By the next morning, the Academy was filled with several dozen Enforcers. In Tenebris Vacuum, the Catacomb was sealed, and the forest was kept off limits. With the on going investigations within Academy premise, there was nothing much that could be done. In order to refrain student interference, the Educators gave the students a small period of lectures before letting them off.

Numerous lessons had been cancelled, and certain areas of the Academy were denied access.

Since baseless confinement would be extremely unproductive, the Archmage announced that the students were free to leave the Academy to spend their free time in the Capital, as long as they made it back before curfew.

Needless to say, the students welcomed this new policy in open arms, and the following days felt more like a series of half-holidays.

As for Cadeus and his friends…

In recognition of their success, the Academy awarded the three of them the Certificate of Proper Conduct, a reward of 800 Duches each, and the privilege of getting their own personal familiars even before their trials. But amongst all the rewards, the best the Archmage could ever grant would be for the three of them to be relieved of any classes for the next three days. In addition, they could also spend the next three days outside Academy grounds without any –

"No Cerfew! No cerfew! This is the life~!" Nahab cried.

He was currently holding five bags of various fried street food, eating them as they walked down the stone paved roads of Infinitas.

The three of them were currently at the cuisine corner at Flomernia’s Street to celebrate their release from the investigations. True to Miss Allis’s words, the Enforcers called upon them for a few follow up appointments. As such, it took the trio five more days before they could be formally released from the case.

Chewing on his own set of fish and chips, Cadeus and Sing were soon turned off when he saw Nadav squeezing all the food into his mouth. This led to a sudden loss of appetite, and the two of them failed to finish their food.

“…If you keep munching all the food like that, don’t blame me when you suddenly choke.” Cadeus said.

“Shut up. Let me enjoy my food. I just survived a great ordeal. I entered the swamps of Tenebris Vacuum, entered the catacombs, fought giant spiders and even a wraith.”

“You didn’t even fight the wraith you idiot.”

“All in all, I we be sue yr le tns le (gibberish muttering due to the food in his mouth.)”

“Slowly. Chew slowly and swallow everything together. Are you some ten year old glutton?”

Nadav gulped down the mass of calories. He was about to rebut against Cadeus when something caught his eye.

“Oh! What is that I see? Roasted YAKITORI!!!!”

“… Not only are you not listening to me, you still on about food?”

“Cadeus! Hold this! I’m getting more!”

“… You’ll get fat at this rate you know.”

“Shut up! Now is the time to enjoy food!”

Needless to say, Nadav pushed his five bags to Cadeus and rushed to queue at another food stall.

“Sigh…”

Finding a seat in one of the obsolete street benches at Carmith’s road side, Cadeus and Sing sat down next to each other and waited for their usual over enthusiastic friend.

“Come to think of it, Nadav’s getting sued am I right?” Sing mentioned.

“Hm? Oh…”

Of course, he could expect Sing to remember her first hand experience working with Claire Rrogust ve Chroma.

“You don’t have to worry about that. she call it off eventually.”

“Did she?”

Sing gave him a mischevious grin.

“Did you have to owe her another one?”

“Why are you so quick to assume that?”

“You clearly had quite the favour schemes with her.”

“…I can’t really deny that.”

Cadeus leaned back against the bench and relaxed his muscles.

“Well… interestingly, she approached me and decided to grant me a reward for saving her from the Arthropod Queen.”

“…”

“Come on. That was an accident.”

"You sexual fiend.”

“I said it wasn’t intentional… you’re just pulling me leg aren’t you.”

Sing soon giggled.

“So, a reward?”

“Yup. She said that she would reward me as long as it was within reason. Sadly, requiting me of all the owed favours did not fall under that category.”

“So you asked her to excuse Nadav’s unrefined behaviour instead.”

“Presicely.”

“Lucky him.”

“Lucky him.”

Feeling generally tired of the whole event, Cadeus dropped his head back and allowed gravity to pull it down.

“I don’t think I want to take any more Board Quest for the time being.”

“We probably better not. Our first trial is coming up.”

“Hm? Which one?”

“The Initiate Tournament.”

“…When will it be?”

“Within the next few weeks.”

