The Heaven-Cursed Costs Life, But I Have Infinite Life-Chapter 19: The Church of Light Makes an Offer – Leaving the City
Flynn’s eye twitched. He was furious, but he didn’t dare show it.
Even though he was the Academy’s Dean and held a high position, he wouldn’t dare offend these young nobles from powerful families, let alone the City Lord’s mansion.
"I wouldn’t think of it," Flynn forced a smile that looked more like a grimace. "Those war spoils belong to you and Allen. You are free to divide them however you wish."
"Glad to hear it," Lilia replied with a sweet smile, her words sharp as a knife. "I was worried you might disagree."
"Heh-heh." Flynn let out a nervous laugh. Inside, he felt like his heart was bleeding.
Those crystal cores alone were worth at least five million gold coins—and he got nothing.
"Oh, right," Lilia suddenly remembered something. "You also sold Allen a cultivation technique and two beginner skill books. Since he had no money to pay, he sold some of the crystal cores to the City Lord’s mansion to get gold. You can go directly to the City Lord’s mansion to collect your payment."
The old Dean froze. A bad feeling washed over him.
"What?" someone stepped forward, indignant. "Allen is an SSS-rank awakened. Shouldn’t the Academy be giving him a cultivation technique and skill books as a reward? Why is he being charged?"
"That’s right!" another added. "Academy resources are meant to reward students, not end up in the Dean’s private pockets!"
"Dean Flynn, this goes against the rules!"
The crowd began to murmur, defending Allen. Even the teachers nearby frowned, pointing fingers at the old Dean.
Everyone knew about the shady things Flynn had done behind closed doors, but now that it was out in the open, things looked very different.
If he was caught embezzling Academy resources, losing his job would be a light punishment. He might even end up in prison.
"Lilia, you must have misunderstood," the old Dean said sternly, trying to look righteous. "Those techniques and skills were meant as rewards for Allen. How could we possibly charge him?"
"And Allen?" He turned to Allen, his eyes threatening. "You’ll confirm this, won’t you?"
Allen gave a cold smile. He wasn’t afraid of this old man, but he spoke up anyway: "You’re right, Dean. But an SSS-rank awakened should also receive other rewards, shouldn’t they? Can we get those now?"
"T-that’s only natural," Flynn gritted his teeth, glaring at Allen.
A poor boy from the slums dared to go against him? Did he really think he was safe just because he’d gained favor with the City Lord’s daughter?
Wait until I make you cry later.
Still, Flynn ordered his men to bring out the rewards for the two of them: a set of weapons and equipment, basic skill books, and a bonus of 10,000 gold coins.
Lilia wasn’t interested in these rewards. Instead of the sword technique, she asked the old Dean to swap it for a basic knife technique and gave the new skill to Allen.
"Dean, if that’s everything, we’ll be going now," Macbeth said. He was holding a pile of crystal cores but still felt uneasy holding so much wealth.
The old Dean felt frustrated but didn’t dare argue, so he just nodded.
The students walked out of the Academy, laughing and talking.
Allen looked at Lilia and said, "I didn’t expect you to be so clever. You really tricked that old Dean."
"Tch," Lilia scoffed. "I’m not you. I wouldn’t bother flattering that old rotten scoundrel."
"Flattering him? When did I ever do that?" Allen asked, confused. Then he added gratefully, "Still, thanks. You saved me a lot of gold coins and even helped me earn a knife skill book."
Even though it was just a basic skill, it was worth several hundred gold coins.
"You’re a millionaire now, so why do you care about that little bit of money?" Lilia said, shaking her head. She realized Allen was actually very stingy.
"You are the City Lord’s daughter, so money isn’t an issue for you. By the way, tomorrow I’ll go to the City Lord’s mansion to pick up the money. Make sure it’s ready," Allen said. He decided to leave the city first to complete his Class advancement quest and improve his strength as much as possible.
"Don’t worry, I won’t default on the debt," Lilia replied coldly. She didn’t want to talk anymore and quickly walked away.
Usually, the secret trial at the Academy ends within a week. Since Simon hadn’t heard any news and no one was there to pick her up, she had to walk home alone.
Suddenly, a figure stepped in front of them.
"Are you Lilia and Allen?" A middle-aged man in a white robe asked with a polite smile.
He was a priest from the Church of Light.
