They call it "labor," but in truth, it was nothing more than becoming a lab rat stripped of all human rights.

Once he became a rat, what awaited Mizuno Sora would be a future of drinking strange concoctions every single day. At best, his whole body would glow; at worst, he'd be twitching and convulsing all over, unable to manage even the basics of daily life.

So, selling his labor to Agnes Tachyon was the very last resort, something only to be used in absolute desperation.

But right now, in the dead of night, Mizuno had no way to get money. Even if he went to some nightclub to wash glasses, the pay wouldn't even cover a fraction of the price of one of her potions...

Borrowing money? Almost impossible. Strictly following the guidance of the senior Trainers, he hadn't really made any friends at Tracen Academy. The only people he had decent contact with were Kaneshiro Takeru and Kiryuin Aoi—both undoubtedly good people—but their connection was nothing more than the level of "meet once in a few days." Not close at all.

Now that he thought about it, the only ones Mizuno actually spoke with daily and had a real bond with... were Symboli Rudolf, and the Uma in his own team.

Rudolf was out of the question. She was in the boys' dorm—way too far. By the time Mizuno went there and back, the sun would be rising. Not to mention, if she ever found out he snuck out in the middle of the night... he'd be Uma Pyoi'd to death.

The ones in the Uma dorm—like Mejiro McQueen and the rest—maybe there was still a bit of hope. But barging in at midnight to ask for money... how exactly was he supposed to repay that kind of favor later...?

After mulling it over, Mizuno finally pulled out his phone and sent a message in the team group chat.

[Team TAC Group Chat]

[Mizuno]: Hello? Any Uma still awake?

He sent it, but honestly, Mizuno didn't believe anyone would still be awake at this hour.

So he quickly withdrew the message. No way was he leaving evidence of sneaking out at night.

Instead, Mizuno decided—rather than borrowing money from others, why not do something more... concrete? More direct.

Get what he needed with his own two hands.

For example—

Steal Tachyon's potions.

Unethical? Of course. But in this situation, Mizuno had no choice but to harden his heart and do something this dirty, this shameless.

After all, Tachyon running a black market was illegal too. Even if he stole her stuff, she couldn't exactly call the police.

And once Mizuno saved up enough money in the future, he'd pay her back. It wouldn't be too late.

Besides, with so many Uma around, and his own low presence, slipping away with a few bottles unnoticed—Tachyon might never even figure out who did it.

But—since he was taking something, he had to pay the price for it eventually. Mizuno still disdained the idea of freeloading. So one day, he would return every cent. Not a coin less.

Just as Mizuno was imitating the sneaky mannerisms of thieves on TV, hands rubbing together like a fly, preparing for his first ever act of theft—his phone suddenly started vibrating violently in his pocket.

That kind of vibration only happened when the phone, set to silent mode, was receiving a flood of messages all at once.

He pulled it out—and froze.

The group chat had replied?!

[Team TAC Group Chat]

[Tokai Teio]: Here here!

[Tokai Teio]: Why did you delete it?

[Rice Shower]: What's wrong, Onii-sama?

[King Halo]: What do you want?

[Mejiro McQueen]: ...

"Hah?"

Other than Gold Ship (dragged away somewhere) and Urara (probably still asleep), every other member had replied—all within ten seconds of his message.

Seeing the chat suddenly light up at 1 a.m. left Mizuno completely dumbstruck.

After staring blankly for a while, he scrambled to type back.

[Mizuno]: Why are you all still awake? Pulling all-nighters?

His tone, like a kindergarten teacher checking whether kids had gone to sleep yet, left the Uma who were lying in bed, staring at their screens, momentarily unable to answer.

A long pause. Finally, one message appeared.

[King Halo]: A first-rate lady like me would never stay up late. You just woke me because I forgot to mute my phone...

The others didn't speak, seemingly agreeing to let Halo's excuse stand.

The truth was, none of them had stayed up. They'd all gone to bed early, happily dreaming their own dreams.

But there was one thing they didn't dare tell Mizuno.

Whenever Mizuno sent a message—whether in the group or privately—their phones gave off a special alert sound.

That sound had jolted them all awake just now. And the moment they heard it, they rushed to check their phones...

"I see..." Mizuno scratched his head awkwardly, staring at Halo's reply.

Sending messages this late and disturbing their sleep—yeah, that was definitely wrong.

[Team TAC Group Chat]

[Mizuno]: Sorry, my fault.

[Mizuno]: I wanted to ask you all for a favor, that's why I messaged.

[Mizuno]: But it's fine now. I've thought of another way.

[Mizuno]: Sorry to bother you. Go back to sleep.

[King Halo]: ...

[King Halo]: Next time be more careful. Disturbing the sleep of a first-rate King has serious consequences.

[King Halo]: But this time, I'll forgive you.

[Tokai Teio]: Trainer-san, good night! You should sleep soon too~

[Tokai Teio]: ♥

[Rice Shower]: Good night, Onii-sama.

[Mejiro McQueen]: ...

After those goodnights, the chat fell silent again.

But though the group went quiet, Mizuno's private messages wouldn't stop chiming.

The first—Rice Shower.

[Chat with Adorable Rice Shower]

[Rice Shower]: Onii-sama, are you really okay?

[Rice Shower]: If you're in any kind of trouble, you must tell me.

[Rice Shower]: No matter what happens, I'll do everything I can to help you.

[Rice Shower]: (clenched fists, trying hard!)

Right after her came Tokai Teio.

[Chat with Teio]

[Tokai Teio]: Trainer-san, is it something hard to talk about?

[Tokai Teio]: If you don't want to tell the others, you can just secretly tell me. With the bond between us, I'd never breathe a word.

[Tokai Teio]: In return, I'll share my secrets with you too. Knowing each other's secrets brings us closer, right?

[Tokai Teio]: And if you're feeling down, and want a hug... that's fine too~

[Tokai Teio]: ♥

The third was Mejiro McQueen.

[Chat with Mejiro the Heiress]

[Mejiro McQueen]: Trainer, what kind of problem did you encounter? Tell me.

[Mejiro McQueen]: If it's a matter of money, you can borrow from me—from the Mejiro family. A few billions here and there mean nothing to us.

[Mejiro McQueen]: Don't trouble yourself over repayment. Even if you never return it, it's fine.

[Mejiro McQueen]: But, if you insist on repaying, using... other forms of collateral is also acceptable.

At last, King Halo came late.

[Chat with King Halo in Need of Praise]

[King Halo]: I've been thinking, and I've decided I can't forgive you that easily. Disturbing my first-rate sleep is a capital offense!

[King Halo]: So hurry up and tell me what's troubling you, and maybe I'll consider forgiving you.

[King Halo]: If it's really dire, I might help you a little...

(Thirty seconds later)

[King Halo]: Don't get the wrong idea! I'm not worried about you!

[King Halo]: (arrogantly pointing at your nose)

[King Halo]: It's just—as my Trainer, you should devote all your energy to me. I won't allow you to be distracted by other nonsense, messing up the plan, and affecting someone first-rate like me!

[King Halo]: Understood?!

[King Halo]: (arrogantly pointing at your nose)