"Huh?"

Marco's eyes squinted as he followed Liu Ye's gaze only to explode with happiness. "It really is her!"

Liu Ye looked around the Academy Garden in search of the students that matched Marco's description and it just happened they saw one blond beauty walk through. The way she walked was so powerful and domineering that it only confirmed Marco's words.

"Miss Avi!"

Liu Ye couldn't stop Marco from rushing to Avi's side so he simply followed him.

[Avi - Lvl. 60]

[HP: 15600/15600]

[MP: 6000/6000]

He was surprised by her low HP compared to other benders at such a high level but now he knew it was probably boosted by high-tiered Essence Crystals. Looking at Avi's outfit, she didn't have even one.

"Who—" Avi turned to look at Marco with a frown only to widen her eyes. "Oh, you are Marco, right? What are you doing here?"

Liu Ye wasn't surprised that Marco fell for the Lord's daughter as her features were model-worthy. Despite having a semi-pretty face, her body and hair were top-notch. Avi seemed to know her worth as she even amplified her qualities with tight hunting gear with sexy straps that wrapped around her thighs.

"Miss Avi, we came because the Lord was worried you were in danger. Thank god you are safe," Marco explained happily while looking her straight in the eyes. He didn't dare to ogle her body out of respect.

"We?" Avi asked with her eyebrows raised and glanced at Liu Ye. "Are you also my father's guard? Why would he think I am in danger? I'm perfectly fine. Not many can threaten me here."

"We came because we discovered this item in the hands of the local bandits," Liu Ye informed as he took out the Lord Dominik's Pride. "Marco said it belonged to you so we came to investi—"

"Hahahaha!" Avi cut him off with a laugh and she snatched it from his hand. "This is so funny!"

She immediately wore the necklace under her outfit and added, "I sold this item to buy this outfit and now you returned it back to me. How lucky can one be?"

[Ding! You have completed the quest: Lord Dominik's Daughter.]

'No follow-up quest?' Liu Ye thought dejectedly and just as he was about to ask for more, Avi brushed them away.

"Anyway, thank you for bringing it back to me. Tell my parents that I miss them and that I enjoy my stay at the Academy. I couldn't find a better place to improve my skills," Avi said casually while looking around as if searching for someone. "I can't stay long talking to you so I will get going. It was nice meeting you."

She winked at them playfully and just left, running towards the Academy Facilities.

"Sigh…" Marco took a deep breath as he watched her run away. "She grew so much I no longer stand a chance to court her. Oh well, life is full of twists and turns. I will just go with the cutie my parents chose for me. This trip opened my eyes."

He gazed at Liu Ye and reached out his hand for a handshake, "It has been nice knowing you but I guess it's time to split up. I will be returning to bring the news to the Lord. If fate allows, we will meet again."

"It was nice indeed. Take care," Liu Ye nodded as he shook Marco's hand and watched him leave as well.

It seemed like he was back to square one by being left alone but Liu Ye didn't believe he would be led here without a chance for a follow-up quest. The game AI liked to make the players work for the quests so this had to be it.

Liu Ye gazed in the direction of Academy Facilities. Avi was looking around as if trying to avoid someone which could lead to a potential quest. All he needed was to find her again and somehow provoke the quest.

Too bad, just walking through the Academy's main road seemed hard.

"Nice outfit~"

"Hey Sir, are you looking for a training partner?"

The Academy was filled with female benders that seemed to have some weird attraction to him. He ignored them all but it turned annoying as any group of girls that he bumped to wanted to talk to him.

One turned out to be so shameless that she stuck to him like glue and walked by his side.

"Sir, do you need assistance?" the girl questioned cutely as she leaned to see his face under the hook. "I know this place like my home so I can guide you around the Academ— Oh my, you are young and handsome too. Jackpot."

Liu Ye noticed that he was no longer gazed at with her around, so he didn't escape from her. "What do you mean jackpot?"

[Academy Student - Lvl. 25]

It was weird that she didn't even have the name but he soon found out why.

