023 ※ Welcome to the Real World, Now Pay Up: Avain's Crash Course in Money, Power, and Not Fitting In

"But I don't want money, bastard," I said, frustration creeping into my voice, and I could feel the tension building inside me. "I don't even know how to use it, or what I would spend it on. I've been living in the forest for so long, isolated from the world, and now, everything's different. It's overwhelming. Everything must have changed a lot in those 32 years, and I don't even know if I'll fit in here. You expect me to go from living off the land to spending money like it's some kind of normal thing? It's ridiculous."

Kai chuckled darkly at my outburst, his laugh sending a surge of irritation through me that only seemed to make him more amused. "Yeah, almost everything has changed. It's a fact. The world has moved on, Avain. You can't stay stuck in the past forever, you know. But what is also a fact is that witches are smart, adaptable people. And you? You're a witch, aren't you? You'll learn how to do everything you need to. So stop worrying so much and just relax for once. Accept the damn money, because you'll need it when the time comes."

I narrowed my eyes at him, and I could hear the impatience creeping into his voice. It wasn't that I didn't understand what he was saying, it was just that I couldn't quite wrap my head around the idea of using money. Everything about it felt foreign to me, like I was being thrown into a different world entirely, one I wasn't prepared for. I felt like a stranger in my own skin, and the thought of money only emphasized how lost I was in this new life.

Kai, however, continued with that infuriating grin plastered across his face, as though he were reveling in my discomfort. "Oh, and don't worry about how you'll learn everything or figure out how to navigate this new life. Because everyone here is going to help you. Everyone. Especially me, since I'll be the one supervising your training."

His wicked smile sent a chill down my spine, and I felt an involuntary shiver run through me. There was something about the way he said it that made it sound like he was doing me a favor, as though I should be grateful. The way he pronounced my name—Avain—felt deliberate, almost mocking. It irritated me beyond belief, and I clenched my fists tightly, doing my best to suppress the rising tide of frustration that threatened to spill over.

"You don't need to supervise my damn training, Kai. Just stop wasting your time with me," I shot back, crossing my arms tightly over my chest. "Let me train with anyone else. Someone else. Like the captain of your army or whoever the hell else you've got around here."

Before I could even catch my breath, Ryusei, of course, had to open his mouth. "See? She wants to train with me, you bastard," he said, a smug grin plastered across his face. He clearly thought he'd turned the conversation in his favor, but I wasn't about to let that slide.

However, before I could respond, Kai's expression turned serious, his gaze locking with Ryusei's in a way that made the room feel instantly colder. Ryusei's cocky smile faltered for just a moment, but he didn't dare speak again. There was a tension in the air now, and I could feel it hanging over us like a storm cloud.

"Wait a minute, no!" I almost shouted, the exasperation in my voice clear as day. Both Kai and Ryusei turned their attention to me, their eyes narrowing as they waited for me to explain myself. "I didn't say that. You're both insane if you think—"

Kai raised an eyebrow, his smirk returning as he leaned back in his chair. His entire demeanor seemed to scream amusement, as if he were enjoying watching me squirm. "Well, he's the captain of my army, sweetheart," he said, dragging out the word "sweetheart" with that infuriating, condescending tone. It made my skin crawl, and I could feel my blood boil with anger. Bastard.

I glared at him, willing myself not to punch him in the face. "Oh, I didn't think about your positions in the bastard's court," I muttered bitterly, crossing my arms even tighter. "It makes sense now. What about you guys?" I asked, glancing around at the rest of the group, trying to redirect the conversation away from Kai's infuriating comments. I didn't want to deal with this anymore, especially when it was so clear he was enjoying every second of my frustration.

Samantha leaned forward eagerly, a wide grin spreading across her face. "Second in command!" she exclaimed with obvious pride, her voice full of confidence. Of course she would be second in command—she had that fire about her, the kind of drive and determination that made her an obvious choice for such a position. She was someone who thrived on power and position, and I wasn't the least bit surprised.

"Captain of the intelligence and espionage squad," Boyd said, surprising me slightly. I had honestly never pictured him as someone who would take on a role involving secrecy and covert operations, but hearing him speak with such ease made me rethink everything I thought I knew about him. Boyd had a lot more depth than I had initially given him credit for, and that revelation made me respect him a little more.

Naomi, as I had suspected, spoke up next, confirming my earlier guess. "I take care of the financial side of the kingdom," she said, her tone matter-of-fact, as though it were the most natural thing in the world. Naomi had always struck me as someone who was good with numbers, and this role seemed to suit her perfectly.

"I'm the third in command and Kai's right arm," Koji added, and I was once again taken aback by how unassuming he appeared compared to the power behind his words. Koji didn't have the intimidating presence that someone like Kai had, nor did he carry himself like someone who would ever be in charge of anything, but hearing those words from him made me realize how much I had underestimated him.

Maelli spoke next, explaining her role with surprising ease. "I'm responsible for the social and commercial relations," she said. "I'm the one who handles direct contact with the allied kingdoms. So yeah, I guess you could say I'm the messenger of the kingdom, practically."

I nodded slowly, taking in the new information. It was a lot to digest, but it gave me a glimpse into the inner workings of this place, into the complex hierarchy that governed it all. "That's awesome," I said, trying to sound casual, though I could feel my anxiety creeping up once again. "But I don't understand very well what the second and third in command do when the King is present," I added, my voice softer now as I tried to approach the question carefully. I didn't want to stir up any unnecessary tensions, especially with Samantha, but when I turned to her, I saw her give me a murderous look that made my heart race and my body freeze in place.

The room seemed to go still for a moment, and the atmosphere grew thick with tension. Samantha's glare was cold enough to freeze anyone in their tracks, and I could feel the weight of her judgment bearing down on me. I wasn't sure if she was angry at my question or just annoyed by my presence in general, but either way, the silence made me feel like I had just crossed a line. My throat tightened, but I refused to back down. I wasn't here to make friends, and I wasn't about to let her intimidate me into silence.

The silence dragged on for what felt like an eternity, and I began to regret my words.