One is a rookie adventurer in the limelight, rumored to have defeated Tiona.
The other is Orario's star, Ais Wallenstein, the Sword Princess. It's no surprise that their walking together draws attention.
Fortunately, Roy timed his dungeon trips to avoid peak hours.
At this moment, only a few adventurers and passersby lingered in Babel, keeping the buzz minimal.
Otherwise, it could've sparked a bigger uproar.
Neither Roy nor Ais paid heed to the murmurs around them, heading calmly toward the dungeon's entrance.
For Roy, the gossip was irrelevant—just noise to ignore.
Ais, used to the spotlight as Orario's star, was unfazed.
She'd always drawn eyes, especially after expeditions, and knew ignoring rumors let them fade.
"Ais, is that someone you know?" Roy stopped, glancing at a pillar.
A figure lurked behind it, attempting to hide but failing.
Their evasion was clumsy; despite the pillar's cover, their peeking gave them away.
Ais followed Roy's gaze, spotting the figure—half their body and head exposed.
"Lefiya?" she said, surprised, recognizing them.
Lefiya's sneaky head froze as two pairs of eyes locked onto her.
She'd been trying to spy on Roy and Ais from behind the pillar.
"Lefiya, what are you doing?" Ais called.
The figure emerged unsteadily—a young elf girl with a sheepish look.
Her hair was tied into a high ponytail, pointed ears poking out, her small features carrying a hint of innocence.
"Miss Ais…" Lefiya hurried to Ais, her face flushed with the anxiety of being caught.
After a moment's hesitation, she forced a dry smile and stammered, "M-morning… Good morning!"
"Good morning," Ais replied, eyeing Lefiya curiously.
"Uh… I was here to buy something and didn't expect to run into you, Miss Ais. What a coincidence!" Lefiya's face reddened further, from nerves or embarrassment, as she laughed awkwardly.
"Are you heading to the dungeon?"
"Liar," Roy said quietly.
"When Ais and I left the guild, I noticed you trailing us."
Lefiya's face cycled through colors—pale, flushed, then red again.
Her body trembled, hands shaking as she tried to explain, but Roy's blunt words left her flustered, on the verge of tears.
"Lefiya," Ais said softly, placing a hand on her head, stroking gently to soothe her.
After a moment, Lefiya's blush faded, and she calmed.
But her eyes shot daggers at Roy, like a feisty kitten ready to pounce.
"Lefiya, why were you following us?" Ais asked gently, once she'd settled.
The comforting touch gone, Lefiya's face flickered with disappointment.
She quickly answered, "I saw you walking with an adventurer outside our familia, and I got curious, so I followed to check."
"Sorry, did I disturb you?" she added, apologetic.
"No," Ais shook her head.
"I just accepted Roy's commission to go to the dungeon with him."
Relief washed over Lefiya.
Just a commission, not romance. Her tense heart eased, and she exhaled.
"Lefiya, we're heading to the dungeon now," Ais said, preparing to leave.
"Um… Miss Ais, can I come along?" Lefiya asked, hesitant but worried.
Ais had never taken such a commission before, yet today she was going to the dungeon alone with this boy.
It made Lefiya uneasy, suspicious of what might happen.
"Sorry, Lefiya, it's not my call," Ais said, shaking her head.
As part of Roy's temporary team, she deferred to him.
Roy glanced at Lefiya subtly.
If he recalled correctly, this elf had a peculiar attachment to Ais—Yuri Elf, they called her.
Noticing his look, Lefiya glared back fiercely.
"Hm," Roy's lips curled playfully. He nodded and said, "I've decided."
Lefiya's sharp glare stiffened, and she forced a strained, fake smile toward Roy.
"No problem. We could use someone to pick up magic stones," Roy said, smiling back.
"Me, pick up magic stones?" Lefiya pointed at herself, incredulous.
"You want me to be a supporter?"
She'd been a supporter in the Loki Familia before, but that was at Level 1.
Now, at Level 3, she was a mage, with magic rivaling Level 5s.
No familia or team would make her a supporter.
"What else?" Roy asked, as if it were obvious. "So, you in or not?"
Read advance chapters at:
200 Stones = 1 chapter
400 Stones = 2 chapter
[T/L: I'm so so tired...can I expect some reviews?]