“You’re so pretty,” I said to Licia and stopped kissing her.

“You’re really touchy today, hehe,” Licia said.

We were in a private room again in the expensive restaurant.

I am now officially broke. I’m not even sure if I have enough mana for the train fare. I should rob somebody…

“Yeah wanted to ask about something, besides the telegram, what other magical devices are there for communication?”

“Well, not really any? At least for general communication. But there are some Buzzer Batteries. But they’re pretty expensive and don’t work over that long of distances.”

“Buzzer Batteries?”

“It’s magical devices with the same size and shape and almost same complexity as mana batteries. Except that it has a certain pattern in its blueprint which makes the battery vibrate or buzz whenever a magical pulse from an antenna hits it.”

There’s that question answered. They’re way more organized in the north than in the south. Amygdala would never think about using long-distance communication systems.

“Mhm… I should buy a pair for us so I can steal you whenever I want,” I said and kissed her forehead.

“Yeah yeah, very funny. You know how expensive they are?”

“No price is too expensive for you,” I said.

“Stop with the sweet-talking.“

“Oh yeah, how did that test go you talked about?”

“I haven’t had the math test yet, but I’m still studying hard for it. I really wanna pass,” she said while putting her hands together in a prayer.

She’s so cute.

Suddenly her expression changed.

“I wanted to ask you about something…”

“What is it?“

“Well… I heard some rumors around the Academy… Everyone is saying that you’re part of some dangerous gang.”

“Yes. I am. I was forced in. But I won’t stay for long, I’m leaving as soon as I’m strong enough.”

“Strong enough? Are you in danger?“

“No, not danger, per se. But right now… you know how I suck at magic? But I can copy any magic I encounter? So basically I’m just going around stealing to become the strongest so I can do whatever I want.”

“Oh… okay. It’s kind of scary. I keep saying all of those gangs loafing around. And everything is just so scary with everyone using their personal magic… I mean. For example yesterday I saw a fight break out at school and one guy suddenly used that strengthening magic you showed me and broke another guy’s ribs.”

“I know… Just make sure to avoid it as much as possible. It… really makes me angry. I want to just kidnap you and take you away to someplace where it’s just the two of us…”

“Haha, sounds romantic. Except for the kidnapping part.”

We finished eating and I followed her back home and kissed her goodbye.

“Now, let’s get some mana.”

***

“Fuck him up!“

“Get up! Fight!“

It was night now and I was at the gang meet in front of the central station. I was watching two newbies fight.

“I have a theory,” Amygdala said while he was levitating by my side and watching the fight, “that the only way to get stronger is through pain.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“Well… if you have no reason to get stronger, then why bother? For example, this is how I learned to use magic: I was getting bullied by some of the guys at my school a year ago. Every day they would beat me up. I started fantasizing about how to kill them and get my dignity back. So the next day when I went to school, I brought a knife. Long story short, that was a bad idea. I had no stamina and after I managed to stab one guy’s arm, I was already tired and accidentally dropped the knife because my hands were so sweaty. So they pushed me against the wall and took my pants down and were about to cut my balls off. As soon as I felt the coldness of the metal from the knife, I jumped up before it could cut me… and for some reason, I kept jumping in the air. Then I looked down and I was ten meters above with my pants hanging by my ankles and staring down at the gang. In that moment, I finally felt free. Like a bird. Damn… I don’t even know how to describe that feeling. That was the happiest moment of my life,” Amygdala said.

“Dignity sure is an important thing. You never know what’ll happen after you take it from someone,” I said.

I’ll murder you for stealing my dignity.

“Yeah, you’re right! Those guys had no idea that they were making their worst enemy.”

“Yeah, that sure did backfire, haha,” I said.

***

I was hiding at an alleyway by the restaurant I used to work at. I had a ski mask over my head and mana batteries in my hands.

I saw Tray exiting it, alone.

“Dumbasses. Let’s do this!”

He walked back to the station and I followed him from behind.

Let’s see if this knocks him out!

When there weren’t a lot of people around, and while I was five meters behind him, I channeled mana into the two batteries I was holding in each hand. I made sure to channel half the amount of mana, then I recreated the strengthening sensation, and two purple fibrous exoskeletons appeared from my hands up to my shoulders.

I got right behind him, and just when he was about to turn, I punched him behind his head.

Okay, maybe that was too strong…

He flew facedown into the pavement and didn’t move at all.

Okay, he’s passed out, I’ve gotta hurry before he wakes up!

I searched through his pockets and found five mana batteries. I grabbed them then ran away.