Precious Time

Gusion led Lesley and Ruby to a cafe where he would spend most of his free time after continuous grinding for coins and equipments in the jungle. The sun was shining bright in the sky, and the city capital was peaceful.

"Here. Let's go inside." Gusion said.

The cafe was airconditioned and beautiful. There weren't that much people, as it was a holiday. Gusion and the two girls went to the seats next to the windows.

"It's so beautiful. I've never been here for so long." Ruby said.

"Yeah. Technology made this place modernized." Lesley said.

A waiter carrying menus came next to them. Ruby's mouth started watering after seeing all the foods she could choose from.

"May I take your order?" the waiter asked.

"Yeah. I'll have the usual Steak and mushrooms with mashed potatoes, with regular coffee." Gusion said.

"Anything else?"

"Lesley, what do you want?"

"I'll have the shrimp and olive carbonara, and coffee too please." she said.

"Anything else?"

"Ruby, what's yours?"

"Uhm... I'll have the same as Gusion has, then some apple juice." Ruby said.

"Ok, so that's 2 steak and mushrooms with mashed potatoes, a shrimp and olive carbonara, 2 regular coffees and apple juice, correct?"

"Yes. That's all."

"That'll be 70 silvers and 3 bronze coins sir."

Gusion took out a sack of coins from his bag, and paid it to the waiter.

"Thank you sir. The food will be served in a short while."

Gusion then put his sack of coins back to his bag. He took out his phone, which was fully charged. He then started texting the others.

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CLAUDE

Gusion: Hey bro, where are you now?

Claude: I'm in Golden Empire Bar with Alucard, Harith, Yi and Roger. What are you doing now?

Gusion: Just waiting for our food in my favorite cafe. By the way, don't think of doing anything stupid alright?

Claude: Yeah, yeah. I'm not in the mood for stealing anything.

Gusion: Yeah. I'll see you tommorow.

Claude: See ya.

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"Who was that Gus?" Lesley asked.

"Claude. He's in Golden Empire Bar." he replied.

"Golden Empire?! That's the most expensive one here in the capital!"

"Really?"

"Yeah. Only such rich people could afford to go there."

"Can you text Layla?"

"No. I don't have a phone remember?"

"Oh yeah. Sorry."

The waiter then came to their table and served their food. Ruby's eyes became shiny when she saw it. It smelled good, and it looked good.

"Thank you for the food!"

The three heroes started taking their meal. Ruby was so happy just after taking one bite.

"It's so good!" Ruby said.

"It is right? Imagine eating this every weekend. That's what I would do most of the time."

"Really? You really like hunting all day do you?" Leslsey asked.

"Yeah. I earn like 3 gold pieces everyday, plus all the sweet loot I get."

"You're lucky... G-Gusion?"

"Yeah?"

"N-Next time, maybe we should grind together sometimes, maybe after we defeat Selena in Eruditio."

"Sure. I'm free most of the time."

"Lesley likes Onii-chan!" Ruby said.

"W-What?!"

"Look at your faces, it's all red!"

"I don't know what you're talking about Ruby!" Lesley said.

"Hmmmph. You can show it, but you can't hide it."

"When I look at you, I guess your face is red as well!"

"What? No! Why would I..."

"No. I guess both of your faces are red." Gusion said.

"No way!"

After several minutes, they finally finished all their food. As they walked out of the cafe, Ruby was holding Gusion's hand tightly.

"So Ruby, why do you always call Gusion onee-chan?" Lesley asked.

"He reminds me of my bigger brother. They look a lot like each other, and they're both good hunters as well!"

"Really? Speaking of my brother, he's also strong, except he's such a troublemaker!"

"What does he do?"

"Well, most of the time, he would play pranks on everyone. Sometimes he would use his magic inside the household, and break everything. Only I was able to calm him down."

"Both of you are lucky to have great siblings. Back in the Paxley household, everyone was such great mages, except me. They would tease me, bully me, beat me up and take everything I had. I've never experienced having a good sibling in my life." Gusion said.

"I'm sorry to hear that, by the way, since we're here, where else would you like to go?"

"Oh yeah, master Roger told me we would meet in the Central Park this afternoon! I gotta go guys. Bye!" Ruby ran.

"Be careful!"

She ran fastly, slowly blending into crowds of people walking down the streets. Cars passed by, close to the bridge that extended across the river.

"So Lesley, where do you want to go?"

"Let's go to the park Gus. I guess we'll be alone there."