"I won't be joining you guys today."
"Whyyyy?" Renia pouted, clinging to my arm.
"Well, I've been doing a lot of quests lately. I'm just a little tired."
"True... You have been pushing yourself too much," June said, resting a hand on her cheek.
"Yep, you get your leave approved by the Guildmaster himself," Elias grinned, adjusting his glasses.
"Renia's tired tooo! She'll stay with Rin!" She tightened her grip on me.
"Ruby's tired toooo~" Ruby mimicked her in a high-pitched voice and latched onto my other arm.
"Hands off, bitch!" Renia shot her a glare and tried to yank me away.
Ruby's made an enemy of Renia since yesterday.
"Not you too, Ruby…" Mila sighed.
Well. Guess I'll have to use my secret weapon.
I leaned in close to Renia's ear and whispered, "I'll give you a kiss later."
She stiffened. Slowly, she tilted her head up to look at me.
"Really? Mouth to mouth?" she whispered back.
I nodded slightly.
That should do the trick.
"Alright. Renia will go." She let go of my arm immediately.
"Really? I expected you to put up more of a fight," Nova said, raising an eyebrow.
"Now, how about you let go too?" I turned to Ruby.
"Unfair! How come only Vice-Guildmaster gets to rest?" Ruby pouted.
"Because he's the one who works the most," Etsu chimed in.
"Lazy cow," Nova smirked, crossing her arms.
"Ugh, fine! I'll show you how hardworking I am!" Ruby huffed and finally let go.
"Good luck. I'll be upstairs taking a nap." I waved and walked off.
Light chatter and footsteps faded behind me.
I entered my room and perched on my bed.
Anytime now.
...
The space in front of me blurred, and a familiar figure emerged.
"Hmm, sorry to keep you waiting, dear~" Selphira purred, sitting gracefully on a chair nearby. She crossed her legs, watching me with a lazy smile. "Did you miss me?"
I'd rather be hung and skinned alive. Well, not really, but you get the point.
"Just state your business."
"Impatient, aren't we?" She chuckled.
She stood and wandered absently around the room. "You remember that demon crystal we talked about, right? I want you to place one in a dungeon."
"A dungeon? I can't clear one alone."
"Obviously. You're just a weak little rabbit," she smirked. "Originally, I planned for you to plant it in some random forest, but that'd be way too unsafe."
She strolled over and perched herself onto my lap.
Heavy.
Her fingers lifted my chin, forcing me to meet her gaze.
"But I overheard something interesting," she continued, her tone playful. "Do you know Mikhail?"
"Doesn't ring a bell."
She giggled. "You really don't? You're perfect to be my partner in crime."
Slave in crime yeah.
"He's the Guildmaster of Starlight," she continued. "I overheard that they're planning a competition for the fifth generation. And guess what the grand prize is?"
"A dungeon?"
"Correct~" She smiled. "You'll participate, of course."
"And what makes you think I'll win?"
"You don't know, do you, dear?"
"Know what?"
"Nothing~ Just trust that I trust you." She grinned. "If you think you'll lose, you can always come cry to me. I'll bless you with a little power."
"No thanks."
Untrustworthy.
"Good. The competition should be announced in a week." She finally stood from my lap, brushing off her dress. "I should get going now."
"Question. If you're so strong, why don't you just go to the dungeon yourself?"
"Hmm, I wonder why~?"
Expected.
"Was that mirror in the town square your doing?"
She smiled. "No, but I do know something about it."
"And that is?"
"Information isn't free…" She leaned in, her lips just inches from mine. "You know that, right, darling?"
"You're despicable."
"Demon for a reason~" She closed the gap, her lips pressing against mine in a slow, deliberate kiss.
She pulled back with a teasing smirk. "I'll be content with that for today. Consider it a gift for your help, deary~"
Hah. That's laughable.
"Anyway, the mirror is just a passage to a world. Filled with monsters. Zero humans or demons."
"Is it dangerous?"
"For someone like you? Obviously." She smiled. "Now then, bye, darling~"
The space around her blurred, and she vanished as if she had never been there.
A competition, huh? I don't mind. It's a good chance to show off and to gauge the gap between me and the others.
How would it work? An assassin would definitely have an edge over a mage like me.
