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Adventurers Guild

September 11, 3210 G.E

12:28 PM

Margarita-san is in preparation for mine and her belongings needed for departure this midnight.

I sought to help but she refused.

Father in another hand, always busy. They expected that Prince Namon and his regiment will arrive in the early morning as written in a report from a trusted probe master and his acquaintances, though his location is unknown so far...

Father assured the outcome of the battle on our side to goblins without giving me why.

The problem is his prince's demands in exchange, for worst he'll pick up maidens of this town as many he wanted. Fortunately, they're only three in the count. Me, Margarita-san, and Randella, the others are under 10 years old of age, older ones and not seemed enough to satisfy his tastes.

He and the Viscount tell us, the prince is quite picky and we three fall in his categories.

「 Remember my words, I'm still your rival and you're my rival. We'll meet again someday to settle who's better between us. And... I don't want to be friends with you! Get it?!

Ohh by the way, visit me at Santo Royal Kingdom's Academy once you pass by? Promise?! 」

「 I swear 」

Although this stunned me with direct verbal assault from her mouth, the eagerness of being a friend with her didn't subside.

Though, the future had lots of uncertainties. At least, if by a chance I'll meet her.

Together with a smile, unexpectedly replied the same and she pointed me eye to eye. I couldn't catch the implication of that gesture, what does she mean?

「 Somehow she resembles Margarita-san through a sort of charismatic ambiance but not a loner type I assume. 」

Luckily, she's nowhere nearby.

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Somewhere In The Town

12:53 PM

Lunchtime had passed

As we walking to the Calci Dungeon in the drizzle of a cloudy afternoon, I recalled a vivid picture of slime on the 1st floor. It was a larger slightly and higher level than Little Slimes in the outskirts.

Also, there's nothing big about description from what I learned in the slimeology book.

Nonetheless, Mother told me it was a bigger version of Little Slimes.

Well, it's obvious from its name.

「 Midnight we'll take you in the carriage. It is now your last day hmm... 」

「 Yes... 」

I answered back somewhat sadly.

Continue into the Dunguard's house (Guard of Dungeon's Gate) and went to back to confirm our intention in a relative office.

「 Collecting Gelatin and Lollipops at 1st floor, ma'am 」

With courtesy matters aside, I handed the parchment paper to, perhaps official?

「 Nice morning, young Lady Hanaka and Quinna-sama, please take your time freely and don't pass the second floor if possible. 」

The old woman official replied with courtesy too. People here in town are sure good people, right?

「 Thank you! 」

「 Thanks for hard work 」

「 An honor to serve Guildmaster's family. For an old widowed, the appreciation is too much 」

We walked out into a blazing wide room. The air was close and I could feel the sweat starting to form on my forehead. Passing the room, the heat vanishes and cool air comes after.

The lush vegetation of grass in this broad cave was still dripping and as we turned to walk through high and low stalagmites, and tall grasses. I could feel the water droplets trickling down my inch-length bare legs.

The bright particles seemed to be light stones in the dim cave as if we walk into dimensional dark space, what a mystical scenery!

Swaying peaceful pastures, a lone man keeping his cow at cornerstone restful in peace.

The stalagmites were rough but did not seem to slow down our pace.

Mother carried a small cloth placed in her side pocket and she wipes my sweat all over the head.

「 Your getting livelier my daughter fufu~... 」

I hug her, my tears flow unconsciously by themselves.

Although these days of four almost were studying and adjusting any means in the new environment, our time spends as a family are precious moments though not so long.

「 Thank you for all you've done for me. Anyone, I gonna be missed you all 」

As I said those words, Mother trembled and tears burst momentarily in silence, this is more painful than I thought, the last day I see Mother's face and Father's bulging muscles. My heart aches for loneliness may come.

