Langard, Adventurers' Guild.

  Jingle~!

  Two money bags were placed on a table in the guild tavern.

  "How about splitting today’s reward like this?"

  Hulim said.

  "No problem! I’ll take my share!"

  Arthur nodded, picked up the money bag near him, and tucked it into his pocket.

  "Hey~, have you heard? Word is that righteous thief struck another unscrupulous wealthy merchant’s mansion."

  "Again? Nice~. I wonder if that righteous thief could spare some for me—I’m almost out of money for drinks......"

  "Details? Spit it out......"

  At a nearby table, several adventurers who had been drinking since daytime chatted about a certain topic.

  Hulim had also heard about this. It seemed to have spread in the Lower District, but she didn’t know the specifics.

  "Hey~, that righteous thief—he’s pretty awesome!"

  Arthur voiced his approval of the thief in their conversation.

  "You know that thief?"

  "No."

  Arthur shook his head.

  "How would I know? I doubt anyone knows his true identity. Anyway, he suddenly appeared a few months ago. His targets are all those notorious bad merchants, wealthy tycoons, and some gangs. And every time he gets money, he distributes it all to the people in the slums. Even the orphanage I grew up in received his donations."

  "Well, in short, he’s amazing!"

  So it’s robbing the rich to feed the poor?

  Truly, Langard has all kinds of people. I wonder who that righteous thief really is......

  ......

  After returning to the academy, Hulim went to the Grand Library as usual. She entered the inner region, borrowed a Rank 4 spell book, and began studying.

  It wasn’t until the sky was completely dark that she returned the spell book and left the Grand Library.

  "Miko...... hasn’t come back yet?"

  Back in the dormitory, her white-haired catgirl roommate Miko was still not there.

  "Lately, she’s been leaving early and returning late more often."

  "Acting all mysterious. I hope she hasn’t gone astray......"

  She poured a glass of refreshing juice, took out the dessert she’d bought on the way back, and began recalling what she’d learned about the Rank 4 spell today, trying to construct its magic circuit in her body.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  Before she knew it, time passed.

  Squeak~!

  The dormitory door was gently opened.

  "Huh?"

  Seeing the light still on in the dormitory, Miko, who had sneaked back cautiously, let out a confused sound.

  Hulim stopped practicing magic and walked out of her bedroom.

  "Miko, you’re back? Why so late?"

  "Uh...... That, I had something to take care of......"

  Miko said awkwardly, her eyes darting.

  "Oh right, Hulim—why aren’t you resting so late?"

  ......Is she changing the subject already?

  "I just reviewed the magic I learned today. I still have dessert here—want some?"

  "Really? Yes, yes!"

  At the mention of dessert, Miko’s eyes lit up instantly.

  "Here. Remember to brush your teeth well after eating."

  "Mmm, got it, mmm, I remember."

  Miko stuffed dessert into her mouth while replying perfunctorily.

  Seeing this, Hulim could only smile helplessly and turned back to her bedroom.

  ......

  ......

  Luminous Dungeon.

  "【????????????????????????????????????????????????????】""Great Fireball!"

  A huge fireball soared out from the tip of Alicia’s wand, knocking down a large group of small bats along the way. Finally, it hit a much larger Sonic Bat and exploded violently.

  "Squeak——!!!"

  Amidst the Sonic Bat’s roar in the flames, its body plummeted straight to the ground.

  "Phew!"

  After defeating the enemy, Alicia let out a breath.

  Hulim watched quietly from the side.

  "Alicia, you’ve become quite proficient with Rank 3 spells."

  "Really?"

  "But that’s thanks to you. Without Hulim teaming up with me in the dungeon these past few months, my strength wouldn’t have improved so quickly."

  "I didn’t help you much. Your progress in magic is mainly due to your own efforts. However, if that’s the case......"

  Hulim thought for a moment, then continued.

  "Starting tomorrow, we can try going deeper into the dungeon. This area no longer gives us much pressure."

  "Deeper layers......"

  Alicia also thought seriously.

  "I wonder if we can clear this dungeon before graduating from the academy......"

  Although it was a low-difficulty dungeon, defeating the dungeon lord to achieve the clear achievement required a team with strength close to Rank B.

  "Alicia, it’s time to go back."

  While she was still thinking, Hulim on the other side had already collected the magic stones and was ready to return.

  "Okay, I’ll be right there!"

  The two quickly returned to the surface and parted ways near the dungeon entrance.

  "Hulim, see you tomorrow!"

  "See you tomorrow."

  Hulim watched as Alicia boarded a luxurious carriage pulled by a Earth Dragon, escorted by knights.

  "Hmm...... Next, I’ll stop by Ilus’ shop. My equipment needs maintenance. I’ll also drop by Charkin’s blacksmith shop."

  Having decided on her destination, Hulim set off for the district where Ilus’ Magic Potion Shop was located.

  The shortest route from the Luminous Dungeon to there passed through an old neighborhood in the Lower District. Instead of taking a detour, Hulim chose to go straight through this area.

  Before long, Hulim arrived at the old neighborhood. It was obvious that there were far fewer open shops here, and fewer pedestrians. Instead, the number of suspicious-looking people had increased.

  "Hmm? That person......"

  Her gaze caught sight of someone’s back.

  Although the person was wrapped in a robe, Hulim still felt a hint of familiarity.

  "......Why is she here, and what is she planning to do?"

  The person’s movements were very suspicious, and they were constantly walking deeper into an alley that was clearly not a good place.

  "......"

  Faced with this situation, Hulim fell silent for two seconds. She then took out a spare black robe from her backpack, changed out of her uniform, and quietly followed.

  ......

  The road became more and more remote, the number of pedestrians gradually decreased, and the malicious gazes from the dark corners continued to increase.

  "Where exactly are they going?"

  Watching the back figure that had clearly entered an lawless area ahead, Hulim became even more curious.

  "Hey, you skulking around—do you know whose territory this is?"

  A burly, bearded man stood up from a dark corner nearby, looking at Hulim who was hiding behind a wooden barrel with a scowl.

  Thud!

  "Please be quiet."

  After a muffled sound, the burly man rolled his eyes and fell asleep on the ground......

  "Hmm?"

  Seemingly hearing some movement, the figure ahead turned around.

  But all they saw was a hind leg being dragged into an alley at a corner behind them.

  "?"

  Squeak, squeak.

  The person tilted their head, but remembering that this was just how things were here, they dismissed the idea of going to check.