Rayish
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Chapter 137
🕑 Added 2025-05-25 07:55:03 +0000 UTCThe morning air at Twilight Manor was still fresh, with sunlight peeking shyly through the kitchen window as Shirou began arranging ingredients for their packed meals. At the long wooden table, Lefiya deftly wrapped onigiri and divided fruit into small containers, while Shirou stood by the stove, adjusting the heat as he stirred a light soup to take along.
"I think we need something light but energy-packed," Lefiya remarked, glancing at the available ingredients.
"Agreed. Too heavy and we'll sink in the water instead of swimming," Shirou replied with a teasing grin.
In the dining room, Aiz, who had just finished wiping the last table, approached while drying her hands with a small towel.
"Shirou," she said in her usual flat tone, though with a hint of pleading, "Can we bring more Jagamaru-kun today?"
Shirou turned, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Aiz standing at the kitchen doorway.
"Jagamaru-kun? More?" he repeated, tilting his head.
Aiz gave a small nod, her golden hair swaying. "When we take a break after swimming practice, I want to eat something tasty... and warm."
Lefiya, who was packing the bento, turned with a cheerful smile. "Aiz, you seem really excited about swimming today."
"Because we'll swim together," Aiz answered simply, then quickly added, "and also... because of Jagamaru-kun."
Shirou couldn't suppress a small chuckle before nodding and starting to slice the peeled potatoes. "Alright, we'll fry more today. I'll add a special touch too—we'll use the sweet adzuki bean paste you like, Aiz."
"Un." Aiz nodded in satisfaction.
Oil began sizzling in the pan. Crrrsshhh... The aroma of fried potatoes filled the kitchen, making Lefiya swallow hard and steal glances at the pan with sparkling eyes.
"Then I'll help wrap the finished ones, Shirou," she said quickly.
Shirou smiled. "Okay. But don't sneak any snacks."
Lefiya turned sharply, her cheeks slightly flushed. "I'm not a child!"
"Hmm?" Shirou replied, lifting a piece of Jagamaru-kun from the pan to drain. "Then who secretly ate three pieces before dinner yesterday?"
Lefiya suddenly bowed her head, pretending to be busy arranging the bento. Aiz merely glanced between them before saying softly, "Actually, I was the one who ate three that time."
"...Of course," Shirou and Lefiya answered almost in unison, filling the kitchen with quiet laughter and the warm scent of camaraderie.
The preparations for their swimming practice in the dungeon felt more like a summer picnic—except with weapons and monsters by their side, of course.
Once all the food was neatly packed, Shirou began transferring it one by one into the large supporter bag he usually carried into the dungeon. The bag was wide and sturdy, with strong double straps to support its weight.
"If you want, I can carry your bags too," he offered, patting the top of his bag, which still had plenty of space.
Aiz and Lefiya exchanged glances briefly before handing over their bags without hesitation—each containing spare clothes and, of course, the swimsuits they had bought together the day before.
"Thank you, Shirou," Aiz said as she handed him her sky-blue bag.
"If you peek inside, you're dead!" Lefiya teased, sticking out her tongue playfully before handing over her red bag.
Shirou simply chuckled and shook his head, accepting both bags. As he placed the smaller bags into his supporter bag, Aiz tilted her head slightly and said in her usual monotone, "Usually... in a party, the supporter is the weakest member. But in our party... It's the strongest."
Her gaze fell on Shirou, scrutinizing him. There was no teasing in her voice—just an honest acknowledgment spoken without hesitation.
Lefiya laughed lightly. "That's Shirou's fault for hiding his strength! Otherwise, maybe I'd be the supporter," she said, punching the air with her small fist.
Shirou lifted the large bag onto his shoulder effortlessly, as if it weighed nothing. "I don't really want to draw attention, especially from... foreign gods and goddesses."
His voice lowered at the end of the sentence, and both Aiz and Lefiya understood the implication. They knew well that, based on the history of Shirou's world, he had learned to always be wary of divine entities, unlike Orario, where gods and goddesses roamed around like neighbors.
"Makes sense," Aiz said simply, nodding in agreement.
Lefiya nodded too. "I'd be careful too, in your position."
Shirou gave a faint smile, then added softly, "But even if I weren't hiding my strength... I wouldn't mind being your supporter, you two."
The words made Lefiya blink before her cheeks turned pink. "Ugh, you smooth-talker," she said, nudging Shirou's arm, though her smile was wide, her heart warmed like the morning sun.
Aiz glanced at Shirou briefly before looking ahead again, saying nothing. But from the way she fiddled with the ends of her golden hair, Shirou knew... those simple words meant a lot to her too.
