As they left the room, Kaito glanced down the corridor and noticed the peaceful movement within the inn. The atmosphere was quiet, except for the sound of their footsteps echoing against the wooden floor.
"Thalia, shouldn't you be in school?" Kaito asked, more out of curiosity than any real concern.
Thalia stopped in the middle of the corridor and looked at Kaito, an expression of surprise followed by a burst of laughter.
"Hahahaha! Seriously, Kaito?" She brought her hand to her mouth, trying to stifle her laughter. "Why would a demigod worry about school?"
Kaito felt his face heat up, visibly embarrassed by the question. He averted his gaze for a moment, running a hand over the back of his neck in a gesture that revealed his discomfort.
"I... didn't think about that," Kaito replied, his voice a bit lower as he tried to hide his embarrassment. He let out a light sigh, realizing he had asked a naive question.
Thalia, still smiling, gave Kaito a light pat on the shoulder.
A green light shone on Thalia's gauntlet, signaling Ddraig's presence.
"Hah! How can you be so naive, Kaito?" Ddraig's voice echoed down the corridor, full of mockery. "Did you really think she would be concerned with something so trivial?"
"Ddraig, stop mocking Kaito," Thalia said, giving the gauntlet in her hand a slight look of reproach.
"You two are my servants; you must respect me," Kaito said, trying to regain some of the confidence he had lost in the previous exchange.
The green light on Thalia's gauntlet glowed again, and Ddraig's proud voice echoed down the corridor.
"I serve no one," declared Ddraig, her voice full of pride. "Least of all a Devil who still has much to prove."
"I'm not calling you Kaito-sama," Thalia said with a teasing tone, a mischievous smile playing on her lips as she watched Kaito's expression.
Kaito, realizing the playful and challenging tone of Thalia, decided to change the subject before the situation became even more embarrassing for him.
"Let's go already, weren't you going to show me the city?" Kaito said, trying to regain control of the conversation and shift the focus away from the little slip he had made.
"Alright, let's go," Thalia replied, still smiling as she began to descend the stairs with determined steps.
Kaito followed her.
'Why can't Thalia be a traditional Japanese girl, like Akeno?' he thought, imagining what it would be like to deal with someone who followed the formalities and respect typical of a more traditional culture. 'But no... It had to be this demigod full of attitude.'
They reached the lobby of the Full Moon, where Martha was arranging some flower vases. Seeing the two of them, she gave them a warm smile.
"Going out for a walk?" Martha asked in a friendly tone as she placed a flower vase on a nearby table.
"Yes, I'm going to show Kaito the city," Thalia replied, waving to Martha.
"That's great! Enjoy your walk," Martha said, turning her attention back to the floral arrangements.
Kaito nodded in thanks before following Thalia toward the exit door.
As soon as they left the Full Moon, they were greeted by the fresh morning breeze and the tranquility of the city of Nightshade.
"Well, it seems the city is already awake," Kaito commented as he stepped out of the inn, observing the bustling streets.
"Yes, Nightshade is a small town, but very active in the morning. Everyone knows each other around here," Thalia said.
As they walked along the cobblestone streets, Kaito noticed several locals heading toward the local school. Children and teenagers, carrying backpacks, walked in cheerful groups, exchanging laughter and casual conversations.
"I don't need to go to school," Thalia said, playfully bringing up Kaito's earlier question. She shot a mischievous look in his direction as they continued to walk.
Kaito, trying to ignore Thalia's provocative comment, kept his focus on the streets around him. He noticed that as they passed, the people of Nightshade cast curious glances in his direction. Many whispered to each other, clearly intrigued by the stranger's presence in town.
"I'm being watched," Kaito commented, keeping his voice low as he looked back at some people who continued to stare at him.
"Don't worry," Thalia responded casually. "It's normal for people to be curious when there's someone new in town. But don't worry, I'm very well-liked here, so you're safe with me."
"I'm glad to hear that," Kaito said, relaxing a bit but still aware of the gazes around them.
"I'm going to take you to see Emily's grandmother," Thalia said, abruptly changing the subject as she walked with quick steps. "She's someone very important in the city, and I think it would be good for you to meet her."
Kaito nodded.
They continued walking, passing through a small park in the center of town. The place was charming, with large, old trees, rustic wooden benches, and a playground where some children played under the supervision of their parents.
"The park is the heart of the city," Thalia commented, looking around with a smile on her face. "Everyone comes through here at some point during the day, whether to bring the kids or just to relax."
Kaito watched the children playing and the families enjoying the peaceful environment. The park seemed to be a place where everyone knew each other and where life followed a slower, more tranquil pace.
As they walked through the park, Thalia glanced at a convertible car passing by on the street beside them. Her eyes sparkled with a momentary desire, and she let out a light sigh.
"I wish I had a car like that," Thalia said, almost as if she were thinking out loud.
"Why don't you buy one?" Kaito asked, following her gaze to the convertible that disappeared around the corner. "You're a demigod; you should have ways to get whatever you want, right?"
Thalia laughed softly, shaking her head.
"Do you think it's that easy?" she said, still smiling. "The truth is, I don't have as much money as it seems. Being a demigod doesn't come with a full bank account."
Kaito couldn't help but smile with a hint of superiority, the kind of smile that said he knew something she didn't.
"What's so funny?" Thalia asked, crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes at Kaito, clearly irritated by his reaction.
"If you behave like a good servant, I can buy a car for you," Kaito replied, still smiling as he approached Thalia and gently ruffled her hair, as if dealing with a child.
Thalia's expression changed instantly. The smile disappeared, replaced by a look of pure indignation.
"I'm not a prostitute for you to please with money!" she exclaimed, her voice sharp and filled with anger.
The people around them, who were enjoying the peaceful morning, stopped what they were doing and turned to watch the scene. The whisper of low conversations and curious looks began to circulate through the park. Kaito immediately realized he had crossed a line and that the joke had not been received in the way he had intended.
"I'm sorry," Kaito said quickly, raising his hands in a gesture of peace and taking a step back.
Thalia took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment as she tried to calm down. The anger was still evident in her expression, but she seemed to be making a conscious effort not to let the situation get out of control.
"Enough wasting time," Thalia said firmly, turning abruptly and starting to walk again. "Let's go see Selene." Her steps were quick and determined, echoing against the stone ground as she walked away.
Kaito stood still for a moment, watching her walk away, before finally following behind her, still feeling the weight of the mistake he had made. The people in the park continued to watch, but soon returned to their activities, the moment of tension already beginning to dissipate.
Thalia didn't look back as she walked.
Kaito followed her in silence.
'It was just a joke. What a stressed girl,' Kaito thought as he followed Thalia in silence, reflecting on how the situation had unfolded.
After a few minutes of walking, they arrived at a secluded house at the end of a quiet street. The house was surrounded by tall trees, and the surrounding land seemed untouched by time. Kaito observed the rustic construction, made of stone and dark wood, which emanated a sense of antiquity and power. It looked like a place that held many secrets.
Thalia calmly passed through the wrought iron gate, which was slightly ajar, as if she was already very familiar with the place. Kaito followed her, but as he tried to pass through the gate, he felt an invisible resistance. He realized that there was a protective shield surrounding the property, a powerful magical barrier that prevented anyone who was not welcome from entering.
'I could break this if I wanted to, but I'm not here to cause trouble,' Kaito thought, assessing the shield.
"What are you waiting for, idiot?" Thalia turned to Kaito, impatient, noticing that he had stopped at the gate. Before he could respond, an elderly figure appeared on the porch of the house, observing them with an evaluating gaze.
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