Lilia noticed the silver cross on his chest. She felt uncomfortable all over and took a step back, hiding behind Allen.
"Is there something?" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦
Allen asked, frowning. He didn’t trust the Church of Light either.
Recently, when the City Lord’s mansion tried to rebuild the slums to improve people’s lives, it was these Church of Light members who secretly sabotaged the plan, causing it to fail.
The man looked at Lilia in confusion. It seemed this girl was afraid of him.
Still smiling, he said, "You both have awakened as SSS-Rank classes. You have made a great contribution to Blackspire. I am here to invite you to join the Church of Light."
"Not interested," Allen said flatly.
The man frowned but ignored his refusal for the moment.
Allen was an SSS-Rank Heaven-Cursed. Although strong, his life would be short. The Church of Light wouldn’t waste too many resources training someone like him.
His real interest was in Lilia.
"What about you, Lilia?" the man asked with a smile. "If you join the Church of Light, your father’s reputation will grow even higher. He will definitely be re-elected as City Lord this time."
Lilia’s face turned pale. She shook her head slightly, grabbing the corner of Allen’s shirt for help.
For some reason, in this man’s presence, her blood felt hot and restless. A violent urge surged in her heart, wanting nothing more than to tear him apart.
Allen noticed her strange state. He stepped in front of Lilia and said coldly, "So, does the Church of Light threaten a young girl with the City Lord’s position? Lord Lucas earned that title with his own reputation, not by using his daughter. We have other matters to attend to. Goodbye."
With that, he grabbed Lilia’s hand and turned to leave.
"Hmph, such an arrogant man," the man said, watching their retreating backs with a cold sneer. "The Priest was right. The Heaven-Cursed are just a bunch of thugs. The heavens will punish them, which is why they won’t live long."
Once they turned the corner and the man was out of sight, Lilia finally let out a sigh of relief. She quickly pulled her hand away from Allen’s grip, her face turning a light shade of red.
"Allen, thank you just now," she whispered softly.
"It’s nothing. I’ll walk you home," Allen said, glancing back behind them to make sure the coast was clear.
"Okay," Lilia nodded obediently and didn’t refuse.
Allen asked curiously, "Are you really that afraid of him?"
Lilia frowned. "I don’t know. He feels... evil. I feel like I can’t control my power around him."
If she transformed here, her identity as a vampire would be exposed, with terrible consequences.
Evil?
Allen had never heard anyone call the Church of Light evil before.
Although he felt the same way deep down, to the rest of the world, the Church was a symbol of light and greatness.
Allen remembered that Lord Lucas also seemed to dislike the Church of Light. He asked curiously, "Lilia, are you... one of those things?"
He didn’t say the word vampire out loud. The street was crowded, and he didn’t want to be overheard.
Lilia shook her head. "I don’t know."
She really didn’t know. Even before she turned, she had no idea she was a vampire.
"Allen, are all people of that race bad?" Lilia asked. She still couldn’t accept her new identity.
Allen smiled gently. "I don’t know about others, but you are not a bad person. And Lord Lucas is not bad either."
"Really?" Lilia looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with a hint of happiness. She was glad to be accepted by Allen.
"I never lie," Allen said simply.
"Tch," Lilia scoffed, though she wasn’t really annoyed.
She could tell Allen meant no harm.
"Allen, why don’t you join the City Lord’s Mansion?" Lilia added quickly, worried he might think she was hiding something. "As a Heaven-Cursed, you need resources to train. Other groups don’t know your secret, so they won’t fully support you. But I can convince my father."
She quickly added, "Don’t worry, I won’t tell my father about your secret."
Join the City Lord’s Mansion?
Allen was tempted but still shook his head and refused. He already had the Art of Immortality and a way to get his own cultivation resources.
"Never mind," Allen said. "I don’t plan to join any other groups for now."
Lilia looked a little disappointed and didn’t say anything more.
"We’re almost at the City Lord’s Mansion. I’ll walk you no further," Allen said, stopping in front of the imposing mansion.
Lilia hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Do you have other plans? Why not come in for a visit? My father isn’t an old-style traditionalist."
"No thanks," Allen replied. "I need to leave the city to finish my Class advancement quest. I’ll come back to find you tomorrow. Just remember to have the gold coins ready."
He waved goodbye, turned around, and walked away. The long sword on his back dragged almost all the way to the ground.
