Full-Time Mage: Starting from Obtaining the Mysterious Ancient Tree

Chapter 42 The Charming Shepherd

City.

Earth Rats may be few in number.

However, in some specific rural areas, ground squirrels are so numerous that they are difficult to eradicate completely, causing great headaches.

The task of eliminating the earth rats is not in Shanghai.

It was jointly issued by Bingyuan County in Yunnan Province, and several townships under its jurisdiction. It is also a long-term mission, with groups of magicians going to the countryside to eliminate pests almost every day.

Exterminating ground rats is easier than capturing live capybaras. It can also be used to train one's willpower.

This reminded Fang Yu of a game...

Whack-a-Mole!
Finding a ground rat and killing it before it burrows underground—isn't that just like the whack-a-mole game?

This task rewards you based on the number of earth rats you eliminate, and the price isn't high; it's not as good as catching capybaras.

Fang Yu was suspicious.

The main reason is that their bodies are structured like clods of dirt, so nobody wants to eat them. They don't taste nearly as good as capybaras, which is why they're cheap...

However, it is possible to win by sheer volume.

Compared to water, land seems to offer more advantages.

After confirming that he had accepted the mission to eliminate the earth rats, Fang Yu, holding his identification, prepared to register.

However, just as he was queuing, by sheer coincidence, he felt that the person in front of him looked somewhat familiar.

The mage in front of him seemed to sense something as well, and subconsciously turned around, only to see Fang Yu smiling.

"What a coincidence."

This person was none other than Zhou You, a member of the Zhou family who had been crushed by him half a year ago during the struggle for the Sacred Spring resources.

At this moment, Zhou You's face darkened instantly upon recognizing Fang Yu, and he said unhappily:

"What a coincidence."

"Are you here to do a mission too?" Fang Yu asked.

Zhou You nodded.

Ever since he lost the match, he has become increasingly upset.

Subsequently, Zhou You decided to work hard and not only performed exceptionally well in the national magic trials, gaining admission to Pearl Academy, but also frequently took on missions in his spare time to hone his skills. And so, he ended up here.

"You too? What kind of mission are you planning to take?" Zhou You asked after nodding.

“Eliminate the earth rats,” Fang Yu said.

"You're alone?" Zhou You was taken aback.

Fang Yu nodded and said:
"Any questions."

"No... Generally speaking, this task is more suitable for a team of several people, because the earth rats are too cunning, and teamwork is often more effective in eliminating them on a large scale."

"How about we team up? I'll take this quest too," Zhou You asked eagerly.

Fang Yu: ?
What's going on with this guy?

She's not exactly a beauty, and she's even tormented him before, so why is she being so enthusiastic?

Fang Yu could only sigh at this.

Damn charm!

"There's no difference between one person and two people, right..."

"I can call two more classmates. Then someone can control the situation, someone can draw aggro, and someone can deal damage. That will be more efficient."

Fang Yu: "..."

Are you fighting a boss here?
Fang Yu thought about it for a moment. A few individual earth rats were indeed not much of a threat, but if there were many of them, and he encountered a whole nest of them, it would indeed be quite troublesome.

Teaming up seems like a good option; I can't stay isolated like before.

“Okay.” Fang Yu nodded and said, “Then let’s take on this mission together.”

“Okay, I’ll call two more classmates tonight to make a standard four-person team.” Zhou You smiled.

If it were someone of his age, he wouldn't be so eager to catch up. It's mainly because Fang Yu's strength has really impressed him, and he wants to see more of Fang Yu's growth at this stage.

After confirming their plans, the two agreed to meet here the next morning.

……

In a luxury residential area not far from the Shanghai Hunters Alliance, in a certain household.

Zhou You was about to call out to his classmates in the class group chat when he got home, inviting them to play whack-a-mole together the next day. But just then, a private message popped up on his messaging app.

An Ying: I saw you at the Hunter Alliance this afternoon.

Zhou You: And then?

An Ying: I'm with Mu Yun. Zhou You: What did you find out?

An Ying: I've learned everything I need to know.

Being instantly killed in one hit—is that why you keep striving for excellence?

Zhou You: ? ? ?
Zhou You, holding his phone, twitched at the corner of his mouth.

That whole ordeal was clearly over, so why is it still like this? Mu Yun wasn't much better off than Fang Yu back then.

This guy has no sportsmanship; how can he talk about such embarrassing things?

Isn't it a case of hurting the enemy a thousand while losing eight hundred of your own?

His eternal fame.

Zhou You's mind conjured up the image of his classmate An Ying's bespectacled face, and a surge of anger rushed to his head.

An Ying is known for her fast talk.

If she finds out, doesn't that mean all the girls in the class will know? And then the whole class will know that he was easily defeated by a grassroots magician.

An Ying: Are you familiar with that grassroots magician?

Zhou You: What, you're interested in him? Want to recruit him?

An Ying: I guess so. He walked too fast today, and I couldn't keep up.

Zhou You: ...You've come to the right person. We're playing whack-a-mole, we're missing two players, are you coming? Hmm, let's call Mu Yun too.

An Ying: She can't do it; she needs to go into seclusion to break through her limitations.

Zhou You: Then find a mage with control skills; that will make dealing with the earth rats much easier.

An Ying: Okay.

……

the next day.

The usual spot, the quest hall of the Mage's Guild.

Fang Yu arrived early, but Zhou You arrived even earlier.

"Um, did you not sleep well last night?"

Zhou You noticed that Fang Yu had been yawning the whole way and asked him in confusion.

"I didn't get enough rest, but it's okay."

Although I cultivated all night...

However, Fang Yu could accept this state. After all, he had been in this state since awakening his magic, and he was used to it. He would feel refreshed after a bit of fresh air.

This weakened state could not break his will at all.

"Where is the person you were looking for?" Fang Yu asked immediately afterward.

Zhou You: "It seems like they haven't arrived yet... but they should be here soon, very soon."

After waiting for a while, the person Zhou You had called arrived.

They were two girls around his age.

She had a small, round face, wore glasses, and had her hair in a single ponytail; she was quite ordinary.

Another one, wearing a blue and white chiffon dress, stood out from the crowd, as did her appearance.

She was eighteen or nineteen years old, with a graceful figure, clear eyes, a charming face, and an elegant demeanor.

This woman seemed to be very gentle and graceful in her daily life; she stood there quietly and elegantly upon arrival.

It gives people the feeling that it can only be admired from afar, which makes it easier to tantalize their hearts.

Girls from big cities are indeed beautiful; I'd sacrifice anything to marry one like that.

"Fang Yu, this is my classmate, An Ying."

"The other one is her friend, Mu Nujiao, a magician from Shanghai Experimental High School."

Is it her?

The outstanding woman before me.

She is one of the four great families of Shanghai, and one of the two beauties of the Mu family.

and…

In the original work, this woman is nothing like the gentle and graceful woman she appears to be.

Deep down, he harbors a warlike spirit.

(End of this chapter)