33 Chapter 30: The Path to Being a Great Magi and The Path to Being a Gunner

Chapter 30

H: "Fuu…"

I heaved out a short breath as I walk. The cold air condensed into a small fog, scattering away in the wind. It's really getting cold during the night.

I left after escorting Ceres back home. I wanted to have some time alone so here I am, wandering around the town like an idiot. I don't have any particular destination in mind and I don't even know why I'm wandering around in the first place.

It's just, even for at least a moment, I want to think.

H: "Ceres…"

*sigh*

I made her cry, didn't I?

Even though she tried her best to not show it, I know she was already in the verge of crying again. In between her smiles, I can see her lips tremble, as if she's trying to stifle something. We walked together along the night street, without exchanging any words until we got home. But all the while, my eyes kept drawing towards her.

Using 'taking a walk outside' as my excuse, I left as soon Ceres closed the door to the restaurant. I can't forget the face she had, which I saw through the slight opening, the moment she closed the door.

H: "What the heck. Protect her, my face."

I can't even say anything to ease her tears.

Part of it, of course, is because those tears are caused be me.

If by any chance, it's cause by someone else, of course I would do anything to make her feel better. But… thinking about it like that, I can only see myself making excuses. There's no way she'll be okay after that. I've read enough books to know. Though, I know reality and fiction are two separate things.

But…

Literature mirrors reality.

Of course, she'll be hurt.

H: "*sigh* Just how am I going to face her tomorrow…?"

I was about to use my left hand and place it on my forehead to cover my face, but the sensation in it is not there. So I used my right hand instead and placed it on my eyes and raise my head up, heaving a sigh of resignation.

H: "*sigh* …"

Removing it, what met me are the stars completely filling up the night sky. The twin moons have already settled their place at the horizon. Right now, it feels like I'm being showered by the stars, blessing me a good night. As if something is celebrated by how it's so beautiful and quite the spectacle. I haven't gone to one, but I guess this is how a planetarium would look like.

Quite ironic, if I think about what I feel right now.

I don't know much about the constellations here. But the mere sight of it leaves me in awe. I want to keep staring at the show until the morning comes.

H: "But… That's just me escaping reality."

Yeah. I am trying to escape reality.

??: "Meow…"

H: "Oh… a cat, huh. Are you alone, too? Haha… We're the same."

I felt empathy. Or like I just wanted someone to accompany me in this self-suffocating night. Or so it thought, but…

…

Wait…

A cat?! Here in this world?? There's no way there could be a cat here!

I took another look at the animal in front of me.

H: "There's no mistaking it…"

Green eyes and black fur. That dilated iris when it stares into the darkness narrows when it stares at me who's bathing in the light under a lamp post. Its single tail that sways left to right as it licks it fur clean.

H: "It's definitely a cat…"

But the reason I'm surprised right now is none other than because I'm not in my former world right now. There are no cats in this world. Or at least, not the kind that looks like this one. Even now, as I stare at it bewilderedly, it just stares back at me without doing anything.

The least close resembling animal to a cat here is the Muiris. A type of small animal that acts like a cat but looks like a hybrid between a cat and dog. It has two large ears that perks up whenever it smells food. Its three tails is used for balancing and it can even use it to stand up without using its hind legs. Unlike cats, its nose is far longer and pointy, perhaps because of its natural prey that likes to burrow under small holes on the ground.

H: "So how in the world am I looking at a cat from my former world now…?"

I looked at myself and I'm still wearing the same clothes. And even the houses and buildings are still the same structures as the ones in Vaniflan, checking maybe I got back without me knowing. But I'm still here…

Hmm… Mysterious.

Cat: "Mya~"

H: "Ah…"

It went off. But it looked back at me once more and scurried away for another time.

Is it telling me to follow it?

H: "Hm…"

Well, I don't have anything particular to do, so why not? It's true that I'm intrigued to as why an animal from my world is here.

I followed the cat, which is now walking normally. I followed it without having to run or jog. It helped since I'm not yet used to balancing my body with my arm like this. I sometimes use it to lean on the wall but end up smacking my whole body against it. It's not something to get used at easily.

