Open Air Market Excursion (2)

Liliath's index finger was raised into the air and—

"W-what are you trying to do with 'that'?"

There was a fly, floating just above her finger, as if it was stuck in some sort of 'air-glue' because I could see its wings beating furiously, trying to escape some sort of cage. That's wind magic, right? How in the hell did she catch it?

"Apparently one wasn't enough.." Liliath, seeing my expression said as if pondering.

"Hey Liliath.. what are you.."

And before I could retort, a large number of flies were in the truest sense— 'sucked' over, creating what looked to be a ball of flies.

I felt my stomach churn and blood drain out of my face.

A fucking ball of flies..

"A gift."

"W-where did you learn that f-from.."

It was literally a BALL OF FLIES, every little one of those disgusting fellows squirming around on top of each other, trying to escape.. What the fuck.. when did Liliath become like this? Had she been corrupted by my father or something?

Liliath giggled again, "My win," she said, after which the flies were all crushed by gravity, juices and all..

What the fuck did I just see..

I almost vomited.. Liliath turned the compressed files into dust rather than disposing it in a state with the liquid and flesh remaining.

What the hell happened to Liliath? Was Liliath always like this?

"So.. did I miss something?" my father caught up with us and asked.

"I did a little service for the merchants here," Liliath said if it were no big deal.

Yeah right.. I'm sure the population of flies could go on a genocide run if Liliath wished for it. It would be the perfect service to the world. No more flies, no more accidentally ingesting flies…

Yay.

Though I am happy Liliath was opening up, I didn't expect Liliath to do something like this.. this twisted personality of her's.. it makes my skin crawl.

Drowning in my thoughts, I continued walking without paying much mind and— bumped into someone.

"Sorry?"

"Hm?"

"Huh? Principal?"

"Ah, long time no see," the first to speak up was the person beside Principal Rachel, it was the secretary at the summoner's department before.

They were wearing casual clothes, holding bags of goods in their hands.

"I didn't expect to see you here," Principal Rachel greeted doubtfully.

"Long time no see?"

"Good to meet you once again," Liliath bowed in a swift manner.

My father raised a puzzled glance at me.

"No way.. so you're Noel's father?! Mr. Dylan was it? It's an honor to meet you!" The secretary's eyes sparkled.

"Yes, good to meet you.."

"You're the author of 'One Time With You' right?!"

My father flinched at her enthusiastic declaration.

"One time with you? What is that?" My father lied.

Quinn's face lit up.

Oh yeah.. my father doesn't know Quinn can differentiate between truth and lies does he now?

"Quinn."

"I know, I know Rachel, don't overdo it. But the author of that manga is right here you know?! He's right here!"

"Author of a manga? I don't get what you're talking about?" my father was sweating bullets.

"I suppose you're a fan?" I asked. Totally aware of what's going on. I'm surprised she recognizes my father as the author. I wonder if she's a stalker?

To be brief, 'One Time With You' is the porn manga my dad drew with 17 volumes currently published. Volume 18, which I recently lent to Liliath, was to be announced in a month's time

Welp, you reap what you sow dad.

"Totally, so have you done it with Liliath yet?"

To Quinn's question, I stared in blank amazement, Liliath merely smiled.

"I can assure you that I look after my son properly, you can't expect things like that to happen in real life now can you?" my father joked. Eh.. he's giving away his stance.

"Fufufu, I see.. so it's a matter of time huh?"

"We'll be taking our leave, thank you for your time," Principal Rachel forcefully dragged Quinn out of the conversation.

Sigh.

Luckily.. the principal was my life line here.. or.. could it be that she's embarrassed that we found out that she also reads porn? Not surprising right?

In any case, I don't think it's a good idea to pursue further into that..

"Wait! WAIT! Noel, one more thing, have you received the registration letter from Mondai High?!"

"Registration letter?"

Mondai High? It's the name of the school I will be going to after the summer holidays right?

"The school enrollment date is stated in the letter, be sure to check your email!"

And with that, the two left.

Hm.. I hadn't checked my email the past few days. There might be some important things I missed.

Liliath's concealment barrier wasn't all that omnipotent… I made a blunder and bumped into them after all..

The air felt stiff somehow.

"Father?"

"Ah? Yeah? I'm fine, don't worry about me, I'm good, I'm good," he smiled with cold sweat running down his face.

I'm surprised he would be flustered by his fans, especially when he's literally the person who drew all those indecent scenes in the first place..

"Lil—"

Well, I should've expected this.. Liliath was on the floor, face buried in between her knees. At least she was squatting, not sitting— yo, we're out in public.

