Never did sugar taste this sour.

"... And she stood alone against the entire crowd. What choice did I have? I realized right away that I couldn't beat her head on. That ring of fire she made almost melted through the arena barrier." Yvonne continued her storytime.

"Oh, tell me about it." Valke nods vehemently, stuffing fluffy cake in her mouth with my money. "I've seen that thing melt flesh and bones like butter. If you can't take her down quickly or keep up the pressure…. pfff, good luck fighting back."

"Right?" The future duchess or whatever and my best friend talk a little too comfortably about me. "Is there anything she can't do with magic?"

"There are a few, like light. But you probably haven't even seen her newest-" My friend is about to tattle some more, so I gracefully shut her mouth. By denying her air altogether.

No air, no voice, quite the outraged look… My hands are full, so I have to work with what I have.

Before addressing her I remember to return her the right to breathe. "You're getting too friendly with The Wench, remember whose side you're on. And Alwi is eating the fork again."

The metallic cute didn't find the desert all too tempting, but the silver tableware was a whole other story. I wonder if we should consider her diet. Or what Val's been feeding her until now.

"So… I heard you're not coming back for any other tournaments." Yvonne decides to include me in the conversation. Coincidentally, right as I gobble up a cupcake whole.

"Dhoah bef shuffled-"

"Eli… Chew, swallow, speak." Val chides, very much enjoying dogpiling on me.

So I do as she advises.

"Fine, Val, I'm not paying your tab." I dish out my judgment.

"Wha!?"

"Don't worry, I've got your back." The Wench adds swiftly.

"And to answer your question…" I get back to Yvonne. "I feel like the crowd would stone me to death if I did. It was fun and quite lucrative… but I can't and don't even feel like changing anyone's heart."

There are still a few things about magic I'd like to discover, and the Mana Department could be of immense value. It's been ages since I last cracked the code on a new type of mana to add to my arsenal, and it feels like I'm stagnating.

Although aether did offset that imbalance slightly. I just need to look a little deeper into the mysterious purple power.

Thinking that, I gather a disgusting amount of mana once more, implant it with a simple command, and merge it with my tea. Warm and stir. Convenient as heck.

"A shame. I really hoped to continue our little game." Yvonne feigns disappointment, not even trying to mask that something else is coming. "Maybe if you visited The Den…"

Oh, here it is. She's throwing the bait, fishing for gullible little me. I'd be willing to bet all my winnings she's trying to rope me into another crazy fight or something like that. The odds would be abysmal and I'd be a moron to play along. Today is my day off, sort of, all about fun and lazing around.

***

"So what even is this place?" I complain, covering my nose and asking myself the umpteenth time why I'm even here.

"The beast enclosures." Yvonne takes the lead into the massive warehouse of noises and stench. "For a few years, it was trendy to bring exotic pets and companions along when coming to study here as a way to show off. Gryphon, golden swan, silverback varanus… the expensive ones. But tending to them became a hassle quite quickly."

Typical. Nobles aren't allowed to bring any servants along, so it's up to them to fulfill their duties as owners. I'll definitely kill Val if she does the same.

"So, about five or six years after raising this building with all its wonders and extras, hardly anyone thinks raising beasts is cool anymore. Truly a waste…" The unhinged noble reaches into a box and stops at a door. "Put these on, don't speak if you don't have to, and don't talk about this place to anyone!"

I receive my mask – I think this is what they call a volto mask – adorned and elaborate, white and gold, a little too tawdry for my taste but I shan't complain. My gaze meets with Val's and we nod in agreement… This might be fun.

Upon stepping through the door, the sound of chatter and wild activity hits us. It's almost comparable to the busy streets, and the stairs leading down do not help with the whole image at all.

"Since space is fairly limited on the island, much of the place had to be built underground. Especially because many of the beasts were quite… noisy." Yvonne continues with her role as a tour guide. "But now it stands empty."

Or at least it's supposed to be, is what she forgets to add.

Arriving at the bottom, we find a lush underground world dotted with trees and waterfalls, light and bustling with activity. Cuisine, gambling, combat, performances, and countless other forms of entertainment catch my eye.

"Welcome to the Fool's Crown – or the Den as we call it – where you leave the rules and worries outside and speak only with your purse." Yvonne spreads her arms wide, showing off professional showmanship with a wide smile.

The air is filled with laughter and a myriad of smells, alcohol included.

"There's no way the Academy doesn't know about this place." I mutter.