“Sigh… just when I want things to be quiet for a while.”

Cadeus stared at the sky for a couple of seconds before closing his eyes and drifted into a semi-sleeping state. Similarly tired, Sing leaned closer, closed her eyes, and rested her head on Cadeus’s shoulder.

“Hey…”

“What?”

Cadeus wanted to say ‘what are you doing’, but he knew Sing was a smart girl. If she were not comfortable with the current situation, she would not have rested her head on his shoulder. In fact, if she could do such a deed, she must have assumed that Cadeus would not mind it either.

Sighing, Cadeus, still with his eyes closed, without moving an inch, finally responded.

“You did not ask if you could borrow my shoulder.”

“May I borrow your shoulder?”

“Now you are just being funny.”

“You won’t say no anyway.”

“… True. But haven’t you considered the implications of your actions?”

“I don’t see anything wrong with it. We are close friends.”

“Please. You are a popular girl. I’d hate to be the target of your fan club.”

“There is no such fan club.”

“Not officially. But you can't deny you have admirers.”

“Let them admire all they want. I choose who I want to be with.”

“… Are you at least aware that some of your admirers highly disapprove of me being around you?”

“Would they risk angering me by picking on you?”

“… No not exactly.”

“Then why the worry?”

“Sigh…”

Tired, Cadeus chose not to argue any further.

While resting, Cadeus posed another question.

“Cenyr, who exactly is he?”

“He’s the only son in the White Progenitor family.”

“Oh? So he’s like Cordelia.”

“Very much. Why? Did he pick on you?”

“No he did not. I’m just curious.”

“He and I are in the same class.”

“Really?”

Now that was a surprise.

“Does he provide a lot of competition?”

“Nah… not really. He’s a rather free and easy going person. Just… not as extreme like Nadav.”

“Of course.”

If the only son of a Progenitor family were to be like Nadav, it’ll probably be a stimulating source of various political scandals.

With nothing else to discuss, Cadeus was about to drift into a deep sleep when a voice cut itself into the air.

“Sorry to interrupt you love birds.”

Opening their eyes, Cadeus and Sing saw Miss Allis’s face staring down at him. The strange thing Cadeus found about this new vision, was that Miss Allis’s head was upside down. It did not take him long to realize that she was actually standing behind the bench.

Snapping his head up, Cadeus and Sing quickly created a small distance away from each other.

“Hello Miss Allis. Is it another follow up appointment?”

Miss Allis gave him a mischevious ‘fu fu fu’ before arriving at the matter at hand.

“Time is prescious… Nah just kidding. I just wanted to give you this.”

Miss Allis soon moved up to Cadeus before passing him a rather peculiar item.

“Here you go.”

“Hm?”

What Miss Allis gave him was a black card decorated impressively with gold, with a large vertical oval mirror at the center. Flipping the card behind, Cadeus was grateful to see his name labeled clearly without the ‘Pride ve Lu’. Other than a few additional particulars, the card also had the logo of the bank that had his current savings.

Cadeus almost dismissed the card as a simple banking card, but when it came to Zeffernon, there was more ot every object that meets the eye.

“I think I know what this is… but exactly is it?”

Sing already had an answer.

“That’s a Tune Card.”

Ok… it definitely sounds Zeffernonny, but that was not what Cadeus was expecting.

“A what?”

“Do you want the simplified explanation or the complex edition?”

“…Keep it simple.”

“They are Zeffernon’s version of banking debit cards.”

Well, that confirms it.

Cadeus looked up back at Miss Allis.

“And the reason for this is…”

“Did you forget? Enforcer Gazeth said that you will be compensated with money if you chose to stay with us back in the catacombs.”

“Oh… right.”

How could he forget?

Things happened so fast in a flash that Cadeus completely forgot that he was promised compensation money from the Enforcers. Damn… he really needed to beef up if he needed to remember something that’s that important.

Cadeus soon glued his eyes to the Tune Card in his fingers.

“So are you telling me that the amount had already been transferred? Is this what this Tune Card is all about?”