*

Hawker stalls lined the inner marketplace, numerous tables and chairs arranged around.

The squeaky fan was spinning above and here I was, walking around the food hall with Liliath.

"Do you see anything interesting? Anything you want to try?"

"Could this be how taverns work in this world?"

I didn't expect that, "Well, this isn't a tavern so I suppose.. no?"

"If you ask me about what I should try— I think that over there caught my interest," Liliath signalled me with her eyes, fingers pointing at a stall a distance away.

I followed her and reached a noodle shop that sold noodle soup. The broth was made with red wine.

I wonder if Liliath has an obsession with blood? I still remember her scent smelling like blood— I should forget that..

"One order of this please," Liliath took initiative to order.

The owner who noticed her asked for the table number.

"It's 33,'' I answered, seeing Liliath's puzzled gaze. She probably didn't pay attention to the table number.

"Alright, it'll come shortly," it's obvious the stall operator took notice of Liliath's hair.

"Do we not pay first?"

"Well, we'll pay once they bring the food over to our table."

"Is that so? So that's how it works.." Liliath muttered.

Returning to our table, the bags containing vegetables and meat items were arranged to one side. I saw my worn out sister leaning her body against the chair.

Good job.

"Liliath ordered red wine noodles."

"Oh, good choice," my mom commented.

"How about the drinks?" Liliath asked in a puzzled tone. Looks like she's used to the custom of ordering a drink every time we eat out now

"About that— Noel, you're in charge, the usual please," my father said nonchalantly. "And Liliath can have her own serving."

"Got it," I said.

Jeez. Was it just me or was my family really selling me out to marry Liliath? They're like forcing me to accompany her every time.. not that I don't like it but..

Hm? Wait.. Liliath is my familiar, isn't she? Ah, right.. make sense, make sense.

Taking the money my father passed to me, I brought Liliath to the shaved ice stall operated by a burly man in a cute pink apron that did not suit him in the slightest.

"Ah, long time no see, the usual I suppose? How about her over there?" the stall owner asked with a smile, his hands moving busily.

"Yeah, the usual, 2 coconut milk flavoured shaved ice— how about you Liliath? The menu is here," I pointed at the board with an assortment of shaved ice.

"Could you recommend something with tea?"

"Sure.."

Tea fanatic.. that's for sure.

"How about this, matcha green tea flavour?"

"I suppose it is good, I'll go for this choice then."

"So all in all it's 3, 2 coconut milk, one matcha?" the owner confirmed.

"Yup."

"Please wait a little while."

He got straight to work, turning cubes of ice into powder with his TALENT. Normally, shaved ice is made using a grinding machine, but his TALENT allows him to manipulate and alter the form of ice. Using his TALENT to its maximum potential, he was able to create shaved ice that had an incredible texture while making sure it was crafted in a way that made it so it wouldn't melt all that easily. That's why people say the shaved ice dessert he makes are the best.

"Turning ice into powder, what an interesting concept," Liliath who saw the owner do just that created a small cube of ice out of thin air. The ice then crumbled into small little pieces— like snow, "It's a rather novel way to use magic, I wonder if there are other convenient applications I could learn of?"

Wait..

If Liliath can create shaved ice out of thin air then.. doesn't that mean I could eat shaved ice at home all the time? Oh my gosh, that is OP.

I should persuade her next time..

"Here you go."

Sprinkling condensed milk, coconut milk, adding condiments and green tea powder, three shaved ice servings were done in a blink of an eye.

"Thank you," I paid for the desserts and went back to our table.

"I've been waiting.." the once lifeless devil regained vitality the moment she saw the shaved ice. She devoured it with glee.

"So how is it?" I asked Liliath.

"Do you want to try?"

"I think I'll pass? I was just asking about your opinion.."

I really wanted to say yes but with 3 scary pairs of eyes that shot at us the moment they heard your words.. I don't think my mind can handle this..

"It's decent— I suppose.. I prefer tea, however."

To her comments, the notion that girls liked sweet stuff was crushed in an instant.. I suppose Liliath is an anti-glutton? First time I've even thought of this terminology..

Liliath took another two bites of her dessert, then her main dish came.

That's when I heard her cough.

"Hm?"

It seems that she doesn't have a good tolerance for eating ice.

Our foods came in time and we enjoyed our breakfast.

Initially, I thought it was just her coughing reflexes at work because she ate too much ice— but that wasn't the case.

I didn't know back then but.. it was the start of something much, much bigger.