As their footsteps left the now clean and tidy kitchen, Shirou walked leisurely behind Aiz while Lefiya skipped ahead, occasionally turning back to make sure her friends were following.
They were almost at Twilight Manor's main entrance when a firm yet gentle voice called from the living room.
"Lefiya."
The Elf girl's steps halted instantly. Her body tensed. That voice... was unmistakable and impossible to ignore.
She turned quickly toward the living room. There, sitting calmly and gracefully on the long sofa, Lady Riveria gazed at her with deep green eyes that were hard to read, calm, yet always intimidating to Lefiya.
"Y-Yes, Lady Riveria?" Lefiya replied hastily, stepping cautiously toward her mentor.
Meanwhile, Aiz and Shirou, sensing something amiss, automatically stopped at the doorway.
"There's something I need to discuss with Lefiya. You two may go ahead," Riveria said calmly but with emphasis.
Aiz glanced at Shirou as if silently asking, but Shirou only gave a small nod. They stepped out slowly, letting the door close with a soft click, leaving the two Elves their privacy.
Lefiya stood stiffly before her mentor, her posture slightly rigid. Her heart raced.
Did I mess up yesterday's daily report...? Or maybe during magic practice with Fairy Force... I was too slow? Or maybe... Lady Riveria knows about me—
She swallowed hard.
Snacking in secret.
"Sit, Lefiya," Riveria said flatly but without pressure.
Lefiya obeyed, sitting slowly at the other end of the sofa. She placed her hands on her lap, sitting properly, ready to accept... whatever was coming.
Riveria crossed her legs and leaned back, her sharp yet calm gaze fixed on her beloved student, who now sat stiffly, suppressing her nerves.
"Lefiya, did you fulfill my order from yesterday?" she asked directly, without preamble.
Instinctively, Lefiya straightened slightly and gave a small salute, placing her right hand to her forehead. "Yes, I did, Lady Riveria!"
Riveria raised an eyebrow. "And... what exactly did you do?"
Lefiya's hand, still in salute, wavered. Her eyes darted left and right, searching for a quick answer, before she finally said uncertainly, "Uhhh... my daily report? I wrote it thoroughly...?"
Riveria immediately closed her eyes and massaged her temples with two fingers, sighing deeply. "That's not what I meant, Lefiya..."
Lefiya suddenly realized and lightly smacked her palm. "Oh! You mean the swimsuit, right? Yes, Lady Riveria! I bought it yesterday with Aiz!"
Riveria slowly opened her eyes. "Describe it. What does it look like? Don't tell me you still bought a bikini like the one Loki gave you in Melen."
Lefiya shook her head quickly. "It's fine, Lady Riveria! My swimsuit is a red mini-dress style with spaghetti straps. Aiz chose a white one with a halter-neck dress cut. Well, the neckline is a bit... low, but the back is fully covered!"
Ahem.
Riveria coughed lightly, unintentionally turning her face away for a moment.
Lefiya blinked, slightly confused by her mentor's sudden reaction. Huh? Lady Riveria seems a bit... flustered? Did I say something wrong?
Unknowingly, she had just mentioned a part of the body that... earlier that morning, Riveria herself had exposed when Shirou touched her during magecraft training. Something she would never tell her student about.
Seeing the lingering doubt in her mentor's eyes, Lefiya mustered the courage to say, "If Lady Riveria still isn't sure... how about I show you the swimsuit directly?"
Riveria furrowed her brows, her eyes scanning Lefiya's body. "Where is it? You didn't bring your bag."
Lefiya snapped her fingers. "Oh, right! My bag's in Shirou's supporter bag. I left it with him earlier. Let me go get it—"
Before she could turn toward the door, Riveria's firm voice called her back. "No need."
Lefiya's steps froze.
"I trust you, Lefiya," Riveria said, softer now. "You may continue your journey."
Lefiya bowed deeply. "Thank you, Lady Riveria!"
Once the door closed and Lefiya's footsteps faded, Riveria let out a long sigh. She gazed out the window at the morning light filtering through the garden leaves.
"...There's no way I'd let Shirou find out," she murmured quietly. "That the real reason I made them buy modest swimsuits... was because I didn't want him to be tempted by those two girls."
She closed her eyes. In her heart, she knew—she was no longer just a mentor or a High Elf noble. She was a woman... who had begun to fear losing something she hadn't even possessed yet.
***
Lefiya skipped down the front steps toward the courtyard, her light brown hair swaying slightly with her light steps. Spotting Aiz and Shirou waiting for her under a tree near the Manor's fence, her face immediately brightened.
