Sophia Evergreen. She was the second love interest of the MC in the original novel. She would routinely interact with the MC once the academic year started back in the capital and ultimately join the MC’s entourage after the events of the Evergreen Ranger Corps' demise.

  “What was her ability again?” Vincent pondered to himself. “It was something along the lines of her heritage… The Emerald Forest or something… Oh right it was called Sage of the Forest's Blessing.” He suddenly remembered. Her blessing allowed her to be unrivaled in the forest, even the MC couldn’t match her in the forest. It was this ability that helped resolve the events of the Emerald Forest.

  “Hey! How long are you just going to stand there and stare, Pervert?” Sophia called out as she crossed her arms. She was waiting for him at the entrance to the Evergreen estate. She was dressed in a white blouse with a forest green pleated skirt. The simple style looked remarkable on her.

  “I’m coming. Are you really excited to bring me along?” Vincent teased.

  “Hmph! I’m doing this and getting it done as soon as I can so it can be over quicker.” She scowled as she replied and walked on ahead.

  “Well, before you start showing me around, do you mind if we stop by some place first?”

  “It better not be anywhere sketchy, Pervert. I’ll only show you around in public places, where I can scream for help.”

  “Ouch.” Vincent could feel just how much trust she put in him. “I need to stop by the vet first.”

  “The vet? Why the vet? Is it because you hurt yourself? You beast.” The amount of disdain was practically dripping from her as she spouted insults left and right.

  “Yea.” Vincent was tired of her as he ignored her and walked on ahead.

  “H-hey! What are you doing? You’re supposed to follow me.”

  Vincent turned around. “Then I don’t suppose you know where this vet is?”

  “…”

  “Just be quiet and follow me. The sooner I get this done, the sooner I’ll be rid of you too. It’s not just you who doesn’t want to accompany the other.” Vincent was annoyed. There were other things that needed to be done, for one thing he wanted to ask his mother about the ring. It had been a while since he gave it any thought, but lately he wanted to know more about his grandfather on his mother’s side.

  “Good, the feeling’s mutual.” Sophia harrumphed as she shut up and followed him.

  Even though he said he was visiting the vet, it was more like a zoo, judging from the chaotic environment they were in. Dogs were barking up a storm and cats were hissing in return. There were barn animals in one corner of the plot of land in the courtyard. Sophia looked pale, but still followed him inside.

  “Oh, hello! You’re back.” A man with glasses thick enough to block bullets called out from behind a doorway in the back. “I’ll bring her out.”

  “Bring who out?” Sophia asked.

  “Be quiet and you’ll know.”

  “Vin. Cent.” She growled as if she was poised to jab him in the ribs.

  “Here you are.” He brought out a cage with an angry storm falcon inside. The makeshift splint had been replaced with a professional one that prevented the bird from spreading its wings. Vincent found it amusing looking at the bird that reminded him of a half-plucked chicken.

  “Kuaa!” The bird screeched when she saw Vincent.

  “I must say, boy! It’s not every day you see such a magnificent specimen.” The quirky man whistled in admiration.

  “Is that so?”

  “Aye! This here is a storm falcon, but…” He pointed to a pattern on the bird’s back, “You see these streaks here? They only appear on lightning hawks. I reckon this bird is a cross between the two, which is a rare thing.”

  “Really? It’s that rare?” Vincent asked curiously. “How much would she sell for? I’m just curious.”

  “Kueee!” The bird seemed to understand as she screeched louder. Her eyes seemed to glare at Vincent.

  “I’ll buy her!” Sophia asked interestedly.

  “You?” Vincent furrowed his brows. “I was just kidding. Please don’t have any thoughts on my chicken.”

  “She’s a storm falcon, Sir!”

  “KUEE!”

  “Alright, alright. Storm chicken. Whatever.” Vincent paid the man and they quickly departed. Sophia kept her eye on the beautiful bird the whole time as they left. “Please stop staring, you’re embarrassing me.”

  “Oh please, who would want to stare at you? I’m looking at your chick— f-falcon.” She answered huffily as she walked on ahead.

  “Wow you’re such a looker.” Vincent said as he opened the cage. Even though he acted like so, he never had any plans to confine the storm falcon; she was free to go wherever she wanted.

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  “Kuee~?” The falcon cocked her head.

  “I know what it’s like to be confined to one place. I won’t do that to you. You are free to leave whenever you want.”

  “Kuee~!” The falcon hopped cutely onto his shoulder and came to rest there.

  “You can’t leave even if you wanted to. I forgot.” Vincent chuckled as he revealed his rare smile. If Sophia hadn’t walked ahead, she might’ve seen it.

  “And that there is the auction house. The Emerald Forest is a place full of treasures and many of them turn up there.” She pointed to a regal looking building. Even though Sophia complained a lot, she still diligently did her job by showing him around.

  Vincent had also turned quiet and only meekly followed her, drawing her curiosity. From time to time, she would secretly glance over at him. He wasn’t such a bad looker, if he didn’t have such a cold face and poor reputation, he might be quite the ladies’ man.

  “What?” Vincent asked when he caught her.

  “N-nothing! I’m just burning your ugly mug into my eyes so that I can avoid you whenever I see you.” She flustered said as she quickened her pace.

  “Wait.”

  “What now?” She impatiently asked.

  Vincent rubbed his chin as he began thinking. “Do you have an idea what an older married woman would like?”

  “Wha—? What the hell are you talking about?” Sophia felt disgust when she heard those words.

  “I want to buy a gift for someone and seeing that you’re also a girl, you might know what women would want.” Vincent shrugged.

  “How would I know?”

  “Then how about what little girls want?”

  “What?!”

  “Kuee?”

---

  “Thank you for your patronage, young man. Please come again.” The clerk bowed as they exited the store.

