Freshman Johan 10
Renova is the elven city in the human realm. Portal magic is an incredibly intricate spell with a high level of difficulty. To wield it freely, you need to be at least an elf.
No race in the three realms boasts magical talent quite like the elves—save perhaps for dragons, who are in a league of their own. Even then, there are scarcely any races that could claim superiority in magic. And if any exist, they're so rare they barely qualify as tribes.
"It's been a while since I was last here."
"Huh? Don't you seniors go home during breaks?"
"Not once since I became student council secretary. The job keeps me swamped. I spend vacations prepping ahead instead."
"That sounds brutal."
According to the original novel, Scarlett-senpai became student council secretary in her second year. She's a fourth-year now.
Scarlett-senpai will advance to the academy's graduate program after graduation. No chance of us parting ways.
We headed to the central portal relay station in Renova. It was a massive dome-shaped building, reeking of a modern sports stadium. Inside were portals leading to the heavenly realm or demon realm.
The entrance had a security gate for identity checks. We flashed our academy student handbooks as ID. Academy student cards are highly trusted across the three realms.
By the way, academy students get free portal use. Normally, crossing to another world costs at least a million kant. Portals are pricey transport—but reliable for the cost.
The portal to the demon realm swirled with black light. Scarlett-senpai and I stepped through together. The world shifted in an instant. We were now in the demon realm's relay station. We'd crossed world boundaries with a mere stroll.
"The demon realm's even longer for me."
"You've been here before?"
Would a heavenly race member like Scarlett-senpai ever visit the demon realm?
"When I was little. Around five, I think?"
She probably barely remembers it.
"This is De Run, a major demon city. Our destination's a bit farther. Let's grab a carriage."
"Where the hell are we going, anyway?"
She'd been asking that nonstop. Time to spill.
"Heard of Truf?"
Scarlett-senpai grimaced at my answer.
"You don't mean that crime city, do you?"
"Bingo. Not far from here—a carriage ride, about an hour."
"Sigh... What can I say? I feel pathetic for trusting you. Fine, we've come this far, I'll tag along. But if you're up to no good, bail now. I might forgive you."
"No bad intentions here. You said it yourself—no cat lover's truly bad."
"Don't think I'll fall for that. If push comes to shove..."
Scarlett-senpai slipped a hand into her skirt pocket, fiddling with something. Probably her escape charm.
It's a magic item she carries for protection—infuse it with mana, and it warps you to any spot within a kilometer. Not common stuff. Only someone like her could tote it around.
"You've been fooled before, huh? Come on, let's go."
We hailed a carriage. Plenty headed to Truf—lucky break.
The demon realm isn't the lawless hellhole mid-realm humans imagine. It's a lived-in place with systems and rules. In some ways, stricter than the human realm.
But Truf fits the stereotype perfectly. Even demons call it a demon-infested hellhole.
Truf is the dank pit of every crime humans associate with demons. Nestled near the metropolis De Run, this powder keg overflows with criminal gangs. Daylight murders are routine.
They say strolling Truf at night is suicide—even locals warn against it.
That said, it's mostly the outskirts' shantytowns. City center's safer—pickpockets at worst.
Criminals mark their turf and police it themselves. No point riling the guards and inviting hassle.
But we were plunging into those perilous shanties. Scarlett-senpai paled instantly.
Can't blame her—we were tiptoeing through a minefield. Rough types with "criminal" stamped on their faces eyed us hungrily. Mostly demons and devils.
Demons look human, but devils—with black horns, tails, and wings—look downright vicious.
"This has to be the wrong place."
Scarlett-senpai's voice trembled as she clutched her escape charm. She looked pitiful—like a hamster facing a snake.
"We're right where we need to be. Here, wear this."
I handed her a hat emblazoned with a rattlesnake. She tilted her head cutely, cat-like. Her cat obsession was rubbing off.
"What's this?"
"Rattlesnake hat. No magic on it."
"Why the sudden gift?"
"Feel those stares burning holes?"
I donned mine, and the predators licking their chops tsked and looked away. Scarlett-senpai followed suit.
"My god. What just happened? Those thugs were glaring daggers, now they're averting their eyes?"
"It's a mark. Means you're a customer with business in Truf's back alleys."
"Customer?"
"Looks chaotic, but there's rules. Top one: never attack customers. Their coin keeps these alleys alive. Note: customers only. If a gang member wore one for safety? Their outfit's wiped that day."
"My god... How do you know this? You're human."
This is VVIP back-alley intel. But I've read the novel—child's play. Power of the walkthrough.
"Being human means I need knowledge to survive."
"Rumor has it you're no slouch in skill... Fine, I get it. You hid the destination to drag me here—I'd have bailed otherwise. You've shocked me plenty. So, spill: where to?"
"Assassin guild."
"......You've still got surprises."
In the Ayu-in (Academy's Sole Human, Right?) world, assassin guilds are blatantly illegal. Yet like real-world drug cartels, they thrive.
Core business: contract kills. They also deal info, smuggling. Basically, a fixer's den—name your price, anything goes.
"Truf's Red Scorpion Guild scored Black Adder Berries. We're here to snag one."
"Snag? You commission it?"
"Nah, but I can get one. I've got what they want."
I tapped my temple.
"Information."
We delved deep into the shantytown alleys. The stench overwhelmed even Scarlett-senpai's sweet strawberry scent. Her delicate features scrunched up.
"Right there."
I pointed to a rundown warehouse. Following red arrow graffiti led us straight to the Red Scorpion entrance. Scarlett-senpai scowled at the tiny shack—barely a room.
"That's the assassin guild?"
"Entrance, technically."
We approached. A gatekeeper loomed out front.
Guarding a one-room shack? Suspicious as hell.
The grubby man eyed my rattlesnake hat.
"What snake is that?"
"Two-headed."
Passcode exchanged. Two-headed: smuggling. One-headed: hits. Three: info.
The man rapped on the door and swung it open.
"Portal..."
Scarlett-senpai whispered in awe. High-end elf-city tech in this dump? Truf's guild meant business.
We entered. Beyond the warehouse stretched a long corridor ending at a small counter. A black-suited man with narrowed eyes sized us up, white mask hiding his face—eyes only.
"Interesting customers. Academy students? Won't that dock points?"
"If caught. We're good."
I shrugged it off. He leaned in.
"What're you trading for?"
"Black Adder Berry."
"Oh ho. Fresh stock—popular. Four already checked it out."
"None took it first, right?"
No way. Novel has me grabbing it way later.
"Sadly, no takers. Rare goods demand steep prices."
"How much?"
"Not for kant. Top-tier—catfolk are desperate. We want info."
Scarlett-senpai flinched at that, shooting me a look. Her lips parted, but no words came.
"What info?"
"Deciphering the Hilbili ancient text."