Date With Fiona

 As the two separated, Ian looked at Fiona with affection, and maybe a tinge of lust. But he could not help it, especially with her looks that would make most model feel ashamed of their own.

 "Let's continue our date for now. We just got together and I think we need to take some baby steps," Ian said, though it might be too late for that considering how Fiona tried to eat his lips.

 To his surprise, Fiona nodded shyly. 'Huh, she must have realized what she had been doing,' Ian assumed.

 As he put his hand on her waist and helped her to stand up, he walked with her, their arms linking once more.

-x-

 With how fast the pace they set is, it is not a surprise for them both to have an early lunch. As they began to look for a cafe, unfortunately, stereotypical thugs blocked their way.

 "Looks like a couple is having a sweet time," the thug, looking like a thug in a movie or drama with scars on his face looked at them, especially at Fiona's bust, which replaced the stare with a lustful look.

 "How about you ditch this weakling and spend some time with us," he said, trying to put his arm around Fiona's shoulder.

 Except, he felt a burning on his shoulder before pain erupted.

 "Aarggh!" he screamed, rolling on the ground as a burn can be seen on his shoulder. Seeing their leader on the ground, the thugs looked at him before charging.

 "Aargh," they joined their leader quickly, Ian aimed at their shoulders or legs. He did not want to accidentally kill them after all.

 "Consider this a warning," Ian exclaimed, casting Heal on the thugs, who began to charge at him before suffering the same fate as before, except he decided to make the Arcane Shot, slightly more lethal.

 "As I was saying," he continued, casting Heal on the leader while aiming an Arcane Shot at his head, "If you tried to do this again, I will show no mercy," he blasted a barrel at the side to oblivion before walking away, his cyan eyes glowed menacingly as he gave them one last glare.

-x-

 After the little spat with the thugs, they continued their search for a good cafe or tavern. Thankfully, they found one nearby as his heart could not take Fiona being so clingy.

 He patted her head as they entered before ordering their food. As they waited for the food to arrive, Ian decided to ask her something.

 "So, what is your town and family like?" it seemed to be a sensitive topic as she looked down, gloom surrounding her.

 "It's okay, I am just curious. You don't have to answer it if you don't want to," he assured her.

 Fiona looked at him and sighed. "It's alright," even though her face indicates all but that. "It's just, that I don't have the best relation with my family at the moment, or I have much love for my hometown,"

 Seeing this to be some kind of underlying issue, Ian came out with a guess, "Is it the reason why you left your hometown and tried to make a name for yourself?" from how she stiffened, his guess was right on the mark.

 "Y-yes," she stuttered. "My family cannot be considered wealthy but we are not poor either. We just have enough to live our lives and still have some coins to spare for clothes and such.

 Later on, it was discovered I could use magic. I was ecstatic. I spent most of my time learning magic, though it was not really a long time, maybe a month or so.

 Then, the mayor's son, from my hometown, asked for my hand in marriage. I did not want to be married to the man, as he was 11 years older and was known as a womanizer in the town.

 But my parents pushed for it. They see it as a way to climb the social ladder and become more important. I was treated like a tool by my parents, who had showered us with love for a long time.

 They even said it was my duty as a way to repay what I did for them. I could not handle it anymore and decided to run away. Both Lisa and Ana decided to follow me. We ran from the town to this one, taking only the essentials.

 We took some odd jobs before we could buy some equipment and become adventurers. And then, the goblin's ambush and we are here now," if not for them facing each other and the table in his way, he would have had her right now.

 But he can't so he just settled on holding her hand and giving it an assuring squeeze. Fiona looked at him and smiled, making him glad he decided to do that.

 Soon, the food arrived, and they chatted as they had their meal, telling each other about their favorite food, what color they liked, and many other stuff.

 By the end of it all, his appraisal of Fiona adds more things regarding the blonde, one he will use on future dates. After all, love is war and all that jazz.

-x-

 Considering the fact the two of them are the brains of the team, after all, Ana and Kell rarely used theirs except in a fight, so they decided to go to the library.

 As they browsed for books, Fiona searched for anything regarding magic while he searched for subjects related to the monsters and leylines.

 When they converged, Ian gave Fiona a deadpan stare, who became flustered by it. "It's not my fault okay? The library did not have any books related to magic. Not even about the theory," she whispered.

 Ian decided to concede to the fact. It makes sense in a way. After all, a public library allows access to subjects that could endanger the public. Sure, you can buy a knife from a blacksmith, but you need to get close to do any damage.

 Even bows and arrows could not do much harm, the learning process for the weapon might take months if not years to become an expert. However, magic is a different story.

 A single spell could kill a well-trained guard as long as it hits. So, making sure the subject is restricted would make it safer for the populace and order of the kingdom.

 However, he still did not approve of what she brought to their 'study' session. "Novels, really?" he could see some romantic titles like 'Lovers Under the Moonlight' and many other titles that immediately ousted themselves as novels to someone like him.

 She looked away, blushing heavily. Ian hooked his head before pulling her on his lap. "I will let this slide," he whispered. "but as a penalty, you are going to sit on my lap until I finish,"

 She opened her mouth to protest but Ian silenced it, his finger closing her mouth before he read one of the books he took. Blushing heavily, Fiona decided to just read the novel even if their current position was too embarrassing for her.

 Thankfully, they are seated at the cornermost of the library, where seldom a few pass there.