Author's note:

p.s Percy has the biggest *cough* plot *cough* among the females introduced so far.

“Elise.”

The voice that had interrupted her was one that she had not heard since that morning.

Andric had just entered the inn when he noticed that the eyes of the diners were all focused on a table at the corner of the dining area. Although her face was blocked by the two men sitting in front of her, he could recognise her pale blonde hair peeking through the heads of the well-built men. Taking big strides, he walked to Elise’s table and gazed coldly at the two men. From their clothes… Probably Adventurers. Had the girl gotten herself into trouble?

“Ah, Andric. You are back early today. Would you like to join us for dinner?” Elise asked pleasantly. She could tell that he was unhappy, and this had stirred up a little happiness within her. She had not forgotten the embarrassment of being carried down the busy street.

“They are your acquaintances?” Andric asked causally.

“Well, yes. The two of them asked if they could join me for dinner. Since I was all alone, I took up their offer. Is there a problem?” Elise asked in return with wide, innocent eyes.

He thought that the girl might have gotten caught up in with troublesome guys, but seeing the girl’s calm demeanor and the frightened looks of the two men, it seems like it was him who had gotten caught in her trap.

“No. Why should there be a problem with that?” Andric answered smoothly. Turning to the two men who was looking at him like they were caught doing something wrong, he smiled warmly. “Thank you for keeping Elise company while I was away. I hope that she has not troubled you.”

“N… Not at all... “ Fred stammered. Turning stiffly to Elise, he said, “Miss… Elise was it? Well, since your friend has arrived, Mansor and I will be making a move first then.”

“Eh, what?” Mansor snapped out of his stupor and stared at his partner. It was difficult for them to get the chance to speak to the pretty girl, why were they leaving so quickly?

Fred grabbed Mansor by his arm firmly. Having worked as an Adventurer for close to ten years, his instincts were very strong. Although the russet haired man was smiling, his eyes were not. Judging from the aura he was giving off as well, this person was not someone they should mess with at their level.

Ignoring his dense partner, Fred quickly pulled him up. Forcing himself to calm down, he flashed a stiff grin at the girl who was looking at them in amusement with upturned eyes. “Well then. Although we are staying in a different inn, this town is not very big so until the next time we see each other again.”

“Sure, see the both of you around,” Elise replied cheerfully as she waved.

Fred nodded at the man who was standing at the side before he dragged his partner out of the inn. As they headed out, they almost knocked onto a tall man wearing a hooded robe. However, the man reacted in time and stepped out of the way.

The other diners who had been looking in their direction all went back to concentrate on their food. They could tell when the show is over as well.

“Andric, you know Elise as well?” The tall man who had been keeping silent voiced out as he stepped up to the table.

Elise looked at the hooded man in surprise. This voice was…

Andric raised his eyebrow. “You have met Elise?”

The hooded man laughed before he took off his hood, letting his long light blue hair flow down freely from his head.

“Yes. I met her earlier this afternoon.”

She knew it! It was the beautiful man called Seymour she met earlier that afternoon.

“I see. Since you are staying in this inn as well. It wouldn’t be strange to have met seen her,” Andric replied as he sat down and gestured for the blue haired man to do the same.

“What about you guys? How did the both of you know each other?” Elise asked as she her eyes flickered between the two of them curiously. Although they knew each other, she could feel a sense of distance between the both of them.

“I guess you can say it’s because of work?” Andric answered carefully.

Seymour nodded. “We just met today as well actually.”

“Oh~ Would what you have been doing by any chance have something to do with Goblins?”

Seymour gave a surprised expression before breaking into a curious smile. “Yes it does. How did you know about that?”

“Because there’s the scent of Goblin blood on Andric,” she replied while wrinkling her nose. Now that she had recovered, her senses were starting to get better. Although it was not strong, she could catch a faint whiff of it from him. Was the reason why he had been disappearing everyday because he had been going into the forest to hunt for Goblins?

