Riley woke and groaned, the few hours of sleep doing little to soothe her aching body. Gods, I need somewhere quiet instead of this. She listened to the loud rooster outside. It crowed, blasting the sound through the air.

“Riley, kill it,” Nicole muttered, pulling blankets over her head.

Riley turned and smiled. “As a druid, it’s most important that we love all of the gods—ooph!” She laughed into the blanket that had hit her in the face.

“Can’t you just kill a chicken for me? Is that too much to ask?” Nicole said, sighing and stretching. She turned toward Riley, and her face turned red.

Riley looked down at the revealing nightgown. “Bad, Beauty!”

[Bwahahah! ~Mischief]

Sighing, she stood. “Sorry, Beauty. Mischief got me.”

[Forgiven. ~Beauty]

Her attire shifted, turning into a purple dress. Stretching, she yawned and looked at the growing list of oaths. That’s out of control. How is this even working when I don’t have a real noble class or any territory?

She shook her head and ran her fingers through her hair, pausing to look at the ends. Are they purple now? She shrugged and looked at the two guards. “How are things? Can I go back to bed?”

“It’s a mess,” a guard replied. “Villages are surrendering, and it’s a scramble to determine where to fortify.” She paused a moment. “You should probably check with your father.”

Riley nodded and turned.

Nicole laced her boots. “Someday, I’m getting armor like that.” She sighed and tossed on her cloak.

Riley walked toward the door, and it swung open.

Roger walked inside and shut the door. “Well, things are pure chaos. We received missives from the palace, and Rangers are delivering them now. The goal is to try to rapidly push the boundaries in our favor, but it’s a mess.”

“What about us?” Riley asked.

“They’re pulling the students back to the school until things settle. For the moment, you’re on the list. I expect it to change the moment that they run into resistance.” Roger sighed. “You need to hurry. They want you to join the group.”

Riley nodded and turned. She waved at Nicole. “Bye, Nicole. I’ll miss you.”

Nicole walked up and hugged her. “I’ll be nearby. You’ll know.” She smiled. “I’ll escort you back.”

Riley hugged her back and let go. Turning, she followed her father out of the tavern and blinked at the sun. Just jog back and catch a nap. She smiled and bumped into her father. “My crystals and things?”

“I’m coming with you. Swap your disguise to Ranger and Courier so it isn’t obvious. And change your level to four hundred and one.” Roger jogged toward the gate.

Riley triggered Assume Disguise and followed, trying to ignore the burning in her muscles. She ran out of the village and headed toward the distant fort. Snow-covered fields and scorched trees blurred by.

She raced along the road. “Dad, are we still safe?”

“I’ll check with Althea. She has operatives,” Roger said. “Be alert. Keep your skills equipped, and push to B-tier while hiding it. You won’t get another run this year. The goal is to pretend to be a tier ahead of everyone next year. At the same time, do not fight what the royals say; agree and speak with Althea.”

“Will they take my tuition as part of the debt?”

“Likely. If they want you to go into debt, agree,” Roger said, winking.

Riley chuckled. I know what that means. “Are you okay if we leave, Dad?”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“I’m already planning on it, assuming Althea doesn’t just conquer the place instead.”

Breaking through the trees, Riley ran across the battlefield, approaching the fort. Insight skills washed over her, and she waved.

Soldiers waved back. Slowing, she jogged through the gate. Soldiers turned, and she jogged straight through the fort and across the bridge.

Landing on the other side, she built momentum and raced after her father, veering around the fort and masses gathered there.

Running down the snowy roads, she looked toward the distant village and fields. Maybe I can sneak a run when I get back.

Passing the village, the road straightened, and their paces increased further. With her movement skill and boots built to the maximum, she raced down the road like an out-of-control courier. Hitting a patch of ice, she skidded across it and ran, pulling out of the skid.

Snow-covered forests and fields shot by. The sound of creaking wagons filled the air, and Riley approached a caravan. Is that them?

Skidding across the snow, she dug furrows and sent streams of snow flying around her. Guards and students turned.

“The condemnation—Riley?” Dwight said, surprise evident on his face. He looked over and shook his head.

“Hi,” Riley said, smiling and jogging alongside. “Your horses are slow.”

