Outside the academy, a taxi approached and stopped in front of Ruby. After getting permission to leave, Ruby used it to meet someone. It was a sophisticated car that could take anyone to their destination without having to be driven by a driver. It could only accommodate two people inside.
One seat was already occupied by Hani, Ruby's secretary in the monster research field. The woman with two braids smiled, welcoming Ruby.
She who usually always got excited just to greet Ruby, now had to be restrained.
Ruby took off her bag and got into the car. Without having to close the door, the door automatically closed by itself.
The car slowly moved away from the school area. Not many students wanted to use a fast car because most of them chose to use public transportation or walk.
"I did say I was free today, but why did it have to be today?" Ruby grumbled while looking for her cellphone.
Hani smiled broadly, showing a row of neatly arranged teeth. "Mr. Anos answered very~very quickly. It seems he can't wait to meet you."
The first thing that appeared on her cellphone screen was the news of the monster conquest in the Korakora area which was won by team 2 from Macletic.
With the headline: No one can match Macletic's winning record. Cyclops is overwhelmed!.
Moreover, Anos is the main face in the news.
Those old men are real, huh.
"Can I give my report?"
Ruby put away her phone and nodded. "Go ahead."
Hani held her iPad and began to report what she had summarized.
"The Cyclops sent by Mr. Anos has entered our laboratory. The analysis process will probably take about 2 weeks. Then, the one that has been analyzed is Lamia. A giant snake creature that eats human babies. It is probably more than four decades old, and the reason behind its aggressive behavior is probably because its eggs disappeared from its nest. We managed to separate the remaining blood and it could possibly be used for a special monster poison."
Throughout the presentation, Ruby nodded her head. Remembering how the monster ended up in their hands.
Hani slowly moved the slide to the side, replacing the report about Lamia with the latest report she got yesterday.
"Our reconnaissance team found traces of Cerberus in the middle of Titan's forest. They probably live in a cave around there."
Ruby smiled sadly as she stared out the window. "Maybe soon there will be a group that intends to look for him. Just monitor them, we don't need to interfere."
Hani put away her iPad and ended her report. "Okay, I will inform the surveillance team. We will arrive soon."
[Lava Dinner]
Not many visitors came because the restaurant was only used for upper-class people with a lot of money.
"I don't like that uncle's taste," Ruby grumbled as soon as they got out of the speed car. She even clearly showed her dislike.
Hani, who accepted Anos' offer to come to the restaurant, panicked. "H-He asked for it. I-I'll ask to move places."
Ruby shook her head. "No, no need. Let's just go in." Then she started walking.
A large yard flanked by half-meter-high hedges starting from the highway to the entrance of the restaurant. Paper flowers also grew on the hedges. The restaurant building consists of two floors, which is even complete with a meeting room.
From the outside, the restaurant looks very elegant. Built with sandstone and decorated with brown stone. The tall, round windows allow enough light to enter the restaurant and have been added to it with a fairly symmetrical pattern.
The building is shaped like the letter T. The two extensions are connected by a wooden sunshade structure that runs around half of the building.
The second floor is larger than the first, creating a stylish overhang on both sides of the restaurant. This floor follows the same style as the floor below.
Two-meter-high glass doors open automatically. Two male waiters in black suits and white aprons say Lava restaurant.
"Welcome."
"Sorry, we don't accept school children. If the one behind you is still allowed. Are you lost?"
They suddenly changed the entry requirements? Is it because that old man is here?
"Wait—"
Ruby raised her left hand, stopping Hani who wanted to cut in on them, then smiled innocently.
"I was invited to come here. Is it still not allowed?"
The two maids looked at each other, asking for each other's opinion. Then, they looked back at Ruby.
"Even so, it's not allowed. Please tell the person who made the appointment with you to move."
"Then, I have to meet him first and tell him. I'll be gone for a while."
Ruby lifted her foot, intending to pass them, but one of them instead stretched out his right hand and blocked her path.
The man with the black hat, looked at Ruby with a look of displeasure.
"I think it's better if I say it directly. Can you tell me who asked you to come here?"
Ruby's patience was wide enough to deal with the annoying person in front of her. Very different from Hani who wanted to scream angrily.
Still with her innocent smile, Ruby pointed to someone standing behind the two maids.
"I don't think it's necessary, the person has already arrived."
The two maids turned their heads at the same time. A tall man in a black uniform and white shirt stared expressionlessly. He had bright blue hair with a few strands of blonde, the opposite color of Ruby's hair.
"She's our guest. Is there a problem?"
They immediately maintained their obedient attitude. They didn't even dare to look at the person they were talking to.
"Come here." The man extended his hand to Ruby.
Ruby grabbed the hand and then walked after him, ignoring the two people who still didn't dare to lift their faces.
Hani also rushed to follow them, not forgetting to first raise her middle finger as an expression of annoyance.
"I didn't think you would come, Sis." Ruby tried to align her steps with the man beside her.
Balryn slowed his steps, keeping up with his little sister's tiny feet. "Because of my sweet little sister, your brother is trying to make time for her."
Ruby let go of his hand and walked a little more leisurely.
"My only brother sometimes ignores his sister under the pretext of work."
"I've apologized before. Can't you forgive me?" Balryn panicked.
Ruby responded with a chuckle.
"The younger sibling must understand his older sibling."
"I can never win, huh?" Balryn sighed.
"Hehe."
There weren't any visitors today. A restaurant that big only had one visitor and was on the second floor. To reach the second floor, there was a lift that could be used by anyone.
Once on the second floor, visitors will be presented with a view of the shady hills, right before the dark forest.
The location of Lava Dinner is at the edge of the city, close to the hills and rows of forests. Of the many rows of chairs neatly arranged, there was only one person sitting alone there.
The man in formal attire had been waiting for them for a long time. He even smiled as the three people he was waiting for approached.
So, Bal could show an expression like that? He looked like a human when he was near his younger sister.
"Did I interrupt your school hours?"
Anos smiled widely, watching Ruby sitting across from his desk. A calm attitude without any fear at all. For anyone who has not been able to occupy the High rank, meeting Anos is one way to death.
The pressure given cannot be accommodated by ordinary people. At least they must maintain a safe distance, at least fifty meters.
Hani who was standing next to Ruby, clenched both of her hands behind her body. Gripping and continuing to grip so that the pressure received on her body would not make her waver.
"I forgive you for bringing my brother today." Ruby held her right leg, while folding her arms.
"So, tell me what you want to talk about, Uncle?"
When it comes to pressure, Ruby will not lose to him. Even the teenage girl can retaliate many times over, to dominate and save Hani.
How can I lose to a little kid? At least she can be above High?
Anos laughed softly, retracting his aura.
"Next week, my team will be raiding the Titan Forest. I offer you one empty spot. Do you want it?"
Ruby relaxed her shoulders a little as she shook her head.
"No way. Do you want to destroy my disguise, Uncle?"
"Are you sure? Even though there might be a Cerberus, you still don't want to come?"
"Yes. Whether there is a Cerberus or not, I still won't come. Besides, your raid schedule coincides with the rank check at my school."
Anos hesitated for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders in surrender.
"Okay. I won't force you anymore."
"You don't need to worry, I will send someone to replace me," Ruby snapped.
"I think he is the only one who is most suitable for this job," she continued.
"I can rest easy now. Since our conversation will be long, Bal order some food for your sister." Anos instructed Balryn and was met with a short nod and then left.
"So, you won't let me go home right away?"
Ruby grumbled with a look of displeasure.
Without any guilt, Anos smiled broadly. "It would be a waste to let you go home right away, right? Besides, this is a rare opportunity to talk to you like this, Airy."