Leilo, focused on his work, sensed someone nearby. He glanced sideways to see Illusionary Feather already packed up, sitting on the jacket he’d earlier thrown down, watching him.
Leilo simply smiled faintly and said nothing, pouring his full attention back into his creation.
Soon, with Mech’s help, he finished the practical session’s assignment. After testing it himself, he called out to Minette, who was weaving through students: “Teacher Minette, could you check my work?”
“Oh, coming,” Minette replied, sounding thoroughly inconvenienced.
“You’re truly beautiful, Teacher,” Leilo murmured while she inspected his piece—not for higher marks, but genuine admiration.
“Flattery won’t boost your score,” Minette stated flatly after testing its functions.
“Hahaha… Scores can improve slowly anyway,” Leilo said, scratching his hair awkwardly.
“Done. You may leave,” Minette announced after jotting the grade in her logbook.
“Goodbye, Teacher,” Illusionary Feather said politely, rising from his jacket.
“Uh… go ahead,” Minette stammered, thrown by the sudden courtesy from a student she’d once deemed a troublemaker.
Illusionary Feather led Blazing Heart away with Leilo. By then, Mech had retreated into Leilo’s contract sigil.
Their destination: the dormitory behind the academic building.
“Illusionary Feather, why wait for me?” Leilo asked as they walked.
“Just call me Huanyu,” he smiled slightly. “And I need you to show us around later.”
Huanyu had decided never to attend classes again. He needed to locate free material pickups and consignment shops—so he could work undisturbed and sell creations. The money would repay Belka’s loan and buy premium supplies. Maria Bella’s green card only covered basic iron and copper; everything else cost credits. Since he was unfamiliar with the area, leveraging Leilo’s local knowledge was killing two birds with one stone.
“Fantastic! Huanyu—we’ll meet at your dorm after dinner,” Leilo beamed, thrilled his friendship was accepted. He’d have hugged him if not for the toolbox in his hands.
Later, toolbox stowed, Leilo arrived at Huanyu’s dorm far earlier than “after dinner”—clearly angling to share their meal. (He still believed Blazing Heart was Huanyu’s sister. Had he known she was likely Huanyu’s partner, he’d have avoided being a third wheel.)
Dinner passed smoothly despite Blazing Heart’s brief pouting, soothed by Huanyu feeding her bites.
After eating, Leilo led them out of Yayang’s gates—Huanyu’s first time walking beyond Dragon Tamer Academy’s campus. (He’d always ridden Belka’s dragon before.)
Huanyu had specified their priority: the free material pickup point, which doubled as a consignment shop.
Leilo wasn’t surprised Huanyu had a free material card—he had one too—but he was shocked it was only green-tier. His own was red, two levels higher (cards ranked: green, blue, red, silver, gold, crystal). How could someone who stunned teachers today hold a card inferior to his?
“Leilo, which way?” At a crossroads outside Yayang’s gate, Leilo halted mid-stride, lost in thought. Huanyu prompted him gently.
“Ah! Sorry—I zoned out. Turn right here,” Leilo apologized.
“Master~” Blazing Heart murmured as they crossed the street.
“What is it, Blazing Heart?” Huanyu asked tenderly.
“Today feels unlucky. Let’s go back.” Her sudden gloom left Huanyu speechless.
“…We must learn the area. And I owe debts—better clear them fast,” he forced a cheerful smile.
“…” Blazing Heart fell silent.
“Don’t worry, little sister! Even if trouble comes, Patrol Mechs will help,” Leilo said. His term caught their attention.
“What are Patrol Mechs?” Huanyu asked.
“You don’t know?” Leilo pointed at two black-painted Mechs striding along the magic vehicle lane. Their left arms bore green-and-white insignia. “That’s the Disciplinary Committee’s mark. Patrol Mechs assist them.”
“Magic-engineered Mechs,” Huanyu observed instantly. (Magic-engineered Mechs: units inscribed with magical algorithms at their core, bound by those rules.)
Leilo gaped. Huanyu missed common knowledge yet spotted hidden details effortlessly.
“Huanyu… are you a genius playing dumb, or just dense?” Leilo sighed.
“Take me to the shop,” Huanyu insisted, turning away from the Mechs.
“Right.” Leilo led on.
After school hours, crowds thickened near the commercial district. Huanyu didn’t mind the bustle; sunny Leilo never shrank from attention; Blazing Heart cared only for her master’s gaze. Though many glanced back at the trio—two prince-like youths and a petite princess, or perhaps an elegant king strolling with his queen and a friend—they radiated untouchable grace.
“Phew.” They finally reached the nearest consignment shop outside Yayang. More auction house than store, it spanned multiple floors. Inside, crowds haggled over materials or chatted with sellers.
Leilo guided them to a first-floor counter where a bored youth slouched in a chair.
“Yo, Ink Dust! Long time no see,” Leilo greeted warmly.
“You again? Here for supplies?” Ink Dust drawled without sitting up.
“You remind me of Huanyu from last week,” Leilo mused.
“Huanyu? Who’re your friends?” Ink Dust eyed Huanyu and Blazing Heart.