“That’s the thing, I checked with the bank and it turns out that you don’t have a Tune Card. Since we had quite the large sum to pay you, it’s more convenient for us to transfer the entire amount into your Tune Card. Wouldn’t you agree Miss Delnarius?”

Sing nodded. She must have already received her compensated payment.

Come to think of it, Enforcer Gazeth did not provide a specific number.

“…How much was it again?”

“Well… for Miss Delnarius and your Grey friend here, I believe it’s 2800 Duches.”

Wow… Miss Allis failed to call Nadav by name. He really must be beneath her interests for her to just simply refer him as ‘Grey friend’.

“Now as for you my dear little brother, guess what?! The Enforcers gave you a generous amount of 9800 Duches.”

Cadeus and Sing nearly dropped their jaws. That was an insane difference in numbers.

“…What?”

“On top of that, I also promised you 1200 Duches for your assistance didn't I?”

“Ah yes… I remember that.”

Sing immediately raised an eyebrow and gave Cadeus a questioning look. Cadeus could understand her demand to know when did this happen. But for now, he ignored her.

“In addition … you gave us the precious resource for the sealing circle; the Blood of a Pure Blood. According to Administration, the discounted charges for the Enforcers would be 500,000 Duches. So that currently amounts to 511,000 Duches.”

“Right.”

“Lastly, in recognition for your contributions for the past few troublesome Board Quests, Mr. Morrison gave you a special donation of 3000 Duches.”

“He what?”

Mr. Morrison gave him a donation?

Whatever for?

Miss Allis remained unconcerned with the questions popping in Cadeus’s head and finalized her calculations

“So in total, that’s 514,000 Duches. That’s quite a sum to be transferring in coins isn’t it?”

“…Yes.”

“So that’s why we got you the Tune Card! Yay! The registration charge for the Tune Card is also on us too! Super Yay!”

“Ah ha… Yay?”

With nothing else, Miss Allis clapped her hands.

“All right! Now this big sister has to settle some other things! I hope we meet again soon! Chiao~!”

And with that, she just exited the scene casually like no body’s business.

Not forgetting a certain piece of information, Sing turned her attention back to Cadeus.

“Cadeus, I think you owe me an explanation.

“Ah… right. Before the whole kidnapping ordeal, Miss Allis promised me a sum of 1200 Duches for any information regarding Fremin.”

“And when did this happen?”

“When Nadav and I were scouting out for charcoal and powder for your Procona mixing.”

“And you agreed without consulting me?”

“She’s just buying information. That’s all. I didn’t agree to get this involved with the case.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“…It slipped from my mind to inform you.”

“Oho…”

Oh crap… now she’s not going to let me off. Cadeus thought.

In an attempt to distract her anger, Cadeus brought up the Tune Card in his hands.

“ *Ahem* In any case, can you tell me something more about this?”

Giving him the look that said ‘I won’t forget’, Sing soon gave him the easiest explanation for him to understand.

“Tune Cards are identification cards that are magically tied to bank accounts in Zeffernon. Like the debit cards on Earth, Tune Cards are the only means of accessing your bank account. But there is a slight difference in the way they work.”

“Enlighten me.”

“Tune Cards can be used to exchange huge amounts of money between different parties. This function is very straightforward. But unlike Earth’s debit cards, you don’t need an ATM (Automated Teller Machine) to transfer money.”

“I see, that’s pretty understandable. So how do I use it?”

“It’s the mirror.”

“…Just to confirm, this is not some ‘mirror mirror on the wall, tell me who’s the richest of them all’ right? Because if I have to say that every time I use this thing, it’s pretty lame.”

“Don’t worry. It’s not as complicated as you think.”

Sing took out her own Tune Card.

It’s of a different design using the various blend of green and gold. But the mirror and her particulars behind were roughly the same.

“Let’s see, the minimum transfer amount was 100 Duches. Let’s do a demo.”

“Sure.”

“All right, hold out your Tune Card in front of mine.”

Cadeus did as he was told.

“All right. Now, I’m going to transfer 100 Duches straight into your bank account.”

Once she said that, the mirror on her card faded in colour before it revealed a figure.

A -100 soon flashed and the figure diminished in its value.

As he looked at his own card, the same thing happened, but with a +100.

