"..."
Kurose Akira stared at the three trait options that had just popped up before his eyes, his brows unconsciously knitting together.
Nurturing Life. Estrus Period. Likes to Disturb You.
…What kind of traits were these supposed to be?
They were way too weird.
"Let's reroll first."
Akira chose to refresh the options, resetting the three traits.
[Pretty Girl][Little Roast Chicken][Likes Spicy Food]
"Refresh."
[Life Lotus Bloom][Flash][Blue Hip-Hugging Skirt]
"Life Lotus Bloom?"
The moment Akira saw that trait, a spark of interest flashed through his eyes.
This one… seemed like it might actually mean something.
"I'll take you."
He made the selection without hesitation, assigning [Life Lotus Bloom] to Virola.
[Your adventurer Virola has obtained the trait — Life Lotus Bloom!]
[Life Lotus Bloom: All forms of life will blossom in their own unique way! She really likes the scent of life~]
"?"
Akira frowned slightly at the vague description.
Blossom in a unique way?What was that supposed to mean?
Just as confusion set in, Virola quietly stepped closer to him and gently sniffed his scent.
"Guildmaster, you smell so nice~"
As she spoke, her soft pink tongue suddenly flicked out and licked Akira's cheek.
The abrupt intimacy froze Akira on the spot. He stared at Virola in shock.
…What?
He immediately glanced at her favorability.
100.
"Huh?"
Why was her starting favorability already at 100?!
"Sniff sniff~"
Virola sniffed him from head to toe, clearly enamored with his scent.
"Virola?"
"Guildmaster, you smell really nice~ Sister Alice too. Everyone smells so nice… except Miss Rhine~"
She blinked, smiling innocently as she spoke.
"Marey Rhine…"
Akira laughed awkwardly.
After all, Marey Rhine was a dragon that symbolized destruction. It was only natural that Virola—who adored life—would dislike her.
Still, Virola's first comment left Akira puzzled.
Why was the first person she mentioned Alice?
Alice was a witch-made construct.
Her life was a specially granted existence—so why would Virola notice her first?
Before Akira could ask, Virola suddenly trotted away on her deer legs, cheerful and carefree like an unspoiled child.
"This kid…"
Akira chuckled softly.
Virola seemed fascinated by anything brimming with vitality.
Sure enough, in the blink of an eye, she had already run over to the Snow Porcupine Egg in the guild hall.
"There's a really nice scent here too~"
She stood before the egg, tilting her head as she studied it curiously.
At the same time, the Demonflame Silverphoenix Butterfly fluttered over to her.
"Little one~ are you saying this was your doing?"
Virola asked curiously.
"Chirp chirp~"
The butterfly nodded happily.
"You're amazing~"
Virola smiled and gently patted the butterfly's head, praising it warmly.
Watching the interaction between the two small creatures, Akira felt a bit surprised.
Ever since the Demonflame Silverphoenix Butterfly had cocooned the Snow Porcupine Egg, the egg had shown signs of life.
Now, Virola's reaction confirmed it.
Could it be that this egg would really hatch into a new life someday?
That said… Snow Porcupines were elemental beings created by the Icefield Witch.
If it hatched, would it still carry the Icefield Witch's mark?
Lost in thought, Akira shifted his gaze toward—
No, not sitting.
Crouching on the floor.
Azcman was squatting there leisurely, sipping the coffee Alice had prepared for her while waiting for Xu Feiyan to come pick her up.
At that moment, a system notification flashed into Akira's view.
['Fei' requests entry into your guild territory.]
"She came personally to get Azcman?"
Akira was a little surprised.
As a guildmaster, Xu Feiyan could have simply given Azcman coordinates and teleported her directly from Akira's guild to her own.
Yet she had chosen to come in person.
Still… there wasn't anything unsuitable in his guild.
…Probably.
"Approve."
The moment Akira confirmed, the teleportation array erupted with dazzling light.
The next instant, the guild doors opened softly, and three figures stepped inside.
Xu Feiyan gently waved her round fan, walking toward Akira with elegant steps.
Behind her were Huo Lian and a woman in a blue dress—the Holy Maiden of the Church of Light they had encountered earlier at the Golden Beach.
"Guildmaster…"
Seeing her own guildmaster arrive in person, Azcman immediately stood up.
"Are you hurt?" Xu Feiyan asked with concern.
"I'm fine," Azcman shook her head.
Only then did Xu Feiyan relax and turn her gaze toward Akira, smiling.
"My child, thank you for taking care of her, Guildmaster Su—ah, Kurose Akira."
Akira replied, "I only managed to rescue Virola so quickly thanks to Azcman's help."
"Oh?"
