"So it really is a coincidence," Riveria said with a smile. "I'm here to handle paperwork for one of our children as well."
She turned her head slightly, gesturing to the elf girl beside her—about the same age as Qianshuo.
"Lefiya, say hello."
The elf girl—her hair the color of golden yamabuki blossoms—blinked and nodded politely toward Heith.
"Heith-miss."
"And… Qianshuo. Hello."
She seemed a little shy, her gaze flickering away for a moment—yet she still couldn't help studying him more closely.
Looking at the boy in front of her, the first thought that sprang into Lefiya's mind was—
He's really good-looking.
And his skin was so pale and fine it was almost unfair… like a girl's. If she didn't know better, she might have assumed he was an elf himself.
"Hello, Lefiya," Heith replied warmly.
Qianshuo, equally polite, nodded in sync with Heith.
After Lefiya's registration was completed, Riveria offered a gentle smile and prepared to leave with her.
"Then we'll be going."
As they walked away, Lefiya asked softly, "Lady Riveria… aren't Freya Familia and us… enemy familias?"
She hadn't been in Loki Familia long, but even back at the academy district she'd heard the rumors about Orario's "Twin Kings."
Riveria understood what she meant and answered calmly.
"We are rivals, yes. But it isn't as severe as you imagine. Once you've been here longer, you'll understand."
As she spoke, Riveria glanced back—almost unconsciously—at the boy named Qianshuo.
She knew Hedin's personality far too well: arrogant, proud, and dismissive of nearly everyone except Freya and himself.
Even she—an elf of royal lineage—only received the title "Lady Riveria" from him because of ingrained respect for elven blood, not because he truly acknowledged her.
And yet now… he had taken a disciple.
It seemed that, just like back then, a new generation had produced someone worth watching.
Though perhaps… it wouldn't become rivalry.
Perhaps it could become friendship.
"Lefiya," Riveria said, "if you get the chance, try to get to know that child—Qianshuo."
"Eh? …I understand."
Lefiya froze for a moment at the sudden instruction, then nodded blankly.
Riveria was her teacher. If Riveria said so, she would do it.
And besides…
Lefiya herself was curious about that boy.
Meanwhile, after Riveria and Lefiya left, Heith finished processing Qianshuo's familia certification and adventurer registration.
For the personal information section, they only wrote his age and name.
Qianshuo, twelve years old, from the Far East. Everything else remained blank—exactly as Freya had instructed Heith to tell him.
His magic and abilities still needed to be concealed, and the Guild didn't strictly require those disclosures, so there was no need to fill them in.
Walking out of the Guild hall, Heith sighed softly.
"Honestly, what a useful bit of unexpected intel. I didn't think we'd run into Loki Familia's newcomer—and have Lady Riveria personally bring her to register."
"The elf girl, Lefiya, is about your age. She's probably Lady Riveria's disciple, just like you're Hedin's."
It really was a ridiculous coincidence—Orario's two strongest mages taking disciples at nearly the same time.
Heith grinned with an unmistakable hint of schadenfreude and patted Qianshuo on the head.
"If Hedin finds out, you're going to get extra training, kid. He's not the type to let his disciple lose to Lady Riveria's disciple."
Qianshuo just smiled helplessly.
He didn't mind extra training. If anything, he was the type to enjoy it.
"Come on," Heith said, grabbing his hand. "I'll take you to eat something good. Remember how you asked where I learned that 'secret' grilled meat recipe? I'm taking you there now."
"Huh?"
Qianshuo blinked, getting dragged along. He'd only mentioned it offhand—he didn't expect Heith to actually remember.
…
The Hostess of Fertility.
From outside, Qianshuo looked into the bustling tavern. The first thing he saw was a group of cat-eared girls behind the counter, frantically serving food and drinks, dashing around in every direction.
And the waitstaff taking orders…
As if it were only natural, they were all female.
