Until the time I'm meeting Ronan to check on the commissions, I'm practicing breath control and splash, plus meditating to recover mana. I don't manage level either spell up, but I know it's just a matter of time.

At some point, I open my status slab and ask the pup to share his. And I realize something terrible: he's smarter than me.

Ugh...

If Darius finds out, he'll be laughing at me for weeks.

"You're the clever one and you're busy getting me all tangled up," I whisper as I pet him. "No wonder you do whatever you want with me."

He, of course, gives me that adorable look and licks my face.

Like I said—whatever he wants. Well, as long as he doesn't do anything evil. That I wouldn't forgive.

Once the time approaches, I leave my room and head toward the mission hall. I run into Caroline, who's weirdly going around alone for once

For a moment, our eyes meet. Not that I'm going to greet her. What's the point if I know she won't dignify me with a response? It's more that she seems hesitant, almost like she's about to say something. I slow down, and then Bianca's former friend bites her lip, starts to stop but thinks better of it. She lifts her chin, lets out a small huff, and walks away.

Fine then. I think she's an idiot for letting Sol manipulate her. Still, this body cares about her—they must have been pretty close. That makes me think of Beatrice... I do miss her sometimes, when I remember Earth. If she had been the one to wake up in this world, she'd already have all the guys at the academy head over heels for her.

I reach the door, where Ronan is waiting for me, and we enter the mission hall together. We have to get in line. It's not very long, but a group forms behind us too. You can tell they're about to close since everyone who cut it close is trying to cash in their missions.

"I was waiting for you," the teaching assistant behind the counter tells me once it's our turn. "So, troll blood and yeti leather? Two commissions made specifically for you two."

I smile at her, not sure what to say.

"It goes against regulations to make missions for specific people, but I doubt anyone else could pull it off. Catrina even had to talk to the rector about it... Anyway, here you go."

She hands me two notes.

I'm thrilled as I read them.

Troll blood is a rare component necessary for life regeneration potions. Go to the Blue Mountains dungeon to collect as many flasks as you can. There is no limit to the quantity.

Recurring mission.

Points to be obtained: 1 per flask.

Estimated difficulty: 5.

Yeti hide is a rare component used in armor that offers cold protection and enhanced physical and magical resistance. Go to the Blue Mountains dungeon to collect as many hides as you can. There is no limit to the quantity.

Recurring mission.

Points to be obtained: 10 per hide.

Estimated difficulty: 5.

I pass the notes to Ronan. That's when I notice what the group behind us is saying. Basically, they overheard about the requests being just for us and they're complaining among themselves.

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I ignore them.

"Does 'no limit to the quantity' mean we can bring back as many as we want?"

I'd rather make sure before taking it for granted.

"Yes, they'll buy them all."

My smile widens. Perfect.

"Excuse me, professor." A girl from the group behind us approaches the counter and interrupts us. "What's this about a mission just for them?"

"You want to go to the Blue Mountains dungeon to kill and skin the yeti boss?" the assistant asks her, raising an eyebrow and looking annoyed at the interruption. I imagine it's because, as she said, the rector himself gave approval, and questioning her is questioning the rector.

"Yeti boss?" she stammers while her eyes go wide, like she's realizing the difficulty of the mission.

"Get back in line and wait your turn. These commissions weren't given out for no reason. They've proven they can handle it."

The girl backs down and returns to her group.

"Almost forgot," the teaching assistant tells me while handing me some coins. "This is for the materials you left at the academy. Split it with the rest of your group."

I thank her and we say goodbye. I can hear the murmurs from the other students as we leave. Not just from the group that was behind us in line, but from the others still in the hall.

Yeah, they recognize Ronan, the already notorious necromancer. And me. They can't figure out how someone with only intermediate earth magic can handle those dungeons. Oh, right, of course: I'm getting carried. By the prince, who has two affinities, and Ronan. Hell, I even got help from the commoner with high light affinity.

Well, what can you do—I'm a carryee, a deadweight.

An ironic smile slips out.

"My lady, shall I say something to them?" Ronan asks me. He's clearly dying to but holding back for my sake.

"No, don't worry about it. They'll smack face-first into reality someday. Come on, let's go eat."

Because it's already dinner time. Vincent and his group aren't here; I imagine they're still in the dungeon. We eat with Mary, who reminds me we need to go pick up the dresses for the ball in a few days. She seems distracted, probably by her mission. With all the work it's giving her, I hope they give her lots of points.

Later, alone in my room, since I'm having trouble falling asleep, I go out for a walk in the gardens. My roommate, who's already sleeping, doesn't even notice.

I'm enjoying the peace and quiet of the night when the subject of my thoughts crosses through the garden area. He's coming from the wing where the portal is, heading toward the male student dormitories, I assume. He's with his friends and with Karina. Curiously, she's very close to him but not hanging on his arm.

Did he manage to get her off him? Good for Vincent!

I feel like I just got a sugar rush.

"Hey, Bianca, can't sleep?" Darius greets me. He's always the quickest.

"Hi, everyone. Actually, I had things on my mind and was having trouble."

I keep looking at the prince. I'd like to talk to him. I didn't expect to run into him here.

"Our dungeon ran long, we missed dinner," Vincent tells me.

"The meat was pretty good, with a cheese sauce that... mmm..." I lick my lips, teasing.

"Well, you said you can get food brought to your room, right?" Darius asks Alistair.

"Of course. Sorry, Karina. You can't enter the guys' dorms at this hour."

"I've got some food in my backpack. I didn't trust that we'd be back in time for dinner," she replies.

"Vincent..." I whisper and try to make him understand what I'm asking by looking into those golden eyes and getting lost in them.

"Ugh... let's go," I hear Karina say. "Now I get why you've been acting so weird and distracted all dungeon long. And rude. Very rude."

"It's not rude to ask you not to grab my arm."

"Because he's already taken," Alistair blurts out, and I blush when I hear it. "Come on, let's go. See you tomorrow, Vincent. You're not getting out of coming back to the mission with us."

I watch them leave—the guys noisy, her resigned with her lips pressed into a pout.

Vincent looks at me. In fact, he hasn't taken his eyes off me. I smile at him.

"How was the rest of your day?" he asks me.

"Good, spent it training. They gave us the money from the materials we got from the dungeon, so I'll give you your share later. It was around 87 gold coins."

"Thanks, no rush. I didn't expect to run into you; it's been a pleasant surprise. You know?" he says as he approaches me and reaches out to take my hand. I'm not wearing gloves, but he still is. "It's true that I've been distracted the whole dungeon. I was thinking about you."

"Me too," I murmur.

Part of me would kick myself for being so shy, but my heart is racing right now and my stomach is full of butterflies.

He smiles at me too, an expression that spreads across his whole face.

"And I realized something..." he murmurs so softly I can barely hear him.

The butterflies flutter harder.

"Bianca L'Crom, I don't want you to think I'm asking this because of your magical affinities or your sword. It's for you—for who you are and that sweet smile you have that lights up your eyes. Bianca, will you go to the ball with me?"

I can't believe it! That's exactly what I wanted to talk to him about, that we should go together.

Oh, I realize I haven't answered him, and Vincent—devastatingly handsome as only he can be—is bringing his face closer to mine while waiting for my response.

The butterflies pause their fluttering, expectant. They're hoping I don't screw this up, that I give the only answer that's right for my heart.

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