Seven people. Three men, four women.
Some seemed curious, some indifferent, some excited, others a mixture of everything.
What should I do…
"Come in, Theo. Sit in the empty spot."
Ruma's voice was calm, inviting.
Ah, of course. It's obvious where I should sit.
"O-Ok…"
I slowly approached and sat at the empty seat at the head of the table.
W-What do I say now? I—
"Hey, you!"
Someone was calling me!
"You're the one who stole the staff from the great Lisa!?"
To my left, a tiny girl dressed as a wizard stared at me.
Short dark brown hair parted in the middle, long bangs almost covering her dark blue eyes. Petite body looking like a doll, short, barely reaching my shoulder. She wore a dark blue wizard cape, wide-sleeved short white dress with gold and blue trim, a white hat with a drawing of a hanster, oversized boots, and dark gloves.
Wait… That face… That outfit… That's Lisa!
Expect that hamster... Why does she have a hamster printed on her hat?
Think she's cute but... she's a loli!
She's asking if I was the thief… D-Damn it! Is she angry at me?
"I-I-I… Y-Yeah, it was me…"
She stood there, hands on the table, staring me in the eyes deeply.
GAHHHH! I WANNA DIE!
But… she just nodded, sat back down, eyes off me.
"Hm. I understand."
Oh… that's it?
"HEY! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, YOU ARROGANT BRAT!"
Sitting next to her, Ruma jumped up and yanked the girl's ear.
"HE STOLE YOUR FAVORITE WIZARD'S STAFF AND YOU DIDN'T EVEN SAY THANK YOU?!"
The little blue wizard squirmed, clearly irritated.
"B-BUT I ASKED YOU! N-NOT THAT NOBODY! A-AND IT WAS YOUR FAULT FOR BREAKING MY OLD—"
"BUT AT LEAST SAY THANKS!"
"OK! OK, STOP!"
Ruma finally let go. Slowly.
With a "tsk", the girl blushed a bit and murmured at the table.
"T-Thank you…"
Ah… she clearly doesn't want to say
"ahaha, don't worry. Y-You're welcome—"
"Ooooohhh! So you're the one who stole the staff from the great Lisa?"
My right. Another female voice, this one WAY closer than I expected. I nearly jumped back!
A woman around her 20s, blonde hair tied in a neat bun, light eyes, an innocent smile that at least I don't see any malice in. Tall, thin, wearing a pale yellow dress with black trim, dark stockings, black heels. A noblewoman I guess.
"Th-Thanks, I—"
"Sorry, what's your name boy? I forgot."
She got closer and closer, and I got further and further away.
"And Age? Place of birth? Height? Weight? Size of—"
"Hey, shut up! Let him breathe!"
Saved by the ginger, Ruma.
The blonde girl tilted her head, surprised and still smiling.
"Oh, did I upset you?"
S-Sheesh… imagine…
A red-haired guy close to the blonde said-
"Ha! Like that skinny could steal something from Lisa!"
Wait skinny?! I'm closer to fat!
Ruma's eyes narrowed "You're just jealous because you could never do it."
The Red-haired guy turned red
"S-Shut up! I-I never tried before!"
The guy wears literally a fancy gray medieval armor, about my size, not very muscular. Light green eyes, short red hair slicked back and shaved at the sides.
A tired-looking girl beside him grabbed his arm.
"Calm down, Edward…"
"I-I DIDN'T START IT!"
She had a long, disheveled black hair covering one of her very black eyes with visible dark circles underneath them. Normal height, wide curves, dressed in a white tank top, a short and clunky black coat covering practically only her arms, black shorts, thigh-high tights and black boots.
I-IS SHE A GOTH GIRL!?
"Goddammit, shut up… you're hurting my ears."
Across from her, to Ruma's left, a tall, serious man crossed his arms. Two meters at least, thin, calm, serene face, somewhat nonchalant. Light brown spiky hair, dark brown eyes with really big eyelashes. White button-down shirt, dark brown opened leather jacket, black pants held up by a belt and black shoes.
I… I don't know what to think about him.
Ruma laughed "As if anyone here would obey you!"
The blue wizard stood, pointing.
"You should obey me!"
Edward, the knight, frowned
"Why would I obey a child like you!?"
"C-CHILD!? I'M ALREADY 14, YOU MORON!"
The goth girl leaned her head on the table.
"How sleepy…"
And I was just there … hearing screams everywhere… what am I even doing here?
This is the "most powerful group in the world"? I knew it was a hyperbole.
More like… a chaotic group of friends… or idiots.
They argued so much they almost forgot I existed.
I repeat, what I'm even doing here?!
"Guys, let's calm down, please."
These simple words, coming from right in front of me, made everyone instantly sit.
"I'm sorry, Theo. Sometimes we get carried away."
At least he knows my name...
The blue wizard whispered "He's a gambling addict!"
"True… but beside the point."
She blushed.
"A-Ah… sorry…"
The leader commanded respect. Calm and relaxed, young with average build. Black straight hair, a black overcoat, white shirt, dark pants and black boots. His hands were intertwined with a gentle small smile on his face.
He seems a bit formal, always looking calm and like he has everything under control with that easygoing smile.
"My name is Anfang Baumgartner," he said. "Leader of Grimwerod. We're a group of 'Suiciders' living by questing, and doing some secret criminal acts."
I don't think he should tell me that...
…Suiciders? Sounds like a basic world term.
Oh, he was the one who saved me before. I must thank him later.
"We live nomadically, paying for taverns. We settled in Holtmark for a few months now, and two of us live in a mansion I got on a bet, but that's another story."
So not a family, more like a group of friends who get together every now and then to do something, I suppose.
"Let me introduce the members."
He gestured left.
"This is Gota, a very nice person."
"Good morning."
No way… the goth girl's name is Gota?
"To her left, Edward, the wannabe knight."
"W-WANNABE KNIGHT!? I'M LITERALLY IT!"
"Sorry, yes…" Anfang giggled.
"To his left, Freya. Sorry if she made you uncomfortable."
"I already said that..." She glared at me "But could you answer it later?"
Goddammit...
"Left of you, Mochiko. Recently became an adult."
The blue wizard stood dramatically.
"Listen up peasant! I will surpass Lisa one day and—"
"Mochiko, let's not disturb him now," Anfang said gently.
"…Y-Yes…"
So 14 is adulthood in this world. Huh.
"Then Ruma who you already know, and Princis, my right-hand man."
Princis moved his eyes to me "What's up."
...He looks fine, I guess.
"Well, I've already introduced myself... Would anyone like to say something else?"
Mochiko, the loli-wizard, quickly raised a finger. "UH UH UH! ME!"
Anfang nodded.
"He's very good at gambling! Literally he never loses!!"
Freya, the blonde, smiled. "Seriously, his casino winnings have been our main income."
Anfang giggled. "Oh, you didn't need to say that."
He rolled his thumbs together a little, and looked down.
"Well, I'll be very direct with you, Theo…"
With a wide gentle smile, he leaned forward and looked into my eyes.
"Would you like to join us?"
…
"WHAT?!"
Everyone else practically shouted that.
Me too, silently.