6300 points.

The reward from the Eldric incident and the accumulated daily bonuses. It was the most I had ever held at once.

"Time to go shopping."

My Lumeveil shotgun was gone—melted into slag by the Divine Bullet. The Winchester rifle was excellent for mid-range, but in a crowded theme park? With civilians panic-running everywhere?

I needed something for close quarters. Something with stopping power. Something that said, 'Get out of my way.'

I opened the System Shop.

[Category: Firearms]

I scrolled past the flintlocks and the revolvers. I ignored the sniper rifles.

I needed a shotgun. But not a break-action toy. I needed speed.

'Pump action? No. Too slow.'

'Double barrel? Not enough ammo capacity.'

Then, my eyes landed on a sleek, matte-black beauty.

It wasn't a relic. It was a modern legend from Earth.

[Benelli M4 Super 90 (Tactical)] Description: A semi-automatic combat shotgun. Gas-operated. Reliable in any environment. No pumping required. Just pull the trigger and erase whatever is in front of you. Capacity: 7+1 shells. Cost: 3,500 Points.

It was expensive. Damn expensive.

But it was semi-automatic.

I could fire eight rounds of 12-gauge buckshot in under two seconds.

"Purchase."

Ding!

[ consumed 3,500 Points. ] [ Remaining: 2,800 Points. ]

A heavy weight materialized in my hands.

The cold, textured polymer grip. The ghost-ring sights. The solid, menacing weight of the receiver. It felt like holding a predatory beast.

"Beautiful."

But a gun is only as good as its ammo.

I had 2,800 points left.

I tapped the ammunition tab.

[Standard 12-Gauge Buckshot (Box of 25)] – 50 Points [Magnum Slugs (Box of 10)] – 100 Points [Dragon's Breath (Incendiary) (Box of 5)] – 200 Points [Frag-12 (Explosive Slug) (Box of 5)] – 500 Points

I did the math.

I bought four boxes of Buckshot (200 pts). Two boxes of Magnum Slugs (200 pts). And two boxes of Frag-12 Explosive Slugs (1000 pts).

[Total Spent: 1,400 Points] [Remaining: 1,400 Points]

Ammo boxes piled up on my bed.

I picked up a Frag-12 shell. It looked like a normal slug, but inside was a miniature high-explosive warhead. If I hit a mage's barrier with this, it wouldn't just crack—it would shatter.

"This should be enough to start the party."

I stored the weapon and ammo into storage bag.

Now, I had the weapons.

The next task was to get the meat shields—I mean, the protagonists—involved.

This part would be easy. In fact, it was almost too easy.

I didn't need to convince them. I just needed to instigate them. If I acted suspicious enough, if I poked their pride just right, they would follow me to the ends of the earth just to stop me from doing anything 'evil.'

[The Next Day – Imperial Academy]

The morning sun streamed into the Class A lecture hall.

I walked in, bag slung over one shoulder, expression bored.

As usual, the protagonist party—the golden five—were sitting in the front row, heads huddled together, discussing something in low voices. Probably training regimens or whatever justice-filled topic they fawned over.

They didn't notice me at first.

I walked down the aisle, ignoring the other students, and stopped right beside their desks.

I didn't say a word. I just stood there, staring down at them.

One by one, they sensed the presence looming over them.

Kael looked up first, his brow furrowing. Then Celestia. Then Elisha, Bordon, and Mariella.

The chatter died instantly.

They sat there, looking up at me. I stood there, looking down at them.

A silent staring war ensued. The air around the desk grew heavy, the tension thick enough to choke on. Other students in the room quieted down, sensing the impending drama.

After a few long moments of uncomfortable silence, Princess Celestia finally broke it.

"Is something the matter, Cadet Lucien?" she asked, her voice polite but guarded.

I stared at her for a beat longer, letting the unease settle.

Then I spoke.

"Are you free this Sunday?"

"Huh?"

A unanimous, bewildered sound escaped all five of their mouths at once.

They blinked, looking at each other, then back at me. It was natural—I had just walked up to the people who arguably hated/suspected me the most and asked a personal question out of nowhere.

"N-No…" Celestia stammered, her composure slipping. "Why do you ask?"

A faint flush crept up her neck.

Whatever she was expecting—a threat, an insult, a challenge—it wasn't this.

"Nothing much," I said, my tone perfectly formal and flat. "I just wanted to invite you to join me in a visit to the opening ceremony of the new theme park this weekend. CrystalVale."

Silence.

Absolute, stunned silence.

Then—

"WH-What nonsense are you spouting?!"

It wasn't Celestia who shouted, but Elisha. She stood up, slamming her hands on the desk, looking scandalized.

"Ye-Yeah!" Mariella joined in, glaring at me with disgust. "Why would the Princess go out with a villain like you? Are you delusional?"

Kael's face hardened. His eyes narrowed into slits, as if I were trying to steal a national treasure right in front of him.

"What tricks are you planning this time, Lucien?" Kael asked, his voice dropping to a cold growl. "Trying to lure her somewhere? Is that it?"

