After many days, Dan Feng and Roxy finally returned to Ranoa Magic University once again.
The fountain at the entrance was still spraying water upward as always, with an illusory rainbow hovering above it.
However, they had no mind to appreciate this familiar scenery and headed straight for the principal's office.
After all, the reward for this mission was far more important to them.
Along the way, each of them was lost in their own thoughts.
Finally, they arrived at the door of the principal's office.
Then Dan Feng raised his hand and gently knocked on the door.
"Please come in." The principal's aged voice came from behind the door.
Dan Feng and Roxy exchanged a glance, then slowly pushed open the door and walked in.
As soon as they entered, they saw the principal's kind and amiable smile.
Though the principal of Ranoa Magic University was already very old, his spirit remained optimistic.
Upon seeing Dan Feng and Roxy arrive, the principal's face immediately bloomed into an even brighter smile.
"Haha, I knew you two would return safely." The principal said with a laugh, his voice filled with concern and trust toward them.
Dan Feng gave a slight nod and, expressionlessly, took out the scroll from his luggage.
He slowly handed the scroll to the principal and said: "Thank you for your concern, Principal. This is the item from the commission."
The principal smiled as he accepted the scroll, then slowly unfurled it. His wrinkled hands gently stroked the patterns on the scroll, as if sensing the mana contained within.
Next, the principal placed his hand on the magic circle-like pattern in the center of the scroll and began slowly channeling mana. As the mana flowed in, the magic circle emitted a faint glow, and the entire scroll seemed to come alive.
Immediately after, he took out all the magic tools stored inside and placed them one by one on his desk.
"You two can each pick one. These are all magic tools with particularly excellent abilities." The principal gestured for the pair to come closer and choose.
Dan Feng and Roxy slowly approached the various styles of magic tools.
"Principal, what are the functions of these magic tools?" Roxy asked in confusion. Just looking at them with their eyes, it was impossible to discern the abilities of these magic tools—they could only rely on the principal to explain them one by one.
The principal then began introducing the functions and uses of these magic tools to the two.
"For example, this pair of gloves can reduce the impact force felt by the palm by half. For a swordsman, this is an extremely rare magic tool."
The magic tools displayed here were indeed quite attractive, with abilities that were strange and varied.
There was a necklace with a magic shield, a ring capable of casting intermediate magic, and a helmet of light that could be powered by mana.
The principal finished explaining the functions of all these magic tools. Among them, Dan Feng was particularly fond of the necklace with the magic shield—after all, as a magician, if Roxy were ever approached in close combat by a swordsman, it would be dangerous. This magic shield could increase Roxy's margin for error.
"Roxy, what do you think?" Dan Feng asked for Roxy's opinion. He wanted to see which one Roxy wanted to choose.
"Hmm... How about we take this one?" Roxy pointed to a scroll placed off to the side. The ability of this scroll was to store items—nothing more.
"Oh? You want my storage scroll?" The principal was slightly taken aback.
"That would actually work too." Dan Feng said slowly. This way, they wouldn't have to carry heavy luggage when taking on commissions.
"Then let's go with this one! I think a storage-type magic tool would be quite useful for us. Dan Feng, your current storage item can only hold that orb and your spear—nothing else fits. So this item is pretty important." Roxy said earnestly.
The principal said nothing more upon hearing this and handed the storage scroll to Roxy.
"Thank you for the reward, Principal." Roxy thanked the principal, then passed the scroll to Dan Feng.
"Hm? Why give it to me?" Dan Feng looked at Roxy in confusion.
"After all, you put in a lot of effort on this commission, so it should be yours." Roxy said with a smile. Paired with her cute cheeks, it completely melted Dan Feng.
Dan Feng showed a faint smile, then placed his hand on Roxy's head and said slowly: "You take it. You need a storage-type magic tool more than I do."
The principal watched the scene between the two and gave a light cough. Not long after, Dan Feng withdrew his hand.
Roxy's cheeks had turned slightly red.
"Because there were unexpected events during this commission—the mercenaries attacking Rosenberg—I've decided to give you some additional compensation." The principal said as he opened a drawer and took out a small pouch.
The principal tossed the small pouch toward Dan Feng, who caught it steadily.
"Compensation?" Dan Feng opened the small pouch and was slightly surprised.
"Mana crystals?" Roxy, seeing that it was the mana crystals she had once felt heartache over buying for learning magic circles, also showed a surprised expression.
Mana crystals were far more valuable than gold coins. The ones in this pouch were much larger than those sold in stores.
The ones in stores were about the size of mung beans, while these were clearly the size of buttons.
"So big." Roxy picked one up, examined it closely, and exclaimed.
"Of course. These mana crystals have been sitting with me for a long time. Since I don't usually set up magic circles anymore, they aren't of much use to me." The principal said slowly.
"Also, there's one more thing I need to tell you both."
"What is it?" Dan Feng asked in confusion upon hearing the principal's words.
"I will soon resign from my position as principal of Ranoa Magic University. After I step down, if you have any matters, you can go to the vice principal—he will likely become the new principal." A relieved expression appeared on the principal's aged face.
He had already dedicated half his life to Ranoa Magic University. Now, he could finally rest for a while. Since both of them knew Bloody Kant, he had chosen to share the news of his resignation with them.
"We understand. At your age, Principal, it's indeed time to retire." Dan Feng expressed his understanding.
"But the vice principal is also quite old, isn't he? He probably won't last many years either?" Roxy said, thinking of how the vice principal was around the same age as the principal.
"Then won't someone else take over? No need to worry—as long as they are teachers at the school, anyone has the chance to become principal." The principal explained to Roxy.
Afterward, Dan Feng and Roxy bid farewell to the principal, and naturally, the mana crystals went to Roxy.
Roxy carefully placed them inside the scroll. "I'll store them for now. We'll use them together later when we draw magic circles!"