When the meeting ended with the promise of sharing anything they discovered, and a date for their next operation, Mahon walked back to school. He had again missed Slander’s lesson and took the time to rest in Nightmare, sorting through everything he had learned during the previous night.

At lunch, he talked a bit with Zac, who informed him of a small party tonight with Ash and one of her friends. Zac had hinted multiple times that Ash’s friend was also a girl, and Mahon could already see the trap coming. In exchange, Mahon had shared with Zac what he had learned from the Fada cult, and the presence of a mysterious backer, confirming Jorik’s theory.

In the afternoon, there was no scouting lesson since they would leave school tomorrow for the scouting trip, and Mahon went back to the running lesson, just not to stay idle. He had switched strengthening by gainage lessons with its more advanced one and still did yoga at the end of the day.

During the latter, he learned nothing new physically nor gained more flexibility, but he had found the lesson soothing since he had started infiltrating the cult. He would switch the lessons for magical lessons as soon as he could, and the Fada knew he needed Earth magic ones, but it would have to wait for Zac to be ready to promote.

The evening came quickly, and Mahon could finally enjoy a peaceful evening. Between the infiltrating stressful mission, the long evening spent reviewing possible noble families with Zac, he had less and less time to enjoy a beer with some friends and relax.

“Speed up, Mahon! We’re gonna be late!” Zac pushed his friend out of their house and closed the door behind them.

“Wait! It’s raining.” Mahon protested while pointing to the threatening sky and the little drops already falling.

Zac grumbled something, but he went back inside and quickly came out with two umbrellas.

“We aren’t made of sugar, could have walked under the rain just fine.”

Mahon chuckled at his friend’s behavior. “I’d prefer not to get wet, though.”

“Well, it’s just rain. Natural and all. You accept the sun on your skin, right? So why not the rain?”

“I don’t care if it’s part of the natural order. I just don’t want to walk soaked with my shoes going spoinch spoinch with every step.”

“Ah… You know nothing about the way of life.” His friend grinned.

They continued their bickering all the way to the inn Ash had selected. The woman was the only one who could force Zac to go to another tavern than the Hungry Alligator Inn.

The building had nothing special to it, apart from being unusually crowded, which was not really to its advantage. Mahon could already see Zac sighing at his side, and he had to hold back a laugh while they joined Ash and her friend at their table.

“Hey, boys! What’s up?” Ash welcomed them.

She kissed Zac on the cheek and hugged Mahon while the veteran exchanged a look with his friend. Zac played it as if he was completely innocent, but neither of them was dupe.

“Let me introduce you to Cellica, a good friend of mine. Cellica, Zac and Mahon. Zac and Mahon, Cellica.”

The woman was dressed elegantly, and a charming smile lightened her oval face. “Hello! Nice to meet you!” She waved.

The two boys waved back before they sat in front of the girls. With his always easy-going attitude, Zac started the conversation and asked polite questions to Cellica. Not missing any opportunities, he forced Mahon into the conversation as soon as he could. Actually, Cellica seemed also eager to discuss with him to the great discomfort of Mahon.

“Ash told me you were both working hard to join the army, but I can already tell so much from the way you’re built. The physical exercises must be very hard, right?” The woman asked Mahon, without bothering to hide her interest.

Mahon rolled his eyes and threw an annoyed look at Zac, begging him silently to deliver him from such a horrendous discussion. Alas, Zac only flashed a predatory smile.

“Yeah, Mahon, tell us about the advanced lesson you’re doing.”

Mahon almost choked at his friend’s betrayal, but he answered nonetheless. “Uh, nothing really impressive. Military exercise and stuff. Actually, even Zac could do them, if only he didn’t lack experience and determination.”

Cellica laughed politely, and Mahon already felt uncomfortable with her attitude. “You seemed to be really strong. If Ash hadn’t told me before you were two centuries old, I could have sworn you were under a hundred years old!”

Mahon smiled weirdly. What am I supposed to answer?

“Hahaha, thanks. Uh… I don’t know your age actually, so… uh…”

“Oh really? Zac didn’t tell you? You have to guess then!”

“Guess?” Mahon asked skeptically.

“Yes! Yes! Go on, guess my age! I promise I won’t be angry if you’re a bit off!”

What?! Is that a game? Why would she get angry if I miss?

Holding back a sigh, Mahon scrutinized the woman in front of him. At first sight, she seemed to be around three hundred, a bit older than him. On a second look, however, Mahon noticed the bags under her eyes, and the way she frowned ever so slightly.

Not three hundred then. She must be a bit tired today.

Taking into account his discovery, Mahon adjusted the numbers and gave his best estimation.

“Two hundred forty?”

“I’m sorry?” Cellica asked, blinking repeatedly.

“Are you two hundreds and twenty years old?” Mahon quickly corrected.

“What?! Rascal!” Cellica yelled before grabbing her bag and leaving the next instant.

Mahon watched her walking away, utterly stunned by the interaction. Hesitantly, he turned his head to look at Zac and Ash.

“What happened?” He asked.

His two friends couldn’t hold it back anymore, and they burst out laughing. In fact, they laughed so much that a few people turned to see what was happening at their table.

“What’s going on with her age all of a sudden?” Mahon asked again, but it only started another round of uncontrollable laughter.