She swipes her tears then,

「 Hmm... I thought you're a grown-up lady hmm?... Your cries assure me how long I can wait until you back my daughter. I'm so glad Hanaka's wish to have a lovely sister finally heard though she's not here. We glad to have you...hmm your body is warmer than before, did you take a drop? 」

「 Somehow I forgot... 」

Scratching my right cheek because I shy to admit it, yet hungry, my stomach forgot to growl somehow.

「 That's a bad habit hmm... 」

「 Sorry... 」

With speculation, perhaps I can get Hunger Resistance or Fatigue Resistance if I continue to withstand the urge but it's too much burden to handle by the sickly body. Worries so I couldn't tell her.

I drank a mouthful spoon of blood. A moment later of walking, we arrived at a room full of slimes, so this is how they look.

I clicked the "i" button to analyze the information I was intrigued by now. What's good it may bring?

「 Monster Name: Slime

Level: 10

Vitality: 10

Defense: 5

Resistance: 5

Abilities: Crawl (E), Hop (E), Bump (F)

Exp Accumulation: 0.1 XP

Drop Rate:

1x Lollipop (21%)

1x Gelatin (5%)

1x Green Gemstone (1%)

1x +Max Vitality (0.0001%)

1x +Max Vitality (II) (0.00001%) 」

「 Dear? 」

Amazing! Can I break the limiter? It said two in Romani Numera so my limit of 500 can be added too. And uhm however, I didn't recall this word gemstone albeit the purpose.

「 Info Share~! 」

「 Ohh?! 」

She seemed amazed by it, didn't blink a moment, and can't turn blind out of the details.

「 Some say there are green gemstone drops from slime though no one confirms it, and now... You're the great daughter of mine! 」

I shook my head in embarrassment. Wait...

「 Gemstones, there's nothing written about this in our library... 」

「 As far as I know, gemstones are embedded in armors and weapons to strengthen it a bit, the higher the roman numera, the greater the effects applied though I heard royalties held a few six roman numera, which is considered National Treasure Jewellery. And seven higher are considered Ancient Treasures that are found mainly in the deepest part of dungeons after defeating floor bosses, but I doubt no one person held a thing in Southern Continents. Since ancient times, Angels, Fairies, and Elves are superior beings of Northern Continents, because of their long lifespan and they're isolated from us, I knew they held Ancient Treasures, Legendary Weapons, and Armors and too many secrets. Hmm, you knew this already right? 」

「 Yes, some of it. So it's because of rarity and expenses in research and data collected in return to consider 」

I got invaluable information... Let's set aside Continental relations, for now, I want to see at least each of them. Angels, Fairies, and Elves hmm...

「 Info Seeker! 」

「 Green Gemstone I-Common (Inventory)

Can be embedded for vit-equipments with sockets only, to add supplementary stats. Supplementary material

Can feed to vit-specialized animals and monsters for them to evolve. Evolution material. 」

「 Hmmn... This is... good news, and quite alarming. If some know this evolution matters, we don't know what they up to once they raised rare-type monsters. Indeed it shall be confidential info 」

「 I swear not to tell it to a single soul 」

「 Hmmn... don't mind it fufuu... 」

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Calci Dungeon' 1st Floor

2:57 PM

A decent amount of time passed, I killed a sufficient number of 501 slimes in every corner, in every room together with Mother. I think she's now happy, and it was clearly expressed on her face from time to time.

Whew. I wipe my sweat and sat exhausted.

As expected, I'm now in the limiter of 1000 vitality plus 15 (of stockings' stat), in a total of 1015.

Hereafter, I drank half of the vial and Mother collect all the drops in her "special bag" an unimaginable huge space within it. The remaining drops are for the quest and I put them in a leather bag.

Of course, not to repeat my mistake and thankfully no one arrived or notice us. I disregarded the seemed odd, it's a busy day?

Though our town had agricultural farms, most of our food comes from the Calci. I wonder why so.

Mother appeared to be had an inexhaustible stat for endurance I guess.

Afterward, we sat down in the shade of a large tall stalagmite near a crystal-like pool or pond?. The bare sand was cool and a relief from the heat in shaded rooms from which we had came.

