Of course. In fact, the world of children is never as complicated as that of adults. So, for these children who had quietly gathered with the sole purpose of escaping the closed campus, they simply wanted to help the adults and, incidentally, see what the beasts in the outside world really looked like.

Of course, had this been earlier, they wouldn't have dared to do it! After all, the beast, a legendary creature in their world, could only be conquered by adults, especially by the Martial Artist Lords. Even though they might have encountered real beasts, given their age and mindset, they couldn't process too many complex things and wouldn't know the full extent of the horror and ferociousness of such creatures. Therefore, at most, they only regarded those snarling, clawing things as 'Little Rabbits'. So now, what they didn't know was that they were actually striving to see those "rabbits."

However, since they were well aware that it was something the teachers would absolutely disallow, their discussions naturally took place softly, under their breath. Quietly, they conferred.

Then, at that moment, a discussion began among them.

"...We do this, then... and then this way!"

The child who took the lead, upon finding external support, immediately decided on the precise steps for their plan. First, they had to evade the teachers' surveillance and any possible pursuit. Regarding this, everyone immediately shifted their gaze to the disheveled child beside them.

The disheveled child quickly responded, "I can help you, but what's the reward?"

It had to be said, perhaps due to his personality or family circumstances, this child seemed more mature than the other children, who looked quite a bit bigger than him. At least, he had already learned the adult principle of not releasing the hawk until the rabbit is seen. But this also made some of the less worldly boys feel somewhat disgusted and want to keep their distance from him.

However, at this moment, after some discussion, everyone agreed and promptly made a decision. "As long as you can successfully divert the teachers' attention and let us escape from the school, we'll give you at least one small mud pellet for this task. If it takes more, we'll compensate you afterward! What do you say?"

After all, they just wanted to get out of the school. Some, even if they disliked it, could only remain silent under collective action and wait to settle scores later. Of course, in fact, others might find the disheveled child's actions rather distasteful. But this did not include the delicate and handsome boy who stood out among the children and had become their leader. He even took the initiative to reach into his own pocket, took out one of the few small mud pellets he carried, and handed it to the disheveled child, saying generously, "Take this! As long as you draw those teachers away, and the more fuss you make, the less attention we get! We can decide on subsequent matters later!"

A flash of brilliance appeared in the disheveled child's eyes. His gaze on the small mud pellet in his hand was so bright, so eager! One should know, although the big gray ball was cheap, for some extremely impoverished families with no income, it was actually a significant problem. After all, the Federation was in chaos, and not everyone could afford even a meager meal. That was why the disheveled child also clearly felt that although he had the potential to become a Martial Student, he could only continue to tread water, unable to move forward.

And so, he could only take this opportunity to find these children who wanted to go outside and see what a beast looked like, to make some money. Didn't he want to go out? No, that wasn't it! But he knew, after encountering the 'big gray ball' and 'small mud pellet', that even the weakest among the beasts was not something ordinary people could deal with; one had to at least become a Martial Student! Because, even though he was still some way from becoming a Martial Student, his physical fitness had been greatly enhanced with the help of the small mud pellet. He was no longer as skinny and weak as before, nor did he feel as helpless and frail.

So, seeing that hope was near, and the day he could become a Martial Student and embark on the path of a Martial Artist was in sight, why wouldn't he agree?

Straightaway, after a silence lasting only a few breaths, the disheveled child finally made up his mind. He stretched out a hand, still stained with a bit of dirt, and directly took the elixir from the other boy's hand.

A small mud pellet!

Then, he abruptly stuffed it into his mouth!

GULP.

The boy's throat moved slightly, clearly showing the elixir's path as it slid down and entered his stomach. Only then, as if savoring the taste, did he feel the change within his body. Almost there!! Almost there!! If only I could get a few dozen more... I could break through to become a Martial Student and truly embark on my path as a Martial Artist.

In fact, for him, the small mud pellet he had just swallowed was only the second one he had ever encountered! His father had heard about this kind of elixir that could strengthen the body and had spent all his savings to buy that first one for him.

So, he immediately agreed, nodding firmly. "Done deal! But remember, once you cause a big enough distraction and the teachers no longer have time to pay attention to you, you have to give me more small mud pellets!"

However, the disheveled child's behavior seemed somewhat baffling to the other children. This guy's so odd. It's just a small mud pellet; can't his family afford one even if they're poor? Does it mean that much to him? No wonder we've been classmates for three months and still haven't gotten to know him. Even worse, this kid doesn't have a single friend!

But the leading handsome boy didn't dwell on this. He just looked at the disheveled child's demeanor and his determined gaze, then nodded instantly. "Deal! Once we escape and survive, I can even give you a big gray ball!"

Then, to show his determination, the handsome boy ordered everyone around him, "Come on, bring out all the 'small mud pellets' you have!"

At this, a few boys began to hesitate.

"Boss, we've nearly run out of small mud pellets, and our families don't have money to buy more..." one said.

Another even added weakly, "Yeah! I've used up most of my small mud pellets just to become a Martial Student. If we give them all to him, how will we recover on the road?"

Ah! The handsome boy only then considered this crucial point. Right. We'll still need some for recovery on the road. We can't give them all away.

So, after a moment's thought, he spoke again. "Alright then! Each of you give me half of the small mud pellets you have. When we get back, I'll make it up to you. That should be fine, right?"

The disheveled child waited quietly. He knew the handsome boy was trying to prove his determination and offer him the greatest assurance and support. In return, he would do his utmost to stir up trouble! As for the big gray ball the leader had initially offered, he hadn't accepted it then because he felt his contribution wouldn't be worth its price. But now things were different. If one puts in the effort, there should be a reward. He'd just have to try his best, even if it meant some hardship, to live up to the payment offered this time.

Meanwhile, after their boss had spoken, the boys looked at each other and this time, they all agreed. It wasn't because they truly didn't need the small mud pellets for the journey ahead. They simply felt that although it would surely be dangerous, it was, after all, just a game to them. So, judging by the quantity of small mud pellets they each carried, they certainly had more than enough, a surplus even. Moreover, the boss had given his word that he would replenish them afterward! With that promise, and their boss's family background, they weren't worried in the least that their small mud pellets would be gone for good.

And so, in less than a minute, the handsome boy had collected nearly eight small mud pellets. He shoved them into the disheveled child's hand and slapped him on the shoulder, saying, "Here, take these first!"

Looking at this immense wealth, even the usually calm disheveled child felt his heart throb; he was already swayed.

However, the very next moment, the handsome boy in front of him said very seriously, "You can take my small mud pellets and run. You can take them and not lift a finger to help! But I hope you remember the consequences if you take my payment and then refuse to do your part!"

The disheveled child looked at the handsome boy in front of him, and at the other boy's gaze, which held a determination matching his own. Then, he nodded in silence. "Alright!"

He knew this handsome boy had become a Martial Student in his third year not because his natural talent was particularly outstanding, but because he had backers. Furthermore, he was among the first batch of children to enjoy the benefits of the 'big gray ball'. So, this intricate network of relationships had brought him, step by step, to where he was now—a true king of the kids. Therefore, the disheveled child understood: if the rumors he had heard were true, and if he truly did deceive the handsome boy out of the small mud pellets, then what awaited him would definitely not be an outcome he could accept.

So, right then, the other children were waiting for their boss and the disheveled child to give the signal so they could quickly sneak out.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.