Chapter 83: The Demonic Wolf, Erha

The next morning.

There were still six hours left before the cooldown for crossing worlds expired.

Yun Xuan left the hotel and headed to Totsuki Academy. Today was the entrance ceremony for the first-year students, and as transfer students, both Yun Xuan and Soma Yukihira were required to go on stage.

Upon arriving at Totsuki Academy, Yun Xuan and Soma Yukihira were directed to wait off to the side.

“Could I try your dish from yesterday once classes start?” Soma Yukihira asked with a smile.

“Of course,” Yun Xuan replied, returning the smile and gazing up at the stage.

Erina Nakiri had just finished her speech, and the host called for the two of them to come up.

Soma Yukihira stepped onto the stage first, delivering a bold speech that nearly incited the audience to storm the stage in outrage.

Yun Xuan waited until Soma had finished and moved aside, then stepped to the front, sweeping his gaze over the gathered first-year chefs.

“You are the elite, molded by three years in Totsuki’s junior division. Yet a month ago, I could only make egg fried rice. But genius is genius—ordinary people can never surpass it. I do not seek to stand above you, nor do I see Totsuki Academy as a mere stepping stone. Frankly, every dish and every person here is, in my eyes, nothing but a joke,” Yun Xuan said with a gentle smile.

“Get off the stage!”
“What arrogance! How dare he say that!”
“These two new students are infuriating!”

As Yun Xuan finished, the crowd’s anger nearly burst forth, but he only smiled mildly.

“For the next six hours, I accept all culinary duels. My wager is five million yen. Anyone who can offer something of equal value may challenge me—come, you jokes,” Yun Xuan declared, placing his briefcase on the ground and opening it to reveal stacks of yen, sending a jolt through the audience.

“Unbelievable! How outrageous!”
“Five million? I’ll duel you!”
“Me too—five million is nothing, I can afford it.”

The crowd was full of wealthy students, and Yun Xuan's display ignited their fury.

Satisfied, Yun Xuan closed his briefcase and stepped aside. His goal was achieved.

Not many could match five million yen, but there were enough. The academy’s top elites mostly refrained, unable to afford the wager—or even if they could, they preferred to observe.

The host looked bewildered, as did Erina Nakiri, while Soma Yukihira was stunned into silence. Yun Xuan’s words were bolder and more provocative than his own.

The entrance ceremony concluded smoothly, but no one left. Several affluent students blocked Yun Xuan’s path.

“According to the rules, a maximum of three duels in six hours. Whoever secures the permit and wager first, I’ll duel you,” Yun Xuan said, eyeing the wealthy heirs before him as if they were fat sheep.

“Fine, we’ll get the permit now.” The wealthy students were not to be underestimated; within half an hour, three duels were scheduled.

One hour later.

“In the first duel, Yun Xuan wins!” Rei Kawashima announced to a nearly full auditorium, clearly impressed by the transfer student.

“The second duel begins!” she said, watching Yun Xuan pocket his winnings with envy.

The second challenger stepped up, presenting a dish that made the judges frown, while Yun Xuan easily triumphed with his golden fried rice.

“This guy is deliberately provoking them,” Soma Yukihira realized, now understanding Yun Xuan’s strategy.

Erina Nakiri, in her private room, frowned, unable to understand Yun Xuan’s motives. Was fifteen million yen really such a big deal to him?

The third challenger stepped up, and unsurprisingly lost to Yun Xuan.

With fifteen million yen in hand, Yun Xuan surveyed the students of Totsuki Academy.

“It’s time to go,” he murmured.

“What?” Rei Kawashima, standing closest, asked in confusion.

“Nothing. The so-called first-year elite of Totsuki is nothing special,” Yun Xuan replied, briefcase in hand as he left.

Once outside the venue, Yun Xuan found a deserted spot.

“Save progress. Return,” he whispered.

The world seemed to freeze. As his surroundings shifted, transforming into the quiet hotel room, Yun Xuan regained movement.

He glanced at his phone, stunned.

“Only one hour has passed?” Yun Xuan stared in disbelief at the screen.

Looking at the remaining twenty-seven thousand exchange points, he pondered, deciding to gather some practical items before crossing into the fantasy world: a parachute, an electric bike, a mountain bike, and various survival gear.

Six o’clock in the afternoon.

With a parachute on his back, electric bike and mountain bike at the ready, and all sorts of survival equipment packed, Yun Xuan pressed the button to travel to the fantasy world.

The moment he pressed it, he vanished.

...

Xuan Yan Continent, Heavenly Star Kingdom, outside Nine Star City.

“Hm?” Yun Xuan looked around. His clothes had changed to ancient attire.

“Congratulations, Host, you’ve received the starter supply pack!”

“Starter Supply Pack: Beginner’s Sword, leveling system, tier-two pet magic wolf.”

“Main Quest One: Join a faction. Reward: 100 exchange points. Completing this will unlock subsequent quests.”

As the cat-eared assistant’s voice chimed, Yun Xuan saw the new leveling system.

Defeat monsters to level up, earn exchange points, unlock level gifts at certain thresholds—simple enough.

“Tier-two magic wolf?” Yun Xuan found the wolf in the pet section and summoned it with a wave.

“Awooo!” The magic wolf emerged, howling, then circled Yun Xuan, affectionately rubbing against his leg.

“So this is the magic wolf?” Yun Xuan eyed the enormous creature—why did it look so much like a giant Husky?

He felt a faint bond with the magic wolf—it must be a contracted pet, though his mental strength was too low to control it fully.

With a Husky at his disposal, there was no need for the bike. Yun Xuan mounted the beast, which bounded forward with delight.

“Freeze gun charged and ready. Let’s go, Husky—sneak into the village,” Yun Xuan said, producing the freeze gun, capable of 150 shots.

The magic wolf moved steadily through the forest. Yun Xuan suspected there were monsters here.

“I wonder if the beasts can withstand the freeze gun,” Yun Xuan thought, uncertain.

But recalling his trump cards—Snow White and Ice—he regained some confidence.

With the beginner’s sword on his back and the freeze gun hidden in his sleeve, Yun Xuan sweated under the midday sun.

A sudden rattling sounded.

Yun Xuan peered through the bushes as the Husky circled quietly.

With a crash, a tree fell. The Husky quickly dodged with Yun Xuan on its back.

Taking in the scene, Yun Xuan was momentarily confused.

A middle-aged man, axe in hand, was chopping wood.

“Master Warrior!” The man spotted Yun Xuan’s magic wolf and dropped to his knees in fear.

“This isn’t a monster gathering area?” Yun Xuan concealed the freeze gun, speaking calmly.

“No, sir, this is just the forest outside Nine Star City. The monster gathering area is much further away,” the man replied, trembling.

“...” Yun Xuan.

(PS: Each world crossing has a 24-hour cooldown, but the cooldowns for World One and World Two are independent. If you visit World One and return, the cooldown is only for World One, not World Two. Yesterday, despite three updates, collections actually dropped...55555, begging for recommendation votes.)