"Oh, I'm sure about that." The girl doesn't even try to deny it. "But this way they have plausible deniability, and if they closed down this place the students would just find another one. How could we live without entertainment? Am I right?"

But… there are plenty of fun stuff to do in the town. Heck, I even enjoy going to the workshop or just reading in my room from time to time. How bored do these people need to be to end up in a place like this?

"Anything we should be aware of before diving in?" Before diving into this new and exciting place, I ask.

"Yeah, a few. Try not to kill, maim, unmask, or drug anybody. Respect the game and the bets, and if you snitch… You're dead, I'm serious." Yvonne does not go easy on us.

"Uh-hum, and why did you bring us here?"

"To have a rematch, of course. Maybe not today, I have a Spiral Step event to attend, but… make yourself comfortable, I guess. Try not to lose all your money." She adds and merges into the crowd.

Wonderful. Just what am I supposed to… Wait, did she say bets? If I were to double my money again… Maybe coming here wasn't that major of a mistake after all.

"Hey, Val-" I nudge my friend, but she hardly reacts. "Hey, brute! What's up?"

"I smell something familiar." She mutters, not narrowing it down one bit.

Food, me, clothes, dirt, booze, and countless other things down here are familiar. Heck, I'm surprised she's even able to differentiate between any of them.

Before I can inquire further, however, Valka reaches into the crowd and grabs someone by the shoulder. Against her monstrous strength, the boy stands no chance, and she pulls him closer with little effort.

The prey tries to resist, but it's futile.

"I knew it!" Val shakes her catch victoriously. "Vic-"

She gets her mouth covered with a resounding slap. "It is me, you fool. Congrats. Now put me down and shut it!" Victor hisses, trying to keep it down. "What are you even doing over here?"

Shouldn't we be the ones asking that? No, actually, we shouldn't. This is completely his turf.

"Shouldn't you be banned from here?" I ask the obvious.

"The nature of my Blessing… isn't as well known." He puts it mildly.

Oh, I see, so that's how it is. Martha was quite stingy when it came to our pocket money, so Victor here found a way to supplement it. And he failed to mention it…

"Listen to me, and listen very closely." I throw my arm around his shoulder. "I need some advice, you see. Great advice, solid odds, maybe a tour…"

"Uh, no? I'm busy."

"And I could just tell everyone you're a…" I lean close. "A cheater." Through my arm, I feel his body stiffen. "Sure, it'd go against the rules, but I doubt anyone would mind…"

"You wouldn't." He whispers.

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"That depends on my mood. And after snitching about me to Valka…" It's only a guess, but a very probable one. I'm still not over it and willing to use that dirty card however I see fit. "So, let's talk coins here, shall we?"

Yes, this is blackmail, extortion, daylight robbery, and whatever fancy tags the victim is willing to hang onto the situation. It doesn't change anything, though.

***

And thus we went around the place, abused Victor's Blessing until he was about to pass out from the headache, and ended our day with a coincidental 78% win rate. Our earnings? We settled on twenty-three gold and some change just to play it safe.

Anything from cards, to races, to full-contact fights without Skills, to eating competitions… we were willing to wager on anything. And even participated here and there in the fun.

Honestly, without Victor, we might've left a lot, and I mean a lot poorer than how we arrived. I'm an amateur, but even I noticed people cheating around every corner, trying to rip off the unsuspecting and the gullible.

Well, it's not like most of the scions attending the Academy are lacking in funds. A handful of gold coins should cause, at most, a minor headache. But for us… this is a goldmine.

With that said, frequent visits would arouse suspicion and we arguably have better things to do, but there's one more thing here that requires my attention. The gadget corner. A long list of items are forbidden from being bought or possessed by the students during their stay, but where there is a will there is a way.

I think the officials have gravely underestimated how much the youth would need a…

"What do we have here?" I walk up to the table, hidden behind my mask and a confident smirk.

Books, scrolls, weapons, clothes, and gadgets big and small litter dozens of tables in this corner of the underground sanctuary. Like a dragon's hoard, bar all the gold and gems.

"Anything your heart desires." An older girl, petite but with a certain maturity in her voice, locks her fingers and eyes me like I'm prey. "From tools to make your life easy, aid you during exams, make every moment of sleep feel like an hour, or even… guide your life in love."

Her mask is different, red, and much more playing while her attire also seems to be quite different from the student standard. This place is almost too well organized for a student-run backroom entertainment den honestly.