  “You should’ve told me they were meant for your family first!” Sophia grumbled as she pouted.

  “My bad.” Vincent said as he carried two wrapped packages under his arm. “I think with this, it’s everything.”

  “Then my job here is done.” Sophia said.

  “I’m feeling kind of thirsty. Let’s rest for a bit.”

  “YOU…!”

  They stopped by a small café and sat outside on the veranda. Tea cakes were served with their tea and a small tray of berries were offered to the storm falcon. Vincent took a small sip of the tea before grimacing and setting down the tea.

  “The tea is quite good.”

  Sophia rolled her eyes. “Oh please, there’s no need to lie.”

  “Right. I’m more of a coffee person anyways.” Vincent said as he pushed aside the tea.

  “Then why didn’t you order a coffee?”

  “It was too expensive.” Vincent shrugged.

  “Don’t you have a lot of money? You just bought two expensive gifts for your family didn’t you? Or did you spend it all on drinking and paid ‘services’?” She questioned disdainfully.

  “You’re right. I’m in a pinch right now.” Vincent didn’t mention that he had given some money to his escorts yesterday evening to enjoy their time off. “I mean I can’t even afford the tea I’m drinking right now.” He said as he shrugged once more.

  “What?! What do you mean? I’m paying for this?” She huffily asked.

  “You are the host and showing me around.” He replied shamelessly.

  “You!” She grumbled. She looked like she was about to pounce on him and take a huge bite out of his shoulder.

  “Relax. I’ll show you around when you visit Redwall.”

  “As if I’ll ever visit that backward place.” She grumbled and sat down. “I’ll just take it as you tricking me and forget about it.” She soon finished her tea and they both left after Sophia paid the tab.

  “Kuee~!” The storm falcon was delightfully screeching after the meal.

  “Oh I know, I’ll take the falcon as payment.” She pointed up at his shoulder.

  “What do you think, uh Thunder Chicken?”

  “KUEE!” The bird seemed to glare at Vincent, but ultimately didn’t move from his shoulder.

  “Really? You named her Thunder Chicken?” She was frustrated at how shameless the man was, but nothing she said seemed to affect him.

  “It’s temporary.” He shrugged.

  “Fine.” Sophia thought a bit more before saying, “There is a way to repay me.”

  “Oh? Do tell.” Vincent really didn’t like owing someone a favor, so he was ready to agree to it.

  “I need to make a stop by the local blacksmith to pick up a sword I had ordered. I don’t want to make a second trip to town, so accompany me as I go pick it up.” Sophia also didn’t like the feeling of someone like Vincent owing her; better to cash out now before he ‘forgets’ he owes her.

  “Sure. I can go.”

  They arrived in the house of steel and fire as ringing sounds of red metal met sizzling water. Sophia’s mood picked up after they had entered. Vincent observed her as she skipped back and forth between the weapons on display.

  “These are well-made don’t you think?” She pointed to a pair of daggers. The ornaments on the hilt of the dagger shone brightly in the dim room.

  “They’re okay.” Vincent lightly said while his eyes were glued to a particular sword on a workbench not far away.

  “Lass! Ya finally made it.” The blacksmith exited from the backroom and started fawning over her. “Y’see here? I made it specially fer ya. It looks jest as beautiful as ya do!”

  He brought out a wrapped sword from the backroom and started unwrapping it in front of them. Suddenly a flash of light blasts out, causing everyone in the room to squint.

  “It’s… gorgeous!” praised Sophia as she took it.

  “Lass, I used a lotta good stuff ta make yer sword. Ya see this? It’s made from chimera scales.” He pointed to the leathery handle and also the sheath.

  Although Sophia had been enamored by the dazzling piece of jewelry, Vincent was not impressed. Thunder Chicken was also cocking its head back and forth in confusion.

  “What do you think Thunder Chicken?” queried Vincent.

  “Kuee?”

  “Yea, it’s just a hunk of metal.”

  The outrageous scene also drew the other two’s attention. Sophia was the first to speak.

  “You speak chicken?”

  “That’s a chicken?” asked the blacksmith.

  “Pfft, I mean falcon?” Her giddy mood couldn’t be changed after seeing her new sword.

  “No, I don’t. I’m just trying to say that what you have there is trash. If you want to die, then use that weapon, otherwise you’re better off using that one over there.” He pointed to the sword he had been examining earlier.

  “What are ya tryin’ ta say?” The blacksmiths eyes narrowed.

  “Just because you can’t afford something like this doesn’t mean you should stop me from buying it.” Argued Sophia as she embraced the sword.

  Vincent’s eyes grew colder by a few degrees. ‘I was helping you, because I felt like I owe you. Looks like I’ll make you pay for your lesson fees instead.’ He thought.

  Vincent strode on over to the sword on the workbench and picked it up. He gave it a few good swings and said, “Hold out your sword.” He immediately struck at her without another moment’s notice.

  Clang! Snap!

  The swords struck each other like thunderclap before the artistically engraved sword in Sophia’s hands snapped off.

  “If this were a real battle. You would’ve been dead.” chided Vincent.

  Sophia finally understood just how dangerous things would’ve been if she decided to use that sword. A cold shiver ran down her spine as she looked over to the smith who had cowered behind the counter.

  “I’ll tell Papa about this. You’d best not show your face anymore or else.” She angrily huffed.

  “Please, Milady! It was a mistake!” pleaded the smith.

  It was at that moment that the door to the smithy opened. A refreshing youth with black hair entered. The youth saw three individuals in the room, two of them held blades while the third was kneeling on the ground pleading in tears. He suddenly looked as if he had an epiphany and drew his sword, shouting out loud.

“Get away from that man!” William Lightsword, the MC, roared.