With the plan properly laid out, and the sky already completely dark outside, it was about time we hit the sack.

Maki looked rather apprehensive about doing so. I could somewhat already get her line of thought.

[If Racheal wanted us dead, I doubt she'd have waited this long to strike.]

After all, there was no need to. While we technically outnumbered them, Maki was still weaker than Racheal.

Both I and Lily were shit in close combat, and although Song wasn't the best either, I reckoned she beat me hands down in technical skill. Regardless of how much of a third rate she was, at the end of the day she was still a noble.

Maki still looked a bit uneasy at the prospect, so I added.

[Think about it, would she have shared her food with someone she planned on killing?]

Well, I wouldn't put it beyond her. But for a mundane matter like this? There was no need. In the end the girl grudgingly agreed with my reasoning.

[Alright.]

Standing up from her perch by the flame, she looked around before asking.

"Who takes first watch?"

Song sighed wearily before replying.

"Don't worry about it, we'll handle it. Just focus on getting as much rest as possible tonight, you'll be worked like a dog come morning."

Maki just gave her a suspicious look before turning to face me.

[You can trust her,]

[You'd better be right about this.]

[Just trust me.]

In the end she sighed, before taking out her sleeping bag and laying it near the flame. Lily did the same as well.

Racheal didn't, though, still sitting by the flame, and staring intensely at me. I, on the other hand, exhibited a masterclass on willful ignorance, staring at the shifting flames.

Not even ten minutes after they lay down, both girls were out cold, with a mix of snoring and light breathing coming from their bags. Funnily enough, it was Maki that had a snoring issue here. I'd already witnessed it enough times during our journey here.

Luckily, back then she always took second watch, while I took first. Meaning she never really got a chance to disturb my sleep. Well, until now.

It was at that moment Racheal finally decided to strike, speaking in a measured tone. "You still haven't answered my question, Victor."

I feigned confusion.

"You asked me a question, Lady Racheal?"

"Do drop the formalities."

'I'd very much like to keep them.'

It helped set a distance between us both. Sighing, internally I decided to drop it, it was getting a bit tiring after all.

"Of course, Racheal."

From the side, Song watched on with half-lidded eyes, looking indifferent. That was only on the outside of course, internally she seemed to be enjoying herself.

As proven by a message that soon popped up before me.

[I can get you out of this mess, but it's going to cost you a favor.]

[Nice try, but I'll be saving my favor for something else.]

She clicked her tongue before proceeding to actually ignore us.

[Have it your way.]

Racheal tossed her a curious glance, but said nothing, before turning to face me once again.

"What are your thoughts on nobles?"

I had a feeling a moment like this had long since been coming, especially once Song told me about Racheal being her teammate.

Even then, this situation was one I would still face eventually, regardless of how much I ran from the problem.

'I have to find a way to decline her politely.'

"I think they're pretty rich, I don't have much of an opinion other than that. From the few I've talked to, they don't seem like particularly bad people."

I shot a look at Song.

"Well, most of them."

Racheal just gave me a skeptical look, it was obvious she didn't quite believe what I was saying. After all, this body came from the slums. The slums' hatred and jealousy towards nobles was a very open secret.

Perhaps it would've been true for the previous Victor, but it certainly wasn't the same case for me. After all, I'd never lived in the slums of Bastion. So for the first time since meeting her, I was actually stating my true thoughts on the matter.

Racheal pressed on.

"You're from the slums, no?"

"That I am."

"Then do you truly feel no bitterness towards them? Those who caused you such suffering, who abandoned you in that gutter to rot?"

I just shrugged.

"Perhaps I do, but it would be a bit hypocritical to continue hating them at this point. After all, I'm in the same position as those precious nobles. I reckon I'll be doing as much damage, perhaps even more than them from now on. It is how the Republic works, no?"

Although Song still pretended to ignore us, I could tell she was listening closely.

Racheal, on the other hand, gave a nod. She already had me where she wanted me.

"It doesn't always have to be like that, you know? There's a possibility of changing things, of fixing this broken system, of ending this cycle of hatred."

Then she smiled lightly, before extending a hand towards me. It looked so natural that I might've actually believed her if I didn't know who she really was.

The girl continued.

"Join me, Victor. We can fix this mess together."

I let out a wry smile, while staring at her outstretched hand. I didn't take it.

"I am truly sorry, Racheal. I'm still getting used to my new life as a hunter. I don't think I'm fully ready, or able to commit myself to such a grand goal. I can't accept your offer."

The girl stared at me for a few moments more, the darkness within her eyes shifting and undulating, before slowly nodding and retrieving her hand.

"I think you're plenty able, Victor, but that is fine. You'll have to make a choice eventually though, I hope you make the right one."

I said nothing in reply, and the girl saw it fit to end the conversation there. She picked up her sleeping bag, before resting near the flame as well.

I shot a look at Song, but the girl didn't look willing to comment on the conversation. Seeing that, I switched topics.

"Are you sure you'll be fine?"

The girl harrumphed, before yawning.

"Of course I will, what do you take me for? I've been doing this for days."

She would be taking watch throughout the night, after all she couldn't sleep either way.

"If you say so, wake me up if anything feels odd."

Song nodded her head tiredly.

"Don't worry about it, just don't try any funny business here."

"Funny business?"

"You're the only boy here."

'Ohh.'

It was only now I properly registered that fact.

'What are the odds of this happening in a class with a relatively equal gender distribution?'

Still, I couldn't stop myself from laughing at her words.

"Do I look suicidal to you?"

Considering the events of my past life, perhaps I was.

But not that sort of suicidal. I preferred dying with my limbs and organs still intact, thank you very much.

Song just shrugged.

"Who knows."

"I'm going to bed now. Do keep your head out of the gutter, it's not very noble-like."

I picked my roll, wrapping myself up like a burrito before snuggling as close to the flame as I could. I heard footsteps moving close by, and soon enough Song was sitting at the side of the flame opposite me.

From the comfort of my roll, I saw her weary green eyes staring thoughtlessly into the flame. The orange light of the flame reflected warmly off them.

I felt a strange sense of guilt looking at her. In the end, I found myself speaking.

"Goodnight."

Her eyes widened a bit, shifting to me before moving back to the flame. She replied with a wry smile.

"Yeah, goodnight, peasant."

I rolled my eyes internally.

'Of course.'

I closed my eyes at that, though it took me a good half hour more to actually fall asleep.

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