Chapter 82: The City of Nature

A single gold coin could be exchanged for 600 units of paper currency, weighing about twenty grams. Altogether, the gold and coins amounted to twice his own body weight. Fortunately, it was the disguised monster, Moon Child, who carried the load, making it less troublesome to transport.

“There are explanations and instructions on each document. If you don’t understand anything, you can ask me,” Lyle said, pointing to the papers in her hand with a smile. Then, she caught sight of the numbers and paused in surprise, “Charles, I didn’t expect you to be so wealthy.”

“It’s nothing, because I am a noble—” Before he could finish, her next words cut him off, leaving his statement stuck in his throat.

“...It’s almost enough to cover my expenses for the month.”

Charles fell silent immediately.

Luckily, his expression didn’t change much, and Lyle continued with genuine concern, “Your funds are just enough for living expenses and to buy cheap materials for evolving your main totem. But don’t lose heart; there are plenty of opportunities for students to work, such as various totem workshops…”

“Thank you, Senior Lyle.” Charles forced a smile, inwardly cursing.

This time, he’d taken more than half of his family’s liquid assets, thinking it would cover the initial expenses.

Yet now, it didn’t even compare to her monthly spending. Most crucially, Lyle had spent most of this month drifting at sea, with few places to spend money.

Things had taken a turn for the worse. Not to mention the advanced knowledge and research he’d imagined—this sum wouldn’t even make a dent!

Damn it, looks like making money comes first!

“It’s getting late. I’ll take you to the residence Senior Leslie provided. Tomorrow morning, I’ll bring you to register,” Lyle said, pointing at the setting sun with a smile.

“Don’t worry, the academy provides basic necessities. You won’t have to spend money on them.”

“Thank you, Senior Lyle.” Charles’ mouth twitched, realizing he appeared in her eyes as a child from a poor family. Didn’t all her words show she was thinking of him?

Damn it, when had the heir of the Maesterlin family ever suffered such indignity!

Charles wanted to take out the three gemstones he had left, but even that wouldn’t change his “poverty.” Every evolution required several gemstones, after all…

“You’re lucky, too. Senior Leslie is a celebrity here—third place in this year’s academy competition, admired by hundreds of thousands of students. He rarely appears at the academy. That you could save him when he was gravely injured is truly enviable.”

Charles noticed a blush creeping up the girl’s ears, her beautiful amber eyes shining brightly—a clear sign she was one of Leslie’s admirers, with a hint of affection in her gaze.

“Hehe, Lyle, you should try to talk to him when you get the chance,” Irene teased, her words full of mischief.

Lyle started, then quickly waved her hands, “No need, he’s far too busy…”

Her pace quickened, and Charles and Irene exchanged amused glances.

On the way back, the three of them had a simple dinner, and surprisingly, Charles spent only a few dozen units.

According to Lyle, the academy provided basic student meals, with ordinary sets that ensured everyone, even the poor, could eat well daily.

There were also luxurious options rivaling those of Harrison’s elite nobility, made from the rarest ingredients and carefully cultivated foods, their prices so high that Charles’ funds wouldn’t last more than a few meals.

Leslie had arranged for them to live in the prestigious Dormitory Area No. 1, one of two apartments awarded to him by the academy.

Each house was like a villa built amidst gardens, with flowers blooming everywhere and lush trees, rivaling the finest estates of his previous life.

“Hello, Senior Leslie instructed me to wait for you here,” a freckled young man hurried over and handed him the key.

Charles accepted the key under the youth’s surprised gaze, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I didn’t expect you’d let the senior live here,” the youth said with a slight sneer, quickly leaving.

His tone carried a faint disdain, clearly seeing Charles as someone who’d used connections to cling to power. Charles didn’t mind.

Anywhere, to receive proper treatment and respect, one had to demonstrate corresponding strength.

At present, he was merely a first-level Lifespirit Master, the weakest rank, so naturally, no one would regard him highly.

Moreover, Leslie hadn’t just given him an apartment, but a two-story standalone villa!

“I’m so envious. Each of these villas is worth hundreds of millions, and you have to achieve something extraordinary to receive one—an academy reward. I wonder when I’ll be able to live here,” Lyle said, her face full of envy. She chatted with them briefly before leaving.

The entire academy was situated on an island, completely off-limits to ordinary people, like an independent kingdom.

Near the island were numerous defensive measures, both in the sky and underwater. Not only was infiltration impossible, even approaching was out of the question.

Isolated from the outside world, it possessed independent administrative authority and formidable armed forces.

In times to come, countless marine-mutated monsters would try to break through the island’s defenses. No matter how fierce or numerous they were, they could not succeed.

At the height of the war, the surrounding seas were stained red, with countless corpses floating on the waves, the stench overwhelming.

Charles stood by the window, watching the streetlights flicker to life outside.

These streetlights resembled trumpet flowers, actually plant-like organisms emitting a soft orange glow.

Along the roadside, fluorescent flowers and grasses illuminated the paths.

Thump, thump, thump!

There was a faint sound of wings overhead—a gigantic creature swept across the sky, resembling the griffins of ancient legends, bearing two people on its back.

This was one of the island’s modes of transportation—flying beasts bred specifically to carry passengers.

In his room, there were also plants emitting soft light, and the bedroom had a dedicated lamp powered by source crystals, easily switched on or off.

As he walked through the city, Charles realized its managers seemed to follow the Daoist philosophy of his previous life’s homeland, seeking harmony between humanity and nature.

Here, there was no sign of pollution or filth; the entire island was a vast garden, its inhabitants living in such beauty.

Charles stood at the window, gazing at the stars through the glass. “So this is Morente. No wonder so many people never want to leave once they arrive. Unfortunately, my time is running out…”