Looking at the dozen corpses of reptilian-type creatures lying on the ground, Érica and Leslie looked at Clémentine.
“You’ve become pretty strong,” Leslie muttered, with a tone full of surprise.
A dungeon outside Zerzura’s security system was overflowing with the lack of cleanliness.
While the creatures were C-rank and were quite weak, their numbers were high and they had come together to take on this mission and it had ended differently than they expected.
Some Ice Spears were scattered around, but not in the places Érica threw them at first.
Clémentine had taken advantage of those spears and used them as weapons to take down many enemies.
Though she did not need weapons to make the slaughter.
In the surroundings were masses of flesh with unpleasant shapes that were impossible to recognize, and Clémentine’s telekinesis and mental strength created those spheres.
“I am strong against weak creatures. They don’t generate strong magical barriers. I couldn’t do the same if I faced humans,” Clémentine commented rather humbly.
These reptiles were enemies that had only physical strength, which allowed Clémentine to use her telekinesis to trap it and dismember or eliminate it with ease.
If she was facing C-rank humans, then the barriers of their bodies would prevent her actions from being executed with the same ease.
“I guess, with them, you just have to put a little more force into it.” Érica pointed out, shaking her head.
Clémentine couldn’t deny it.
She had gotten an increase in her psionic energy and mental strength, but mostly her telekinesis had been boosted.
Though it was still necessary to further analyze what else she had progressed in.
“Let’s go back,” Clémentine ordered, and both Leslie and Érica nodded.
Waving their hand the reptilian corpses rose into the air and approached Clémentine, being stowed by her in her space ring.
These creatures may have been weak and easily killed by the group, but the reptiles commanded a high price, fetching up to ten thousand dollars for a specimen whose materials were not damaged.
Usually, their price decreased because they always damaged some materials in battle.
However, there was always a way to turn them into money, and not only for the creatures’ magical cores but also for their scales or some parts of their body that could be used for alchemy.
While the three of them could earn a considerable amount of money for this minor work, they were doing daily quests for the pure desire to improve their skills, so they donated their earnings to help the refugees captured by General Kavuri.
After putting the creatures away, wasting nothing, the group approached the SUV and, with Leslie driving; they set off to their destination.
This mission was literally out of Zerzura’s area of influence and thus out of the mercenary group’s portal.
For that reason, they had to borrow a van from the nearby town.
In most of the villages surrounding Zerzura, there were Zerzura government vans that those working in the protection system could borrow.
Crossing the plain and looking at the surroundings that were bathed in sunlight, Clémentine sighed, knowing that she would soon have to return home.
They had been two days performing daily missions and to their regret, none of them could delay their return any longer.
The biggest reason was that academy classes would start again the following week.
“A month here and it made me feel strange about thinking about going back,” Leslie commented, and looking around the surroundings, she joked. “Zerzura is bewitching.”
Both Érica and Clémentine laughed at those words.
In Zerzura City, they would always be busy and there was always somewhere they could help.
They didn’t necessarily have to eliminate creatures or monsters, they could help protect the citizens or just help them with some minor tasks.
The citizens were always grateful to those who helped them and it was gratifying to receive their ‘thanks’.
Clémentine sighed again.
At some point, she had forgotten that she was a student, and that this was all practice.
Responsibility for mere students, they turned the practice into a genuine job.
The next day in the morning, they would return to their homes and in the following week, they would have to return to the academy.
“I guess before we go back we need to have some fun,” Leslie said as she drove.
“Yes. I heard that Vanessa and Cardinal Brousseau were coming today,” Érica replied with a smile.
Aurora and Alice had planned a little farewell party for the students, and they invited some of their acquaintances.
Since Vanessa was also a student, Cardinal Brousseau and High Priestess, Xaali would also be coming.
“I heard Vazquez was also thinking of coming,” Clémentine said after remembering that she had seen Oscar inviting him.
No one wanted to say no to a wonderful party and even more so when...
“I heard Alice invited a talented chef,” Leslie commented and, with a smile, added. “According to her, he’s very good. I guess he must be someone well-known.”
Clémentine just laughed.
As far as food was concerned, Alice was not too strict and was someone who accepted most dishes, liking almost everything.
So Clémentine didn’t think the chef was someone very well known.
As they chatted amongst themselves, they returned to the village and, after leaving the van, they used a portal to get back.
Arriving at the portal room, the group used the cleaning artifacts for comfort and then went to the training room next door.
When they reached the training room, they found Aurora and Nicole fighting each other.
They were holding back their strength, but that didn’t mean that on the surface, the combat wasn’t wild.
