Kaelen stared at the glowing quest window floating before him."This quest is absurd… How am I even supposed to find Chloe at this point in time?"
He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling as he activated a teleportation magic circle beneath their group.Allaric raised a brow. "Why are we going back to Ingracia? Can't we head to the Empire?"
Lyra answered instantly, her voice sharp. "Because I need to buy gifts. For everyone back home. We came all the way here, so it's obviously necessary."
Selianne nodded seriously. "Very necessary."
Allaric slumped. "Do we really have to? It's not that necessary…"
The two girls glared in perfect unison. "It's absolutely necessary."
Kaelen gave a tired smile. "No choice, brother. And I can't teleport you alone… Mom said to stick together."
"Yayaya…" Allaric muttered.
The magic circle flared—and they vanished. They reappeared in a quiet corner of an inn Kaelen remembered from his short stay here. After booking two rooms—Kaelen and Allaric in one, Lyra and Selianne in the other—they gathered for dinner, then retired.
In his room, Kaelen sat cross-legged, reviewing the quest again.
[Quest: Convince Chloe to teach you time-related abilities]
[Description: Chloe Aubert, the Hero who traveled through time for love, is currently in the Kingdom of Ingracia. There is a high chance of encounter. Convince her to train you.][Rewards:]
[1. Completion-based skill for a party member
2. Completion-based skill for you
3. Skill Upgrade Stone]
Kaelen stared blankly. "Does the system have some kind of precognition? How does it know she's here? Even if she is… Ingracia is huge. How long will she stay?"
He sighed and flopped onto the bed. "Well… let's see where this goes."
Sleep claimed him.
After breakfast, the group dispersed into the bustling markets—buying food, souvenirs, trinkets, and anything that caught their eyes. As Kaelen and Selianne walked toward another stall, a glimmer of silky black hair crossed his vision. Long, straight. His instincts sharpened and he felt it. A strange, refined space-time aura.
He turned his head—and froze. She stood there. Her body angled slightly away as if she had just turned to glance over her shoulder. A smooth white mask with delicate silver patterns covered her face. Her radiant black hair framed it perfectly & sharp contrast, breathtaking symmetry. Her figure was slender but clearly trained: quiet strength wrapped in grace. She wore a fitted black outfit, elegant lines hugging her form while allowing swift movement. White layers beneath added ceremonial softness to her deadly silhouette.
Kaelen breathed the name under his breath—barely audible even to himself. "…Chloe?"
Selianne blinked. "Huh? Did you say something?"
"Ah—nothing. Let's keep going."
But his mind wandered far from the stalls. "The system really does have precognition... Now the real problem—how do I convince her? Do I mention Rimuru? Or try something else?"He exhaled slowly. "Later. Let's finish shopping first."
Chloe POV
Walking down the busy streets of Ingracia, I suddenly felt… something. A presence. A mix of True Dragons and spirits. A strange hybrid aura—far too refined for an ordinary spirit, far too wild for a True Dragon. I turned. A group of young adventurers. Two girls laughing. A tall boy carrying bags. And a black-haired one. He wasn't trying to hide it—yet his presence wasn't leaking either. Just… different. I narrowed my eyes behind the mask. I should keep an eye on him. Something about him feels wrong.
Kaelen / Third POV
Their shopping continued until the afternoon sun painted long shadows on the ground. They gathered near an empty plaza to prepare the teleportation back to the Empire. Kaelen checked the bags.
"All right. You three go ahead. I've got something to do. I'll join you soon."
Selianne blinked. "Something? Like what?"
"I'll explain later. Just tell Master we got the spirits. And let Mom and Dad know we're safe."
A teleportation circle formed beneath them
FWOOM
and the trio vanished.
Leaving Kaelen alone in the quiet plaza. A soft voice echoed from behind.
"Teleportation, huh."
Kaelen turned slowly. Chloe stood there. Mask on. Hand resting lightly on her sword. Her presence alone made the air feel sharper.
Kaelen bowed politely. "Good afternoon, Miss Chloe. I was hoping to meet you."
Her posture stiffened. "I never told you my name."Her grip tightened on her sword hilt. "How do you know my name?"
Kaelen met her gaze calmly. "My name is Kaelen Caelthorn. I wish to learn how to control time-related abilities… and your swordsmanship."
Chloe's voice cooled to frost. "First—you still haven't answered my question. Second—you're from the Eastern Empire. Why should I help you?"
Kaelen didn't hesitate.
"Because I can become an invaluable ally to you and Rimuru in the fut—"
SHING—!!
She didn't let him finish. She moved. Faster than Kaelen's eyes could follow. Her sword flashed toward his throat, a clean, lethal thrust.