“Now, repeat what I just did by applying magic and think of the transfer.”

Cadeus did as he was told, and the reverse happened.

“So in terms of function, it’s just like any other artifact.”

“Correct.”

Sing kept her own Tune Card.

“When did you manage to acquire one?”

“I had it since… well, after my father left. I inherited everything he owed, and the lump sum he left in the bank account was more than enough for me to owe a Tune Card.”

“…What’s the minimum staple for one to get a Tune Card?”

“10,000 Duches.”

“I see.”

Applying magic again into his own Tune Card, Cadeus saw a sum of 594,530.

The initial 80,530 that was provided from his mother was improved with the Enforcer’s payment. That should be more than enough to cover his basic essentials for the next few years.

“…I can understand half a million since I’m a Pure Blood, but why did Mr. Morrison gave me an additional 3000? It’s not like he owes me anything.”

Sing immediately had a possible answer.

“I think this is probably the Enforcers showing favourable treatment in the hopes that you might be more willing to help them more in the future. You are a Pure Blood after all. The Enforcers must really want your assistance when the time comes for it.”

“Like what happened in the catacombs? Does Mr. Morrison wants me to be involved or not?”

Sing soon looked at the Tune Card in Cadeus’s hand.

“Your Tune Card’s different form mine.”

“Yes… I also noticed. Which bank are you currently tied to?”

“The Weed’s Bank. It’s a rather common choice for primary savings. Which bank are your savings currently at?”

“…Pride’s Bank.”

Sing raised an eyebrow to the implications.

“It’s a bank that’s Many Dark Mages love to use. Mr. Morrison helped me set up the account after my mother consented into allowing me to study here.”

“I see…”

Nadav soon returned with a greedy number of Yakitori sticks.

“Yo! I bought three sticks for each of you!”

“Thank you for your consideration Nadav.”

“Eh? Is that a Tune Card? Did Cadeus just get a Tune Card?”

“No. I got it from Miss Allis. You just missed her.”

“That Enforcer? What did she want?”

“To pay me the 1200 Duches she promised me a few days ago.”

“Ah! I remember that deal! I was there! Where’s my share?!”

“Why don’t you check your bank account?”

“Oh… right!”

Passing Cadeus all his food, Nadav immediately took out his own Tune Card to check his account.

Oh? He’s card is also tied to the Weed’s Bank.

“Eh? EH?! I’m seeing some amazing numbers in here but where’s my 1200 Duches? Did Miss Allis say something?”

“…Miss Allis made no mention about it.”

“Huh?! Why?”

“I think she probably does not remember you negotiating.”

“You’re joking.”

“I’m not.”

“But… but I convinced you to take up her offer.”

“Sorry Nadav, Miss Allis failed to mention you. Besides, didn’t a certain someone say that ‘it takes a Dark to negotiate with another Dark’?”

“Urgh…”

With his line used against him, Nadav could only shut up and not pursue the issue.

“Don’t worry Nadav, Cadeus received a lot more than what we got. In fact he’ll be able to splurge on us more frequently for the next couple of days.”

What?

Cadeus was caught off guard with that remark.

“Oh really?”

Nadav soon shot him a mischievous glare.

“Sing.. what are you – ”

Nadav grabbed Cadeus by the shoulder and led him forward.

“You got a lot more than what we got eh? All right you asshole. Sing, you hungry?”

“You are still hungry after all that Yakitori and fried food?”

“Shut up Cadeus. I’m not talking to you. Sing?”

“Hm…”

Sing looked up with her eyes closed in deep thought. After a few seconds, Sing opened her mouth. She smiled.

“I guess a buffet is in order.”

“Wait… a buffet?”

“Sweet! I know this awesome place at Carmith’s where they have a special store for Korean Barbecue!”

“A Korean Barbecue? Here? On Zeffernon?”

“That’s right! And before anyone says anything, it’ll be Cadeus’s treat.”

“… What?”

“You heard me, your treat.”

“No way.”

“I agree.”

“Sing?!”

Cadeus was surprised that Sing would be this cooperative, usually she would… Wait, could this all be her retaliation about leaving her in the dark in regards to his first encounter with Miss Allis?!

