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「Ahhh... this is bliss...」

Wearing nothing but a towel around my waist, I let my body soak in the Lakua springs—all the dirt and grime washed away as I sunk deeper into the pristine water.

Nobody used the springs during the evening—we had the privilege of using it any time we wanted. Naturally, we had an hour to clean ourselves before the girls came barging in.

Brings me back to the time the girls walked in on Thonvir taking a midnight dip. Idiot boy wouldn't listen to me and insisted on staying behind. A fun tale to embarrass him with...

The soothing sounds of the waterfall and nearby forest were a nice addition to this relaxing environment.

It was the perfect spot to unwind after a strenuous day of training.

「We really owe it to the Sentinels for cleaning this place up daily... Scrubbing and sterilization sounds like a pain to deal with honestly...」

「When ya put it that way... I suppose we 'ave been takin' these weekly baths fer granted.」

There was an irony in having Thonvir say that as he swam around the springs.

Who does breaststrokes in a bath even?

「Yo! Kids! Ya got in before me?!」

Splash!

And then came another disturber of peace. Waves from Asthos' cannonball dive nearly pushed me out onto the rocky ground.

It was unpleasant suddenly having my back scrape against the jagged stone edge.

「Asthos! Warn me next time if you're gonna jump in like that! Actually, don't jump in at all!」

「Ahaha! Sorry kid, I couldn't resist!」

His bathing suit was an intimidating presence. His muscles were so well-defined, it was unreal.

Even then, I groaned at his unapologetic response and loosened myself once more. Allowing myself to be bothered by the hunter's antics would be uncharacteristic of me.

I had a better grasp of my body than I did when I was twelve years old. I was no longer prone to childish outbursts.

Hehe... in addition to my combat experience, my emotions are getting easier to control now... This teenage mind no longer took the reins of my decision-making.

「That aside, Lorenzo, ain't yer hair gettin' a tad bit too wild? Ya should probably cut it soon...」

Thonvir dived up to me like a shark and commented on my appearance.

「You think so? I feel like I could get away with it. Mel does with that ponytail of hers right?」

I blew the wavy hair out of my eyes. Every so often my vision would be partially obscured by a tuft of red.

To me, it was a physical indicator of my growth. To others, it was a blatant failure in personal hygiene.

In fact, that wasn't the only thing different about me.

I stroked my chin and felt bristles growing; I skimmed my torso with my fingers and felt a chiseled physique forming; I traced the contours of my face and felt a defined jawline developing.

The effects of restoration magic were incredible. My build was closer to that of a fit high-schooler than a 14-year-old.

Hastening the aging process would open up more moneymaking opportunities for me in the future, so if anything, I was eager to catch up to my mental age.

「Oi ya two! Are ya seriously talkin' 'bout stylin' yer hair like a bunch o' sissies?! Where're th' manly conversations hah?!」

「What's your idea of a manly conversation then huh? How to gut animals?」

「Naaah! There's an even manlier conversation than that!」

「Ugh... Spit it out you lummox...」

「Let's talk 'bout love!」

Thonvir slipped while getting out of the water and pathetically sank back in like a pair of cement shoes.

Asthos' words clearly rattled him to the core.

「How is that a manly conversation..? This an excuse to gush about Lia?」

「I'm o' course interested in what ya two have t' say! Ye're the future of Lakua after all!」

With my head half-submerged in the spring, my deep sigh let out a short burst of bubbles.

Love eh..? What a load of garbage...

Buffoons who fell victim to such carnal desires were susceptible to all sorts of attacks. Exploiting Battleshift's dowry system did significantly contribute to my wealth...

「L-l-love?! What kind o' ninny would be interested in that?!」

I crossed my arms and nodded in agreement. I was on Thonvir's side with this.

「Now, now! Let's start with Lorenzo's crush! I think I know who he's pinin' for... hehehe!」

「I swear to Vel... you're extra annoying when you take a dip in these springs...」

Seeing as he wasn't backing down, I entertained his question and fell into deep thought.

In my 24 years of living, nary once had I experienced an overflowing need to be with another. I reserved the term "love" purely for money, and by extension myself who earned the money.

So expectedly, my attempts in conjuring up a supposed romantic interest drew nothing but blanks.

「Can't think of anyone.」

「Ahaha! Lyin' through yer teeth is bad fer th' soul ya know?!」

「Alright then, who do you think I have in mind you obnoxious ape?」

「Who else but Melyn ya brat?! Ya two've been close from the day ya arrived here! I guarantee ya've developed some feelings fer her!」

「Hm..? Mel you say..?」

The natural response was...

Yeah... no, I'm not into underdeveloped brats.

In the first place, she regarded me as nothing more than a "little brother", whatever that meant. She probably viewed all children younger than her as part of her family.

Those who were her age or older didn't get to enjoy the same treatment we younger kids did.

「What about you Thonvir? You're head over heels for Oleena aren't you?」

「HAAAH?!」

The boy jolted up as I nonchalantly exposed him. His voice must've reached the village.

