Chapter Eighteen: Dragon District Hot Spring Club

“The hot springs in the Dragon District?” Helen blinked at the Night Watchman’s pass in Louis’s hand, her face alight with delight.

“I went out of my way to get this from Night Watchman Mr. Kolor today,” Louis said with a smile. “You know, there are magic creature classes in the Dragon District all the time, so it’s always crowded and impossible to enjoy. But now, with the holiday break, it’s quiet over there—a rare chance. Let’s go together and have some fun.”

“Hmph. Even if you apologize like this, I’m not going to forgive you,” Helen said, puffing her cheeks.

“It’s not for an apology at all. You’ve mentioned the Dragon District’s hot springs so many times—I never forgot,” Louis smiled warmly. “Come on, don’t be angry.”

Helen’s heart fluttered. She couldn’t help but steal a glance at Louis out of the corner of her eye, her heart pounding like a frightened fawn.

‘Could he possibly like me?’

‘If I say yes right away, will it seem…’

‘This is my first date…’

‘Why is my first date to a hot spring? What am I supposed to do…’

‘And at this hour, with the hot springs deserted, just the two of us…’

Helen’s cheeks stayed red for a long time as she mulled over countless thoughts, but ultimately, under Louis’s gentle gaze and persistent coaxing, she shyly nodded.

“The water in the Dragon District hot springs is deep—don’t forget your swimsuit.”

“Mm!”

That evening, Helen put on a lovely new dress and styled her hair. Barefoot on the pebble path leading to the hot springs, she was as joyful as a little bird.

Mist curled through the beautiful forest in the night, and a light rain fell onto the steaming hot spring lake. Strange fungi and ferns around the lake glowed enchantingly under the moonlight, while tiny creatures floated above the springs like luminous jellyfish.

The place was like a fairyland, with only two people nearby—romantic and intimate.

After changing into her newly bought swimsuit, Helen nervously sat atop a large stone by the spring, looking up at Louis.

“But Louis,” Helen said, shyly sliding her little foot through the water, her cheeks a deep crimson, “the water is so deep, and I can’t swim… I heard you’re a great swimmer? I’ve always wanted to learn…”

Louis glanced at the description for “Helen” which labeled her a “swimming champion,” and fell into thought.

But none of that mattered.

“Aha! Hanging bell, bound hands and feet! Ha ha ha, I win!”

【Magic +1】

“Wahhh, Louis, I’m never speaking to you again… wahhh… I’m telling my sister… wahhh…”

【Clearly, Louis is doomed…】

But Louis was prepared. When Helen had changed back and was crying to leave, he stopped her, grinning as he pulled out a pile of delicious treats from his bag.

They were all Helen’s favorites, some specially bought from the Yordle master chef.

After a picnic, Helen was smiling and patting her little belly. Her affection for Louis soared back to MAX.

Louis seized the opportunity to play with Helen’s little trinkets, which she never let others touch.

Grasping the pretty bracelet on Helen’s arm, a new world suddenly opened to Louis.

He discovered that the magical artifacts in this world possessed an astonishing array of peculiar functions.

Compared to Helen’s treasures, the magical artifacts sold on the South District’s commercial street were nothing but trash!

And Helen’s wand was truly a priceless staff.

If Triff had been in his office these days and saw Louis deflect Helen’s spells with a bargain wand, he would have been dumbfounded and demanded to know how Louis managed it.

Apparently, Helen’s extraordinary artifacts weren’t limited to her wand and bracelet. Necklace, ring, even her hairpin and the beautiful jeweled anklet on her foot were all top-tier magical items—while teasing Helen, Louis touched them all, astonished by the descriptions whispered by the narrator.

Seven premium artifacts in total; even a senior professor facing Helen would be beaten helpless!

Yet Louis was puzzled. It seemed these artifacts could only defend against spells up to about level 4. Helen’s best gear could resist up to level 5 spells.

He recalled the day of the exam—the professors’ wands. Most could only handle magic up to level 3; the best, in Principal Oliver’s hand, could hold level 5 spells.

From the books he’d read in the library about spell interpretation, the highest level recorded seemed to be around level 4 or 5.

And those wizards were all quite renowned in history.

‘Is level 5 the highest tier?’ Louis’s expression grew strange.

Many of his daily spells had already reached level 6.

“Hmph, no matter how you coax me, I won’t forgive you,” Helen said, tying her hair and withdrawing her foot, kicking Louis twice, her cheeks flushed.

Louis looked up.

Seeing Helen’s shy face and her large, watery eyes, he fell into deep thought.

That night, although Helen insisted the dormitory had closed its doors, Louis still managed to escort her back.

Recently, Osicriss had been busy with experiments and was absent from the dormitory. With only the two of them there, Helen was a little nervous.

‘As expected! This scoundrel!’

Sitting in the parlor, Helen nervously clutched her purse, stammered as she looked at Louis, “Sh-should we read for a while? I… I just bought a new book of poetry…”

Louis glanced at Helen’s A-level, smiling as he replied, “Good girl, play at home by yourself. Uncle has to go help the Night Watchmen with their shift.”

With that, Louis swaggered out, leaving Helen alone in the parlor, pouting, “Who’s a little kid…”

Eighteen wasn’t a child anymore.

But an A-level was.

Back in the office, Louis stood before a mirror. After a moment, his features rippled like water, and soon he wore the face of “Daniel Wu.”

He stroked his chin, checked his accessories, and shook his head—the face had changed, but the clothes hadn’t.

This was a skill he’d learned from Stuart and had mastered over the past few days.

Demon-spawn and evil spirits possessed unique bodies, with exceptional talent for transformation. They could not only alter their own forms, but also affect their surroundings.

As for Louis, he’d secretly practiced for several days. During his outings, he confirmed that “Transformation Spell lv3 (7/100)” couldn’t be detected even by professors, though he hadn’t yet managed “group likeness.”

But that was enough.

Tonight, Louis planned to try his luck at the Sacred Oak, where there should be something of interest.

He changed his outfit, grabbed a pipe, and put on an old wizard’s robe found in the lounge wardrobe.

After dressing up, he studied himself in the mirror.

With the robe and pipe, he looked much more mature, like a young professor in his late twenties or thirties.

“Not bad,” Louis arched his brow, took off the pipe and robe, packed everything in his bag, changed back into the Night Watchman’s uniform and his own appearance. Then, with Mr. Kolor’s credentials, he set out on patrol.