Upon returning to Sura, the late night had settled but it hardly felt like it was the middle of night in Sura as the bright lamp post's shone over the busy streets of the capital, where most of the shops were still open and bustling with activity.
Regardless, the three of us had made our way to the guildhall after we left the carriage and its driver that returned us at the front gate of the city.
“… Kazu... Lilith is tired, let’s go to bed already,” Lilith begged as she struggled to follow along any longer as the fatigue of yesterday finally got to her, but there was only a bit left to do before we called it a day and went back to the room.
“You can manage just a bit longer. The guild requests along with these beast cores can be turned in now, I rather do it while I’m in the mood,” I remarked but truthfully, I had plans to immediately pick up another guild request for tomorrow.
Reiner followed along without a complaint but that didn’t mean the glare he constantly had faded in anyway, it was clear he wasn’t as exhausted as Lilith, which was a good thing, I was glad I had someone capable as Reiner.
The Guild Hall was almost bustling as usual, many clans and benefactors like us made their way through the lobby, many of the tables were filled with various people who indulged in conversation and drinks, but we headed for one of the receptionists behind the counter.
Reiner slid the completed request paper and our pouch of Beast Cores across the desk, the woman gave a small nod as her attention went from the paperwork to the cores we collected, it took her a moment to scan our full pouch before she slid our payment back across to Reiner in return.
"Thank you for serving the Adventurers Guild, we wish you luck in your next request," the woman said with a small smile which Reiner growled at taking our reward for both completion of the request and the beast cores.
“Four hundred gold, not bad for a walk through a forest,” He remarked tossing the pouch to me before stuffing his hands back into his pockets.
“… exactly,” I said as I walked toward the large board that numerous requests hung from.
The requests were marked with the plating colors that represented the difficulty of the request, as well as the number of individuals recommended to complete them. The board held numerous requests and our goal was to reach dungeon raids like Antoris said, however right now the best requests we could take on were requests that would lead us in that direction.
Of course, it didn't take long before I found a request that once again was within the platinum range and in the grove of beasts. "Heh, another one of these. So, we'll take it then?" Reiner remarked as he peered over my shoulder.
“It’s easy and secluded, we’ll be able to do this with ease tomorrow,” I said in my usual uninterested demeanour before I tucked the paper away, “let’s head back to the room,” I added and stepped away from the board with Reiner and Lilith.
However, Lilith pouted before we managed to leave the guildhall. “Lilith is too tired to walk, carry her please Kazu?” She asked as she latched onto my arm, I only gazed down at her in silence, her exhaustion was evident but the way she asked was like I had done it many times before.
It wasn’t even a second later when she noticed I had swooped her into my arms like I didn’t need to consider it. Lilith was clearly happy with a smile and tinted cheeks, it was hard not to notice the glint in her eyes, like I was something precious to her.
Regardless the matter was settled I couldn’t just drop her now. we made our way down the busy streets to our room at the inn. By the time we had reached the inn Lilith was fast asleep in my arms.
“You and Lilith can use the beds tonight, I’ll settle for the couch,” I said as I set Lilith onto one of the two beds the room had.
“Fine by me,” Reiner said with a wave of his hand as he threw himself onto the second bed without another word.
I took the few steps to the couch and dropped myself onto it and reminding me that I once used to sleep like this. Perhaps it was just a small reminder that even if it was a memory, I had even more as someone I have no recollection of.
Despite my thoughts, I rolled my eyes at myself, before moving on to the goal I was given by Theitus. As it stood the only two people that fit the criteria of that goal were Lilith and Reiner, it was almost too perfect. Despite them being rough around the edges and brash, they had the potential to keep my abilities hidden.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
For a moment I concluded this was the work of Theitus and the Red Mane Reiner spoke of, but my thoughts wondered who that was since Theitus didn’t exactly hand pick Reiner or Lilith. Regardless, I didn't really care to be honest, I didn’t mind either of them and with them I’ll be just fine.
My final thoughts of what needed to be done soon ushered me into sleep where I felt no need to be concerned over such trivial matters.
Before I knew it, morning had come and yet it wasn’t a sound that awoke me but something warm laid on top of me and a familiar drool leaked onto my chest. There was no need to even guess who it was I already knew it was Lilith.
Despite her potential she was strange that it even piqued my curiosity, “Why are you sleeping with me again? You had the entire bed to yourself,” I remarked causing her to tiredly stir from her sleep with a yawn.
