So, how do you get Private Points?
The easiest way is to wait until a student from the same House earns HP. Sometimes, Mistheaven Academy organizes special events with PP as prizes. Another way is by trading with other students. But what Oz is doing right now is neither of those, he's planning to take PP from another student instead.
At this moment, Oz is lurking near the entrance gate of Uranus Dorm. Of course, he's using an advanced invisibility spell to ensure that no other students can see him as he sneaks around unnoticed.
So, what exactly is he doing there?
The answer is simple: Oz is eavesdropping to steal the dorm's password when students enter. This is how he plans to sneak into the dorm and rack up some PP for himself.
After waiting for around three minutes, he notices two students approaching the dorm gate, looking like they're about to enter.
Before stepping through the gate, the pair pauses, glancing left and right suspiciously, scanning the area as if they sense something odd.
—Are they looking for me?
Oz thinks to himself, smirking as he silently mocks the two students.
"Revelare!"
One of the students chants a revealing spell to check for hidden objects. Of course, this spell won't affect Oz, as his invisibility spell, 'Nocturnus Invisibilis,' is a night sorcery, meaning simple detection charms cannot reveal it. Only a more advanced revealing spell could expose him.
"All clear. No one's around."
One student says, feeling relieved, and then they both step through the gate. They have no idea someone is quietly following them from the shadows.
Oz, still invisible and crouched near the gate, listens closely as the students murmur the same word, "equinox."
—Thanks for the points, guys, I really mean it.
After ensuring that no other students are nearby to interrupt him, Oz confidently steps up to the gate.
[What is today's password?]
A robotic voice echoes from inside the mist gate.
"Equinox."
Oz replies with calm certainty, his voice firm.
[Password accepted. Welcome to Uranus Dorm. An outside student has been detected entering with the correct password. As a penalty, 10 PP will be deducted from each student in the House of Uranus, and you will receive 100 PP.]
As Oz walks down the corridor inside the dorm, he takes in the now-familiar surroundings. This isn't his first time here.
Most students from other Houses would sneak out as soon as they guessed the password, just to avoid being caught by the dorm residents. After all, guessing the password alone is enough to earn them PP. But Oz? He doesn't stop at that, he always goes into the dorm instead.
Yep, this is the third time Oz has successfully infiltrated Uranus Dorm. Over the past three days, he's also managed to sneak into Mercury, Mars, and Jupiter Dorms.
Oz has deliberately avoided entering Venus, Neptune, and Pluto Dorms so that students from the House of Saturn won't be suspected. If Saturn students were the only ones not losing points, everyone would immediately suspect that the culprit was from Saturn.
—I've farmed 1,200 points in just three days. Best farming spot ever. Muehehehe.
Oz's main targets are Jupiter and Uranus, both dorms notorious for being filled with nobles. For them, losing 10 PP each isn't a big deal. Plus, there's always delicious food available in those two dorms, unlike in Saturn Dorm, which never offers free meals.
"Hey! The password got guessed again!"
A girl with brown hair exclaims angrily as she notices the notice board has updated to show a 10 PP penalty deduction.
"Someone's definitely selling the passwords! We need to interrogate everyone!"
Another student, this one with glasses, adds furiously, his eyes narrowing at the notice board in frustration.
Interrogation is the term used by students when they suspect that a traitor has sold the password.
In such cases, they often use a truth elixir to make sure no one can lie. But since these elixirs are expensive, they only use this method as a last resort.
*Murmur*
The tension in the Common Room rises, with more students gathering as the commotion builds. Oz sits casually on one of the sofas, silently enjoying the heated debate between his fellow students.
Among the dorm's residents, several noble families hold significant influence. But currently the most powerful family in Uranus Dorm is the Scrooge family, renowned for their immense wealth and financial power.
Coincidentally, there are two Scrooges attending Mistheaven Academy this year: Ebenezer De Scrooge, a first-year student, and his older cousin, Cornelius De Scrooge, who is in his fifth year.
"Everyone, calm down. We'll find out who the traitor is."
A voice rings out, and the speaker looks strikingly similar to Ebenezer, likely Cornelius. His voice is commanding and authoritative, much like a military officer's. He stands in front of the crowd, trying to restore order among the frustrated students, who are on edge due to Oz's stealthy antics.
—How do you catch a traitor in a place where students would sell their own mother's ashes for money?
