"Hmph. Fine by me."

After a long moment, the storm from the battle finally subsided. Throughout it all, no one asked what had caused the incident, let alone what had become of Ognian.

Just then, two people who had been hiding and watching for a long time quietly emerged, staring silently at the marks on the ground.

A crisp voice rang out. "Marco, is he from your Division One?"

"Mm."

Marco kicked at the ground, which was strangely unmarked. "Wei’en. A newly arrived Wizard... er, Apprentice."

"Skilled with a firearm, a powerful Corpse Explosion Skill, and a far-from-normal Blink Spell. Are you sure he’s the apprentice you claim he is?" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Lydia, I didn’t expect his power to grow so fast either."

Lydia, clad in a long red gown, glanced around with keen interest. "I haven’t been back to Caster in ages. I didn’t realize there was someone so interesting here."

"Marco, I’ve decided. I’m going to intern at your Division One."

"You? At the Secret Investigation Department?" Marco asked, astonished. "You think your father will agree to that?"

"My studies at Klande are finished. I have the right to choose my own path... Anyway, I don’t care. I am going to intern at the Secret Investigation Department."

"Alright, alright, you’re so tough. You don’t even listen to the old Count anymore. In that case, I don’t think I dare be seen with you. I’m worried your brother will just... hey!"

"You dare try? Now, come on."

With that, Lydia dragged him back toward the corner they were in before. "We were only halfway done. The party’s not over yet, so let’s continue."

"I—wait, Lydia, can’t you let me finish talking... Mmph, don’t—"

...

...

After an incident like that, it was naturally hard for the members of Division One to stay at the party. Lisi simply decided to take Tina and Wei’en back to the temporary lodgings provided by the Council.

As for Kali, the guest of honor, she naturally had to stay until the very end.

As for Marco, Lisi hadn’t even remembered his existence. ’He’s probably dead by now, right?’

Marco: So good. It’s so good, I could die...

"Wei’en, what exactly happened back there?"

"A Wizard from the Ghost Soul School. I don’t know how he found me, but he wanted me to do something for him..."

Wei’en gave a brief explanation, leaving out the part about investigating Kali and instead blaming the incident on prior conflicts.

He explained that Ognian had been hostile toward him before, and that was what led to today’s clash.

"I see," Lisi nodded. "Then there’s no issue. For a moment, I thought Clelia had shown up again. As long as it wasn’t her, we’re good."

Wei’en was stunned for a moment. ’Such a bland reaction?’

"Don’t you want to ask how the fight ended?"

"After watching the duel this afternoon, I have a rough idea of your strength. An ordinary captain-level Extraordinary is no match for you."

With that, Lisi stood up and pulled Tina toward the door. "You should get some rest. We can talk tomorrow if there’s anything else."

Wei’en: "...Good night."

It was just as he’d thought. In a world where people died every day—some horrifically, some quietly—no one wasted time on those who were unimportant.

After a long moment, Wei’en sighed. He leaned against the side of his bed, gazing at the red moon outside the window.

’So, apart from us Intelligence Officers, the Ghost Soul School has another intelligence network operating in the background.’

’And from their name, ’Shadow,’ it was obvious they were held in much higher regard by the Ghost Soul School.’

’Based on what I know now, those of us who failed the entrance exam really are just expendable temps...’

’Perhaps the next step up from an Intelligence Officer... is a Shadow?’

There was a reason Wei’en considered this possibility.

First, Ognian’s actual power hardly matched his rank as an Official Mage. Not only were his branded runes scarce, but his combat experience also seemed low.

’Then only one possibility could explain this situation—he had no way to acquire more knowledge. Or... no money?’

’But that can’t be right, can it?’

’I remember when I was promoted to Advanced Wizard Apprentice yesterday, the School immediately teleported two scrolls of parchment inscribed with Magic Runes to me.’

’Did Ognian, a Secret Art Mage who possessed two origin sub-bodies, not receive the same?’

’Or were there other, more secret things at play that I’m not aware of?’

After thinking for what felt like an eternity, Wei’en felt like his head was about to explode.

An antagonistic Ognian was one thing, but if this matter was tangled up in the secrets of the Ghost Soul School, then he was in serious trouble.

’Most of my knowledge comes from the Ghost Soul School. If there’s something wrong with that path—it would directly impact my entire journey of advancement as a Wizard!’

’Looks like I’ll have to find a way to bypass Shetland and contact the School directly.’

’The only solution I can think of is the Nightmare Realm World. If Wizards from the Blood Spirit School are there, then Wizards from the Ghost Soul School must be there as well!’

’Besides the issue with the Shadows, there was also the matter of Melbel—another problem that urgently needed solving.’

Although Wei’en had a vague idea why Melbel was targeting him, that didn’t mean he was about to forgive the man.

’He nearly killed me twice—this has become a deep-seated grudge.’

’To ensure my own survival in this world, it would be better to just kill him.’

’The only problem is, my power is still far too inferior to Melbel’s... ’

[You have been scanned by Clelia Yuli Biondini’s Spirit Perception. Reward: Survival Points +1.]

Huh?

Before Wei’en could react, he heard Clelia’s familiar voice. "Yo, what’s with that look on your face? You look like you want to eat someone."