I led them to a nearby café and chose a wide table where we could all sit.

I sat alone on one side, while the four of them sat opposite me. The arrangement felt almost like I was being interviewed.

Freshmen from Gwangcheon Academy, sitting across from third-years of Crystal Academy—a combination I’d never seen in the game.

I glanced at their drinks as they arrived.

Toby had ordered a plain Americano.

Muimi, a caramel macchiato.

Jo Inhu, green tea.

And Iris, a sharp espresso.

“When I first saw the news that you were being threatened by Black Hound, I never imagined it would escalate this far,” Toby said.

“That Forward would collapse like this…”

“Indeed.” I gave a wry smile.

“Their karma caught up with them.”

“True. These days, the news is a constant stream of new revelations about Forward’s crimes. Hard to keep up.”

“But nothing was more shocking than that,” Jo Inhu said grimly.

“To think the electricity we’ve been using was generated by sacrificing Awakeners…”

Silence fell over the table.

“If not for the new mana stone technology announced by the mayor, even if Forward’s crimes were exposed, nothing could have stopped them,” Toby said.

I nodded.

“Thankfully, at least now the sacrifices will end.”

Muimi spoke softly.

“But you said you had a reason for calling us here today. Something about forming a group.”

“That’s correct.”

I had asked Toby to meet in person so I could explain properly.

“What kind of group?”

“Do you remember what I told you before? When you asked how our team managed to grow so strong?”

“Yes, I remember,” Toby said, nodding.

“You said you couldn’t reveal the secret. That it required payment—and that the cost was one of the most expensive things in the world.”

He remembered it exactly.

“Yes. I did say that. But I’ve had a change of heart.”

Confusion flickered across Toby’s face.

“We’ve decided to share the secret behind our growth.”

“What?”

“Eh?”

“What do you mean…?”

All three—Toby, Jo Inhu, and Muimi—stared wide-eyed.

Iris pretended not to care, turning her head away. But I caught her eyes flicking toward me for just a moment.

“The group I want to create is a gathering of this year’s HAUT participants. The idea is to train together—enter dungeons, spar, cooperate—so that everyone improves. Of course, my team from Gwangcheon will participate as well. And within that group, we’ll also be sharing the secret that allowed us to grow so quickly.”

“Hold on.”

Toby raised a hand, his face a mix of confusion and caution.

“…Why the sudden change of mind?”

“Because I realized it would be to my advantage.”

“Advantage?”

“What do you mean?” Jo Inhu and Muimi asked in turn.

At that moment, Iris turned her sharp gaze on me.

“Why not just be honest? You got something from my father in exchange.”

“What are you talking about?” Jo Inhu looked shocked.

Toby and Muimi also turned their eyes toward her.

“On the day of the HAUT ceremony, you received a ticket from my father,” Iris said, her eyes narrowing at me.

“In return, he must have ordered you to reveal your secret to us.”

The atmosphere among the Crystal team shifted instantly.

“Yein. Is that true?” Toby asked, staring straight into me.

Jo Inhu and Muimi’s eyes joined his, suspicion in their expressions.

It wasn’t just distrust—it was resentment. They didn’t like the idea of being treated as Iris’s entourage.

“No, it isn’t.”

“Don’t lie.” Iris’s face twisted.

“Don’t fabricate nonsense out of your own misunderstandings just to look clever.”

“What!?” Iris shot to her feet.

“What your father wanted was for our team to transfer to Crystal.”

“Huh? Transfer? From Gwangcheon to Crystal?” Muimi blinked.

“Then why didn’t you come?” Her voice carried nothing but pure curiosity. But almost instantly, she realized her slip and bit her lip.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to belittle your academy. Really.”

“I’m curious too,” Toby said.

“Why didn’t you come to Crystal? It’s better than Gwangcheon in every way.”

“Toby!”

“Toby…” Muimi protested urgently, while Jo Inhu sighed as though used to this.

“Especially considering your situation, it would’ve made even more sense to leave Gwangcheon for Crystal. You already withdrew once. Forward, the foundation, has collapsed. The principal exposed the corruption herself, the staff are under investigation… your school can’t even hold proper classes right now.”

“You’re well informed.”

“Stop it, Toby!” Muimi tugged at his arm.

“Senior Toby is right. Moving to Crystal would have had many advantages. Tuition, living expenses, even support for my family. But accepting President Ahn Hyunggi’s generosity would have meant accepting his leash as well.”

“I see.”

Toby, who had piled up so many questions, nodded cleanly at my answer.

“So, do you plan to return to Gwangcheon? Or transfer elsewhere?”

“I’ll return to Gwangcheon.”

“Hmm. Alright. But isn’t the reason your father wanted to bring you to our academy actually because of Iris?”

“Toby?”

Iris’s eyes widened as she turned to him.

“How did you figure that out?” I asked, genuinely impressed.

“Well…”

“Toby. Enough. Say one more word and I won’t forgive you.”

Still standing, Iris glared at him. Toby only shrugged.

I looked at Iris’s stiffened face and smirked inwardly.

“Yes. Just as you said, President Ahn Hyunggi wanted us to transfer because of Iris. I suppose he thought having us around would give her the right kind of push.”

“Ahh.”

Jo Inhu and Muimi made the sound almost in unison, as if it suddenly made sense.