"Okay, cut the crap, I'm a maker myself." I huff, writing her words off as a joke. "

"Is that so?" Her attitude changes instantly, remaining professional but still opportunistic. An outstanding student from the economy department, that's for sure. "In that case, what might you be interested in?"

"Hmm…" I don't really know. "Any chance you have the blueprint of the Stardust Cannon?" Let's first test the waters.

"Hah, that'd land me in jail before I could go to bed." She chuckles. "But if something like that were to ever land in your hands… Our pockets are deep."

Damn, this place feels more and more like an elite crime syndicate than a secret club. Under the Academy and filled with nobles at that… Definitely not what I imagined.

This is way better.

"Surprise me." I play along. Some of my future toys might sell well here if the belt ever gets too tight.

"Of course." The girl moves to a few rows of accessories. "Since you're a Mage and artisanal, might I interest you in Hadron earrings or necklaces? Excellent cuts of stone and finely worked gold and silver, fitting for someone of your elegance."

Damn, she's good, really good. I would never say no to more mana or a boost to my beauty, especially when sprinkled with some compliments. Accessories are arguably more handy than a simple crystal, mainly because… well, they're always on hand.

But the size of the Hadron is disappointing all across the board.

"Not particularly interested." I wave, feeling like a princess.

It's a nice feeling.

"I see." She does not lose her heart, my coin and I are still here. "Perhaps a few disqualified crafts or dissertations from previous years might be more suited for your taste."

Now we're talking, and I nod to hide my interest. That's the best way to get ripped off, but man, I'm hooked. If she can flash something that scratches that certain itch of mine, then parting with all my earnings from today might be a possibility.

And the list of wares leaves me drooling and reaching for my purse. It's both a curse and a blessing that Val is not around. She can't stop me and… thank the Abyss she can't stop me.

***

Although it's quite late in the afternoon, I still slink towards the workshop under the dimming grace of Solaire. We left the Den shortly after I was done with my spending spree, and Val tasted whatever caught her fancy, both weird and dangerous.

Treated poisoned cupcake, a burning steak that warms your body from the inside, and pasta with what they claimed to be grated unicorn horn topping… And she's been picky with her dishes. A few more rare pieces of metal were purchased as snacks for Alwina, and seven pieces of gold were down the drain in mere minutes.

After all, what better way to avoid suspicion than returning the money to the house right away…

Also bought a few… a bunch of things. The three bags are not suspicious whatsoever. Walking across campus, rattling like a traveling merchant and sweating like crazy. I probably won't get expelled or anything, even if I get caught – I could just lie and say I wasn't aware and got scammed – but it's still a little risky and makes me all giggly.

"I should've recruited Val to haul all this crap, after all, it was me who footed the bill." I grumble but keep going strong.

Sixty points of Might prove their worth here and now. Although… Feeling a little tired, I form a big bowl of pure mana, drop my belongings into it, and give it the purple kiss. Follow, stable, and quick.

Following that, I pick up the pace, humming to myself and skipping my way to the best building on the entire island. Okay, second, no, the third best place. My room and the canteen come first.

Nobody mans the desk at the entrance this late, but true to our ever-obsessed nature as artisans, the forges are still hot, and the air is full of chatter. Still, it's much simpler to smuggle my loot into a place with similar stuff all around than the dorms.

Most of the work is done in the common areas where ideas and words can flow freely. Honestly, one of the few places with a bunch of people I'm willing to tolerate… But too many eyes and the professors present would spell my doom in no time. So I make my way up the stairs to the second story.

Some work requires concentration, peace, and quiet. The builders of the workshop knew this well and made a few secluded rooms to suit the needs of such students.

May the Gods bless them.

Unavoidably, I come across a few students walking these corridors, but none of them causes much headache. Curious glances are all I get, at least from those not too lost in their thoughts.

Then I finally close the door, lock it behind me, and release a sigh of relief at last. A table, chair, light, and a few rudimentary tools are my only company. Perfect.

I dump everything on the table, everything. Weird dark crown, smithing hammer, a box of lenses, shoes made of thousands of feathers, and… a pretty fork. It simply caught my eyes, but I have no idea what's special about it. These, along with about two dozen more items.

"Sweet…" I nod, smiling to myself. "But I need one more tool."

Despite my burning curiosity, I turn around and lock the door behind me when I leave. Some of these beauties aren't about inscriptions and are more special in other shapes and forms. And I'm not good with those.

