I appeared in an outpost on a mountain. I glanced at my mana watch and saw I used up two and fifteen percent of the third, mana pearls.

Tsk, the target obviously didn’t take the warning seriously.

I walked out of the portal tower. Ignoring the rows of shadow knights eyeing me. My assassin badge had an aura that they would be able to verify the moment I appeared in this area.

I carried my target’s head by its hair. Not a drop of blood to indicate that it was recently done. I headed straight for the HQ building. The front was devoid of people, unlike a mercenary guild who always had lazy punks sitting around, waiting on life.

I walked up to the corner and put the head down. Shuffling through my inner pocket, pulling out my flaming skull badge and slamming it onto the counter.

The Clerk took a single glance, his eyes were without the joy and friendly vibe his counterparts would have. He snatched my badge and swiped it over an enchanted object that stores records of everything.

He shuffled into a draw and pulled out a magical bank card. He swiped it and passed both back. I put it in my inner pocket and turned around, ready to leave. Five thousand gold coins for a target, easy money.

I headed towards the exit when I bumped into a girl I saw many times. Even though she dressed up in men's clothes, not many men would wear fragrance so sweet. She carried two heads by braids. She glanced at me as we passed. Her mask was of fox spirit, but she wanted to throw people off from thinking she was a lady.

Kind of naive thinking. Anybody could tell from the way she walked that she was a girl. Her hips swayed a tad too much. Her clothes, while somewhat baggy, could not hide the fact that a twist of her body would pull tight, giving away the curvy body she had. Bandaging her breast might work on some, but most bandages had a subtle medical smell from being dipped in a concentrate meant to keep them clean of bacteria.

Ignoring the obvious, she carried a sword that was two fingers width thin. It could be qualified as a short-sword, for it would not extend past my arm in width. Given her height of being nearly six foot tall, the blade was too small and light. Only a woman would wield such a blade instead of a common long sword.

I turned away from staring at the back and left. It was time to head home.

***

I turned over after hearing loud footsteps incoming. A quick look out the window let me know that it was a little after sunrise, the sky was still reddish.

The door opened and I sat up with a dagger grasp.

“Young Master, Count Lewis wants you to come see him before you leave.” the butler reported, turning on his heels and leaving.

Maids came running in fluttering here and there. Trying to get my bags and clothes ready for the day.

I sigh, crawling out of bed.

“Prepare the green today.” I said offhandedly.

Heading into the bathroom to let them scrubbed me down, applying scented oils. They dressed me quickly and I headed towards my father's study.

He sat at his great dark-green fen-oak desk. His fingers stapled together as he stared out the arched window. His dark-green hair slicked back like one of those slimy auctioneers salesmen.

He gestured with one hand at a few bottles resting at the corner of his desk. They sat on thick stacks of paper.

“That is your monthly training pills and potions. The paperwork is what you need to finish registering at the Academy. Do you have any requests?” he spoke in such a dispassionate voice.

It was as if I wasn’t his son, but somebody he was doing business with.

I waved my hands, pulling all the things into my storage ring. “No, Father.”

He glanced at me once during the whole exchange, waving his hand dismissively right after. I left feeling nothing for the man, but I wasn’t someone who did not understand simple gratitude.