Andric looked at his clothes before exhaling heavily. Although he had been careful to avoid getting splashed by blood, it seemed that the stench still stuck on him.

“I heard that there's a special quest coming up about the Goblins?”

Andric nodded. “But the details will only be revealed in a week and a half time.”

“Do you know how I can join in?” Elise asked casually as she picked up her fork and knife.

Andric’s face twitched.

“You are alright now?” Andric asked the girl who had started to tuck in to her roast beef again. As he had been busy with tasks by the Guild for the past couple of days, he had to leave early and would only come back to the inn at night, hence he had not been able to speak to her much. When he brought the doctor to check on her again that morning, she had looked much better, but she fell asleep after eating the medicine so he was not able to talk to her either.

“At the peak of my health,” Elise said cheerily as she popped the last piece of potato into her mouth.

Andric smiled wryly. “That’s good to know.”

Seymour gave a look of concern. “Elise is ill?”

“Not anymore. Thanks for your concern though,” Elise replied with a charming smile. Turning to Andric, she asked persistently, “So? How can I join?”

“Only Adventurers can participate in it.”

As if that was going to stop her. “Then I’ll become one!” Elise said decisively.

“But why do you want to participate in the special quest so much?” Seymour asked curiously. Although the young lady in front of him looked demure and sweet, their short acquaintance gave him the feeling that she was different from how she looked.

“Because I need to earn money quickly and adventuring seems like a pretty good way of doing that,” she replied simply.

Seymour widened his eyes before touching his chin thoughtfully. While it was true that Adventurers could earn high income, they were placing their lives on the line, so it was a high risk high return job. Furthermore, Adventurers had high expenses as they needed to purchase good equipment and medicine to help them in their quests; fighting monsters without being adequately equipped was akin to throwing their lives away after all. So it was debatable to say that Adventuring was a good way of earning money.

Having visited the item shop together with Elise, Andric understood the reason why she needed to earn a large sum of money. But he was not going to back down so easily. “What about trying other forms of employment?”

“Like?” It was not like she was only fixated in becoming an Adventurer. If there was another way where she could earn money, she would gladly consider as well. Provided that it is not unscrupulous, of course.

Andric furrowed his brows. A job where a girl can earn a large sum of money in a short period of time… In this kind of day and age, it seems like adventuring might be the best way to go about doing it.

Looking back at the girl who was waiting for a reply, he massaged his temples and said resignedly, “It seems like becoming an Adventurer might be the best way.”

“I thought so as well,” Elise replied while smiling triumphantly.

“Well, well. Although there are more male to female Adventurers, it was not like they are rare. There are female rank A Adventurers as well, so there should not be any gender discrimination,” Seymour said as he laughed lightly.

“It’s just as Sey says~ Andric, you should have more confidence in me,” Elise said mischievously.

Although he knew that she was purposely trying to stir him up, he still could not stop the slight ire in his heart. And when had this girl become close enough to call the other man ‘Sey’?

“If you are intending to become an Adventurer, have you decided on your job class?” Seymour asked curiously.

“Since you can use magic, the most logical answer is to become a Mage,” Andric said matter of factly. Plus Mages were usually at the back where it was safer, he added silently.

Seymour perked up upon hearing Andric’s words. “Elise is a Mage?”

Faced with his sudden enthusiasm, Elise furrowed her brows. “I can only use a little magic… Plus I didn’t say I want to become a Mage.”

“Being able to use any kind of magic is impressive,” Seymour said gently. “I’m a Mage. I can help you if you have any question.”

Elise gave a troubled expression. The question was not about whether she knew how to use magic or not, but instead about the kind of magic she is able to use with her level of mana. But that would be too troublesome to explain.

“Mmm… I will think about it first then.”

“Oh my oh my, this gentleman is a Mage?” A startled voice interrupted their conversation.

