Off to another day of work.

“And remember: music is a window to the soul! The type of music you create says a lot about you, so think hard and be sure to never create something you’re ashamed of! And of course, don’t invite the devil into your hearts with things like metal…”

Eric nudged me and smirked. “She’s talking to you.”

“Well, too bad I let the devil into my heart about a year ago,” I told him.

“Um… A year ago?”

“That’s when I started writing music.”

“Ah.”

Also when Frey possessed me, but we don’t talk about that.

The final class of the day ended, the professor left and I finally allowed myself to let out a drawn-out, frustrated groan.

“Same,” Ruby said, walking up to my table along with Luna and Steven.

Our professor, an older woman with a background in opera, had decided to end her lecture with some general opinions on what music as an art form should be. It became clear to me that her classes were likely going to be the hardest for me, as her preferences did NOT align with mine. I was gonna have to work outside my comfort zone to get passing grades with her, I knew it already.

“What do you think her opinion of J-pop is?” Luna asked with a mocking grin.

“I can’t agree with what she said…” Steven said, shaking his head. “Never create anything you’re ashamed of? I have like three years worth of stuff I’m ashamed of. I don’t regret making them, but that doesn’t mean they’re good.”

I nodded in agreement. “Yeah, not everything you create will be gold, but you’ve gotta do it anyway.”

“Thank god that wasn’t just me,” Eric said. “That mindset feels like unnecessary pressure.”

“As far as I know, the professor hasn’t composed anything. She’s only performed,” Ruby said. “So… you know.”

“Take it with a grain of salt, then,” Steven said. “Anyway, Oliver, it’s Friday! Come on, let’s have some drinks!”

“I’m starting to think you want to get him drunk,” Luna said.

“Kind of, but purely to see how he acts. I get the feeling you’re the type to start cracking jokes when drunk.”

“I’ve never gotten fully drunk,” I told him.

“Yet,” he added.

“Yet,” I admitted. “But regardless, I can’t. I’ve got work today. And tomorrow too, for that matter.”

“Oh, right, you work at a bar,” Eric said.

“A bar in a hotel,” I specified.

Luna smirked and clapped her hands once. “Then that sorts itself out! We’ll go drink at your workplace!”

“No, go away, leave me alone,” I told them, getting up from my seat and grabbing my backpack.

“No, it’s decided. We’ll be paying customers,” Ruby said.

“I’m warning you, it’s a weird place,” I said. “Expensive, too.”

Luna flinched. “O-Oh yeah?”

“Okay, now I’m curious,” Steven said. “Let’s go, my treat.”

Eric grimaced. “Are you sure? Treating us to an expensive place…”

“It’s fine. I can and I want to. Just don’t get used to it,” Steven said, laughing. “Send us the address.”

“You’re all awful people,” I said, texting Steven the address. “I should tell you, then. It’s kind of a love hotel.” I looked at Eric, who pursed his lips and seemed to understand the message. He stepped away for a moment, took out his phone and began texting.

I hoped he was explaining the situation to his girlfriend. Imagine her finding out somehow that her boyfriend had gone to a fancy love hotel with two girls and another guy. I guess yesterday’s talk about betrayals was still fresh in my mind, but Eric himself had been afraid that his girlfriend could be cheating on him, so being open and getting her opinion was for the best. Then again, not my relationship, so I wouldn’t tell him what to do.

“Wait, what do you mean it’s ‘kind of’ a love hotel?” Luna asked with a raised eyebrow.

“It’s fancy,” I said, throwing my backpack over my shoulder. “It has a big restaurant, a bar, other fun installations… but the rooms are on the kinky side. As in, some of them have dance poles.”

“Oh?” Ruby’s ears rose with interest.

Steven laughed. “I guess we shouldn't be surprised you found a place like that, Mr. Playboy.”

“Look, I really don’t mind if you go. I just ask that you understand that I’ll be there working.”

“Yeah, don’t worry. We’ll behave,” Steven said.

“Well, see you guys later, then. The bar opens up at six.”

I left the classroom and hurried to the front gates of the main building, where I’d been meeting the girls these past few days. We got together, went down the stairs and got in the van, only this time Alice was the one driving.

“Hey, why let Alice but not me?” Grace asked. I gave her a wordless look with a raised eyebrow. “Well… yeah, fair.”

Since I was going to work, the girls would go back home in my van and I’d be going back with Diana. We picked up Mila on the way, then they left me at the hotel.

That said, this first Friday we only had a couple of classes, so we left earlier than we would starting next week. It was 1:30 PM, and my shift didn’t start until 5:00 pm. Still, it worked out. Before my official job, I’d be doing some underground work.

Work on the development of the potion had slowed considerably since the alchemist had found a safe, working formula. I would only show up once in a while, add my magic to it and leave. Disgustingly easy money, though I suppose I’m not exactly getting paid for it. Rather, I’m paying the house back with that. But even so, easy disgustingly easy money.

That Friday, though, the alchemist wanted to resume experimentation. They wanted to refine the formula, make it more effective and efficient. As far as I understood, the current effect of the potion, while powerful, lasted about two hours, and a second dose could be harmful. Not lethal, but harmful.

As I watched them work in the super, mega secret lab, waiting for my turn to add to it, I noticed something interesting. I was… starting to understand more, see things better. It’s kind of weird to explain, but as the alchemists brought out and enhanced the properties of everyday ingredients using their own magic, I could… see the flow of energy, if faintly. I could see the amount of power they were using, see the mixing of the elements beyond the mixing of physical ingredients. The energy looked like thick, colorless fog. I think my practice with magic, both in the mixing of drinks and even stuff like the cleaning spell, had a deeper effect on my magic skills than I thought.

Seeing them work, I began to understand why I’d been having such a hard time getting my magical drinks to mix properly. Before I was quite literally working blindly. I could see what I was doing, I could only just estimate, or guess. Now I was seeing something, and yet that didn’t immediately solve everything. The elements I was seeing… They all looked the same.

Imagine trying to cook a stew, but every single ingredient looks like a gray sponge block. Were the alchemists seeing things I couldn’t or were they working with that limited information?

…

I remember that part of my unwritten contract with Luke was that I’d get complete access to the elaboration process of the potion. It was mostly a way to give me leverage should I need it, but… it also meant I could ask questions.

The alchemists, surprisingly, were very eager and happy to teach me a few things.

Author's Note: Chapters 1-300 now available in PDF and EPUB formats at Patreon.