But – just like in the case of that Starlight Cannon that I never saw firing – the symbols and doodles aren't the entire thing. Materials and mechanics are just as crucial, so I need someone with some special expertise.

I hop and skip on the corridor, my legs bring me back down the stairs, through the lobby, and right into the main workshop. Like someone who didn't just buy a bunch of questionable items and smuggled them through the entire campus. Confidence is key.

"Hey Be~n!" I go straight for my favorite smith. Second favorite… He's still hammering, he always is, but my voice makes him flinch, which is all I need to know. "Do you have a minute?"

"No." He answers way too swiftly.

"Great, then I'll need you for like five." With a flick of my wrist, I cool whatever he's working on, ruining it ever so slightly. I'll help him later.

"No, what did you-"

"You'll love this, I promise." I grab his arm and start dragging him before he can finish complaining. Not much more success than with Val, to be fair, but he complies.

"That's my trimester project." The boy whines, doing his best to make me feel bad for no reason. "I never said yes, and it's you who still owes me!"

There's no point in further reasoning. Without another word, I drag Ben along in front of a bunch of curious gazes. Screw them, I'm about to discover all the shady stuff…

Towards the end, after I lock the door behind us, I realize how bad this all looks. A girl walks in and drags the quiet dude away, just the two of them, into a locked room… It's funny, actually.

Only now do I take a better look at Ben's face, who's oddly reluctant to keep eye contact. He's just confused. Still funny though… I'm not dense or anything – I'm my mother's daughter – but this is not a romance book. Things don't just go this easily.

"Now stop blushing and look at this." I present him with all the booty.

Ben's eyes go from a hazed tremble to wide as a child in a candy shop. He's enthusiastic about his work. Hell, he spends even more time in the workshop than I do. So when extra special stuff is just within arm's reach…

"You shouldn't have these." Of course, he recognizes them.

"Oh, I haven't the slightest clue what these awful things are." I say in my most sarcastic tone, I can manage. "Would you enlighten me?"

"No." He refuses, but I recognize an addict when I see one.

Playing hard to get… "A shame then. Off you go!"

"But I can have theories of what some of these might have in special." Ben quickly corrects himself.

"Good boy. Get talking!" I giggle but get completely ignored.

"This fork here…" He picks up the enigmatic object. "Is made of a rare type of jade-iron hybrid."

Uh, sounds special. "And?"

"That's it. Quite durable and pretty, but you just got scammed."

… Those motherfuckers. I will remember this. "Happens. What else?"

"The box there is a clever mini furnace with adjustable heat and depending on Solaire's position and the angle of the lenses. Not too magical, but a marvel of precision. Wouldn't be able to make anything such as this thing myself."

"But I can see mana throughout the entire thing." I object, it is very much magical.

"Maybe… Can't tell you more about it, sorry." Ben moves on to the crown. "Oh, what a beauty this is. Inscribed deviously…" He kneads his face.

"I can tell that but can't find the lines anywhere." I nod along, sitting down next to him.

"Oh-hoho." He makes a weird sound and lifts the crown closer to the lamp. "Because you're looking at the wrong place." He points at the shadow cast by the quite plain, dark, yet majestic object. "Shadow Carving… Only ever read about the technique. Weak, since there's not depth to the lines, but absolutely elusive and offers a surface much greater. Often called the secret inscription."

Holy… Now, this is the stuff I spend my money on. Who the hell even came up with the idea of hiding mana and an entire network of it in the object's shadow? It's simply brilliant.

"And this?" I snatch the crown and hand him the hammer. A normal-looking hammer, except with a ridiculous amount of mana stored in what looks like plain iron.

Ben flicks and examines it for a few moments before going pale. "We need to get rid of this thing. Right now!" He scrambles back. But the door is locked, and I have the key.

"What?" I raise my guard but don't panic.

"Some lunatic folded the inscriptions into the material." Ben whispers as if that'd change anything. "Inscribe, hammer, inscribe, hammer… More surface, higher durability." Sounds great to me. "But the hammering inadvertently cracks the lines and damages a few symbols so-"

"It's volatile." I finish. This thing is a bomb in the shape of a hammer. Also somewhat brilliant. "Wanna try making something like this next week?" I ask.

"What? No!" Ben looks at me like I'm the crazy one. "It's banned for a reason. Besides, we have exams next week."

Oh right… That sucks.

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