After a few of minutes of walking, I found myself at the Fountain of Beginning. For a moment, I thought the fountain will be functioning, but I guess it won't during the night. I was expecting to have a relaxing time on one of the benches while listening to the rush of the water, but that idea is now thrown out of the window.

H: "Huh? Where's the cat?"

The instant I looked away to check the place, the cat is already gone. But suddenly…

H: "?!"

I gathered mana inside my fist and instantly deflected the incoming cluster of mana behind me. It grazed my hand for a bit but slides down to the ground, leaving a burnt mark on the fine cobblestone.

H: "… Isn't that just a pleasant greeting, don't you think so?"

??: "Hmph… Just as I thought. You're not normal."

H: "That's quite vexing. I think I'm normal by any standards."

Though I feel like I'm always called that recently.

??: "Says the person who deflected my [Flare Bolt] using his bare hand. Wait… What happened to your other hand?"

The figure that appeared from the shadows is wearing a hooded cloak. A red cloak. It's something I've already seen before.

H: "Ahh… The weird girl!"

W.G: "Wha-!? Who are you calling weird girl?!"

She then removed the hood and revealed the face I'm slightly familiar with. Her silver hair that is a special feature exclusive to elves, but her ears resembles that of a human. She looked straight at me with her sharp, slant eyes that matched her red robe with golden laces, designing the edges and drawing curves and lines on the surface. She's wearing a pout after being called a weird girl all of a sudden.

By me of course.

Well, that's the only thing I remembered about her when I had a short talk with her.

H: "Hmm…"

W.G: "Don't ignore me!"

After finishing the quest to gather Glows Stones, this girl who looks like she's the same age as Anya, called me out. Based from what she mumbled that time and from our conversation per se, I guess she's the one who requested that quest.

And before leaving, she told me that we will meet again. Not that I expected she will meet me after attacking me.

H: "Ah, my bad. It's the only thing that stuck in my head after our conversation."

W.G: "Hmph! So you remember."

She folded her arms after flipping her silver hair. It shine perfectly at the light from the lamp post beside the fountain. Now that I look at her closely, she's pretty cute.

[A.N: Here we have is Hans, after indirectly rejecting a girl.]

H: "I do, I do. It's just, you resemble someone I know so it's not that hard to forget."

W.G: "Hmmm…"

She looked at me dubiously.

H: "Well? Can you tell me your name first? You're registered in my mind as 'Weird Girl' so I want to change that."

W.G: "Tch. I don't want that so I'm going to tell you. Unwillingly, though!"

Hmm… She's a bit troublesome. A bit different than Ceres' case. And, Ceres is cute now, to be fair.

W.G: "Leira. Leira Eleine."

H: "I see. Nice to meet you, Leira. I hope next time, you greet me normally."

Saying so, I went to sit on one of the benches. I pat the sit beside me, signaling her to sit.

Lei: "Are you telling me to sit beside you? Don't get conceited."

She looked down at me as if she's looking at some trash.

H: "I see."

Yup. It's like I'm talking to the former Ceres.

H: "If you're not sitting then suit yourself. Well? Why did you suddenly attack me? Let me tell you first, I'm not telling you anything about how I deflected it or how I knew, if you yourself won't say anything."

Lei: "… Hmmm…~ I see. You're not some idiot, so it seems."

H: "…"

I didn't respond but I found her sitting beside me instead.

Lei: "Hans, was it? Do you know what Lily is?"

Turning my way as we sit side by side, the cat I was following appeared sitting above her head. As if it faded in from some sort of portal, its body manifested out of thin air. The small round bell that is attached to its red collar rang like a signal of entrance.

H: "Lily? Is that the name of that cat?"

Lei: "…"

Leira looked at me with mystification. To add more to that expression, she's suddenly surprised that Lily is now rubbing its head to my lap.

It's friendly, huh. Somehow, it makes me homesick, seeing something alive from my former world.

H: "Here, here…"

I used my right hand to pat its head down to its tail. Like responding to the sensation, it raised its tail to the air. Oh it's a female, huh…

Lei: "Color me surprised… It's the first time Lily showed affection to other than me…"

H: "Oh, is that right? I thought she's just naturally friendly."

I continued to pat her head and eventually, she started purring.

Lei: "Ooohh… Oooohh…! She does that when she's in good mood…! How can you easily do that??"

