It was nightfall, Kana and Suri sat in the modest room they shared at the academy’s boarding house.

  New students weren’t allowed outside the capital after sundown. It was a temporary restriction, lasting only a few months, but far more concerning was the rule that forbade any student from leaving the city at all without direct permission from the principal.

  Not ideal for dungeon raiders.

  That’s when Suri decided to test a possibility.

  With a focused breath, she summoned. What started as a shadowy shimmer at her fingertips expanded outward until the room was filled with hundreds—maybe over a thousand—rat-like illusions. They skittered noiselessly across the wooden floor, flowing like a living tide. A grotesque ballet of tails and whiskers. The result of an effect she unlocked after putting a skilling point to [Illusion Call] back when she reached level 10.

  She could split her summon and control them individually, her eyes glowing faintly with mana as she extends her will. Not real, but she would be able to see what they see whenever she wanted to. As long as she had the mana.

  The swarm paused, gathering at the windowsill, and then scattered—into cracks, through alleys, scaling walls and slipping beneath locked doors—fanning out to map the capital.

  “It’ll take time,” Suri said, settling back against her pillow. “Maybe a few days. Could be weeks. This city’s massive.”

  Kana gave a small nod, then leaned her back against the wall, arms crossed. “Will Boris be alright? I heard his roommate’s a noble with a reputation. His last boardmate quit.”

  Suri chuckled darkly. “We should be worried about his roommate.”

  Kana raised an eyebrow, amused. “Really?”

  “You don’t have my skill, so you probably didn’t notice,” Suri said, half-grinning. “Boris treats men very differently than he treats us... or any other girl, actually. He’s not exactly gentle.”

  Kana smirked, “So we’ve basically armed a bear and put him in a porcelain shop.”

  “Exactly.”

  They both fell silent for a moment, the lamplight dancing across the stone walls. Outside, the summoned rats disappeared into the night.

  ……..

  Ready to finally rest, when the door swung open.

  A tall young man stepped inside, his presence loud before he even spoke.

  “This is my third year here. You must’ve heard of me,” the man said confidently.

  Boris didn’t look up. “No.”

  The stranger stiffened, as if the word had slapped him. “I’m Miller Ion,” he declared, chest puffed. “Second son of Viscount Ion. You should know that name.”

  “Can’t say I do.” Boris pulled the blanket up, turning slightly.

  Miller frowned. “I can’t believe they put some country bumpkin in here with me. A Copper, no less.”

  He wrinkled his nose, waving a hand in front of his face. “You smell like soil.”

  Boris yawned. “Ah. Sorry, Sir. I’m a bit tired today. I’ll sleep first.”

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  Without waiting for a reply, Boris rolled to his side and closed his eyes.

  Miller snorted in disbelief, standing there as though expecting an apology that never came.

  ….

  Early the next morning, Boris searched their small dormitory room, his heavy footsteps echoing against the wooden floor. His backpack—his knapsack—was gone.

  He turned toward the other bed, where his boardmate, Sir Miller, lay sprawled beneath his sheets.

  “Sir Miller, did you see my bag?” Boris asked, keeping his voice even.

  Miller yawned, eyes half-closed. “That thing? Yeah, I threw it out. Thought it was garbage. Hate the smell.”

  Boris froze. His face was unreadable, but inside, his blood was beginning to boil.

  That bag had new clothes his Da had saved up for—clothes Boris hadn’t even worn yet. And his mother’s necklace was in it too. The only thing left from her.

  He clenched his fists, exhaling hard through his nose. Stay calm. Stay calm. That’s what his Da always told him. Stay calm around men.

  But Boris couldn’t. Not now.

  “Stand up.” His voice was low. Dangerous.

  Miller turned, blinking in confusion. “What? What did you just say?”

  “I said, STAND UP!” Boris roared.

  The force of it made Miller flinch and rise to his feet instinctively, as though pulled by an unseen force.

  In one terrifying motion, Boris stepped forward and grabbed Miller by the neck, lifting him with one hand like he weighed nothing. His muscles tensed beneath his academy uniform, eyes burning.

  “You’re not the boss here,” Boris growled. “I don’t care if you’re a noble. I don’t care what family you come from. I can kill you anytime I want.”

  Miller struggled, hands clawing at Boris’s wrist. He couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t move. His mind raced. How is this guy in Copper class?

  Boris’s expression was no longer the bumbling, quiet village boy. His face was fierce, carved with fury.

  “Do. You. Understand?” he snarled.

  Miller couldn’t speak. His legs buckled. He nodded—just barely.

  Boris dropped him.

  Miller crumpled to the floor in a heap, gasping. A wet stain spread down his pants.

  Boris leaned down, his voice now a chilling whisper, “If I don’t find my bag when I get back…”

  His gaze bore into Miller like a blade.

  “…you won’t live to see the sunrise.”

  He stepped away, pausing at the door. “Go ahead. Report me. Tell everyone a Copper from the village bested you. Let’s see how long your pride lasts after that.”

  With that, Boris shut the door behind him—leaving silence and the stench of fear stilled in Miller’s mind.

  …….

  “Oh, Boris! Our names are up there!” Suri waved from a distance, standing near the bulletin board with Kana.

  Boris walked over, his steps a little slower than usual.

  “You guys succeeded,” Kana said, scanning the list. “Copper class. All of us.”

  Then she turned to Boris, her brows furrowed slightly. “You look off. Everything alright?”

  Boris gave a half-hearted grin. “Yeah. I’m good. Just didn’t sleep much.”

  Suri smirked. “Let’s just say our dear Boris taught his boardmate a valuable lesson. And surprise—he’s a noble.”

  Boris blinked. “How did you even know about that?”

  Suri raised her hand. A small rat—one of her summons—scurried up her arm and perched on her shoulder.

  “I have eyes everywhere,” she said sweetly.

  Boris sighed. “Ah... so the scouting started last night.”

  “Yep,” Suri grinned. “Figured I might as well get a head start on mapping the city. Never know when we’ll need an escape route.”

  All of a sudden, a familiar voice rumbled behind them, deep and dry.

  “Can’t believe you guys all ended up in Copper class.”

  They turned. A tall, broad-shouldered figure approached—nearly Boris’s size, wearing a gold badge on his collar and a grin that was friendly.

  “Leo?” Kana narrowed her eyes.