The Diamond Extra

[What do you want?]

To Mira Roodes, favors were weights. She didn't like carrying them, and she certainly didn't like others carrying them for her. So when I messaged her those four words, she replied almost instantly.

[Just name it.]

Money? No. Too crude. Influence? She already offered that during the tournament. What I needed was a tool. Something to close the distance between me and my future enemies.

[Get me a weapon.]

A pause. Then a ping.

[What kind?]

I sent the link—Iron Maw, a rare piece from Star Armory. Sleek black frame, mana-synced barrel, and enough firepower to down a wyvern if you aimed right.

[I think it's pretty cheap.]

Her message made me blink. Mira Roodes, heiress to a megacorp, calling a six-figure weapon "cheap". This rich kid.

[Can you get it by the end of the week? Tomorrow, if possible.]

[Leave it to me.]

Just like that, the deal was made.

———

Wednesday. Combat training began after theory class. I hadn't fully recovered from the phantom raid, but skipping wasn't an option.

The training field was packed. Cadets stretched, armed themselves, and partnered off under the instructors' watchful eyes.

Then a voice like a whip snapped through the air.

"Hey."

I turned. Lila Dawn.

She walked toward me, eyes burning like she hadn't cooled off since yesterday.

"Spar with me."

Straight to the point. Her tone was flat, but her intent bled through. I half-expected her to throw her bow at me.

"Not interested."

Her glare sharpened.

"You scared?"

And just like that, conversations paused across the field. Dozens of eyes turned to us. Lila Dawn knew what she was doing. She wanted to draw blood, even if it was just from my pride.

"No," I said, calm as ice. "I'm afraid you might get hurt."

Lila Dawn's grip on her bow tightened. Her knuckles turned white.

"You think your bullets matter to me?"

"No," I said again, smirking. "I think you'd skip straight to the respawn room."

"Say that again, punk. I dare you."

I held up my hands like a man surrendering to fate. "Relax. I just don't want to ruin your pretty little bow."

She stepped closer. At 165cm, she barely came up to my chin, but her presence loomed like a thundercloud.

"Who the hell do you think you are?"

It might be better to remain as a bad guy to her. The reason I worked so hard without resting was that her older sister would have to die by my hands within a certain amount of time.

My actions would only leave a cruel sense of betrayal even if I mended our relationship and became friends.

Before I could answer, salvation arrived.

"Cadet Lila Dawn."

Instructor Park Hanabel, arms crossed, voice cutting through the tension.

"Return to your station."

Lila Dawn didn't budge.

"He doesn't even have a training weapon."

"I don't mind," Lila said. "Let him use his own."

"I mind," the instructor said. "Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action."

Lila Dawn stared me down one last time, then turned and stormed off.

Instructor Hanabel glanced at me.

"You. With me."

"What? I don't even have a training pistol—"

"Neither do I," she said, wrapping her hands in cloth. "That's not the point."

She cracked her neck, then her knuckles.

"Come on. Let's see how good you are at dodging."

I groaned.

———

Thursday. I skipped the hunting club orientation. Blame fatigue. Blame Lila Dawn. Blame the fact that I was waiting for something far more important.

5:30 PM. Angel Cafe.

Right on time, the bell chimed.

A man in a tailored black suit and sunglasses walked in. He scanned the room, then strode toward me with clinical precision.

" Are you Paul Wayne?"

"Yes."

He placed a suitcase on the table.

"I'm James Sacchan. On behalf of the Roodes family I am here with the stuff."

"Nice to meet you. You're just in time."

He didn't smile. Didn't blink.

"Please confirm the contents."

I nodded and opened the case.

Click. A soft hum as the lock disengaged. A faint gleam of silver-blue velvet. Nestled atop it, a sleek handgun that looked more like a luxury item than a weapon.

Iron Maw. With full attachments. Five caskets of magic bullets sat next to it like pieces of rare jewelry.

"As requested," James Sacchan said. "Iron Maw, A-grade. Recoil dampening matrix. Reinforced mana chamber. Bullet caliber adjusted for high-velocity dispersion."

I could barely contain my grin. Still, I asked, "You're sure these bullets won't fry the barrel?"

"Mana density tested under controlled conditions. The chamber can handle it."

Good.

He sat down without complaint. I took out my laptop from my bag as I don't a status Window in this world.

"Are you doing something?"

"What do you mean?"

The man position his glasses.

"Why are you tapping in the air?"

"You can't see this?"

I lifted my laptop up.

"…"

He looked at me like I was crazy.

I figured as much. Only I could see this laptop. It acts as my substitute for a status window—because I don't have one. Not in this timeline. It's synced with the broken one from my original world.

[A change in the setting has been detected.]

[Item: Iron Maw registered. Mana affinity: Compatible.]

I quickly check the deliver personality

[Character: James Sacchan – Loyalty to Mira Roodes has increased.]

I chuckled softly. Noted.

I closed the suitcase and nodded.

"Tell Mira Roodes I said thanks."

James Sacchan stood. "She didn't do it for gratitude. But I will inform her."

I hope you continue being friends with the lady.

Ah okay I sctrach my face awkwardly

"Oh, and Mr. James Sacchan?"

He paused as the turned around.

"Try decaf next time. You seem tense."

"...I'll consider it."

———

Outside, James Sacchan made a call.

"Delivery complete," he said.

—Was he suspicious?

James Sacchan paused.

"Not... overtly. But he looked through me. As if he knew more than he should."

—Did he?

"Hard to say. He didn't ask questions. But he wasn't surprised by anything, either. Like everything was expected."

—That's fine. Just keep an eye out.

"Yes, Lady Mira."

The line cut. James Sacchan sighed. That boy wasn't ordinary. Not by a long shot.

Back in the cafe, I looked at my SP total: 250.

Not bad.

But I'd need more of it for what comes next.