Arriving at the Adventurers' Guild together, the two quickly found Eina at work. The moment she saw Takumi again, a bright smile bloomed on her face.
"Fancy meeting you again, Miss Eina."
Takumi greeted her naturally and took a seat at the counter. Eina glanced in surprise at Hestia standing beside him, and a bad hunch crept up on her.
She lowered her voice. "Takumi-kun, this time you're here to…?"
"To register as an adventurer—and register a Familia!" Hestia jumped in and answered for him. Right now she looked downright smug.
"Who was it saying I couldn't apply without a member? Well, I've got my child now! Ta-daaa—he's my Familia member, and he's the most, most, most amazing one!"
Hestia gushed to her heart's content, though her word choice was… painfully plain.
Hearing all that, Eina could only give a speechless look. She'd heard plenty about Hestia's reputation.
"Ha… Hestia-sama, I'll file your application right away."
Handing Hestia a form and directing her to fill it out at a side desk, Eina couldn't help adding, "But—Hestia-sama's only just starting out. She has nothing. Joining her Familia isn't exactly a wise choice."
As a Guild employee, she really shouldn't be sowing doubt like this. But out of concern for Takumi's future, she spoke as a senior offering a reminder.
Takumi understood it came from care and gave a slight nod. "It's my choice, Miss Eina. I trust in my own ability."
"Ah… well…"
With his mind set, Eina couldn't say more. Seeing her downcast, Takumi slid back the completed forms.
"If I recall, after registering as an adventurer, I can choose an adventurer advisor. Miss Eina, would you be willing to be mine?"
He met Eina's bright eyes as he said it. Color rushed to her pretty cheeks.
"I—I would like to, but there are seniors at the Guild with more field experience. For your safety, I'd recommend—"
"I only want you, Miss Eina."
That one simple line shattered Eina's defenses. Face flushed, she gave a tiny, demure nod and an "Mm."
It was just routine advisor work—yet her heart fluttered all the same.
Even after Takumi left the Guild with Hestia, Eina sat there absentminded, totally unlike her usual focused self. Her friend Misha Flot, a cute, pink-haired clerk, noticed immediately. Eina spacing out on the job? Unheard of.
Following Eina's gaze, Misha saw the boy's retreating back.
"Hey! Earth to Eina."
Misha's eyes turned playful as she snuck up and tapped Eina's shoulder.
"Kyaa! Misha—you scared me! What are you doing?"
Grinning, Misha teased, "I've been here a while. You were staring after that rookie… Looks like you really like him."
"H-How could I? No way. Don't talk nonsense."
Eina denied it at once—but the red tips of her pointy ears betrayed her.
Misha was about to pile on the teasing when she gathered up the paperwork on the counter. A quick glance at the form changed her face a shade.
"Eina, you're taking that rookie as your advisee? Then—rein it in. Don't invest too much feeling."
She wasn't trying to rain on Eina's parade, just reminding her. They hadn't worked long, but they'd advised plenty of adventurers. Nearly half never came back.
The Dungeon's risk was too high. If you got attached and the adventurer died, it only made the grief worse.
Eina knew it well, of course. That's why they rarely took on advisees. She looked toward the Guild doors and murmured, "I just want to help him as much as I can—whatever it takes."
Misha said no more. Her best friend's heart was already in too deep. Still, curiosity prickled—who was the man who'd stolen Eina's heart at a glance?
After leaving the Guild, Hestia reluctantly parted from Takumi. She needed to head to the Familia home Hephaestus had lent her and get it in order. It would be her and Takumi's home.
Just thinking that sent her into fits of excitement.
On the way to the Dungeon, plenty of eyes tracked Takumi, but nothing caused a stir. Through [Thousand-Mile Ear], he'd already pieced together why: even though he'd roasted Phryne in the street, neither his face nor his name had spread. Syr and the others could guess because they weren't ordinary, but most citizens and adventurers had no idea he existed.
"That won't do. If my fame doesn't stack, my Fortune progress crawls."
…Right. Stirring up his name was part of the plan.
Just then, a clear voice broke his thoughts—and his stride.
"E-Excuse me, adventurer! You're heading for the Dungeon, right? Do you… need a supporter?"
Turning, Takumi saw a tiny figure in a drab cloak with an oversized pack, looking up at him. She was so small—he guessed maybe 1.1 meters. Literally about as tall as his legs. "She needn't knelt, she could do it standing" came unbidden to mind—but this girl really was at that height.
A Pallum.
He realized at once the girl was a Pallum. Cloak drawn tight, half her face was dusty and smudged. With keen perception he read past it: under the hood was an adorably pretty face, chestnut curls lending a sprightly charm. The petite, delicate frame hid inside the grimy coat. With [Pierce Vision], he caught the faintest, honest lines beneath the rags.
To the casual eye she was just a cute little girl—but the weary maturity in her air said she was already of age.
The instant their gazes met, Liliruca's expression faltered; a strange sweetness welled in her chest. Never having known love, she couldn't name the feeling.
Takumi, however, recognized her at once—Liliruca Arde of the Soma Familia.
Didn't expect her to come straight to him. Fate's guide rope, huh.
...
For every 50 Power Stones → +1 extra chapter.
Read 50+ chapters ahead on Patreon! [patreon.com/METARLN]
Use code SANTA for 50% OFF!