"Oh, you must be new to the Emerald City, right?" she asked while casually hugging his arm into her chest. "You are lucky that you met me or you would be scammed by some big boobied newbie. You see, the Academy only offers one month of free tuition but if you want to stay for longer, you need to pay the fees. Most of us students are poor so we are forced to do side jobs."

"I see," Liu Ye nodded and pulled his arm away from her grasp. "If you are looking for someone to sponsor you then I'm sorry but you have struck the wrong target. I'm probably poorer than you."

"Huh?" the student looked at him confused. "I think you misunderstood. We are not searching for a sponsor but simply selling our services. I can accompany you for training for just 50 gold per hour. What do you think? It's not that expensive, right?"

Now it made more sense. Players could hire Academy Students to accompany them for farming. It would be the same with how Liu Ye used Marco's help in killing the mobs.

"I told you, I'm poor. I wouldn't even afford two hours with you," Liu Ye replied with a shrug, causing her to sigh.

"Ahh, it's fine… You can contact me once you have more money then," the student informed. "I often pace along this road because it leads to the Teleport Station. If you enter the Academy next time you will find me here."

It was never going to happen but at the very least he received some valid information. Just as he was about to reject her though, the plot he was looking for was put into motion.

"Oh shit, it seems like Avi is in trouble again…" the student muttered as she looked ahead. Liu Ye followed her gaze and saw a young man blocking Avi's way in the middle of the road.

"Who is he?" Liu Ye asked calmly without acting rashly.

It was definitely the quest he was looking for but he had to first assess the situation. If he were to offend some powerful figures then it better be worth it.

"He is Avi's admirer. She is really expensive but this man must be rich since he hired her last week. He has been coming over every day to hire her again but she rejected him each time. It's obvious that he has fallen for Avi but she doesn't date her clients," the student gossiped in a whisper. "I heard that she reported him to the Dean but he didn't do anything because of this man's background."

Liu Ye was only waiting for that to be mentioned.

"Do you know anything about it?" Liu Ye questioned as he watched the scene closely.

Avi was trying to ignore him and tried to walk past him but he didn't let her. He didn't seem aggressive but definitely annoyingly persistent.

"I heard gossip saying that his grandfather is a Grandmaster but they can be false," the student replied just as Avi yelled annoyed.

"I don't want your gift, I have a boyfriend! Leave me alone."

The student paled at that and reported, "Damn, she used the boyfriend card. It's over for her. She doesn't have a boyfriend. Once he learns about it, he wil—"

The female student suddenly froze when Avi turned around in their direction and her eyes brightened seeing Liu Ye.

"Fuck, she is coming here… I didn't tell you anything," the student cursed and quickly dipped as Avi ran over to him with a smile on her face.

'Don't tell me…' Liu Ye thought only to experience Avi jumping into his arms and wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Baby! You came back!" Avi cried out happily before slipping her head under his hook as if she tried to kiss him.

At least that's what it looked like from the outside but inside her face turned grim and she looked at him expectantly.

"I don't know why you are here but pretend to be my boyfriend for a few days. I will owe you a favor."

[Ding! You receive a new Quest: Boyfriend.]

Liu Ye read the notification on his arm but he didn't even look at the details knowing this wasn't the final offer.

"Just one favor? I'm sorry but I don't have time for games," Liu Ye replied and grabbed her shoulders to pull her away. She was dangerously close to his face which made him uncomfortable.

"Huh? Aren't you my father's guard?" Avi questioned confused as she took off his bandana. "First time I see you…"

"That's because I was only hired by him," Liu Ye replied casually while peeking at the man behind her. "If you want me to help you then you better offer something better. How about your services? I want a week's worth free of charge."

"Pfft, bullshit. You know how much time that is?" Avi rejected outright but Liu Ye only smiled as he tried to leave.

"I will tell him I'm not your boyfriend then."

Avi immediately panicked and stopped him by hugging him tightly. "Fine, I agree."