66: Do you believe me if I say this is the first time I've met her?

After stocking up from the Second Floor Area, Ronan buried himself back into perfecting the malicious trigger in "Spiritual Fear."

This time, the books he chose were all related to the spirit, malice, and even curses.

After reading through them, he not only strengthened his malice identification but also completed the final piece of the "Spiritual Fear" puzzle.

The book of magical knowledge even recorded a significant amount of curse-related knowledge.

Ronan believed that if he could find more books on curses, he might be able to condense their essence and obtain a new curse spell.

Now that "Spiritual Fear" was perfected, the next step was to enchant the spell onto the mask of truth.

Currently, Ronan had very few silver wolf left, so he had to head to the task area to take on missions and exchange for the materials needed for the constant magic enchantment.

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Task teams in the Arcane Arts Society were similar in nature to Adventurer teams.

However, compared to the fixed team model, the Arcane Arts Society's teams had an additional "matchmaking" mode.

Since students focused most of their energy on academic research, few people would completely give up academics just to do tasks.

Consequently, fixed task teams often faced the problem of members' schedules clashing, making coordination difficult.

This was where the flexible matchmaking mode played a crucial role.

Without needing to search manually, the Academy would help match you with teammates based on your personal evaluation.

This was the official Academy matchmaking mode.

Of course, if you didn't need the official matching, you could also form private groups.

Three looking for one, five looking for two... all sorts of situations were available, highlighting its flexibility.

If this "matchmaking" mode were implemented in the Adventurers Guild, it would lead to total chaos.

Various schemes to frame or kill teammates would become commonplace.

Even the long-criticized compensation system would have to be canceled; otherwise, the Guild would go bankrupt in a short time.

Ronan guessed that the Arcane Arts Society dared to use this system because they had their own ways to prevent such situations.

He arrived at the task area alone and immediately saw all kinds of matchmaking information.

"Raiding Scarlet Castle, three looking for one, seeking a front-line class!"

"Deep in the Monster Forest, urgent need for a main DPS, casters with strong area-of-effect attacks preferred!"

"Pure Dwarf team, Dwarves only!"

"Three healers for backup, waiting for a DPS carry!"

"Arcane Apprentice Senior 'Dragon Flame' leading the team, safe 1-to-4 carry, pay to join!"

...Ronan looked at the dazzling array of matchmaking info, and for a moment, he felt like he was back in his previous life, standing before a dungeon entrance in a game.

Other info was fine, but joining an Arcane Apprentice's team actually required payment.

Level 5 students can already lead paid carry groups... The task area was bustling and noisy.

In the crowd, a familiar figure caught Ronan's attention.

He had a robust Orc body, half-naked, with hideous scars crawling across his green skin.

He was the big Orc from the Academy's Team 408, Savage Stone, and the only survivor of the team.

"You know, the Employer requires the team to have a mage..."

"How about this, you pay 5 more points, and we'll hire a mage to keep up appearances, what do you say?"

Standing in front of Savage Stone was a Halfling with a small mustache, a sharp-featured face, and a mean, bitter look.

He was constantly trying to persuade Savage Stone to pay more points to ensure the task could be accepted normally.

"Why should I pay?"

Savage Stone's accent was very strange, making him sound like an honest man from a foreign land.

"We're all paying, right?"

Mustache looked back at his two other Halfling teammates.

The two immediately caught on and nodded repeatedly.

"Your team lacks a mage?"

Ronan stepped forward with a look of joy.

"What a coincidence, I am one."

Although as an undercover agent he couldn't reveal his identity at will, Savage Stone wouldn't recognize his current face anyway.

But that didn't stop him from helping the big Orc save some points from being scammed.

"Newbie, are you sure you want to match with us?"

Mustache's eyes lit up when he saw Ronan.

But after glancing at the white color on his uniform collar, his expression immediately soured.

"Is that not okay?" Ronan shook his head with a look of regret. "Then never mind."

Hearing this, the two behind Mustache both showed expressions that said, 'At least you know your place.'

All three of them were Level 2 students, and their uniform collars were all green.

A mere Level 1 student dared to interfere with their extra income.

This big Orc, whose teammates were all dead, was the "fat sheep" their boss had picked out for points.

But to their surprise, Ronan immediately turned and said to Savage Stone:

"Big guy, team up with me, I'm super strong."

Savage Stone was stunned, his eyes misting over; it had been so long since anyone had called him that.

Mustache grew anxious. "Kid, you're poaching right in front of me?"

Ronan waved his hands dismissively with a look of disgust.

"Mustache, I suggest you don't look for trouble. I have connections in the Academy. Be careful, or I'll have someone deal with you."

This was exactly when Higgs came in handy.

"Kid, do you think we 'Lei Family Three Thorns' were born yesterday?"

Mustache sounded tough, but his heart tightened.

In such matters, it was better to believe it than not.

Especially since it came from a cocky newcomer who was only Academic Level 1.

If the kid really made a scene, his own intentions would be exposed.

He pretended not to care and said casually,

"However, students should of course take Academy tasks as their responsibility..."

"Since you meet the Employer's requirements and we can't find anyone else right now... Fine, you and Savage Stone can match with us. It'll save us some points too."

"What do you think, big guy?" Ronan turned to ask.

He only came here to make money and didn't care who he matched with; it mostly depended on Savage Stone's opinion.

The big Orc thought for a moment and finally nodded in agreement.

There was something he needed in the rewards for this task.

"Well, consider us friends through this little clash."

Mustache tried to ease the atmosphere. "Since the team is full, let's head to the Employer's location."

Only then did Ronan realize that after matching, they were going to pick up a private task.

"Um... Captain Mustache..."

In a matched team, a temporary captain could be designated at will.

"Call me 'Thunder,' newbie," Mustache said with a serious face.

"What kind of task is this? How's the pay?"

Ronan asked the two questions he cared about most.

"Don't worry, the reward is very generous. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Mustache stroked his mustache and said with a smile,

"As for what to do, it depends on the Employer's specific requirements. Otherwise, why would we come all the way here?"

He raised his eyebrows toward the building in front of them, signaling everyone to follow.

Ronan looked up and saw a striking sign hanging at the entrance: "Ruby Dream Hall."

As soon as they stepped into the shop, various beauties of different races swarmed toward them, surrounding them.

"Sir, why did it take you so long to come? I've missed you so much..."

A woman wearing only a few strips of cloth, with an ample bosom, pressed herself against Ronan.

The other team members looked at Ronan with strange expressions.

"I said this is my first time seeing her, do you believe me?"

As Ronan spoke, the woman clung to him. "Oh, stop it. You always love to say that."

The three Halflings narrowed their eyes in unison, all wearing "I understand" expressions.

Ronan had originally thought to quickly clarify this mysterious romantic encounter to prove his innocence.

But he suddenly realized that this might not be mysterious at all.

This professional woman might actually know the owner of the face he was currently wearing.

Oh no, I've run into an "old flame"...