Lumiere

"Now then, Greo. Let's sleep together."

"HAH?" Caught entirely by surprise, I ended shouting. No, wait. Before that. What did she just say? No, I heard her clearly.

Currently, we're in front of the door of my room. I guided her here when we were done taking a bath and lending her some of my clothes.

First, I showed her around the house. It's not that big as I am the only one living here. Although it's small, it has what a person needs. After entering the front door, you can see a short hallway and three more doors. One on the left side of the hallway is the toilet and bathroom and a bit beyond that on the right side is my room. The door in the middle that you can see when you enter the house leads to the kitchen, dining room and living room— all in one.

This happened when I told her that she can have the bed and that I'll just sleep on the couch on the middle room. She kept insisting that she'll sleep on the couch instead. Is that how she arrived to that decision?

"Do you not… want to?"

"Alright! Let's go."

Kuh! Those teary eyes are not fair.

                                     *****

Birds are chirping, the sun is rising, and morning comes. That was a good sleep. Yes, we just sleep. When I woke up, Aelee isn't at the bed anymore. Did she go outside?

Right after I opened the door a tasty smell greeted me. I went to the kitchen and there, I saw Aelee wearing an apron, cooking. If I were to describe the scene right now, it's like I'm a husband that just woke up and was greeted by my lovely wife who's cooking breakfast.

"Good morning, Greo." She greeted with a warm smile. It took me seconds before I could formulate a response because it was so dazzling.

"Yeah. Good morning, Aelee. You can cook?" 

"Yes. I'm sorry, I took liberty of the ingredients and made us a breakfast."

"It's alright. Rather, I'm thankful."

"I'm glad to hear that. You can go ahead and wash your face first, I'm almost done."

"Alright." I then went to the sink and washed my face.

After making sure that my face is clean, I went back to the kitchen and saw Aelee placing the breakfast she cooked onto the table.

"Welcome back, Greo. The food is ready."

When I approached the table, I saw different kind of food and they all look and smell delicious. One would think that this is breakfast from a luxury inn. If it was just me here today, this table would be lonely only having a juice and a single bread on top of him.

I immediately sat down and ate the food she prepared. "Whooaa! These are good, Aelee! How I wish you'd cook for me every day."

"Mmm!?" Aelee seemed shocked.

"What's wrong? You should go and eat too. After this we'll sell the magic stone and take a quest together."

"Y-yes… You're right. Ha… That surprised me…." For some reason, she seemed really flustered.

After stuffing myself with Aelee's delicious breakfast, we got ready to go out.

"By the way, Aelee."

"What is it?"

"Do you want to form a party with me? I mean, if we're in a party, we can take a quest one rank higher than our party's rank, right?"

It's only been a day but I want to be in a party. Doing a quest alone is just too lonely. I probably got used to be in someone's company. Especially with my mentors before I became an adventurer. I wonder what are they up to now? That drunkard Archmage is probably— definitely drinking right now.

 After giving it some thought, Aelee answered, "Well then, I may not be that strong but, if you'll have me."

"I just started myself, let's get stronger together!"

                                     *****

When we arrived at the guild. I was greeted by the guild master…. Right after I opened the door. Is he that free? How long has he been waiting?

"I hope you had a good rest."

"Yeah, I did."

Aelee, who's been beside me, whispered, "Greo, who is this person?"

"Ah, he's the guild master of this town."

"I see. I guess it has something to do with the thing yesterday." She guessed. I just introduced her to the guild master and yet she doesn't look surprised or interested.

"That's right." The one who answered not me, but the guild master. "If you can also join us, that would be great."

"I understand."

"Great. Follow me, we'll talk upstairs."

The guild master took us in a room with few paintings, some expensive looking vases and sculptures. It looks like he likes art. The guild master' table is facing the three sofas that is surrounding a single table at the center with sandwiches and cookies.

"For now, take a seat. Would you two like tea or coffee?" The guild master asked.

"Coffee for me." I answered.

"I will have tea. Thank you." Aelee followed.

"Alright."

From the guild master's table, we took the seat at the left sofa.

The guild master gave us our drinks and sat at the sofa in front of us. "Now then. The reason I called you here is because of your letter yesterday." He took a sip from his cup and continued, "I reported it to Luminus town's lord last night and asked him to send an investigation team at the location where you saw the monster. A report just came in earlier."

"Then, just as I thought, it's…"

"It's as you said on your letter. It was a result of summoning magic."

Helva forest is protected by a powerful barrier that repels any monsters that try to go in, the same goes for every town. So if it was summoned inside the barrier, that would explain how it got in. The only question left is… Who summoned it?

"Then, I'll be accused, won't I?" Since I'm a summoner and I was the one who saw it yesterday.

"Eh!?" Aelee sounded surprised.

"Ahaha! Don't be stupid." Rebuked the guild master. "You know that if you killed your own summon you won't get any experience points, right? And what's more, you leveled up two times."

"Greo, you're a summoner?" asked Aelee.

That's what surprised her?

"Oh, I didn't tell you?"

"Well, no. Seeing how you fought yesterday, I was certain that you were a mage."