Timothy turned and sighed. “How fast are you, and when did you get Courier?”

Riley grinned and shrugged. “A while ago.” She jogged alongside the trotting horses and looked up at Dwight. “How was defense?”

Dwight sighed. “Boring. I helped make the bridge and was forced to eat the worst food in existence. Classes were more informative.”

“Bridge practice was the only interesting thing,” Kamal said, sighing loudly. “What was it like out there?”

“The village surrendered almost instantly,” Riley replied. “And then we went necromancer hunting.” She grimaced. Rotten horrors.

“I heard that the king died,” Dwight raised a brow. “Did you do it?”

“Oh, sure. I ran down there, assassinated him, and ran back.” Riley rolled her eyes. “There are high-level assassins in the seekers. You know that.”

“I heard that you get a quest for it,” Kamal said, turning toward her. “Is that true?”

Riley shrugged and looked at Timothy.

“No. You don’t get anything for killing royals,” Timothy said, huffing angrily. “And stop that before I lock you in a wagon.”

Kamal paled and went quiet.

Riley masked her laughter. She turned and saw Nicole doing the same.

Roger appeared out of nowhere. “We have a pack of wolves following the group,” he said to the nearby guards. “I imagine that patrols are in short supply.”

A guard grunted. “A threat? Or can we let them handle it?”

“They can handle it if they keep them at range. In melee, it’s risky,” Roger replied. “Who should I inform?”

“I’ll pass it down.” The guard pulled his horse to the side and went down the line.

I do have mana. Riley turned. “Where are they?”

Roger gestured behind them.

Riley grinned and slowed. She saw fire explode in the distance and groaned. Aw. There’ll be nothing left to harvest. She turned and jogged back up the line. Where’s Emma?

Sighing, she jogged back up to the section of students who were riding.

“Gods, you’re quick with those classes,” Kamal said, shaking his head.

“And your horses are going slow. I suppose it’s because of the snow.” Riley looked up. “What did I miss in class?”

Dwight shrugged. “It’s boring. They talked about army supplies, giving orders, and the chain of command.”

Kamal sighed. “We had—”

“Riley!” Lily shouted from a nearby carriage. “In here.”

Oh, joy. Riley sighed and slowed. She fell in pace with the carriage, popped open the door, and stepped inside.

Lily smiled and gestured to the seat across from her.

Riley shut the door and sat down. “Hello, Princess.”

Lily leaned forward. “Let us speak frankly. Your barony is destitute and on the brink of ruin. You likely had your tuition confiscated as back tax, correct?”

Riley shrugged. “I’ve been busy.” She painted a worried smile on her face. I may as well go into debt before I run off.

“Either way, I could use your skillset defending my territory and aiding with dungeons when we catch up.” Lily smiled at her.

When, not if? They won’t give me another run. Riley pretended to consider it. She paused and frowned. “I made oaths, princess.”

“But when you have a free weekend, you could aid me,” Lily finished. “And you can help with paperwork in the evenings.”

She’s giving nothing. Shame I can’t kill her yet. I need to talk to Althea. Riley nodded. “And I’d get your appeal to help remove the debt?”

“Remove or reduce.”

Riley smiled. This is what they’ll all do. I’m surprised the prince didn’t act faster. She shook her head apologetically. “I need to speak with my father and grandparents first. Is that alright, princess?”

Lily nodded. “Of course.” She crossed her legs. “Shame about Lucas.”

Riley nodded, letting the frown spread across her face. I hope he’s doing alright. Maybe I could get a house in Eteln. Dad would like that, and Nicole would, too.

She masked the smile and looked at the princess. “Won’t taxes get easier now?”

“No, no. We still have a lot of work,” Lily replied. She studied Riley. “I’d prefer it if you didn’t arrange any other places of power until I can go with you. It’s ridiculous that you’ve managed b-tier.”

Riley shrugged nervously. “I have to do as ordered, princess. We are still at war.”

Lily huffed, and Riley stole a peek at her level.

[Lily - 285: Princess 261, Fire Mage 254]

She only has one run before C-tier. Riley turned. The prince is probably the same. They’ll get it by the end of the term.

Leaning against the chair, she massaged her aching legs before leaning back in her chair and drifting off to sleep.