H: "Hm? Most cats from where I came from are like this though."

Lei: "From where you came from?"

H: "Ah-"

My slip up caught my words and instant regret washed over me. Well, concluding from all the information so far, it's not strange for this girl to know about my circumstance already. So it's not that of a big deal.

Lei: "Just as I thought. Hans… you're from another world, aren't you?"

H: "… *sigh* Well, based from the fact that you own this cat, when in truth, there're no cats in this world, proves that you know more than anyone in this town."

I leaned on the bench, trying to relax. Or at least, trying to show that I'm relaxed. I can't let her know that I'm quite puzzled by this. I should be careful with dealing with her since she knows my secret. Who knows what she can do about it.

For now, I should act calmly and proceed from here while gathering information.

Lei: "So you are…"

H: "Yeah. I am. But let me tell you, I'm not summoned here or something like that."

Lei: "You're not?? Then how were you able to come here?!"

The confusion in Leira's face is evident. That has to be expected though.

At first I thought that she knows more than what I do, but I guess that's not the case at all. I should be able to relax for a bit.

There is common knowledge here about summoned beings, albeit legendary. Only a few and selected people can perform the ritual and it takes a massive amount of mana to be able to execute it. That's why only a few people are actually capable of doing it. Those people are called, Great Magi.

They are legendary people that has a large quantity of mana in them, making them incomparable to any kind of people, regardless of race.

Dwarves have the least mana points of all the races. Because of their small bodies and their abilities more focused on crafting, their reserve of mana only ranges to 200 – 400 mana points. But it's enough for them to use.

Humans have the normal reserve of mana. If I based it using mana points, Humans have a range of 800 – 900 mana points on average.

Next will be the Faunalians, who have a reserve of mana ranging from 2,000 – 2,500 mana points. They rely more on their physical strength, but they also use that mana to enhance their physical abilities, instead of relying with magic.

After the Faunalians comes the Elves, which ranges from 9,000 – 12,000 mana points on average. But from what I heard from Sofiel, those are just the numbers of an infant. Most of the records only contain such data, since Elves mana range differs from person to person. One can have a mana range of 12,00 and the other can have 24,000. It's quite complex when I heard about them from Sofiel.

Lastly, the Demons. They have the most range of mana according to the written records. They have 50,000 – 100,000 mana points in an average Demon. That made me wonder how the Humans won the war against them, when the gap between them is just too large. After researching, it is said that a hero from another world arrived and used a legendary weapon that perfectly works against Demons. Eventually, defeating the Demon Lord.

It's the same with every story, though I find some points that are strange. Well, that's just how history works, anyways.

The other races don't have a physical record yet and are only known from rumors alone. That's why I haven't yet gotten the information about them.

And judging from those numbers, comes the great question about me. Why do I have billions of mana points when I'm just a human?

At any rate, the books I've been reading recently definitely gave me a descriptive background. Good thing I can read more or less now. Though I still have to ask either Anya or Ceres to check if I'm reading them correctly.

H: "Even if I tell you, I think you wouldn't believe me. But let's say I already died once and when I woke up, I'm now here."

This is equivalent exchange. I know how risky it is to give an information to someone whose background is unclear. But this time, she's my only clue about my former world. It's not like I really want to but… There's still some part of me that wants to go back.

Lei: "…"

H: "Can't believe it, after all?"

She just stared at me without saying anything. I guess she's trying to think for herself.

Lei: "No. I'll believe you. You know what kind of being is Lily and I know you're not someone ordinary. Hmph. Also, you're right. Lily is a being summoned from another world. I think she's from your world based from what you said."

H: "You summoned her?"

This time, Lily went to Leira's lap, purring and curling up to sleep.

Lei: "That's right."

Leira nodded with great satisfaction.

H: "Ohoho. So you're a Great Magi then?"

After asking that, Leira stood up from her seat, followed by Lily, who jumped off her lap. She place her right hand on her puffed out chest and the other on her waist.

Lei: "That's correct! I AM a Great Magi! Fear me, ignorant human!"

Ohh… So that's the kind of character she is.

H: "Oooh. Clap, clap, clap, clap."

I thought of clapping, but I remembered I now only have one hand. Haha. So I just did so verbally.

