41 Chapter Draft - A Two-Person Team - P2 (2/2)

In the silence, the sound of grumbling stomach resounded.

Vlad immediately turned his head towards Alicia for the second time. Since there are only two people there was in the large cave-like corridor, it was very much obvious where the sound came from.

[ Thi-This is! ] she exclaims in panic.

[ Ahh... Yea, don't worry about it... Mages tend to get hungry when they exhaust their mana... ]

A fact that Vlad had read in a book. Even though he was a very talented mage in the game, in this new reality - he was still not that well-informed and educated on how human mages and other classes that are not like his works. That was why studying and reading books he bought totally helps him in dealing with these sort of stuff.

[ That's right... I lost my stuff when we fall and I don't have any mana recovery potions or food on me anymore... Without any of those it will take me long before I could completely recover my mana... ] she mutters in a very honest way.

[ Hmm... Here. ] saying so, Vlad - as he always does - placed his hand inside his robe and took out something from his storage.

[ This is...? ]

One of the goods he stores in his storage - A bar of chocolate.

Supposedly in the game, chocolate bars can be used in restoring not just a huge percent of mana and energy, but also a lower percent of health points. This item was one of Vlad's favorite as it has a very cheap price, it fits his role, and unlike the other potions, it can easily be stacked by hundreds without even taking 1% of his storage capacity.

Vlad thought at first that he should just give her a mana recovery potion, but since she's hungry, too, it would be much wiser to give her something that will also help her fill her stomach.

[ What is this...? ]

The chocolate bar was wrapped around a red-colored cover - and Alicia was confused about what Vlad had just given her.

[ It's food that will help you recover your mana. ]

[ Is that so...? But how should I eat it...? It contains something inside, right? Is it right to open it? ]

[ Yes. That is how you're supposed to eat it. ]

With that said, Alicia looks at him with doubt, then she turns her head again to the chocolate bar.

[ ... ]

After observing it for a short moment, she found an opening to the cover and she gently peeled the bar open.

[ Is... Is this what I think it is...!? Chocolate!? ] seeing the content of the cover made her exclaim in surprise.

Sweets are a rarity in the world. Only nobles are able to try and eat them.

Chocolate - in particular, was one of the rarest sweets even nobles are having trouble to get their hands on.

[ Are you really okay with this...? Giving me something like this...! ]

[ No. Don't worry about it... ]

The truth was, Vlad was already somehow expecting that kind of reaction from her - seeing how everyone reacts to everything he does and takes out.

[ Huu... This is why I still can't believe you're not a noble... ] she whispers to herself in disbelief.

*Growl...

[ ... ]

[ Hmph! But really, a food like this is something befitting for someone like me... I-I will humbly accept it. ] with that said, she took a bite and immediately her face swells up.

[ Thi... This is good...! ]

[ Really? Then, I'm glad you liked it. ]

[ U... Un... ] she nodded in silence to Vlad's words.

[ ... ]

( Still... I can't have myself eat this by myself... ) with that thought inside her mind, she cut 1/5 of the chocolate bar and handed it to Vlad.

[ Thi-This is... Vlad-san... Thank you for your support earlier... And also this chocolate... ] Alicia said in a very quiet voice that even she could barely hear.

She felt that she should at least express some gratitude.

Thinking back, it if wasn't for him, she would have immediately consumed by fear, run, and eventually, even die.

But that time, unlike her, Vlad was calm and he knows what to do. Seeing his confidence made her come back to herself and she was able to brush off her fear. Because of him, she was able to fight with all her might.

[ Don't worry about it. I just did what I had to do. But Alicia-san, don't ever panic again like that. ] Vlad replied as he calmly accepted the 1/5 part of the chocolate bar he gave Alicia.

[ I... I know... ] she answers, staring again at Vlad's figure. She then turned her head to the chocolate bar she's holding and stared at it.

( I wonder if we made the wrong decision of coming with him... At this rate, we're nothing more than a piece of baggage holding him back... We forced him and we even involve the guild master to do so... )

Despite her not admitting it, if it weren't for her and Caiden, Vlad would probably won't have any problem subjugating this dungeon. She knows that. But because of her and Caiden's curiosity, they've only caused him trouble.

She was filled with guilt, and she guesses that Caiden probably is, too.

( It's a miracle he still treats me like this... )