51 - Exclusive Alchemy Circle Member. Hazel the Wonder.

Hazel the Wonder glanced around nervously, as if afraid someone might spot her, before slipping into the black market alley.

"You all know what happens if we don't get results this time too, right? Our circle's done for."

"Even the professors are coming to this event. We have to succeed."

If you're gonna use us, at least give us proper support...! Hazel let out a long sigh.

She'd somehow managed to avoid expulsion up to this point. Even the selection exam—she'd barely passed thanks to that guy, Lev Denek.

But alchemy... it just didn't pay the bills! A full week in crunch mode, and still no gains.

Alchemy was an art where you aimed for grand goals, but the success rate was abysmally low. Still, the alchemy circle had survived its funding woes so far through one method: the black market.

Potions made through alchemy weren't academy-approved, so if caught, they'd be confiscated and destroyed. But sell them under the table without getting busted, and you could at least recoup material costs.

"This time, it's your turn, Hazel."

"...Pardon? Y-Yes!"

It had finally come. Today was Hazel's day to hit the black market. And if the academy found out, she'd shoulder all the blame—per their terrifying pact.

This is so messed up... It was the best the weak could do to survive at the academy.

That's when a red-haired man appeared before the round-glasses-wearing Hazel, flashing a grin.

"Hey? Who you looking for?"

"...Who are you...?"

"Same freshman class, and you don't know me?"

Hazel wasn't just passive—she wasn't clueless either.

"Kaeran His...?"

Exceptionally handsome among freshmen, outstanding skills, mysterious background but rumored to be a war hero's descendant... Top of the Evolution Chamber rankings.

The polar opposite of Hazel.

"Heard your circle's prepping something fun this time. Mind sharing with me?"

Alchemy circle projects were top secret by nature. This one: combat-capable homunculi. If they succeeded and mass-produced them, mercenaries could replace frontline guards with these low-risk alternatives.

But it was a high-investment plan. Any funding hiccups would grind it to a halt.

So Hazel couldn't spill easily.

"I'm just a grunt, I don't know much..."

"C'mon, you're good at this."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

No flattery—it was true. Everyone in alchemy acknowledged Hazel's talent, knowingly or not. The project was accelerating thanks to her.

"Just do this one simple favor, and here's a down payment."

"Whoa..."

He pulled out a bag stuffed with gems.

* * *

At Clarice Academy, Grade-S first-years had a circle called Royal Class. Led by Kaeran, it included the empire's top swordmaster's daughter Abelin, summoner Lily (now Grade S), Lady Melissa, and top-ranked Chamber cadets regardless of gender.

First-years hitting Grade S usually meant elite backgrounds, so Royal Class doubled as a social hub.

Lately, even aloof half-elf Selena Windforce had joined.

"Selena, you're here?"

"..."

Selena furrowed her brow at Kaeran's smooth voice and shifted away. Kaeran just grinned slyly, amused.

She'd risen to Grade S via Wind Archery, but her half-elf roots drew whispers—until Kaeran's endorsement shut them down.

And Melissa had been hanging with the group more too.

Melissa, finding a good match at the academy is important too! Her father the duke, and her mother, never stopped nagging.

Aria, sorry!

It's fine. You'll be busy now anyway...

She'd gotten Aria's okay and joined reluctantly. But it was more fun than expected.

Then Kaeran turned to her.

"Melissa?"

"Yeah?"

Melissa set her book down, steeling herself. Since the last Chamber, he'd been chatting her up more.

Know anything about Lev Denek? Tell me.

Kaeran was capable. Melissa, ever self-managing, thought he'd make a perfect retainer back home.

He helped prep for upcoming exams, sourced academy rarities.

You're a mage, Melissa, so stay where I can protect you.

Yeah...

Above all... that overwhelming display in the dungeon survey practice. The light green-haired guy was long forgotten.

She rated Kaeran highly—maybe more.

Did he notice the hairpin I wore as a gift?

But no such luck.

"Aria Bluebell, right? You're close?"

"Y-Yeah...?"

"You asked to bring her here before. I'll approve it—bring her next time?"

"Oh... Sure."

"What? Changed your mind?"

"N-No!"

Aria kept tangling with Lev Denek lately, cutting their hangouts. Melissa felt distant.

Sorry I missed lunch. But I organized these notes—check them?

Oh...