Uranus students are infamous for selling anything for a profit. Many clubs under their control even function as trading hubs for goods, services, and information. Anything can be bought if the price is right.
Oz was still wandering around the common room, his eyes casually scanning the tables for any food that might pique his interest. But this time, his attention shifted when he noticed someone familiar sitting in the corner of the room.
—Oh, it's Eben. This could be fun. Let's see what he's up to.
In the far corner, Eben was seated with a small group of students.
Oz nonchalantly leaned against the window, positioning himself near the sofa where Eben and his followers were gathered.
"Young master, this is the third time the dorm password has been cracked. What should we do?"
The question came from a man with jet-black, curly hair, clearly a subordinate, likely one of Eben's many loyal followers. His voice carried a tone of concern as he leaned in closer, as if seeking reassurance.
"Don't worry about it, Dain."
Eben's voice was calm, yet there was a glint of ambition in his eyes.
"This is my chance to take over the House of Uranus from Cornelius. I don't intend to wait until he graduates to make my move."
It was no secret that he and his cousin, Cornelius, were locked in a silent power struggle within the House of Uranus.
Cornelius, being a senior and more experienced, held much of the influence. But Eben, was determined to accelerate the shift of power in his favor.
As the conversation continued, another student came bursting into the common room, his steps frantic. His face was flushed from running, and he was still catching his breath.
*Gasp* *Gasp*
"Young master, I have the information!"
The student exclaimed, clutching a thick brown envelope as if it were some sacred artifact.
Eben's expression lit up with anticipation. A sense of excitement filled the air. He had clearly been waiting for this moment.
The student handed over the envelope, which looked worn from being handled with urgency. Eben snatched it with an air of impatience.
"I spent a considerable amount of money to acquire this from the academy staff."
Eben added, his voice a mix of pride and fear, knowing that such actions were risky.
Without hesitation, Eben tore open the envelope. Inside was a detailed map of the fifth floor, with several locations pameticulously marked.
By using his so-called "money magic," Eben had bribed one of Mistheaven's staff members. It was a dangerous game, one that could see both Eben and the staff member severely punished if their dealings ever came to light. But in Mistheaven, as in most places where wealth was power, secrets like these were common occurance.
If the average student was akin to a free-to-play player, nobles like Eben and those with deep pockets were the Whales of the game. They able to buy their way into advantages others could only dream of.
"With this, the students from the House of Uranus can get a head start in tomorrow's event. All of you, go post these maps on the notice boards immediately!"
Eben's subordinates quickly scrambled to carry out his orders. The stack of maps were about 50 sheets in total. It was clear that Eben was aiming to make a big impact on the first-year students.
The maps contained crucial information: a detailed guide to the first event for new students.
The event was part of Mistheaven's tradition, designed to help newcomers familiarize themselves with the fifth floor.
It was a treasure hunt, spanning the entire floor, with hidden symbols bearing the Mistheaven logo.
These symbols could only be detected by using the academy's point cards. When a student's card came within range of a symbol, it would glow, signaling its location.
New students could claim 10 PP for each symbol they found, but there were limits. Each symbol could only be claimed once, and each student could collect a maximum of 100 PP.
—How 'generous' of him to share those maps.
Oz smirked, the sarcasm heavy in his mind.
He knew Eben wasn't spreading these maps out of kindness. It was all part of his strategy.
By providing this information, Eben was currying favor with the first-year students, seeking their support.
"And I'll also gain House Points from this."
Eben muttered, grinning as he looked down at a second map he hadn't shown to the others.
This one wasn't for general distribution. It was a treasure map that revealed the locations of bonus coins. Tbose coins were hidden in 14 key locations.
—Whoa, jackpot. Eben, you're truly 'generous'!
As Eben tucked the hidden map into his robe pocket, Oz decided it was time to act. He whispered one of his favorite spells under his breath.
"Rapio Subtilis!"
The familiar thrill of using the spell never got old. His hand tingling with anticipation. But when he opened his palm, instead of the map, he found a pocket watch.
—This isn't what I wanted.
Undeterred, Oz cast the spell again.
"Rapio Subtilis!"
This time, success. The map he had been eyeing materialized in his hand.
"My pocket watch is gone! Where is it?!"
Panic overtook Eben. His face drained of color as he frantically searched his pockets, then the table, and even the floor beneath the chairs.