I simply gazed down at her with a flat expression, but she only smiled clearly aware of what I said.
"Lilith needs to, Kazu doesn't need to be alone,” she said before murmuring something under her breath before she looked back up “but it doesn’t matter, Lilith can protect you, Kazu fills up Lilith with Magical Energy,” she exclaimed, and it was barely comprehendible.
“… Absorbing Magical Energy? From me… who are you Lilith?” I asked but she didn’t answer as her face burrowed into my chest.
However, a small silence hung in the air for a moment before she finally spoke up.
"Lilith doesn’t want to talk about this anymore, she’s not stopping either,” she stated as if I couldn’t do anything to make her change her mind or habit.
“… Fine, do whatever you like… it’s time to get up anyways, so get off,” I said, instead of shoving her off like last time. Still, she reluctantly got up and for some reason mad about something. “You got what you wanted. Why are you mad now?” I remarked as I stood but she did her best to ignore me completely.
However, it didn’t overly matter as I left her to her sulking. The streams of light that a late-morning sun gave, came in from the room’s windows, it was pleasant enough to mention but it also meant we were burning daylight, “Lilith, stop your sulking and go wake up Reiner,” I said before the single tap of a foot hit the wooden floor of the small living space.
“Tch, no need. I’m already up,” Reiner sneered walking to the kitchen split by a counter. “Oi, what’s wrong with the brat, funny she’s not yapping like usual?” Reiner remarked with a grin.
He didn't even have to look in my direction to know the answer, it was rather odd behavior on Lilith's part. “Nothing, we were just talking is all, and she decided to end the conversation rather abruptly and began to sulk. It doesn’t matter anymore, we have things to do,” I remarked but Reiner only gave a scoff.
"Heh, about time. She’s too damned spoiled for her own good.” He sneered before biting into an apple from the counter which left Lilith to scowl at him without a usual comment. “Tch, I take it we’re going to take on that request we picked up last night?” Reiner asked clearly pleased Lilith was not her usual self.
"That’s right, and we’re going to start the lessons I mentioned… that includes incorporating teamwork into our tactics, this way we’ll be as effective as possible under all circumstances.” I said ready to put my plans into practice with them. They didn’t say anything about the matter and were probably expecting it to happen sooner than later.
“Oi, just keep it simple, then we’ll see what happens,” Reiner sneered as he tossed the now empty core of the apple into the trash before leaving to get his things.
It didn't take long to wash up and gather our things for our next request. We left the inn and had already picked up a bite to eat from a market stall, which left us to head to the Gates of Sura just like last time.
When we arrived, it took little effort to rent a carriage despite any disgusted looks sent our way as we boarded.
“Oi, brat you still sulking… heh. You really did something Kazu,” Reiner remarked with a smirk. “You’re not going to be much help ignoring us, brat,” he mocked getting comfy or rather taking up one side of the carriage.
Lilith still chose to sit by me but at this point it was clear Reiner was getting on her nerves with all his comments. “… It has nothing to do with you, stupid mutt. Mind your business, Lilith will always be helpful to Kazu,” she retorted with a glare before looking up to me like she was waiting for me to defend her.
Either way the usual bickering from them was put on hold as I let a breath of air escape my lips, “That’s enough both of you, Lilith will be as much help as you Reiner. And Lilith there’s no point in being mad at me, I already told you it was fine,” I said flatly which seemed to finally get through to her.
“… Lilith isn’t mad, she’s just frustrated. Sorry Kazu,” she said putting down her head to hide the faint red that tinted her cheeks.
"There’s no need to apologize, Lilith. Whatever’s bothering you, don’t let it. I need your focus,” I said with a small sigh and the matter seemed to end there as she slid as close as she usually got to me.
“Heh, like I said, the brat is too damn spoiled for her own good,” Reiner said with a smug grin which caused me to silence his comment by simply ignoring it and moving on.
“We have some time before we arrive, it’s a good opportunity to begin discussing Magical Energy and fixing your poor use of it. So, pay attention,” I stated as the carriage continued along the road to the grove of beasts.
I expected it to be an interesting experience to say the least, but the future ahead of us would be consisting of many things among that would be them taking lessons from me, and my progress to complete the goals I had on my hands, there was certainly much to be done in the coming months.