“Ridiculous!” Alia said, as Ethan came back with their request. “They think you’re some casanova for hire?”

“What’s their angle here?” Ethan was just as curious. “Can he actually afford what he claims to dangle as a reward?”

“House Storm is a ducal house on par with the other ducal houses, and Julius Storm is the heir to house Storm.” Basil explained. “He certainly could. It would cost him, I think, but not much.”

“Are you seriously considering it?!” Alia was bewildered. “Ethan!”

“It’s a titan-grade core.” Ethan said, unsure. The rewards seemed attractive, and he told the ducal heir he’d think about it.

“Which we could afford when we’re in our 5th year anyway! You’re just saving 2, maybe 3 years of your life?” Alia said. Getting a Titan-grade in the 3rd year would make a huge difference over getting it in the 5th year. With his summons, he could get his summons to farm rifts and earn GP to get there faster.

So, he could get the required points a lot earlier than the 5th year. All in, he may not actually save time, but the ducal house has access to titan-cores before they actually hit the wider market.

“It would be quite difficult for a commoner to marry a lady of her stature, though.” Basil said. “Feels like you’re set up to fail.”

“He wants me to seduce her, get her to fall in love with me, marriage not required.”

“That doesn’t make it better! They’re just trying to play with her heart! That’s terrible!” Alia cursed. “How could they treat a woman’s love with such disregard? Ethan, you cannot be a part of such ploys!”

Ethan remembered the earlier conversation that Irina Altria and Jon Milfern would be engaged in a future date, and Jon Milfern was entangled, at least, with Violet. That meant Julius Storm was part of the same group.

Why him? He felt uncomfortable, and realized he’d need some spies. Kaname needed to track Julius Storm, and see what he was up to.

“For the record, I’m against trying to play with her heart.” Alia said.

“I agree.” Ethan nodded. “That said, I may still use this information as something valuable, and see whether I could use it to be friends with this Lady Altria.”

“That’s trying to play both sides.” Alia said.

They spoke about the subject for the entire train ride, and Ethan decided he probably wouldn’t pursue the request. Lady Irina Altria was a member of the ducal house Altria as well, on par with House Storm in terms of history and titles, though their prosperity had slightly declined.

“It feels risky.”

“I’ll offend one of the ducal houses either way.” Ethan wondered. “What if this Julius Storm picks on me afterwards? His stature would make life difficult for me too.”

He could probably use his summons to protect him, but that wasn’t so for his friends. The wealth and ability of any ducal house was massive, and Ethan could use it to get on her good side, if she wasn’t crazy.

He needed to find out a bit more of both of them.

***

“You guys are back!” Andrew said.

“Anything crazy happen?” Basil asked. “Any parties?”

“Not really. I spent most of it practicing with the instructors. At night there are some drinks with the seniors and some of the other guys, but... nothing too wild. Jovan’s got a girlfriend.”

“Wait what?! Already?” Basil’s eyes almost popped. “He works fast.”

“Yeah. One of the other commoner girls. Think her name was Roan or something. Met during one of the commoner-night drinks and they just kinda hit it off.”

“Sure he’s not gonna get burned?” Alia asked.

“You sound like you have experience.” Andrew laughed. “Jovan dated a lot. Think he knows what he’s doing.”

“Alright then.”

What followed was mostly idle chatter, and after dinner, he summoned Kaname to check on Irina Altria and Julius Storm.

***

“How many did you hire for the case?” Anton asked, and Julius shrugged. They met in a cafe at night, in Julius’s private room.

“I have approached seven commoners who stood out so far. I’m not sure if any of them would actually take the engagement.” Julius sat while he sipped coffee. “Irina’s not an easy target, and the gap would be too big. If they do try, it’ll be because they are scared of me, but the risk of offending Irina...”

“And the whole point is to distract her?” Anton sipped his tea.

“Well, yes. I heard she’s also rewarding nobles and commoners to do the same to Violet. It’s just a tit-for-tat.”

“That is quite terrible.” Anton said. “It’ll be easier if Jon just told her to stop.”

“And you think she’ll just back off so easily?” Julius grinned.

“If she knows what’s good for her.”

