Like any other day, Tsukune woke up early to squeeze in his steadily growing exercise routine. After a quick warm-up, he started lifting the weights he’d bought from the Academy Mall.

Still can’t believe this place even has a mall, he thought, though he quickly pushed the thought aside and focused on his workout, pushing his human body to its limits. At first, the youki-laden air in the dorms had been exhausting to deal with, but now he was accustomed to it.

Maybe it’s made me stronger a lot faster than usual.

After a rigorous hour of exercise, he rushed to shower, keeping to his tight morning schedule. As he hurried down the hall, he bumped into a weary-looking Hermann.

“Hermann, good morning!” Tsukune said, politely greeting Hermann.

Hermann flinched slightly, surprised. “Oh, it’s just you. Good morning, Tsukune.”

“You okay?” Tsukune asked, noticing Hermann’s tired expression.

Surprised at someone showing concern for him so early, Hermann felt a bit more confident in his decision to warn Tsukune about yesterday. “Yeah, I’m fine. Also… I heard about what happened with Gin.”

Tsukune, intrigued, followed Hermann’s gesture to walk with him to the elevator.

As they exited the dorm and headed toward their classes, Hermann listened to Tsukune’s story about his many mishaps. “Wow, you really do have a… colorful life,” Hermann said, trying to empathize with Tsukune’s string of unfortunate events.

“Right??” Tsukune sighed, grateful to have someone to talk to about his troubles. Of course, he kept his human identity hidden, but sharing even a little bit felt good.

“So, Tsukune,” Hermann began slyly, “you and Moka, huh?” He wiggled his eyebrows, making a suggestive gesture that turned Tsukune beet red.

“W-What are you talking about?! Moka and I are just friends!” Tsukune stammered, waving his hands in front of him in embarrassment.

Hermann chuckled, enjoying Tsukune’s flustered reaction. “You’re not fooling anyone, Tsukune. It’s clear you have a crush on her.”

Hearing it said so plainly, Tsukune couldn’t help but blush harder. Was I that obvious?

They continued their conversation, laughing and teasing each other until they reached the familiar crossroads. As they arrived, Tsukune’s face lit up when he spotted his favorite person waiting for him. But his enthusiasm was short-lived, noticing Hermann smirking from the side.

“See? You’re as obvious as the sunrise,” Hermann teased.

Tsukune tried to brush it off with a laugh. “Knock it off,” he said, chuckling and glancing away, but his smile lingered.

Once the two reached Moka, Tsukune stepped forward eagerly. “Good morning, Moka!” he greeted warmly.

Moka smiled back, but before Tsukune could say anything more, he noticed someone already attached to her side—Yukari, much shorter and clinging to Moka’s arm with fierce loyalty.

Caught off guard, Tsukune managed an awkward greeting. “Good morning, Yukari.”

Yukari gave him a quick, dismissive glance before looking away. “Hmph.”

Tsukune couldn’t help feeling slightly deflated by the cold shoulder, but Moka immediately jumped in with a cheer, “Good morning, Tsukune!” Her warmth washed away his momentary gloom, even lifting Hermann’s mood as well.

Seeing Tsukune lingering a bit as he admired her, Moka gave a gentle suggestion. “We should get going if we don’t want to be late.”

The reminder snapped both Tsukune and Hermann out of Moka’s natural charm, and they nodded in agreement. With Yukari tugging Moka forward, Tsukune and Hermann followed closely behind.

As the distance grew between Moka and the two of them, thanks to Yukari’s determined pace, Hermann leaned closer to Tsukune. “Hey,” he said in a low voice.

“Yeah?” Tsukune replied, backing away slightly, sensing something serious.

“I know we’re not exactly close,” Hermann began, “but I like you.”

Tsukune blinked, taken aback by the sudden declaration.

Seeing his expression, Hermann quickly clarified, “Not like that!” For a split second, Rainee’s face flashed in his mind, and he shook his head, dismissing the thought.

