Chapter 575: Satisfaction (2/2)
”Don't worry,” said he, the eyes burnt in red, ”-I don't feel much nowadays.”
”I apologize for the trouble I've caused,” her head lowered.
”Lady Haru, I'm grateful for the help. There's nothing to apologize for. I'm finally freed from the adventuring academy. Supposed I ought to get going. Let's have dinner sometimes.”
On a trip to the office, the advisor grudgingly granted the graduation badge. No ceremony, nor satisfaction, the haunted building presided heavily. 'I wonder what Gayae is doing,' a trip to the workshop displayed an even dirtier scene. He and his partner ran about the oily yard.
”Igna,” skid to a stop, ”-save me,” the imposing body cowered.
”Huh?” a wrench beelined for their heads, ”-holy,” he caught the projectile, ”-careful.” Just then, a group of first years passed by.
”Come on!” cried Gayae, ”-stop throwing stuff around, it's dangerous.”
”No fuck you!” exclaimed she bolting inside.
”You sure get along,” commented Igna.
”Stop it,” he sighed, ”-what's up.”
”Came by to say farewell. I graduated earlier.”
”Graduated?” he frowned.
”Yeah, I'm part of the trader's guild. A culmination of events led to this situation; my teachers headed to Arda. A tier-3 silver ranked oversaw the exams,” he pulled out a tag, ”-see, I was promoted to Tier-6 Emerald.”
”Wow, tier-6. I'm only tier-8, you must be strong.”
”Not really. Here, let's exchange contact information. Who knows, I might need a talented mechanic one of these days.”
”I'll be happy to help,” they hugged and parted ways. Noise and chaos permeated through the academy grounds. Part of it was the charm of preparation before a festival. Practice, hanging out with friends, working together, and the opportunity to show their talents to potential buyers. 'I wonder what old man Kord's doing.'
Across the forest path and into the shopping street, the noise grew fuller and present. '-Ok…' flyers were all over the shops, preparations here were also in full tilt. Brazen students climbed buildings to tie decorations. Kord's shop stayed more or less the same, customers sure weren't lacking.
”Ling, isn't that?”
”What is it, Goldie?”
”Look,” she pointed, ”-that's him!”
”Kein, catch him.”
The apartment brought more than a few memories. The closed opposite shop gave amble cover from the mild showers. A refreshing change from the earlier heat. '-I wonder if they're fine.' Bags were used as shelter from the rain. The deliciousness of the food didn't discourage, rather, the intensity augmented.
”I got you,” mumbled a short black outline.
”Who are you?”
”Calm down,” said a familiar voice, ”-no need to pull out a gun.”
”Sorry,” said she, ”-I had to pull up my hoodie,” and so, the outline turned to be Kein.
”Lingling, Kein, and Goldie, what a coincidence.”
”You don't seem happy,” argued Goldie.
”Should I be?” he ungripped Tharis.
”Cold,” cried Ling, ”-stop trying to be so off-putting.”
”What happened to Lucia?” the reunion fell in woe, the lowered gaze spoke volume '-bad question.'
”…”
”Don't worry,” said he, ”-don't speak if you don't want to.”
”No, no, it's fine.”
”The face could say otherwise,” he remarked.
”It's fine,” refuted Ling, ”-Lucia left the academy. The experience was too much to handle.”
”I-I see.”
”Forget that,” said Goldie, ”-come, let's go eat.” They made for Kord's eatery.
”Mister, it's me, Lingling,” an energetic gesture invited sneers from the buyers.
'What is she thinking, cutting line is the worse offense…'
”Ling, use the backdoor, girl,” refuted the old man. Up and around, ”-so, what brings you this afternoon,” the fish were readied effortlessly.
”We brought someone special,” winked Kein and Goldie, ”-ta-dah.”
”Embarrassing,” he whispered, ”-hello, old man Kord, long time no see.”
”I'll be damned,” he laughed, ”-good to see you alive and well. Go on upstairs, the lass has been more on edge lately.”
”Are you sure?”
”Yeah, go on,” he smiled, ”-girls, get ready, we have a lot of customers today.”
”Yes boss!” they saluted.
'Working-part time. Who would have thought.' Up the fire escape, *knock, knock,* laughter dulled into babbling, ”-coming,” said one through it all. *click,* ”-hey, how can I help,” the face froze, ”-I-I-IGNA?”