The technique these Shadow Wolves used to slip into the shadows earlier is unique to Shadow Magic.
Shadow Magic is also a type of magic exclusive to the Demon Race.
This magic is as unpredictable as a shadow, and merging into shadows is an innate skill for Shadow Magic users.
Once inside the shadow, they become untargetable—no attack can harm an enemy within the shadow.
But in this state, Light Magic can inflict massive damage, even erasing them completely.
This is also the reason why Alice is the protagonist in the original story.
In the original, the Demon King is a dual caster, able to use both Shadow Magic and Dark Magic simultaneously.
After absorbing the Demon King’s power, the complete Liyakade becomes a quadruple caster.
Dark Magic is a type of magic that can create unknown black objects.
Once it touches the body, unless the user actively dispels it, the target’s body is continuously corroded.
It’s as if something in the darkness is slowly gnawing and devouring you, a pain like being sliced apart, with not even bones left behind.
Similarly, only Light Magic can halt the corrosion.
Dark Magic users can also use this chaotic substance to forge weapons and vast shadows.
Through these shadows, they can unleash Shadow Magic, greatly enhancing their mobility—it’s a complementary relationship.
In the final battle with the Demon King, there’s a QTE involving Shadow Magic.
When the Demon King’s health drops to around 20%, he spreads darkness across a wide area and merges into the shadows.
At this time, not only is he immune to damage, he can also attack the protagonist’s party.
If Alice’s magic is cast too late, the team takes massive damage, and the Demon King even regenerates health.
But if the QTE is executed perfectly, the Demon King is left with only a sliver of HP.
Normally, monsters shouldn’t appear within the Royal City or the Academy.
If monsters do appear, it means either the Demon Race is taking new actions, or there’s a traitor among humans.
Either way, it’s dangerous.
However… with just these few monsters, Liyakade couldn’t find any clues.
Better to return this cat to the client first, and talk with Field about it next time they meet.
After that, Liyakade left the rear mountain.
Of course, she still remembered the other Maine Coon.
She went to the tree inside the Academy, and to her surprise, the client’s cat beside her cried out even more anxiously than the one on the tree.
It stared at Liyakade with those vertical pupils, as if begging her to quickly save the cat above.
“Good grief, I get it!”
Liyakade finally understood.
The client’s cat had been searching for the one stuck in the tree, but couldn’t find it within the Academy, so it ran toward the rear mountain.
Looks like these two cats are quite close.
No wonder both gave Liyakade a bit of trouble.
“Stop climbing trees, and stop scratching me!”
Liyakade scolded with a smile, then rescued the cat trapped in the tree.
The two cats snuggled together for a while before finally separating.
Satisfied, Liyakade returned to the dormitory, then brought the Maine Coon to Room 215 to return it to the client.
“Knock knock knock——”
Liyakade knocked on the door.
She wasn’t as rude as some people.
“P-please come in.”
Only after hearing a response from inside did Liyakade open the door.
“Xiaoming!!!”
The Purple-haired Girl, seeing her cat return, excitedly opened her arms, and Xiaoming leapt right in.
“So… this cat’s name is actually Xiaoming…”
Liyakade couldn’t help but marvel at the Purple-haired Girl’s casual naming sense.
“M-my Lady…”
The Purple-haired Girl heard Liyakade’s voice, and most of her excitement was extinguished.
“T-thank you for helping me retrieve my pet… I wonder what I can offer you in return, my Lady…”
The Purple-haired Girl was fully prepared for Liyakade to demand a sky-high price.
After all, she wasn’t easy to deal with—the infamous Cursed Child known for bullying classmates and being sharp-tongued.
However, the reward Liyakade requested made the Purple-haired Girl doubt her own ears.
“10 Gold Coins is enough.”
Liyakade spoke nonchalantly.
“How much!?”
“10 Gold Coins.”
Liyakade repeated, looking a little impatient.
But inside, she was actually a bit nervous.
No way, is 10 Gold Coins too much?
Or is it too little to be worth finding a cat?
Unfamiliar with the world’s prices, Liyakade swallowed nervously, waiting for the other’s reaction.
“Oh, oh!”
The Purple-haired Girl was stunned for a moment before finally responding.
She quickly handed her coin pouch to Liyakade, who sighed in relief and happily accepted it.
The three bloody scratches on her arm flashed before the Purple-haired Girl’s eyes, causing her gaze to tremble slightly.
“All right, I’m leaving. If you have other requests, you can come find me again.”
After receiving the Gold Coins, Liyakade closed the dormitory door behind her and left without looking back.
The Purple-haired Girl suddenly felt a sense of unreality.
Was Liyakade really as the rumors described?
She didn’t seem sharp-tongued or arrogant, nor did she look down on those around her or use her high magic talent to bully classmates.
On the contrary, she was enthusiastic in handling the commission, readily accepted even a task like finding a cat, and charged a low fee.
Even when injured, she didn’t ask for extra.
Except for her hair and eye color, Liyakade’s character and conduct were nothing like the frightening rumors.
In the Purple-haired Girl’s heart, her image of Liyakade began to subtly change.
“Hiss…”
Having received her reward and returned to her dormitory, Liyakade suddenly felt a sting in her hand.
She looked at her arm and found the three bloody scratches still imprinted there.
“Damn! I forgot to charge that person more!”
Liyakade suddenly felt frustrated.
If she’d used the injury as an excuse to ask for more, that Purple-haired Girl definitely wouldn’t have dared refuse, and the money could have lasted her a long time.
“Ah… forget it.”
Liyakade finally stopped dwelling on it.
The scratches healed quickly.
She peeled off her dusty school uniform, revealing smooth, fair skin.
After a busy day, it was time for a bath and some rest.
Soaking in a bubble bath, Liyakade hummed a little tune, pleased with her earnings today.
If she could keep making money this way, she wouldn’t have to keep relying on Field, and could finally be a bit self-sufficient.
I do have a bit of pride, after all!
As she stepped out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel, Liyakade suddenly saw an envelope being slipped through the door crack.
[There’s an important commission that must be completed tonight.]