Neo couldn't believe his eyes.

"Tell me I'm hallucinating."

"…Yes, I think its mass hallucination."

The cafeteria was filled with energy, laughter and music.

Students danced, shouted, and clinked their glasses.

Felix noticed Neo and his team at the cafeteria's door.

"Neo! Come inside! Eat with us!"

"What's happening here?"

"Our team threw a party to celebrate us receiving team slots."

"…Where did you get the credits to pay for everything?"

"We used the credits we borrowed from them."

Neo looked at him as if he was an idiot.

Felix scratched his cheek.

"The transfer limit. There is a limit to how many credits you can get from others.

"The students wouldn't have been able to receive their credits back right now. So we decided to throw a party."

He came closer to Neo and whispered,

"This was the perfect way to establish a good relation with everyone."

"I guess that's true."

"Isn't it? Will you throw a party too?"

"…"

Neo was exasperated.

'He wants to split the bill?'

'This guy…'

'Our negative credits were just cleared and we have only 6 credits.'

He let out a smile.

"No thank you."

"tsk"

Felix clicked his tongue silently but made sure it was audible.

He left when a few students called out to him.

"Let's take something to eat."

"You mean order, right?"

"I meant what I said. They are throwing a part, so we might as well partake."

Jack looked at Neo.

The more time they spent together the more he realized Neo, contrary to cold and emotionless face, was shameless in both words and actions.

Their group sat in a corner.

They chatted while eating.

A group approached their table.

"Team Umbra, correct?

"I've heard you guys managed to receive a slot.

"A weak team like yours must've made some underhanded deals.

"I don't think your team can complete an S-rank mission with your current strength. Let us join your—"

"You have ten seconds to fuck off."

Neo cut off the leader of the group.

"What!? Y-you cursed at me?! Do you even know who I am?!"

"Ten."

"You better think carefully!"

"Five."

"W-what!? You just skipped the counts!"

"Three—"

Neo was about to continue when the group took a step back.

The boy, their leader, clenched his jaw and glared at Neo.

"I won't forget this humiliation.

"Remember this, I, Sebas Morris, will have my revenge for this insolent act!"

"...."

They flinched when Neo opened his mouth and left before he could he speak.

"Pfft! I never thought I would see someone act like that in real life."

Jack let out the laughter he had been holding back.

Christian shook his head and Mars scoffed.

It was already common knowledge Neo's team received a spot.

They expected someone to join their team for the S-rank mission.

"Now that we have a slot, what are you guys planning to ask from the Sphinx?"

Jack brought up the topic while they ate.

The four stared at each other.

Christian cleared his throat and put his spoon down.

"I'll go first. I want to know about the fastest way for me to become a Senior Exorcist."

"Wow, you don't want to know how to become a Senior Exorcist, but how to become one as fast as possible?

"That's some confidence," Jack spoke.

His awe filled gaze embarrassed Christian.

"My turn."

Jack stood up.

He exaggeratedly spread his arms and made big motions.

"I want to write an autobiography.

"The title would be—

"I became the strongest Necromancer after receiving an oracle from the Sphinx!"

They laughed.

"What's the real question you would ask? I doubt you would actually do that," Christian spoke.

"Well…"

Jack let out a wry smile.

"It's a bit heavy topic I'd rather not about or it will dampen the mood.

"To be honest, I—

"I'm worried you all will become jealous of my soon to arrive success."

"As if!"

Christian felt stupid to have expected a serious answer from Jack.

Just a few days ago, Jack was trembling when he met their eyes.

Going through life and death struggles closed the distances between them easily.

"Now, Mars' turn!"

"I want to ask for a way to surpass the Supreme."

Suddenly, the group fell silent.

Supreme was the highest mastery of a Magic Spell.

Barely anyone reached Supreme-mastery in their life.

Mars was an anomaly to have achieved Supreme-mastery within a few weeks, even if it was for the lowest Whisper-ranked Spell, since it took years of practice for that.

"Mars…"

Christian couldn't complete his words.

"Don't worry about it. Everyone knows my condition."

Mars smiled and continued.

"My heart is weak and it can't pump enough Divine energy rich blood throughout my body.

"It's why I can use only the weakest Spell of my element.

"I'm called one of the strongest in our year because I managed to train the Fire Punch Spell to Supreme Mastery.

"But—"

His comprehension was unparalleled.

However, he wasn't blessed with a good physique.

No.

He was cursed with a broken body.

A body that won't grow any stronger.

"With that, I've reached my limit.

"I can't grow anymore.

"It wouldn't take long for everyone to surpass me."

Mars clenched his fists.

He grinned.

"That's why I must surpass the Supreme! I'm not giving up my title of a genius!"

He pointed at Neo.

"I'll use you as the grindstone for my success.

"You better not slack off in your training, my rival!"

Neo wasn't strong.

He was weak.

If Mars had to be honest, Neo was the weakest in their group.

But.

Neo had something they didn't.

A power they could never hope to achieve.

His unrivalled drive to improve himself.

Mars respected Neo for it.

Unknown to Mars, Neo's drive was something he learned from Mars.

Neo wanted to be like Mars.

Someone who wouldn't give up even if he had to burn his life for just an ounce of strength.

Someone who wouldn't bend his morals and take the hardest path without cowering.

'Burn his life, huh?'

Neo smiled bitterly when he recalled Mars future.

"I bet you can do it."

Jack bumped his fist into Mars' shoulder.

He turned to Neo.

"What will you ask from the Sphinx?"