Freya Holy Academy had taken the route Annan and his companions had originally planned. But Annan had spent twelve hours on the Barbecue Layer, while Freya Holy Academy had followed the plan to the letter, heading straight to the Treasure Layer to make contact with the "big shots."
There was nothing wrong with the plan. As time passed, more Golden Invitation Letters would appear on the Treasure Layer. The problem was that the girls refused to take Invitation Letters from other academies... So although Freya Holy Academy had arrived first, the layer was picked clean before they could gather sixteen.
Annan sold them two for 1,400 gold coins, an even steeper price than the Armored Girl's offer of 10,000 for sixteen.
"There's no time left. I'm selling them to her, and she still has to thank us," Annan whispered to Alice.
"Thank you..." An unusual light flickered in Girl's eyes. "Solz Magic Studies Academy is in Innocent City, right? I'll visit if I get the chance. You can come to our academy, too. My name is Sophia Roy."
"Annan Reeves."
Annan watched the girls from Freya Holy Academy leave happily without a trace of regret, then noticed Alice staring at him.
"I think you're deeply prejudiced against me. Against Sorcerers," Annan said, spreading his hands.
"No. If anything, you've reinforced it." Alice walked away.
What did she mean by that? Puzzled, Annan followed her.
There was little time left, so Annan began arranging where the little girl and Stray Dog would go.
First, he had the elementals on the Barbecue Layer take the little girl back to Little People Town. Then he asked Stray Dog, "Do you want to stay on the Treasure Layer, or come to the surface with me someday?"
"I... I want to stay."
In the end,