“UGhh...”
Nicole, as she botched a counterattack, received a blow to her cheek that knocked her back.
“Fighting with only one style won’t help you too much. Use everything you have.” Aurora ordered as she looked at her opponent.
Nicole wiped the blood from her mouth and stood up as she reinforced her body with magical energy.
With no flashy shout, she advanced towards Aurora with a great enthusiasm.
“They’re too wild,” Érica muttered with a grin as she saw Aurora and Nicole’s fist collide with each other, producing a small shock-wave.
The duo of fighters continued to exchange punches that looked painful at a considerable speed and with terrifying force.
At a certain point, Nicole executed a spinning kick, quickly exchanging her style.
“Nice kick!” Aurora exclaimed as she recoiled after receiving the blow, protecting herself with her arms.
It was sudden and surprising, enough that Aurora had to protect herself instead of dodging and that she backed up, evidenced that the force Nicole used was no joke.
“I think it would be better if I hit you,” Nicole muttered with a sigh as she wiped the drops of blood from her recovering split lip.
Fighters not only had high physical strength and high stamina but also higher regeneration than other individuals.
“Let’s finish for now,” Aurora announced as she saw they were watching.
She signaled Nicole to follow her and walked over to the trio that had been watching.
The training they had also included some painful beatings and light injuries, but a fighter was more prone to taking hits.
The trio who had been watching were sure that Aurora’s punch must have hurt.
“Since practice is over. It’s time for payment,” Aurora announced and looking at the quartet, who were stunned by her words, she asked. “Do you want the deposit in your bank account?”
Both Clémentine and the others looked at her strangely and somewhat embarrassed.
They had forgotten about the pay from the beginning, the biggest reason being the armor and combat suits each of them had.
The price of that armor was very high and not to mention the supplies they got.
Leslie got her ammunition through the budget she was given and it was the same for the others.
From magical ingredients, potions, and other items they had been given.
They made even the food with magical ingredients, which slightly increased their physical qualities and improved their condition.
Asking for payment... For them, it was an unthinkable matter.
“Just get paid. You worked for me and regardless of the reasons a fair payment needs to be made for your contributions,” Aurora said before Érica could interject and with a sigh, she added. “Everything else is part of the practice.”
It was likely that the mercenary group was not being paid by the Academy, as the students could work during their stay in those places.
However, it was clear from her tone that she wanted to close the subject now.
“That’s fine. You can do it in my bank account.” Clémentine replied with a sigh as the others nodded with a half-smile.
“Thank you,” Aurora murmured and with a half-smile, counted. “When I went to talk to Andrés, I had some trouble with the same issue.”
That’s normal... Clémentine swallowed those words.
One issue was payment, and a very different one was to support them in every way.
It was normal for Andrés to refuse payment and feel uncomfortable or stressed when literally his drones were worth a fortune... Just one of dozens delivered to him.
After making the transfer, the holographic clocks vibrated and when the four looked at their bank accounts, the expressions on each of them changed.
“Two million?” asked Nicole, swallowing heavily.
It was quite a big number, not just for her, but for the others.
“Yes. Half a million came from the payment promised when you signed the contract. Another half a million is the reward from the Ark mission. It’s true that it was volunteer work, but in the end, you guys performed a mission,” Aurora explained, and noticing that the students were still looking at her carefully, she added. “You can take it as a payment for the Smilodon Fatalis. It’s true we ate a part of it, but its magic core had a great value... Alice, Akira and Liam were what mentioned paying you for that mission.”
Again they blinked rather incredulously at those words.
Technically, they had no part when Alice, Akira, and Liam faced the Smilodon Fatalis and the thing was that they also ate from that beast when Aurora made Alice dinner.
Adding that they had gotten their shares from the proceeds of the monsters and creatures they hunted during the horde and ambush, this was quite a huge extra number, quite high.
“As for the other million. That’s extra from the Apicius Company for taking care of the Assault mission. Our goal was to take care of General Kavuri, but having the Somali Terror show up meant an increase in difficulty and thus an increase in pay,” Aurora revealed and earnestly, she explained. “If we were a normal mercenary group, we could have withdrawn at that time and no one would judge us.”
The arrival of the Somali Terror on the assault mission was surprising and unexpected.
This time, the mercenary group carried out the mission, but if it had been any other mercenary group taking part, they could have withdrawn from the mission.
It was one matter to take on General Kavuri and his forces; it was quite another matter to confront the Somali Terror.
The difficulties were beyond the initial contract, and it did not matter if they could perform the task.
If they rejected the contract, the employer could not use legal means to blame or judge them.
