<h4>Chapter 71: Viin Simtor, Ch 71</h4>
Tonya lowered her head, her face flushed red, and her expression wasplicated.
"So... does this mean our debt is settled?" Tonya stammered.
"Of course. Thanks for the special service," Lucas waved his hand as he walked toward the tavern''s exit, smiling. "Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention—this outfit? It''s not some fancy high-end Mondstadt piece. I bought it at a discount in a Snezhnaya department store. It cost me a whopping 500 Mora."
"You!"
Tonya felt her mind buzz with rage.
Had she just done something so humiliating for a mere 500 Mora?
Enraged, Tonya grabbed a bottle of beer from a nearby table and hurled it at Lucas''s head, cursing, "You bastard!"
However, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, Lucas casually caught the iing beer bottle, popped off the cap with his fingers, and took a sip as he left the tavern. "Goodbye, little wildflower."
"You awful man! I''m going to have my brother kill you..." Tonya muttered angrily as she stomped her feet. "No, I can''t rely on my brother for everything... It''s fine, that guy is just a military school student. One day, I''ll take my own revenge."
"By the way, Tonya..." The bartender nearby sighed, "That bottle of beer you threw will be deducted from your wages."
"Eh?!"
[Missionplete. Mission rating: B.]
Really? After pissing her off this much, it''s still only a B rating?
To reach an A rating, I''d probably have to push Tonya even further—maybe even force her to pay her debt with her body.
Of course, Lucas had briefly entertained such thoughts, but being new to Snezhnaya and unfamiliar with the area, it was probably best not to cause too much trouble right off the bat.
[You have obtained the talent: "Never Drunk" (B Grade).]
[Effect: Your alcohol tolerance is superb; no matter how much you drink, you will not get drunk.]
[Entering text mode.]
[The small episode at the tavern didn''t affect your journey in Snezhnaya. Three dayster, you officially enrolled in Snezhnaya''s military academy, bing a first-year student.]
[The atmosphere at the military academy was as fierce as the culture in Snezhnaya. The first challenge new students faced was the "special care" from upperssmen.]
[Hierarchy in the military academy was rigid. Even a student just one year above you held absolute authority over the freshmen. Bullying new students was one of the upperssmen''s favorite pastimes.]
[Every year, the academy witnessed numerous bullying incidents. However, the Snezhnayan elite believed that soldiers needed to have toughness, and a harsh environment helped forge a resilient character. As a result, they often turned a blind eye to the violence within the academy.]
[As soon as you entered the dormitory, some upperssmen who enjoyed picking on neers targeted you. Establishing dominance over freshmen had be a tradition in the academy. Moreover, to them, you were just a "soft-faced foreigner" with no connections.]
[Although it was a military academy, it wasn''t much different from actual military service. Depending on their performance, students were ranked as Private Second ss, Private First ss, Private First ss with Honors, or Squad Leader.]
[This academy didn''t ept female students. In such a repressive environment, some twisted upperssmen would choose to vent their frustrations on certain freshmen they found pleasing to the eye.]
[One of the Squad Leaders noticed your clean-cut and handsome appearance. He threatened you, saying, "If you want to graduate alive from this school, make sure you brush your teeth every day and wait for me in the showers."]
[Facing the Squad Leader''s threat, you decided to...]
[1. Submit andply.]
[2. Offer a bribe.]
[3. Fight violence with violence.]
"If Snezhnaya respects strength..." Lucas said calmly, "then I''ll fight violence with violence."
[You pretended to be afraid and nodded. The Squad Leader was thrilled and immediately dragged you into the showers. The other students watched eagerly, anticipating the show.]
[Living in such an environment for too long can corrupt even the kindest of people. Going against this system rarely ends well.]
[Soon, a scream echoed from the showers, and the students in the dorm exchanged knowing smiles. Someone even sneered, "Looks like this new kid will be sleeping on his stomach for half a month."]
[But to everyone''s surprise, the sound of the Squad Leader begging for mercy soon followed. As they stared in confusion, you opened the door and stepped out, tossing a bloody lump of flesh onto the floor. Your expression was cold as you said, "Take your Squad Leader to the infirmary. He doesn''t seem to be feeling too well."]
[The students rushed into the shower, only to find the Squad Leader lying in a pool of blood. Arge wound ran across his groin, but it had been packed with ice to temporarily stop the bleeding. His face was full of terror, as if he had just experienced something excruciating.]
[The students quickly carried the Squad Leader to the infirmary. Although his life wasn''t in danger, he had been left a "one-testicle warrior." No matter how many times he was questioned, the Squad Leader insisted it was just an ident.]