"Sorry for the wait!" she called as she approached them.
Aiz turned and asked in her usual calm tone, "How did it go, Lefiya?"
Shirou smirked slightly, raising an eyebrow. "Got scolded, huh?"
"No way!" Lefiya retorted quickly, her voice and expression full of pride. She patted her chest lightly. "I completed Lady Riveria's task perfectly!"
The three of them began walking side by side toward the Manor's outer gate. Aiz on the left, Shirou in the middle, and Lefiya on the right, stepping in rhythm with the leisurely pace of the cool morning.
"Task?" Shirou asked curiously, glancing at Lefiya. "What task did Riveria give you?"
Lefiya only smiled mysteriously and winked at Aiz. "Girls' secret," she said, blinking one eye at Aiz.
Aiz immediately understood and gave a small nod. "Oh..." she said softly. She knew exactly what Lefiya meant—their new swimsuits, which Riveria had requested to be more... covered.
Shirou sighed as if lamenting his fate. "Haaah... The suffering of being the only guy in the party. Whatever you're planning, I'm not allowed to know, huh?"
Aiz looked ahead, remaining calm, then added in her characteristic monotone, "When we swim later, you'll find out."
Shirou froze for a moment, his eyes narrowing suspiciously at Aiz. "That... sounds like a good thing, right?"
Lefiya giggled while Aiz showed no additional expression.
A few steps later, they reached the outer gate of Twilight Manor. Outside, the streets of Orario were coming alive with adventurers and merchants setting up their morning stalls.
The morning sunlight welcomed the trio, now ready to embark on their journey to the Dungeon—with a large bag on Shirou's shoulder, enthusiasm flowing in Lefiya's heart, and the mysterious calmness of Aiz that made Shirou even more curious... about how this day would unfold.
Amid their steady steps down the stone stairs from the upper district, the lively sounds of the morning market grew faintly audible in the distance. Sunlight streamed through the gaps in Orario's rooftops, illuminating the three adventurers walking side by side.
Lefiya turned to Shirou, her steps light. "By the way, Shirou... you did pick up quests for us, right?"
Shirou nodded calmly. "Of course. Two quests, actually. But yeah... in exchange, I had to update my personal data first."
Aiz, walking on the left, also turned, her voice soft but direct. "The receptionist didn't give you trouble, did they?"
"Not at all," Shirou replied casually. "In fact, just like you said yesterday, Aiz, they were very helpful. One of them, Misha, even helped me choose the quests. And her senior, Rose, drew my portrait."
"That's good," Aiz said with a small nod, her tone relieved.
Shirou tilted his head slightly, as if remembering something. "Ah... Aiz, do you know Rose?"
Aiz nodded slowly. "Yes, she was the one who processed my registration as an adventurer, back then... about nine years ago. Riveria and I registered at the Guild together at the time."
Lefiya tilted her head, chiming in. "Nine years ago? Wow... back then, I was still living in the Wishe Forest with my parents. I hadn't even joined the School District, let alone come to Orario."
Aiz smiled faintly at the memory. But soon, she turned her gaze back to Shirou. "Why do you ask about Rose?"
"Ah..." Shirou shrugged lightly. "While she was sketching me, she asked about you. She called you 'Doll Princess.' Though her tone was a bit... cold."
Aiz let out a quiet laugh, barely audible. "That's just how she is. Cold on the outside, but caring in silence." Her eyes grew distant for a moment, recalling the past. "When I was about to level up to two, she knew I was rushing it. But she deliberately didn't explain how, so I wouldn't act recklessly. 'Doll Princess' was my nickname when I was still level one. An unofficial alias... only a few still call me that."
Shirou glanced at her. Aiz's face, bathed in the morning sunlight, looked so serene, gentle... and in silence, still carried the impression of a doll, as her old nickname suggested. Her pale skin, flowing golden hair, and golden-yellow eyes gazed straight ahead with unwavering resolve.
Now she's level six, Shirou thought, but the doll-like impression remains. Not because she's weak or fragile, but because of her captivating calmness... like a figure from another world.
Lefiya glanced between them, then pouted slightly. "Hey, why are you two suddenly quiet and staring at each other like that?"
Shirou quickly averted his gaze and scratched his neck. "No, it's just... I'm impressed by the nickname 'Doll Princess.' It wasn't just random."
Aiz didn't respond. But from the corner of her eye, there was a hint of amusement she didn't hide.
The day had only just begun, but the warmth of their friendship already felt like enough to fuel their journey deep into the Dungeon.
