The Thirteen Trials of the Deceptive Monk

Her manicured nails, adorned with colorful floral patterns, swept across her face, and she made a tilted V-sign near her right eye. The green-haired beauty, Ms. Kukugi Chiki, greeted everyone with an incredibly bright and radiant smile, as if filled with sparkling five-pointed star bubbles.

Lu Wenjun covered his face with his hand, making a loud slapping sound.

Ling Gong let out a sharp, explosive cry: "How could you become like this!"

"That's how people are these days."

"No, you've been exposed to too much strange information on the forum..."

Just a short time ago, or rather, just last week, the new transfer student, Ms. Kukugi, was a sophisticated beauty with the air of a Yamato Nadeshiko. At that time, she wore a light blue kimono, her face bare of makeup, and her composed demeanor and gentle smile healed every magician around her.

This rare ancient style in modern times was rapidly distorted and corrupted after it came into contact with a toxic forum called the Campus Forum.

Tree: I am the ancient tree god of the Eastern islands, and I have recently come to your esteemed school to study the path of magic.

-[Millennium Cave] Homebody Hero: What's with that outdated way of speaking? wwwww

-Tree: Hmm, this... (omitting honorifics and a 5000-word short essay)

-Udumbara Kaguya: Who would read this? Reduce it to three lines or less! [knocking on table][knocking on table]

-Kingsman: I told you guys to stop messing with the old man.

-[Millennium Cave] Homebody Hero: Take a look at this post. 【The New Century Internet Mob Training Manual】

This is a guide to commonly used forum functions. [Newcomers Must Read!]

There's also this: [Tips for Uploading Photos, On Opening and Reverse Opening of Boxes]

-Tree: Wow.

-[Millennium Cave] Home Hero: Let's do it again!

-Tree: Newcomer reporting in! [Sprinkling flowers][Sprinkling flowers][Sprinkling flowers]

-[Millennium Cave] Home Hero: I've learned it!

-Kaguya Udumbara: Very good!

-Vilsa: Welcome to the →Daily Forum←Flood section

Kingsman: Stop it!

From that day on, I could see posts about a certain tree in a certain section every day.

The clothes of this era are so strange.

Try to make your way of speaking a bit more fashionable.

What are online games?

Stylish little items for supermarkets

[New hairstyle! [Sparkling][Sparkling]]

In less than a week! Just two part-time jobs and a weekend, this elegant woman, a rarity in modern times, has transformed into a vibrant and energetic hottie!!

Lu Wenjun spoke weakly: "Miss Jiujiu Mu... even if it's to fit into modern society, there's no need to dress like this..."

"Ah, this is my hobby."

"So you really liked it!"

Jiu Jiu Mu shook her manicured nails: "The colorful nails are like blooming flowers, it makes me very happy."

Reiko continued, "But you were wearing a traditional kimono before..."

"That's been worn for many years, even trees like to change their look." Jiu Jiu Mu made a peace sign.

Ling Gong swayed slightly before being steadily supported by Lü Wenjun.

"Wenjun, I'm giving up."

"I understand. It's that indescribable feeling of watching a centenarian grandmother pretend to be a high school student."

Jiu Jiu Mu pulled a small makeup box out of her pocket: "Tia and the others gave me this before, isn't it pretty~"

"They've become this close in just one week, no wonder he's a god..."

"I want to buy something as a return gift, but I don't have any money."

"Ah, that's a common problem for college students..." Lu Wenjun said casually, "Wait a minute, what do you mean by not having money?"

Jiujiu Mu raised the jade pendant, and the personal balance application displayed a harmonious 0.

“The magic coins are gone,” she said.

"Why?! There were originally 1000 magic coins in the jade pendant, and the professors should have allocated extra living expenses as well. How could such a sum of money disappear in just 7 days?!"

Jiujiu Mu counted on her fingers and said, "I bought four sets of clothes..."

Ling Gong was shocked: "Four sets?!"

"I got my hair done, bought some small accessories, and purchased a newbie package in the jade pendant game..."

"You even spend money on mobile games?!"