[Because of this incident, you were quickly recognized as someone not to be messed with, and the other upperssmen didn''t dare to bully you.]
[Half a monthter, the Squad Leader returned to the dormitory. While others thought he would seek revenge on you, he instead showed you respect and fear. Clearly, your actions had left a deep psychological scar on him.]
[Although the atmosphere in the academy was harsh, one benefit was that these Snezhnayan students weren''t particrly cunning. They respected those with the biggest fists. Soon, your reputation spread throughout the entire academy, and everyone knew that among this year''s freshmen, there was a fearsome figure nicknamed "The Cracker."]
[Achievement Unlocked: The Cracker]
[Reward: Talent - The Cracker]
[Effect: Increases damage to male targets by 10%, with a 100% increase in critical damage to vital areas.]
What kind of strange talent is this?
Although, to be honest, it''s quite a useful bonus...
It''s just that the name doesn''t sound very ttering.
[Of course, you weren''t ostracized because of this. In fact, while you were tough with your fists, you were also quite generous, embodying the behavior of a typical rich yboy. You soon established your own "faction" within the school, using your dorm as the base.]
[You bullied freshmen, but only those who were timid and submissive. For the talented and strong-willed ones, you recruited them under your wing and offered them protection.]
[This wasn''t the Lawrence family in Mondstadt, so there was no need for you to keep a low profile. Your memories from your past life allowed you to excel with ease.]
[Especially inbat sses, which were the most valued in the military academy. Not only were you better than your peers, but even most of the instructors found it hard to defeat you.]
[Your spear had swept through countless challengers. In fact, many people grew instinctively fearful at the sight of your spear tip. Despite having many nicknames, your most infamous title was still "The Cracker."]
[Aside from studying at the academy, you would asionally take advantage of your duties to leave campus for a drink or two. Your favorite spot was still that same tavern, where you''d sit and gaze at the painting of Ursa on the wall, drinking untilte at night.]
[Unfortunately, due to your "Never Drunk" talent, it was almost impossible for you to get intoxicated. Even more disappointing was that the cute waitress named Tonya had long since quit her job.]
[Age 17: Due to your excellent performance, not only did you smoothly advance to the second year, but you were also promoted to Squad Leader—a rare achievement. Several higher-ups even hinted that they hoped you would stay in Snezhnaya to serve the Tsaritsa.]
Serve the Tsaritsa?
What, do you guys want to turn her death anniversary into Arbor Day or something? (AN: holiday in which individuals and groups are encouraged to nt and care for trees)
[This year, the academy weed many new students. You, who had already established yourself as a tyrant in your first year, became even more arrogant in your second year.]
[You came up with many "methods" to torment the freshmen. While some thought it was mere bullying, and even some senior students found your tactics excessive, you were actually testing the capabilities of these students. You were picking out those you saw as promising recruits for your faction.]
[This military academy was destined to produce many of Snezhnaya''s future military elites and Fatui members. Building connections with them now could only be beneficial.]
[What surprised you even more was that among the new students, you spotted a "familiar" face. Despite the crisp military uniform she wore, you immediately recognized her—Tonya.]
[The former tavern waitress had disguised herself as a man to join the all-male military academy. If this was exposed, she would undoubtedly face severe punishment. Now, you had to decide...]
[1. Report her immediately.]
[2. Observe and wait.]
[3. Seek revenge.]
"Obviously, it''s the third option," Lucas couldn''t help but smile mischievously. "Since she''s on my turf now, I have to make her suffer a bit."
[You didn''t report her. Instead, you used your connections to assign Tonya to your dormitory. To the others, she was just a pretty-faced rookie, but to you...]
[Entering immersive mode.]
Before Lucas stood a young man standing at attention, but of course, he had already seen through the disguise—it was Tonya.
Lucas didn''t know why she was doing this, but it wasn''t a bad thing for him.
First, he could have some fun tormenting this little girl. Second, it would add a bit of excitement to his otherwise dull life at the military academy.
She had clearly recognized you as well, and her expression showed hints of nervousness. Tonya''s only hope now was that you hadn''t discovered her true identity.
A girl disguised as a man, sneaking into the army?
What is this, Mn?
Lucas found the situation amusing but remained serious as he said, "I''m a second-year Squad Leader—Lawrence. Upperssmen like us are your best mentors. If there''s anything you don''t understand, feel free to ask me, and I''ll kindly exin. Now, introduce yourself."
"Anthony!" Tonya blurted out the fake name she had prepared in advance.