“Actually, it would be a lot more plausible if you went after her.” Julius grinned. “As the grandson of Grandmaster Goldtown, no one would bat an eye if you were to be interested in a young lady of the ducal house. Hell, I hear even the Emperor will be awarding your grandfather a noble title and elevating your family to a noble family.”

“I’d rather not partake in such foolishness.” Anton just shook his head.

***

Week 3, Day 7

Ethan was at the Instructors’ building the next morning, to kick start project ‘teacher’s pet.’. GP meant power, he’ll sweep floors and clean toilets if he could get GP. He wasn’t good at listening to lectures, but he could work.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Ah. Ethan.” Instructor Sorus saw him checking out the billboards outside. “Are you looking for someone?”

“Not really, Instructor Sorus. I’m actually looking for jobs to do, if there is such a thing.”

The instructor grinned. “I do happen to need someone to clean up the District 1 gym. The workers called in sick, and it’ll stink if it doesn’t get cleaned up today.”

“Do I get paid, sir?” Ethan asked.

Sorus laughed. “Very well. 1 Gp for cleaning the gym.”

“5.”

“Five!” Sorus laughed again. “Two. That’s the best I’ll pay for cleaning work.” Sorus checked his shirt and pulled out a card. “This gets you the Janitorial Department’s Storeroom. Go collect some cleaning tools and liquids and get to it.”

“Got it.”

He walked to the storeroom, and as the door clicked open-

[Goddess’ Outfitters: Janitorial Outfit obtained]

[Outfit’s Passive ability : Janitorial Stealth applied while janitorial outfit is equipped]

[Goddesses’ Outfitters : Gordeaux’s Janitorial Outfit can now be purchased for 1 goddess shard. Gordeaux’s skills will change when the Janitorial Outfit is equipped]

Ethan realized the Outfit ability may actually be useful after all.

***

While Ethan toiled hard in the District 1 Gymnasium, Kaname walked around the Garden and then she heard a shout from a voice she recognised.

No. A scuffle, and she ran to it

“I didn’t do anything!” Violet stood at a side, she looked slightly injured, but it glowed. She healed herself.

“You slut!” A woman attempted to slap her, but Violet dodged the attack. “We all know what you did.”

Violet ducked, and avoided one of the girl’s attacks, but another girl also ganged up on her. It landed, and smashed into one of Violet’s shields. “You can ask Jon or Julius. All we did was go for rifts together, and have dinner afterwards. That’s all we did. It’s not even one-on-one!”

“Foul woman, you think you know better? You’re just a 1st realm-commoner trash!” One of the lackeys went for a punch, but it just smashed into Violet’s energy shields. She charged her second punch with a glowing energy from her core.

“I don’t want to fight, especially other students.” Violet declared.

The lackey’s elemental powered punch smashed into Violet’s own energy barrier, and she bounced back. The lackeys, about five of them, then all ganged up on her. Her barrier held at first, but because Violet wasn’t retaliating, her barrier’s energy dwindled.

“Useless. All you can do is hide behind that shield.” They taunted her. “Like how you hide behind the two ducal houses. You are not worthy to stand with them.”

Violet ignored it, but she felt the drain on her energy levels. “I really don’t want to fight back.”

They battered her shields some more, and then Jon Milfern arrived, running. “What is happening here?”

“Oh shit, Lord Milfern is here! Let’s go!” The girls noticed, and all ran away.

"Are you alright, Violet?" Violet was safe behind her barrier. It would take some time for them to actually get through.

"Yes. They didn't get through my barrier." Her injuries had healed.

“How dare they! Irina must’ve sent them!” Jon was furious.

“I’m-” Violet dusted her dress. A part of it was a little dirty from the sudden ambush by the girls, but otherwise, she was fine. “I’m not sure, actually. They didn’t say who, but they were unhappy that I’m hanging around with you boys.”

“I’ll talk to Irina.” Jon stomped his feet.

“Don’t. It might not be her.” Violet said.

“I should talk to her anyway. It might be. And Violet, you shouldn’t walk alone.”

“I’m a student of the school, and I can protect myself.” Violet smiled. “They didn’t hurt me.”

