8. First Mission

Lexiard was currently quite upset.

He had been banned from entering Cheiles for the time being by Eclise.

On top of that, he was confined at home after returning.

“…This is annoying.”

Originally, he had planned to follow along to find Rodi and Gemvil.

But as soon as the incident was resolved, people from his family came to take Lexiard away.

And it happened while he was being scolded by Eclise after being called separately.

“You almost killed someone again this time.”

“I wasn’t trying to kill them. I just wanted an apology.”

“And if that wasn’t enough, you brought the kid and put her in danger.”

“That was because there was a separate culprit and they kept ignoring it.”

“So you didn’t stop her and let her move dangerously.”

“……”

He had nothing to say about that part.

Although he had done it wanting to help Rodi find the real culprit, the fact remained that she had been exposed to danger.

“I’ve always told you to be aware that you’re different from others.”

“……”

“Go back home.”

“I’m sorry.”

He thought it wouldn’t be anger that would easily subside, but this time it was quite resolute.

“Uncle.”

“Don’t make me angrier. Go back and behave yourself for a while.”

Normally, he wouldn’t have even glanced at the carriage sent to pick him up.

But this time, after being thoroughly scolded by Eclise, he swallowed his pride and quietly got into the carriage.

After all, what Lexiard feared most was being disliked by Eclise.

Since he was told not to even think about coming to Cheiles or approaching Rodi if he didn’t listen, he had no choice but to comply obediently for now.

He had finally found someone he was interested in, someone similar to himself, and he couldn’t afford to lose that.

“……”

Four at the door. Eight by the window.

As soon as he entered the room, there were more than ten guards positioned nearby.

“They’ve placed quite a lot.”

Not that it would be of any use anyway.

If Lexiard had made up his mind to leave this place, he could have taken out at least half of them.

In the past, he might have barely managed to tie up or knock down one or two, but as Lexiard grew, so did the magnitude of his power.

And his proficiency in manipulating the black smoke increased day by day.

Additionally, although he hadn’t told Eclise yet, whenever he saw blood or harmed someone, the destructive power of the black smoke seemed to strengthen, as if absorbing that power.

The immediate strengthening was something even Lexiard could clearly feel.

If he were to harm someone here, it would certainly become much easier afterward.

“……”

Of course, he wouldn’t do that because then even his uncle would probably see him as a monster.

And besides his uncle, there was now one more person he didn’t want to see him as a monster, so Lexiard was really trying hard to control his immediate impulses.

“Lexiard, let’s go to the top floor of the west wing next time too!”

“I need to go to the top floor of the west wing…”

Lexiard muttered while lying sprawled on the bed, looking at the ceiling.

“It’s boring being alone, but it’s fun and nice when Lexiard comes along.”

I should have bought something fun and left it there.

“Really? Then if I stay there, can we eat dinner and breakfast together every day? Everyone doesn’t come in the morning, so I eat alone and it’s boring.”

“I need to eat breakfast with her too… This is annoying.”

Unable to bear the boredom and frustration any longer, Lexiard grabbed the sofa and cushions with his black smoke and tore them to shreds.

***

“Rookie, may I touch your cheek just once?”

“One Brin per touch.”

Not even Dena, but fifteen Brin would barely make 1 Dena, such a small amount.

“Gasp! Don’t sell yourself so cheaply! I’ll give you my entire salary!”

“…I was just joking. Then just once!”

“It’s an honor, Rookie!”

Rodi offered her cheek with a face that said she was doing him a favor.

Today she was with Jin again, but there were also other familiar faces.

Meogly, Serinea, and Jo, whom she had greeted at the banquet.

The three of them had been surrounding Rodi since morning.

Among them, the one showing the most fervent interest in Rodi was Meogly, who had been boisterous from their first greeting.

His large hand reached toward Rodi’s cheek and then withdrew.

Then he took out a handkerchief from inside his uniform, wiped his hands vigorously, and only then finally reached for Rodi’s cheek.

