Ep. 15: Fantasy Village
"Ahh... it's been ages since I slept so soundly."
It had been a full week since returning to the academy for lectures. He'd originally planned to come back three days earlier, but given the incidents, he'd arrived a bit sooner than that. So he'd intended to rest up until it was time to head back... but.
"Already noon? Guess I need to get ready and head out."
"You're up early, Master."
"Well... our appointment's at one."
He let out a deep sigh and slowly began preparing to leave. After finishing his preparations, he arrived at the academy's main gate five minutes later. But naturally, he wasn't here to attend classes today. The meeting spot was just conveniently located here.
"Oh? You're already here?"
"Of course. It's been a while—I can't exactly show up late."
Luel greeted him with a bright smile, looking thrilled to see him.
"But... is that outfit okay?"
"Huh? What's wrong with my clothes?"
"Well..."
A pristine white blouse, a blue pin tucked into her hair, and even light makeup on her naturally beautiful face. Exaggerating just a bit, she was stunning enough to stop hearts. It suited her perfectly, and she looked gorgeous... but.
Why do all the girls in our club show up all dressed up like this?
He recalled his not-quite-date with Belloa before. She'd dolled herself up unnecessarily, leaving him flustered.
Good thing Belloa's back at her family estate. If she'd shown up dressed up too, I'd look like the clueless idiot who can't read the room.
It wouldn't be a huge deal, but he had no interest in that. He didn't fancy getting outnumbered 2-to-1 by Belloa and Luel either.
"You look pretty, but we're meeting for club activities today."
Even though it was a day off, the reason he'd come to see Luel was simple.
I just remembered—club activities require at least one session during break.
He'd forgotten until Luel messaged him via communication magic tool last night. That's why he'd agreed to her suggestion for an activity today.
"I know. It's for club stuff."
"You know our club's name too?"
"Combat Intensive Club, right?"
"Sigh..."
It was infuriating that she knew that and still showed up dressed like this. Sure, if she were rear guard, but she was frontline.
"So, what are we doing today?"
"We have to do some club activity first, so I figured we'd take a light request."
"Request? Like adventurers?"
"Yep. You register first."
He and Belloa had registered before, so just Luel needed to do it. Then they'd pick a suitable request, log the activity, and call it done—simple.
"Let's head that way then."
He sighed at Luel's beaming smile and slowly turned toward the Adventurer's Guild.
This girl's supposed to be the hero who saves the world? I'm seriously worried.
*******
After arriving at the guild, things moved quickly.
"Whoa... is that the new recruit?"
"Yeah. Pretty face on her."
"Watch your mouth or you'll die. She's starting at B-rank."
"...What? Shit?"
"What was I doing at that age? Just sighs."
Luel was on par with him and Belloa—beyond normal student level. Her initial assessment was naturally B-rank, the highest starting grade, just like his.
"Feels like the walk here took longer than the registration."
Luel murmured softly as she emerged from assessment.
"Isn't that obvious? It took almost an hour."
The guild wasn't far from the academy—twenty minutes tops. At their pace, under fifteen. So why an hour?
"But we saw fun stuff on the way, right?"
"...I'll give you that much."
They'd just stopped everywhere that caught her eye. Chicken skewers because she wanted some, blacksmith shop because she wanted to browse... They'd hit every spot, yet only an hour? Impressive, maybe.
"I dressed up for once, so I wanted to play around."
"Fair enough. It's break, after all."
No rush anyway—they just needed to finish before classes resumed.
"Anyway, decided on a request?"
"Thinking C+ grade."
"Huh? We're both B-rank."
"Custom is to start one grade down."
He could solo A-rank now, but he wasn't here to show off. No money issues either.
Following adventurer customs isn't bad. I'll take more requests to build experience—better not stand out.
Standing out enough already...
"One of these three—thoughts?"
He held out the three request papers to Luel.
"Goblin dungeon clear, ancient tomb dungeon clear, bandit extermination?"
High-end C+ requests, difficulty-wise. But Luel could handle them solo. Except one.
"Goblins are gross, don't wanna kill people—tomb it is."
"Knew you'd say that."
"Eh...? For real?"
"I get it, somewhat."
He'd sliced demons aplenty, but didn't enjoy killing human-shaped ones. They struggled to live, after all. Goblins? Just hated 'em.
Was aiming for the tomb anyway.
He'd pretended to give her a choice, but had picked it from the start. Useful stuff in there.
"Register this one?"
"Got it. Wait outside."
He headed to the counter and submitted the request.
"...First request, but this'll be bumped to B-grade."
"Yeah? Still C+ though—can we take it?"
"You sure?"
"Yes. No issue."
"Alright. Let us know if you wanna drop midway."
"Thanks."
Unnecessary worry, but he bowed politely. She was concerned as a guild staffer.
"Master."
"Yeah? What?"
"Are all adventurers like that?"
"Like what? Jobs similar, so personalities overlap a bit."
"No... they seem kinda pervy toward women."
He tilted his head at Lilia's quiet observation as they exited. And just like his first visit, six burly men surrounded Luel. Each exuded serious presence—at least A-rank.
"Join our party? We'd treat you right. A+ party, see."
"Got a companion. Still in academy."
"We can handle that. Vets."
"No thanks."
Luel smiled amiably, brushing them off. Then the leader grabbed her wrist.
"For real. Not joking."
"...Feels like you're the one joking?"
Luel's voice sharpened with anger. Before her sword could intervene, Dante stepped between them.
"How about we stop here? Seniors should set examples."
"...What?"
"No good making a scene—for anyone."
"Some newbie..."
As anger flickered in their eyes,
Seal of Original Sin displays the difference in power levels.
Seal of Original Sin manifests the form of fear.
A blue window appeared, and the men—brimming with confidence moments ago—collapsed en masse. Every one slack-jawed, eyes glazed, ugly heaps on the ground.
Did I... kill them?
He hadn't meant to, but worry hit first. No thanks to becoming the guy who slays adventurers outside the guild.
"Don't worry. Not dead."
"Good. Relieved."
"That's that... but Master, you're getting less human by the day?"
"...I know, so no need to point it out."
He hadn't expected unintentional intimidation to leak out. Post-reconstruction, his senses sharpened; felt more demon than human now.
"Dante."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
Luel buried her face in his chest, murmuring softly.
"Women's enemy."
"...Wasn't aiming for that."
He'd moved fearing she'd slice them up. Unlike Belloa, Luel acted on her skills if pissed.
Still.
Saying it like that? Kinda oblivious.
Whatever—if she was happy.
"Alright, shall we head to the southeastern ancient tomb nice and slow?"
Wait for us. We're coming.