Inna's face scrunched up instinctively.
I don't need another weirdo to call me that weird ass nickname.
"Please don't call me that. My name is Ingrid. Call me Inna, for short."
"Ah, okay, Inna. Please keep this matter a secret. I'm the direct heir to the Frode Family. So, if my other relatives who do not want me as the heir were to know this secret, they would surely take advantage of it to kill me. Because according to traditions, if I die, the Frode Family will have to hold a battle for succession. This will bestow anyone in the family the right to become the heir, no matter if you were just a distant relative or part of the main family."
"And that's why most of my relatives eagerly wait for my death. The Frode Family is a mix of a military family and a merchant's family. My mother is a military tactician and was titled as 'General' by the emperor. She holds half of the military power of Anemoly. My father, on the other hand, is a merchant. He built an empire on jewelry making alone. And his stores are one of the most sought after by the noblewomen and commoners alike. In fact, he earns millions of gold coins while he sitting and handling family matters. Hence, the money in our treasury is always increasing. In fact, the family is having trouble keeping all of it so we usually do charity for the needy. Or invest it in this Academy."
"So, it's pretty clear that anyone is capable of doing anything to get their hands on the family's vast amount of wealth and the enviable strength of having thousands of military combatants under their command."
Inna nodded in understanding. Power and money, what else could they ask for? That's how it has always been in her world, and it's not surprising how it's also like this in their world.
After all, human greed is always present anywhere.
While deep in thought, Raghnall decided to cut their conversation short.
"Hey guys, Rira's been trying to dent the spatial cube for quite some time. So I think it's best for us to get out now."
Both Inna and Favian nodded in agreement.
But, as if noticing something, Inna curiously looked at Favian's current demeanor and asked hesitantly.
"Hey, aren't you going to be…. Uhm, stupid again?"
Frode looked at her from the corner of his eye and shook his head.
"Too troublesome. I'd have to ask Raghnall to retell all the information I needed because I don't have the notes now. It would take too much time and effort on his part. Besides, Rira knows about my weird behavior so she's used to it."
"But the others?"
"I couldn't care less about them. They're new students. They would probably just pass it off as something 'weird.' And since I'm a Watcher, they wouldn't dare question me about it."
Inna nodded in understanding. After all, her team looked like they wouldn't even dare to ask anyone their name.
All of a sudden, Inna noticed the tinted walls of the cube suddenly disappearing.
And similar to her ears being unclogged, she was finally able to hear the loud background noise. Especially a loud female voice by her side.
"Raghnall! My dear! Why did you leave me?!"
Inna's face scrunched up in disgust at the sickly sweet voice. Looking at the direction where it came from, she saw a gray-robed woman holding her arms out as she tried hugging Raghnall.
Raghnall cleverly dodged to one side as he laughed nervously.
"I was just reprimanding a friend of mine. She made a little mistake that involved her Watcher in charge."
Rira was annoyed that he dodged her hug but was even more annoyed that no matter how blatant her advances are on him, he doesn't seem to show any interest. After hearing what he said, she immediately looked at the people he talked about.
In her gaze, she saw a tan skinned woman who looked like she'd rather wrestle a bear than fight with magic, and a familiar man who had the same grey robes as she did.
Ugh, it's that weak loser and the weirdo.
"Why do you even acquaint yourself with her? You're better than that. Besides, if she made a mistake, it's her Watcher's responsibility to reprimand her."
Meanwhile, Inna's team who saw what happened simply looked at Rira like she was crazy.
She broke his shoulder with a slap! How do you expect the victim to reprimand the assailant?!
But because of their fear and lack of a backbone, they all just kept silent.
On the other hand, Raghnall's expression darkened as he heard her words but he held himself in check.
"Miss Rira, with all due respect, I do not need you to choose my friends. A 'Watcher' should do her job properly in monitoring the students."
Rira's face stiffened upon hearing Raghnall's words but she decided to ignore the disdain in his voice.
"Aw, does that mean that you want me to just concern myself about the team and not your friend?"
She giggled cutely as she tried to grab unto his arm.
"Don't worry, I'll give you all the attention you want."
Raghnall's face scrunched up in disgust and discreetly tried to pry his arm away from her.
Meanwhile, Favian's face held a disgusted expression and decided to stop her from degrading herself further.
"Rira, the group in front has been moving for quite some time. I think you need to start moving as well. You wouldn't want your team to be left behind and you to be scolded for irresponsibly handling them, now would you?"
Rira looked at Favian and realized that he changed.
"Oh, so you're the less annoying Frode now. Well, hello there. Why don't you mind your own business?"
She spat as her hold on Raghnall's arm tightened. Exasperated, Raghnall decided to just drag her back to where his other teammates were. But, not before telepathically sending Favian a message.
'Don't switch back until I say so. Frode still calls me Mirzo.'