"Not loud enough," Lucas said coldly. "I couldn''t hear you at all."
The other students began to chime in:
"Can''t hear you!"
"Say it again!"
"How can you serve the Tsaritsa with such a weak voice?"
"Yes, sir!" Tonya''s face turned bright red as she shouted, "Anthony!"
"Good! That''s more like it!" Lucas, grinning, deliberately patted Tonya''s chest. "Nice chest muscles, kid."
Tonya felt a wave of embarrassment and shame, but to avoid exposing her identity, she forced herself to reply, "I... I did a lot of heavy lifting back in my hometown."
"Oh?" Lucas narrowed his eyes, leaning close to her ear and whispering, "Does waiting tables at a tavern count as heavy lifting?"
Hearing those words, Tonya''s face turned ashen. Lucas patted her shoulder and said, "Come with me to the showers, freshman. I''ll teach you how to properly respect your seniors."
Though Tonya didn''t want to go, she knew that if she resisted, Lucas could expose her, and her n would be ruined. Reluctantly, she lowered her head and let him lead her to the showers.
The other dormmates exchanged knowing smiles.
Too bad that one-testicle Squad Leader had already graduated. If he were still here, his reaction to this scene would''ve been priceless.
The boy who once fought dragons had finally be a dragon himself.
As soon as they entered the shower, Lucas shoved Tonya against the wall, grinning mischievously. "You''ve got guts, don''t you? Sneaking into the military academy disguised as a man. Are you tired of living?"
"How... how did you figure it out?" Tonya asked, her face full of tension.
"What do you think?" Lucas nced at his hand. "Whose chest muscles are that big?"
"I..." Tonya was both embarrassed and angry, but she had no choice. She pitifully asked, "I know I was wrong thest time. What will it take for you to let me go?"
Tonya had initially thought that after sneaking into the military academy, she could rely on her own abilities to achieve sess, and perhaps even exact revenge on this foreign scoundrel.
But what she hadn''t expected was that this guy was thriving at the academy, and even more coincidentally, he had be the head of her dormitory.
Of course, she had no idea that the reason she ended up in this situation was all part of Lucas''s n.
"I liked your defiant attitude back then," Lucas teased. "Did you really think you could hide your secret for three years? As long as you stay in this dorm, your secret will be exposed within three months."
"So... so what?" Tonya stubbornly replied. "I''ll just ept whatever punishmentes."
"Punishment? That would be the best possible oue. You need to understand, this school is filled with nothing but men. After spending a year or two in this closed-off environment, even the ugliest sow would start looking pretty to them."
Lucas lifted Tonya''s chin yfully and smiled. "If these starving beasts find out there''s a beautiful girl like you among them... even if it meant risking court-martial, I''m sure they''d do some very unpleasant things to you."
He wasn''t joking. Every year, the academy''s proctology department dealt with serious incidents. If even good-looking men couldn''t escape attention, Tonya''s fate would be much worse if her secret were revealed.
"Miss Tonya," Lucas said with a wicked grin, sensing her fear, "I''m sure you don''t want your secret exposed, do you?"
"You''re... ckmailing me!" Tonya wasn''t stupid, despite her impulsive nature. Clenching her fists, she demanded, "What do you want from me?"
"You have two choices," Lucas said, raising one finger. "First, I can expose your secret right now. Whether or not you make it out of this dorm with your clothes on... well, that''s up in the air."
"Don''t try to scare me!" Tonya''s tough facade was already crumbling inside. "What''s the second option?"
"Second, for the next two years, I''ll protect you," Lucas saidzily. "And I guarantee no one will discover your secret."
"Are you really that kind-hearted?" Tonya frowned. "Tell me, what''s the catch?"
"The condition is simple," Lucas said, pointing his thumb toward himself. "Be my personal maid and take care of me for the next two years."
"Just... just take care of you?" Tonya''s face flushed red. "You won''t... make any excessive demands?"
"I can''t guarantee that," Lucas replied honestly. "After all, living day and night with such a cute girl... who can promise to stay perfectly rational?"
Tonya pondered for a moment before finally nodding. "I... I ept your terms."
"Good," Lucas said, satisfied. "Now, I have onest question. Why did you take such a big risk to sneak into the academy disguised as a man?"
"Because my brother works for the Fatui, and he holds an important position," Tonya replied calmly. "I want to get into the Fatui through the academy and support him."
Lucas couldn''t help butugh inwardly.
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Author''s Note: Personally I wouldn''t let that slide, Childe. Just saying.