Aria shared notes and lecture info like old times, no hard feelings. But Melissa didn't need it anymore. Royal Class had everything.

Why does Kaeran want her now...? He'd shown zero interest before.

Something felt off. Aria and Lev Denek. That annoyingly handsome Lev Denek... Dungeon practice too? After the selection exam? Suspicious guy.

* * *

After the meeting, outside Aria's room in Lafae Blue Dorm, Melissa sighed softly.

"...What a pain."

The words slipped out from her unease.

!

She was startled at herself—Aria felt so frustrating now. With helpful folks like Royal Class, why fixate on pretty-boy Lev and his dangers? Stealing Kaeran's attention too...

As her grip tightened, something caught her eye.

"What's this?"

A familiar academy paper bag on the door. But the contents? Rare, expensive potions unavailable inside.

"Huh? A purifier...?"

Holy water-based, prized even in her duchy. Who left this?

Knock. Knock.

Melissa knocked to satisfy her curiosity.

* * ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠*

The door opened late. Behind it: a beauty on the verge of collapse—Aria.

"Lady Melissa...?"

Melissa was glad she'd seen it herself. Aria's single silver braid screamed "protect me" pheromones.

"This was on your door."

She handed over the mystery bag.

"Ah, thank you."

Aria took it knowingly. Melissa stepped in, shut the door, and spoke.

"Phew, Aria..."

"Yes?"

"Enough with Lev Denek already. You nearly got in big trouble again."

"...I'm fine. Thank you for worrying—"

"Sigh."

That again?

Was Aria always this stubborn? Melissa, exasperated:

"You really like that parasite pretty-boy type, huh...?"

"It's not—"

"Whatever. Do what you want now. But I came to relay something..."

"Relay?"

"Kaeran's letting you into Royal Class."

"..."

"No regrets. Elites, academy life, future prospects..."

Melissa extended her final lifeline, confident. Aria's status meant no reason to refuse.

But...

"...?"

"I decline."

Just Aria's icy rejection.

* * *

While scooping up black market potions good ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for holy power purification, I'd witnessed Kaeran wooing Hazel.

Just do this simple favor, and here's your down payment.

Luckily, ultra-cautious Hazel bought time with "I'll think about it."

In the fanfic timeline, she'd be expelled like me by now—so this encounter wasn't scripted. Pure luck spotting it.

Post-grade war and written exams, in the late Chapter 2 side story "Black Market Bust," Kaeran—knowing student council and alchemy club's ties—bribes/threatens a member for evidence, profiting off it.

Cheeky bastard.

Of course, I won't let it slide. Side character like him, chasing selfish gains ruthlessly? Not on my watch.

To stop it, I'm waiting for Hazel at the 1st-floor cafeteria in Yeogudi Green Dorm. Girl dorms ban males, so maid delivery to Aria's door was best.

I'm worried since she fell ill because of me, but next meet:

No big deal.

Don't worry.

Aria'd say that much and no more.

...Watching Clarice cadets pass by, I flicked open my skill window.

"..."

Skill slots are short. Good I got Residual Shadow Kill, but swapping incurs 1-hour cooldown per slot.

Wind Kill's bugged—remove it, can't re-register.

Ditch Arc Shot? Still, for long-term bug abuse, expand slots first.

Ding!

In Reincarnated Hero, early game caps at 4 skills, expanding with growth. Investing side points in Gamer should unlock slots.

Root investment means patch changes—skipping for now.

[Remaining Side Character Points: 235]

Gamer level-up needs 265... Stronger now, time to farm points for skill levels via named mobs.

Dungeons best, but Reincarnated Hero's balanced for parties—solo's tricky. Bosses fine, but trash mobs...

Any dungeon with just bosses? If so, hell difficulty.

Need allies, but...

Can't hire external mercs as cadets—betrayal risks galore.

Edwin's stalled; dragging him to unblock his meridians ain't bad.

Mulling trustable folks, a shadow fell beside me.

"Th-That time, I owe you, but...! Wh-Why'd you call me suddenly...?"

Today's Hazel sounded extra spooked. I cut to chase.

"What'd Kaeran offer?"

"H-How'd you...?"

"How much?"

"Uh, um..."

"Double it. I'll keep your hands clean on the black market too. Just feed me the info—exclusive."

"D-Double???"

I'm planting a parasite on ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that Kaeran leech. Gotta monopolize this intel.