This Life, I Will Be the Protagonist
Chapter 755 - 755: 755: Divine Game – Card Swap 4

Maple Syrup sat on the emerald velvet couch by the window of the gem shop, clutching her cup of MooMoo milk, watching the two little kids meet up at the entrance.

Their heads were close together, chatting and scheming about something.

Probably something to do with Moonlight Wetlands.

They were two of the only kids in town seriously thinking about how to make money to attend a magic academy.

Well—make that three. He just showed up too.

Maple Syrup glanced toward the alley across the street where a little head poked out, its hair tipped with flickering black flames. The kid was clearly spying on the other two from behind a trash bin.

A moment later, the winged girl noticed the lurking boy. She whispered something to the dog-tailed girl, and seconds later, both of them rushed straight at him.

The trio vanished from Maple Syrup's line of sight in a flurry of limbs and shrieks.

She found the whole thing deeply entertaining. Since her strange arrival in this world, it was easily the most amusing thing she'd come across.

Jumping off the couch, she headed to the gemstone workshop behind the store where her mother was busy cutting stones. "Mother~"

Parents in this world were uncannily similar to her parents from Forest Sea. Even their little habits were the same. If not for the differences in their careers, powers, and surroundings—and the absence of her many sisters—she'd think they'd all transmigrated together.

Her mother didn't look up. "What is it?"

"Mother, am I going to Moonlight Wetlands next year?"

Her voice was curious, expectant.

Her mother's reply was warm and full of unmistakable love. "Of course, my little Maple Syrup only needs to eat well and grow up healthy. Your father and I will take care of everything else."

Maple Syrup paused, frowning slightly. "But… what if I can't awaken magic?"

"You will. I won't allow anything else."

"...Alright then."

…

Rita and Mistblade had cornered the little boy by the trash bin. He sat on the ground, clinging to a small piece of bread like his life depended on it, staring up at them with wide eyes.

"W-what do you want?" he stammered.

Mistblade crossed her arms. "Why are you following us?"

The boy opened his mouth to protest, but Rita cut him off. "We're planning something big, and we don't have time for nonsense. If you've got something to say, spit it out."

The black flame at the tip of his hair cautiously flickered up over his head as he glanced nervously between the two slightly taller girls.

"...I overheard the redhead with the milk bottle talking about school. I wanna work too. I wanna go to school."

Rita and Mistblade exchanged a look, both silently groaning—Why does that redhead gossip about everything?

Rita got straight to the point. "So, you want to join our gang?"

G-gang?!

The boy hesitated, hugging his bread tighter, staring at them like they'd just asked him to join a criminal syndicate.

Mistblade leaned in, sharing the same piece of crucial info that had once convinced Rita: "When do you turn ten? Moonlight Wetlands only accepts kids under eleven. Enrollment's every July. No magic academy means you'll just be a regular creature your whole life."

The hesitation disappeared from his eyes in an instant. He jumped to his feet, fire in his voice. "What's our gang's name?!"

Mistblade, who had only just learned they were a gang herself: "...That's not important. I'm Mistblade. She's Rita. What's your name?"

"Fat Goose."

A few minutes later, the three tiny misfits were sitting at the end of the alley, chewing on expired biscuits, discussing how to earn enough for tuition, travel, and living expenses before July.

First step: everyone had to list their skills.

None of them spoke right away.

Instead, they exchanged intense, evaluating stares—expressions far too serious for their pudgy little faces.

Each of them looked suspicious and proud, clearly trying to size up the others while hiding their own secrets.

Rita felt a pang of jealousy.

So she wasn't the only one with a golden finger, huh?

She snuck a glance at the others' hands, but her mood instantly brightened—no marks or strange symbols.

Only she had them.

Which made her even more determined to keep the symbols on the backs of her hands hidden.

Maybe this was her true cheat power in this world.

After a long standoff, Mistblade, as the initiator of the group, broke the silence. If she didn't, this freshly formed alliance might fall apart before it even started.

"I can copy things I touch."

She didn't elaborate, just looked over at Fat Goose and Rita.

Copy things? Rita perked up. "Then you could copy expensive gems and sell them! That'd be enough, right?"

Mistblade didn't answer. Obviously, there was a limitation. Something about the skill must've made it unviable on its own. That's probably why she was seeking partners.

It was Fat Goose's turn, but Rita skipped the order. "You go first," she said, arms crossed.

Fat Goose snorted but gave in. "I can turn food into magic food."

Simple. Clearly, he wasn't being entirely honest either.

Why were all these kids like this?

With both of them looking her way, Rita finally said, "I know how to make a few basic potions."

She hadn't forgotten what Fan Xiangxiang told her when she arrived. There was no way she'd reveal her full ability to make a wide range of potions. Not yet.

The three kids sat in silence, knowing full well none of them were being fully honest—but instead of tension, the atmosphere began to ease.

Because at least none of their teammates were dead weight.

More importantly, no one was reckless or stupid enough to blow the plan.

They exchanged looks and gave approving nods, satisfied with each other.

Not bad. These teammates are worthy of me.

That was the unspoken agreement.

With the team officially established, Mistblade offered more detail to show her sincerity. "I can only copy up to three items at once, and the copies disappear after six hours."

"I can only enchant one type of food per hour, and the portions can't be too big..." Fat Goose looked a bit embarrassed but quickly emphasized the upside. "But! The magical food lasts longer, and the effects don't wear off. Like this cookie—I got twice as strong after eating it!"

He handed out pieces of the enchanted biscuit to Rita and Mistblade.

Rita moved her old backpack in front of her and unzipped it, pulling out two glass bottles.

Mistblade and Fat Goose immediately recognized them—famous MooMoo milk bottles from town. Families that spoiled their kids always had subscriptions. The trash bins were full of them.

But these two bottles were filled with different-colored liquids.