The second we stepped out of Rosalina’s Secret, I thanked every divine entity who might be listening that I’d poured eighteen hundred points into that strength upgrade. Between Aurora’s shopping spree and Addison’s "just a few things I need," I was carrying six bags in each hand. Not small bags either. The kind with thick rope handles that dig trenches into your palm if you’re not careful.

A month ago, I would’ve been sweating and panting after half a block. Now? The bags felt like they were filled with cotton balls. The C-rank strength coursing through my newly sculpted muscles made this feel like carrying empty grocery sacks. I adjusted my grip, redistributing weight between hands as we walked down Ventura’s main strip.

"We should drop these off at the hotel," Aurora said, looking at her phone. "Dinner reservations aren’t until seven. No reason to drag everything around."

Addison nodded. "Smart. I don’t want my new stuff getting wrinkled while we’re drinking somewhere."

"Your new stuff is literally underwear," I pointed out. "How wrinkled can it get?"

Addison turned those violet eyes on me. "Spoken like someone who’s never owned nice lingerie."

"Guilty."

"Though that could change." She smirked, pulling the lollipop from her mouth with a pop. "Rosy’s has a men’s section."

Aurora laughed. "Don’t traumatize him."

"I’m just saying. With his body, he could pull it off."

I looked between them. "Can we please return to the part about the hotel?"

Aurora pointed down the street toward the water. "Pacific View. Best hotel in Ventura and the academy has a permanent arrangement with them. We’re already booked."

We turned onto a side street that opened toward the ocean, and the Pacific View Hotel rose before us like something out of a travel magazine. Sleek, modern architecture with floor-to-ceiling windows reflecting the afternoon sun. At least twenty stories tall, with balconies facing the water that probably cost more per night than my entire monthly stipend.

"This place looks expensive," I said.

Addison snorted. "No shit."

The lobby continued the upscale vibe—polished marble floors, minimalist furniture that was probably designed by someone famous, and staff in crisp uniforms who maintained the perfect balance between attentive and invisible.

Aurora walked to the reception desk like she owned the place, her heels clicking confidently across the marble. The receptionist’s smile brightened with recognition.

"Miss Fitzgerald! Welcome back."

"Thanks, Hannah. We have a reservation for tonight. Should be under Fitzgerald."

Hannah typed something, her expression shifting slightly. "Ah. I see we have a small issue. The Coastal Suite you reserved is still occupied."

Aurora’s smile didn’t waver, but something in her eyes sharpened. "Still occupied?"

"The previous guests decided to extend their stay another night. Last-minute decision."

"I booked that room."

Hannah’s fingers flew across the keyboard. "I understand your frustration. What we can do, at no additional charge, is upgrade you to the Executive Suite on the top floor. It’s significantly larger, with better views."

Aurora’s posture remained perfect, but I caught the slight tightening around her eyes. "Is there only one bedroom in the Executive Suite?"

"Yes, but it has a king bed and the living room features a pull-out sofa that’s quite comfortable."

Aurora glanced at Addison, who shrugged. "Whatever. I’ve slept on worse."

"Fine." Aurora’s smile returned to full wattage. "We’ll take the Executive Suite."

Hannah handed over three key cards. "The top floor requires key card access in the elevator. Just tap your card on the reader and press PH. Your suite is the second door on the right."

Aurora took the cards, passing one to each of us. "Thank you, Hannah."

"Enjoy your stay. Let us know if you need anything at all."

In the elevator, Aurora pressed her key card against a small black panel above the buttons. Only after the panel flashed green did the "PH" button light up. She pressed it, and the elevator began its smooth ascent.

"Fancy," I muttered.

Addison popped another lollipop into her mouth. Cherry again. "Academy money. They maintain these rooms for when important people visit. Guild representatives, wealthy parents, government officials."

"And they let students use them?"

"Not all students," Aurora said. "You need to be on the approved list."

"Let me guess. You’re on that list."

She gave me a sidelong look. "My ranking gets me certain privileges."

The elevator doors opened directly into a hallway with plush carpeting and wood-paneled walls. Four doors, widely spaced, suggested that each suite took up a quarter of the entire floor. Aurora led us to the second door on the right, tapped her key card, and pushed it open.

Holy shit.

The Executive Suite looked like something from a celebrity home tour. Floor-to-ceiling windows dominated the far wall, offering an uninterrupted view of the Pacific Ocean. The living room alone was bigger than my entire apartment, with modern furniture in cream and blue tones arranged around a massive flat-screen TV. A full kitchen with marble countertops occupied one corner. A dining table that could seat eight stood near the windows.

I let out a low whistle.

"This will do," Aurora said, setting her bags down on a chair. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Addison had already moved toward the windows, looking out at the ocean view. "Better than the Coastal Suite anyway. That one only has partial ocean views."

They spoke about the multi-thousand credit suite like it was nothing special. Just another hotel room. Meanwhile, I was still processing that the bathroom probably had heated floors.

"Where should I put these?" I raised the shopping bags.

Aurora pointed toward an open door off the main room. "Bedroom’s through there."

I walked into a bedroom larger than the entire living area of my dorm. A king-sized bed dominated the space, with crisp white linens and enough pillows to build a small fort. Another wall of windows continued the ocean view. The attached bathroom featured a shower big enough for four people and a soaking tub next to yet another window.

"One bed," I noted when I returned to the living room.

Aurora shrugged. "Addison can take the pull-out couch."

"Or we can all take the bed," Addison said, kicking off her boots and sprawling across said couch. "I’m not picky."