“What I mean,” Hermann continued, “is I like you as a person. You’re a good guy, and I wanted to give you a heads-up.”

Tsukune glanced around, checking for eavesdroppers. Then he nodded. “What is it?”

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“Well, yesterday, I ran into a fr—” He stopped, remembering Rainee’s request.

Don’t tell Tsukune about me, okay? I still have to make things right with him and Moka, so until then, keep it to yourself.

“Yes?” Tsukune asked, a bit worried by Hermann’s sudden pause.

“Never mind,” Hermann said, pivoting quickly. “But do you remember anyone named Tadashi?”

Tsukune thought for a moment, racking his brain for any classmate or schoolmate with that name, but eventually shook his head. “Sorry, I don’t know anyone named Tadashi.”

Hermann nodded, “Figures. Well, yesterday at the gym…”

He proceeded to recount what had happened after Gin and Sakari’s intense match.

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Hermann watched Rainee as she fixed her gaze on the loud student, Tadashi, and his towering companion, Nihebi.

What about them is catching her attention?

While Hermann puzzled over Rainee’s intense focus, her thoughts were already piecing things together.

Tadashi Wanabuchi, class president and alpha lizardman. I know you’ve been harassing Yukari since the start of classes, she noted, her expression hardening. Earlier, Moka saved Yukari from these guys…

Aware of how bullies operate, Rainee knew that Tadashi wouldn’t take Moka’s interference lying down.

She then shifted her attention to Nihebi, whom she didn’t recognize as well.

So, what’s your role in this?

As Tadashi and Nihebi caught up, their conversation loud and casual, two others, Mitsuya and Tokage, waited nearby, watching with interest.

Lizardmen are pack-oriented, Rainee thought. Nihebi must be a lizardman too…

Glancing around, Hermann realized that Rainee had chosen their spot well. They were in a perfect blind spot; no one, not even the gym-goers, would spot them unless they happened to look right at them.

After a bit of idle chatter, Tadashi finally steered the conversation in the direction he wanted. He glanced around, then asked, “Is there somewhere private we can talk?”

Nihebi’s expression turned serious as he nodded. “Yeah, follow me.” He walked over to the front desk and whispered something to the clerk, who nodded and handed him a key.

“Come with me,” Nihebi said, gesturing for Tadashi and his lackeys to follow.

Rainee muttered under her breath, “Damn it. We need to follow them.” She slipped out of the hiding spot, moving quickly and quietly.

Hermann, too curious—and intrigued by Rainee—followed close behind the much shorter girl.

Thanks to her size and inconspicuous clothing, Rainee moved across the gym with practiced ease, expertly trailing Tadashi and his group. About halfway across, however, she noticed Hermann’s presence drawing more attention than she’d like. She turned and whispered, “I appreciate the help, but you’re catching everyone’s eye,” gesturing toward some gym-goers looking their way.

Flashing him a quick smile, she added, “You can go now.”

Hermann frowned, undeterred. “I can actually help, you know.”

Rainee’s face scrunched in annoyance, but Hermann wasn’t one to waste an opportunity.

In this academy, monsters in their human forms often suppress certain instincts, leaving Hermann feeling restless. Following Rainee’s bold pursuit was much more thrilling than his usual running routine.

“Let me help. I can be the muscle if things go south,” he insisted.

Rainee gave him a skeptical once-over but eventually sighed, conceding. “Fine, but stay out of sight. I need you to wait nearby—close enough that you’ll hear me if I call out.”

Hermann nodded, his half-covered face showing resolve. Rainee studied him for a moment as if looking for reassurance. She knew how risky this was. Her damaged youki pathway left her unsure if she could even handle one lizardman in a fight.

“Wait by that equipment over there,” she instructed, pointing. “And try to blend in.”

