The blessing windows hovered above the table, each glow promising a different way to push the party forward. They needed every push they could get. Half the team still wasn’t close to level 20, and only NukEncore and Kill Clause had reached the level thirteen range, mostly because their last boss fight had drowned them in waves of armored goblins.

The private room at Samu’s Restaurant kept most of the noise downstairs away, but not all of it. Cheers, groans, and excited voices still rose through the floorboards whenever another party checked the weekly rankings. The whole academy seemed awake now, stirred by the same rewards and the same fear of falling behind.

Above Martin’s table, five system windows floated in quiet gold. Each one belonged to a different person, but together they made the room feel brighter than the lamps on the wall.

NukEncore rested her elbow on the table and looked between the windows with a pleased smile. Kill Clause had already leaned forward to read the details properly.

Chaosgraphy pretended to be relaxed, though San Kumoe’s three heads kept peeking toward the glowing screens. Crimson Halo’s fingers hovered near her own reward window, calm on the surface but clearly curious.

"That’s what we should focus on now," Kill Clause said, calm as ever. "I heard several parties are already mapping the potential expansion points, so we still have time before they finish. Other players are leveling up and mastering their skills quickly too."

Martin nodded.

He understood why everyone was pushing harder now. One weapon had earned him more money than he had expected, and Cassandra Selfmore’s hints had lit a fire under the rest of the guild. More players were exploring, clearing dungeons, and searching for anything valuable. She had only drawn one hard line: anyone who killed beasts would be kicked from the guild immediately.

In this world, beasts were not just monsters with better drops. They were companions, allies, and sometimes the difference between an ordinary player and someone the game actually noticed.

With all of that in mind, Martin clenched his hands. "I don’t know if we’re playing the game the right way, but we’re playing the long game. We’re learning our dungeons, our builds, and what actually works for us.

"I like this style. It gives us more time, and I’m sure we’re not that far behind players with higher levels. We’ll find our place in this expansion. Let’s keep grinding!"

"Yep," Chaosgraphy said with a nod.

NukEncore beamed.

Kill Clause smiled.

They meant it, but Cassandra’s name still left a small wrinkle in the mood. NukEncore’s chin lifted a little, and Chaosgraphy’s eyes narrowed with quiet amusement. Both had already spent too much of real life proving themselves to others, so the idea of doing it for one more person did not land as cleanly as Martin intended.

Still, Martin’s passion was obvious enough to pull the spark back into the room before it could fade.

Crimson Halo’s smile suggested she understood exactly why Cassandra’s name had changed the mood, but her gaze had already lowered to her own reward window. The golden light reflected in her eyes, softening them in a way that made her look gentle, knowing, and a little too dangerous for Martin’s peace of mind.

If her guess was correct, she had received a spirit.

As soon as she activated it, gentle heat bloomed inside her chest.

Crimson Halo’s breath hitched. Her fingers rose to the center of her chest, pressing lightly against the fabric as if she could feel something warm stirring beneath her palm. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

The glow gathered there, bright and intimate, outlining the curve of her body for one quiet second before spilling outward like sunlight through thin silk.

"Ah," she breathed.

Martin’s eyes widened.

That sound was unfairly sexy.

Crimson Halo did not moan loudly or theatrically. That would have been easier to survive. Instead, the sound slipped out soft and helpless, wrapped in warmth, like the spirit had brushed a hidden place inside her soul. Her lashes lowered for a moment, and her lips parted around a small breath that made Martin’s thoughts stumble.

A wolf spirit emerged from her chest, shaped less like a normal four-legged wolf and more like a ghostly outline with a clear wolf head. Its green eyes brimmed with vitality and solace, while a golden aura radiated soothing light.

It looked up at Crimson Halo and made a soft, puppy-like sound before circling around the arm she had extended toward it.

The spirit’s tail left trails of golden mist around her wrist. Crimson Halo followed it with her eyes, her expression melting into something so tender that Martin had to remind himself this was only a game.

The problem was that his heart did not care.

NukEncore was the first to clap her hands. "Such a beautiful spirit! It looks like a baby golden retriever puppy!"

"It’s another great companion for our party," Kill Clause said, measured but pleased.

Chaosgraphy harrumphed. "It definitely doesn’t come from her spirit. It’s too adorable."

Martin laughed and leaned closer to Chaosgraphy. "You’re happy she got something similar to a pet, aren’t you?"

"How strange that you can tell." Chaosgraphy smiled back. "Don’t tell her."

"Fine," Martin said with a chuckle before turning to Crimson Halo. "Congrats on getting your own spirit companion. It’s the most unique one we’ve seen so far. Can you tell what it can do?"

Crimson Halo let the question linger while the little spirit circled her arm and rubbed its glowing head against her wrist. Since Kinnami had not been named yet, it remained quiet and restless, trailing golden mist over her skin. Crimson Halo smiled at the feeling, slowly stroked two fingers along its misty fur, and then lifted her gaze to Martin.

She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and the gesture only made her look composed and mature, completely aware of the warmth she carried and the effect it had on him. Her smile remained kind, yet there was a slow confidence in it, the kind that turned a simple request into something much more intimate.

"It’s a she," Crimson Halo said softly. "And of course, I’d like you to name her."