Ellis: “…Can We Bring Ellis Too?”
Ellis, who had been listening to the conversation between Lee Ho-yeon and Isaac, jumped in surprise at the sudden mention of her name and glanced to the side.
He hasn't forgotten.
His words about giving her a good experience. Now that she knew it wasn't just polite talk, Ellis felt her mood lift.
"Bringing Ellis along wouldn't be a bad idea. She's here for field experience anyway."
"…Dad. For real?"
"Yeah. It's about time you gained some real combat experience."
As the conversation shifted toward including her, Ellis couldn't hide her expression. It felt like her father was finally acknowledging her. Like she'd finally shed her childish image.
Anticipation, joy, excitement. Even gratitude.
If Lee Ho-yeon hadn't brought it up, this never would have happened.
But he didn't stop there. His next bombshell remark made Ellis gasp and try to stop him, but Lee Ho-yeon met her eyes directly.
"Ellis. The guild master isn't going to take you somewhere truly dangerous. Don't get too excited—calm down. You forgot we agreed to have a good experience together?"
"…!"
He was keeping his promise to give her a proper experience. Ellis finally settled her racing heart.
"…You're right. That does seem off. He's never sent me anywhere dangerous before. Centaurs are that risky, but he's okay bringing me along?"
Thinking calmly, it didn't match her father's usual behavior. The man who always shielded her from danger was now pushing for real combat?
"That's not it, my dear daughter. For your first joint mission, I just wanted to make it a bit safer. No intention to deceive. Lee Ho-yeon, if you insist, I'll include her in the proper tracking team. It's your call. But Ellis isn't ready yet."
"…."
Ellis chewed her lip at Isaac's words. She wanted to say something, but didn't know what.
His logic was sound. For a first mission, playing it safer wasn't wrong, right?
Yeah. It's dangerous, after all.
As she started yielding to fear like always, rationalizing it away, he stepped in again.
"Guild master. I'd like Ellis in the proper tracking team with me."
Grip—
Ellis swallowed hard, staring at Lee Ho-yeon holding her wrist. Why go this far? It'll only make him look bad to my father.
"No. Too dangerous. You're fine, but I can't let my daughter Ellis go."
"How long are you going to keep protecting her like that? It's time to give Ellis a chance."
"…That's for me and Ellis to decide. Stay out of it."
"Then ask Ellis directly. What she wants."
"Wh-what?"
Ellis blinked, caught off guard. Lee Ho-yeon locked eyes with her.
"Ellis. You decide. What do you want?"
"I-I…."
Of course she wanted to go. She knew her own skills best. Even in a team of aces, she could pull her weight. She wasn't a rookie anymore.
Besides, she hated hiding in the shadows forever.
But… she was scared too. Centaurs were that strong? Did her first real mission have to be against something like that?
As Ellis wavered, Isaac spoke up.
"Ellis, my girl. Daddy said it before—first tracking mission, so I wanted it safer. You can build experience gradually. No need to jump into something this risky right away…."
"…."
He wasn't wrong. No, she'd been fooled like this before. But this time he promised to take her. Next time too, surely….
"Ellis."
Then she felt warmth on the back of her hand. Lee Ho-yeon's hand rested over hers. Turning, she saw his confident smile.
"You can do it. Let's go together."
An inexplicable confidence filled her chest. Ellis's lips curved slightly as she met Isaac's gaze and slowly spoke.
* The next day. Iris Guild leader's office.
The blonde beauty slammed both palms on the desk. Good thing the furniture was mana-treated; a normal wooden one would have shattered.
Isaac sweated bullets, watching Irene's scowl.
"…My eldest daughter. Why so angry?"
"Dad. I heard Ellis is joining the tracking team."
"Yeah. I told you beforehand."
"That's not the point! You're just pretending to go along, right? What if Ellis gets hurt—who's taking responsibility?!"
"…."
Isaac averted his eyes from his fuming daughter.
"Dad…!"
"…I wanted to, but…."
Isaac bowed his head, vividly recalling yesterday's conversation.
— Dad. I want to go too. I can do it. No, I'll definitely succeed.
His once-adorable daughter had grown up. How could he say no?
Isaac pictured the bastard holding her hand. Is this what it feels like when a man steals your daughter? He never wanted to feel it. He'd never approve of any guy.
But Ellis's happy face when that hand took hers lingered in his mind.
"Ugh…."
"Dad!"
"Irene. When you bring a man home, you need my permission first. Definitely…."
"Not the time for weird talk! How can you take Ellis somewhere that dangerous?!"
"Calm down, sweetie. It's decided. Ellis wants this."