Unless they had arranged beforehand that they would continue to take part, in that case, it was another matter, but at least now it was unexpected.
They had just received a payment of two million dollars... each.
Perhaps it was a rather small number when one thought they were up against S Ranks, and might have lost their lives.
However, the safety of the mission was always guaranteed with the support of S-Ranks and other powerful individuals.
That meant they were in a safe environment despite the difficulty.
The payouts would normally be very different regarding the strength of the individuals and their personal contributions.
It was for that reason that the students assumed Aurora was being quite kind to them with the payment.
“By the way, Aurora, I’ve always had the doubt, but... Are you rich?” asked Nicole, unable to contain herself.
As Nicole asked her question, she looked around the surroundings from the training room to the entrance of the portal room.
Asking that question was unnecessary when one looked at what Aurora had.
An immense building, with an incredible basement and a large capacity personal portal.
In the building across the street from where they were, was a garage with several cars in them.
Also, the building wasn’t just a normal one, it could create small portals and the capacity to increase magical or psionic energy throughout the building.
Not to forget the food that was always prepared with magical ingredients, with values of several tens of thousands of dollars per plate.
However, the question was still valid, and they were curious.
“Well...” Hesitating for a moment, Aurora sighed and answered truthfully. “When I came to Africa, I spent my parents’ entire fortune. They are quite strong and were rich, but they didn’t care about money, which allowed me to invest it all in Zerzura and its people. Now, thanks to my support at that time, I have several real estate properties in the city that allow me to have decent wealth to continue to maintain my lifestyle.”
A short narrative that did not explain the ins and outs.
“Among other benefits...” Aurora muttered under her breath, not wanting to delve too deeply.
The students were a bit surprised by her story, but smiled at Aurora’s words.
She made it seem as if her lifestyle was insignificant and unimportant.
However, her mercenary guild performed missions receiving no financial retribution, and that was the lifestyle she led.
As they saw Aurora did not wish to talk too much about her wealth, the students did not ask and that young woman smiled at the sight of them.
“Don’t forget to finish your affairs before you leave,” Aurora commented, and smiling a little cheerfully, she added. “Get ready for today. Alice is excitedly ordering the ingredients for the meal.”
Everyone nodded with smiles on their faces.
******
In the living room of a house that was in the new suburbs of Zerzura, Érica hugged a little girl, who looked like a charming and adorable doll.
“You are lovely,” Érica murmured, hugging the little girls in her arms, unable to resist.
The little girl squirmed and after a brief sigh, knowing she couldn’t escape her arm, the little girl let herself be hugged comfortably and, also, hugged back.
Érica, feeling the hug, had a rush of sweetness that made her smile from ear to ear.
That little girl on her arm was the daughter of Okello, the militiaman who saved her on the Ark mission.
A very pretty, and charming little girl, who had inherited the softness of her mother’s dark skin and her father’s gaze, mixed with a unique sweetness and gentleness.
“Ashanti, have you done your homework?” a voice asked and from the kitchen, Okello’s wife, Lewa approached.
The little girl squirmed in her embrace, trying to hide and giving Érica a look in an explicit request for help.
Érica put on the most serious expression she could and redirected her gaze to Lewa, as she hugged the little girl, asking with her best expression for a little time.
Perhaps too childish for her character, but she didn’t regret it.
“Just a moment. Be motivated if you want to start school,” Lewa said with a serious tone to her daughter and, giving Érica a smile, she asked. “Will you stay for dinner?”
Lewa wasn’t inviting her out of pure politeness, but it was an invitation that carried a bit of her desire for her to accept.
Érica had to admit that she had hit it off well with Okello’s family, especially with the little girl in her arms and that militiaman’s wife.
Lewa was a lovely woman, who was as warm as she was kind and her soft dark skin stood out, giving her a certain unique beauty.
Enough to say that Okello was lucky.
“No. I already have plans for tonight,” Érica replied, centering herself and looking down at the little Ashanti, she squeezed her cheeks together and with a sigh, added. “I’ll stay with you for a while, though.”
The little girl giggled, and Lewa withdrew, shaking her head with a smile.
After spending about half an hour with the little girl who she ended up helping with her homework, the door was opened and Okello walked in.
“Sorry for being late. I had to train a bit too much today.” Okello commented the moment he noticed Érica.
“No worries, I spent my time enjoying myself with my new friend,” Érica replied with a smile as she revealed the little girl who was studying hard beside her.
She had already given notice she would come to visit them today.
Even though she was coming for Okello and to check on her condition, she actually enjoyed Ashanti’s company.
