Ryu rolled out of the way as the mage’s icicles shot past him. This b***h is trying to kill me! He scrambled up the stairs, hiding behind bookshelves as she sent more projectiles his way.

“W-Wisteria, dear! Stop! You’re destroying the study!” Sir Reginald exclaimed.

“What are you doing here?!” Wisteria yelled at Ryu, ignoring her father’s pleas.

“I was invited here!” Ryu yelled back.

“Ha! A likely story. What sick methods of magic did you use this time to brainwash my father?!”

“None, you psycho! Who attacks people out of the blue like this?!”

“I think anyone with half a brain knows the likes of a ‘Panty Snatcher’ wouldn’t be welcome in a noble’s household!” Wisteria conjured a cloud above Ryu’s location, dropping more daggers of ice.

“This title is just an unfortunate side effect of my heroism! I promise!” Ryu tried explaining as he slid out of the way.

“No, you’re just a weird pervert who likes to steal women’s underwear! Have you no shame or decency? Do you have so little respect for us that you think it’s okay to steal our clothes?”

“Hey! I believe in equality! If you want to steal mine, be my guest!”

“L-like I’d take that offer!” Wisteria exclaimed, flustered. She whipped up a blizzard inside the study.

“Wisteria! Stop this madness! This man earned that title fighting two Generals of the Demon Lord’s army!” Sir Reginald protested, his teeth chattering.

“He must be lying, Father! Who in their right mind would believe that a General would be driven away by such a ridiculous thing!”

“It’s right there in the description of his title! That cannot be manipulated!” the lord pointed out.

“Seriously?” Wisteria scowled, relenting.

The snowstorm let up. Ryu peeked from behind another bookshelf.

Wisteria sighed, rolling her eyes. “Come on out of there. You’re still weird, but if my father trusts you enough to let you into our home then you must be harmless.”

“Oh, thank you, Ms. Huxley,” Ryu replied sarcastically.

“Do you want me to freeze you?” Wisteria threatened.

“I think your father already took you up on that offer,” Ryu said, pointing to Sir Reginald.

The mage turned to the lord of the manor only to find him frozen solid. He had received the brunt of her spell.

“Ack! Father! We need fire! Start a fire! Where are the matches?!” she panicked.

Ryu lowered himself back down to the main floor of the study, approaching them. “Relax, I’ve got this,” he said, casting [Combustion]. He imbued his hands with flames and slowly hovered them over Sir Reginald until he had been completely thawed out.

“T-thank you, Ryu,” he shivered. “W-Wisteria, dear c-could you send f-for, Maxwell?”

“Of course, Father,” she replied, sending a bird made of water out the door.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Moments later the butler arrived, hastily escorting the lord out of his study. “Let’s draw you a nice hot bath, sir.”

“That sounds wonderful, Maxwell. Thank you. I’ll let the two of you get to know each other,” Sir Reginald said, taking his leave.

Wisteria tapped her foot impatiently. “Thanks for thawing out my father. I’m Dame Wisteria Huxley. There isn’t much else to know about me other than being a water mage and a noble.”

Ryu waited for more, but she seemed tight-lipped. “Um, I’m Ryu Hirano. I brew coffee and I like money. That’s about it.”

Wisteria exhaled sharply through her nose. “Short and to the point, I like that.”

“So, why adventuring? It seems like both your brother and your father are skilled at brewing. Wouldn’t that be a better profession for a noble?”

“My mother was an adventurer, so I guess you could say I take after her,” she replied, shrugging her shoulders. “Speaking of which, didn’t you say you wanted to be a water mage?”

“That’s right,” Ryu said, nodding.

“I assumed you only had water skills, but fire too?”

“Is that unusual?”

“Very,” Wisteria remarked. “Normally, most adventurers receive skills of one attribute. I’ve only seen a few with two and none with more than three. It must have to do with the fact that you spend time with that Dark Elf. You’re learning their magic, right?”

Ryu nodded again.

“That explains it then. While it’s not impossible for individuals of a specific race to learn spells from other races, we have a natural tendency towards certain types of skills. Humans, for example, have a greater affinity for water, ice, and vapor spells. Dark Elves are prone to fire spells, Dwarves to stone and earth, Faeries to light and dark, and so forth” she explained.

“Do some species overlap in affinities?”

“Yep, mermaids share an affinity for water just like us, though theirs is much greater.”

Ryu grew intrigued. He wanted to learn about all of the other races residing in Cerulia. He wondered what each would be like, though he had to remind himself to temper his expectations. Not all of them would likely be friendly.

“There are also Beastkin—” Wisteria paused, as Ryu’s eyes bulged. “Nevermind, you have a creepy look on your face.”

“You have to tell me!” he said, clutching her collar and shaking her. “Do catgirls exist?! Where can I find them?! And can I hire them to be maids?!”

“I would be putting them in jeopardy if I told the likes of you!”

Ryu let go of her, sinking to the floor. “You wouldn’t understand my dreams—the dreams of all men.”

“Your dreams sound pretty debaucherous,” Wisteria shuddered. She cleared her throat, trying to change the subject. “I assume your party is here with you? Is the little black cat here as well?”

“Yeah, Aurora’s exploring the place right now.”

“Oh, I see!” Wisteria beamed.

“She told me you played with her the other day, I appreciate it,” Ryu smiled.

Wisteria’s face reddened. “I-it was no problem, I didn’t have much to do that day.”

“I could tell,” Ryu chuckled. “You didn’t leave the café the entire day.”

“T-that’s because I was waiting for someone! A friend!” Wisteria stammered.

“Really? Who?” Ryu asked with a sly grin.

Before she could answer, an explosion shook the manor.

“What was that?!” Ryu clamored.

Wisteria clutched her staff tightly, wearing a serious expression. “At this hour? I’m not sure, but we better check it out.”

They ran outside the manor, towards the source of the commotion. They crossed the field, reaching the archery range, where a certain Dark Elf and the Hero of Cerulia were engaged in combat.

“I’ve had enough of you!” Sylfie shouted, drawing back a mesmerizing bow. The wood was lacquered and polished, sporting a pattern like a blade of Damascus. It thrummed to life, gathering an immense amount of energy as Sylfie aimed her shot, her silver hair flying back from the pressure.

“Sylfie, dearest, you’re making a mistake! I only came to check up on you!” Agrius stated, holding a shield of lightning in front of him.

“Ryu! Sylfie’s gonna kill the Great Hero, nya!” Aurora ran up to them in a panic.

“That’s not good!” Ryu turned to Wisteria. “We have to—” He stopped, staring at the mage as she devolved into a jumble of baby talk, cooing at Aurora and pinching her cheeks.

“Hey, you have a problem, you know,” he deadpanned.

“Like you’re one to speak!” the mage huffed, collecting herself. “I’ve got this handled. Just watch and learn.” She stepped forward brimming with energy as a blue aura enveloped her.

The fighters caught a glimpse of blue light in their peripheral visions, turning to see what was causing it. They flailed their arms wildly.

Agrius started to speak. “Wait! Wisteria, it’s me! I’m helping—”

“[Flash Freeze]!”