Volume 2 Chapter 13: Annoyed

(Grace)

Sitting at the entrance of the [Dog House], I gaze at the setting sun.

Today is my coming-of-age day.

...But Walson is not here.

The gift Walson was supposed to give me was the staff he promised, along with a robe.

Wearing new clothes, sitting on the steps, I can't feel happy.

"Sorry, but we're closed today," Melon turned away the empty-handed customer.

Not only did the customers come up empty, but so did I.

"...Melon, where's Walson?"

No matter how much I use telepathy, Walson doesn't respond.

Neither does Melon.

The [Party Telepathy] between the Party Members can actually be shut off, and when it's shut off, it would block off the telepathic messages from your other Party Members, making oneself unable to hear their voices.

...Walson, why are you ignoring us?

"...I don't know," Melon paused and said.

Walson, that man, only leaves behind a "Happy coming-of-age day" congratulations note and then disappears.

Perhaps worried about us not having money to eat, he left behind a large amount of food too.

Walson, Why are you leaving? 

Are you saying we are happier when you are not with us?

That idiot... that fool...

Did you forget?

Today is also your coming-of-age day.

In the morning, to put an end to the spreading rumors, I somehow manage to summon up enough courage and refused Neolla invitation in front of everyone once again.

Somehow, I was able to said In public, about how I already have someone I like, and that I don't want that person to have a misunderstanding after seeing me and Neolla in public.

"Miss Grace, let's eat first."

"...Shouldn't we wait for Walson?" I looked at the staff in my hand that was reflecting the sunset light.

It's the staff that Walson left for me, it's name is [IRIS]

The staff has a shimmering black color, just like the night sky.

[IRIS] is a beautiful staff, the most beautiful staff I have ever seen in fact, it's also a staff that for some reason, from the moment I picked it up, I felt a strong connection with it.

Closing my eyes, through this connection, I could see a world that overlaps with ours but is entirely made up of non-physical substances like magic.

The process and structure of magic… if I use this, it will be easier for me to study magic from now on, right?

Is it what I see through the crystal on the staff that looks like an eye? It's amazing.

...But this doesn't cheer me up.

That connection comes from the [Ender Pearl] I gave to Walson.

Walson made the gift I gave him into a staff and gave it back to me... because of that, I can't directly teleport to his side now.

Because I don't know where he is.

"Master left after making the meal, he said he doesn't want to disturb your coming-of-age ceremony."

"...Then, about Walson's coming-of-age ceremony, doesn't it matter too?"

"...," Melon didn't speak.

Actually, I know she's waiting too.

As the sun began to set, the sky darkened, and with that, the street lamps that are fueled by [Magic Stone (Fire)] lit up one by one.

"Hey, Miss Grace."

"...?"

"Happy coming-of-age day." Melon handed me a small, golden knife.

"...Ah." Ah, I forgot, Melon would also give me a gift.

"It's made from a small part of a [Ground Dragon Reverse Scale]. Although it's not very useful in direct combat, it still has its uses."

"...Thank you." I hugged Melon tightly, and she ended up freezing.

Melon's body suddenly froze, and then she tried to wry herself out of the hug with an embarrassed expression, making my smile turn upward slightly.

I folded the small knife and put it in the pouch Walson gave me.

"Um... in my hometown, giving a small knife signifies a close friendship between the giver and receiver. Thank you, Miss Grace, for your help all this time. Please continue to help me as well in the future," Melon said the words Walson said when he gave her the gift.

"...Then, what did you give Walson?"

"Ah, I plan to give Master a dagger."

"...Ah, don't show it to me, it's Walson." I stopped Melon from taking it out.

However, I became interested in Melon's hometown.

Walson never asked before, I never asked, and Melon never mentioned it.

While waiting for Walson, I started chatting with Melon.

But...

Walson didn't return until very late, and when he did come back, his clothes were filled with the scent of another woman's perfume on him.

At that time, even Aure came and waited together with us, she said she mainly come to have a drink, but in the end, she also waited patiently for Walson to come.

I— I couldn't bear it anymore and launched [Fireball] to Walson...

After a brief fight with him, I left in a fit of anger...

Today was supposed to be the coming-of-age day... It's supposed to be mine and his...

So why…. Why did I do that?

Instead of the gift that I had prepared so hard, instead, I sent over a dozen large fireballs to Walson...

What are you doing…. Me?