Back inside the guild, the elf sat motionless behind her desk.
A few adventurers still whispered.
The crystal shards had been swept away, but no one forgot the sound.
Leyla didn't either.
> "...Level 7," she murmured. "Our town finally has one."
Her eyes lingered on the signature on the registration form.
> Rei Noven.
Young. Sharp-eyed. Quiet like cold steel.
Her cheeks warmed slightly before she could stop them.
She looked down at the form again.
> "Figures he doesn't even flinch."
---
Scene Shift — A small corner tavern near the edge of Asha.
The table was already covered in empty plates.
Roasted meat, bones, thick stew gone cold, fried bread.
Rei leaned back, exhaling.
> "Fifth plate. Not bad."
Ailith, mid-bite, raised a brow.
> "You eat like a starving soldier."
> "Two days of roots will do that."
He looked around the tavern. Dim lighting. Warm air. The sound of clinking mugs and low laughter.
Then he glanced back at her.
> "So… Level 7."
"Is it really that big a deal?"
Ailith wiped her mouth and nodded.
> "It is."
"This town didn't have one before."
Rei paused.
> "What's this town even called?"
She blinked.
> "Huh. I didn't tell you?"
> "Nope."
She set down her fork.
> "Asha. This is Asha."
Rei said the name slowly, testing the shape of it.
> "Asha."
"Sounds… honest."
> "Don't give it too much credit," she muttered. "It smells like damp iron and bad wine."
> "But at least they cook their meat."
Rei chuckled once.
> "Fair."
Then his tone shifted, just slightly.
> "What about the elf?"
"The one at the desk."
Ailith tilted her head.
> "Leyla."
> "Level 5 Spirit Summoner. She's got a skill, too."
Rei blinked.
> "Then why's she working there?"
Ailith smirked.
> "Because she's looking for a husband."
Rei froze mid-chew.
> "People do that?"
"Even now?"
> "Especially now," Ailith said, reaching for another rib.
Rei exhaled.
> "Huh."
Then noticed the way she was smiling.
He narrowed his eyes.
> "What?"
Ailith shrugged.
> "Nothing."