“Ah! This is Huanyu—new student, my friend—and his sister, Phantom Night Emberheart. Ink Dust graduated from Yayang,” Leilo introduced.
“Ink Dust. Hello,” Huanyu said without honorifics.
“…Hey,” Ink Dust replied flatly, unbothered by their supposed sibling tie. “Where’s Yote today?”
“They’re prepping for exams,” Leilo answered honestly.
“Then state your business. If you’re just checking on me, leave—I’m busy.”
*(You looked dead bored seconds ago.)*
*(Master~ What are you thinking?)*
“We need materials,” Leilo hurriedly clarified.
“Standard procedure: log names and quantities. I’ll send someone to fetch them.”
“Right—but Huanyu needs supplies too.”
“He’s got a card?” Ink Dust jerked his chin at Huanyu.
Huanyu handed over a green card.
“Low-tier, but valid,” Ink Dust said neutrally—earning Huanyu’s quiet respect.
“Well, well. If it isn’t Leilo. And Huanyu with his little woman,” a mocking voice cut in behind them.
Huanyu didn’t turn. Blazing Heart gazed up at him, unblinking.
“Who are you?” Leilo’s blank question froze their smirks.
*(He doesn’t even know us?)*
“Pass the logbook, Ink Dust,” Huanyu pressed, ignoring the interruption as Ink Dust hesitated.
“Here.” Ink Dust pulled out the book without glancing back.
Huanyu filled it per his card’s limits.
“Hey! Are you deaf?” Darke de Louse shoved forward, furious at being ignored.
“Done. Can I collect now?” Huanyu handed back the logbook as if nothing happened.
Ink Dust scanned it: one ton of raw iron. No other materials. “You sure about one ton?” he asked carefully. “How will you carry it?”
"Can't you help at all?"
"Yes, I'm sorry, but only holders of a Red Card or higher qualify for this service."
"It's fine. I'll move it bit by bit. Just lead the way." Illusionary Feather clearly had no more to say and headed straight for the materials.
"Hey! How dare you not even look me in the eye?" Darke de Laurus couldn't forgive being ignored. He swung a fist straight at the back of Illusionary Feather's head.
Illusionary Feather tilted his head slightly, dodging the blow. Darke froze. His furious punch—thrown by an Inventor who trained regularly—had been evaded effortlessly, even with his back turned. Humiliation burned through him.
Illusionary Feather finally turned around, giving Darke a sliver of regained dignity.
"What do you need?" Illusionary Feather asked, facing the red-haired youth in a Yayang uniform. The boy was somewhat handsome—the one who'd just tried to attack him.
"Uh?" Darke was stunned. He couldn't answer honestly—he'd only meant to mock Illusionary Feather, the dead last in their class.
"If you've got nothing to say, step aside. I'm busy." Darke, nearly calmed, flared up again. He punched Illusionary Feather square in the face—but the other didn't even flinch.
"Done hitting me? Then move. I have things to do." Illusionary Feather, eager to fetch materials with Ink Dust, had let the punch land to end the nuisance. He hurried off with Ink Dust.
But fate intervened. Instead of calming down, Darke's fury exploded.
—How dare he look down on me? Ignore me like I'm nothing?
—You, the class loser, what gives you the right to act so arrogant?
"Want another punch?" Illusionary Feather asked, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
—Daring to mock me.
Darke found that smile deeply mocking. He'd struck the most vulnerable part of the human body with full force, yet Illusionary Feather hadn't blinked. His rage had nowhere to go.
Blinded by anger, he spotted a petite girl to Illusionary Feather's right—Blazing Heart. He swung at her, mind consumed by fury.
When the crowd saw him strike at a girl, Illusionary Feather's smile vanished, replaced by icy killing intent.
He grabbed Darke by the throat and lifted him. Darke's fist, aimed at Blazing Heart, froze mid-swing and dropped limply.
Choked and lifted, Darke snapped to his senses as if doused with cold water.
He met Illusionary Feather's violet eyes, brimming with killing intent. The last ember of his anger died.
"What are you doing?" Two companions who'd come with Darke rushed forward, seeing him choked.
"Have I wronged you?" Illusionary Feather asked coldly.
Darke, unable to speak, shook his head desperately. His companions finally realized—they were entirely at fault.
"Did you treat my polite words as mere wind in your ears?"
The entire room watched. Some who knew the truth saw justice; the ignorant branded Illusionary Feather a villain.
Darke's eyes pleaded wordlessly.
"It was just a whim—to toy with someone you thought inferior."
"A momentary mistake that sparked your rage."
"Yet you blamed it on others."
"And sought to vent your anger on them."
"When you realized you were no match, to hide your weakness, you targeted someone weaker—someone close to that person."
"Even if it's just a little girl, you could bring yourself to hit her. Hah! Truly impressive."
"I'm right, aren't I? That's exactly what you were thinking."
Darke drowned in shame, face flushed crimson—nearly purple. He gasped for air.
Not long after his self-reflection, someone entered from outside.
"Make way. What's happening here?" A girl's voice called from behind the crowd.
