“I didn’t know there were these many Silvers in Lermen,” Adion said, looking around at the crowd outside the Outskirts Guild.

“Almost every Silver mage in Lermen has likely come here to take part in the expedition,” Benji commented.

“Mm,” Adion nodded. He and his teammates had decided to join the expedition the previous night. Apparently, they weren’t the only ones with an open schedule.

“We’re meeting up outside the gate!” A loud voice yelled out, “We’ll be briefed and getting ready there. This place is too crowded. Come on, people, move out!”

“Oh? It’s Mashi,” Adion said.

“Who’s Mashi again?” Sell asked from beside him.

“He’s a Silver mage we met the first night here,” Adion said, “He seems like a nice guy.”

“Oi, Benji, and the gang,” Mashi said as he walked over with a smile, “I see you decided to join. I’m glad.”

“Mm,” Benji nodded and reached out to grab Mashi’s hand in a handshake, “Seemed like an opportunity for both money and a different kind of experience. Have you found out about anything yet?”

“I was grabbed by one of the guys who issued the mission. I wasn’t told much besides that I was to gather everyone outside,” Mashi said, “But I believe these family clans are all looking for something. What I know, none of the expeditions have been successful so far, though.”

“Oh, curious,” Benji said, “So I guess the job is simply to kill beasts that get in the way?”

“Pretty much,” Mashi said, “Well, can’t stand here all day, let’s get moving.”

Mashi went around and hurried the other Outskirters along.

“Let’s go,” Benji said, and the group followed.

It didn’t take long before the big group of Silver mages were gathered a bit outside the outpost. They were all facing a group of about 15 other Silver mages, these ones not Outskirters but the people who commissioned the expedition.

“Thank you all for deciding to help the Derolm family in this endeavor. I’ll make sure everyone is properly compensated once this is over,” The man who seemed to be in charge said to the group of Outskirters.

Derolm? Isn’t that the family clan that was on unfriendly terms with the Tyllen family? And that I overheard might have something to do with Heavenly Light? They even called Diamond Eulen ‘Uncle Eulen.’

“My name is Harran Derolm, and I will be in charge of this expedition,” The man said, “This is my younger brother, Alan Derolm, he is second in command. I hope no one will have problems taking orders from a Bronze. If that’s the case, you can leave now.”

No one left, of course, if not for the money, for the sake of not offending a powerful 1st-tier family.

“Alright, we are heading for a place inside the Endless Forest that might hold something of interest to us. Your job is to kill any beasts along the way,” Harran continued his speech, “You can keep the bodies and cores of the beasts you kill. As long as you do your job of not letting beasts disturb us, I’ll be happy.”

I wonder what they are looking for. Maybe I should try spying on their conversation and try to find out. If it is nothing that interests me, I can forget about it. If it is something I want, though…well, these people seem to be associated with my enemies, so no chance I’ll let them get any good things.

The expedition team set out and started moving. The Outskirters spread out to keep an eye out for any beasts. The people from the Derolm family formed a group in the middle of the lackluster formation of teams surrounding them.

Once Adion and his teammates had gotten far enough away from any prying ears, Adion decided to tell them what he knew.

“So that Derolm family seems suspicious,” Adion said, “Their matriarch is already a Soul mage, but they haven’t announced it for some reason. And it seems that they’re involved with Heavenly Light in some way.”

Adion looked closely at Sell’s reaction when he mentioned that last part. He didn’t think she would have anything to do with those people, but he had actually never made sure. Thankfully, she didn’t seem to know the name, and Adion didn’t think she had the acting skills to cover that up.

“What? How do you know that?” Sahra asked.

“I spied on them a little during the auction,” Adion said, “I decided to let it go and focus on training, but now…”

“You spied on them?” Benji asked, “When?”

“While in our booth, they were in a booth above us. I used my trick,” Adion said.

“What trick?” Sell asked.

Adion opened his mouth to respond but didn’t get a chance to say anything.

“Secret. Got it,” Sell said, rolling her eyes.

“Sorry,” Adion said. He felt a little bad about how much it seemed he was keeping secret. It was actually just his space powers, but it created a web of lies around it. Adion was really glad he had told his teammates about his powers, otherwise his life would have been miserable.

“But how do you know they are connected to Heavenly Light?” Rufus asked.

“They mentioned something about an incident in Wender…and an Uncle Eulen,” Adion said.

“Oh,” Rufus said.

“Wait, what’s Heavenly Light?” Sell asked, “And are you talking about how Eulen Derolm’s manor in Wender was attacked?”

Oh, she knows about that?

“What do you know about that attack?” Adion carefully asked.

“First, answer my question,” Sell said.

“Well, they are an organization that we, or at least I, don’t really get along with,” Adion said.

“Don’t be like that, Adion,” Rufus said, “They are your enemies, so they are all of our enemies.”

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

“That’s right,” Benji nodded with a smile.

“Yeah,” Adion said with a slight smile, “So, the attack in Wender?”

“Well, I don’t know much besides apparently a Diamond mage from the Derolm family was killed along with a bunch of other people in his manor in the middle of Wender. I heard some people in the Tyllen family talking about it. Actually, more like celebrating it. But what does this Eulen have to do with the Heavenly Light? And how are you connected to it? Do you know who did this?” Sell asked.

“Hmm,” Adion thought about what to say but didn’t really have time to think it through, “We’ll talk about that later. I think I’m going to see if I can get some information about what they’re after. And if it’s something juicy, I thought we might…take it?”

“Ooh, finally, another robbery!” Sahra said excitedly.

“Another?” Sell questioned.

“I mean,” Sahra hesitated, “Ah, whatever, we might have stolen some things from a few bad guys. But only once! And they were really bad Sell.”