—Hmm, I was going to return this, but seeing him so frantic, I'm starting to think there's more to this pocket watch than meets the eye.
Several of Eben's subordinates also joined the frantic search for the pocket watch.
At one point, Oz narrowly avoided bumping into them. The chaos caused by Eben and his minions quickly drew the attention of the surrounding students, who began murmuring and peering over at the commotion.
With so many eyes on the situation, Oz decided it was best to quietly slip out of the dorm.
Even though he was invisible and made no sound, Oz knew that if someone collided with him, his cover would be blown. Carefully dodging the others students, he finally managed to exit the dorm safely.
—Quite a haul today. Muehehehe.
Oz couldn't help but grin, feeling victorious as he clutched the map that marked the locations of the bonus coins.
The detailed locations on the map practically guaranteed him an advantage in the upcoming event. Now, all that was left was to make good use of his time before anyone else could.
Leaving Uranus Dorm, Oz quickly made his way toward the closest castle gate.
The tall gate was closed tightly for the night. However, as usual, a smaller door to the side was left slightly open, serving as a shortcut for students who knew about it.
—Hmm, carelessness or deliberate? Either way, this door's not locked.
*Clang* *Screeeech*
The small door, made of heavy wood reinforced with iron, groaned as it swung open. The noise echoed eerily in the silence when one was alone in the darkness.
Oz checked the map again. One of the bonus coin locations was marked near the garden on the western side of the castle. The spot specifically pointed to a birdbath hidden among the greenery.
Navigating Mistheaven's vast gardens at night wasn't an easy task. The dim, flickering lights barely illuminated the twisting paths and thick foliage.
After a few minutes of matching his surroundings to the map's layout, Oz finally spotted a white birdbath made of limestone, nestled quietly in the heart of the garden.
"This must be the place," he whispered to himself.
He knelt down to inspect the birdbath, his fingers running along the stone edges. But after searching thoroughly, he realized there was nothing there, no coin.
It seemed that the bonus coins would only be placed when the event officially began.
"Aaagh, should I just wait until morning?"
The thought crossed his mind, but waiting all night seemed tedious. While Oz didn't need to sleep, standing around doing nothing was far from exciting.
Moreover, Oliver's starlight indicated that the invisibility spell would last for only another two and a half hours, and he needed to return to the dorm before the spell wore off.
Mistheaven enforced a strict curfew at midnight. No student was allowed to leave the dorms after that hour, and if caught, the consequences were harsh: a reduction of PP and a two-week suspension from classes.
"It's only 11 pm. I'll wait until one o'clock."
Oz stretched out on a bench near the birdbath, using the time to memorize every detail of the map he had stolen from Eben.
The faint garden lights provided just enough illumination for him to study the intricate details.
*Ding* *Dong*
The bell rang out across the castle grounds, its chime signaling the arrival of midnight.
*Hoot* *Hoot*
From above, the hooting of owls echoed in the night, but upon closer inspection, it was clear these were no ordinary owls. Their enormous size, comparable to that of a human, made their presence all the more eerie.
They were Mothman. A magical creatures tasked by Mistheaven to enforce the nightly curfew.
With their razor-sharp senses and powerful wings, few students dared to defy the curfew, knowing full well that these creatures could catch them on the spot.
The creatures' real name was Strixifera, but due to the difficulty of pronouncing it, most students and staff referred to them simply as Mothman.
Legends said they resembled giant moths, especially when they first appeared in the human world. Many people had dubbed them as "Mothman" after witnessing their large, moth-like wings, and the name had stuck ever since.
—What a shame students can't keep a Mothman as a pet. I'd definitely catch one if I could! Hahaha.
Oz chuckled inwardly. Out loud, that laugh could easily cost him dearly. Mothmen had sharp hearing, and they wouldn't hesitate to hunt him down if they caught even the faintest sound.
*Hoot* *Hoot*
Suddenly, one of the Mothmen descended to the ground, landing not far from where Oz was hiding. Its towering figure, almost humanoid in its posture, looked menacing under the moonlight. Its glowing red eyes scanned the area with keen vigilance.
—Am I caught?
Oz felt his heart race. This wasn't funny anymore. He held his breath, even though the invisibility spell should've kept him safe.
The Mothman, however, didn't notice him. Instead, the creature approached the birdbath and dropped something into the water. That was small reflective coin.
—Ah, so the Mothmen are the ones placing the bonus coins! I guess I should visit their nests sometime.