Okello gave a pleasant smile and retired to his room.
In the house they were staying, it was a house in the new suburbs of Zerzura and this was the home Okello decided to have.
As it was in a long-term plan for the refugees, it was not so difficult to get a place of their own, and this plan benefited many other refugees.
Okello had chosen a fairly large house with perspectives of expanding it in the future, and such a choice was based on the fact that he had excellent prospects in his military career.
Erica looked at little Ashanti who was studying so hard and restrained her overflowing desire to hug her.
The adorable little girl was about to enter school.
All the young refugees were likely to go to the various schools scattered in and around Zerzura and among them were the adults who were encouraged by the city’s programs to finish high school.
While Ashanti had not been old enough to enter school before, other refugees were old enough, and unfortunately, in the places where they lived, they lacked educational facilities.
The people who taught were sometimes neighbors who gathered to teach their children, and those places lacked teachers or specially trained teachers for education, let alone more complex educational facilities.
If it were not for humanitarian organizations, it would be normal for there to be no teachers in areas where danger was constant.
Zerzura City understood this difficulty and sought to educate its citizens with the most accessible programs so that everyone could receive an education.
And if some wished, even get into the city’s university, which was mildly recognized.
“Are you leaving tomorrow?” Okello asked as he returned to the room wearing a more comfortable outfit.
“Yes. I have to go back to the academy. Though I have other plans as well,” Érica replied with a casual smile.
She had to return to the academy, which was about to begin, and while she liked the idea of returning to the academy, she had other plans in mind before returning.
A long journey to train and strengthen her elemental affinity, trying to ascend to A-Rank.
Since having the conversation with Aurora, she could feel the change in her source of magical energy.
It was now more brimming and energetic, allowing her to cast a greater amount of spells, however, she still lacked to feel the ice element more accurately and learn more spells.
Unfortunately, the academy would not give her what she needed, that was why she would enter later than her peers.
“If you have time, you can always visit. I’m sure Ashanti will be happy to see you,” Okello said, scratching his cheek.
The young man was seven or eight years older, but he was still quite young to where he was embarrassed to say those words.
“Sure. So are we.” Lewa said as she came in from the kitchen.
She said what Okello was being embarrassed to say, and with her honest smile; it was clear she was looking forward to the visit more than her husband.
Those words slightly surprised Érica.
“Or are we not friends?” Lewa asked with a curious look.
Although it was quite a short time, Érica would not deny that she was pleased with the family atmosphere and how friendly they were.
“Don’t you want to be my friend?” Ashanti asked, looking at her curiously when Érica hadn’t responded.
The way she was tilting her head was so adorable it made Erica take her in her arms.
“Of course we’re friends!” Érica exclaimed hugging the little girl and with a half-smile looking at the couple she added. “I’m just excited to be seen that way.”
She wasn’t lying.
She was happy that they saw her as a friend, putting aside all the differences they had.
Seeing Lewa smile warmly at her, Érica got a little embarrassed and coughing changed the subject.
“By the way, Okello. I got the payment for the interview. It was already published, and I wanted to give you the gift.”
With those words, she stopped hugging Ashanti and handed over a space ring containing a specially designed armor for Okello.
“It will fit your ‘lycanthropy’ and will be very useful to you,” Érica explained without giving too much information.
In asking to have it designed, Érica herself had considered Okello’s innate ability and so it had powerful effects to adjust to the body or sudden changes in the body.
“This...” Okello hesitated again and...
“It’s time for me to go,” Érica interrupted and after hugging the little girl, she blurted goodbye to the others.
Leaving Okello with no time to refuse the payment/gift.
Since Lewa knew what her husband was like, she actually supported her and when she left, that woman secretly gave her a thumbs up.
That gift was a way of showing her gratitude and she wouldn’t want it to be rejection.
After taking a cab, Érica returned to the building and noticed some extra presences in the bustling building.
Since it was already getting dark, they were most likely the visitors who had already arrived for today’s party.
Going inside to see if they needed help, Érica found Aurora tidying up the kitchen and leaving many magical ingredients in it.
“I’ve already read your article. It’s quite good. ‘Heroes without titles’. It’s a perfect name,” Aurora said with an animated smile, seeing her come in.
An article that detailed how those unknown individuals whose names were never mentioned protected their families, friends, and strangers.
In that sense, the militiamen were those kinds of individuals who helped without regrets, but also Érica was referring to Aurora herself and Alice.
Who, despite her hard work helping, was little known.
For Érica, this article was a way of showing her appreciation for the hard work of the mercenary group, which had so far gone unnoticed.
