Moon Flower Forest, Snake Territory

I ventured deeper into the snake territory, my feline skeleton companion serving as a deterrent to the majority of the snakes. While the serpents were not my primary concern, I had to be cautious of the humans who preyed on the weak in these lands.

The scent of wine lingered in the air, and I inhaled it cautiously. Nearby, a fire crackled, and I approached it cautiously. Five people were gathered around, roasting mutant snakes and enjoying their merrymaking. They noticed my presence, and I couldn't decide whether to be relieved by their lack of aggression or disappointed by their ignorance.

"Who are you?" asked a lean man.

I contemplated my response, thinking that my nomadic appearance might work in my favor. "I got separated from my partner."

"What do you want?" he inquired.

"I need directions to the Soul Wolf Mercenary Branch."

"Go straight, then right, and then left."

"Thank you."

I began to walk away, but someone called out, "Wait."

I turned back to see what they wanted.

"What happened to you?" the same man asked.

I offered a faint smile and continued on my way. Their questions made me realize that I could never return to my previous life. Staying in the city was no longer an option, as they would eventually track me down.

After a day's journey, I reached the Soul Wolf Mercenary Branch.

"Your name is Sword Blade?" asked a portly woman.

"Yes," I confirmed.

She inquired, "What happened during the mission?"

After a lengthy debriefing, she advised, "I need to report this to headquarters."

"It's urgent," I pleaded.

"Sorry, Blade, I can't break protocol," she responded.

"This is a serious matter," I pressed.

She acknowledged, "I know, but here's a piece of free advice – go rogue."

I understood her meaning. "I see."

As I left the mercenary branch, I couldn't help but think that I had been naive in my expectations. There was more to this situation than met the eye, and I needed to focus on a backup plan.

Corapital - Capital of Ring Empire

In a dimly lit room, voices whispered, "A mouse has escaped, a lucky one."

"He seems to have a secret."

"Should we eliminate him?"

"No, we are under close scrutiny."

"But…"

"Just because we can't do it doesn't mean others can't."

In an Apartment, Red Stone City

"What a disaster – first a bloody badge and now a dirty game."

"I suppose I have no choice. I need to go to the Red Academy City. I never know when an attack will come. It's better to leave now. I still have 550 credits, which should be enough to hitch a fast car. It might seem extravagant, but it's a six-hour journey, and I'd rather spend money than risk my life. A six-hour journey in three hours is a bonus."

Without hesitation, I packed my belongings, reflecting on how the situation had reached the point where even the Macro brothers and the receptionist kept their distance. When it came to their own security, most people would back off, and I couldn't blame them. I would do the same, but experiencing it was different from merely understanding it.

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Main Street, Red Academy City

I hoped that my father's key, the leaf, would somehow help me navigate this predicament. I bit into the tasteless leaf, trying to glean some guidance.

While I strolled along the street, the sun began to set. A lady in a magnificent yellow dress, adorned with curvy eyeglasses, made her way through the crowd. Her red-clad guards cleared a path, and their eyes reflected only respect and adoration. She signaled to me, "Come."

At the Lady's Residence

"Please, have a seat," she offered.

I complied, and while sipping her tea, she asked, "Did your father say anything about me?"

I replied, "No."

"I owe him a favor."

She paused for a moment and then said, "Tell me everything in five minutes."

I proceeded to recount my escape from Sharog's Belly, encounters with various creatures, and the token in my possession.

"You escaped from its stomach?" she questioned.

I replied, "I got lucky."

"Lucky?" she inquired, intrigued.

"Blade, you should understand that secrets are most appetizing to me. Understand this: I wouldn't help you if you don't satisfy my curiosity. I don't want to assist someone only for them to betray me."

I nodded in agreement. "I get it, just don't tell anyone about it; it's for your own good."

"Okay?" she confirmed.

This raised questions in my mind about her sudden change of demeanor. Nevertheless, I decided not to mention it to anyone. One minion was already causing trouble for me, and I didn't want to be labeled a heretic. Even though the voice in my mind insisted she wasn't a devil, it didn't mean she couldn't be. It was a secret I would take to my grave.