"I think I understand why this place is called what it's called," Qianshuo muttered.
The atmosphere inside was genuinely cheerful—every employee lively and bright, laughter spilling everywhere.
Most customers were male adventurers, and plenty of them wore leering expressions… but it was still clearly just drinking and having fun, and the food looked delicious.
The decor was more fashionable than most taverns, but it didn't lose that unmistakable tavern vibe. Even the outdoor café seating near the entrance gave the whole place a clean, trendy impression.
"Well, those are Mama Mia's rules," Heith said, utterly unfazed, pulling Qianshuo inside.
The moment they entered, a light, sweet voice greeted them.
"Welcome! …Eh? Heith-miss—long time no see!"
A human girl with light gray hair stepped into view. She wore a white blouse and a fresh leaf-green pinafore dress that fell past her knees, with a longer apron tied around her waist.
Her dull-luster gray hair was gathered into a bun at the back, with a ponytail trailing beneath it. Her eyes—matching her hair—looked innocent and gentle, her skin milky-white, her face soft and pretty.
"Syr," Heith greeted with a warm smile. "Long time no see."
"Qianshuo's on break today. I'm taking him out for a walk, and I brought him here to recognize the place."
When speaking to Syr, Heith's smile remained gentle—yet there was a faint trace of respect in her tone, as if Syr's identity carried weight.
"This is the child Freya-sama newly took in, right? I've heard about him," Syr said, her eyes gleaming as she studied Qianshuo with bright curiosity.
The moment Qianshuo met Syr's gaze, he froze.
Her eyes were the same gray as her hair—soft, warm, harmless.
But…
Something felt off.
He couldn't explain it—like a calm lake with something unseen moving beneath the surface.
With "Ittou Shura" and his blade techniques, Qianshuo's "sense" differed from ordinary people's. He could perceive certain special things more clearly.
Syr wasn't as breathtaking as Freya or Riveria. Her charm was the kind that flowed naturally—pretty, pleasant, and quietly compelling.
The longer you held eye contact, the more it felt like you were being pulled in.
That was the sensation.
"Hello, Miss Syr. My name is Qianshuo."
Hearing how Heith addressed her, he naturally followed suit. And since Heith said she'd brought him here to recognize the place, this tavern clearly had deep ties to Freya Familia.
"Call me Syr-oneechan," Syr tilted her head, smiling with crescent eyes as she examined him.
"Wah—your face is so pretty. Your skin is even whiter than mine. Are you really a boy?"
"Yes."
"Ehh?" Syr dragged out the sound, like she'd discovered a fascinating new toy.
"Then if you wore a skirt, wouldn't you be even cuter than a girl? We just got a new one in the shop—"
"No."
Qianshuo's refusal was crisp and immediate—his tone even carrying a note of wariness.
Syr blinked. "I wasn't finished."
"I don't care what it is. No."
Syr stared for a second, then suddenly burst out laughing.
"You look so obedient, but you're unexpectedly fierce."
Qianshuo kept a straight face, saying nothing.
Fierce? This is a bottom line.
Quietly, in his mind, he stamped a label onto "Syr-oneechan":
Dangerous. Keep distance.
Heith watched the whole thing, barely suppressing a laugh, and patted Qianshuo's shoulder.
"Alright, alright. Syr, don't scare the kid."
"When did I scare him?" Syr pouted, though her eyes still carried a lingering, mischievous satisfaction.
"But… little Qianshuo—big sis has remembered you now, okay?"
For some reason, Qianshuo felt like that sentence wasn't good news.
"Aaah… little Qianshuo really doesn't listen at all," Syr complained, puffing her cheeks, the starlight in her eyes still refusing to give up.
Heith smiled helplessly and ruffled Qianshuo's head, as if soothing him.
Then she called out to the giant woman behind the counter.
"Mama Mia! Give us a full 'Starving Ghost Set'! This kid can eat!"
-------
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