It seemed they had gotten the wrong meaning from my words.

(Well, yeah. You just asked a girl out in front of everyone. What else would be the meaning of it?)

But I didn't bother to explain. In fact, their hostility was exactly what I needed.

I shifted my gaze from Celestia to Kael. The boredom in my eyes was replaced by cold, aristocrat contempt.

"Did you forget your status, commoner?"

Kael froze.

"Didn't I warn you earlier not to address me casually?" I took a half-step closer, looming over him. "Did mingling with some nobles make you forget your place? If yes… then I am very well ready to make you remember."

[Skill: Intimidation] leaked out, pressing down on Kael's shoulders.

Kael fell silent, clenching his fists under the desk until his knuckles turned white. He gritted his teeth, his jaw working as he swallowed the retort. He wanted to punch me. I could see it.

But he couldn't. Not here. Not yet.

At that cold tone, it seemed Princess Celestia snapped out of her stupor.

She stood up, meeting my gaze with equal firmness.

"Cadet Lucien, you are getting out of line. Family status doesn't stand inside the academy grounds. Everyone is equal here."

Her eyes flashed with royal authority.

"Haven't you learned from your punishment yet?"

I didn't reply to her lecture. I didn't even acknowledge it.

I just stared at her and asked my own question again, ignoring everything else.

"So? Are you coming or not?"

"Hey! Who are you to talk to the Princess like that?!" Elisha butted in, stepping between us like a human shield.

She glared at me, desperate to get rid of me.

"I will answer for her," Elisha declared loudly. "She isn't free. Because she will be going with us."

"Huh?"

Celestia and Mariella let out a bewildered sound, turning to look at Elisha.

Elisha winked frantically at them. 'Just agree with me so he leaves!'

Understanding her intention, they quickly nodded.

"Y-Yes!" Mariella stammered. "We have plans! Group plans!"

"Yes," Celestia recovered her grace, nodding firmly. "We have already decided to go together. So I won't be able to accept your invitation."

I looked at them.

Elisha looked triumphant. Kael looked relieved. Celestia looked resolved.

They thought they had rejected me. They thought they had protected the Princess from my schemes.

They had no idea they had just walked right into the trap.

"It's ok," I said simply.

I didn't argue. I didn't push. I just turned around and walked toward the back seat without another glance.

As I sat down and pulled out my books, a small, hidden smirk curled the corner of my lips.

'Mission successful.'

They were going to be at CrystalVale.

I returned to my seat at the back of the class, feeling accomplished.

However, the reception waiting for me wasn't exactly warm.

Ariana was staring at me. Her usual shy demeanor was gone, replaced by a look of utter betrayal. Her cheeks were puffed out slightly, and she was gripping her quill so hard I thought it might snap.

"What's the matter?" I asked, sliding into my chair. "Why do you look so angry?"

"What was that just now?" she asked back, her voice low and sharp.

"What was what?"

"Didn't you agree to accompany me this weekend?" she hissed, leaning closer so no one else could hear. "Then why did you just ask the Princess out right in front of everyone?"

She was sulking. Visibly sulking. It was adorable.

"Oh. That."

I chuckled, leaning back in my chair with a relaxed grin.

"I was just having some fun teasing them."

"Fun?" She narrowed her eyes, not buying it yet. " asking the Imperial Princess on a date is 'fun'?"

"Hey," I said, lowering my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Do you really think the Princess would go out with me? Me? The 'Academy Scum'?"

Ariana opened her mouth to argue, then paused. She looked at me, then thought about my reputation, then looked back at me.

She fell silent.

"See? You know it too," I smirked. "There is zero chance she would say yes. I knew that. She knew that."

I gestured vaguely toward the front row where Kael and Elisha were still fuming.

"So, I was just teasing them. Did you see their bewildered faces when I asked her out? Did you see how strongly her little minions reacted? Kael looked like he was about to pop a vein."

I let out a small laugh.

"It was hilarious."

Ariana stared at me for a long moment. She looked for a lie in my eyes, found only amusement, and finally let out a long, exasperated sigh. The tension left her shoulders.

"You…" she shook her head, looking at me as if I were a madman. "You really have a very bad sense of humor, Lucien."

"Maybe," I winked. "But it worked, didn't it? Now they'll be paranoid all weekend wondering what I'm plotting, while we enjoy the park."

A faint blush returned to her cheeks at the 'we enjoy' part. She looked away, muttering under her breath.

"…Fine. I believe you. But don't do it again."

"Promise."

Our little lovers' quarrel didn't last long.

SLAM.

The classroom door slid open with force.

"Everyone in your seats. Now."

Instructor Samantha strode in, her crimson cape fluttering behind her. The room went silent instantly. Even Kael stopped glaring.

I opened my textbook, my mind already drifting away from the lecture.

The protagonists were secured.

Ariana was appeased.

Now… I had one final invitation to send. And this one required a pen, paper, and a very specific threat.

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