Chapter 125: Want
After reminding them to get plenty of sleep and discreetly reminding Roxanne to come to his room later that evening using the chat function, Vahn parted ways with the trio, promising to return the following morning at 5 AM sharp. Shortly thereafter, he found himself in the nearly emptied lounge, where Himmel was waiting for him alongside a petite woman with off-white hair fixed into long pigtails, pointed ears that denoted her status as an Elf, and green eyes that appeared to exude apathy but without the cold callousness that commonly accompanied it. She was also dressed as a Mage, outfitted in a striped white and black shirt, a long-sleeved white jacket with gold trim around the cuffs tucked into a white, gold-trimmed skirt, a black belt, thick, bluish-black leggings, brown leather boots that covered most of her calves, and a white, gold-trimmed mantle matching the theme of her jacket and skirt.
Rising to his feet, prompting the white-haired Elf to do the same, Himmel smiled politely and expressed, "I'm glad you could come, Vahn. Allow me to introduce you to one of my Party members from outside the Tower, the Great Mage, Frieren."
"Of course. And it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Frieren," stated Vahn, offering a courteous bow and smile as Frieren stared at him with an impassive, unchanging expression.
"What are you...?" asked Frieren, causing Vahn to raise his head and right brow as she plainly remarked, "The density isn't very high, but the quality of your Mana is unlike anything I've seen. Are you truly a God in the guise of a human?"
"Some would have me become one, but I've been avoiding it," responded Vahn, the corners of his smile curling playfully. Then, shifting his gaze to Himmel, he asked, "Is there anything in particular you wanted to discuss? If not, I should leave the two of you to enjoy your time together."
In place of Himmel, whose smile promptly cramped, it was Frieren who flatly replied, "I was the one who requested that Himmel invite you here, as I have many questions that he could not answer satisfactorily. Will you afford me some of your time?"
"Sure," responded Vahn, nodding. He was growing weary of being asked to answer questions all the time, but since Frieren was the first to visit the Tower as a guest, he supposed he could make an exception for her. What he didn't expect was for her to turn to Himmel and state, "Then I will see you tomorrow morning or once you've returned."
"Alright," responded Himmel, offering a slight nod before turning to Vahn, adopting a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, and stating, "I will leave so as not to be in the way. Enjoy the rest of your evening."
Confused, Vahn asked, "You're leaving? Why? I don't see any reason the three of us can't sit and talk together."
"Mn...I suppose that's possible..." conceded Frieren, a shadow of a frown marring her face as she stated, "But we've already exhausted much of my limited time. I would prefer to make efficient use of what remains."
"I get that," responded Vahn, exhaling from his nose as he revealed, "But the reality is that I've made plans to meet with someone else. If I have to leave suddenly, you'd be left here alone."