Date

Morning came, I could hear the birds singing. I was woken up by Aine. She just woke me up by shaking me "Wake up, Arthur. It's already 8 AM. Breakfast is ready, downstairs"

I scratch my eyes, stretching my body. "Uuuugggg... Breakfast?"." Yes, how do you think we know the time right now. I and George already went to buy groceries. The clock at the church already pointing at 8 AM. Didn't you need to meet at 9?" Aine said while leaving me and she goes down the stairs.

I walk downstairs after washing my face. Aine already preparing the table and George sits there waiting. The three of us then sit together and start our breakfast. George glance at me from top to bottom while we're eating. "Arthur, do you plan to go on a date with that?"

I looked at him confused "Yes, why?". He let out a sigh "Is this her first time on a date?". I shrugged my shoulder " I don't know. Never ask.". Then Aine talk in annoyance "Arthur, you need to change to better clothes after this."

I open my mouth about to ask but met with her glare, so I close my eyes and continue eating. 'What is with everybody?' I thought the whole time.

I finish my meal and wear my hood about to go outside "I'm going." but Aine grab my hood and pull it back. It made me stagger and almost fall "What do you want Aine? I already change my clothes with what you choose. Even though kinda attract attention."

Aine put both her hand on her waist "No hood for you today." She said and remove the hood from me. George laughing and said "Haha... Made her happy, Arthur."

I only accept and then I'm going out. We should meet outside the adventure guild. I arrive earlier than the promised time but looked like I'm not the only one.

Elise could be seen outside the adventure guild fidgeting with her clothes and sometimes panic by herself looking right and left. She wears casual clothes and a skirt which I would say compatible with her. She's a cute person and the clothes made her even cuter.

I walk close to her but she still hadn't noticed me, so I tease her a bit "Hey, there cute girl. Do you have time to play with me?". She kept looking down even more and I could see her ears blushing as red as a tomato. "So.. Sorry. I'm waiting for someone."

"Heee? Just ditch that guy and come with me." I said but try to cover up my smirk. She turns her head the other way "No.. I can't do that.".

" Is he really that handsome? Do you think it's worth it waiting for him?" I said and can't help giggling but try to cover it which made it sound evil.

She then turns her body more to the other way "He... He.. he.. he is ha..handsome bu.. but it only works business.". I couldn't help my own laughter. She then turns her head and looks at me " Don't laugh... Eh? Arthur-san?".

"Oi, Hello Elise." I said while holding my hands up. She turns red and her eyes become moist then start hitting me "Don't.. you.. tease me again. Uwaaa..."

I felt bad after looking at her. "Okay, Okay. I'm sorry but you did look good wearing that.". She stops hitting me and looked up to my face "Really?"

"Yes, of course. I never lie." I said assuring her and made her red and the silence started. We stare at each other awkwardly. Even the position right now made it awkward.

"*cough* Ehem... Should we start going around the town?" I said to broke the silence but her stomach made a noise. I pretend to not hear it and ask "Em... Are you hungry? I haven't eaten breakfast yet." I said to lie for her.

Her face became red again and she nods. "Do you know a good place to eat? I'm kinda new to this area." I ask her to show the way for the place she wants to eat. She nods and starts walking but keep stealing a glance at me. I walk beside her but keep acting as if nothing is happening.

We went inside a place to eat. I order a drink and bread. She orders a lot of food especially desserts. She eats happily even might forget that I even exist.

Her face looked cute when eating. Then suddenly a thought struck me 'When was the last time I had a conversation with people around my age?'. I smile silly while sipping my drink. Elise already starts her cake and holding her cheek with her hand.

I unconsciously smile too looking at her. She opens her eyes and notices my smile. She put her fork on her mouth and mutter her word "Sorry..".

"Haha... It's okay. It should be me that said something to you. Thank you, you looked cute." I said and continue drinking and eat my bread. She then asks me "Should we start searching for your equipment?".

I glance at her and shake my head "No.. Take your time. Enjoy yourself.". Then she eats slowly while also sneak a stare at me.

After we were done eating, I pay for the food. Elise stays silent behind me before saying sorry outside the place for making me pay. I don't really mind though.

" Then, Let's walk around the town." I said to her. She smiles and nods at me "We need your armor first since it will take a long time to find a correct one."

She took me around various armor shop "Arthur-san, What weapon did you use?". Then I start thinking "I might need armor that easy to move. I had some money. So, don't worry about me."

She then looks at me and to her feet "Emm... I want to thank you. So, do you mind coming with me?". "Sure, show me the way." I said while patting her head.

