21. The Kiss of the Goddess Mona

Passing through the towering city gates, he walked along familiar streets, watching the vendors hawking their wares by the roadside. Mo Fei declined Count Caesar’s invitation to visit his estate, instead heading with Cain toward the Imperial Academy.

Originally, the guards at the city gate forbade Cain from entering, but as soon as Count Caesar intervened, they hurriedly let them pass. The imperial capital was still a place ruled by the nobility; as long as one held enough power, all rules would bend before them.

Simon and the others also parted ways with Mo Fei at the entrance of the Mercenary Guild. In the end, Simon still didn’t voice their desire to follow Mo Fei. He knew that Mo Fei was still in his period of preparation. When the time came for him to truly shine, Simon believed Mo Fei would not refuse their loyalty.

As Mo Fei and Cain entered the Imperial Academy, they attracted considerable attention from the students along the way—primarily because of Cain’s identity as a Minotaur berserker.

“Isn’t the capital supposed to forbid Minotaur berserkers from entering? Aren’t the guards worried he’ll cause trouble inside the city?” a student asked his companion.

“That’s where you don’t understand. These regulations are meant for ordinary folk. If you have enough power or connections, they don’t apply to you. I bet the young man with the Minotaur isn’t someone ordinary,” his companion explained.

Mo Fei had indeed spent some time at the Imperial Academy, but aside from attending a few days of basic courses, he spent most of his time in the library. So it was only natural that few students recognized him; apart from the handful he knew, no one else at the Academy would likely know him.

Ignoring the whispers around them, Mo Fei led Cain straight toward the office of Mars, the head of the School of Magic.

Upon arriving at the office, Mo Fei imitated Mona’s habit and kicked the door open. Mars, who had been dozing in his chair, immediately sat up and turned toward the door at the sudden noise.

“So it’s you, boy. You’ve been gone for days—I heard you went traveling. Well? Did you gain anything?” Mars, expecting his own little witch, was surprised to find Mo Fei and a Minotaur berserker at his door.

“I did get a few things. Picked up some treasures in Moko City, made a few friends along the way. When I felt I’d seen enough, I came back. Let me introduce you—this is Cain, a Minotaur berserker. I came to ask if you could arrange for him to study at the Warrior Academy,” Mo Fei said to Mars.

“You really know how to give me trouble, don’t you? The capital forbids Minotaurs from entering, and I don’t know how you managed to get him in, but getting him admitted to the Academy will be very difficult,” Mars replied helplessly, looking at Mo Fei.

“Master, forget it! Don’t trouble this old man. I’m fine wherever I stay,” Cain said, seeing Mars’ reluctance.

“Old man, spare me the excuses. You’re just worried Cain might go berserk and cause trouble, aren’t you? What if I told you that even when he’s berserk, he doesn’t lose his mind, and he can maintain that state until his stamina’s gone? Still not willing to help?” Mo Fei said, regarding Mars with disdain.

“What? Are you serious? If that’s true, then the Warrior Academy shouldn’t have a problem! But I can’t just take your word for it—I need to see it with my own eyes before I speak on his behalf.”

“Cain, show the old man what a real Minotaur berserker is capable of,” Mo Fei instructed.

At his command, Cain immediately activated his berserk state. With a roar, his body underwent a striking transformation—he grew a full twenty centimeters taller, his muscles bulged even more, and his eyes turned blood-red. His strength, already at the level of a great swordmaster, now after transforming broke through to sword saint caliber.

Mars watched as Cain, even in his berserk state, remained calm and stood quietly behind Mo Fei. His expression turned to one of utter amazement.

“How is this possible? Why isn’t he affected by the usual flaws of berserkers?”

“As to why he’s different from other Minotaur berserkers—that’s none of your concern. Just tell me if you’ll help or not,” Mo Fei replied, having no intention of revealing the secret.

As the head of the School of Magic and a Grand Mage, Mars held considerable sway in the Dragonrock Empire. He naturally understood the implications—if the aftereffects of berseker transformation were eliminated, it would shake up the power structure among the beast tribes, likely causing internal strife. At worst, it might strengthen the Minotaurs, and while they wouldn’t threaten human dominance, they’d pose a greater threat in future wars.

Given the Minotaurs’ current circumstances, the first scenario seemed more likely. Oppressed and ostracized by other beast tribes, it wouldn’t be easy for them to rise up. Especially with the Bears reigning supreme, they would never allow the Minotaurs to threaten their dominance.

“Fine, since Cain possesses this strength, I’ll speak to the Warrior Academy on his behalf. I’ll give you an answer in a couple of days,” Mars agreed, having considered the implications.

