She stared at me as if I'd lost my mind. Clearly, she was completely disoriented.
She's still staring, her eyes full of fear and confusion. "What did you do to me? Who the hell are you?"
Her voice trembles, but I remain impassive, a little tired of these kinds of scenes.
Without a word, I focus on my mental link with Number 4.
"Status report?"
But it's Number 5 who interrupts, his mocking voice slipping into the conversation.
[Oh, nothing serious. The two subordinates are dealing with some zombies. A bit inconvenient, but they're managing. Oh, and Number 4 is sulking at you. She didn't like you sending me.]
I roll my eyes. Of course she's sulking… Before I can respond to Number 5, Piper finally arrives.
Good timing.
She suddenly appears in front of me, her gaze immediately fixed on the woman, still half-collapsed and shocked.
I point at the woman. "There she is. Our runaway. Vrynna, right?"
Without waiting, vines shoot up from the ground and wrap tightly around the woman, binding her securely.
Piper looks at me with a strange, almost shocked expression.
"Do I have something on my face or what?" I ask, a little annoyed.
She hesitates before answering. "No… nothing," she finally says.
I sigh. "Mira and Griffin will be here soon. You got this?"
Piper nods, but I sense hesitation in her behavior. Strange—she's usually much more relaxed. I don't dwell on it; I already have enough to handle.
"I'll meet you at the village exit."
I turn, ready to leave.
---
I lean against the tree trunk, arms crossed behind my head, and close my eyes.
A sigh escapes me. Finally, a bit of peace after this endless day.
Time passes, and I almost start to believe Piper and the others left me here. Sure, Mira and Griffin may have run into some complications with the zombies, but Piper just had to bring the runaway, right?
I sit up slightly, pulling my "rock phone" from my pocket. Great name, huh? It was funny at the time, but now I regret being so lazy. Why did I only make two of these things?
Then I realize Mira has the other rock, not Piper. Great. I'm really disorganized.
[I've checked, Master. Piper is still waiting in the village.]
Number 2 reports without me asking.
"What? Waiting for what? Why not just meet me out here?" I scratch my head, frustrated. Oh, right, I've been spaced out! The villagers…
Damn, where was my head? Oh yes, in the clouds…
I shrug.
Doesn't matter, I've done my part anyway.
I settle back against the tree, determined to take a little nap.
"Number 2, wake me if anything important happens, okay?"
He nods. [At your command, Master.]
And me? I close my eyes. I've earned a little rest, haven't I?
---
I stretch against the tree trunk, eyes half-closed, then open them abruptly.
Kathleen is standing right in front of me, arms crossed. I startle slightly, then freeze.
"Number 2! Why didn't you wake me?"
[It wasn't important, Master.]
Not important?
I stifle a sigh.
And as if to add insult, the impish voice of the little devil intrudes in my thoughts. [See, you give her too much responsibility. We all know she's a bit lacking in common sense… But you love it, don't you?]
I grit my teeth but don't respond to the provocation. He's not wrong… but I'll never admit it.
Kathleen raises an eyebrow, a slight smile on her lips.
"Am I really that scary?" she asks softly.
I swallow my surprise and sit up quickly. "Scary? No, of course not! It's just that… well, you're beautiful. Truly stunning, Kathleen. Your radiance caught me off guard, that's all."
She shakes her head gently, clearly amused, but her gaze turns more serious. "I must admit, I'm impressed with you and your team. What you accomplished… Vrynna always eluded our radar, but you managed to control her."
I raise an eyebrow. "So, that's it? Are we done here?"
She nods lightly. "The Association is satisfied with your performance. They're already considering more missions for you."
I frown, a little annoyed. "More missions, huh? I'm not stupid, Kathleen, just lazy. They know what I can do. I seriously doubt they need more 'proof' from me."
I extend my hand toward her, a wry smile on my lips. "So, where's this Association decree, huh? Show me I'm wrong."
She clenches her fists, clearly frustrated, but says nothing. Of course, she can't do anything. Poor Kathleen. I stifle a small laugh.
I get up slowly, stretching.
"Now that I've done my part, can I get some peace for a while?" I say, shrugging.
"I suppose you need a bit of rest," she finally says, her voice calmer. "But don't get your hopes up. I won't let you go that easily."
I sigh, a smirk on my lips. "Yeah, yeah. We'll see."
---
Kathleen slammed the office door and closed it with a loud thud, enough to catch Libel's attention, who barely looked up from her notebook. She gave her a mocking yet amused smile.
"Well, Madame Ritchvald, still as pleasant as ever, I see!" she teased. "What brings you here today, and in such a charming mood?"
Kathleen, lips pressed tight, didn't respond immediately. She strode forward sharply and set down a stack of files. Without another word, she sat down, crossing her arms, her piercing gaze fixed on Libel.
"So?" Libel raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to tell me what's going on, or did you just come to decorate the office?"
"You knew, didn't you?" Kathleen finally said.
Libel blinked, adjusting her glasses, a smirk playing at the corner of her lips.
"What are you talking about?" she said, feigning innocence.
Kathleen stared at her with a mix of reproach and exasperation.
"Senior… You know exactly what I mean. Your magister. I won't beat around the bush. Why didn't you tell me?"
Libel's smile widened, and she shook her head with a soft laugh.
Kathleen clenched her jaw, sitting up straighter.
Libel sighed, leaning back slightly in her chair, adopting a relaxed, almost exasperated posture.
"Listen… I told anyone who would listen that the magister is remarkable. That's all you need to know, isn't it?"
Kathleen exhaled deeply, rubbing her forehead.
"Whatever. The Association is very satisfied with his performance," she finally said. "That's enough to justify his appointment. Apparently, he convinced everyone."
Libel's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Well, that should please the magister. If only he knew how much he's appreciated…"
Kathleen remained silent for a moment, her gaze lowered, then stood. She walked a few steps toward the door but stopped abruptly and, without turning, added:
"In any case, I won't let this lazy one slack off. I'll find a way to get him moving, with or without your help."
Libel couldn't help but laugh again, amusement shining in her eyes.
"You have my full support, Madame Ritchvald. And honestly… good luck."