She led me to a clothes shop. "Is this the place?" I ask doubting her. "Yes, this is magic armor shop.". Might be my fault doubting her "Then, what are we waiting for. Let's go inside."

Elise gets inside before me "Excuse me, madam Roxanne.". Then a big woman figure comes toward the door welcoming us. " Ara~ If it's not Elise. You brought a boyfriend now."

Elise turns red and panics "Moou~ Madam, He's not my boyfriend.". The lady seems to be Roxanne felt troubled and said " Alright, whatever you said. Come inside. How is your father doing?"

"Father is fine." Elise said but still had a red face and muttering her words "He really not my boyfriend, even though I wish th... he... s" which I couldn't hear the last part.

"Then, for Elise to come here is it for the boy?" Roxanne stands at the counter and scans me from top to bottom. "Ah, yeah. Can you help him? I will pay for it."

"Hmmm, You're a very interesting one, boy. Come here, let me take your measurement." Roxanne takes my measurement and began to choose some clothes.

The process took a very long time and it's exhausting. At first, I only try one or two clothes but soon a mountain of clothes and she still felt something is missing.

Then she looks at my eyes closely. "You see, Elise. Your boyfriend here. Oho~ Now I know why it feels off." Roxanne then went to the back of her store. Ignoring Elise that keeps shouting "He's not!!"

Roxanne brought two sets of clothes. A black shirt with gold decoration and a white coat with blue and golden pattern. "You see boy, you had cold eyes. You had been through a lot but deep down. You can feel the warmth in those eyes. Now, try this one."

I amazed by her judgment and couldn't help but shocked. I took the clothes and went to the changing room to change.

While Arthur change, Roxanne and Elise had a little talk. Roxanne looked at Elise that become worried by her prediction. "You see, Elise. People always had their hidden side. It's their choice to share or not. Don't worry about him."

Elise keeps her stare at Arthur which still changing. "But, Madam I can't help but still worried about him.". To relax Elise, Roxanne decides to tease her " So, it's indeed your boyfriend. I knew it."

Elise snapped her face to Roxanne "I told you, Madam, he's not! but yes, I wish he is. He's kind and handsome." Elise said while lowering her voice in the last part.

Looking at the girl in love in front of her. Roxanne smile and gaze softened "It's okay. Take it slowly. Keep his warmth there.". Elise notice madam comfort and nods at her. While Arthur gets out.

" So, How about this one? I like it." I said looking both of them chatting. Roxanne's eyes glimmer "Splendid, I will give it to you. No need to pay. I knew someone will take this piece."

I'm surprised by her saying. "Is it really okay, madam? I mean this looked expensive.". Roxanne just smiles "Are you doubting my eyes boy? If you want to pay me to be the one that promotes it by getting stronger."

Since arguing with people kindness might be a rude thing to do, I bow my head to her "Then, thank you very much, Madam Roxanne."

Elise surprised looking at me and quickly also bow her head "Madam, Thank you."

Roxanne just told us to go "Now, go. Be strong and promote my store, will you? Enjoy your day.".

Both of us went outside, I felt tired. I stretch myself. "Hah~ Want to grab lunch, Elise? We miss lunch already." Elise then looks at me "Sure, I know a good place." She said and ran off toward the street.

'Looked like she becomes more cheerful and this magic armor sure convenient. I don't feel hot at all.' I thought and chasing Elise.

We eat at a restaurant while I ask some stuff about my armor. She surprisingly knew a lot. "Then, Arthur. We still need to find you a weapon. The sun about to set. Isn't it be best to hurry?"

I just realized something "Oh, It's fine. I already had my weapon." I said while pointing at my tattoo on my hands. Elise looked confuse "What is that?"

I scratch my head, thinking how to explain it to her "This is a magic weapon.." but quickly got cut by her "Magic weapon!!". I put my finger in front of my lips, gesturing her to keep a low voice.

She quickly back to her seat and embarrassed. "I'm sorry". I laugh awkwardly to the people around me. "But, Arthur. I haven't heard magic weapons that turn into that in your hand." Elise asks shyly.

"I haven't heard it either. This guy just turns into a tattoo after I named him." I said looking at my hand that starts to weakly glow. Then I stare back at her "That's why you can order desserts if you want."

Elise turns bright red but still nodded admitting she wants a dessert. 'She's so cute.' I thought in my head. "Emmm... Arthur, Since we had more time. Do you mind coming to my house? My father asks me to. Sorry."

