Shea knew Abel well enough—he saw her true nature clearly. Though a bit greedy, she was fundamentally kind-hearted. Otherwise, this morning’s mishap would’ve landed him in police custody.

But Shea hadn’t called the cops. She’d seemed furious on the surface, yet taken no real action. She’d even prepared breakfast for him—a sign she’d forgiven him.

Probably…

So when injustice struck, he roared into action.

After teaching those two loudmouths a lesson, Abel dusted off his hands, feeling even more sympathy for Shea’s plight.

*What night job could she possibly be working? I should really advise her to cut back on the late nights.*

As Abel left, Nelly emerged from a corner, clapping her tiny hands with a knowing smile—as if celebrating the scene.

“So the money for little Shea came from him. Not a bad kid.”

Abel was Radiant Sun Rank—a tier where senses sharpened to supernatural levels. Yet he hadn’t detected this demon lurking in the shadows. Truly, the Magic Academy was a den of hidden tigers and coiled dragons.

“But they don’t seem to be dating yet. Just delivering meals, huh…?” Nelly mused. “Though having someone to rely on is nice, Shea’s fiercely independent. That Hunter’s in for quite a few rejections.”

---

In the afternoon lecture hall, Shea diligently took notes on array magic. Beside her, Nina slumped over her desk, utterly listless.

“Hey Shea,” Nina whispered, propping up her chin. “Did you know Lord Silver handled a nasty Cultist incident last night?”

“No idea.”

Shea recalled her own pitiful state that morning and shook her head. Even if she knew, she’d pretend ignorance.

Nina sighed dreamily. “What a shame! Lord Silver’s so strong. This morning, I saw chunks of blackened flesh being hauled out of the Dicos Branch. Must’ve been a massive monster! I wish I’d seen him fight…”

Her daydream faded as quickly as it came. She flopped back onto the desk with a groan. “Why can’t Lord Silver crash through *my* front door and sweep me off on an elopement?”

Whether he’d ever crash through *her* door, Shea couldn’t say.

But she knew one Hunter had definitely smashed through *her* bathroom door—and seen every inch of her.

Just remembering it made her blood boil.

*He got off scot-free with just 750 coins.*

*This should’ve cost him 7,500!*

“Nina,” Shea asked, eyes sharp. “What kind of person do you *think* this ‘Lord Silver’ is?”

*Let’s see how delusional this princess-sick girl’s fantasy really is.*

“He must be 185cm tall!”

*Nope. 175cm.*

“Long hair flowing like silk, elegant as a jade tree—”

*Short hair. And a total creep.*

“—sword at his hip, eyes sharp as a hawk’s, seizing my heart in one glance… Ahhh~ Lord Silver, take me away!”

*Hopeless. She needs electroshock therapy. Now.*

“Oh! Shea!” Nina suddenly slid a pile of gleaming gold coins across the desk. “Here’s 850 gold I grabbed from home. You haven’t paid tuition yet, right?”

Shea’s eyes widened. She snatched back her earlier judgment.

*This girl’s got potential. She’ll definitely snag that wretched Silver Hunter.*

*Tuition paid? What nonsense—I only covered next semester’s books!*

Her attitude did a complete 180. Without a shred of guilt, Shea pocketed the coins. She seized Nina’s hands, gazing at her like a long-lost sister—a walking ATM.

*I’ll definitely… visit Nina’s place less this month.*

“Nina, I’m so grateful! Is there anything you want? I’ll help you.”

A flicker of conscience made Shea offer this to the starry-eyed dreamer.

“Really?!” Nina shot upright, gripping Shea’s hands tightly, eyes sparkling.

A bad feeling prickled in Shea’s chest.

“Perfect! I can’t sneak out tonight—they say Lord Silver’s investigating the Chao Phraya River! You’re great at night missions, Shea. Can you take photos of him for me?!”

“…”

Suddenly, those 850 gold coins burned like hot coals in Shea’s pocket. Trapped by Nina’s pleading gaze, she choked out:

“…Okay.”

“Woo-hoo! You’re my best friend ever!”

*So this is how friends sell each other out. How utterly normal.*

Just as Shea sighed inwardly, a piece of chalk sailed from the podium and tapped her forehead.

“Shea! No daydreaming in class.”

Perched on a stool, Nelly rapped the blackboard with her pointer. “Today’s lesson is crucial—invisibility spells. Pay attention! This’ll be on the monthly exam.”

Her petite, doll-like appearance contrasted sharply with her icy tone, sending shivers down the class’s spines.

“There are many cloaking spells,” Nelly continued, “but today we cover body concealment. Note: this *doesn’t* hide scent…”

Shea scribbled furiously. As a student from the slums, she couldn’t afford to slack off—even with mediocre magical talent.

During practice, Shea struggled but grasped the basics under Nelly’s guidance.

Night fell quickly. Testing her new spell, Shea winced at its flaws: spatial ripples when moving, unhidden sounds and smells.

*But combined with my light footsteps and scent-masking… this should work for sneaking.*

*Unless that wretched Hunter senses me.*

“How did I get stuck with this mess?” Shea groaned, clutching Nina’s camera.

“Wait… this camera?”

She examined it. *Pricey. Around 3,000 gold coins?*

*What if I pawn it after the photos? Blame Lord Silver for ‘accidentally’ destroying it…*

*A solid plan.*

*After all, it’s her dad’s camera. She doesn’t even care.*

Motivation surged. Camera slung around her neck, Shea headed for the Chao Phraya River.