Proofreader: Me!

Despite my soreness from yesterday's training, I had to intake the elixir I received from the dungeon. Surprisingly, even though it was remarkably early, Fen was no where to be seen.

Gulp.

The flask was covered in dust, but after wiping it off with a cloth the insides illuminated with a white glow. The liquid seemed viscous, telling of its supposed age. Every cell of my being as a human from Earth told me it was past its due date…

It wasn’t, but how could I not assume such?

I uncorked the flask, “For the sake of saving the world!”

Glug! glug! glug!

The thick liquid flowed down my throat.

I rested my back against my bed frame, scared of what would happen. In the game when taking this elixir, Serina spasmed in pain and almost vomited.

‘Hmm?’ My body remained calm, with only a remaining sensation of mana swirling within me accelerating.

“Wait, accelerating?”

The circulation within me… was speeding up. My heart's pumps grew stronger, and the blood within me surged with an intensity adrenaline couldn’t match.

“Urrgh.” I clenched my bedsheets as the feeling intensified.

Within our bodies, vessels that carried mana existed; through them, we could channel mana. What would happen if you forcibly expanded it, and made it more robust and efficient?

This.

“FUUUUUUUUUUU-”

-x-

Dealing with the mess that was my morning…

I decided to face today and Friday with simple training and light quests to build up some money. Yet, this particular morning, I found something intriguing.

Jogging along the school premises, around the garden that lay behind the main cafeteria, I saw an out-of-place pair.

“Princess, are you sure about this?”

“Indubitably, you are the greatest warrior I know.”

“Haha! Thanks for the compliment,” The boy slightly blushed, “Even if I’m not nearly as strong as your guards yet, I’ll do my best.”

“Of course, such is why I admire your spirit.”

My immediate gut reaction was to jump in between the two, but I did need a check on her. Even if Fen was to be charmed, he wouldn’t betray me nor Charles, such was his set as a protagonist.

“Wait Princess, I think I saw a friend pass by, may I have a moment?” He rose from the porcelain bench they sat on, turning to me.

“You may… huh?” Her bright cheery expression swapped the moment Fen turned toward me. “This bastard cockroach – every time!”

“Luke? Up for a light jog as always.” Fen approached with his signature smile.

“Yeah, but it seems you have an… appointment of sorts,” I trailed slightly, “You shouldn’t leave a lady hanging you know.”

‘Just know, Luna, I’m letting you have this.’ I sent such a look behind him.

“Tch.” She grit her teeth but inwardly must’ve known I was helping her. Whether she knew it was on purpose or not, wasn’t my business.

“That’s true,” Fen hesitated slightly, “Then, I’ll see you later and we can spar then?”

I smiled with no good intent, “Of course not!”

He softly chuckled, waving from behind as he tended to the fuming princess. I left quickly, not wanting to impede on the upper hand that was Fen and his charms. Destroying his romance comes later, when she implodes.

Dismissing that matter, I took a shower back in my room. I thought about meeting up with Uriel before going on a quest, but at the same time, something was bugging me.

This particular part of the week had a few events you could encounter, the one I’m most worried about being the first beastmen occurrence. Within the game, a transfer student would arrive, and they are always part of that specific faction of Krulia’s tribe.

My only way of getting out of this was to confront her myself… but, how could I bring that topic up without getting screwed over?

Considering my options I finally made my way over to the quest reception area. I found Uriel hovering around the benches sitting next to Rodney.

“Luke!” She called out my name with a smile, causing the moody paladin to leave immediately. “Wait, this is the perfect time to talk it out! Ron!”

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

“We’ll sort it out eventually,” I shrugged, “Leave him be.”

“He needs scolding later!” She puffed out her cheeks and crossed her arms. “He’s so childish sometimes – can’t even admit he’s wrong.”

“It’s alright, he’s going through puberty and all, normal teenage stuff,” I blabbered while resting on the seat Rodney had before.

“And you’re not?” Uriel asked with a keen eye.

“Hahaha,” I faked a laugh, “Who knows.”

“Do you think I’m pretty?” Uriel pushed further at my hesitation.

Sweat drizzled down my back, “The real question is what quest should we do today? Think about it.”

Ever since it’s been clear, they have been sneakily making moves.

‘Please, I have three years to deal with first.’

“You’re avoiding my question,” Uriel looked at me with puppy eyes.

“Ahem.” I coughed, “You have to realise I can’t exactly answer that without any implications, right?”

She moved closer to me, “What implications?”

Her chest pushed up against my arm causing this pubescent body to react.

Flick!

“Ow!” Uriel clasped her forehead which burned a slight red.

“There’s a quest I want to take today,” I forcibly changed the topic. “I’m thinking of taking one on the easier side, considering what we’ve been through the past couple days.”

She pouted but slowly nodded. “Rest would be nice…”

“Exactly, which is why I plan to take the E-rank quest, taking care of an orphanage,” I mentioned.

Uriel’s eyes sparkled, “Really?”

I shrugged, “Why not?”

There was the need to get stronger, but I also knew that taking a break was needed. Definitely not because I almost killed myself this morning. I also didn’t get the chance to check out my status, so I could probably do that during the expedition.

“You’re more saint-like than me!” Uriel mouthed in surprise.

I shook my head, “You’re misunderstanding, I chose it out of consideration for you.”

In response, her face turned slightly red. “Ah, th- th… thanks.”

I didn’t mean for it to come off in that way, but I persevered. “No problem, but where’s Lisana?”