"Then the money disappeared after lunch," Jiu Jiu Mu said. "That's strange. Money shouldn't be spent so quickly... In the past, 1000 coins could last a long time..."

Lu Wenjun stared wide-eyed, realizing the problem.

It's a difference of times!

Back when Jiujiu Muzhiqi was still Jiujiu Nengzhishen, inflation was far from what it is now! Money, in its literal sense, had value; a large sum of money was enough to cover the daily expenses of a family of three, while a thousand yuan was undoubtedly a huge sum that could be used for a long time.

However, in the current era, 1000 magic coins are merely a month's living expenses for an ordinary mage. A few good meals out would drain their energy, let alone luxury items. The four sets of clothes Jiu Jiu Mu bought were probably not high-end items. From her perspective, she had only purchased a few sets of simple clothes and her money was already gone—it was clearly a matter of money!

“Here’s the thing, listen to me,” Lü Wenjun said. “First of all, money is much cheaper these days than before. Secondly, your way of spending money is a bit extravagant for a college student. I can tell you with certainty that if you continue like this, you won’t have money for food.”

He remained motionless and expressionless for a long time.

"Huh...? Won't someone bring me offerings?"

"No, it won't," Linggong said.

"Magic coins?"

"will not."

"Clothes?"

The two college students slowly but resolutely shook their heads. Miss Jiujiu's eyes revealed a look of utter disillusionment at the harsh reality.

"Does this mean... I'll have to live like the priests, spending my winters in burlap clothes repairing roofs and making a living..."

"It wouldn't come to that, but then again, your priest had a really tough time back then."

Jiu Jiu Mu trembled: "Then, let's use the old method of having the animals bring us fruit to supplement our household income..."

Ling Gong pushed up her glasses: "In this era, abusing divinity will be seen as perverted, especially since you are a woman, please do not do so."

Miss Jiujiumu felt as if she had suddenly gone from the height of summer to the depths of winter. She crouched in a corner, clutching her head, as helpless as a sapling facing a hurricane.

"What, what can we do... hunger, famine, war, widespread death..."

"It's not that terrifying."

"Am I already withering away after just being reborn...?"

Lu Wenjun and Ling Gong exchanged a glance and sighed in unison.

“You don’t lack modern thinking now; what you need are sound values ​​and the ability to be self-reliant,” Lü Wenjun said. “At this point, there’s no other way but to get a job!”

·

Trista Academy is a purely educational institution, yet it's a gathering place for many monsters who aren't entirely devoted to learning. As the saying goes, where there are people, there are needs, and where there are needs, there are jobs; therefore, there are surprisingly many part-time jobs around the school.

Students researching dark magic need to regularly purchase large quantities of flesh and blood; experimental mice and goats used for spellcasting are always in high demand. Research on various magical tools requires high-quality raw materials, so minotaur logging teams and dwarven miners welcome help. Anyone who can craft small magical tools can take on private orders on the forums, and even pure theoretical masters can undertake spellcasting designs…

Even if you know nothing and are just a bunch of fat, you can still apply to be a combatant in the Mythic+ dungeon. Although you won't earn much a month, it includes food and lodging, and the team atmosphere is excellent, making it very popular among some useless college students. Therefore, there's no shortage of jobs in Mythic+ dungeons; as long as you have the skills, you're sure to earn mana coins!

What skills does Miss Kukumu possess now?

"I can't learn magic..."

His theoretical knowledge is practically zero; after only a week of classes, he's lucky if he can even get used to the environment, let alone learn anything. Although he has a few magical techniques thanks to his divine status, he doesn't really have a way to make money from them for now.

"I know how to farm, is that okay?"

Miss Kukumu possesses an innate affinity for plants, enabling her to quickly cultivate flowers and fruits. However, the problem lies in the fact that Druid class is a compulsory course at the school, making the competition in the plant field extremely fierce, and most are independent practitioners. For Kukumu, unfamiliar with the area, to try and compete with her seniors for business… well, her personality makes that somewhat difficult.

