Han Rou unrolled the scroll further, her eyes scanning the crimson ink that detailed their first trial. The festive atmosphere of the post-bath courtyard vanished, replaced by a chill that had nothing to do with the wind.
"Quest 001," Han Rou read aloud, her voice trembling slightly. "The Phantom Weeping of the West Dormitory."
"The West Dorm?" Gu Ling frowned, crossing her arms. "That old ruin on the edge of the campus? I thought it was condemned years ago."
"It was," Han Rou nodded gravely. "But recently, students passing by at night have reported... disturbances. Strange lights. An overpowering scent of perfume."
She swallowed hard, her face turning pink.
"And... sounds. Loud, rhythmic moaning that keeps the nearby male students awake."
"Moaning?" Kai raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Sounds like someone is having a good time, not a haunting."
"It is classified as a Spiritual Disturbance," Han Rou corrected quickly, avoiding his gaze. "The Academy believes it is a resentment spirit. Our objective is to enter the dormitory, spend one night inside to investigate the source, and exorcise it if possible."
Yun Xi let out a terrified squeak, clutching her book so tightly against her massive chest that it looked like it might burst. "G-Ghosts? I... I can't do ghosts! I'm scared of the dark!"
"Pathetic," Leng Yue muttered, though her hand tightened on her sword hilt. "Spirits are just energy. Cut the energy, kill the spirit."
"It's a Rank D mission," Han Rou continued. "Reward: 50 Points. It's high for a starter quest, which means the danger is real. If we fail... or if we run away... we get zero."
She looked at her squad. They were talented, but disjointed. And after the "Spirit Link" session, their internal energies were chaotic.
"We are not ready to go tonight," Han Rou decided firmly. "We need preparation. We need exorcism talismans, calming incense, and... frankly, we need to stabilize our own conditions."
She glanced at Kai, then quickly looked away.
"We will start the quest in three days," Han Rou announced. "Use this time to prepare your minds and bodies. Gather resources. Train your individual techniques. On the third night, we meet at the gates of the West Dormitory."
"Three days?" Gu Ling huffed. "Fine. I need to buy some Fire Talismans anyway. I'm not letting a ghost touch me."
"I... I will go to the library," Yun Xi whispered. "I'll read about... exorcisms."
"Dismissed," Han Rou said.
The group disbanded. The girls headed toward the main campus to prepare, leaving Kai alone in the courtyard.
He watched them go, his mind already calculating.
"Three days," Kai mused, rubbing his chin.
To a normal student, three days was time to study scriptures or mediate. To Kai, three days was an eternity of opportunity. He had a Level 3 body, Strength 9, and a Charisma that could melt resolve. He had a neighbor who was now his obedient pet, and a step-mother who was teetering on the edge of forbidden fruit.
And he still had a bet with Li Hua.
"A ghost that makes people moan," Kai chuckled darkly, looking toward the distant, crumbling silhouette of the West Dormitory. "I have a feeling that quest is going to be exactly my kind of problem. But until then..."
He stretched his arms, feeling the power ripple through his shoulders.
"I have three days to farm XP. I need to be Level 4 before we enter that house."
He turned and walked toward the exit of the Academy. The sun was setting, casting long shadows over the city.