I shake my head "No, It's fine. I also need to assure you back safe.". After we're done eating. Elise took me to various places in the city. There's pharmacist, alchemist shop, blacksmith, and etc.

Time passes without notice and I take her to her house that for some reason only a few buildings beside guild building.

Then I felt something, killing intent. Frostkeeper showed up in my hand and I swing it to my back. I hit a knife that is thrown to me "Who are you? Why don't you come out?".

Then a man with a big build muscle came out behind the building "Me? I'm Kieth Hilton. The guild master."

I could feel that he's strong. 'Wait, Guild master? Why is he attacking me?' before I even ask? Elise already ran to him "Eli..". "Father!!! Why you have to do that?" Elise shout and ran to him.

He shrugged his shoulder and act nothing happen. "What? I need to test someone that tries to take my daughter away from me.". Elise puffs her cheek and crosses her arm "I told you we don't have any relationship like that.".

He then pats her head "Alright, alright let's get inside. Mom is pumped up today and you boy. We need to talk.". Elise then comes walk to me and bow her head. "I'm sorry, Arthur. You had to be treated like that by my father."

Frostkeeper shine and gone back to my hand. "No.. no.. It's fine. I get what your father feels." then not long after that.

I sit in an awkward situation where I stay for dinner. While Elise helping her mother. I had to sit with this father of her, staring at each other. "So, you're a new adventure that said to be a newbie. You don't even have armor the first place but now using magic armor."

I scratch my cheek "Well, apparently yes. That's me.". He starts laughing loud "Hahahaha!!! You don't look newbie at all. You could feel my killing intent. You had been trained."

"Yeah, my father used to train me and drop me in the middle of the jungle to survive." I smile awkwardly. "Hahaha... I like your father. He must be a strong man." He laughs again.

'Yeah, true. before I found him half-dead by getting beaten by mom.' then my train of thought being disturb by the voice from the kitchen. "Dear, would you help me bring the dishes. Don't reject me or you sleep on the couch."

The dinner isn't that eventful since I felt awkward through the dinner. While Elise's mom, Lynna ask me a lot of questions. Keith always staring dagger at me.

I can't walk fast back home since the food is too much but when I got home. What awaits made me outraged. My house door broke open, I quickly ran inside. Aine and George just sitting in the table with somebody on the ground. Aine shivers a little bit but keeps a calm face.

"What happen here!?" I yell unconsciously. "Hmm? You're home, Arthur. Come sit. It's only a bunch of thug.". I relieved my breath.

Then both of them told me that these people following George and Aine from the market and broke into our house. I examine their faces, I remember some of the faces on the floor from the criminal board in the adventure guild.

" Hah~, luckily. We don't meet danger." I relieve once again since George was an adventurer back in his day. "I will take their head to the guild tomorrow." I said while brought them to the back alley where no one pass this place at night.

My eyes turned cold looking at this scum. Even though I'm relieved but these people are charged with murder, theft, rape, etc. The lowest scum, I tied them up and use earth magic to bound them.

I woke them one by one. Their reaction is the same. Some panicking and asking who I am. "You don't need to know who I'm. Now, tell me who you're working for? Noble? Gang Leader?" I smile but not a warm smile.

They shrieked scared until one guy said "Just kill us, we won't tell you anything. We're dead anyway." the other also getting calmer and won't tell me anything.

I smile even wider. "True, you guys are dead but the way you're dying won't be easy. Do you know what I like about ice magic?" I ask them. They looked confused and still scared.

"I could control the coldness. So if I do this. Ice shards." Then a bunch of ice shards forms in the air. I stab one of the guys on his leg. "Yes, no blood came out. I froze some of them to stop the bleeding. I can stab you as much as I want, without any of you dying by blood loss.

There's a boy who always sneaks out to play with his friend. One day, his friend's family got butchered. Her mother and she got raped at the scene when the boy comes to play. Their eyes are lifeless, the boy froze on his leg can't move. Maybe from anger? or he's scared when the people cut their throat something snapped inside the boy.

He cut their foot and their wrist. Freeze the bleeding. He then cast a double layer of wind magic to stop sound. Guess what happen?" I said while casting wind magic around.

Their face becomes pale. Some start to cry also ask for forgiveness. "Ooo no no. It's ok. I can do this all night. No one wants to get inside this dark alley at night. Don't move so much okay? I also cast earth magic to bound you. Now, who's going to be the first one?"

Torture lasts a long time. I went back inside with a pale face to act like I'm not used to this, killing people and monster are different after all. Aine quickly comes to me and brings me a glass of water. "I'm fine. I will sleep first. Tomorrow I will take the head."