Lei: "Are you taking me for a fool…??"

H: "No, no. I'm really impressed. I heard Great Magis are legendary in this world."

I said so seriously. I really am impressed since she never had that air around her. Now that I know that she's a Great Magi, I think she's really someone amazing. I wonder what the condition to being one is.

H: "Say, Leira. I want to ask. How do you become a Great Magi?"

Lei: "… Very well. Meet me at the Guild House tomorrow at the fourth chime of the bell."

Fourth chime. 6 AM is the first chime, so three in the afternoon, huh.

H: "Roger."

Lei: "Hmph."

Leira flipped her hair as she twirled around, making her robe flutter in the air. She then walks away to the shadow without looking back, leaving me pondering about what to do about my current situation.

Right. Good thing, tomorrows a working holiday and we won't be opening the restaurant. I feel like there're lots of holidays recently but, oh well. Rest is also a part of work, as they say.

…

..

.

C: "G-G-Good morning, H-H-H-Hans…"

H: "O-Oh… Good morning, Ceres."

Morning has come and now we're seating down on the table for breakfast. Anya is cooking and Tia is still half-asleep, nodding off on her seat from time to time.

I was the last one to wake up and they're all waiting for me while seated. Anya is humming happily but I sense a great danger from her, I can almost see her dark aura manifesting. Ceres on the other hand, greeted me, although a bit awkward. I thought there will be some sort of ignoring that will happen but I worried for nothing.

Though her way of greeting me strikes a guilt in my chest.

C: "M-Mm…"

H: "Yeah…"

…

Awkward…

C: "A-Ah! I-I want a coffee, Anya."

A: "You've asked me that five times already~"

C: "Th-That's right… Aha… Ahahaha…"

Laughing wryly, Ceres then placed both of her hands on her lap, and hanged her head. It seems like making eye contact with me is out of the question.

But if I don't do anything, I'm sure this will become our daily conversation starting from now on. We've been living under the same roof for quite some time now. If this goes on, who knows what I will have to do in the end.

Or rather… what will be done to me…

A: "*CHOP!*"

A loud chopping sound came from where Anya is cooking.

H: "Ceres!"

C: "Hyesh!?"

Ceres jumped from her seat with a jerk, looked at me with sweat pouring all over her face, and is blushing from ear to ear. I'm sorry, Ceres. But I find you really cute right now.

H: "I will go to Florensia later for some business. And after that, I have a plan to meet up with someone. Want to go with me? I mean, since it's a day off and all."

C: "A-Ah… S-Sure. Let's go later…"

She then scratched her cheek with her finger with a smile on her face.

H: "N-Nice. I'll tell you when we'll be going."

A: "My~ Are you two going out later~?"

It seems like Anya is now finish cooking, as she placed the pot and some bread at the center of the table. But I've been wondering, I still don't have any plate. The others have theirs already.

Usually, when Anya is the one who's scheduled to cook, she makes sure to prepare the plates and all before cooking. But this time…

H: "Uhm… Anya?"

A: "What is it~? Slime~? Ufufu…"

H: "Eeek!?"

Her eyes… Her eyes are scary…!! She's not looking at me at all…! She's already looking at my corpse…!! And now I'm slime to Anya!!

H: "A-Anya… Uhm… Wh-Where is my bread…?"

Without a plate, of course I didn't receive any bread. And of course, no soup either. I tried to be as much pleasing as possible and smiled through my fear.

A: "My, my~ What a mistake~ I'm sorry. Here you go~"

Saying that, she gave me a plate. It sure is a plate, but it's the same like those that are used by dogs. And in it, is a piece of garrot stick.

H: "U-Uhm… Anya… L-Lady Anya… I wonder if this is my b-breakfast~?"

A: "Oh~! I guess, you're already full, huh~? You won't need it, right~?"

I could only cower in fear…

A: "Riiiight~~?"

Anya then flashed a terror-inducing smile, breaking my very soul into pieces. Sweat is now pouring from all over my body, I feel like fainting. This is the toughest boss battle that I've faced ever since I've come to this world… Kuh… S.O.S to Tia!

T: "*snore* … I can't eat anymore… *mumble* *mumble*"

SHE'S STILL SLEEPING!!

