Shortly after that, Melanie returns from the back. She hands us all our guild cards, so I guess Alto and Zara hadn't gotten theirs yet. Then, she gives Zara and Alto their handbooks as well.
"Mizuki, Nina, Alto, and Zara, here are your guild cards! Alto and Zara, here are your guild handbooks. Naturally, you two will be starting out at G-rank. Your guild fees are one silver coin per year, and the fees are due within a month. I'm sure that Mizuki and Nina can answer any questions you have, but I'm also available!" (Melanie)
Alto and Zara nod to Melanie and give their thanks. I hand Melanie two silver coins to cover their fees. Then, I remember something else I should have done by now. I turn to my party members.
"Hey everyone, I should've done this before, but take these." (Mizuki)
I give Nina, Alto, and Zara a bunch of gold, silver, and copper coins each. They look at me in surprise.
"Obviously, if you need anything for our travels, you can just ask me. However, it felt weird that I hadn't given you all any money yet. This way, you can buy something on your own if you need to. Please also feel free to keep whatever money we get from guild jobs." (Mizuki)
Zara looks uncomfortable, Alto looks extremely curious, and Nina looks disinterested. I guess dragons don't care much about money. Alto speaks up first.
"So, Mizuki…I have a number of questions after today. The other night, you said we were friends…does that mean that, if I asked you those questions, you'd answer them?" (Alto)
Alto looks at me warmly…but expectantly. Hmm…how to proceed with that. I put on a face of thinking deeply, then direct thought communication at Alto and Nina only.
[Alto, if you want any questions answered. Come to Nina's and I's room after we get back. Do it by sunset, though, Nina and I have plans later.] (Mizuki)
With that taken care of, I change my expression to one of having made a decision, and I respond aloud.
"Oh, I don't know. It's hard to say if I can answer a question that I haven't heard yet. It's better to just ask the question and find out if you get an answer that way." (Mizuki)
Alto smiles wryly, and she responds with a smirk.
"I'm sorry for overestimating your intelligence, I'll be more careful in the future." (Alto)
I roll my eyes at her, then address everyone with a smile.
"Please do, Alto. Alright everyone, let's head back to the inn and get some food!" (Mizuki)
On that note, everyone nods, and Zara looks excited for once. Time to round out the night, and plan for the training session from hell tomorrow.
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
Nina and I are back at our inn room as sunset approaches. We finished our dinner a few minutes ago, and now Nina is making her intentions known.
"Mizuki, if Alto shows up, please don't chat with her too long. I have plans with you tonight, and I want to take a bath together first." (Nina)
I smile in a way that shows my amusement.
"Oh, I have no desire to put off our plans. Plus, we should talk while we're in the bath about our upcoming trip. I promise not to take too long with Alto if she shows." (Mizuki)
I look at Nina, who's laying on her stomach on the couch, while she gazes back at me. I can sense anticipation from her, and I can't help but look at her a bit more closely as we pass the time.
She's slipped into a lacy blue dress and has removed her shoes. Some of her wavy brown hair is falling onto her face, but she doesn't seem to mind. I don't dwell on it often, but she really is incredibly beautiful.
Presumably feeling what I'm thinking about her, Nina flashes me an alluring smile. Glancing out the window, the sun has just about set. If Alto's not coming after all, then…perhaps we don't need to put our evening on hold. As I'm about to walk over to Nina, she sighs with mild frustration.
"Tch…just when things were getting interesting." (Nina)
At that moment, I hear a knock on the door to our room. Ah, I guess that's Alto showing up after all. No matter, I quite like having Alto around, and she's reliable. I'll answer whatever questions she has.
I answer the door and smile at Alto as she walks in.
"Hey, Alto, wasn't sure if you were going to show or not. So, did you take some time to think beforehand about what you want to ask me?" (Mizuki)
Alto looks uncharacteristically serious, but her curiosity still comes through. She nods her acknowledgement.
"Yes, I certainly did. Do I just start asking now?" (Alto)
I chuckle at her question and direct her an amused expression.
"Fufufufu…I was going to take us somewhere private, just on principle. I, of course, am not trying to keep anything from Nina. It's just that she wants to take a bath soon, so I figured I'd let her prepare it in peace while I answer your questions. Nina, any objections?" (Mizuki)
I glance at Nina, and she shakes her head while smiling. I'm glad we're at this point now. I turn back to Alto, who also saw Nina's reaction, and she steps in close and places her hand on my shoulder. Then, I teleport us to Nina's nest.
Darkness has begun to settle over the forest, but warmth still lingers in the night air. Alto leisurely takes a few paces away from me. I address her as she does.
"Alright, Alto, ask whatever you want. Afterward, only ever assume that Ilina and Nina are aware of any information you hear tonight." (Mizuki)
Alto flashes me an excited smile, then nods her agreement.
"Okay, Mizuki, first question. Where are you getting all this money that I see you using?" (Alto)
That's her first one, really? I flash her a grin and walk over to the lake in the clearing, then gesture for her to follow me. I dip my hand down into the water, and I focus on using my alchemy spell to make enough gold for one coin. I make sure to pull from the water instead of the air this time.
After a moment, a gumball-sized gold sphere is visible in my hand. I show it to Alto, and her eyes go wide. I'm not done, though, I should be honest. I focus on shaping the gold from memory into a coin. I've done it so much at this point that I don't really need a reference anymore. After, I hand it to Alto.
Her mouth is hanging open in shock, and she responds in a frantic tone.
"M-M-Mizuki, you're literally making money!? You don't mean to keep doing this, do you!? This is so wrong!" (Alto)
Well, that's not entirely unexpected.