“You just earned 1200 Duches. Surely you can afford to spare about 100 Duches at once. The heck, you even got a Tune Card!” Nadav declared.

Cadeus clasped his Tune Card.

“I just risked my neck for this. Like hell I’m going to spend it away easily.”

“Who was the idiot who led us into the catacomb to begin with? We risked out lives too! We deserve something!”

“I have to agree with Nadav on this one Cadeus.”

“Ha! You see! Even Sing’s on my side! You cannot say ‘Nein’ to us now!”

“… What’s with the German word?”

With Sing on Nadav’s side, Cadeus could not hold himself against the two of them.

“Sigh… Fine. Just this once.”

“YAHOO! KOREAN BARBECUE! HERE WE COME!”

“Stop that… just… stop that… it’s embarrassing.”

Sing could not help but bring herself to laugh.

TOA

After spending approximately three hours on the buffet, Sing wanted to do some shopping. The two boys, being boys, eventually followed her around even though they did not have the slightest interest in shopping. As such, the three of them ended up spending the rest of the afternoon wandering around the entity of Carmith’s Street.

At one point of time, Sing was held up in one of the dress shops comparing the various prices. With nothing else to do, Cadeus’s attention soon drew to one of the nearby book stores.

In knowing that Sing would take some time, he automatically informed Nadav where he would be and wandered off into the book store.

There were so many books, but none ever caught his attention. As Cadeus continued to walk down the line of bookshelves, he continued to glance here and there, until he reached one particular book.

He did not fully notice it at first.

But when the corner of his eye registered the first three letters T, R and E, Cadeus stopped.

He retraced a step and paused to look.

It's a pretty old copy.

It's a worn out book encased in brown leather and it’s yellowish brown papers spoke volumes of its age.

But what catches Cadeus's attention more is the title of the book printed at the spine.

The Trebunus Crisis

“…The Trebunus crisis?”

Trebunus... the same word used in the organization Trebunus Legacy?

Could this be some sort of coincidence?

Cadeus took a moment to look up at the bookshelf category. It was labelled as history.

“Is this some sort of historical event?”

Curiosity for knowledge got the better of him. Cadeus’s hand soon reached out for the book.

If the contents of this book had something related to the Trebunus Legacy, he ought to start reading it.

There is no telling if he will cross paths with such a dubious organization again... eh?

Just when Cadeus's hand was inches away from the book, his fingers collided with another person's hand.

Cadeus turned to look.

What he ended up staring at was the face of a girl his age.

...

...

…

She’s beautiful.

That was the first thing that came to his head.

If he were to compare her looks to Sing, this lady is even more striking to his eyes.

She has graceful smooth pale Caucasian skin, her sharp dark black eyes perfectly contrasts her elegant white silky straight hair.

Wait… why did that sound so familiar?

And then, it occurred to Cadeus. Her physical features were strongly similar to his own.

She’s a Pure Blooded Dark Mage, like himself.

Her dress code serves to make her even more stunning. She’s wearing a white dress accompanied with a silver bracelet on each wrist. Silver ruby earrings fitted her ears along with her white high heel shoes.

Whoever this girl was, she’s definitely a noble.

But which family did she came from?

Cadeus searched around her clothings for some sort of insignia when he saw it at the base of her dress.

A white skull with a white lily.

If she’s a girl of his age, was she not enrolled in Triple Orb Academy?

Her looks and questionable backgrounds were so striking that it took a few moments for Cadeus to notice that they were in the same position... and that their hands were still in contact with each other.

SNAP!

“Gh!”

Tripping on his ankle, Cadeus soon collapsed.

“Huh?”

He tried to get up, only to fall again.

From the pain, it did not take him long to figure that there was an ankle sprain.

“What the…”

Staring at the girl, she’s gone.

Clasping his hand on the book shelve, Cadeus dragged himself up.

Staring at his twisted feet, Cadeus took a few deep breaths to quell the sense of pain before reaching a conclusion.

“…That was her all right. Was that a Blood Gift?”

For some reason, Cadeus soon became extremely interested in that girl. He did not know why, but he found himself explicitly drawn to her.