It feels like we were on the beach under starry nights full of twinkling stars.

I lay my head beside my mother while looking up.

「 Mother, sorry for being presumptuous, honestly are you feel okay right now? What about after we depart? 」

Silence for a few seconds. A cool breeze came after blowing end strands of my hair though no seas in here.

「 Hmm my dear, I can tolerate loneliness and think for the best of you and Margarita. There're lots of friends you'll meet up there at Centropol Academy. The adventure and happiness of Academy life, I couldn't keep your freedom out of selfishness. And above all else, you two will come back to us, right? So it's fine 」

「 I pledge in front of the Creator! 」

「 What an assuring statement fufuu...

I've got a memorable day my dear Hanaka, I'll cherish this day of ours 」

「 Me too! 」

Meanwhile, she looked up at the crown and spotted some coconuts. Asking me to stand up in a distance, she cast a spell named "Instant Teleport". In no time, with one arm and feet gripping the rigged trunk of stalactite, she was throwing down to the sand safely, the two young, green nuts.

We sat after having pried open the nuts with a stone and drank the milky and sweet coconut milk. I recalled the taste last time at the guild. Hmmmm~

I lay my head back again against the smooth part of tall stalagmites and a comfortable spot among shallow rocks behind, Mother follows and sat beside me.

She told me that after I graduate, she'll teach me the spell. And I'm glad of it having a cool convenient spell, pop out of nowhere and disappeared in an instant. I wonder how to learn it, running quickly, sort of walking pattern? Or simple one walking door to door in each direction?.

Just like that, viewing together with the mystical view of the secret Calci's pond, and eat snack we brought from Guild after.

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5:30 PM

I sleep hours later, got outside, and say farewell to the old lady official.

By now, the sky was starting to darken, the sun behind a cloud above the horizon glowed with pinks and gray.

Secretly, I found special presents while Mother didn't turn around, two eggs which looked like shining jewels in my palm, looks expensive stones but they're eggs.

「 Where did you get it, Hanaka-chan? Hmm... 」

Asked when I presented it in front of my parents in the living quarter of the house. Margarita-san seemed finished with preparations and sat beside me.

「 I dug it up from the " seaside" of the pond with the ability of my eyes, Margarita-san. It's named "Ruby Turtle Egg" while the other "Crystal Turtle Egg". No more are there I guess? 」

「 What!!!??? 」

Uhh. They shouted in unison, the louder and higher pitch of the voice is obviously from Margarita-san. Eardrum wracking...

「 Uhh... 」

「 Opps. 」

Father hurriedly get the eggs to his inventory. I can't comprehend what they think. Are my actions unlawful?

And we heard a sudden burst from the side as if no concern for our door.

So he knows he'll come?

The fat teen man the other night, Merko Chante stands in like a hero's posture.

I know this is considered rude for you but it's too awkward posing like no other day.

「 Guildmaster is everybody okay!? 」

「 We are okay... Merko? 」

「 Uhmm pardon for my intrusion! Guild Master! Quinna-sama! Leaving! 」

He turned around to exit and a piece of cloth suddenly falls from his pocket and it seems a...

「 Merko!? 」

「 Hii! Guild Master! 」

Ohh what an intimidating ability, I wonder what it is. Though mine is a dangerous one.

「 Tell me the owner of that undergarment! 」

「 It's not what you think Quinna-sama, Guildmaster! 」

「 We'll have an interrogation later at 7 pm in my office. You may leave.

Ohh, wait... bring that female cloth you took 」

「 Hii! Pardon my leave! 」

Silence took up a quarter of a minute, serious stuff I guess regarding those eggs also that one earlier. This awkwardness gauged out our stamina. I let out a deep sigh. Well...

「 Father, Mother am I wrong taken those eggs from the pond and make them as presents? I would want you to cherish them while we went. Their colors resemble me and Margarita-san so I thought you might like them and never felt lonely 」

「 Margarita, it's a certainly wonderful gift, right? 」

Margarita-san nods happily.