Darn it… Now that it has come to this… Ceres!! S.O.S! I'll send my signals through eye contact!

C: "*fwip*"

She averted her gaze!

…

It's no use…

H: "Y-Yes… I am full… Lady Anya…"

I could only obey… Uu…

C: "A-Anya! Enough already! H-Here… Hans, I'll share mine with you."

Looking away, she pushed the bowl full of soup and the half of her bread on the side. She's not looking this way but I can see her ear is red as a tomato.

H: "Kuh… The guilt is crushing me… I'm mortified…"

A: "Heh. You should be, Slime."

H: "Eeeek!!"

It's like the former Ceres possessed Anya!! But she's a lot scarier than Ceres was!! HEEELP!!!

T: "Eh…? Wha… What is happening…?"

…

..

.

*knock* *knock*

H: "Florensia. It's me. May I come in?"

Flo: "Go ahead."

Opening the door, Ceres and I entered the unchanging antique and exquisite Guild office. The usual aroma of the books, sweets, and tea filled the room as if to invite us into a tea party.

Florensia uses this time, before the fourth chime rings, as her own tea time. Different kinds of sweets, ranging from cookies to whole cakes. Tea cups lay everywhere as if they're naturally placed on the table. And as usual, Florensia is seating on her big chair, while sipping tea on one of the elegant tea cups. Lucia, on the other hand, is doing some paper works on a table near the bookshelf. It's their daily routine.

Ceres, who is behind me, entered the room without any reserve, perhaps remembering what happened a few days ago.

But I'm a bit relieved.

On our way here earlier, it was so awkward, even the slight movement of my hand would cause her to jerk up. I can't talk with her while making eye contact. She must look somewhere else to even at least respond to me.

… *sigh*

I know I brought this myself but… It's taking a toll on my emotional state. Well, I deserve it at least. Because I'm a darn coward of a boy.

Flo: "Nuoh~ Tis' good to see you, my dear Black Sheep. And also chef girl~ Do you wish to have some of these~"

Asking that, she pointed her hands to the sweets that are beautifully displayed on the table fixed by the couch and sofa.

C: "… Thank you."

Albeit hesitant, Ceres agreed to her proposal. I guess, she's not that on guard around Florensia? We took our seats and enjoyed the lovely aroma of the tea. Lucia, without saying a word, prepared the tea for us.

H: "Thanks."

C: "*bow*"

Ceres bowed her head instead of words.

Flo: "Well then, young'un? It seems like you have a business with me, eh? I have not yet recalled I called you here."

H: "*sip* Fuu… Yeah."

Oh, this tea is nice.

Flo: "Fumu, tell me."

I placed the tea cup down and it hit the saucer with a clink.

H: "Florensia, do you know someone who can forge a weapon per the customer's request? Like the design and stuff."

Flo: "Hohoh~ You want to forge your own weapon, is that what you want to say, eh?"

H: "That's right."

Ceres on my right kept munching on the sweets like a small squirrel, holding it with her both hands and slowly bites on it bit by bit. Damn, I want to take her home, though were already living together.

Flo: "But before that, young'un. You say you want a weapon, but what do you plan to do with that arm? You wouldn't be able to wield one, do you not think so? And if you did so with, let us say, a short sword, will not that be disadvantageous no matter how you see it?"

H: "Yeah. I've thought of that."

I once thought of using a dagger, much like the same with my combat knife. And I think it's a pretty good idea to fight with that. But it's just really not my style. Well, I did use it often back in my world, but a gun has a great factor to that. Also, ever since I've come here, I always wanted to use magic too.

Flo: "Is that so? What about the Staff?"

Ah, the Staff of Oblivion, huh.

H: "I think that's not usable anymore, based from how battered and old it looked."

Flo: "Figures."

Florensia said to me before giving it to me, that the staff itself wanted to be mine. She never said anything about using it, anyways. And I think she never had the intention of making me do so, too.

Flo: "Then what do you plan to do?"

H: "I'm going to make my own gun."

Flo: "Gun? What is that?"

Florensia tilted her head like a child mystified by something new.

H: "It's a weapon I thought of."

