Chapter 32: Thw Value of Reputation

Ethan understood why the City Lord had asked.

He nodded and checked his current Reputation.

[Reputation: 300]

"Three hundred."

The City Lord’s relaxed expression disappeared.

"Three hundred..." The City Lord frowned slightly. "How did you manage to gain so much?"

He shook his head, clearly unable to make sense of it. "Reputation doesn’t come that easily. Every contribution only gives you a small amount, and reaching three hundred would require you to do something significant over and over again. You’ve only had your profession for less than two weeks. How in the hell did you manage that?"

He paused and looked at Ethan again.

"Did you save an entire settlement or something?"

Ethan remained quiet.

Reputation was a measurable quantity. It could be gained by doing things that genuinely helped other people: eliminating bandits who preyed on travelers, protecting settlements from monsters, helping people during disasters, or saving lives.

The more significant the deed, the more Reputation it provided.

Ethan had already done something that qualified. He had saved an entire village from being massacred by the Laughing Fiends.

That alone had given him a large amount of Reputation.

The academy also used Reputation as one of its admission requirements. It wasn’t enough for a candidate to be strong. They also had to show that they had contributed to society, which was why newly awakened professionals often made an effort to build their Reputation.

With three hundred Reputation, Ethan had more than enough to meet that requirement.

The City Lord was silent for a moment.

"Then you don’t have to worry about the academy’s Reputation requirement."

Ethan nodded.

"I wasn’t worried."

"I figured."

The City Lord paused before continuing.

"There’s one more thing. The entrance examination isn’t just about Reputation and level. The academy will also look at your profession."

Ethan remained calm.

He already knew that.

"From what I saw at the dungeon, you’re most likely a summoner."

Ethan nodded. "Something like that."

"A Shadow Summoner?"

"Yes."

The City Lord nodded slowly.

It was the most obvious conclusion. Ethan had summoned hundreds of creatures made from shadows, and all of them followed his commands.

"Which tier?"

Ethan shook his head.

"I’d rather not say."

The City Lord didn’t press him.

That was reasonable. A person’s profession and its rank were personal information, especially for someone with Ethan’s potential.

"Fine."

The City Lord reached into the drawer of the new desk and pulled out a thin sheet of paper.

"Fill this out."

Ethan took it.

The paper contained several fields.

Name.

Age.

Level.

Profession.

Profession Rank.

Reputation.

There were a few other basic details as well.

Ethan picked up the pen beside the table and began filling it out.

He wrote his name first.

Ethan.

Then his age.

His level.

His profession.

When he reached the profession rank, he paused for a moment before leaving it blank.

After filling in the rest of the information, Ethan handed the paper back.

The City Lord glanced over it before putting it away.

"That’s all you need for the registration."

Ethan then got to the matter of what he wanted in return.

"You said I could ask for something from Blackstone City."

The City Lord nodded. "Yes. What do you want?"

Ethan thought for a moment.

"There is a crystal in the city’s possession."

The City Lord raised an eyebrow.

"What crystal?"

"A tear-shaped crystal. About this big."

Ethan held up two fingers to show its size.

"I want it."

The City Lord frowned.

"That’s all?"

Ethan nodded.

"That’s all."

The City Lord had no idea which crystal Ethan was talking about. The city had collected many strange crystals and other treasures over the years, most of which had yet to reveal their uses.

"Do you know what it’s called?"

Ethan shook his head.

"No."

He knew what it would eventually be called, but that name didn’t exist yet.

The City Lord thought for a moment.

"Wait here."

He went to the other side of the room and soon returned with a large box. He placed it on the desk and opened it.

Inside were dozens of crystals of different shapes and colors.

"These are some of the crystals the city has collected over the years," the City Lord said. "We’ve figured out the effects of some of them, but others haven’t shown any obvious effects."

He gestured toward the box.

"Pick one. If you happen to choose one we haven’t figured out yet, then that’s your problem."

Ethan nodded.

"Fair enough."

The City Lord took his seat.

"Just remember, I’m giving you something from the city’s collection. I’m not handing over the city’s treasury."

"I understand."

Ethan began sorting through the crystals.

A red crystal.

No.

A pale blue one with strange lines running through it.

No.

A crystal that felt warm against his palm.

No.

He moved on without hesitation.

Some of the crystals were quite valuable.

One could increase Constitution by 100 while worn. Another could slowly restore energy during battle. There was even one that could increase resistance to certain attacks.

The City Lord considered all three valuable enough to keep.

Ethan didn’t even hesitate before putting them aside.

After watching him reject several more crystals, the City Lord finally spoke.

"You’re not interested in any of these?"

"Not really."

"Some of them are worth quite a bit."

"I know."

The City Lord paused.

"Then what exactly are you looking for?"

Ethan continued sorting through the box.

"A crystal."

"I figured that much."

Ethan ignored him and continued searching.

Then his hand stopped.

Among the other crystals was a small, transparent crystal shaped like a teardrop. A faint silver shimmer could be seen inside it.

Ethan picked it up.

This was it.

He had finally found it.

The City Lord looked at the crystal in his hand.

"That one?"

"Yes."

"That’s one of the ones we haven’t figured out yet."

"I know."

Ethan turned the crystal over in his hand.

"Are you sure you want that one?"

"Yes."

The City Lord glanced at the other crystals Ethan had rejected.

"You’re really willing to give up those known treasures for something we don’t even know the use of?"

"I am."

The City Lord let out a quiet breath.

"Fine. It’s yours."

He leaned back in his chair.

"Our deal was that you could choose one crystal. It doesn’t matter to me which one you take."

Ethan put the crystal away.

"Then we’re done."

"Good."

Ethan opened the door.

"I’ll see you at the academy entrance examination."

"Don’t be late." The city lord reminded.

Ethan left without another word, and the door closed behind him. The City Lord remained in the room, unaware that the crystal he had just given away was the most valuable treasure in his entire collection.