The next thing Zane knew, they were standing inside an inn that smelled faintly of wood polish, old stone, and cooked meat.
It wasn't luxurious, but it was solid—thick walls, warm lantern light, and a low murmur of other travelers passing through. A wooden plaque near the counter bore the academy's seal.
"No fees," the innkeeper said, already handing over the keys. "Academy-sponsored activity."
Zane liked that sentence.
Asher cleared his throat. "Two rooms."
The innkeeper raised an eyebrow. "You're five."
"Exactly," Asher said, very serious about it. "Three girls. Two boys. That's… not normal."
Zane stared at him. "You say that like we're criminals."
"I'm just being decent," Asher shot back.
The girls didn't argue, mostly because Mira had already taken one key and was heading upstairs.
As they moved toward the rooms, Zane noticed it immediately.
Eyes.
A few men sitting near the tables by the wall—adventurers by the look of them—had stopped talking. Their gazes lingered a little too long on Luna, then Celeste, then Mira.
Zane felt something stir, but Mira was faster.
She didn't glare. Didn't threaten.
She simply reached into her sleeve and flashed the hilt of a dagger—just enough steel catching the lantern light to make the message clear.
The looks vanished.
Conversation resumed.
One man abruptly decided his drink was very interesting.
Zane glanced at Mira.
She shrugged.
Inside the rooms, the academy uniforms came off immediately.
Zane changed first, tugging on a casual dark blue hoodie and a pair of worn jeans. Light, flexible, comfortable—nothing fancy. He stretched once, satisfied.
When he turned back—
Four pairs of eyes were on him.
"…What?" he asked.
Celeste crossed her arms. "We didn't bring spare clothes."
Asher nodded. "Minor oversight."
Luna looked genuinely apologetic. "I thought we were coming back the same day…"
Mira tilted her head. "You have money."
Zane blinked.
"…You're not serious."
They were serious.
Ten minutes later, Zane found himself being dragged through a bustling street market that felt suspiciously like a mall. Mana-lamps lit the paths, shop windows glowed with enchanted fabrics, jewelry, cosmetics, and clothing that cost far too much for his comfort.
The girls went wild.
"This one!"
"No, that color suits you better!"
"Try this—no, this—Zane, pay!"
Zane pinched the bridge of his nose. "Are we here for a monster hunt or a vacation?"
They laughed.
He complained.
He still paid.
By the time they were done, his storage felt lighter, his patience thinner—but annoyingly, he was smiling.
Back at the inn, after everyone had changed, Zane had to admit something.
They looked… unfair.
Luna wore soft-toned clothes that matched her light magic—simple, elegant, making her look gentle but radiant. Celeste went for something sharper, confident, her presence commanding attention without trying. Mira dressed practically, fitted clothes that allowed movement, daggers hidden but obvious to anyone who knew how to look.
Asher, unfortunately, looked good too, and he knew it.
Zane clicked his tongue. "Disgusting."
They settled into one of the rooms, sitting in a loose circle on the floor, Zane naturally ending up in the middle.
He clapped his hands once.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, tone shifting, "I hope you enjoyed the waste of money and time."
Celeste scoffed. "You paid willingly."
"I paid under emotional distress."
He leaned back slightly. "Now let's get serious. We have to return to the academy in two days. Today's already gone. And I'm ninety percent sure you people won't let us hunt anything tomorrow without a 'proper plan.'"
No one denied it.
Zane pulled out the mission card and flicked it into the air. It hovered briefly before landing back in his palm.
"Our task," he read, "capture or kill a Horned Owl."
Luna stiffened slightly.
"Rank 1 Corrupted Beast," Zane continued. "Non-lethal abilities. Simple drop-and-capture mission."
He frowned. "Its weakness is water."
Asher raised a brow. "And we don't have a water mage."
"Exactly," Zane said. "So we make do."
He glanced at Luna, his tone softening just a little. "It looks scarier than it is. You'll be fine."
Luna nodded, though her fingers twisted together.
Zane leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
"It's still evening," he said. "And for some reason… I'm not tired."
He looked around the circle, silver-gray eyes gleaming faintly.
"So," he said, a slow smile forming,
"what are we doing tonight?"