I just went along with that explanation. I can't say that it's a common weapon made in my former world, after all. They haven't yet learned about who I really am. Not that I plan on telling them soon or something.

And just as I thought, guns doesn't exist here. Or more like, they haven't had the knowledge yet to produce one. I mean, they're still using bows and arrows up to this point.

But that doesn't stop me from making one.

From the training in the military, one of the basic is to disassemble and assemble a gun, usually with a time limit. Memorizing the parts, where the barrel should be, how the hammer would do its job, and other things to make a gun work is a needed skill for soldiers in our modern times. That's why even now, I still remember the parts and how to assemble them.

I just need to find someone who could make those parts for me.

The problem is…

H: "Say, Florensia. Is there sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate here?"

Flo: "You can buy charcoal anywhere but I do not know about that s-sulfaur and p-potassi- what was it again?"

H: "Potassium nitrate."

Hmm… As expected, it's something that's also not existing here. Or perhaps, they haven't been discovered yet. Or at least, they have different names. But that's still a problem, since a gun without an ammunition is the same as a lump of metal.

Well, at any rate, I need to create a gun first. The rest comes afterwards.

H: "Well, do you know anyone?"

Flo: "Fumu… But what do you plan with using as the materials? Most blacksmiths don't move without a proper supply of materials. Most usually, the clients provide them."

H: "Ah, if that's the case, I will use the Chaos Metal."

It's still stored in my bank after its possession rights is given to me, since I still haven't come up with an idea of a weapon back then.

Flo: "Hoh~ Now that would seem interesting. I see. Let me help you with that."

H: "Nice! Thanks Florensia!"

I almost found myself jumping straight at her, but I remembered what happened before.

Flo: "It is nothing, if it is for my cute Black Sheep~ Ufufu."

C: "Muu…"

A pouting Ceres, spotted! Captain, this is a foolish move!

Retreat! This mission will fail! Retreat!

H: "A-Anyways. Just tell me if you found one."

Flo: "Hm? I already know one. I will be asking him right after this. Also… Young'un."

We were standing up from our seat and was about to go towards the door, when Florensia called out to me, waving her fan. On the other hand, Ceres looked so dejected after leaving the sweets she's been eating.

H: "Yeah?"

When we stopped to respond to Florensia, Ceres slightly brightened and went to eat another one. Hmm… I'll make a pudding later then. It looks like Ceres likes sweet things. I also told Tia that I would make her one.

I hope, even at least, that would alleviate the awkwardness between us. But… I can't do anything if I don't get used to moving without my left arm.

Flo: "Do you not want to do something about that arm of yours?"

H: "Hm? I can?"

Just when I was thinking about it.

Flo: "Umu."

Oho. I didn't think there would be a way to fix this.

H: "But my arm is already gone. We can't attach it anymore, right?"

Flo: "Not that… We can have the blacksmith, whom I am about to call, make you an artificial one."

…

..

.

I never thought there would be artificial arms here in this world. This world's inconsistency about its technology really makes me wonder. Be that as it may be, it's a good news to know that I can replace my lost arm. No matter how I want to get used to it, it's really inconvenient for me. Moreover, I can't really fight properly like this, much less protecting someone with my own two hands.

Though, I'm worried about what kind of artificial arm it will be. There are artificial human parts back in my world and has recently become a normal thing. One can move them like a normal human parts and can also be altered the way the person wants to.

Thinking about how the technology in this world is…

I'm getting worried.

H: "Ah, Ceres. I'll be meeting someone now, still want to come with me?"

C: "S-Sure. I'll tag along. Mm."

H: "Hm."

I guess, there won't be any more problem about our relationship breaking apart. Or more like, there's no more fear for me to think so. It's what I caused, so the greatest fear I have is her cutting her ties with me.

Well, I won't blame her if one day, she'll want to do that. But the pathetic guy I am right now, that's the least thing I would like to happen to us.

I still… can't get my thoughts together about it, though…

C: "Who is this someone you will meet?"

We're inside the Guild House, sitting on one of the sits at the eatery. We ordered some drinks while waiting.

The Guild house is filled with different kinds of adventurers as usual. From those who are looking at the quest board, those who are just happily chatting with other adventurers, and those who seem like they are planning for their quest at the corner. I heard that the adventuring career is dwindling because less and less people apply to be one. But looking at this scenario here, no one would ever think that is the case.