Lu Wenjun had no choice but to try a different approach: "Besides your supernatural abilities, what other strengths do you have?"

Jiujiu thought for a while and said, "I have a lot of patience. And I'm good at standing still."

“That’s right, after all, you’re a tree. With your qualities, you’re good at working…” Lu Wenjun thought for a moment, “You know what, there really is!”

That very night, a new green-haired clerk appeared at the counter of the Flying Shoes chain's magic store. She leisurely packed up instant buns, not forgetting to say to customers, "Welcome back next time!"

On the rooftop of the distant laboratory building, Ling Gong frantically shook Lü Wenjun's collar: "How could we let a god work as a convenience store clerk!"

"There's no other way, isn't there? The wages are paid daily, and it suits her perfectly. After thinking it over, this is the only option, isn't it?" Lü Wenjun argued forcefully.

"What if someone bullies me?"

"My God, her skill set is terrifying! Who's bullying whom? And isn't that why we're here observing her?!"

At this very moment, the two were lying prone on the roof of the experimental building, remotely monitoring the magic shop using two magical telescopes. Their anxious and uneasy faces resembled those of young parents worried about their daughter being scammed, or grandchildren worried about their grandmother falling and hurting her back.

“It’s alright, it’s alright. Jiujiumu will be leaving at 10 p.m. It’s almost 8 p.m. now, it’ll be over soon…” Lu Wenjun said, “And this is a good opportunity for her to familiarize herself with prices, so she won’t spend money recklessly later.”

"Don't get distracted, a new guest has arrived."

"Ah, this guy is alright."

The new guest, with his dazzling blond hair and classic handsome European face, was none other than the familiar Mr. Faris. He picked through the beers, grabbing two, then two more, then a whole row of them…

"Are you trying to drink yourself to death, you idiot?"

"Probably a club gathering. Probably."

Faris placed the two rows of beer bottles in front of the cashier, looked up and chuckled, "Oh, so you're working for Lord Kujiu Mu!"

"Oh dear, even trees have to work these days."

Jiu Jiu Mu stood smiling, without making any movement with her hands. Faris was taken aback: "So this is work for you."

"Little Faris," Jiu Jiumu said earnestly, "you have hands and feet. Why should you ask others to do things for you when you can do them yourself?"

Faris's mouth gaped open: "No, I'm buying things..."

“Just drip it like this, then put the money in the drawer yourself.” Jiu Jiu Mu looked worried. “You even need a tree to help you with something like this? I’m worried about your abilities as a person…”

Faris quickly shook his head: "No, no, no, I can do it. It's a total of..."

"One bottle of beer costs 15 magic coins. There are 16 bottles in two rows. How much is that in total?"

Miss Jiujiu smiled in response. Faris remained silent for a moment, then went around to the back of the counter and typed in "240".

"You got it right, great job. Now pay up."

"Thank you, thank you..."

Faris walked out of the store carrying the liquor and squatted down by the streetlight.

"How strange, what's with this feeling of having done something wrong?! Is buying things really this outrageous?!?!"

Linggong silently put down the binoculars.

"This is the first time I've felt sympathy for Faris."

"Well, it's a bit much to ask God to work in the service industry, especially for customers."

"She seems to have a really strong ability to adapt..."

"It's less about adaptability and more about super-thick bark. They've completely taken the shop for home, haven't they?"

Miss Kukumu took advantage of the empty store to stroll around, enthusiastically trying out various display magic tools, and then picking out some snacks. Now she's happily eating a chocolate bar at the counter.

Lu Wenjun muttered softly, "Don't do that, grandma. You're just a shop assistant, not the owner. You know you have to pay for that stuff."

“She’s paying attention, you see.”

After finishing a chocolate bar, Miss Kukumu entered the price of 5 magic coins. Then she took out her small coins and paid for it herself.

"He actually has some secret stash of money... By the way, why did he only pay after we'd finished eating..."

“It’s very likely that they only remembered it after they finished eating,” Reiko pointed out seriously. “By the standards of trees, that’s an extraordinary reaction ability.”