Jon frowned. “Don’t take your own security so lightly!”

“I can handle some bullies.” Violet grinned. “Don’t need others to swoop in to save me like a white knight, though, I suppose that’s a very nice thing for you to do. Thanks for coming.”

Jon somehow blushed at the image, and at that point, Kaname vanished.

***

The gym was empty, and actually not very dirty. The district 1 gym was mostly used by the nobles, and primarily functioned as a place for the noble students to warm up and get in shape for the longer spars and practices.

It took about two hours of constant wiping but he was done sooner than he expected, and walked to the employee corridors. Behind and between the well lit walkways and rooms used by the students, were a labyrinth of tunnels and hidden paths, meant for employees and servants to get from place to place unseen.

The building that housed the gymnasium was mostly well maintained, but not the servant and worker corridors. Here, in the back alleys, Ethan truly felt that this was an old, old place.

These corridors had so many doors-

Ethan stopped at one of them, and felt a strange, but very faint sensation. The presence of something that felt a bit like the dark goddesses’ energies. He looked around. He could summon one more, perhaps Zaram? Or Matilda?

He approached the door, and it wasn’t locked. It clicked open, and led downstairs.

“There’s something downstairs.”

Zaram popped up.

“Cover me.”

“Yes, Commander.” They both snuck down the really, really long flight of stairs. Ethan was as quiet as he could be and then discovered it led to an older set of corridors.

He remembered that it was just flat land, and the gymnasium was on the ground floor. Why was there a set of stairs that led even further underground?

There was a sensation of that dark energy in the air, and he traced it. He heard some chittering.

[Ethan: Kaname, are you available? I need you here.]

[Kaname: Just watching some drama with Miss Violet.]

[Ethan: Is she safe?]

[Kaname: Yes, Jon Milfern is with her]

Kaname popped up in the hallway next to Zaram and Ethan. She looked around. [Kaname: We are underground?]

Ethan nodded and pointed in a direction where he felt that strange sensation. The ninja nodded, and scouted ahead. Right now, she was the strongest of them all. The hallways itself was incredibly quiet, all they could hear were the sounds of something chittering, and flowing water.

Kaname snuck ahead, her steps soundless. The hallways were dimly lit, but the fact that there was still some light in the distance only made it strange. She seemed to disappear into the shadows itself.

[Kaname: Master, you should see this. And use your skill.]

Ethan wanted to smack himself when he realized what Kaname meant. He canceled Zaram’s summon, activated his ability [Vanished Shadow] and transformed into a shadow, and snuck ahead.

There were many branching paths, but he kept moving.

In the darkness, he soon saw two chittering humanoids squatting, gathered around a glowing green light. They didn’t look human entirely, but instead looked like deformed humans, their eyes were in an unnatural location, their arms had a different length, and their hair was part-black and greenish. They chittered, their nails too long and screeched whenever they touched something. Their uniforms seemed worn, aged, and covered in dried stains of blood and everything gelse.

But Ethan knew they were not the one. That sense of unease and the source of the dark goddesses’ power, however, didn’t come from them. It was still there, somewhere in this underground labyrinth.

Yet, as he focused on these creatures, and also the green light, he also sensed a fragment of that dark goddess energy with them. A lot smaller, but somewhere hidden in them, it was there.

[Kaname: They might be former students.]

[Ethan: Corrupted by the darkness?]

[Kaname: That’s the current leading theory]

The two humanoids didn’t do anything else. They fidgeted, and their overgrown nails would occasionally scratch themselves, but Ethan realized there was nothing in them. They were motionless beyond their chittering teeths, and scratching fingers.

Ethan contemplated what to do with them, but realized within seconds that there really wasn’t much to think about. He was here to cover the heroes. May as well do so.

[Ethan: Think you can take them out? How strong are they? Are they even human anymore?]

He wasn’t sure how much energy they had.

[Kaname: They don’t look or feel human. I could feel the dark goddesses’ powers within them.]

[Ethan: Death?]

[Kaname: Death.]

He looked at the two humanoids, and decided to go for it.

[Ethan: Hit it with your best shot. I’ll summon Zaram too.]