The next day, Mixarnt walked through the city with Alyssia and Elyssia. Alyssia was brimming with excitement, taking in the sights—it was her first time in Aetherlight. Elyssia, though more composed, was equally intrigued by the city's culture. She observed the abundance of knights and the distinct architecture of the streets, noticeably different from Naeva. While not highly advanced, Aetherlight's wealth was undeniable, far surpassing Naeva, which, despite its riches, maintained a more modest economy.
The atmosphere in the Aetherlight adventurers' guild was lively, but there was an undeniable tension as Moon, the receptionist, fixed Mixarnt with a cold stare when he arrived. Her usual gentle demeanor was nowhere to be found, and Mixarnt could feel the weight of her gaze like a dagger to his chest. He awkwardly cleared his throat, trying to brush off the awkward moment.
"This is Moon, our receptionist. She's usually... uh... friendlier," Mixarnt said, his voice trailing off as Moon's icy glare intensified.
Elyssia, ever the diplomat, stepped forward with a graceful smile. "Good day, Moon. I am Princess Elyssia, and this is my younger sister, Alyssia. But please, just call us by our first names."
Moon's expression softened slightly as she turned her attention to Elyssia and Alyssia. "Welcome to Aetherlight's adventurers' guild, Elyssia, Alyssia. It's a pleasure to meet you both." Her tone was polite, but the coldness in her eyes remained as she glanced back at Mixarnt.
Alyssia, oblivious to the tension, smiled brightly. "Thank you, Miss Moon! This place is amazing! It's so different from the guild in Naeva."
Orion, the dwarf guild master, chuckled heartily. "Aye, we may not have as many adventurers as Naeva, but we make up for it with quality! And don't let Moon's glare fool you—she's the best receptionist in the business. Just... maybe not in the best mood today."
Mixarnt scratched the back of his head, trying to lighten the mood. "Yeah, Moon's usually super nice. I must've done something to upset her."
Moon's eyes narrowed, and she turned away without a word, busying herself with some paperwork. Elyssia raised an eyebrow, glancing at Mixarnt. "What did you do this time?"
"Me? Nothing! I swear!" Mixarnt said, holding up his hands in defense. "I have no idea why she's mad at me. Maybe she's just having a bad day."
Orion laughed, clapping Mixarnt on the back. "Kid, you've got a talent for stepping on toes without even trying. But don't worry, Moon'll come around. She always does."
Elyssia sighed, shaking her head. "You really are something, Mixarnt. But let's not dwell on it. Alyssia and I would love to see more of the guild. Maybe you could show us around?"
Mixarnt grinned, relieved for the change of subject. "Of course! Follow me!"
As Mixarnt led Elyssia and Alyssia through the guild, he pointed out various features, from the quest boards to the training grounds and even introduce the other staffs along with Misa, Kara, Proppy, Jenna, and Nessa who are super busy today. Alyssia was particularly fascinated by the large open hallway where adventurers appraised their items. "It's so organized! And everyone seems so focused," she said, her eyes wide with wonder.
Elyssia, on the other hand, was more interested in the guild's structure and the types of quests available. "It's impressive how streamlined everything is. In Naeva, the guild is much more chaotic, with adventurers coming and going at all hours. Here, it feels more... disciplined."
Mixarnt nodded. "Yeah, Aetherlight's guild is smaller, but it's efficient. The knights and adventurers work closely together, well, sometimes, so there's a lot of overlap in responsibilities. It's one of the reasons why the kingdom is so strong."
As they continued the tour, Mixarnt couldn't help but notice that Moon's cold stare followed him wherever he went. He tried to ignore it, but it was hard to shake the feeling that he had somehow messed up—again.
The guild doors suddenly burst open, and Mika stormed in, her face flushed with a mix of anger and determination. Her eyes immediately locked onto Mixarnt, and she pointed an accusatory finger at him. "HEY, MIXARNT! Why did you leave me!? You didn't wake me up! I also want to tour around, you know!"
Mixarnt blinked, caught off guard by Mika's sudden appearance. "Uh... Mika? What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to go to the castle?"
Orion, the dwarf guild master, raised an eyebrow as he looked between Mika and Mixarnt. "Who is this lass?" he asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and amusement.
Mixarnt scratched the back of his head, grinning awkwardly. "Oh, she's Mika, the receptionist of the adventurer's guild in Caspade. She's, uh... a friend."
Mika crossed her arms, her glare intensifying. "A friend? Is that all I am to you, Mixarnt? After everything we've been through?"
Mixarnt's grin faltered as he realized he was digging himself into a deeper hole. "I mean, of course you're more than a friend! You're... uh... a really important person! An older sister! I just didn't think you'd want to come all the way to Aetherlight."
Mika huffed, her cheeks puffing out in frustration. "Well, I'm here now, aren't I? And you're going to make it up to me by showing me around!"
Orion chuckled, clearly enjoying the spectacle. "Looks like you've got your hands full, lad. Better do as she says, or you'll never hear the end of it."
Mixarnt sighed, realizing there was no escaping this situation. "Alright, alright. I'll show you around. But you have to promise not to yell at me in public, okay?"
Mika's expression softened, and a small smile tugged at her lips. "Fine. But only if you promise not to run off without me again."
"Deal," Mixarnt said, extending his hand. Mika shook it firmly, her smile widening.
As they walked in the streets of Aetherlight, Mixarnt still couldn't believe Mika was here as well. When he returned with Arthur and Lancelot, he hadn't expected Mika, Elyssia, and Alyssia to join them.
"I wanna watch the Aether Knight Trials! Guild Master Enkin said it's only held once a year, so this is my chance!" Mika declared excitedly. She had always been like an older sister to Mixarnt, and to her, he was like a younger sibling she loves taking care of.
"Oh look, it's the Pajama Warrior!" some men and boys called out.
Mixarnt's face turned red.
"Wait… the Pajama Warrior myth spread all the way here?" Mika asked, dumbfounded. She recalled how she had teased him about it months ago in Caspade, where the nickname had stuck—especially among kids.
"It's a long story," Mixarnt muttered, looking away. "I kinda forgot to change into proper clothes… and, uh… yeah."
Mika just laughed.
Alyssia giggled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I think it's kind of cute. It shows that you're always ready to help, no matter what you're wearing."
Mixarnt groaned again, but there was a small smile on his face. "Thanks, Alyssia. At least someone appreciates me."