I was tempted to ask her about the peculiar revolver, but before I could broach the topic, my heart began to tighten on its own. It was a strange sensation, as though revealing that information would lead to my death. It confirmed my suspicion that the revolver was indeed cursed. I was relieved not to observe any immediate harmful effects on me.

"Blade, even if I make them disappear, someone else will come after you," she said. "You've offended the royal cronies, and you willingly jumped into a hole. You should understand that the White Bandage Assassination Organization is all over the world, and they're all highly trained professionals. The lowest-ranking members are level 5, and you, as a level 0, won't fare well. They will hunt you down until you're dead."

Silence followed as I processed the grim situation. Finally, I asked, "What's the best solution?"

She suggested, "Join the Royal Academy."

I hesitated, thinking about the opportunities such an academy could provide. "The Royal Academy? A direct path to the upper echelons of society."

She continued, "You'll have my support. There, you can choose your profession, learn knowledge that's otherwise unattainable, and enjoy the company of others. It's a bright future for you."

But I couldn't help but sense that something was amiss. "Something feels fishy."

Her reassuring words failed to alleviate my unease. "I have no choice, though. You must have a high background to secure a nobody like me a spot in a prestigious academy. Even the rich can't enter so easily."

I agreed, "I will join."

"Let's head to the Royal Academy."

"Now?" I questioned.

"Yes, now."

"The Royal Academy is located in Corapital, right?"

"No," she corrected, "you're going to the Red Academy City."

I paused. "Wait."

"I don't have time to provide you with all the details. You can inquire with my students."

"Okay."

"By the way, give me that token. It won't do you any good."

I handed her the token.

"To be continued..."

In a different setting:

"Corapital, Ring Kingdom," someone muttered.

"The mouse has escaped," a voice confirmed.

"How

strong is he?" a leader inquired.

There was a heavy silence before the answer came, "He's a level 1."

"Where is he now?"

"With Alice Webster."

"Arrange a carriage; we need to meet that person before she takes any action."

"Red Academy City, Alice's Office"

Sipping her tea, Lady Alice asked her assistant, "Ariana, have you investigated?"

Ariana responded, "Yes, my Lady."

"Marquise Zoz's son went missing a month ago, with his last known location being the Moon Flower Forest."

"Hm."

"Several mercenaries from Red Stone City, including the well-known Jack, also went 'missing' during an expedition mission led by squad leader Mike."

"Mike?"

"Yes, the same Mike."

"Things are getting interesting."

Lady Alice inquired, "So, where is he?"

Ariana reported, "His current location is unknown."

"Off you go."

"Hm. My Lady, why do you persist with Sword Blade? We could find a better candidate."

Alice replied, "It's a gamble."

"Wouldn't someone else be more suitable?"

"If he needs something from me, give it to him."

"Understood, my Lady."

Alice advised, "If you can provide assistance, please do so."

"Red Academy City, In the Student Residence"

In the student residence, I met a girl my age wearing a white dress. She sat beside me, her smile radiating warmth and charm.

"Madam Catherine has instructed me to guide you into the academy," she explained. "Here's your ID; please provide a blood sample."

I obliged, giving a drop of blood for the ID.

[ Name: Marcus Carp

Department: Magic

Rank: F ]

"A fake name," I mused as I looked at my holographic details. "Carp."

Seeing the hologram, the girl commented, "So, you're in the Department of Magic, Carp."

I responded awkwardly, "Haha, yes."

"Me too," she revealed.

I realized we would be classmates and replied, "I guess we are."

She smiled, revealing charming dimples, and said, "Let's meet in class, Carp."

I agreed, "Okay, see you."

"See you."

As I watched her leave, I couldn't help but admire her friendly demeanor. However, Mirage's warning echoed in my mind.

In another setting:

"Corapital, Ring Kingdom," a voice uttered.

"The mouse has escaped," a voice confirmed.

"How strong is he?" a leader inquired.

There was a heavy silence before the answer came, "He's a level 1."

"Where is he now?"

"With Alice Webster."

"Arrange a carriage; we need to meet that person before she takes any action."