But there wasn't much time. It was already 12:05 am, and Oz knew he had to be back in the dorm before 1:30 am.
Once the Mothman flew off into the night, Oz quickly retrieved the coin from the birdbath.
—First bonus coin of the week! Muehehe.
According to the map, there were only about five bonus coins that were easy to access: three in the gardens, one in the main lobby, and one in the exhibition hall.
The remaining nine coins were located much further away, in places like Kuiper Town or inside rooms within the castle that were difficult to access.
With his time running short, Oz sprinted toward the northern garden, knowing it was the closest spot to his current location.
This time, the coin was hidden inside an old, broken garden lamp, its design noticeably different from the rest of the lamps scattered around the area.
It looked worn out, its metallic frame rusted, and its glass panels cracked, barely holding together. The faint glow from the other lamps in the distance made this particular one stand out in the darkness.
Oz swiftly took the coin from within the broken lamp but was startled by the sudden appearance of a shadowy figure wandering through the garden.
The figure moved slowly, its silhouette distorted by the dim lighting.
Oz's heart raced as he quickly pocketed the coin and crouched behind a thick bush, his eyes locked onto the mysterious figure.
—What is that? hmm.
As the figure came closer, its form became clearer. It was a girl, her movements sluggish, as if she were sleepwalking. Oz noticed the distinct brown hue of her robe, marking her as a member of the House of Pluto.
She seemed completely unaware of her surroundings, and oddly enough, the ever-vigilant Mothman patrolling the area didn't notice her either.
Normally, Mothmen had razor-sharp senses, capable of detecting any rule-breaking students, but they appeared oblivious to her presence.
Oz could still see her, meaning it wasn't invisibility magic she was using, perhaps something else.
—Where is she going?
Oz watched her carefully as she moved past the intersection leading to Kuiper Town. Her pace didn't change, and before long, her figure vanished into the darkness.
—Hmm, strange. But I don't have much time.
Realizing he had spent too long observing the girl, Oz broke into a run, heading for the other coin locations.
The garden was vast, and navigating it in the dark made every step feel longer than it should have.
In the end, despite his best efforts, Oz managed to collect only four coins.
He decided to skip the exhibition hall, as it was too far from the entrance to Saturn Dorm. He couldn't risk getting caught by the Mothman.
When Oz returned to the dorm, the atmosphere felt tense. A large group of students had gathered in the common area, their faces a mix of worry and confusion.
It was now 1:22 am, and it was unusual for so many of them to still be awake at this hour. Some were pacing, others whispering to one another, exchanging nervous glances.
August, seated on the edge of a worn leather sofa, looked especially anxious, his hands clasped tightly as if he were bracing himself for bad news.
"Oi, August, what's going on?"
Oz asked, his curiosity piqued by the unusually grim mood.
Hearing Oz's voice, August jumped from the sofa, visibly startled. His eyes widened in a mix of relief and surprise as he rushed toward Oz, patting his shoulders as if to check that Oz was really there.
"Oz! Where have you been!?"
August shouted, his voice showing both worry and a bit of frustration.
"Uh, I was just out for a walk."
Oz replied casually, trying to make the situation seem less serious.
"Were Madge and Jees with you?"
August asked, his brow furrowed. His urgent tone surprised Oz.
"Uh, sorry, I don't know them. What's going on, anyway?"
Oz blinked, confused. He didn't recognize the names.
"There were three… Now two students who haven't returned to the dorm yet."
August explained in a firm voice.
"The seniors are already speaking with the academy staff to get answers."
August added, visibly trying to stay calm.
"For now, though, let's just try to get some sleep."
He gave Oz a reassuring pat on the shoulder, but the tension in his expression didn't fade entirely. Oz could tell he was still on edge.
Before Oz could process what he had just heard, Nathan came rushing from the direction of the common room, his face flushed with worry.
"Oz! Where have you been!?"
Nathan repeated the same question, his voice trembling slightly.
"He said he was out for a walk."
This time, it was August who answered instead of Oz.
*Murmur* *Murmur*
The voices in the common room grew louder as students exchanged frantic whispers. Some paced nervously, while others stayed put, their eyes fixed on the mist gate as if expecting someone.
"Madge and Jees weren't caught by the Mothman? This is bad. What should we do?"
Several students murmured in alarm, their worry deepening.
—Could that girl from House of Pluto be involved in this?