Oh, that's right… I was fighting using magic yesterday. But I can't help it, I can't do summoning magic yet if I still don't have the required mana for a safe summon. I have to make do using my dagger and the tier one and tier two magic spells. I can probably summon a beast soon enough.

"Now then, back to the matter at hand." The guild master continued, "Defeating a kobold would be enough of an achievement for Bronze-I rank adventurer to rank up to Silver-I."

"Seriously!?" I mean, I'd be grateful but since I can take subjugation at Silver-I. Although I did not expect this, I'll take it.

The ranks that take care of gathering quests are rank Bronze-I and Silver-II. Silver-I and above can take subjugation quests for monsters and wild beasts that matches their rank. Slime and kobold falls under Silver-I.

"Isn't that great, Greo?"

"Yeah."

"When you go downstairs later, talk to Bel. I already informed her beforehand."

"Thank you very much."

"You can go now. Don't forget to keep the appearance of the kobold, alright? It would cause a panic after all."

"I understand."

We thanked the guild master once again and made our way to Miss Bel's desk.

"Good Morning, Miss Bel. The guild master told me to come here." I greeted Miss Bel who's currently sorting some papers.

"Ah, Greo. Congratulations on raking up. I already heard from the guild master. I'll borrow you card for second."

"Alright, here."

After taking my card, Miss Bel went to the back and came back a few seconds later.

"Here it is. Once again, congratulations on ranking up."

"Thank you. Actually, I'm also here to form a party with her." I looked at Aelee who's standing beside me.

"Oh my~ Your girlfriend?" She teased while putting her hands over mouth as if she's shocked.

"G-Girlfriend!?" Aelee got startled.

"Wait. No, she's not..." Well, I mean. That's not a bad idea but…

"Yes, yes, yes. A party right? Here, sign this."

After teasing us like that, she nonchalantly handed me a form needed to form the party.

First are the members. I wrote my and Aelee's name. Beside the name is the class. That reminds me, what's Aelee's class? I'll just ask her.

"By the way Aelee. What's you class?"

"I'm an Archpriest."

Now, that's a surprise. No wonder she can use buffs on top of healing magic.

Like I said before, classes evolve. A Mage has eight evolutions:

A mage that excels in all elements is called an Arhcmage.

A mage that focuses on powerful fire magic is called Combuster.

If a mage excels in water magic, they are called Hydral.

Terriars are those who excels in earth magic.

A mage who has an excellent control over wind magic is called Gale.

Those who use light magic that heals and buffs their allies is called an Archpriest.

Dark magic is their specialty, they curse and debuff their opponents. Shaman.

Lastly, is the Witch. All I know is that they're like Shaman. Other than that, I don't know how a Mage becomes a Witch.

Continuing on the form. Next is the party's name. I need to ask Aelee about this. I don't want to selfishly decide as she might not like it.

"Hey, Aelee. What should we call our party?"

"I'm fine with anything you think of, Greo."

Eh… That's the hardest part though. Whatever, let's give it a try.

After a long time of hard thinking I came up with the name, "Lumiere, what do you think?"

"That sounds great! Let's use it!" Looks like she liked it, that's great. I came up with that name while thinking of her magic.

I finished filling up the form and handed it back to Miss Bel.

"Well then, I'll be borrowing your card once again including Aelee's."

"Sure." 

"Here's mine."

"Please wait a moment. This might take some time so please take a seat in the meantime, I'll call Greo's name once we're finish with the registration of your party."

Hm? Is forming a party that hard? Anyway, we did as what we were told and took a sear near the door. Since it's still early, you can see other parties discussing things at the other tables. 

A guy with short blond hair and scary sharp eyes looked my way.

Ah- This is bad.

"Ahhh! Greo!" Shouted the blond guy, while pointing at me. Now he's walking towards our seat.

"Y-Yo, Pilo… You guys are early today huh?"

"Don't give me that! Who's the chick sitting next to you? Don't tell me…" He gasped.

"You're wrong, you idiot! She's a party member."

"Hmm… Hey, Miss."

"Yes?"

"Is what he said true? That you're just party member?"

"What Greo said is true. We just formed one. Currently, we're waiting for Miss Bel to register our party."

"Aight. Miss, if it escalated into that stage you have to tell me. I doubt Greo will tell me."

This guy…!

"I understand. I'll do my best to go that stage." Aelee declared. 

"Aelee!?"

A saving grace arrived. Miss Bel's voice called my name.

"Aelee, let's go. Miss Bel called us. She's probably already done."

"Ahahaha! Oh well, I'll see you later Greo, Aelee."

I took Aelee's hand and hurriedly went to Miss Bel's desk.

"Here are you cards Greo, Aelee."

When she handed back our card, the party part is now filled; Party: Lumiere (Gold-II)

Gold-II?

"Miss Bel. Is this part an error? It says that our party is Gold-II."

"Ah, that's not an error. That is because Aelee is rank Gold-I."

"Eh?" I turned to Aelee's way and she met my eyes with a bashful smile.

I'm surprised. She's a Gold-I despite having no party. Then, what about her level…?

"B-By the way… What's your level?"

"My level? Currently, I'm level 23."

She's above eighteen levels from me!