“Right…” Sell looked at the group weirdly.

We’re really not making the best impression. I feel a little bad for her. Well, I guess the best way to let her in on some secrets is to make her be part of our next one.

“Do you want to join us, Sell? Or is the princess scared of what her parents will say?” Adion teased.

“As if!” Sell said, “I don’t care about the Derolm family. If you want to take whatever they’re looking for, I’m all for it.”

“Good,” Adion said with a smile, “I’ll try to find out some more information.”

“Wait, Adion,” Benji said, “I’m not against the idea entirely, but we should think it through thoroughly first. There is plenty of time left. We should at least wait a day before acting on any plans. I mean, have you thought about the consequences? Will you kill everyone from the Derolm family? What about the witnesses? Will you kill all of the Outskirters who joined the expedition? What will you say when the Derolm family sends out their powerful mages to ask about what happened?”

“Oh…right,” Adion said, “I guess I was getting ahead of myself a little.”

“Yeah, we should just take a step back and see how everything unfolds,” Sahra said, “You’re a pretty good thief, Adion. Why don’t we wait until they have whatever they’re looking for, and then we can think of a way for you to steal it without suspicion.”

“That sounds good, I guess,” Adion nodded.

Why did I just want to immediately rob them once I found out who they were? Is it because they are Silvers, and I thought I could just kill them? I’m lucky to have friends who can stop me from doing something stupid.

“Well, let’s just-” Benji started talking but was interrupted by Adion as he felt someone approaching through his sphere of space mana.

“Wait,” Adion said, “Someone’s coming.”

The group looked up in the direction Adion was looking and spotted someone walking over.

“Can you actually feel other’s aura that well?” Sell asked.

“No, it’s just another trick I have,” Adion said with a smirk.

“You’re such a braggart,” Sahra said.

“Whatever,” Adion said, “What does this guy want?”

It didn’t take long before the group recognized the young man. It was Alan, the Bronze mage introduced as Harran’s younger brother. Adion could feel that he was about a year older than him.

Still only low Bronze, though.

“I thought I recognized you. Princess Sellitha Amyss, my name is Alan Derolm. It’s an honor,” Alan introduced himself with a slight bow.

Sellitha? And I recognize that voice. He was the younger man in the Derolm booth at the auction.

“Okay, what do you want?” Sell asked.

Alan didn’t seem bothered by Sell’s crass attitude and politely smiled. “We met briefly in Dorbarta. I’m not sure if you remember?”

“No,” Sell shook her head, “I met a lot of people.”

“Of course, of course,” Alan nodded, “I was just surprised to see you joining our expedition. You are more than welcome to travel with the Derolm family. It will be the safest place to be, and I will personally make sure that you won’t lack for anything.”

“If I wanted to be in the safest place, would I have come to the Outskirts?” Sell asked while rolling her eyes.

“Ah,” Alan seemed a little embarrassed, “I suppose not. Who are these people?”

“My teammates,” Sell simply said.

“Well…I’m sure they’re very capable. Would you like to at least join us for dinner when we make camp for the night? It would be an honor, and I can tell you a little more about what we’re looking for. It’s truly something incredible. I would dare say that if we succeed, the Delrom family will leave the Tyllen family behind in the dust.”

“No thanks,” Sell said, turning her head around.

“I see…well, another time perhaps,” Alan awkwardly smiled, “Good day, and be careful.”

Adion watched as Alan turned around to leave, and for some reason, he couldn’t hold himself back. He grabbed hold of Alan’s left foot with his Authority, making him fall face-first down on the ground.

“Oh, are you okay?” Adion said and went to help him up.

“Ah, I must have tripped. Excuse me,” Alan said with a flushed face and hurried off.

Why did I do that? It was kind of unnecessary.

Once Alan was out of sight, Sahra burst out laughing.

“Hahaha! I didn’t take you for the type, Adion.” She said.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Adion said, “Keep your guard up. There could be beasts around.”

“Hahaha!” Sahra continued laughing. Benji, Rufus, and even Lomin, were looking at him with knowing smiles.

“What happened? Did you do something?” Sell asked, staring at Adion.

“I just helped the guy up,” Adion shrugged. Sell didn’t seem to buy it, though.

“I didn’t know you were so popular, Sell,” Sahra said, “Must happen a lot to a pretty and talented princess like you?”

“I guess,” Sell shrugged, “It’s not unusual for people in power to try to cling onto people of higher power.”

“I was pretty popular back in Cyalis too, believe it or not,” Sahra bragged, “I’ll give you some tips later so you can keep the bugs away when you start going there.”

“Didn’t you end up with a bug anyway?” Rufus chuckled.

“Benji’s not a bug!” Sahra said.

“Thank you for the lovely words, dear,” Benji chuckled.

“You went to Cyalis Academy?” Sell asked.

“Benji and I did, yes. If you wonder about anything, just ask me, and I’ll tell you all about it.” Sahra said.

“Well, what is it like?” Sell asked, a glimmer in her eyes.

“It is amazing,” Sahra said with a smile, “When I got there, it was like nothing I’d ever seen. Applying for classes was nerve-wracking. They had Diamonds testing your skills. I had never even seen a Diamond before that!”

Adion continued walking, listening in on Sahra’s and Sell’s conversation, much of which he had already heard before.

I look forward to going there. I should keep practicing my fire so I can blend in as a fire mage without problem. I’m way behind in concepts compared to other geniuses my age. Even though I’ll get a spot in the diamond class thanks to my ‘Gift,’ having a fire that is too weak might raise suspicion.

But it’s still a little under two years until my admission. But it is quite a distance to travel, so I guess we might start moving in a year or so. I wonder if Sell would want to travel there together?