But first, I should shower. God knows what Renia will smell on me if I don't.
---
After a cold shower, I decided to wander the streets for the whole day. No destination, no plan. Just walking.
A week. I have a week to prepare. I should focus on leveling up.
Then a smell caught my attention, rich, savory, and slightly smoky. It made my stomach churn in hunger.
Made me remember I hadn't eaten lunch. Usually, we packed something during quests.
I followed the scent to a food stall.
"Excuse me, can I get one of whatever that is?"
A warm-looking lady greeted me with a smile. "Of course!"
She wrapped the food neatly, placing it in a small paper bag along with a packet of sauce.
"That'll be ten bronze coins!" She stretched out the bag toward me.
"Thanks." I handed over the coins and took the bag, feeling the warmth of the food through the paper.
I found an empty bench and sat down.
Inside the bag was a golden-brown pastry, its surface crisp and slightly flaky. The scent of roasted meat and melted cheese wafted up as I unwrapped it. I tore off a piece, revealing a soft, steaming interior packed with seasoned meat and caramelized onions.
I dipped a piece into the sauce. A tangy, slightly spicy kick balanced out the richness.
Not bad.
I took another bite, savoring the warmth against the evening chill.
I chewed slowly, letting the taste settle. Maybe I should've grabbed two.
"Enjoying the meal?"
A warm voice cut through my thoughts. I turned my head slightly to see a man standing a few feet away, watching me with a gentle smile. He was young, mid to late twenties with soft golden hair that framed his face, almost too neat, too perfect. His deep blue eyes held an odd warmth.
"Yeah." I gave a short reply, expecting him to move along.
Instead, he chuckled softly. "I'm glad. It's a simple pleasure, isn't it? Eating something warm after a long day." He took a step closer, not imposing, just… present. "I often remind the children at my orphanage to appreciate the little things."
An orphanage? That could explain the calm, patient demeanor.
"You're a priest?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral.
He nodded. "Lucien. I run the orphanage near the east side of town. And you are?" His gaze held curiousity.
"Rin." I kept it brief, but his smile widened slightly, as if he had expected that answer.
"Rin... A nice name," He said. "You remind me of someone."
I didn't respond, taking another bite of my food instead.
Lucien watched me for a moment before sitting on the bench beside me, maintaining a respectable distance but still close enough that I could feel his presence.
"You've been working hard, haven't you? Adventuring must be exhausting," he continued, his tone soft, almost concerned.
I narrowed my eyes slightly. "You know who I am?"
"Not many people don't," he said lightly. "The rising mage. Vice-guildmaster of The Empire."
Something about the way he spoke made me feel unsafe. You ever get that feeling? No offence to this man but I wouldn't be surprised if he turned out to be a rapist.
"Do you visit the orphanage often?" I asked, shifting the topic.
He smiled, though there was something distant in his expression. "I live for them. The children need someone who will always be there. Someone who won't leave." His fingers curled slightly on his lap, a flicker of something darker in his eyes before it vanished behind warmth again. "I just wish—" He paused, then let out a soft chuckle. "Ah, never mind."
Or am I judging him too harshly?
Lucien exhaled and leaned back slightly. "If you ever find yourself near the east side, feel free to stop by. I think you'd get along well with the children."
I wasn't sure about that. Not the most caring.
Still, I gave a slight nod, more out of politeness than intent.
Lucien smiled again, standing up. "Enjoy the rest of your meal, Rin. And take care of yourself, alright?" His voice held an odd gentleness.
Then, with a last lingering glance, he walked away, disappearing into the crowd.
I finished my food, but it didn't taste as good anymore.
I leaned back against the bench, watching Lucien disappear into the crowd. There was something off about him. Nothing outright threatening, but unsettling.
I exhaled slowly, pushing the thought aside. No point in overthinking it now.
It's already getting late. The others should be back.
I should probably head back before Renia started tracking me down.
The guild was lively with chatter like always. The moment I stepped inside, I heard voices coming from the common area.
"—can't believe you idiots did all those quests without me." Ruby's voice, loud and dramatic. "Should have let me help out!"
"You were literally there," Nova scoffed.
"I was there, but not mentally there. There's a difference!"