Grit.

Iris ground her teeth.

“But there’s no need for us to live at Crystal. Even seeing each other now and then is enough to provide that push.”

“Nonsense.”

Iris glared at me, her expression fierce.

“You, push me? Don’t make me laugh. If you think beating me once in that spar makes you superior, let me remind you here and now—that was nothing but sheer luck.”

Her hand moved toward her inventory. Muimi and Jo Inhu’s eyes widened.

“Iris! Calm down!”

“Yeah, sit down. Everyone’s staring at us.”

They rushed to stop her.

“See?” I said with a smirk tugging at one corner of my mouth.

“It gets under your skin.”

The next instant, Iris drew her greatsword.

Jo Inhu and Muimi lunged at her, grabbing her arms and waist.

“Iris, stop!”

“Get a grip, Iris. This isn’t the academy’s training ground—it’s a café.”

“Seems you were right,” Toby said, glancing my way.

“Exactly, right?”

“Kyaaaa!!”

Iris let out a shrill cry.

Beautiful. Music to my ears.

“Hey! Toby! Don’t just sit there, help us!” Muimi shouted, furious.

Moments later, Iris—suppressed… no, calmed down by her teammates—sat back down, fuming.

“Let’s get back on track.”

Toby wiped sweat from his forehead with a napkin.

Muimi and Jo Inhu had both slumped forward, faces planted on the table.

“So this group you’re talking about isn’t Iris’s father’s idea, but yours?”

“That’s right.”

“Why form it? Before, you said your secret was too precious to share.”

“As I mentioned, it’s because there’s something in it for me.”

“What exactly?”

“The chance to gather allies.”

“Allies?”

“Yes. What I want are strong comrades. But I can’t find enough of them just in Gwangcheon.”

“As if anyone would ally with a snake like you,” Iris spat, glaring daggers at me.

“If you don’t like it, don’t join,” I said flatly, meeting her eyes.

“I won’t force anyone. But remember—passing this up means giving up a gathering place for the strongest from every academy, the secret to rapid growth, the support of Chairman Riyu, and the equipment provided by the mysterious Craftsman.”

Iris’s eyes widened.

“Wait—what did you just say?”

Muimi, who had her head down, suddenly snapped upright. Jo Inhu did the same, staring at me.

“Chairman Riyu and the mysterious Craftsman?” Toby crossed his arms.

“Is that true?”

“Yes. For this group to become reality, we first need approval from all the academies. Chairman Riyu Homar agreed to handle the persuasion. President Ahn Hyunggi promised to convince Crystal’s headmaster as well.”

“Tch.”

Iris clicked her tongue.

“No—hold on. Did you just say we’d get gear from the mysterious Craftsman?” Muimi asked, eyes wide.

“Yes. It’s true. He’s a friend of mine. As soon as I mentioned forming a group for HAUT participants, he agreed to help.”

“My god. Gear from the mysterious Craftsman… The kind of ultra-rare stuff you can only get from that one shop at the Hunter Market.”

“Iris. Wasn’t it your sister who runs that shop?” Jo Inhu asked.

Iris’s face twisted with conflict, but she eventually nodded.

“What about the cost?” Toby asked.

“There won’t be one. He promised to make everything for free.”

“What are you, really?” Muimi demanded, baffled.

“With the HAUT chairman, Crystal’s president, and the mysterious Craftsman backing you—while still being a Gwangcheon student…”

“What nonsense,” Iris muttered, scowling.

“He’s just a snake. Tossing out bait like this, waiting for the chance to exploit us.”

“I’ve been wondering—what happened between you two?” Jo Inhu asked.

Iris fell silent. She couldn’t bring up Valhal without admitting she’d stolen someone else’s credit.

“You said you want strong allies,” Toby said.

“Are you planning to form a guild someday?”

“That wouldn’t be bad. But not for a while. My team and I are still under All Around. After graduation, we’ll be working there for a set time.”

“All Around…” Jo Inhu muttered, eyes shining with envy.

“And what would you do with these strong allies?” Muimi asked.

“That’s a secret.”

“A secret…?”

“See? The snake flicks his tongue again,” Iris sneered.

I ignored her and continued.

“And another reason I want to form the group is simply because it’ll be fun.”

“Huh?”

“Fun?” Muimi and Jo Inhu tilted their heads, caught off guard.

“I enjoyed taking on challenges together with you all during HAUT. I want to continue that, which is why I came up with this idea.”

“Challenges, huh,” Toby murmured, then let out a dry chuckle.

“To us, it never looked like challenges at all.”

Muimi pouted slightly.

“Yeah. Honestly, your team’s feats were nothing but one surprise after another.”

“That’s why…” Toby began.

“When does this group start?”

I caught Iris’s shoulders flinch slightly.

“Once the academy heads are persuaded and I’ve heard the intentions of this year’s HAUT participants, we’ll gather those who want to join and start right away. I’d like to hear your answers here and now.”

“Alright,” Toby said, nodding. “I’ll join.”

“Toby!”

Iris’s face twisted, as if she’d been betrayed.

“Me too,” Muimi said.

“I’d like to join as well,” Jo Inhu added.

Iris’s expression contorted even further.

Well, this outcome was already decided.

I murmured inwardly.

(End of Chapter)