Looking at the dozen corpses of reptilian-type creatures lying on the ground, Érica and Leslie looked at Clémentine.
“You’ve become pretty strong,” Leslie muttered, with a tone full of surprise.
A dungeon outside Zerzura’s security system was overflowing with the lack of cleanliness.
While the creatures were C-rank and were quite weak, their numbers were high and they had come together to take on this mission and it had ended differently than they expected.
Some Ice Spears were scattered around, but not in the places Érica threw them at first.
Clémentine had taken advantage of those spears and used them as weapons to take down many enemies.
Though she did not need weapons to make the slaughter.
In the surroundings were masses of flesh with unpleasant shapes that were impossible to recognize, and Clémentine’s telekinesis and mental strength created those spheres.
“I am strong against weak creatures. They don’t generate strong magical barriers. I couldn’t do the same if I faced humans,” Clémentine commented rather humbly.
These reptiles were enemies that had only physical strength, which allowed Clémentine to use her telekinesis to trap it and dismember or eliminate it with ease.
If she was facing C-rank humans, then the barriers of their bodies would prevent her actions from being executed with the same ease.
“I guess, with them, you just have to put a little more force into it.” Érica pointed out, shaking her head.
Clémentine couldn’t deny it.
She had gotten an increase in her psionic energy and mental strength, but mostly her telekinesis had been boosted.
Though it was still necessary to further analyze what else she had progressed in.
“Let’s go back,” Clémentine ordered, and both Leslie and Érica nodded.
Waving their hand the reptilian corpses rose into the air and approached Clémentine, being stowed by her in her space ring.
These creatures may have been weak and easily killed by the group, but the reptiles commanded a high price, fetching up to ten thousand dollars for a specimen whose materials were not damaged.
Usually, their price decreased because they always damaged some materials in battle.
However, there was always a way to turn them into money, and not only for the creatures’ magical cores but also for their scales or some parts of their body that could be used for alchemy.
While the three of them could earn a considerable amount of money for this minor work, they were doing daily quests for the pure desire to improve their skills, so they donated their earnings to help the refugees captured by General Kavuri.
After putting the creatures away, wasting nothing, the group approached the SUV and, with Leslie driving; they set off to their destination.
This mission was literally out of Zerzura’s area of influence and thus out of the mercenary group’s portal.
For that reason, they had to borrow a van from the nearby town.
In most of the villages surrounding Zerzura, there were Zerzura government vans that those working in the protection system could borrow.
Crossing the plain and looking at the surroundings that were bathed in sunlight, Clémentine sighed, knowing that she would soon have to return home.
They had been two days performing daily missions and to their regret, none of them could delay their return any longer.
The biggest reason was that academy classes would start again the following week.
“A month here and it made me feel strange about thinking about going back,” Leslie commented, and looking around the surroundings, she joked. “Zerzura is bewitching.”
Both Érica and Clémentine laughed at those words.
In Zerzura City, they would always be busy and there was always somewhere they could help.
They didn’t necessarily have to eliminate creatures or monsters, they could help protect the citizens or just help them with some minor tasks.
The citizens were always grateful to those who helped them and it was gratifying to receive their ‘thanks’.
Clémentine sighed again.
At some point, she had forgotten that she was a student, and that this was all practice.
Responsibility for mere students, they turned the practice into a genuine job.
The next day in the morning, they would return to their homes and in the following week, they would have to return to the academy.
“I guess before we go back we need to have some fun,” Leslie said as she drove.
“Yes. I heard that Vanessa and Cardinal Brousseau were coming today,” Érica replied with a smile.
Aurora and Alice had planned a little farewell party for the students, and they invited some of their acquaintances.
Since Vanessa was also a student, Cardinal Brousseau and High Priestess, Xaali would also be coming.
“I heard Vazquez was also thinking of coming,” Clémentine said after remembering that she had seen Oscar inviting him.
No one wanted to say no to a wonderful party and even more so when...
“I heard Alice invited a talented chef,” Leslie commented and, with a smile, added. “According to her, he’s very good. I guess he must be someone well-known.”
Clémentine just laughed.
As far as food was concerned, Alice was not too strict and was someone who accepted most dishes, liking almost everything.
So Clémentine didn’t think the chef was someone very well known.
As they chatted amongst themselves, they returned to the village and, after leaving the van, they used a portal to get back.
Arriving at the portal room, the group used the cleaning artifacts for comfort and then went to the training room next door.
When they reached the training room, they found Aurora and Nicole fighting each other.
They were holding back their strength, but that didn’t mean that on the surface, the combat wasn’t wild.
