter. ]
I sent a reply to MistPrincess02.
MistPrincess02 swiftly responded.
[ Sent by MistPrincess02 (Reputation: +230) - You seem to enjoy watching me suffer losses in my business. Fine. Pay up first. ]
I sent her forty-five merit points.
[ 45 Merit Points deducted. Remaining Merit Points: 1,956. ]
[ Sent by MistPrincess02 (Reputation: +230) - Payment received. You are particularly interested in learning about the next trap by Ivory and the Zahara Clan descendants for the Worst One, as well as the rumours surrounding him. I believe that is the best decision to protect yourself and avoid being implicated as an accomplice or facing the consequences of wanting to help the Worst One.
Now, let's get down to business and tell you everything you need to know. Firstly, Ivory has colluded with the top rankers to conspire against the Worst One. They plan to attack him when next he ventures into the dungeon to train and completely cripple his spirit veins.
This way, they could avoid the traces leading to them and escape without consequences, as many people are already against the Worst One. With the top rankers now involved, I am uncertain if the Worst One would live this time around. It would be a miracle if he emerged unscathed.
That's the next trap by Ivory and the Zahara Clan descendants for the Worst One.
Secondly, my sources suggest that Instructor Fredric and Serafina are involved with the Zahara Clan descendants. I don't know what they have been promised in exchange for their involvement in this plot.
There are rumours that they have already been bought by the Worst One; it's only to cover up their tracks. This way, they could add more coal to the Worst One's tarnished reputation. I admit, it's a clever tactic.
Tsk!! Tskk!! You know, after what I had learnt, I pity him. He should retire from the academy and become a border patrol guard. With his background and the resources at his disposal, it shouldn't be difficult for him to secure a good and safe position, have a beautiful wife, build a family and live in luxury within the shelter.
He might even become a valuable asset to the Zahara Clan, as I've heard they are losing more awakeners at the border wall.
Oops, I have spoken too much… Don't tell anyone about this conversation. I don't want to be associated with that infamous title.
P.S. Stay away from the dungeon area from now on. Be safe. I don't want to lose one of my paying customers. I will inform you next time I have some interesting information for sale. ]
I couldn't help but sigh tiredly as I read through the message.
Academy politics were more brutal than I had imagined.
It was understandable. After all, this was the stage where the latter half of their lives would be decided. For heirs and descendants of the noble clans, who had grown up with an edge over the common man, this was a battleground where they would determine who among themselves was the best.
Those who cannot protect themselves would either be devoured or seek cover under a shade.
Those who could do neither became the casualties.
I was at the top of that list.
I closed the message and opened a new one from miniman, which was sent a minute ago.
[ Sent by miniman (Reputation: +500) - The Worst One is a coward. He won, but he had cheated. Also, he had paid off the Instructors supervising the duel so they don't stop him from lethally inflicting harm on Ivory, despite it being a non-lethal duel.
Rather than facing someone of the same calibre, he's picking on a commoner who had worked hard for their accomplishment. He thinks that he can bully another student just because they are a scholarship recipient from their clan, forgetting that they are much more valuable than he is.
He deserves everything that he's currently going through.
The top rankers of the Class Three Magical Swordsman Department are planning to cripple the Ezekiel Zahara spirit veins. However, they know that if their actions are traced back to him, they will face severe punishment, as he is still a direct descendant of the Zahara Clan.
Therefore, they dare not act recklessly. Instead, they might attempt to harm the Worst One accidentally or do so in secret.
Still, with his current reputation in shambles and his relationship with his clan, they would not bother to look too deep. However, the Grand Avalon Academy might act to protect its reputation. ]
As I mentioned previously, he was my friend only on the Grand Academy Server. I doubt we could have the same connection in real life.
Nonetheless, I was disappointed that he had easily believed the rumors.