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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: The Magic Tower Genius Descends into the Labyrinth 5
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The shock was fleeting. Cherentia, the wolf beastkin, hardened her gaze coldly.
"I'm saving my comrades. But humans can't be trusted."
Sylbian nodded at her resolute response.
"I figured as much."
Her attitude radiated deep distrust toward humans.
Perhaps it was more accurate to say she distrusted humanity itself, based on her earlier reply.
Either way, things had gotten incredibly complicated.
"Just one question. Why do you distrust humans so much?"
To solve any problem, you first had to understand the root cause.
"Because humans can't be trusted."
Her even more absurd reply left Sylbian momentarily speechless.
'What the...'
Was this some kind of lame wordplay?
Yet her amber eyes stared at him with unwavering determination.
She didn't seem to find anything odd about her own answer.
In fact, it looked like she had no intention of giving a proper reason at all.
"..."
Sylbian pressed his lips together lightly and met Cherentia's gaze.
A heavy silence settled over the space, unbroken even by small talk.
"Hey, hey, what kind of combo is that?"
"A mage and a beastkin?"
Adventurers began gathering around, watching them with keen interest.
Grrr...
Cherentia flinched and lowered her eyes in embarrassment.
It was as good as admitting she'd broken the silence first—and for Sylbian, it was a golden opportunity.
"Let me treat you to a meal."
"...You're treating me to a meal? Human, do you mean that?"
Cherentia's tone shifted right then and there.
Her black ears perked up, and her wary amber eyes wavered noticeably.
"Yeah. I'll take you to a really good place, so how about we move somewhere else?"
Sylbian wasn't thrilled by all the stares from the onlookers.
"Human, I'll say this first: I won't promise anything."
Cherentia shook her head, regaining her caution a bit late. Sylbian couldn't help but chuckle.
He'd half considered giving up if she stuck to her guns.
But the way she looked now was entirely different.
"Fine. I won't force any promises on you."
"R-Really?"
"You think a mage would lie in front of this many people?"
Sylbian let his arms hang loosely, gesturing to his outfit.
Cherentia glanced at his luxurious robe, then nodded cautiously.
"Understood. If you're that insistent, I'll graciously accept your kindness and join you!"
Cherentia rose from her seat.
Sylbian stood as well, still baffled despite following her lead.
'She seemed tough to talk to.'
Yet she was proving surprisingly easy to handle—almost suspiciously so.
Her attitude toward food had already given him a good sense of how to approach her.
They soon left the adventurers' guild.
Sylbian guided her to the flashiest restaurant that caught his eye.
"We'll have it ready right away."
The server, dressed impeccably, bowed politely and departed.
Cherentia's hands trembled as she urgently looked at Sylbian.
"I-Is it really okay to order this much food?"
"I've heard places this fancy charge a fortune for everything..."
"Don't worry about the bill—I'll cover it. By the way, I'm treating you to a meal, but you still haven't told me your name."
Sylbian slipped into a more casual tone, but Cherentia didn't notice the change.
She seemed too stunned by his nonchalant ordering of expensive dishes to pick up on it, introducing herself awkwardly.
"I'm Cherentia, second daughter of the Fern Tribe's second elder."
Her voice brimmed with newfound confidence, making Sylbian pause for a moment.
Her words hit differently this time.
"...Cherentia. Mind if I call you that from now on?"
"I don't mind. Then I'll call you Sylbian from now on too, human."
As Cherentia agreed to use his name, Sylbian nodded blankly.
Her gaze soon wandered around the room.
Ever since stepping into the restaurant, the sight of all the diners and their meals had captivated her endlessly.
Gulp!
With her ears perked and tail tucked close, Cherentia swallowed hard, eyes devouring every dish in view.
"H-Hah, every single one looks so delicious!"
Cherentia had been in Helsen for over a month now.
Adapting to city life had forced her to tighten her belt as her funds dwindled rapidly.
Naturally, she'd had to cut back on portions too.
That explained why her long-suppressed appetite was overwhelming her reason now.
Perk!
Her black wolf ears atop her head twitched nonstop.
Her nose sniffed eagerly, chasing the rich aromas wafting through the air.
To Sylbian, her behavior was nothing short of fascinating.
This was his first time conversing with a beastkin, after all.
"...Cherentia. Cherentia?"
When she didn't respond after several calls, he even tapped the table.
Tap! Tap!
"Wh-What? Did you call me?"
Cherentia finally snapped out of it, startled, and looked his way.
"No, the food's coming soon. Let's talk after you eat."
"Right! Meals are important!"
She nodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling as the server brought out the dishes.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Nearly an hour had passed.
Sylbian had finished eating long ago and was just watching Cherentia.
'She doesn't look that big.'
Where did all that food disappear to?
Visually, Cherentia was shorter than him and slender too.
Her subtle muscle tone occasionally drew the eye.
But it wasn't the bulging, explosive kind.
"How do humans make food this good? I can't believe it!"
Oblivious to Sylbian's thoughts, Cherentia chomped down on a hunk of meat with a blissful expression.
Crunch crunch.
Sylbian chuckled softly at how she didn't care if her face got messy.
That's when their eyes met unexpectedly.
"...It's fine. Eat as much as you want. Don't worry about the money."
He spoke gently, hoping she wouldn't overdo it.
Cherentia gulped down the food in her mouth and nodded awkwardly.
"Th-Thanks. I'll never forget your kindness."
Her earnest reply made Sylbian burst out laughing.
"Sure. Just say if you want more."
His voice softened even further, and Cherentia glanced at the stack of empty plates on the table.
Glance.
The servers had cleared several already.
But even more ordered dishes had piled up, and it was only now sinking in.
"N-No, this is more than enough. I can't even remember the last time I ate this much—it's been so satisfying."
Cherentia set down her utensils gently, dabbing her mouth with napkin-like poise, straightening her posture formally.
The shift surprised Sylbian a little.
'She's not some total barbarian.'
Her rough eating style had made him think she knew nothing of manners or etiquette.
Yet here she was, composing herself primly the moment the meal ended—oddly refined and intriguing.
"I'll clear the table now."
The server approached and tidied up, allowing the two to finally dive into a real conversation.
"So, Sylbian. Are you seriously thinking of partnering with me? Mages have such lofty pride—I doubt it."
Cherentia spoke first.
The satisfying meal had softened her attitude toward him just a touch.
"A mage's pride? I ditched that ages ago."
He stated firmly, locking eyes with her briefly.
"Cherentia, just to check—do you know about the stigma on my neck?"
Sylbian casually pointed to his neck.
Cherentia glanced at the mark dismissively.
"I know. It's the Magic Tower's stigma."
"Right. I'm an exile now. Most of my mana is sealed away."
"Exposing your own weakness like that feels off. Sylbian, what exactly are you getting at with the stigma?"
Yet Cherentia's demeanor remained remarkably unchanged.
Her amber eyes still held that faint goodwill toward him.
No scorn or contempt surfaced, even after mentioning the stigma.
"It doesn't faze you at all."
Sylbian was caught off guard, his emotions slipping through more than intended.
She was the first person in the city who'd seen his stigma and reacted this way.
"I don't see what's surprising."
"No, it's nothing. Anyway, Cherentia, as I said before, I'd like to take you on as a comrade..."
"I refuse."
Sylbian's eyes twitched as he looked at her.
The rejection was so immediate it defied comprehension.
"Why refuse?"
He asked calmly, barely holding his composure.
He'd made up his mind based on her behavior earlier.
Cherentia was more than worthy as a comrade.
"Simple reason. You're not fit to be my comrade, so I won't be yours either."