NOVPUBChapter 916: 286. Setting one’s own deathtrap.
Suman Archipelago, Core Circle, Island 33.
Inside the Study Room on the Fifth Floor.
Noland Lee opened his eyes and looked around, only to see Denise Green holding a book and reading, without a sight of Selena.
“You’re awake.”
Denise closed the book in her hand, bent her arm onto the edge of the table, supporting her head as she gazed at Noland:
“How did it go? Did Professor Erica agree to help you reconcile the conflict?”
...
“She agreed, and she already sent the letter to Selena’s father,” Noland said with a smile.
“Phew~” Denise patted her chest and let out a sigh of relief:
“That’s good. Although it might not resolve our disputes completely, at least it can secure us a relatively safe period of time.”
“Are you really worried that Mingwaq Pomida will take the opportunity to make a move against us and hit us hard?” Noland lifted his hand and gently caressed her head.
“Of course.” The thought of the “Saint Level Thunder Wizard’s” actions instinctively brought a sense of disgust to Denise:
“I don’t expect someone who stabs people in the back to be very generous. I estimate that after some time, once he thinks your psychic trauma has healed, he will trouble you again. Only when you’ve completely given in will he consider stopping.”
“Yo~ You’ve thought quite a bit,” Noland said fondly, rubbing her cheek, which was soft enough to pinch:
“So according to what you know about me, how do you think I will deal with Mingwaq Pomida in the future?”
“Do you really want to hear?” Denise asked.
“Mm, yes. Since we left Union City, we haven’t had the chance to talk seriously about future matters,” Noland nodded and replied.
Denise sat up straight, cleared her throat, tightened her cute facial features, raised her index finger, and said seriously:
“The most important thing is your goal.
“Your goal has always been clear, and you pursue it steadfastly. Understanding your goal is equivalent to understanding your motivation. By analyzing your personality and thinking habits to deduce the ways you’ll achieve your goals, your enemies will grasp your movements.
“If you don’t want to be manipulated by Mingwaq Pomida, then casting doubt and distorting his judgment of your future moves is something you must do.”
Noland raised an eyebrow and teased:
“Not bad at all, Denise. Have you moved past the love-struck phase? Your IQ has surged up quite a bit.”
“Hey, be serious, I’m talking about important things here,” Denise pushed Noland’s arm and said coquettishly:
“I’m just a bit slow sometimes, not stupid. Let me finish what I’m saying~”
“Alright, alright, go ahead,” Noland said, reining in the smile and taking things seriously.
Denise continued:
“Your goal is to acquire a Sub-Dimensional Plane. Selena is aware of this, as are her eldest brother and father. If they let you get the Sub-Dimensional Plane, it means they are allowing you to break free from their control.
“All factors that could benefit you in acquiring the Sub-Dimensional Plane but are beyond your control will be listed in Selena’s father’s hit list.
“A prime example is the Research Task you took from the Wizard Advancement Association during the Stage of Six Hoops.
“As long as you cannot complete the research task, you will not be able to advance to the Seven-Ring level and hence will not be able to purchase the Sub-Dimensional Plane at a relatively affordable price.”
Denise clenched her fist and tapped her delicate palm:
“On this basis, cutting off your financial resources and seizing your gold coins will make it difficult for you to recover.
“The method Mingwaq Pomida uses to cut off your financial resources is the Magic Contract you signed with the Deep Sea Branch.
“According to the terms of the contract, if you fail to regularly provide the map of non-metallic ore distribution, you will be considered in breach of the contract and hence must pay a compensation of several billion gold coins to the Deep Sea Branch.
“This huge expense is enough to drain all your accumulated wealth, and you might even incur a debt that you cannot pay off in your lifetime.”
Noland asked calmly:
“Then in your opinion, how should I avoid such a situation?”
Denise clapped her hands lightly:
“Of course, it’s by getting your professor to help. ‘Silent Maiden’ would benefit from having an additional main Lecturer Professor, much better than her bearing the burden of teaching alone. Professor Erica will surely work hard to help you complete your research task.”
Noland raised his hand and gently stroked her cheek:
“Very good, Denise. You understand me best.”
Denise responded with a playful laugh:
“Hehe~ Then let’s take advantage of this time when Mingwaq Pomida won’t cause trouble, and quickly advance our studies and Meditation Level. I feel that with your skills, it should be quite easy to learn the courses from First level to Six Hoops. The only thing that could delay progress is the Meditation Method.”
Noland shook his head slightly with a smile.
He took out a dagger from his Magic Pouch and placed it on the table.
Pointing at the dagger, he asked:
“I have a question for you, Denise. If I can’t cast spells, can’t protect myself with a shield, and can’t turn into a Titan by injecting a Biochemical Elixir, and an enemy were to stab this dagger into my heart, could it take my life?”
“Mm… yes, it could,” Denise replied thoughtfully.
Noland continued:
“The clause related to compensation in the Magic Contract I signed with the Deep Sea Branch, doesn’t it resemble this dagger? Both represent a lethal threat to me if I cannot fight back, right?”