“UGhh...”
Nicole, as she botched a counterattack, received a blow to her cheek that knocked her back.
“Fighting with only one style won’t help you too much. Use everything you have.” Aurora ordered as she looked at her opponent.
Nicole wiped the blood from her mouth and stood up as she reinforced her body with magical energy.
With no flashy shout, she advanced towards Aurora with a great enthusiasm.
“They’re too wild,” Érica muttered with a grin as she saw Aurora and Nicole’s fist collide with each other, producing a small shock-wave.
The duo of fighters continued to exchange punches that looked painful at a considerable speed and with terrifying force.
At a certain point, Nicole executed a spinning kick, quickly exchanging her style.
“Nice kick!” Aurora exclaimed as she recoiled after receiving the blow, protecting herself with her arms.
It was sudden and surprising, enough that Aurora had to protect herself instead of dodging and that she backed up, evidenced that the force Nicole used was no joke.
“I think it would be better if I hit you,” Nicole muttered with a sigh as she wiped the drops of blood from her recovering split lip.
Fighters not only had high physical strength and high stamina but also higher regeneration than other individuals.
“Let’s finish for now,” Aurora announced as she saw they were watching.
She signaled Nicole to follow her and walked over to the trio that had been watching.
The training they had also included some painful beatings and light injuries, but a fighter was more prone to taking hits.
The trio who had been watching were sure that Aurora’s punch must have hurt.
“Since practice is over. It’s time for payment,” Aurora announced and looking at the quartet, who were stunned by her words, she asked. “Do you want the deposit in your bank account?”
Both Clémentine and the others looked at her strangely and somewhat embarrassed.
They had forgotten about the pay from the beginning, the biggest reason being the armor and combat suits each of them had.
The price of that armor was very high and not to mention the supplies they got.
Leslie got her ammunition through the budget she was given and it was the same for the others.
From magical ingredients, potions, and other items they had been given.
They made even the food with magical ingredients, which slightly increased their physical qualities and improved their condition.
Asking for payment... For them, it was an unthinkable matter.
“Just get paid. You worked for me and regardless of the reasons a fair payment needs to be made for your contributions,” Aurora said before Érica could interject and with a sigh, she added. “Everything else is part of the practice.”
It was likely that the mercenary group was not being paid by the Academy, as the students could work during their stay in those places.
However, it was clear from her tone that she wanted to close the subject now.
“That’s fine. You can do it in my bank account.” Clémentine replied with a sigh as the others nodded with a half-smile.
“Thank you,” Aurora murmured and with a half-smile, counted. “When I went to talk to Andrés, I had some trouble with the same issue.”
That’s normal... Clémentine swallowed those words.
One issue was payment, and a very different one was to support them in every way.
It was normal for Andrés to refuse payment and feel uncomfortable or stressed when literally his drones were worth a fortune... Just one of dozens delivered to him.
After making the transfer, the holographic clocks vibrated and when the four looked at their bank accounts, the expressions on each of them changed.
“Two million?” asked Nicole, swallowing heavily.
It was quite a big number, not just for her, but for the others.
“Yes. Half a million came from the payment promised when you signed the contract. Another half a million is the reward from the Ark mission. It’s true that it was volunteer work, but in the end, you guys performed a mission,” Aurora explained, and noticing that the students were still looking at her carefully, she added. “You can take it as a payment for the Smilodon Fatalis. It’s true we ate a part of it, but its magic core had a great value... Alice, Akira and Liam were what mentioned paying you for that mission.”
Again they blinked rather incredulously at those words.
Technically, they had no part when Alice, Akira, and Liam faced the Smilodon Fatalis and the thing was that they also ate from that beast when Aurora made Alice dinner.
Adding that they had gotten their shares from the proceeds of the monsters and creatures they hunted during the horde and ambush, this was quite a huge extra number, quite high.
“As for the other million. That’s extra from the Apicius Company for taking care of the Assault mission. Our goal was to take care of General Kavuri, but having the Somali Terror show up meant an increase in difficulty and thus an increase in pay,” Aurora revealed and earnestly, she explained. “If we were a normal mercenary group, we could have withdrawn at that time and no one would judge us.”
The arrival of the Somali Terror on the assault mission was surprising and unexpected.
This time, the mercenary group carried out the mission, but if it had been any other mercenary group taking part, they could have withdrawn from the mission.
It was one matter to take on General Kavuri and his forces; it was quite another matter to confront the Somali Terror.
The difficulties were beyond the initial contract, and it did not matter if they could perform the task.
If they rejected the contract, the employer could not use legal means to blame or judge them.
