The room they had entered did not have the latest reports, only older ones that seemed to be stored for records. These were likely reports that students had failed to collect after visiting the Hangs Block. Melch observed the dust settling over the stacks of papers, his fingers trailing over a few neglected sheets. He let out a sigh. "Nothing useful here."

Meanwhile, Leif was checking if there was another entrance. He moved towards a second door, examining the lock. “There’s another way out,” he muttered.

He used a small metal piece to work on the lock, and after some effort, the door creaked open. Instead of another room, they stepped into a dimly lit alley inside the Hangs Block. They quickly locked both doors behind them before advancing through the narrow space. The alley was lined with multiple doors leading to different rooms, some slightly ajar, revealing dark interiors filled with shelves and documents.

As they walked, Melch stayed quiet looking out for any movement. He wasn’t comfortable in such places. The Hangs Block had a certain eerie stillness, despite the bustling crowd they had heard earlier.

After passing several rooms, they reached an opening where they could see the main entrance of the Hangs Block from above. A huge crowd had gathered below.

Edwin pointed. “Let’s rush down and check if there’s anything left.”

Melch exhaled sharply. He hated rushing into crowds but this was important. Without a word, he followed as they moved quickly toward the stairs. Most of the students were climbing up while they were heading down, making it difficult to navigate through the packed staircase.

They pushed their way through and finally reached the notice board. A quick scan revealed several reports still pinned there. Melch’s sharp eyes immediately spotted the one they needed, the report from their assistant professor.

“There it is” he said, voice steady despite the surrounding chaos.

Leif wasted no time grabbing the report and they made their way to the counter to claim it officially. Once they had the document in their possession, they fought their way out of the dense crowd retreating toward the stairs again.

As they climbed back up, they took the left side of the staircase, opposite to the right side they had initially used. This part of the Hangs Block was less congested allowing them a moment to breathe. Senior students were also leaving, their expressions satisfied as if they had gotten what they came for.

Melch narrowed his eyes. “Seems like the rush wasn’t just for the assistant professor’s report.”

Leif nodded. “Yeah, the way these students barged in… Something else drew them here.”

Curious, they checked the remaining reports on the notice board before leaving. Some were from professors, which was normal but then Melch noticed something. One of the reports was written by a senior student.

He tapped Edwin’s shoulder. “Look at that.”

Edwin followed his gaze and frowned. “That’s why they came in such a hurry. Someone’s report must have stirred interest.”

Melch hummed in agreement. He wasn’t particularly interested in what it contained, but it was worth noting that a student’s report had caused such a commotion.

Once they exited the Hangs Block, they decided to head to the library to examine the assistant professor’s report. The air outside felt cooler, a relief from the suffocating atmosphere inside.

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They entered the library choosing a quiet corner to sit. Melch unfolded the report and ran his eyes over the title: Territorial Studies and Trade Dynamics

Melch arched an eyebrow. “Seems more detailed than I expected” he murmured glancing at Leif, who was already leaning forward with interest.

Leif tapped the parchment. “Let’s see if it’s worth the trouble we went through.” He grinned before motioning for Melch to read aloud.

Melch began skimming the opening lines, his voice steady but intrigued. “This document aims to provide an understanding of how different territories function within the economic and magical framework of the world. It explores the trade of materials, the control exerted by various factions and the invisible hands that shape the flow of resources.”

Leif whistled. “Sounds fancy. Keep going.”

Melch continued reading paraphrasing where necessary. “So, it starts with how territories are divided based on magic, influence, and natural resources. Some regions are rich in alchemical herbs, others in enchanted ores, and each territory has factions that try to control these resources.” He paused his brows furrowing. “It also says that some territories are disputed, with different groups trying to exert dominance over them.”

Leif leaned back. “Makes sense. Stronger factions control the best resources, weaker ones get pushed to the outskirts. But what about trading? What does it say?”

Melch flipped through a few more pages reading the paragraphs. “Here… it talks about legal trade versus black market trade. Official merchants, licensed by guilds, control a majority of the transactions. But at the same time, there’s an underground network that operates outside of official jurisdiction, moving rare or restricted goods.”

Leif smirked. “Let me guess, smugglers?”

“Exactly” Melch confirmed. “Smugglers, independent traders, and secret auction houses operate in these gray areas. Some of them work under the radar, while others bribe officials to turn a blind eye.”

Edwin, who had been sitting quietly nearby finally spoke up. “You think any of this applies to students? I mean, do we even interact with this trade system?”

Melch glanced at him. “We do, indirectly. This academy probably sources rare materials for research, and students need things for their own experiments. Not everyone follows the official channels to get what they want.”

Edwin nodded. “So, you think there’s a black market within the academy?”

Leif laughed. “Wouldn’t surprise me. There’s always someone trying to make extra coin. I bet the seniors know all about it.”

Melch returned his attention to the report. “The next section talks about faction influence. The adventurers’ guild, the knight orders, the magic towers they all have a hand in shaping trade routes. Even political figures play a role in deciding which territories remain stable and which are left in conflict.”

Leif tapped the table. “I like the sound of that. Think about it powerful people deciding the flow of magical resources, funding wars, controlling what knowledge spreads. Feels like we’re just scratching the surface.”

Melch sighed flipping to the last part of the report. “Here’s the conclusion. It basically sums up that those who understand the mechanics of territorial trade can navigate the world better. Whether as an adventurer seeking rare materials, a scholar researching powerful artifacts, or even a noble trying to expand their influence, trade is a critical factor in power.”

Leif leaned back. “So, what you’re saying is… if we know how this works, we can use it to our advantage?”

Melch nodded. “Exactly. Knowledge is just as valuable as the resources themselves. If we know how things move, where they come from, and who controls them, we can make smarter choices.”

Edwin crossed his arms. “Sounds like a game of influence. But do you really think an assistant professor would lay out this much detail just for first-years to read?”

Leif grinned. “Maybe it’s a test. To see who’s paying attention.”

Melch tapped the report thoughtfully. “Or maybe it’s a warning.”

A brief silence settled between them as they considered the implications. The report wasn’t just academic, it was a glimpse into how the world functioned beneath its surface. The academy despite its focus on education was still a part of that larger system, and they were now beginning to understand how deep it ran.

Leif finally broke the silence. “Alright, so what now? Do we find out where the academy gets its rare materials? See if there really is a black market here?”

Melch gave a small smile. “We observe. We listen. We learn. If the report is right, then those who understand the system best are the ones who get ahead.”

Leif and Edwin exchanged glances before nodding in agreement. They had come to the Hangs Block looking for knowledge, and they had certainly found it but now, what they did with it was up to them.

As they left the library, Melch tucked the report under his arm. The world wasn’t as simple as he once thought and he was beginning to see that power lay not just in magic but in understanding the forces that shaped the world around him.