A sniffle hurled air into Kirin's nose.

At about 4:00 in the afternoon, the guild was already starting to become quite empty as adventurers slowly retired for the day. Some parties did linger. A few splitting earnings over tables, and others crowding around Katrina to submit reports and claim rewards.

Eyebrows furrowed, Onyx had his arms crossed and was staring at quests available. There was a glare in his eyes, suggesting he was quite irked or was juggling distant thoughts. The simplest explanation could have just concerned the green sheets that were all that remained pinned on the board.

"There, there," Alia whispered like a pillow as she set down a glass of water by Kirin's forearms on a table.

"I admit I have fantasized of him kicking me a couple of times." Kirin nibbled on his bottom lip to suppress a whimper, but was unable to stop tears from making his eyes shine. "But I never thought of him actually kicking me out!"

"Didn't you deposit anything before we set out?"

"There was nothing to deposit!" Kirin sniffled again.

From one corner of the hall, all of the furniture he owned drooped as if they were sorry about being bought. Yet a very amused atmosphere also lingered about them. The party had piled them there before rain decided to be mischievous. A little more misfortune like so would have smashed the trap's sanity past breaking point.

"I was hoping I could use our earnings from the trip once we got back." Kirin buried his face in his arms.

"Didn't we say the whole trip was gonna take four days?" asked a concern-clouded Faolan from the other side of the table.

"I was being optimistic!"

Faolan sent a radiating smile through Kirin's bangs. "Well, what's your plan now?"

Kirin sat straight, wiped his face with his wrists, and then gazed with pleading eyes at Alia. "I was wondering if you had a place I could stay at for the meanwhile? Just until we get our pay from the guild."

"Oh, Kirin!" Sorry heightened Alia's pitch. "I would love to help! But..." The lady locked her fingers in front of her chest. "...fairies like me live in hives. Unfortunately, humans who can't use fae magic won't be able to enter."

"Really?!" Kirin cried and disheveled his hair. "I'm homeless."

"I have an idea though!" Alia flicked her index finger. "Why don't you stay in the guild dorm for the meanwhile? We do have a unit. I just don't know if Onyx would..."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

"You can stay at my place!" Faolan offered, placing an open palm over the table as he invited. "I--Oh no," exclaimed him as a wham of realization seemed to have struck his face. "We uhh... We can..."

"You only have one bed?" Alia asked, though her tone was more reminding, suggesting she already knew the answer.

"Actually, I might not have a bed at all. Right now." The man scratched his head. "When we left Bladewood, I didn't really count on coming back at all, so I may or may not have already given up my unit."

Alia gasped but tutted her own mouth. "You mean you're homeless too?"

"I'll quickly go back to the suites and check if mine is still free." Faolan leaned against the table as he got to his feet. "Kirin, you wanna wait here? We can also rent another suite with more rooms to sleep in."

"I really... appreciate you..." The trap sobbed and pressed his knees together. "I feel really, really guilty right now."

"You can stay at the dorm." Onyx approached and slapped the tabletop, leaving a metal chink where his palm landed. "The key."

Alia and Faolan glanced at each other.

"What?" Kirin looked up and blinked twice.

"There's only one so make sure to keep the door open if you sleep before I get back." Onyx stared intensely, and only averted his eyes as he moved away and checked for the other two fables. "Master's calling for you and I, Faolan. Alia, mind bringing Kirin to the dorm?"

"Uhh." Faolan chuckled and raised his eyebrows. "Hold on. Are you sure about this, Onyx?"

The blue knight's response was a single, apathetic nod.

"But you've never--"

"She's staying with me. Will save money, won't it? Besides, I've always had the dormitory for myself. Isn't it for all members of the party?"

"But it's you who never let us in there."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

Faolan bit his lip, so briefly that it felt like it didn't really happen. He then opened his mouth to speak but was immediately interrupted by Rafa wrapping her arms around Faolan's shoulders from behind.

"Hey love. It's been a bit." The fairy whispered into the redhead's ear. "Saw you've just overtaken Blaring Sentence."

"Hey Rafa. Uhh." Faolan tilted to a side, trying to see the lady's face. "Haven't really looked at that. Really?"

"You're getting dangerously close to us too." Rafa gazed at the man's lips. "No worries! It's friendly competition, and I'd be more than happy if you end up taking the win."

"Right."

She smirked and released the man, then made her way around the table. "Alia! There's something important. It's to do with the Mayoress."

Alia perked up.

"Ahh." Onyx nodded as he caught Alia about to ask for permission. "It's alright. I'll escort her. She's just gonna have to wait," he said, directing to Kirin.

Chains danced to create a portal.

"Master!" Everyone but Kirin stood straight and lowered their heads as Master Chrisholm approached from a hallway.

"She can take that portal. The other side is directly in front of the dorm." The master explained. "You two come with me. I've been waiting."

The men nodded.

Onyx looked down at Kirin and instructed. "From the entrance, go left and take the first staircase you find. Once up, get in the room to the right. There's a bath and a kitchen. The bed furthest from the window is mine."

Kirin slid his hand to drag the key into his palm. "Thank you."

"Really sorry, Kirin!" Alia clapped her hands apologetically as she walked away with Rafa. "This must be something I have to attend to urgently."

"It's alright!"

The men walked after Master Chrisholm into another portal he's summoned.

And just like that, Kirin was left alone by the table, with a portal flashing right behind him.