Soon, Phoebe bit her lips and clenched her fists, fury burning inside her as she learned the truth about the past of her director who had been wronged. After composing herself, she finally spoke.
"May I ask who the ranker is? the one who framed Mister Alfred?" Phoebe asked, her voice trembling beneath a forced calm.
"Do not approach him. He is extremely dangerous," the lady beastman said, her expression filled with disgust. "He controls the underworld. Many people already know he's involved in something suspicious, but no one can act against him. Evidence always disappears, or worse—you get framed for crimes you never committed. Many rankers who's secretly under his control blindly agree to those accusations. No one can touch him, especially now that he has become an S-ranker."
"S-ranker?" Phoebe exclaimed. "What madness is that? Please, tell me who he is."
Seeing the desperation etched across Phoebe's face, the lady beastman let out a quiet sigh before giving in. "Fine. His name is Salvator Krugger, an S-ranker seated at Number Five. He is known as The Beast and belongs to the Wyvern race."
"So that is his name…" Phoebe muttered, her expression grim before she forced a cheerful soft smile. "Thank you, lady. I will remember it."
"Don't mention it. I'm happy to help," the lady beastman said.
The two fell silent for a moment, the surrounding noise of customers and the inns staffs filling the space between them. Soon, they began talking again. Their conversation flowed naturally, and before they realized it, they had grown closer—sharing stories and experiences with one another.
"Oh, I see. So that's why you traveled to the Middle Continent," the lady beastman said. "Everything makes sense now."
"Yes. That's also why I thought the room rental fee was only eight silver coins. That's what Mister Alfred told me," Phoebe said, her eyes welling with tears. "I'm a bit short on money, you see. I only have two hundred silver coins."
"Hm…" The lady beastman pondered for a moment. "How about this? Since you're a child from the orphanage managed by Mister Alfred—and since I owe him my life—why don't I give you a free stay for one month? And to solve your money problem, I'll let you work here. How does that sound?"
"R-Really, Lady Rabbit?" Phoebe asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "You'd do that? May I?"
"Yes I would be happy to. Also, let's get familiar with each other," the lady beastman said with a gentle smile. "Please call me Ryze. I'm from the Rabbit Beastman Tribe. Nice to meet you, Phoebe."
The Beastman race possessed animal-like features and extraordinary senses. They usually resided in the Middle Continent.
"Nice to meet you too, Ryze," Phoebe replied with a bright smile.
Ryze soon reached out and handed Phoebe a key.
"Here you go. Room Number Eight, on the second floor."
"Thank you, Ryze. Oh, may I ask—when can I start working?" Phoebe asked.
"Hmm, I think you should do it in on the free days. Saturdays and Sundays should be fine," Ryze replied.
"I understand. Thank you so much," Phoebe said, bowing her head respectfully.
Ryze returned to her work, while Phoebe headed toward her room. Upon entering, she set down her travel backpack and rapier before lying on the bed. The moment she relaxed, a voice echoed through the room.
"Finally! I can talk. Damn this secrecy stuff."
Phoebe turned her gaze to her rapier and saw a small baby chick appear—it was Uriel, who had been hiding inside the sword to avoid being seen.
"You finally came out, Uriel," Phoebe said.
"Yeah, yeah. I hate hiding in that thing, it's so boring," Uriel complained. "So, what's the plan now?"
"Tomorrow is the examination," Phoebe replied softly. "For now, I'll rest. I'm really tired."
"Fine. I'll go back into the rapier then," Uriel said.
Night soon fell. Despite the lively, noisy streets, Phoebe managed to fall asleep.
As the sun rose, the streets remained lively. Phoebe woke up early, feeling refreshed, and greeted Uriel inside the rapier.
"Yawn~ Good morning, Uriel," Phoebe said, her hair messy and eyes sleepy.
"It's a good thing you managed to sleep with all that noise," Uriel replied.