“Uh, Fada.” Mahon sighed, waiting for his friends to calm down.

The two finally managed to quell their laughter, not without wiping their tears and almost falling back into laughing.

“Oh, Mahon. Thanks for that.”

“Well, you’re welcome, since it seems I was brought here just for that…”

“Ah, sorry about that Mahon.” Ash intervened. “I honestly had no idea how it would unfold. And don’t worry about Cellica, she’s just fine.”

“I had no idea either.” Zac started, but he quickly continued after Mahon’s impassive look. “But I admit I expected something like that!”

“Will you finally tell me what happened?”

“It’s my fault, it’s my fault.” Zac answered. “I talked about your training session with the lance professor to Ash, and she didn’t believe you were in dire need of gentleman lessons. So we set up this little meeting to prove my point.” He turned to Ash. “You’re convinced now?”

Ash held back her laughter just in time and chose to nod instead.

“I already told you I’m not interested, Zac. There is no…” Mahon started, but Zac interrupted him.

“No, no, no! I don’t want to know. There is no way I’m letting a friend on the sideline when it’s about gentleman manners! In the search for a soulmate or not, it doesn’t matter. You can’t not know gentlemanliness.”

Mahon sighed, but deep inside he smiled at his friend’s behavior. Maybe he was really changing with Zac’s friendship.

“Ok, ok. I know when a fight is already lost. You can teach me about it. But first I want to know what happened.”

Zac smiled proudly and answered his friend.

“Ah, you know, women…” Under the table, Ash kicked his tibia, and Zac quickly went back on track. “Well, actually, it’s pretty simple. When a woman asks you to guess her age, you’re already half fucked. Only good way to escape is to answer eighty. Works every time.”

Zac skillfully dodged Ash’s next kick before continuing more seriously.

“What I mean is, the result doesn’t matter. The game is not about guessing her real age, it’s about appearing convincing enough you guessed her age right, while dividing it by two. She wants to be flattered because you thought she looked younger than she is. That’s it. She wants to know if you find her pretty.”

“A stupid way of asking it.” Mahon grumbled.

“Only if you don’t know the rules! And that’s why you’ve got your friend to back up your ass.”

“And me to control everything that false gentleman will teach you.” Ash completed.

The conversation followed on how a gentleman should always act with charming style or courtesy depending on if it was Zac or Ash who explained about it. The trio laughed a good part of the evening, especially when they tried to mimic different kinds of scenarios where Mahon always failed to understand the hidden implications.

To any outsiders, the trio would have seemed always in disagreement and fighting tooth and nail for their opinions, but the truth was that none of the three really cared about the lesson. It was just the way they were, bickering and laughing together.

It was the synergy that they loved the most about their little group. It was what they crammed for after a tedious and stressful day of work. A nice relaxing evening with friends, talking about nothing important while laughing all along.

“You know what, boys?” Ash said as they drank their last beer of the night. “We should go on a trip together.”

“You said that because Mahon mentioned his scouting trip?”

“Yeah. No. Maybe… I want to spend a full day with you two, like we used to do when we practiced music for your parent’s reception. But somewhere else than my shop. Away from the city.”

“Like hiking and camping?” Zac asked.

“Yup, exactly!”

“Yeah, sure, I’m in! But I don’t know much about any nice places to go outside, so…”

“Me neither.” Ash completed, and the couple turned to face Mahon.

“Why do you look at me? I know even less than you about Ratho.”

“Yeah, but you’re on a scouting trip for two days! Scouting trip.” Zac emphasized again. “Go scout us for a nice place to go camping.”

“Seriously?”

“Pleaaase.” Ash begged with a charming smile.

Mahon turned to his duo.

“Pleaaase.” He begged too, mimicking Ash.

“Ah, whatever. I’ll see if I find something worth it not too far away.” Mahon finally answered.

His two friends cheered at his words, and the discussion ended shortly as they emptied their mugs. They all had work to do in the morning, and they couldn’t afford to stay until too late.

They exited the tavern and walked through the still busy streets for a bit. Mahon walked beside his duo, while Ash was firmly hung at Zac’s arm, not letting him move away from her. They advanced like that until their paths split, one way to the school and another to Ash’s shop.

“Ahem. Mahon, you can go on. I’ll escort Ash home.”

“Uh, no problem, Zac. I can wait here for you to come back. Ash’s shop isn’t far.” Mahon teased, and his friend looked back at him with an amused smile.

“No, no, you can go on. Don’t wait for me. I’ll meet you in the house.” He retorted with a challenging look.

“Great idea. I’ll make some tea for us while you come back.” Mahon answered immediately.

“Ah, shaddap, you fool. I can see you’re not in the mood with tonight's little prank. I think it’s safer for me to stay at Ash’s house. You know, to avoid your anger and stuff.” Zac finally said with a proud smile.

Mahon chuckled, letting his friend have it easy. “Yes, exactly. I’m really pissed off right now, so you better go back in the morning. I don’t want to see you tonight.”

Zac chuckled as well. “Very well. If you take it like that, I’m gonna stay at Ash’s house all night.”

He then turned back and pulled Ash with him towards her house. Mahon walked to school, holding back his laughter as he heard Ash’s sleepy voice in the distance.

“What’s wrong with you guys?”