CHAPTER 64: THE TASK

In the evening of 30th October, Max was once again sitting in the same room as before. Only this time he knew about the secret route to the hidden room, so he just went there to rest.

But he was forced to come outside when Harley entered the room. Reluctantly, he went to sit on the couches outside.

Harley was as beautiful as ever, especially since this time she wore just denim shorts and a loose T-shirt that reached up to her thighs.

Even in casual clothes, she looked mesmerizing.

Entering the room, she quickly made her golden hair into a rough bun and sat down on the couch.

Then, she took a wooden box out of her CID and pushed it towards Max.

She smiled and said, "Here is your Tier 4 Manaflow Restoration Elixir."

Max’s eyes were practically burning looking at the wooden box, but he knew getting it wouldn’t be an easy task.

He inhaled cold air and asked, "What do I have to do?"

"Ara~ you do know your words hurt me, right? I’m only looking after you, doing everything in my power to help you, and all I get is that suspicious gaze?" Harley sighed in disappointment and crossed her legs.

It was definitely intentional. Max could swear it.

"Miss Harley, you and I both know you wouldn’t do this out of goodwill, so why don’t we get to the main topic?" Max asked.

He would have liked to play along with her, but his desire to cleanse his Mana Veins was too strong.

For a moment, he thought he saw real disappointment in her eyes before she chuckled and returned to her usual self.

"Fine! I have one task for you for all the help I’ve given till now and will give in the near future," she said. "But it’s slightly dangerous."

"I’m all ears," Max said.

She smiled, took out another box, and said, "There’s a very important item in this box, and I need you to give it to a prisoner in Black Wind Academy."

Max stared at the box, then at Harley, and again at the box. Rubbing his eyes, he sighed, "This isn’t just dangerous but suicidal."

"Yes! You have the choice here. I won’t ask you for another task for a while and support you as always if you take this task," Harley said. "It is very important to me."

Max didn’t reply immediately and fell in contemplation. That was only the surface though, as his thoughts were running somewhere else.

’Damn the coincidence! Did I get the plot armour too after transmigration?’

[A little bit maybe...]

’Thanks!’

[What are you planning though?]

’I need to get in one of the Four Major Academies before I’m labelled as a Traitor because of that old man of mine. I was already planning on that, so her request is doable actually.’

It was still suicidal as he would need to help a prisoner, but at least it aligned with his interests.

But he didn’t want Harley to know that, so he intentionally put on such a face. He wanted to let her know that he was doing all of this because of her so she provided more of her support.

That support included emotional one too.

After a whole minute of contemplation, he asked, "Is there any time limit?"

"Not really, but it’ll be good if you can deliver it early because she is getting executed in five months." Harley nodded. "Otherwise I’ll be forced to take it in my hands."

She leaned forward and added in a serious voice, "Of course, you can reject it, but that means our partnership ends here. There is no point in grooming someone who doesn’t even want to take risks."

Max clenched his fist as a determined look appeared on his face, "Fine! I accept it, but it won’t be easy, so you need to promise that you’ll support me in some of my rash decisions."

"As long as they don’t concern Harley Auction House," Harley shrugged slightly.

"Then we have a deal," Max smiled and extended his right hand for a handshake.

Harley didn’t know why, but she felt something amiss in his smile. Still, she took his hand and said, "Deal!"

"That brings me to my first question, how important is this individual to you?" Max asked.

Harley stayed silent for a while before replying, "Enough to make me throw away my life. If you fail, then I will attack the Academy myself to get her out."

Max blinked, trying to remember if he had such a plot line for Harley but couldn’t recall a thing.

’I died before even reaching half of the novel, so there was a lot of things I didn’t write or even think of. Harley’s backstory is one such thing,’ Max wanted to facepalm thinking of that.

[Yes, because of that, an infinite number of futures has opened up and as the protagonist, your decisions will affect which potential future becomes reality.]

Max nodded as Harley continued.

"It’s the last resort, so I’ve been waiting for an opportunity. I’ve tested many people anonymously, and sadly, none of them passed the criteria," Harley sighed. "Only you did."

Then, she stood up and came to sit beside him. She caught his hand and said, "This isn’t just a business deal to me. It’s my lifeline. So I hope you do your best!"

Max frowned, wondering who could have made Harley feel like this. She was a strong woman who had achieved Diamond Rank all on her own and even brought the Harley Auction House to this ridiculous level.

She was also ruthless, who would do anything to protect herself and her legacy. But here she was throwing away everything for that one person.

’Who could it be?’

Unable to suppress his curiosity, he asked, "Who is she?"

"You don’t need to know that now. Get into the Black Wind Academy, and I will give you more information on her," Harley said, gripping his hand tightly.

For once, Max felt that she wasn’t flirting with him but was being genuine. So he patted her hand and reassured her, "Don’t worry! I promise you that I’ll get her out."

Harley smiled as well.

"You don’t need to free her. As long as you manage to get this box to her, she’ll come out herself."

Max sighed in relief upon hearing that. If he only had to deliver some stuff, he could manage it even if she was imprisoned in the Death Towers of the Black Wind Academy.

’Well, me being a traitor would certainly help in getting there.’

Max actually had little interest in going to academies, even though they could provide him many things he couldn’t get outside.

But they were still not enough to entice Max into going there.

There were two reasons he wanted to enter one of the Four Major Academies, it didn’t matter which one.

First was that he didn’t want to be branded as a traitor because of the things his father would do.

The second reason was Aurora. She wouldn’t really stay in the Academy for long, but she would certainly create chaos while being there.

And Max wanted to meet her there.

As for Harley’s task, Max was very curious about the person who was imprisoned in the Black Wind Academy.

It was one of the Four Major Academies of the Selero Empire, right under the Majestic Saint Land that backed the Imperial Clan.

If they had imprisoned someone, then it was clear she was very important and powerful. Otherwise, they would have executed her long ago.

He knew those damned academies way too well.

"By the way, what’s her Rank?" Max asked.

"She is stronger than me. That’s all I can tell you," Harley scoffed in disdain. "She is sealed; otherwise no one in the Academy could have stopped her."

"I’m guessing the Empire is involved in this," Max smiled wryly.

She was at least on Master Rank or maybe even Grandmaster Rank, and the Academies would have trouble dealing with people of that Rank alone.

’I guess the danger level has just increased.’

[You’re still going for it?]

’Fuck yeah! It’s worth it,’ Max smiled and said. "Well, it doesn’t matter who is involved. I’ve taken this task and I will complete it. But there’s a problem."

"Selections?" Harley spoke, guessing his thoughts.

Max nodded, "Usually the Four Major Academies hold the First Selection in around March, and by that time..."

Harley leaned back on the couch, making her ample boobs almost spill out of her T-shirt. She either didn’t notice it or simply didn’t care if Max saw her like that.

Max wanted to believe the latter possibility.

"There have been some changes, and they are hosting the First Selections in late November," Harley said. "Don’t ask why because I’m not telling you that. Just prepare for it."

"The hell?" Max exclaimed. "That changes things. I need to get the top spot if I want to be in a position of demanding to enter the Black Wind Academy."

He was one year behind others as he started leveling at the age of nineteen while others started at the age of eighteen.

That certainly put him in a tough spot, especially since it seemed he would have to catch up with them quickly.