Chapter 122: Afternoon Festivities [2]

A few weeks before the festival.

Inside the tavern, Brandon sat at the counter as the familiar bartender entertained him.

Smith was wide eyed as he looked at Brandon.

"You want to climb the organization's rankings?"

"Yeah."

"Why...?"

"I need more people like you. People who won't hesitate to get their hands dirty."

"...I see."

Brandon knew he couldn't bring any people from the Academy with him once he became a Primordial member.

What he needed were people from the underground channels of society.

But all he could access were the public taverns of the Twilight Syndicate.

He needed an invitation.

An invitation to enter the syndicate's main circle.

Which is why he needed to climb the ranks.

To get the syndicate's attention.

"There's one thing you can do."

"Tell me."

Snap!

Smith snapped his fingers.

Brandon rolled his eyes in response.

Clink!

And a gold coin landed on a table.

Smith nodded and went on to elaborate.

"There are certain ways to shoot up the rankings. But if you really want to get the heads' attention, then do something unthinkable."

"..."

Brandon pondered as he pinched his chin.

He had several ideas in mind.

But his moral compass wouldn't allow it.

"What's with that look?"

"...?"

The hell was he talking about?

Brandon was clearly wearing a mask.

"Uh?"

"It's your gestures."

"..."

Weirdo.

"Anyway, do something unthinkable."

"Like?"

Smith pondered for a few seconds. But then he looked back at Brandon with a smirk.

Noticing the sly smirk on his face, Brandon flipped another coin.

Clink!

"Fucking cheapskate."

"It's business. Anyway, there's a new group in the syndicate who's trying to make a name for themselves. Bunch of deviants."

"Oh?"

"They're planning on obstructing this Academy called Astrea during their festival. Maybe you can use them as a reference."

Brandon's eyes widened behind the mask as those words left Smith's mouth.

Smith may have not known, but the information that he gave was worth more than a gold coin.

"...What are they planning?"

At that, Smith flashed him another smirk and Brandon rolled his eyes.

Clink!

"I heard they've been messing with companies that'll be involved in the festival, threatening their families and stuff."

"..."

Brandon's eyes widened once again.

This...

He could definitely use this to his advantage.

"Do something unthinkable, huh?"

***

The present.

After working for two hours, Rachel was finally relieved of her duties.

Changing into her usual clothes, she stepped out of the changing room.

"Good work today."

'Good work, Rachel."

"Thanks."

She nodded at their appreciation.

With a smile plastered on her face, she left the lecture room shortly after.

Yes,

Finally.

It was time to explore the festival.

An image overlapped in her mind. The thought of exploring the festival with him made her excited.

"I wonder where he is."

She didn't know where he was.

But she was resolved to find him.

"How unprofessional."

Inside one of the lecture rooms, a voice reached them.

As they entered, what greeted their sight was a guest whose clothes were drenched.

"This suit cost me a fortune. I hope you have the means to pay."

"Sir, it was an accident. We're still students, so we can't pay. But we'll offer a refund instead."

"Refund...? Your drinks were shit."

Students encircled him with a horrified expression.

"What's going on here?"

Oscar approached the man and grabbed his attention.

"Who the fuck are you?"

"I'm a member of the Disciplinary Committee."

He sternly stated.

"If you continue acting like this, then you'll have to leave the premises."

"What? I'm the victim here. These kids dropped juice all over my suit."

"I understand. But please be civil, they're kids. They can't pay a fortune."

"Why not?"

The man spat out.

"You're Astrea students. Your tuition is a hefty sum. And you can't pay for my suit?"

"Some of us are under scholarship."

"Excuses."

Oscar frowned as those words left the man's mouth.

"Fuck, I'm leaving."

The man turned around and left after muttering curses under his breath.

And that was the end of it.

The situation was dealt with quite smoothly.

"Ahhhh...!"

But then a scream echoed from the other lecture room.

Looking at each other, Brandon and Oscar rushed out of the room and followed the source of the scream.

What greeted their sight was yet again, another man whose hands were raised at a student.

There were glass shards on the floor. With cracked plates scattered all over.

Students sported a horrified expression as they stood and watched.

The man seemed like he was about to slap the student.

But that was until...

Woosh—!

As Brandon retracted his arm, a powerful gust of wind yanked the man backward.

Thud!

"Ukh!"

The man fell on the ground with his front facing the ceiling.

He got up and looked at the two with his eyes wide open.

Brandon's cold voice followed shortly after.

"Get out."

Brushing his clothes, the man sprinted and left the room.

When they thought they could finally rest for a bit, another scream ensued.

"Ahhh...!"

And they followed the source shortly after.

Thud!

"Akh...!"

Thud!

"Ahhhh!"

Clank—!

"Fuck."

"Ahhhhh!"

Problems after problems.

After managing to resolve each situation, Brandon breathed out a sigh.

"Haa..."

"Tired?"

"Nope."

Brandon shook his head.

"I don't blame you."

Oscar leaned on the wall with his arms crossed.

"It wasn't this bad during the previous festivals. For some reason, there were more uninvited guests this year."

"I see."

Brandon nodded.

Indeed.

Though the Academy was open to the public, they still needed confirmation that they were a family member of a student.

An invitation needed to be checked by the guards. On it, there'd be a stamp that confirms the validity of their invitation.

But Brandon was well aware of the reason why this was happening.

There was a rat.

Invitations were sent out like flies, allowing anyone to enter the academy.

How did he know all this?

That was because...

Brandon was the rat.