"I've always been a heavy sleeper," Phoebe said proudly, crossing her arms. "Even back at the orphanage, I could fall asleep anytime I wanted."
"How fortunate for you. Now get up, or you'll be late," Uriel said.
"You're right," Phoebe replied as she prepared herself.
In her room, Phoebe took a shower using the mana stone embedded within the facility. After brushing her hair, she opened the box Julius had given her—and froze.
Inside was an elegant academy uniform: a fitted black blazer trimmed with bold gold lining, a two-wing crest embroidered on the left chest, and a crisp white blouse tied with a soft black ribbon bow. The gold pleated skirt featured clean black stripes near the hem, perfectly matching the blazer's accents. Gold buttons, white cuffs with black bands, and a small gold hair bow completed the refined look.
Once dressed, rapier sheathed at her side, Phoebe looked stunning—anyone who saw her would be left breathless.
She headed downstairs, drawing glances as she passed. Some people blushed, while others continued eating and drinking without care. Ryze noticed her and smiled.
"Wow, Phoebe. It looks amazing on you. A perfect ten," Ryze said, giving a thumbs-up.
"T-Thank you. It was given to me by… you know," Phoebe replied discreetly.
"Oh? I see," Ryze chuckled, covering her mouth. "Given by that person."
"Yes."
"Then eat first before you go. I'll prepare your meal," Ryze said.
"Thank you. How much will it be?" Phoebe asked.
"Forty copper coins. No need to pay upfront. You might need your money for other things. I'll deduct it when you start working," Ryze said gently.
"Thank you so much. I'm truly grateful," Phoebe said, bowing deeply.
After finishing breakfast, Phoebe bid Ryze farewell and headed toward the academy, map in hand. The academy was located east of the Empire of the Brave, while the inn stood south of thethe academy.
Upon arrival, Phoebe froze.
The academy rose like a kingdom within the empire—vast, majestic, and awe-inspiring. White-and-silver buildings stretched across the grounds, adorned with tall towers, arched windows, and refined stonework. A two-story wrought-iron fence surrounded the campus, its elegant patterns defining the boundaries of this enormous institution. At the center stood a massive circular fountain, its water soaring into the air.
Five warp gate plazas lay within the academy—north, south, east, west, and a grand central plaza. The central warp gate formed a circular structure with four colossal arches, each linked to a corresponding gate on the academy's outskirts. This place felt less like a school and more like a miniature kingdom designed to shape future rankers and rulers.
"This looks completely different from the map…" Phoebe muttered, stunned.
She saw people of many races entering the gates, many armed. The female students wore the same elegant uniform as hers, while the male students donned black blazers with gold trim, gold vests, white shirts, and polished black trousers.
Phoebe approached the southern gate, guarded by two knights clad in white armor with golden two-wing crests. One was an elf with brushed-up orange hair and green eyes. The other was a muscular dwarf with gray hair and sleepy blue eyes.
"Excuse me, Sir Knights," Phoebe said politely. "May I ask where the examination will be held?"
"A human student…" the elf knight murmured. "May I see your permit?"
"Yes. Here," Phoebe said, handing it over.
The elf knight's expression stiffened as he read it, cold sweat forming on his brow.
"What's wrong with you?" the dwarf knight asked.
"This… this isn't an ordinary permit," the elf whispered.
"What do you mean?"
"Look at who issued it."
The dwarf's eyes widened upon reading it.
"You little girl, how did—"
"Quiet," the elf interrupted. "You'll cause an uproar."
"Ahem," the dwarf cleared his throat. "Miss, please allow me to escort you to the Headmaster's office. Follow me."
"Y-Yes… thank you," Phoebe replied, utterly confused.
They passed through the southern warp gate and emerged at the central plaza. As they walked, Phoebe watched students chatting near in the big fountain, laughing, and bonding. Warmth filled her chest as excitement bubbled inside her.
Soon, Phoebe and the dwarf knight continued toward another warp gate—one connected to the academy's northern grounds.