Unless they had arranged beforehand that they would continue to take part, in that case, it was another matter, but at least now it was unexpected.
They had just received a payment of two million dollars... each.
Perhaps it was a rather small number when one thought they were up against S Ranks, and might have lost their lives.
However, the safety of the mission was always guaranteed with the support of S-Ranks and other powerful individuals.
That meant they were in a safe environment despite the difficulty.
The payouts would normally be very different regarding the strength of the individuals and their personal contributions.
It was for that reason that the students assumed Aurora was being quite kind to them with the payment.
“By the way, Aurora, I’ve always had the doubt, but... Are you rich?” asked Nicole, unable to contain herself.
As Nicole asked her question, she looked around the surroundings from the training room to the entrance of the portal room.
Asking that question was unnecessary when one looked at what Aurora had.
An immense building, with an incredible basement and a large capacity personal portal.
In the building across the street from where they were, was a garage with several cars in them.
Also, the building wasn’t just a normal one, it could create small portals and the capacity to increase magical or psionic energy throughout the building.
Not to forget the food that was always prepared with magical ingredients, with values of several tens of thousands of dollars per plate.
However, the question was still valid, and they were curious.
“Well...” Hesitating for a moment, Aurora sighed and answered truthfully. “When I came to Africa, I spent my parents’ entire fortune. They are quite strong and were rich, but they didn’t care about money, which allowed me to invest it all in Zerzura and its people. Now, thanks to my support at that time, I have several real estate properties in the city that allow me to have decent wealth to continue to maintain my lifestyle.”
A short narrative that did not explain the ins and outs.
“Among other benefits...” Aurora muttered under her breath, not wanting to delve too deeply.
The students were a bit surprised by her story, but smiled at Aurora’s words.
She made it seem as if her lifestyle was insignificant and unimportant.
However, her mercenary guild performed missions receiving no financial retribution, and that was the lifestyle she led.
As they saw Aurora did not wish to talk too much about her wealth, the students did not ask and that young woman smiled at the sight of them.
“Don’t forget to finish your affairs before you leave,” Aurora commented, and smiling a little cheerfully, she added. “Get ready for today. Alice is excitedly ordering the ingredients for the meal.”
Everyone nodded with smiles on their faces.
******
In the living room of a house that was in the new suburbs of Zerzura, Érica hugged a little girl, who looked like a charming and adorable doll.
“You are lovely,” Érica murmured, hugging the little girls in her arms, unable to resist.
The little girl squirmed and after a brief sigh, knowing she couldn’t escape her arm, the little girl let herself be hugged comfortably and, also, hugged back.
Érica, feeling the hug, had a rush of sweetness that made her smile from ear to ear.
That little girl on her arm was the daughter of Okello, the militiaman who saved her on the Ark mission.
A very pretty, and charming little girl, who had inherited the softness of her mother’s dark skin and her father’s gaze, mixed with a unique sweetness and gentleness.
“Ashanti, have you done your homework?” a voice asked and from the kitchen, Okello’s wife, Lewa approached.
The little girl squirmed in her embrace, trying to hide and giving Érica a look in an explicit request for help.
Érica put on the most serious expression she could and redirected her gaze to Lewa, as she hugged the little girl, asking with her best expression for a little time.
Perhaps too childish for her character, but she didn’t regret it.
“Just a moment. Be motivated if you want to start school,” Lewa said with a serious tone to her daughter and, giving Érica a smile, she asked. “Will you stay for dinner?”
Lewa wasn’t inviting her out of pure politeness, but it was an invitation that carried a bit of her desire for her to accept.
Érica had to admit that she had hit it off well with Okello’s family, especially with the little girl in her arms and that militiaman’s wife.
Lewa was a lovely woman, who was as warm as she was kind and her soft dark skin stood out, giving her a certain unique beauty.
Enough to say that Okello was lucky.
“No. I already have plans for tonight,” Érica replied, centering herself and looking down at the little Ashanti, she squeezed her cheeks together and with a sigh, added. “I’ll stay with you for a while, though.”
The little girl giggled, and Lewa withdrew, shaking her head with a smile.
After spending about half an hour with the little girl who she ended up helping with her homework, the door was opened and Okello walked in.
“Sorry for being late. I had to train a bit too much today.” Okello commented the moment he noticed Érica.
“No worries, I spent my time enjoying myself with my new friend,” Érica replied with a smile as she revealed the little girl who was studying hard beside her.
She had already given notice she would come to visit them today.
Even though she was coming for Okello and to check on her condition, she actually enjoyed Ashanti’s company.