“Hey, don’t touch her carelessly.”

But even that didn’t make contact as it was deflected by Serinea’s hand.

“The Rookie gave permission!”

Meogly’s eyes became teary.

“Don’t you know that babies are more vulnerable to diseases? Right, Rookie? I’ll block all the annoying things for you-“

“Huh?”

Serinea leaned down slightly and whispered to Rodi.

“Couldn’t you just give me one compliment to Ekision?”

“Hey! You’re using the Rookie too. Please step back.”

This time, Jo, who had been watching the two, grabbed Serinea and Meogly’s clothes and pulled them back.

The reason so many people had gathered was because of the mission Jin had received.

The requested items for simple delivery were artificial hearts to be placed in experimental subjects, products that the Magic Tower had put their heart and soul into making, and they wanted to entrust them specifically to Cheiles.

They said that if this succeeded, the Magic Tower would give a great boost to the medical field, emphasizing that it was truly important work.

Although it was important, it was a simple task of moving the requested items by carriage, so originally Jin had planned to go alone and return quickly.

“Rookie, I don’t think I can play with you all day today. What should I do?”

“It’s okay, I can play well by myself. Have a good trip!”

“When you say that, it breaks Daddy’s heart.”

“Since when did you become a father?”

“We were destined to be father and daughter from the beginning. We just met late. Right? We even have the same red hair.”

“Yes! Ekision agreed to be my rich daddy.”

“Well… you do resemble each other in some ways. Though I’m not talking about hair color.”

Ekision had come to the general affairs office to say hello in the morning and was spending his remaining time with Rodi.

He had originally not planned to stop by the guild but came specifically to say good morning to Rodi.

During that time, he learned that Rodi would be spending the morning alone and suggested that she go along with Jin.

“Rodi, would you like to go with Jin?”

“Is that okay?”

“Why not? They say it’s a simple task. It would be good for you to observe.”

“Then can I go too?”

“That should be fine, right? Jin, what do you think?”

“I don’t have a problem with it, but I don’t want Rodi to be in any danger, even a little.”

“Padrid, you’ve verified the client, right?”

“Hmm… since it’s a request from the Magic Tower’s management department, we can hold them accountable if there’s a problem. Ms. Miriam came in person to sign. That’s why we accepted it.”

“If it’s Ms. Miriam, she’s from the upper management, so there shouldn’t be an issue.”

Everyone knew that such things didn’t need to be questioned.

Even if there was a problem, they would all resolve it themselves, so honestly, there was nothing to check.

Unless someone was deliberately targeting them, anyone who carelessly messed with Cheiles would end up suffering instead, so the other side wouldn’t even dream of it.

But with Rodi accompanying them, things were different.

They were double-checking, like crossing a stone bridge.

They already knew what the items were, and the client was clearly identified, so there shouldn’t be any danger.

“Then it doesn’t seem bad. However, just in case, let’s take an escort. Ah, here he comes.”

“General Affairs Manager, could you please approve these purchase documents for the east wing… Why are you looking at me like that?”

The person Padrid pointed to was Jo, who had just opened the door and entered.

Without knowing what was happening, the blinking Jo was immediately assigned as an escort.

Rodi, who had been curious about the missions that Cheiles guild members, especially the senior staff, went on, was excited at the thought of finally being able to get a glimpse.

After this mission, Jin would immediately go on the vacation that Padrid had prepared for him, so everything was falling into place perfectly.

They were planning to depart lightly like that, but somehow they had become five people instead of three.

It was because Jo, who had said he would quickly change into his uniform and come back, returned with Serinea and Meogly in tow.

The reason was that they were tired and bored of working only indoors.

Though it seemed Serinea had other motives.

So not only was Rodi going along, but four more people had been added.

They had unintentionally become a long line of people, but Jin didn’t seem to mind much.

“Rodi, you must never leave my side when we’re outside.”

“Yes!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Rodi stuck close to Jin’s side.

A small smile appeared on Jin’s face.

“Then let’s get moving.”