I walked into the living room and found Jeanne flying around, using Clark.
"Ken, good morning! Sorry about this, but this is so much fun!"
"Good to hear. Sorry to ruin your fun, but I need him today."
Jeanne visibly pouted as she slowly descended. After that, Clark flew into my shirt pocket and turned into a red handkerchief.
"He can do that?" Jeanne looked at it.
"Yeah. Clark is a unique artifact. And if you like flying so much, please don't wear a skirt while I'm here."
She burst like a boiling kettle, waving her hands frantically. "P-please forget what you just saw!"
I chuckled. "I'll try."
"You should! Hu—where are you going?"
"This is my first day at work. You don't have to tag along since I can summon you at any time, right?"
Jeanne crossed her arms and hummed. "But it's better if I'm standing nearby."
When I finished putting on my shoes, I tapped her shoulder. "I can draw a summoning ritual in less than a second, so it'll be fine. Besides, I may be your master, but I want you to understand this world first. How about walking around the city to get some fresh air?"
"Really?"
"Keke, I'll be fine. Use your phone if you get lost. Have fun."
"Alright, take care, Ken!"
I shouldn't be worried. Jeanne said she was supposed to be illiterate, but she was able to read and write thanks to me. I realized she also wanted to see the city, but I didn't have time for that.
---
"B-Squad… this should be the place."
I returned to the guild headquarters and stopped in front of B-Squad's designated room. When I opened the door, it looked like a cozy office, complete with sofas, a coffee machine, and more.
"Ken! You're here!"
A short-haired woman greeted me. Her name was Seo Jiwoo. Yesterday, she had been really touchy with my muscles. Still, I couldn't deny that I'd seen herripped abs when she wore a crop top like that.
"Keke. I was waiting for you at the guild gym this morning. Where have you been?"
"Sorry, I had some errands to take care of. Am I late?"
"No, no, you're just in time. Everyone's here, so come on."
She clung to my right arm and dragged me inside. It didn't feel bad, but I wondered if I'd get in trouble because of yesterday's match.
"I brought the rookie with me!"
"Welcome!" A man smiled at me. He had messy short hair and a lean, muscular build. "I'm really glad we have a new mage in our squad. It seems God answered my prayers. Anyway, I'm happy to have you here, Ken-ssi. I'm the squad leader, Son Kihoon."
This guy must be a tank. I shook his hand and replied, "Me too. Thanks for having me. I'm Takakura Ken."
"Let me introduce the others. That big guy over there is our main vanguard tank, just like me."
He pointed to a man with a kind face, though his build was easily over 6'4" even while seated. When he waved at me, he really did look like a giant panda.
"I'm Park Gi-boem, but everyone calls me Boom for some reason."
"Over there is our warrior-class member, Mo Donhyun."
The man wearing a headband smirked at me.
"What's up, kid?"
"I'm good. Nice to meet you."
"Okay so. You've already met our fighter-class member, Seo Jiwoo. We also have three mages Tae-joon, Bora, and Gina. Lastly, our healer, Han Semi."
The woman with long hair tied over her shoulder smiled at me gently. She was easily the most elegant woman in the room.
"Nice to meet you, Ken-ssi. Just call me Semi. You can relax when you're around us, okay—"
"The espresso machine isn't working, guys. Should we ask someone to buy...."
The room fell silent when Gina walked in. Our eyes locked. No words were exchanged.
"Morning, senior."
"Yeah, morning. Yesterday was a good match."
I could hear the others sigh in subtle relief until Gina began glaring at them.
"What are you all expecting me to do?"
"N-not at all," Kihoon said, visibly sweating. "Alright, ahem! let's set up a new formation first before we head out. We'll be clearing three B-rank gates and two A-rank gates today."
"Yes, Captain!"
"Captain."
"Go ahead, Bora."
"I still don't quite understand Ken's abilities. I think we should examine them more closely first."
"Thank you, Bora. That's exactly why we need to establish a new formation. I'll briefly explain everyone's role."
Two tanks at the front, followed by two warriors, four mages, and a healer in the rear.
"Tae-joon and Bora will restrain the monsters using summoning magic, while Gina acts as the finisher. Since we're still unclear about your abilities, Ken, please give us a brief explanation."
"My magic is fairly versatile. I can handle both AoE and single-target combat using water-based spells. I can also move quickly, like yesterday. With this spell, I can attack enemies from their blind spots."
I picked up the wand lying in the center of the table and cast Adula's Moonblade. The blade extended farther than they expected, and the room's temperature noticeably dropped.
"I think that sums up my abilities."
They probably wouldn't believe me if I mentioned the others.