「How am I in l-love with that ninny?!」

「You don't fight back when she picks on you, you always hang around her, and you make a face whenever she brushes against you. It's obvious you fancy her you know? 」

「But it's not me she's in love with! It's you! Why would I fight a losin' battle..?」

「Then if I accepted her feelings, you wouldn't object?」

His incessant denial was cute but tiring. I figured a pinch of teasing would do the trick.

Predictably, the boy was bereft of color.

「D-do whatever ya want ya ninny...」

He averted his eyes but I could tell, he was devastated. The Hu breathing technique was a reliable tool in this simple, albeit cruel, litmus test.

Thonvir's airways constricted like the elastic waistband of my pajama pants.

「Keep your chin up, kid. I was only joking. She's no more than a precocious brat to me. I won't interfere in your relationship.」

「Is that so..? I-I mean, not that I care 'bout that either way! The only girl I've gotta protect is Ysolva and no one else!」

「Alright Romeo, calm down...」

His respiration normalized with my assurance. It was endearing how easy he was to read.

「Oi, oi, Lorenzo! Don't be changin' th' subject now! Ya still haven't fessed up who ya like!」

「Asthos, again with that? I'm telling you there's no one I'm interested in!」

「And I'm tellin' ya I don't buy it! At least name someone yer remotely attracted to!」

The tenacious muscleman just didn't let up.

I thought about randomly naming a girl from the village just to shut him up, but remembered how much of a blabbermouth he was.

Someone I'm remotely attracted to eh?

If I went by looks alone, there was one who stood above the rest...

「In that case... Lia would be the obvious choice. She's pretty good-looking when she isn't in drill sergeant mode you know?」

A chill ran down my spine. I quickly got the impression that something was awry.

Thonvir distanced himself from me as the uneasiness grew. This perplexity was solved with a single glance at the musclebound hunter.

He was staring daggers at me.

「Oi, oi, oi Lorenzo! So yer in love with th' same woman hah?! Well, I accept yer challenge then!」

「I-I didn't say that! I merely meant appearance-wise she's—」

「 Ya maybe a kid, but competition is competition! Let's arm wrestle fer her affections! C'mere!」

「S-stop you bumbling oaf! Hands off!」

Asthos made his way over to me in an attempt to get me in a headlock. He usually did so after our ballistite training sessions.

Thonvir laughed at us from afar as my doom drew closer.

「What's with all the noise?! I thought a Therobyx jumped in with you, haha!」

R-Rysef..!

His voice alarmed me. Without a moment's notice, I stood up and hurried out of the water, determined to leave.

Our relationship never recovered after the confrontation two years ago. Though I was still officially his apprentice, we rarely spoke afterward.

An awkward and suffocating air surrounded him ever since he spouted out that warning of his.

「I'll call it a day here. Enjoy the springs Asthos.」

「L-Lorenzo where are ya goin'?!」

I couldn't bear the sight of our spineless leader.

Drowning himself in alcohol during dinnertimes, taking relaxing baths in the evenings, and engaging in merriments around the village were activities he'd frequently engage in.

All the while, hundreds, if not thousands were falling victim to the Nixie epidemic sweeping the city.

My rage was immeasurable.

「Wait Lorenzo.」

The Ashen Thief stopped me in my tracks.

「What?」

「I needed to tell you something.」

I picked up a towel from a nearby rock and faced him. As I dried myself, I spotted Thonvir out from the corner of my eye.

His furrowed brow indicated an undying hostility that had persisted from the day we met.

「Kayn contacted me last week. There's to be an emergency District Master meeting the day after tomorrow. We'll be discussing a response to the emerging crime factions around Yarzon.」

「Oh? Took you long enough.」

My deprecating remark visibly didn't sit well with Rysef. But it was the truth—these dysfunctional leaders did too little too late.

The irrevocable damage had already been dealt.

「And? What does that have to do with me?」

「Lorenzo, I want you to attend. With us. For old times' sake.」

My heart nearly flatlined.

Asthos and Thonvir both gaped at the Ashen Thief's request.

The one and only time I was invited to a District Master meeting was when I got into a fight with the Viridescent Queen. They never brought me back following that initial mishap.

To bring me back after a sour history... I hadn't an inkling of what was running through his mind.

「Why all of a sudden? Am I even welcome back there?」

「Hahaha! Still traumatized by your scuffle with Seyna? Commendable. It means you're aware of your mistakes and you won't repeat them. That's as good a reason as any. 」

「I was aware much earlier you know..?」

Contrary to my unwilling utterances, I saw this as a chance. A chance to exhort the council to take immediate action.

Since Seyna and Nabal were strong proponents of this notion, reeling in supporters wouldn't be an issue. I just needed something to rile them up.

「Fine, I'll take you up on that. And can you not bring these things up last minute?」

「Haha! You can just refuse if you're not up for it! Unless you have something planned..?」

He leaned in and glared at me squarely. I held my breath as the overwhelming pressure hit me.

「Ah confound it! I trust that you're smarter than you were two years ago. You resemble a man now Lorenzo. Live up to your image.」

He lightly punched my chest and grinned.

I awkwardly tittered and picked up the clean set of clothes beside me. With this opportunity, I couldn't afford to be careless. Ad-libbing was too risky.

Tonight and tomorrow, I had to extensively prepare for this meeting. The Lakua District depended on it.

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