“Sh- she said she was busy,” Uriel stuttered, but she steadily regained her composure.

“Let’s get going then, shall we?” I suggested, leaving my seat.

“Wait- Luke, tomorrow…” Uriel turned her head to the side, turning red once again. “Can y- you m- meet up with me at the garden behind the cafeteria?”

My head flashed memories of Fen and Luna but I relented.

“Sure, but can you at least tell me why?” I was reasonably sceptical considering the new dynamics between us.

“I’d like to, erm… go shopping for some essentials in the commercial district in the Order of Unity’s Capital, Eternum,” She met my gaze with a slightly flushed face. “Is… that okay?”

My smile twitched, “It’s… fine.”

She bowed slightly, “Thank you!”

A part of me sighed internally, but I had an obligation to keep my party members happy, regardless of their true intentions. I couldn’t risk a falling out, even if she did say she wanted to continue being with me no matter what. People change, so I was willing to do my best to stay on her good side no matter what.

Despite receiving her word she wouldn’t try and form a relationship… doing something like this is almost blasphemy.

‘Nevertheless, just like the others, she needs to overcome the final enemies on their own. In that matter I’m useless.’

I walked over to the Receptionist Priscilla, the one who… never mind. I was too tired to complain.

“Can we take this one?” I placed the sheet of paper on the desk.

Priscilla slid the paper over to herself, stamping it with ease. “Considering the past two you took, isn’t this a bit easy?”

I put my hands down on the desk leaning on it slightly, “Yes, but everyone needs a break after a few tough ones.”

“True, I remember the shock everyone had when you showed up with the princess- pfft.”

“Yeah, yeah, go tend to the others,” I shooed her away, dragging Uriel with me.

“You get along quite well with that lady,” Uriel noted.

I shooed away her face, “More like she teases me whenever she gets the chance.”

-x-

The moment we arrived at the orphanage, children surrounded her cheering.

“It’s sister Uriel!” One exclaimed.

I approached cautiously, “You know them?”

“Haha, well… this orphanage is quite well known, and it’s where Rodney and I were raised,” Uriel expressed nostalgia through her smile.

I would like to say I did this on purpose, but it was completely random.

“I guess I shouldn’t interfere, I’ll just help around with whatever you need,” I stepped away from the crowd of children around her.

“What?” Her face dampened, “Come here!”

“Wait!” She dragged my arm, bringing me in front of the swarm.

“Everyone, this is my friend!” Uriel exclaimed with a smile, “His name is Luke, be nice okay?”

“Big brother Luke!” The girl who clung to her side called.

“Big sis, where’s big bro Rodney?” One of the boys asked.

“He’s busy today, he couldn’t make it… so instead you have brother Luke!”

I looked at her in a new light, the shyness she exuded with strangers completely disappeared. Instead, she was simply a reliable big sister emanating motherly vibes.

“Now, now, let’s go inside, I’ll make a feast for everyone!” She opened the door, entering with a joyful stride.

Below me I felt a tug, “Big Brother Luke, let’s go in, Sis Uriel’s food is amazing!”

‘Geh.’ My heartstrings were tugged immediately.

“Don’t worry kids, I’m also great at cooking!” I followed behind the rest with determination.

Not long later, I was in the kitchen slicing onions with fervour. The kids watched in awe as I withstood the tears that flooded my eyes.

“Luke! Are you okay?” Uriel grabbed my side, seemingly worried about these tears.

“Y- yes!” I managed to say, “It’s just the onions, don’t worry.”

“Ah- no, you’ll hurt your eyes if you keep at it for too long!” She insisted, pushing me over to the pot. “Just stay there, I’ll do the rest.”

Her reliability meter was off the charts right now.

“Wow! Sis Uriel is so cool!”

“Doesn’t she keep looking at Big Brother Luke?”

“Oh- you're right!”

“What about Big Bro Rodney?”

“Aren’t they siblings?”

“Ah, right!”

“What are you guys talking about!” Uriel shouted with a red face.

“Bro Luke and Sis Uriel are an item aren’t they!”

“Woah- is this a date?”

“Cut it out!” She raised her hand covered in onions.

“Ah! We made her mad, run away!”

Just like on Earth, kids were ruthless the moment they found a weakness.

“Here, this is the rest of what is needed,” Uriel swiped the cutting board with a knife into the pot. “Can you keep watch while I take care of the kids?”

“Easy enough,” I agreed purposely ignoring the kids’ comments.

[You can finally summon me, I felt it the moment I woke up!]

‘Yeah, I had a feeling I could too, but I was a bit busy.’

[It feels like you aren’t accustomed to your mana yet, which is quite weird.]

‘Of course I don't. I artificially enhanced it through an elixir this morning,’ I shrugged, stirring the pot on the stove.

[Through my help, I can easily adjust it for you, after all, I’m the spirit queen.]

‘That sounds cool, but right now I’m cooking, we can do it later.’

[But…]

‘No but’s, or I’ll call Abel.’

[Yes master! I’ll keep my mouth shut!]

I enjoyed the temporary silence within my mind, ignoring the whelps and shouts of children.

“Luke, you didn’t hear anything, right?” Uriel shook my arms with a flushed face.

“Hear what?” I feigned ignorance, not wanting to be involved with the shipping of children.

She muttered under her breath, “Th- thank goodness.”

‘Sorry, I heard everything, and you’re making it harder for the kids to refute by acting like this.’

I looked down at the vegetable stew, “Uriel, it seems about done.”

Hmmm, I’ll probably mess around with summoning Fjleora later.