In the dead of night, August sits awake in his room. Sitting in the middle of his room he crosses his legs. As he's about to begin his aura training he remembers the nurse's words.

'No aura training, huh?' August thinks as he falls on his back, 'Guess I'll just have to train the old fashion way. And I can take Jaku with me.'

The next day after class, August immediately splits off from the others and goes to find Jaku. But before he could find him, Jabir and Blake appeared before him.

“I take it your mistress didn’t appreciate you disobeying her orders?” August asks, referring to Jabir’s broken arm and Blake’s multitude of bandages.

“That doesn’t concern you.” Jabir replies as he approaches August, “Fortunately for you however my mistress agreed to your request.”

“That’s wonderful. But I’m pretty busy at the moment so I’ll have to meet her later.”

“She demands your presence now. And if you don’t come now there won’t be a next time.” Jabir says firmly.

August responds to Jabir’s words with an ominous silence. But in the corner of his eye, he sees Jaku through the window. He stares at the boy as he walks by. And when he’s finally out of view, he replies to Jabir.

“Alright. Lead the way.”

The duo leads August through the winding hallways of the academy. Eventually, they lead him away from the academy through a side exit.

“We’re leaving the academy? Aren’t we supposed to be meeting your mistress?” August asks as he follows behind them.

“Unlike the other heirs, the mistress doesn’t reside on the academy’s campus,” Jabir answers.

“So shut up and follow us,” Blake adds.

As he follows their lead, they go deeper and deeper into the capital of the empire. They reach the shopping district. Calling it a district isn’t a good word since it’s just a long street filled to the brim with peddlers, con artists, and various other stores.

‘This brings back memories…’

“Hey, you! Yeah, you, the black guy.” A middle-aged man calls out to August.

‘The racism is astounding…’

August stops and acknowledges the man as he walks over to him.

“You look like the type of person that loves a good adventure.”

“Definitely.”

“And all adventures need a trusty weapon.” The man says as he pulls a sheathed sword from his hood, “May I present to you the one-of-a-kind sword made from ignis cinnabar.”

The man hands the weapon to August and he unsheathes the blade. The blade emits a scarlet glow. He swings the sword a few times to test it out as multiple blades start to appear.

'Illusions?'

"This particular sword crafted from the illusion-creating ignis cinnabar is quite a magnificent one. And you can become the owner of it for only fifty thousand credits." The man says with a cheap smile.

'Illusions are illusions. They can't affect physical objects. No sane blacksmith would take pride in this failure. It's probably a prototype of another sword.'

"Sorry but I don't buy bullshit," August says as he throws the sword on the ground.

"Wha… How dare you manhandle my goods like that?!" The man yells.

However, August doesn't wait around to hear the man's uncivilized shouts. August catches up with the duo as they continue leading him to the mistress.

"Damn. How far does she live?" August asks them.

His question is answered by silence as they draw near to the heart of the capital.

Soon enough they are the only ones walking, as they are surrounded by carriages being pulled by various beasts. They soon reach the residential district of the elites. Castles and mansions as far as the eye can see. But one such castle towers over all else.

'The royal castle… Compared to others I've seen, it's quite magnificent.'

"Here we are." Jabir says, "The Jade Manor."

A large steel gate stands before them. The gate blocks their entry to the manor's courtyard. Standing at either side of the gate are large stone griffins. And both of them are decorated with verdant green gemstones for the eyes.

Blake walks up to the gate and pulls a green crest from his pocket. He holds the crest up to the gate and then chants the following words.

"Amidst the unending war, only one shall reign supreme as humanity's strongest."

The eyes of the griffins glow shortly after as the gate begins to open slowly. They enter the courtyard and arrive at the entrance to the manor soon after.

"This is where we part ways," Jabir says.

"Hm? Am I supposed to go in alone?" August asks, confused.

"Yes. We debt collectors aren't allowed inside the mistress's manor."

As Jabir and Blake step away from the door, it opens slowly. And as soon as August steps in it slams shut.

The inside of the manor is filled with luxurious furniture and tapestry. And don't even mention the jeweled chandelier. However, he's the only one present. No maids, no butlers, no one. It's just him.

Her parents must've assigned a servant or two to protect her in case of anything. Come to think of it, I've never heard any mentions of the Fuimaonos apart from her. That's weird because they're the heir to one of the heroes.'

"Welcome to my humble abode August Stride." A gentle voice says.

Startled by the sudden welcome, August looks around to find the source of the voice. But there's still no present except for him.

"Your reputation precedes you." The disembodied voice says, "Not only did you incur the wrath of Leonard you demanded an audience with me. Surely you aren't thinking of taking on all of us."

"Contrary to what a certain grape I know thinks, yes I am." He answers, still trying to locate the owner of the voice, "And before you ask me why it's purely for my enjoyment."

"Intriguing." 

Suddenly footsteps can be heard descending the staircase to his right. August instantly turns to find a young female with long emerald hair. She's wearing an altered uniform dress as she stares at him with her curious brown eyes.

"Avarice Fuimaono I presume?" August asks.

"The one and only."