"Hihi! You're here again!"

"Come play with us!"

"He's here he's here! That human boy has returned."

"Hey, hey! Play with us! Why don't you play with us?"

The sounds of the faes and spirits flooded my head as the little beings danced all around me. They giggled and sang around my head.

"How damn annoying," I muttered. Just outside, I had broken the code that Isabella had set up from our first class and entered her space inside the lowest floor of the Hero course's building of Agriche.

The school break had made it easier for Isabella to move around. She mentioned in one of our 'tutoring' sessions that many teachers had already moved out of the Academy to assist the World Awakener Association and the International effort.

At this time, it was possible for Isabella to get us out using her teleport since the eyes on her had lessened. On top of being a strong person, she was also young and uncooperative, which was the reason the Association had left her in the hands of the Academy. She said they wanted her to keep the academy in check, but I was almost certain they were getting rid of her.

I came across the cove that she had previously made her den. It was still the same with dozens of mana crystals sticking out of the ground. At the center of the place, a picturesque woman sat resting her head on her fist. Her red hair, like the petals of a rose, glided down her jade skin and rustled over her crimson dress. Its hem fell on the blood-red throne like a river streaming down a mountain.

That was the world's 462nd Ranked Awakener and the Strongest Known Magician, Isabella Ahlgrim.

"Yo master!" I said with a cheesy grin. This amazing awakener was my master—

"Looking ugly today as well!"

—And a bitch.

"Fucking brat!" Isabella snapped back. "I'll kick you in an orc's mouth! I'll dress you up like a princess and drop you in an orc den!"

"Will that even work without pointed ears?" I asked, adjusting my bag and walking up to her while ignoring the other girl in the room.

"Why not fuck around and find out, brat? Actually, you've already done the first part."

Wow, spoken like a true criminal.

Not a surprise though, since she was also a member of the criminal organization that I was forced to join. The very criminal organization that was out for the blood of everyone with a system, and by extension, I too. In a way, my position was very turbulent. I was more of a research subject than a member, unlike the other person in this room, Kristina.

Why was I chosen? It was because they located me. Young and not hostile, it was just what they needed, and I was caught up in it. I didn't want to drown alone, so when I was kidnapped, I forced them to take Kristina in too. They agreed because she's talented as heck and because Isabella had some schemes with her in mind.

Didn't concern me much.

I waved at Kristina, ignoring Isabella completely, and she nodded back. Her face stayed emotionless as always, but I could sense a hint of excitement in her.

{I think I'm getting better at reading this girl's face, she seems excited.}

Oh, the system got it too, then my guess was probably wrong.

{Hey I heard that!}

I know.

At that moment, Isabella narrowed her eyes and alternated her gaze between me and Kristina. She looked at her face first, then at the bags we carried. I had a sling bag and she had an entire suitcase. In my hands was a paper bag from the convenience store inside the Academy. Isabella's eyes narrowed down even further at the brown paper bag.

"What's that?" She asked.

"Oh, it's snacks for the trip!" I smiled and answered. "It'll get boring without good food right?"

"Oh," Kristina chimed in from the side. "I should have bought something too."

"You fuckers, what do you mean!?" Isabella's face was laden with exasperation as she pulled her head away from her fist and leaned forward on her throne.

"Kristina tilted her head to the side. "Aren't we going to a welcome party? He said we're going on a relaxing road trip thanks to the boss?"

"What the fuck are you talking about? Did you not see the message?"

"Um, Ralph told me everything so I didn't bother..."

"Daft bitch! We're going to Suicea! SU-IC-EA!"

Kristina's mouth hung open and she turned to me. It was the most expressive I had seen her, ever.

"And you!" Isabella turned to me. "You've brought a fucking bag of snacks?"

{I told you it was a bad idea!}

"I mean... we can't possibly be going to Suicea directly! The security must be strict as hell there, no way your mana won't be detected."

"Ralph..." Kristina interrupted this time. "Suicea... how the hell is that a relaxing welcome party?"

"I mean... we are going to a place which is currently in a free-for-all right? It's a whole turbulent country completely up for taking! You just have to beat people up and claim it your own! What is it if not a damn party?!"

"You twisted bitch!" Isabella screamed. "You still don't bring a bag of snacks!"

"Oh!" I slapped my sling bag and smiled. "Don't worry, I've got more. We won't run out. If you want, we can also buy some on the road, I have the money."

Isabella opened her mouth again, and then closed it. She pointed at me, and then lowered her finger.

She sighed a defeated sigh and looked me in the eye. "We'll be taking a ship to Suicea after the teleport..." her voice was much tamer, it was hard to believe she was spewing out curses like confetti just seconds ago. "It's a high-class one, so you won't need the snacks."

"Oh..."

"Whatever." Isabella got up and walked closer to us. "Let's just get going."

I for one wasn't put down by this at all.

The floor turned red as a magic circle formed above and below us.

Snacks or not, the place was still up for the taking. And I was going with damn criminals who had the top 500 in their ranks.

Isabella grabbed both of our hands and muttered a chant.

Suicea... I am coming.

"Teleport," she said.

And the world changed.