Chapter 182. No More Emotional Damage

Succubi Chapter 182. No More Emotional Damage

His monocle almost slipped.

“L-Lilith?” he repeated. He almost went down to his knees again and screamed in frustration.

Evelyn calmly lifted her lunch box. “She made mine too.”

Sera raised her hand weakly. “Also mine.”

Callahan froze.

He looked at my lunch.

Then theirs.

Then back at mine.

“…Oh,” he said slowly. “So not specifically for Evan.”

His shoulders deflated half an inch.

“Then it’s fine.”

I deadpanned.

‘Sir… Your emotional swing is visible from orbit.’

Adrian leaned closer and whispered, “He was about to scream ‘This world isn’t fair.’”

I had to bite my tongue to stop from laughing.

Callahan cleared his throat, regained posture, and, without invitation, sat down at our table.

Like he was one of us.

“Anyway,” he said smoothly, crossing one leg over the other, “I came because the Quartet Rogue Masks have gained quite a name after our first duel.”

The table stilled.

Even Leon slowed down chewing.

Callahan’s voice shifted into announcer mode.

“It has attracted significant attention. Fans. Comments. Requests.”

He glanced at me.

“Especially your fight, Evan. The final battle video between you and the banshee reached one million views within days.”

One million.

My brain short-circuited.

I cringed internally so hard I nearly imploded.

‘That’s because they want to see the banshee’s boobs, not because of the battle!’

Adrian looked impressed.

Leon whispered, “That’s insane.”

Evelyn smiled faintly.

Sera blinked slowly, then whispered, “So many people watching you.”

Callahan continued, “They demand for another match.”

Translation:

Money.

Sponsors.

Viewership.

Spotlight.

Hell, yeah!

Despite the excitement, I kept my cool composure.

“So,” I asked carefully, “they want us to participate again?”

He nodded.

“I have already spoken with Kyra and Felix. They are in.”

Of course they did.

I turned to Adrian.

“What do you think?”

He didn’t hesitate.

His usual joking expression faded.

“I’m in,” he said.

Serious.

Grounded.

He wasn’t doing it for fame.

He wanted to fight.

To grow.

To prove something, not loudly, like Ares, but steadily.

Callahan’s eyes shifted to me.

“And what about you?”

“I’m in too.”

Callahan’s smile sharpened.

“Excellent.”

He reached into his coat and pulled out two black cards with the Arcana symbol embossed in silver, identical to last time.

He handed one to Adrian.

One to me.

“I will inform you the schedule,” he said smoothly.

He stood.

The wind, again, materialized at perfect timing.

Coat flared.

Monocle glinted.

But this time, I caught it.

That small curve at the edge of his lips.

A smirk.

Fishy.

Very fishy.

Callahan walked away like a hero exiting a poster, coat flaring, light cooperating, background students respectfully parting as if rehearsed. But that smirk stayed in my mind.

I cringed.

“Why do I feel like he’s planning something?” I muttered.

Adrian didn’t even hesitate. “Maybe the banshee will be there again. Or that hot mentor last time.”

I stared at him.

“…That’s your conclusion?”

"Well, it's Callahan. What do you expect? Also..." Adrian shrugged. “You fight better when mildly flustered. You should watch your final match video."

“I do not.”

“You absolutely do.”

Before I could defend my honor…  Ding!

My phone vibrated in my hand.

The notification sound cut through my thoughts like divine intervention.

I blinked.

Checked the screen.

Academy email.

Subject: Mission Access Authorization.

I sat up straighter.

Oh.

Oh?

I opened it.

“You are now eligible to apply for field missions.”

My grin spread slowly.

“Yes.”

Leon instantly grabbed his own phone. “Why haven’t I gotten any email yet?”

Adrian leaned over his shoulder. “Because you ate your eligibility.”

Leon gasped. “That’s not how progression works!”

Sera tilted her head at me, eyes half-lidded but curious. “And why do you sound excited? It’s simply permission for work. I hate work.”

I looked at her like she’d just questioned oxygen.

“Yeah,” I said slowly. “And mission means money and growth.”

Her sleepy expression didn’t change.

“So?”

“So?!” I sat up. “Sera. Money. Growth. Equipment. Freedom. Independence. Financial stability. No more emotional damage from checking wallet balance.”

Evelyn blinked at me.

“You’re very passionate about this.”

“Because poverty trauma is real, okay?”

I immediately started typing, scrolling through the mission board.

[Mission Board Accessed.]

[Rank Available: D.]

[Rank B: Locked (Semester Restriction).]

I froze.

Rank D.

D.

I cringed so hard my spine almost folded.

“This isn’t fair,” I muttered.

Adrian smirked. “You just spoke what Callahan wants to say. Congratulations.”

I tched.

Fine.

Rank D.

Scroll.

Scroll.

Most of them were… boring.

Gather five medicinal herbs.

Deliver package to village elder.

Escort merchant cart.

No.

No.

No.

Then… Hunting.

Monster subjugation.

Small pack.

Outside academy perimeter.

The reward? Respectable.

Not insane.

But respectable.

My eyes sharpened.

I did quick math in my head.

That payout could buy…

A decent mana-reinforced jacket.

Or an accessory.

Or actual groceries for a week or two that aren’t cafeteria mystery stew.

And if this is Rank D…

Rank B must be delicious.

A slow grin spread across my face.

Evelyn leaned closer, studying me.

“Uh… Evan…”

I didn’t look up.

“Yes?”

“I can see coins in your eyes.”

I looked at her.

Completely serious.

“I won’t be poor anymore,” I declared. “I’m so done being poor.”

Leon laughed. “You live in a dorm.”

“That’s temporary. I won’t let my asshole sister bully me anymore after I graduated. I will bath in gold and money!”

Adrian squinted at the mission details. “You’re really going to do that one?”

I checked the request date.

Today.

If approved, immediate deployment.

Which meant…

Faster money.

Faster growth.

Faster results.

My fingers hovered.

Then clicked.

Apply.

[Application Submitted.]

[Processing…]

I leaned back slowly.

Heart steady.

Excitement bubbling just under the surface.

Sera stared at me like I’d just signed up for recreational danger.

“You’re smiling like you’re about to rob a bank.”

“It’s called ambition.”

“It’s called greed,” Adrian corrected.

Fair.

A notification pinged again.

[Application Accepted.]

[Report Time: 19:00.]

[Mission Brief Attached.]

I blinked.

“…That was fast.”

Leon leaned over my shoulder. “You’re leaving today?”

I nodded slowly.

Yeah.

Today.

Adrian stared at me.

“You’re insane.”

“No,” I said calmly. “I’m financially motivated.”

Sera yawned dramatically. “Try not to die.”

“Encouraging.”

Evelyn’s gaze softened slightly.

“Be careful,” she said quietly.

I nodded once.

“I will.”

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