All three at the table turned their heads to look at the buxom waitress standing a short distance away from their table. Her hazel eyes were round and her lips were in the shape of astonished ‘o’.

Seeing the three pairs of eyes staring at her, Percy quickly gave an apologetic smile. “Sorry for interrupting your conversation. I couldn’t help overhearing the conversation and was slightly surprised so I accidentally spoke out loud.”

Seymour smiled graciously and shook his head. “It’s okay. Please don’t worry about it.”

“Mages are really rare so I couldn’t help getting excited,” Percy said as her hazel eyes twinkled and she took a few steps forward. “It isn’t often for us to see Mages around.”

“Hahaha. Is that so?” Seymour followed up good naturedly.

Percy took out a notebook and glanced between the two men with a gentle smile. “Would the both of you like to order anything? If you don't order soon, the kitchen is going to close~”

Andric took a look around the inn and realised that the dining crowd had already cleared out, and they were one of the last few customers sitting in the dining area. It seems like time had passed quickly while they were talking.

Taking the menu from the girl, he took a look before he passed it to Seymour.

“I'll just have what this lady had just now.”

“Alright~ That would be vegetable soup and roast beef with potatoes. It's that okay?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“How about the gentleman here?”

“I’ll like to have Baked Pasta with Chicken,” Seymour answered with a smile before he returned the menu to her.

“No problem~” Percy replied before she put the notebook back into her apron.

However, she did not leave the table immediately. Her eyes went over the blonde haired girl and the russet haired man sitting opposite her purposefully before she opened her mouth.

“It might be a little impudent for me to ask but... Are the both of you lovers?”

Elise watched with amusement as Andric’s face grew stiff.

Thanks to his grand display on the first day, she was aware that there were rumours flying around about their relationship.

Truthfully speaking, she considered him to be a fine specimen for a male human. But it pretty much ended at that. Romance and the like was not for her.

But it doesn’t mean she can’t have a little fun though~

What is he going to say? Elise thought in anticipation.

Andric took a deep breath before he replied evenly, “No. We are friends.”

Percy nodded in understanding. “Ah is that so~ I thought that it couldn't be true either, but Mari wouldn't listen to me. Sorry for surprising you~”

“Mari?”

“She is the innkeeper’s daughter,” Elise answered. “By the way, didn't you ask her to monitor me? Why can't you remember her name?” She asked accusingly.

“Ah. I think I remember.” It should be the young girl that he spoke to when he carried Elise back to the inn on the first day. She looked like a serious child so he told her to make sure Elise got lots of rest. He don't remember telling her to keep an eye over her though?

“If there's anything else, feel free to call me.” Percy winked at Andric and gave a slight giggle before swaying off merrily.

“Hmmm…” Elise gazed at Andric with a smirk.

“You have something to say?”

Elise chuckled when she saw his uncomfortable expression. Teasing others is really fun~

An uncontrolled yawn escaped from her mouth before she could react. She would love to chat more, but it seems like she had enough excitement for the day.

She stood up and stretched before saying, “I'll leave the both of you to eat your dinner. I'm going to sleep first. What time do you want to meet tomorrow?”

“You don’t want to think about it more?”

“Don't need to,” Elise replied lazily.

Andric heaved a sigh.

“Then 7am at the dining area.”

“Okay~” Looking at Seymour, she flashed a bright smile. “See you around as well, Sey.”

“Good night, Elise. See you tomorrow,” Seymour said as he waved.

This girl is interesting, he thought as he watched her go up the stairs. He gazed sideways at the expressionless man who was sitting beside him. To say the truth… He was curious as well.

Lowering his voice, he asked, “Are the both of you really friends?”

“...”

Have you ever seen the phenomenon of dark clouds gathering in an indoor area? Seymour had not either till that day.

“I heard that the food is really delicious here,” he quickly changed topic. “Ah, I’m really looking forward to it... Do you think they might have any desserts here as well?”

Mmm. Now he know what to avoid talking about to this man.