I stepped into the room just as Ruby threw herself across a couch, draping an arm over her eyes like she was moments away from death.
"You just want an excuse to be lazy," Mila said, amused.
Ruby peeked through her arm. "I don't need an excuse. I just am lazy."
"Finally admitting it huh?" Etsu laughed.
"I-i think Ruby is really helpful and caring..." Mini muttured.
"Rin!"
Before I could react, Renia practically teleported in front of me, throwing her arms around my waist. "Rin's back! Finally! Took you long enough." She nuzzled into my chest. "Where'd you go? Renia was lonely~"
"I was just walking around."
She pulled back slightly, narrowing her eyes. "You smell weird."
Literally a dog.
I stayed still as Renia sniffed at me like a cat suspicious of another scent. Her grip tightened. "Rin… did some other woman touch you?"
I sighed. "No."
She squinted. Clearly, she didn't believe me.
Ruby, still sprawled across the couch, snickered. "Maybe he's cheating on you because you are way too cling."
Renia whipped her head around, glaring. "You shut your cow mouth!"
"Touchy," Ruby muttered, smirking.
Elias adjusted his glasses, looking between us. "It would be quite surprising if Rin actually had another woman in his life, considering how much time he spends with Renia."
Renia brightened immediately. "Exactly! Rin belongs to Renia and Renia only!"
"Can we not have this conversation?"
"Oh, welcome back, dear," June greeted with a warm smile, stepping out of the kitchen.
"Thank you."
Renia tugged at my sleeve, her gaze lifting to meet mine. "So… about the thing we talked about in the morning…"
Right. I forgot about that.
"I don't remember anything like that."
"W-What?! R-Rin, you promised!" Her grip tightened around my arm, her voice trembling.
I sighed. "I was just kidding. Of course, I remember."
"Hmph! Rin's so mean. Renia was about to cry," she huffed, her cheeks puffing out in a pout. But just as quickly, she brightened again, a playful smile curling her lips.
"Well? Why is Rin making Renia wait?" She rose onto her toes, tilting her face up toward me, eyes shut, lips puckered.
…She seriously expects me to do this in front of everyone?
"Boooo! Get a room!" Ruby jeered from the couch, waving a hand dramatically.
"Yeah, yeah, get a room!" Elias added. "You two make me want to kill myself!"
"Mini! Stay with us! You have so much to live for!" Mila cradled the now-unconscious Mini, her face completely red.
I glanced over at Gyro. Same condition. Face down on the table, looking like he'd been struck by lightning.
"You're killing Mini and Gyro, dude," Etsu laughed.
June giggled softly from the sidelines. Meanwhile, Renia remained completely unfazed, her lips still pursed, waiting.
These idiots… Now I'm actually getting embarrassed.
I grabbed Renia's wrist and pulled her along with me, ignoring the laughter and catcalls as we made our way to our room.
The door clicked shut behind us and the noise outside faded.
Renia turned to me, her arms crossed. "Finally. No distractions."
I exhaled, leaning against the door. "You didn't have to make it a whole spectacle."
"Renia does as she pleases," she said matter-of-factly. Then, with a sudden shift, she stepped closer, her voice dropping to a softer tone. "Now… Rin promised."
She looked up at me, expectant.
I hesitated for a second before lifting a hand to her cheek. Her skin was warm under my touch. She blinked, her breath light and warm against me.
I leaned down, closing the distance between us.
Her fingers curled into the fabric of my shirt just as my lips brushed against hers.
Soft. Warm.
She let out a quiet hum, pressing closer, her grip on me tightening.
I wasn't sure how long we stayed like that, but when I finally pulled away, her face was flushed, her eyes hazy.
"Mm…" She blinked up at me, dazed. "Renia likes that. Rin tastes good..."
I sighed, brushing a thumb over her cheek. "You're impossible."
She giggled, suddenly wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug and nuzzling against me. "Renia wants more."
I flicked her forehead lightly, making her pout. "That's enough for now."
"Hmph. Rin's so mean." She buried her face in my chest, still holding onto me like she had no plans of letting go.
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, resting my chin on her head. "You got what you wanted. Happy now?"
"Mm… very." Her grip around me tightened. "Love you..."
Embarrassing. But I don't hate it.