Okello gave a pleasant smile and retired to his room.
In the house they were staying, it was a house in the new suburbs of Zerzura and this was the home Okello decided to have.
As it was in a long-term plan for the refugees, it was not so difficult to get a place of their own, and this plan benefited many other refugees.
Okello had chosen a fairly large house with perspectives of expanding it in the future, and such a choice was based on the fact that he had excellent prospects in his military career.
Erica looked at little Ashanti who was studying so hard and restrained her overflowing desire to hug her.
The adorable little girl was about to enter school.
All the young refugees were likely to go to the various schools scattered in and around Zerzura and among them were the adults who were encouraged by the city’s programs to finish high school.
While Ashanti had not been old enough to enter school before, other refugees were old enough, and unfortunately, in the places where they lived, they lacked educational facilities.
The people who taught were sometimes neighbors who gathered to teach their children, and those places lacked teachers or specially trained teachers for education, let alone more complex educational facilities.
If it were not for humanitarian organizations, it would be normal for there to be no teachers in areas where danger was constant.
Zerzura City understood this difficulty and sought to educate its citizens with the most accessible programs so that everyone could receive an education.
And if some wished, even get into the city’s university, which was mildly recognized.
“Are you leaving tomorrow?” Okello asked as he returned to the room wearing a more comfortable outfit.
“Yes. I have to go back to the academy. Though I have other plans as well,” Érica replied with a casual smile.
She had to return to the academy, which was about to begin, and while she liked the idea of returning to the academy, she had other plans in mind before returning.
A long journey to train and strengthen her elemental affinity, trying to ascend to A-Rank.
Since having the conversation with Aurora, she could feel the change in her source of magical energy.
It was now more brimming and energetic, allowing her to cast a greater amount of spells, however, she still lacked to feel the ice element more accurately and learn more spells.
Unfortunately, the academy would not give her what she needed, that was why she would enter later than her peers.
“If you have time, you can always visit. I’m sure Ashanti will be happy to see you,” Okello said, scratching his cheek.
The young man was seven or eight years older, but he was still quite young to where he was embarrassed to say those words.
“Sure. So are we.” Lewa said as she came in from the kitchen.
She said what Okello was being embarrassed to say, and with her honest smile; it was clear she was looking forward to the visit more than her husband.
Those words slightly surprised Érica.
“Or are we not friends?” Lewa asked with a curious look.
Although it was quite a short time, Érica would not deny that she was pleased with the family atmosphere and how friendly they were.
“Don’t you want to be my friend?” Ashanti asked, looking at her curiously when Érica hadn’t responded.
The way she was tilting her head was so adorable it made Erica take her in her arms.
“Of course we’re friends!” Érica exclaimed hugging the little girl and with a half-smile looking at the couple she added. “I’m just excited to be seen that way.”
She wasn’t lying.
She was happy that they saw her as a friend, putting aside all the differences they had.
Seeing Lewa smile warmly at her, Érica got a little embarrassed and coughing changed the subject.
“By the way, Okello. I got the payment for the interview. It was already published, and I wanted to give you the gift.”
With those words, she stopped hugging Ashanti and handed over a space ring containing a specially designed armor for Okello.
“It will fit your ‘lycanthropy’ and will be very useful to you,” Érica explained without giving too much information.
In asking to have it designed, Érica herself had considered Okello’s innate ability and so it had powerful effects to adjust to the body or sudden changes in the body.
“This...” Okello hesitated again and...
“It’s time for me to go,” Érica interrupted and after hugging the little girl, she blurted goodbye to the others.
Leaving Okello with no time to refuse the payment/gift.
Since Lewa knew what her husband was like, she actually supported her and when she left, that woman secretly gave her a thumbs up.
That gift was a way of showing her gratitude and she wouldn’t want it to be rejection.
After taking a cab, Érica returned to the building and noticed some extra presences in the bustling building.
Since it was already getting dark, they were most likely the visitors who had already arrived for today’s party.
Going inside to see if they needed help, Érica found Aurora tidying up the kitchen and leaving many magical ingredients in it.
“I’ve already read your article. It’s quite good. ‘Heroes without titles’. It’s a perfect name,” Aurora said with an animated smile, seeing her come in.
An article that detailed how those unknown individuals whose names were never mentioned protected their families, friends, and strangers.
In that sense, the militiamen were those kinds of individuals who helped without regrets, but also Érica was referring to Aurora herself and Alice.
Who, despite her hard work helping, was little known.
For Érica, this article was a way of showing her appreciation for the hard work of the mercenary group, which had so far gone unnoticed.