Xu Feiyan chuckled lightly, her eyes lingering on Azcman for a moment before returning to Akira.
"Won't you invite me to sit for a while?"
"Please, have a seat."
Akira immediately welcomed her.
However, the guild hall was furnished with nothing more than crude wooden stools. The only sofa available was already occupied by Marey Rhine.
Xu Feiyan glanced at the rough wooden stools but showed no sign of displeasure.
She sat down gracefully and carefully surveyed Akira's guild hall.
From its founding until now, the guild had maintained this barebones decor—wooden chairs, wooden stools, unchanged for a long time.
This man… really wasn't good at decorating his guild.
After Xu Feiyan sat down, the two members of the Fairy Consort Guild did not sit, choosing instead to stand at her side.
Huo Lian looked around and failed to spot the twin sisters.
So she turned to Akira and asked, "Where are Fu Li and Fu Luo?"
"They're undergoing the baptism of the Elven Mother Tree," Akira explained.
"The Mother Tree's baptism?"
Huo Lian looked surprised.
"I thought they'd have to wait until adulthood…"
Compared to the familiarity between Huo Lian and Akira, the blue-dressed Holy Maiden remained rather quiet.
Though they had met once, it had only been a brief glance.
Yet for some reason, the atmosphere of Akira's guild felt strangely familiar to her—almost reminiscent of the Pope herself.
"Delorie? What's wrong?"
Azcman noticed Delorie quietly observing the guild, her expression slightly puzzled.
"It's nothing," Delorie shook her head, thinking it was probably just because she hadn't seen the Pope in so long and was missing her.
"Please enjoy your coffee~"
Alice handed each of them a cup.
"Thank you."
Xu Feiyan accepted the coffee with a smile and took a small sip—then quickly set it down.
Alice's coffee was far too sweet for her taste.
In contrast, Delorie, the Holy Maiden of the Church of Light, seemed to quite enjoy it.
"Your guild is already so strong," Xu Feiyan said thoughtfully."Have you never considered decorating it a bit? Making the environment more comfortable for them?"
Akira explained, "I've been busy with missions lately, and I also have school matters to deal with in real life. I haven't had much free time."
"School?" Xu Feiyan looked surprised. "You're still studying?"
"…Do I look that old?" Akira froze, wondering if he really came off as that mature.
"Not at all~" Xu Feiyan smiled."It's just that my own work happens to be related to schools."
"Which university are you at, then?" she asked.
"I'm preparing for the college entrance exams," Akira answered.
"..."
Xu Feiyan was momentarily stunned.
She had assumed Akira was a university student—yet he was still in high school?
That caught her completely off guard.
Perhaps the distance from real-world society, combined with his in-game composure, had made him seem far more mature than his age.
Still… she hadn't expected him to be this young.
Akira was also surprised.
Her work was related to schools?
"Are you a teacher?" he asked curiously.
"Nope~"
"A professor?"
"Still no~"
"…A principal?"
"Even less so~"
Xu Feiyan smiled as she gently stirred her coffee with a spoon.
"I'm a shareholder in several universities. I occasionally give lectures as well. In certain fields… I have a few shallow insights of my own."
"..."
Akira fell silent.
A shareholder in multiple universities?
No wonder she was so wealthy.
After chatting for a while longer, Xu Feiyan and Azcman took their leave.
Before departing, Xu Feiyan specifically reminded Akira of the opening times for the final two high-risk-tier magic dungeons.
Once they were gone, Akira prepared to submit Lucia's character quest—
Only to realize Lucia was nowhere to be seen.
"Where did Lucia go?"
He paused.
She had been here just moments ago, but after Xu Feiyan arrived, Lucia seemed to have vanished.
Oh well.
Saintesses being busy was understandable.
He'd submit the quest first.
…Wait?
Just as Akira was about to submit it, he suddenly noticed that Lucia's character quest still had an unfinished hidden objective.
After returning from the Black Rose Ancient City, he had gone straight to the Forest Birdcage to rescue Virola, completely overlooking the changes in the quest panel.
And now—
The hidden quest had unlocked after obtaining the letter.
[Hidden Quest: For Her Sacrifice!][Recommended Level: 0][Quest Description: XXXX gave everything to Lucia—including her own life. Lucia has always regarded XXXX's death as her own fault and carries deep guilt.][Quest Objective: Please comfort Lucia.][Quest Reward: ?]
"…Hm?"
Akira's expression shifted slightly.
That XXXX… had to refer to that golden dragon.
But how exactly was he supposed to comfort Lucia?
"What should I do to comfort Lucia…" Akira murmured.
"What did you just say about me?"
Suddenly, Lucia appeared soundlessly behind him—
She had heard his muttering.