"Ellis does?"
"Yes. Let's support her. She's not a kid anymore."
"…Understood."
He's hopeless. Taking Ellis into danger like that.
Irene bowed curtly and left the office.
— Ugh. Ellis. No. Absolutely not… But to register marriage, he has to beat me….
Ignoring Isaac's mutterings, Irene bit her lip as she exited.
'Ellis wants to?'
She'd warned her sister how dangerous real combat was so many times.
"What if she still won't listen… Ellis."
She thought a few more years would be fine. With her congenital mana disorder and the fear of combat ingrained since childhood.
But now even their father, who'd always been on board, was siding with Ellis. The mana disorder was being fixed, and now real combat too?
It flew in the face of Irene's plan to keep Ellis as a sheltered flower.
"Hello, team leader!"
"Yes. Hello."
Irene nodded to passing guild members as she headed to her office.
Click—
Back in the 1st team leader's office, Irene locked the door and sank onto the sofa. She crossed her legs, eyeing her reflection in the full-length mirror.
The line from waist to hips, sexy legs. Breasts not too small, not excessive. Alluring collarbone and pale neck.
Admiring her perfect body, she pulled a worn teddy bear from the drawer. Stolen from kindergarten-age Ellis.
Hugging it tight, Irene thought of her cute sister. The anger eased a bit. Ellis's scent was long gone, but the emotion she'd cherished remained.
Ellis even looked beautiful crying.
But sadly, no more treasures to steal. Lately, Ellis focused on self-improvement over hobbies.
"Sigh… My sister. My lovable sister. What to do."
All that protection, wasted. Probably that man's fault.
"Lee Ho-yeon…."
No one else could explain Ellis's changes. Even fixing her congenital mana disorder—that was him too.
If her sister's only flaw vanished…
"Hnnng…."
Irene shivered. What masterpiece would she become then?
"No. Absolutely not…."
Ellis could never go to anyone else. Ever.
* Two days after meeting Isaac. I was still holed up in the dorm.
I wrapped up the chat with cute Nam Da-eun. Everyone else seemed swamped, and I'd been lounging for two days straight—guilt was kicking in.
Turning off my smartwatch, I snuggled back against Liliana's body. Nothing beats tits for easing a guilty conscience.
"Yummy~ France really has the best bread."
Nom nom. Liliana, nestled in my arms, munched her donut like a hamster.
"Yeah yeah. Eat up."
I pressed my face to her back, slipping a hand under her clothes. Nothing to do, so skinship it is. Her body never gets old.
Squish squish—
"A fine sight, Ho-yeon-nim."
Scarlett eyed me with mild disgust, but it didn't faze me. Not the first time.
"Scarlett. How long do I have to keep this up?"
"Tracking teams deploy only when terror strikes."
She was right. Convincing Isaac to add Ellis was great—we got closer too.
But no terror yet, so endless waiting.
"Hmm… Yeah, but disappointing."
"Are you hoping for terror in France, by chance?"
Scarlett's eyes widened, hand to mouth. Why paint me as trash?
"No no, not that… Just bored with nothing to do. Wish they'd give me something."
"Understood. I'll suggest it—say Ho-yeon-nim wants to help with Iris Guild chores."
"…No need. You'd just get annoyed too, right?"
I didn't wish death on people via terror… but no need for extra work. Lounging's comfy. Terror averages two or three times a week—soon enough.
"Why not visit Ellis then? She's in the same boat."
"Hm, maybe?"
Good idea from Scarlett. Been slacking too much. Magic practice alone wasn't satisfying without a proper training ground.
I'd considered asking, but facilities were sparse. Probably 'cause most members worked externally.
Ended up playing tourist. Chatted with the girls in Korea, food tours with Liliana, shopping souvenirs with Scarlett.
Still bored without news. Time to see Ellis.
"Don't! Play with me!"
"We've been playing nonstop. Food tour the day before yesterday, shopping yesterday."
"More! More!"
"Hey hey. Fine, fine. Back off a bit."
"Ung… Or maybe daytime today…?"
As Liliana clung and sucked at my neck—
Knock knock—
The quiet door sounded after two days.
"Liliana. Hide."
"Eek!"
Liliana bolted to bed, wrapping in blankets and rolling to the corner. Not even an ostrich—just head under? Doubt it'd work, but they won't enter.
"Yes? Who is it—!"
Finally, good news? Or bad?
Opening the door revealed not who I expected. Slightly wavy blonde hair with a new hairpin. Flashier dress than usual, cute handbag.
Ellis in unfamiliar casuals.
"…Got bored. Came to hang out."