H: "Hm? I met her yesterday night after we parted ways. Ah…"

C: "… Mm… I see."

Darn, me and my mouth. I ended up making her recall what happened yesterday. If I'm not a bastard guy at this point, I don't know what will make me.

C: "Uhm. Hans."

H: "Y-Yeah?"

C: "… I don't want you to worry about what happened yesterday anymore."

H: "Eh?"

What's that…? Does that mean she'll forget about it and treat it like it didn't happen? Will she just forget her feelings and leave it at that…? Is that what she wants…?

C: "That's why…-"

H: "I won't forget it. And I will worry about it."

C: "Eh?"

I don't know why, but even as selfish as it may seem, I just don't want to.

H: "I may be selfish, but… I don't want to forget that."

I looked straight at her eyes. I really feel like I'm making a pathetic face right now. However, I make sure to look at her with great resolve.

C: "… Hm… *giggle* You really are so selfish, you know that?"

H: "…?"

She just smiled with her eyes looking gentle as they could be.

C: "I was just about to tell you that I won't give up even after that."

H: "…!"

C: "And now, you just have to say that. Now it makes me want to do my best more."

Saying that, she placed her hands on my cheek. Different than it was during that night, right now, it felt so warm. Also now, she's not trembling at all.

C: "I'll make you fall head over heels for me, you hear me? *smile*"

What the heck, Ceres…

H: "… I'll be waiting."

And this time, I placed my hand over hers. We looked at each other without caring for whoever may see us. Well, they seem so busy and they don't seem to notice us at all. And we're far out into the corner too. I feel like we've entered a world where the only resident is us, with the rowdiness as our background music.

??: "There you are, Hans!"

… And that brought me back to reality.

C: "Uwah!?"

Same as with Ceres. She instantly withdrew her hands from my cheeks. I felt regretful as she did so.

H: "Ah. Leira, you're here."

C: "Leira?"

Ceres looked at me with a question mark floating above her head.

H: "Yeah. The one I'll be meeting with."

C: "Hmm…"

She then looked at Leira with peering eyes.

H: "Well then-"

Lei: "Hans!"

Like she usually does, or at least during the little time I was with her, she placed her right hand above her chest and the other on her waist, staring at me with a condescending aura.

H: "Ah, yeah?"

Lei: "Come on! Let's go on our date already!

C: "…!?!?"

…

..

.

Chapter 30 End

<STATUS DISPLAY 1.5>

Mana Points: 9,999,999,999/9,999,999,999

Name: Hans Alius Schmidt

Race: Human

Class: None

[Title/s]

Contracted One, Black Sheep, Mana Specialist, Witch's Prince

[Status]

Strength: 912

<206(+206)(+500)/9999>

Agility: 164

<82(+82)/9999>

Intelligence: 3996

<498(+498)(+500)(+500)(+2000)/9999>

Defense: 30

<15(+15)/9999>

[Skills]

<Active Skills>

Mana Detect Lv. 10/10

Crush Strike Lv. 10/10

Beast Soul Activation Lv. 1/1

Mana Burst Lv. 8/10

Telepathy Lv. 1/1

Mana Transfer Lv. 4/10

Mana Drain Lv. 5/10

Clad Armis Lv. 1/5

<Passive Skills>

Status Lv. 1/1

Harden Lv. 8/10

Damage Resistance Lv. 8/10

Beast Soul Link Lv. 1/1

Mana Manipulation Lv. 7/10

Mana Absorption Lv. 1/1

Magic Affinity Lv. 1/10

Magic Resistance Lv. 1/10

Dastre Affinity Lv. 1/10

Dastre Resistance Lv. 1/10

Fiara Affinity Lv. 1/10

Fiara Resistance Lv. 1/10

[Crystal Points: 469]

[Name]: Hans Alius Schmidt

[Class]: None

[Sex]: Male

[Level]: 100

[Race]: Human

[Rank]: F

[Title]

Black Sheep

[Skills]

[Active Skill]

<Telepathy Lv. 1/1>

[Passive Skills]

[Quest/s]

(None)

[Party Members/Raid Members]

(None)