Hermann ‘naturally’ walks to exercise equipment. Once he started "exercising," Rainee resumed her pursuit. She watched as Tadashi and Nihebi disappeared into a private room, her face falling into a scowl. With a quiet sigh, she approached the door, testing the handle gently, only to find it wouldn’t budge.

Figures they’d lock it.

Looking around, Rainee tried to find a way to eavesdrop

Now, how to get in…

Without a clear way in, Rainee’s thoughts drifted to her race’s unique power: geomancy.

Before Moka shattered my pathways, I could use geomancy to swim through the earth—unless it was magically enchanted.

A flicker of hope sparked within her.

Did I recover enough to do it now? Rainee wondered, hesitating as she weighed the risks.

If Rainee failed to control her geomancy while moving through the rocks, there was a real risk of becoming trapped. Once lodged within the earth, she would gradually meld into the stone, her consciousness fading away piece by piece.

But despite the risk, Rainee was determined to try.

I've been taking baby steps like a bitch ever since Moka crippled me. I’m not just any untrained monster. I’m Rainee Brennan!

Stepping toward the wall beside the door, Rainee began circulating her youki. A sharp pain shot through her left side, but using Cottus’ teachings, she deftly transferred the excess youki to her right side, where her repaired pathways resided.

She left only the bare minimum amount of youki on her left side to ensure that her entire body could phase through, not just her right half.

Once her energy was in place, Rainee quietly activated her race’s innate geomancy spell. The wall and floor that she was touching began to feel less solid in her mind, becoming something navigable, like a space she could slip through rather than a dense structure.

Envisioning the concrete as permeable, Rainee started to sink into the floor as if she were merely a phantom. The solid concrete seemed to remain undisturbed, as though she had become part of the building itself.

Good… I’m doing well. Time to push myself.

With strain, Rainee starts to go deeper so that she fully submerges herself. For a moment, her concentration breaks, and her legs start to fuse with the ground.

Fuck!

Focusing herself, Rainee slowly separates herself from the ground, heaving a sigh of relief when she does.

That was close.

Once fully submerged underground, Rainee’s unique gnome nature allowed her to breathe as if the earth itself supplied her with air. Unfortunately, her vision didn’t work the same way below ground as it did above; here, she had to rely on the youki she dispersed outward, sensing the world through her geomancy.

With this limited "sight," Rainee swam until she reached the adjoining room. Moving close to the surface, she angled herself so that her ears were as near to the room as possible.

She then spent an hour or so listening in to Tadashi and Nihebi’s conversation.

----------------------------------------

“You’re saying Tadashi is gathering other lizardmen?” Tsukune asked, trying to clarify Hermann’s warning.

Hermann nodded. “Yeah.”

“Why would he do that?”

Hermann shrugged. “I didn’t catch the whole conversation,” he admitted, repeating only what Rainee had relayed to him.

Tsukune frowned, glancing at Moka and Yukari. Concern was clear on his face as he pondered what this could mean.

“Thanks for telling me,” Tsukune said, turning back to Hermann.

Hermann nodded. “No problem.”

“I’ll repay the favor someday,” Tsukune offered.

“No need,” Hermann replied with a smile. “Friends don’t keep score.”

Tsukune couldn’t help but smile back.

Hermann thinks of me as a friend?

“Alright, but I’ll be there to help you when your time comes,” Tsukune said, his expression determined.

Hermann raised an eyebrow. “You know, you look much better with that kind of resolve. I can see why Moka would like you.”

Tsukune flushed slightly. “Like what?”

“You know—looking determined,” Hermann said with a grin. “Anyway, I’m going ahead. Can’t stand to watch you flirt with Moka. Riajuus like you should just disappear,” he joked, making Tsukune chuckle nervously.

Hermann waved to Moka and Yukari before jogging off.

Once Hermann was gone, Tsukune was alone with Moka and Yukari, who were happily chatting. Recalling Hermann’s warning, he sighed to himself.

Looks like there’s another problem…