"Not a single clue..."

Nelly also had quite a headache. Nina was her student after all, and a missing student meant she’d failed as a teacher.

She only knew the Tidal Cult was behind this. But those guys hid like rats in dark sewers—finding them wouldn’t be easy.

Besides, Nelly had more important tasks. Only the city guards could handle the search, and their inefficiency needed no explanation.

Guess she’d have to ask that Silver Hunter for help.

"Never mind, Shea. Go practice Spirit Form first. I believe you’ll master it today."

As a student from the slums who entered the Magic Academy, Shea’s talent wasn’t lacking—this spell wouldn’t be hard for her. But it was a shame she’d started magic so late.

With her gift, if she’d been born a noble, she might’ve become a rising star.

Fate was cruel. She’d missed the best years for training.

Maybe she had a better path...

Should she ask her boyfriend to teach her alchemy or swordsmanship? Hmm?

A magic swordsman might suit little Shea well.

On her way back to class, Shea didn’t know Nelly was planning new lessons for her.

She was wondering if Nina had been attacked by the Tidal Cult too, just like her.

Remembering that Missionary... Shea couldn’t help but feel a chill down her spine.

What if Nina got brainwashed by the Cultists?

She was her best friend!

She had to rescue her—then she could steal from Nina’s house with a clear conscience again.

But where was the Tide Cultists’ hideout?

Even the city guards couldn’t find it. Was this too much for her alone?

She’d search after school.

Back in class, Shea memorized the magic circle on the blackboard. She visualized it in her mind, guiding mana through her body, drawing...

Her progress was far quicker than others’. Mana flowed smoothly within her.

Soon, blue mana circuits faintly glowed on her exposed arms, visible to everyone.

"No way? Shea drew the circle already?"

Her female classmates gasped in surprise. Some boys, not wanting to lose to a commoner girl, pushed themselves harder.

One person’s drive lifted the whole class. Unaware, Shea finished the final circuit in her mind.

"Spirit Form."

At her whisper, her body turned translucent, drawing gasps from nearby students.

"Only half an hour?!"

"This kid’s terrifying! She must be eliminated! I’ll handle her!"

One overly dramatic boy declared—but everyone ignored him.

Shea stared at her hand, trying to grab a book. It passed through like air.

"Is this really a Crescent Moon Rank spell?"

The effect unsettled her. She’d never read about such eerie, powerful magic.

Where had Nelly learned it...

But there was no doubt: this spell boosted Shea immensely, especially for escaping. Now she even felt confident fighting Abel.

Just as Nelly warned, it drained mana fast. In under five seconds, Shea’s body returned to normal, leaving her hollow.

Guess she couldn’t use it often...

Practice time flew. Before she knew it, school ended. Only Shea had mastered the spell; others were still sketching circles.

But that no longer mattered. She headed to where she’d been attacked last night.

Abel had covered the hole with an iron plate to prevent accidents.

"The sewers... I’ll prepare at home first."

Every moment delayed risked Nina’s safety. Shea planned to bring Abel to explore the sewers.

But back home, she searched everywhere—no sign of the Hunter. Only her panties sat on his bedroom desk.

Shea silently tossed them into the washing machine. After a day, the grossness faded. Underwear was expensive here anyway.

What’s wrong with being flat-chested? Skipping tops saved money. Band-aids were cheap, after all.

"Tch. Abel’s out tonight. No choice."

Fully geared up, Shea transformed under the moonlight—her hair turned white.

This form boosted her abilities greatly. The only downside? That accursed Hunter might chase her.

Honestly, him showing up would be a good thing this time.

Shea wasn’t strong in combat. Her only real weapon was Abel’s Light Blade, and her small frame put her at a disadvantage in direct fights.

She leaped through the iron plate’s gap.

Landing silently, she moved like a night thief—light as paper.

Her night vision sharpened. The sewer now looked like a graveyard of marine corpses. Barnacles and coral covered the walls, as if eroded by seawater.

A salty, rotten stench filled the air.

"Gross..."

With heightened senses, Shea’s stomach churned. The smell nearly made her vomit.

But she held it back.

Hiding in the dark, she paused behind a pipe.

Tide Cultists were approaching.

"You said you smelled a living person?"

"Yeah, but the scent vanished here."

Two Cultists checked around. Fern-like tentacles extended from under their robes, sniffing the air.

"Nothing here. Must’ve been my imagination."

"Again? Fix your rotting body properly."

"Don’t worry. Once the time comes, this city will feed me plenty to repair it."

"Ugh. Our only Missionary in the city died outside. New ones take time to arrive. And those sacrifices won’t stop complaining—it’s annoying."

The Cultists walked off, chatting.

Shea stepped out of the shadows, slipping a salve box back into her Spatial Ring. Good thing she reacted fast—or they’d have caught her scent.