“Now that Cain’s business is settled, let’s talk about mine. I’ve got a magical beast egg here—any ideas how to hatch it quickly?” Mo Fei said, taking the Violet Lightning Dragon egg from his storage bag and handing it to Mars.

Seeing the egg shell flicker with traces of lightning, Mars’ eyes nearly popped out of his head.

“Let me see! What other treasures are you hiding, boy?” Mars said, reaching his gnarled hands toward Mo Fei.

“Hey, hey, old man, isn’t this a bit much? It’s just a Violet Lightning Dragon pet egg, what’s got you so worked up?” Mo Fei dodged Mars’ hands, feigning disdain.

“Just a Violet Lightning Dragon pet egg? Do you know how rare an eighth-rank magical beast’s egg is? It’s the kind of luck most never see. I don’t know how you stumble onto such things,” Mars replied, exasperated.

“But aren’t magical beast eggs hard to raise, even if you’re lucky enough to get one?”

“Nonsense! That depends on the rank of the egg. For low-ranked beasts, you’re right. But an eighth-rank dragon, where are you going to find another? Getting even one is fortune itself. You act like you can pick them up whenever you want!” Mars was so excited he nearly jabbed a finger at Mo Fei’s nose.

“Uh, let’s not dwell on its rarity. Just tell me how to hatch it,” Mo Fei said, embarrassed, quickly changing the subject.

“It’s not hard to hatch. Just let it absorb enough lightning-element magic, and it will hatch naturally. The precise amount it needs, though, I can’t say.”

Leaving Mars’ office, Mo Fei brought Cain back to his own dormitory. Until Cain was admitted to the Warrior Academy, he would have to stay with Mo Fei.

After settling Cain in, Mo Fei headed out. He’d been away for nearly a month—he wondered how Mona and the others were doing. They’d said they’d be preparing for the end-of-term tests; how strong were they now? He had even prepared gifts for them—he hoped they would like them.

Mo Fei appeared suddenly at the doorway to the advanced class. The students inside all looked up at him, whispering to each other.

“Who’s that? I don’t remember seeing him before.”

“Maybe another young noble here to see our Mona!”

“I don’t think so. Look at his plain clothes—he doesn’t look like a noble at all.”

Their chatter naturally caught Mona’s attention, who sat reading in the back row. When she looked up and saw Mo Fei, absent for a month, standing at the door, surprise and delight lit her face.

“Hmph, that scoundrel. I told him I’d be busy preparing for finals and might not have much time to see him. But he just disappeared—gone for a month, not a word,” Mona thought, not sure herself why she kept thinking of him since he left to travel.

“Could I have fallen for him?” She shook her head, quickly dismissing the thought, and stood up to go to him.

Seeing her delighted expression as she walked toward Mo Fei, the other students became even more certain of their guess. It seemed Mo Fei really had come to see Mona. But no one had ever heard the goddess Mona had a boyfriend. At that moment, the hearts of her admirers shattered.

“So? After a month of wandering, you finally remembered to come back?” Mona teased.

“Heh, beautiful Mona, I didn’t go out just for myself—I was thinking of you, too. I even brought you a gift!” Mo Fei grinned.

At his words, Mona’s cheeks flushed. “Who cares if you were thinking of me?”

Mo Fei, seeing her blush, said nothing more. He took out the staff he had bought at the auction and handed it to her. “I bought this at the auction just for you. Do you like it?”

Mona accepted the staff, feeling the magical energy pulsing from it. The connection between her and the surrounding elements instantly grew closer. The sixth-rank wood magic core at its tip glowed a gentle green, making it all the more irresistible.

Her delighted expression as she held the staff made it clear how much she loved it.

As Mo Fei was quietly admiring Mona’s shy happiness, she suddenly tiptoed up and, catching him off guard, gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before running back to her seat, her face ablaze.

The advanced class, watching the whole exchange, immediately erupted in noise. The sound of hearts breaking filled the air—never before had anyone seen the goddess Mona show such affection to a boy.

“I could kiss you too, but I don’t know if you have another staff like that?” came the flamboyant voice of Hughes as Mo Fei was still savoring Mona’s kiss.

“Get lost! There’s nothing for you,” Mo Fei retorted, moving two steps away in disgust.

On the way back, recalling Mona’s shy kiss, Mo Fei couldn’t help but look forward to Vivian’s reaction when she received the sword he’d prepared for her. A mischievous grin crept onto his face.

“Oh no, I forgot to bring a gift for Miss Audrey!” Thinking back on the girls he’d met since arriving in this world, Mo Fei suddenly realized he’d forgotten to prepare a present for his beautiful teacher. He immediately started rummaging through his storage bag, hoping to find something suitable for her.