My eyelids slowly parted.
The ceiling... familiar.
I was in my own room. But I couldn't remember how I got back. My memory blurred somewhere during the night. As if I'd drunk a potion, not wine.
When I turned my head to the right, I noticed a neatly folded piece of paper on the nightstand.
Lucian's handwriting.
—
Elysia,
Director Sevrik summoned me for an urgent mission. Something about dark magic. I'll explain later.
I left you a few tasks on my desk. I know you'll complain, but if you don't do them… I won't carry you again.
As for last night… it was more delightful than I expected.
—L
—
My lips curled as I read the note.
I might have read the "delightful" part three times. But I still didn't have official proof: Does this man like me, or is he just teasing?
I tossed off the blanket and walked to the window. It was sunny outside, but... the warmth I felt still belonged to the night. That night, there was no mission. Only… us.
I sighed when I saw the files on the desk.
"A few tasks," he says. Of course, when Lucian says a few tasks, that probably means... I need to rebuild the entire tower.
I opened one of the files. Title:
Mission: Critical Enchanted Demon Cleanup
Report: "Went. Killed them all. Problem solved."
My eyebrows lifted. I moved to another.
Mission: Magical Leakage Detection in the Forbidden Swamp
Report: "It was leaking. It's not leaking anymore."
I burst out laughing. "This is your idea of a detailed report? Seriously, Lucian?"
Muttering to myself, I got to work. For a few hours, I sorted potions in the magic lab, rewrote these 'minimalist' reports, and tried to decipher Lucian's cryptic notes.
—
After finishing up, I headed to the cafeteria. Nina was already there, holding a feather quill instead of a fork. Orren was exchanging meaningful glances with a piece of bread on his plate.
"Look who's here," Nina winked. "The moonbeam herself has graced us."
"It's a miracle she's still alive at this hour," Orren added. "I heard people who hang out with Lucian go insane within three days."
"I just got sore muscles," I grinned, reaching for my plate.
After some teasing and a good meal, I left the cafeteria to handle another lingering task.
—
Garon.
The fact that I still remembered some trinket he asked for a century ago... was my personal tragedy.
But 50 gold shines like actual gold.
It didn't take long to find Garon's house when I arrived in Aelworth. It was old, messy, and... had a distinctly strange aura.
I knocked. Garon opened the door.
"Oh, it's you? Ah, Elysia... I was thinking about you last night. I was worried," he said softly.
I smiled. "I'm fine. Just a bit... festival hangover."
I handed him the trinket.
And just then, his tone shifted.
"That's it? This is what you brought?"
My brows furrowed. A moment ago, he was worried. Now, he sounded scolding.
"Uh... yes? That's what you asked for."
"You're late," he snapped. "Are you always like this? Scattered, forgetful…"
Internally, I questioned why I even came. But outwardly, I stayed polite.
"Well… you have your item. I'll be going now," I said, giving a small bow and walking away.
[+50 Gold]
[Total Gold: 270]
A system window popped up in front of me.
But my mind lingered on Garon's sudden mood swing. He was warm just moments ago, and then... he wasn't. Maybe it's just old age, I told myself. Or he's truly losing it.
On the way back, I bought a tiny cream-covered cake from a little shop in the village square.
I was going to see Kai. He should be on patrol. If I caught him, we could share it.
While walking, I tripped on a stone and cursed under my breath.
"That's enough," I muttered to the sky. "I'm a mage. Technically. Why am I still walking everywhere?"
I thought to myself: Lucian should teach me teleportation. Otherwise, I'm stealing a horse from the tower. One way or another, I'm getting off my feet—by magic or by hooves.
My feet ached, but the smell of cake kept me going. That, and... maybe the chance to make Kai smile.
Maybe if I keep bringing him food… he'll forgive me?
He's going to find out I'm a mage eventually. He'll probably stop talking to me. But... what if I soften him up with cake first?
Yes. Diplomacy. Like making a peace treaty—with desserts.
Before revealing my secret, I'll feed him a big slice of sympathy pie.
I whispered to myself:
"The plan: Cake every day. Smile every day. Then one day, 'Kai, I'm a mage,' and he goes, 'But you're the girl who brings me cake!'"
I sighed.
"I'm losing it."
But I kept walking. Because I still had that little cake. And maybe little cakes could fix big mistakes.
I looked for him in the patrol area but… he wasn't there.
I ran into a group of knights.
"Excuse me, do you know where Kai is?"
One of them lifted his helmet and looked at me.
"He was sent to Brimshore. Urgent mission."
Brimshore?
Far. Hilly. And definitely more walking.
I sighed and looked up at the sky. "Why me?"
Then I looked ahead.
And I started walking again.
"I've walked a whole damn world already," I muttered.
"I might as well go there too."
With cake in hand, frustration in my gut…
And a strange persistence in my heart…
I set off toward Brimshore.
When I reached the central square, the scene hit me like a punch in the gut.
Kai was there.
And… so was Lucian.
No. No!