"Whoaa! That's impressive, Ken-ssi—"
"Wait, Captain."
Lee Bora, a girl with short, medium-length hair, stared at me intently. She had asked me many questions about my magic yesterday, so she clearly wasn't satisfied yet.
"Then what about the technique you used on Gina yesterday?"
"Tch. Seriously?"
Gina, who was sitting beside me, clicked her tongue.
"That wasn't magic. It was an experiment based on the principles of telekinesis. Technically, it was just mana—"
"You what?!"
Bang!
Gina slammed her hands on the table, her eyes wide in shock.
"You created that technique?! That's ridiculous. You slam my body with a powerful mana shockwave and knock me unconscious. It should be Telekinesis," Gina said, looking at me as if I were bullshitting her.
"I'm afraid I'll have to agree with Gina on this, Ken-ssi," Bora said, defending her. "Besides, awakeners have had their abilities since they first awakened their magical energy. By using Rune Stones, however, we can gain additional magic techniques stored within them. There's no proof yet that awakeners can learn new techniques through self-study, nor that they can invent their own skills."
Now they were all looking at me as if I were ridiculous, delusional, and a liar. Still, I understood—this was the norm in this world.
"Just because there's no proof yet doesn't mean it can't be proven. I'll simply become the first mage who can do that."
Both Gina and Bora just sighing at my claim.
"G-guys~ please don't fight, okay? I think we should be cheering for him, right?" Jiwoo said in my defense.
However, Gina simply crossed her arms under her large chest, "Shut the hell up, you slut. You know nothing about this matter since you're not a mage. Besides, I know you want to do something silly to him once we're done. He's a minor, for fuck's sake."
Jiwoo merely smiled back. "Bitch. You talk big when you're wearing the sluttiest outfit in our squad. Are you so desperate that you want men to notice those tits, huh?"
Suddenly, the two rose from their seats, pressing their chests together as they faced off and began trading trash talk. Whoever designed their characters, I have to bow and respect the artist. Meanwhile, Bora was still looking at me, as if she wanted to say something.
---
(3rd pov)
Recently, Jeanne read many things, including everything her master had done up until now. For example, how he could revive the dead. Furthermore, he never asked for anything in return, and she could comfortably say that he did those things for the sake of good.
'And he doesn't even proclaim himself as God.'
Jeanne knew she wouldn't fall for such things easily. However, she believed he was the chosen one. Reviving a soul and bringing it back to the world should have been within God's authority alone.
"May I help you, young lady?"
Today, he gave her free time to do anything she wanted, so she decided to pray at the Church.
A priest greeted her with a smile, and she replied, "May I pray in this church?"
The priest was visibly taken aback and offered her a secluded place for prayer, no doubt influenced by her Charisma skill. As time went on, she drifted through the church until she found herself seated in the confession room, offering guidance to those who came.
"Sister, I'm here to confess my sins."
The voice belonged to a young woman.
Jeanne clasped her hands and smiled. "I'm here to listen to all your worries."
"Is it really okay to say this here? Can my sins be forgiven?"
"Of course. God will forgive your sins and guide a lost lamb with His grace."
"Then, Sister… I committed a grave sin by letting my friend be raped by another friend. Hiek! I'm sorry!"
Jeanne nearly gawked, but she forced herself to stay calm.
"I'm listening, O lost soul. As long as you wish to—"
"And it gets worse! She wasn't alone, h-her brother was there too! She even allowed him to force himself on my friend while he was bedridden in the hospital! Ah! W-what have I done?!"
This time, Jeanne couldn't hide her shock.
"S-surely… everything can still be resolved, right?"
"No! My sin is even greater! At first, I was cheering her on because she liked him, but now her brother too! What should I do, Sister?!"
"A-ah…"
Jeanne panicked. This was the first time she had ever handled something like this.
"You may have misunderstood them. It might only be your imagination. Tell me, did you witness it with your own eyes?"
"Um… I was eavesdropping outside the room. They also mentioned something that would heal him instantly."
"I see! They might have been giving your friend a magic potion to speed up his recovery. I don't think your friend would do such a thing."
"Really? I mean, she said, 'Jin-woo, shove that big thing inside his throat quickly!' I mean, she's kind of pervert—"
"Th-that's enough, my dear~ I'm sorry, but I must guide other souls as well. You may come back another time, okay?"
"I-I see. My apologies for bothering you, sister. Then I'll come back next time."
Song-yi left the room with a sense of relief. Perhaps the sister was right. There was no way she would allow her brother to do something like that while she was there.
After that, Jeanne was left deeply traumatized.
---
-Author Note-
I'll be uploading three to four chapters a week from now on.
Please support me with your Power Stones and leave comments!
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