The exit to the city was on the right side of the academy.
It took us about thirty minutes to reach the gate.
I pulled out my brand-new pass and showed it to the guard. He barely looked at it—just gave a short nod and let us through.
And then—
we stepped outside.
Behind us—
nothing but a blank wall.
A small black door.
That was it.
No illusion like the main entrance.
No protection.
Anyone curious enough could walk through and find an entirely different world on the other side.
Weird.
But right now—
I didn't care.
At all.
We stepped out of the narrow alley—
and straight into a wide, crowded shopping street.
"This is the center of Trausen," Nick said. "They put the exit here for the elites' convenience."
"So—where are we going?" I grinned, looking around.
Stores.
Cafés.
Crowds.
A mall.
God, I missed this.
"Anywhere you want, Holivan," Nick smiled. "I'm at your service."
"Then we're walking. And I want a movie—I miss TV like hell. And burgers. Definitely burgers. At least two each," I rattled off, already moving, hands flying as I talked.
"Hey," Nick laughed. "You've got way too much energy. Let's start with a walk."
He grabbed my wrist and pulled me along.
The street was already busy.
And only then—
it hit me.
New Year.
Soon.
A huge decorated tree stood in the square. Lights everywhere. Storefronts glowing with garlands.
I slowed down.
Took it all in.
Three months.
Just three months—
and everything felt different.
Brighter.
Sharper.
Like I'd forgotten what normal life even looked like.
I liked being here.
I liked being out.
And I liked being here with Nick.
He didn't argue.
Didn't mock.
Didn't brush things off like Matthew.
Didn't tease like Robert.
He just—
went along with it.
Funny.
I'd never noticed that before.
At the academy, Nick Volkin was quiet. Controlled. He didn't pick fights—but no one messed with him either.
A few times, he'd issued duel challenges himself.
I'd seen it.
He won two.
Lost one.
To Silly.
That bastard already had thirty badges. If he held onto them, he'd graduate—and I'd never have to see his stupid face again.
Silly ran things.
A lot of the older students followed him.
And for some reason—
he'd decided I was next.
"Alright, what are we watching?" Nick asked, looking at the posters.
"Anything but a melodrama."
We picked some action movie and headed to the counter.
"I've got it," he said, stopping me when I reached for money.
"By the way…" I said, taking the ticket, "where do special students even get money?"
"Most earn it from elites. Running errands, things like that."
"They're supposed to pay for that?" I snapped. "That— that asshole—Silius—"
"He doesn't pay you?" Nick blinked. "I thought you worked for him."
"I didn't even know I was supposed to get paid," I muttered. "And who exactly am I supposed to ask? But seriously—what about everyone else? Not the council—just regular elites."
"You're actually lucky," Nick said. "Silius only gives you minor errands. Honestly, I don't even get why. That kind of work—documents, communication—that's usually done by junior elites. It's part of their training. Why he's handing it off to you…"
"Wish I knew," I exhaled. "He's just screwing with me. Found himself a convenient errand boy. It's so damn annoying. Let's drop it. How do specials actually make money?"
"Mostly… entertainment," Nick said. "Duels. Targeted challenges. Digging up information. Dirt. Elites are a mess. They don't destroy people physically—they do it psychologically."
"…And you?" I asked. "You do that too?"
"Sometimes." He shrugged slightly. "My family helps, but it's not always enough. So I take certain jobs."
Didn't sound like he wanted to say more.
So I didn't push.
Specials had to survive too.
Sure, the academy covered the basics—
but people needed more than that.
"We've got about forty minutes before the movie," I said, shifting the topic. "Food?"
"Burgers?" he smiled.
I nodded.
He didn't let me pay again.
Which was—
awkward.
Technically, I was from one of the richest families out there.
Reality?
I had nothing.
So I swallowed it.
And thanked him.
"Hey… Alan," Nick said carefully while I washed down a stubborn bite of burger with soda.
"Mm?" I mumbled.
"Can I ask you something personal?"
"Go ahead. I've been interrogating you all day anyway."
"It's about Alma Hwon… are you two… together?"
"Alma?" I blinked. "Why would you think that?" I picked up my burger again. "We're just friends."
I took a bite.
Then looked at him again.
"Do you like her?"
"No," he said too fast. "I mean—she's fine. Just not my type." He looked away.
Right.
Probably shouldn't dig into that.
But then he looked back.
More serious.
"Do you remember what happened in the bathroom at the beginning of the year?"
"I'm sorry about that."
"Why?" he frowned. "Why are you apologizing?"
"Because it was partly my fault. That was Teacher Miror. You know what her ability is, right?" He nodded. "She wanted to prove something to me. That resisting influence isn't easy. And she picked you."
I dropped my gaze.
Silence.
I glanced up.
He didn't look angry.
Just… thinking.
"Alan," he said slowly, "you know what her ability does."
I nodded.
"And what happened in that bathroom—it was unexpected. Sure. But honestly… it was bound to happen eventually."
"What?" I frowned.
"I mean—I don't like Alma. There are a lot of rumors about her. You probably haven't heard them." He hesitated. "I thought maybe you two were… involved. That she was… doing things for you. I just wanted to warn you."
My grip tightened on the cup.
"Rumors?"