「 Each one has values of 10 platinum coins and a grown-up turtle for 20 platinum coins! Of course, we couldn't sell it to anyone nor thought it uhh, a pain in the head. This one's regarded as Ancient Pets by some and few royal families got their hands to it 」

「 Wow sounds cool "pet" 」

「 Hanaka-chan you're quite risky. Once anyone heard of it, we're doom 」

「 Can I count that as a warning? Uhh... 」

「 Well let's raise them 」

They prepared a rectangular glass pane known as "aquarium", then they make a miniature beach, slanting curve for the sand and the holy water. Next, decorated inside with twigs, tiny rocks, and a heating stone attached at the top middle.

Finally, I carried them with life, so small, so delicate yet the potential to develop will hatch into a minute replica of their parents.

The jewel shells, like the ambiance around the aquarium, allowed only what was good to filter in.

「 Finish 」

「 Though I didn't encounter one, according to what I read the borrowed book the other week. The turtles, not this rarest in the count live mostly in the deepest part of the ocean. One day what was inside the shell would use its tiny beak to break out of that protective shell and emerge to face the cruel and harsh elements. The only couple of dozens out of hundreds survives, the rest perish on the way, and others eaten by monsters, they're not thick-shelled from the start with but I'm not sure 」

Laughing aside, I can't hold a candle against a walking library. She's says something relevant to us in this situation, even though the eggshell has over a thousand defense and resistance stat, I know these babies can break it.

I reflect and evaluate myself...

If they can then why I can't?

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Outskirts

6:21 PM

Dusk was close. The sun in its usual fashion on the west horizon had again sunk into the calm abyss which seemed to quench its fiery thirst. Its last rays lacked the biting heat of the afternoon. Now like a humble giant, quietly disappeared from view.

I was a wonder that it could be have been a tearful night but the teasing shadows shook with laughter as if they hear we'll depart now in the middle of the night.

It was almost dark, all things are prepared, however, and it hardly mattered what we had on. We could still see each other's faces when we left the house after family dinner, but by the time we reached the outskirts of the town, it was only short of pitch dark...

We meet up with the old couple.

Honestly speaking, they're Nemma-neesan and Gelli-neesan with the help of their ability "Camouflage of Gemini" though convenient ability, they can use it only once a week.

Mother and Father turned off their illumination spell and approach us in silence;

「 Margarita, please stay vigilant and careful at all times. Watch over your sister, she's your responsibility 」

「 Margarita-chan please enjoy together with her. May Creator guide you. 」

「 Uncle, Auntie please feel ease for I shall bear and fulfill my responsibilities as her sister and guardian 」

「 Uhh... 」

With one knee, her posture is like a knight's oath before the king even considered one of the customary practices, still I wouldn't imitate it out of embarrassment.

「 Hanaka... 」

「 My dear... 」

「 Father, Mother promise I'll be top 1 student at Academy and brought upon an honor to our family once I graduated, and will take care of myself together with Margarita-san 」

「 Hanaka-chan... 」

「 Hanaka just do your best, whatever result it is, still, you're our daughter 」

「 Hanaka just called us Mama and Papa could you? 」

A minuscule amount of tears flows through, perceiving the warmness makes us feel relieved instead of mourned. But...

「 You too Margarita... 」

「 Absolutely Mama, Papa... 」

She lowered her gaze as if to cover her flowing tears too.

But I mustn't cross the boundary between us. In consideration of the Griego Family's real daughter, calling them likely implies hurt in her side.

Perhaps I am mistaken, they have misplaced me and her?

Out of my conscience, sorry I can't.

「 Promise we'll be back as soon as we can, right? 」

「 Yeah I gonna miss them and the library too, Hanaka-chan 」

I told them the reason and accepted with the same warmth as before.

After exchanges, finally, we move and say to them farewells, via waves of the hand.

「 Lady Hanaka, Lady Margarita please take a nap, the journey will be a long trip. 」