Elite Mages’ Academy (Web Novel)
chapter-86

Chapter 86: Discussing the Remuneration Terms

Xiao Lin felt like he had returned to his school days. Cloze tests consisted of questions where the test author removed some words in a coherent article to form blanks. Xiao Lin used to hate those kinds of questions in English class back in the day.

It was an examination of one’s comprehensive ability in grammar, vocabulary, sentence patterns, and many other aspects of knowledge, but Xiao Lin’s Ancient Normese was only LV1. He could follow the basic grammar to guess the combined sentences, and at best, he could only guarantee guesses at the correctness of the syntax. As for the meaning, Xiao Lin felt like he was reading obscure or illegible text.

The process took another hour, and Xiao Lin did not stop until he cobbled up a complete article. There were still a few torn pieces of paper on the table that were not put in, and Xiao Lin thought for a moment before saying helplessly, “That’s it. I can’t do anything with all these other words.”

Hank stood up. “Thanks for all your hard work. I’ll check it.”

He took out the original text of the article and compared them one by one. The American obviously knew nothing about Ancient Normese, and even though he was comparing the original text, it took him nearly half an hour to complete the check.

“It’s about sixty percent correct. What an amazing result!” A bright smile finally appeared on Hank’s face and gave Xiao Lin a thumbs up!

Xiao Lin was somewhat speechless. Could being half-correct be considered good?

Hank turned his head again to look at the student union president and said, “I think we can arrange the transfer procedures now.”

The student union president’s confusion grew even more. Judging from the results of the test, Xiao Lin’s understanding of the ancient lost language could only be regarded as superficial at best. He thought about it and said, “Xiao Lin’s Ancient Normese is only level one.”

“Don’t worry! In fact, when I contacted the academy earlier, they told me that the passing mark for this little test is getting forty percent correct. Xiao Lin’s result is exceptional! He won’t be the only person in this assignment, and we’ll search the entire world’s colonist academies for those who understand the language. Don’t you have an old Chinese saying: strength in numbers?”

“Yes, but before we talk about the formalities, I think you should discuss remuneration with Xiao Lin.”

Hank slapped his forehead and laughed out loud. “I almost forgot! Don’t you worry. We’ll try our best to meet your requirements in terms of remuneration. So, Xiao Lin, is there anything you need?”

Xiao Lin breathed a sigh of relief. He felt as though he had passed an interview. On the way to the office, the student union president had earlier told him that the Judge Academy had a request and that he did not need to be too courteous.

“Can you give me a paper and pen?”

“Sure.”

After receiving the paper and pen from the student union president, Xiao Lin thought about it for only a few minutes before writing everything down. He actually did not know what he needed, so he simply listed down all the expensive weapons, equipment, and accessories he had seen in the Trading Zone. He jotted down anything that came to mind, and it did not matter whether he could use it or not because he could still sell it if he did not need it!

Hank did a double take and withdrew his gaze. There was a smug smile on his face, and as one of the first time-honored academies to colonize Planet Norma, Judge Academy had a very large colony. There was no shortage of wealth or supplies, which was why he was confident enough to let Xiao Lin ask casually.

10 minutes later, Xiao Lin was still struggling to write. Hank was still smiling, but his smile seemed a little reluctant and dry.

Xiao Lin still showed no sign of stopping even after 20 minutes. Some bean-sized drops of cold sweat appeared on Hank’s forehead and his mouth twitched a couple of times, but after recalling how much he had boasted earlier, he simply sucked it up and kept quiet.

30 minutes later, Xiao Lin finally put down his pen and raised his head, but before Hank could speak, Xiao Lin had already said to the student union president. “I don’t have enough paper. Could you give me some more?”

“F*CK!” Hank was finally at wit’s end and stood up all of a sudden. He immediately realized that he had stepped out of line and was still on the other side’s turf. He massaged his neck and mumbled, “Cough cough, my throat has been quite bad recently. It’s just awful. Hay fever, you know how it is.”

“Have some more tea. Our tea is specially cultivated to moisturize the throat,” the president immediately offered.

“Dawn Academy lives up to its reputation as one of the most famous academies with a long history!”

The two smiled hypocritically at each other and barely moved past that little embarrassment. Hank then stretched out his hand and placed them on the paper that the president handed to Xiao Lin. He smiled dryly, “Well, Xiao Lin, although I said I would try my best to pay you an appropriate remuneration, it doesn’t mean that you can treat Judge Academy as your own back garden and take whatever you want. Do you understand?”

Xiao Lin frowned in thought and sighed, “Understood. You’re saying Judge Academy can’t afford these things, right?”

Hank’s fair face turned red. He was unsure whether it was due to embarrassment or anger, but he eventually leaned back and said sullenly, “Let’s put it this way. It’s not that we can’t afford to give you the stuff that you mentioned, but I don’t have the authority to do so and no one will agree either. Don’t forget that your Ancient Normese is only level one. Your value isn’t worth all this! Also, are you sure that you really need these things? Like this golden holy sword. If I remember correctly, you’re just a freshman. You must be joking if you claim that you can use this golden sacred sword!”

“I can sell it! I can always bring it back with me and sell it!” Xiao Lin answered frankly.

The student union president could not help but laugh and quickly sat back down. He said, “Xiao Lin, be serious. This is a diplomatic occasion. This conversation will go on record and be archived… But Mr. Hank, I hope you can be more understanding too. After all, Xiao Lin is just a freshman who has only been here for a month. In fact, I don’t think he can immediately think of what he actually needs.”

Xiao Lin nodded repeatedly. It was not that he could not think of what he needed. Instead, the things he needed were far too many and he had no idea how to choose. For example, he wanted a full set of weapons and Lifewater even, but he was also unsure whether his demands reflected his value.

The student union president thought for a while and suggested, “How about this. For every day Xiao Lin stays at Judge Academy or the New World, Judge Academy will pay him a certain amount of New Dollars. I’m sure Xiao Lin will have more than enough time to think about how he’ll spend that money.”

Hank touched his nose and thought. “This is a good idea, but what amount are we talking about?”

“A thousand New Dollars per day?”

Hank nearly jumped up again. “This is blackmail!”

“Eight hundred?”

“His Ancient Normese is only level one!”

“Then it’ll have to be at least five hundred New Dollars a day. Don’t forget, Xiao Lin has sacrificed no less than a month’s worth of his time!”

“Three hundred New Dollars a day. No more, no less! You mustn’t forget too that Judge Academy has its own training place too. I can lend it to him for free during this period and I can assure you I call the shots here!”

“Your price doesn’t show me your sincerity. We are allies after all! How about this: we each make concessions and agree on four hundred New Dollars a day! Long live our friendship!”

“Deal! Long live our friendship!” Hank was really bad at bargaining. He immediately approved once he saw the student union president acceding, but when he looked up again and saw the president’s satisfied smile, Hank had a vague feeling that he had been conned.