Chapter 74 – Casual Encounter
Chapter 74
Casual Encounter
Date : Day 5 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Hyoren went out from Gentlemen's Knowledge to the side road of Merchants' 4th Avenue. A contented expression painted his face. He got new books to read, new journals to write, and a promise of coming back to read more books.
He looked up to checked the time. He used his hands to cover his eyes from the suns. The dual suns of Kresneger greeted him from their zenith. It was already midday.
"Okay, time to go to Adventurer's Guild reference room.”
He scanned the surroundings. To the sparse side road. The area was quieter. Less congested. The number of people was reduced. The magic tools were fewer. The density was lower.
"Okay, the road is sparse. I think I will start using Aethell Sense again."
He then activated his skill. The added perception now overlaid his view. The shift was immediate.
Thanks to the sparse side road, he could manage the information without overloading his mind—barely.
The strain was present. The pressure was real. But manageable.
He walked slowly. Towards his destination. He maintained his eyes to the front and slightly downward, trying to not look at too many people or magic tools at once. The technique was controlled and focused. The field of vision was limited.
With this new method, he actually could persist. His mind tolerance was increased.
He started walking again. His pace was steady. Merchants' District went in a blur as he concentrated on the road itself, not the surroundings. Trying to reduce the information his mind needed to process. The stone pavement beneath his feet. The narrow focus. The exclusion of the periphery.
The ambient Aethell still drifted in the air. The cores of passersby still glowed. But fewer in his field of view. Spaced out.
After a while, he arrived at Adventurer's District. The bustling, crowded, and slightly disorienting place greeted him. The energy shifted from refined to chaotic. The transition was stark. Immediate and brutal.
The overload of information came back. His mind started to throb. The headache returned. The pressure built behind his eyes.
He instantly deactivated his skill. His senses returned to normal. The overlay vanished. The relief was immediate. The world returned to its simple state.
He then went to the side of the road. His back against the wall of random store. The stone was cool. He needed the support.
"Phew... If the road is sparse... I can maintain almost half an hour of prolonged use. As long as I keep my eyes low. But damn... The Adventurer's District main street is too harsh."
He decided. The conclusion was clear. The lesson was learned. The strategy was formed.
"I will train my skill on a less populous street. Using it on this crowded street will fry my brain."
He let out a self-deprecating chuckle.
"But I think slowly but surely I can manage more and more information."
He looked up. Trying to remember memories.
"In the Forest of no Return, I can persist through all my grinding and training. Reaching civilization should not make me become lazy."
He remembered about him persistently throwing stones for 24 hours to gain a skill. The monotony. The repetition. The endless cycle of throw. Retrieve. Throw again. The arm grew tired. The mind grew numb. But he persisted.
Another memories came. He grinded through experience points to level up. Killing uncountable horned rabbits and goblins. The endless combat. The determination.
His current training was not different. He just needed to persist. The context was different. The method was different. But the essence was the same. Growth required effort. Progress demanded sacrifice. Strength necessitated struggle.
After a few minutes of rest, his throbbing mind already receded. The headache faded.
He decided to walk again. The training would continue. The persistence would endure. The goal was clear. Magic manipulation. Aethell Sense. Elemental magic. The path was long. But the first step was taken.
***
He weaved through the crowds on Adventurer’s District main street with a purposeful step, unburdened by Aethell Sense. He already knew the area. Elise had led him through these streets multiple times. As long as he didn't try to go into an alley or side street, he wouldn't lose direction.
He kept walking through, until he found himself in small plaza where the middle of many stalls which sold snacks. It seems this area act as food markets.
His stomach started grumbling. Overloading his mind seems to used a lot of his energy. The sound was audible. The complaint was clear. Smelling a lot of delicious and savory aroma. The scents mixed together. Grilled meat. Fried dough. Spiced sauces. Sweet pastries. The variety was overwhelming. The temptation was immediate.
Food vendors were shouting, trying to sell their wares. The voices overlapped. The competition was fierce.
"Squirrel skewer! Spicy! Delicious!"
"Please try this sandwich! I made the sauce myself! I promise it will be delicious!"
Hyoren stopped, scanned the surroundings. His left hand touched his stomach. Trying to calm the rumbling.
"Man, I thought I ate enough this morning this morning. To think I'm already hungry. Maybe it’s thanks to magic training… Oh well, time to buy some light snacks. My stomach won't last until dinner."
He then started looking for food. There were many options. Skewer. Sandwich. Fried noodles. Bread. Pastries. And many other things which he couldn't name. The choices were abundant. The prices were visible. The smells were enticing.
He weaved through the crowds, looking for something which could sate his appetite. His eyes scanned each stall. His nose followed each scent. His mind weighed each option.
But he froze when he checked the next stall.
He saw familiar back. She was a small and petite woman with fluffy brown hair which was cut short. Perked cat ears. And a cat tail which swished in motion, matching her energy. The figure was unmistakable. The posture was recognizable.
Ina.
She was buying something from one of the food stalls. And to Hyoren surprise, she didn't wear her usual clerk uniform. The absence was striking. The change was dramatic.
Her attire consisted of a long, one-piece dress that fell neatly to her knees, its pleated skirt moving in quiet rhythm with each step. The fabric was soft. The color was complementary. The style was elegant yet casual. A subtle opening at the back allowed her cat tail to slip through naturally.
To complete the ensemble—and guard against the autumn chill—she draped a soft beige cardigan over her shoulders. The layers added warmth. The combination created a chic appearance.
Her subtle but profound changes made his breath catch in his throat. He didn't expect to see her here. And he definitely didn't expect to see her in such casual and chic looks. The transformation was complete. The clerk was gone. In her place was a beautiful young woman enjoying her day off.
Ina's ears suddenly perked high. Her head looked up, left, and right. It was like she noticed something. A familiar scent. She turned around. The motion was quick.
Her gaze locked into Hyoren's face. And she beamed. The smile was radiant. Bright. Full of mischief and delight. She quickly left the stall, the vendor confused by her. But she didn't care.
"Hyoren! I thought I smelt a delicious smell other than food, turns out I was right. It was your smell. Fufufu."
She licked her lips. Her eyes went predatory. It was like she finally found her prey. The intent was clear. The flirtation was immediate.
Hyoren finally snapped from his stupor. And smiled wryly. The reaction was expected. The response was natural. Ina was always like this.
"Hello Ina, fancy meeting you here. It was unexpected..."
He then scanned Ina from top to bottom. The assessment was obvious. The appreciation was evident.
"Because I didn't expect you to look like this..."
Ina giggled. She then swirled in place. The dress flared. The cardigan shifted. The tail swished. The display was deliberate. The presentation was proud.
"Do you like it? I just bought this outfit this morning on my shopping trip, and I can't help but to try it straight away. Fufu."
Hyoren smiled. The compliment was genuine. The observation was honest.
"It suits you, Ina. It looks good on you."
Ina nodded. Satisfied. The praise was accepted. The approval was noted. She then scanned the surroundings, noticed something was amiss. Looking for someone who was supposed to be there. The absence was conspicuous. The missing piece was obvious.
"Wait, you're alone? Where's Elise?"
She then put her hands to cover her mouth with exaggerated movement. The gesture was theatrical and dramatic.
"Don't tell me. She dumped you? Bored with you already? How heartless!"
Hyoren quickly waved his hands in front of him. The denial was immediate. The panic was real. The last thing he needed was rumors spreading.
"No. No, Ina. Not like that!"
Hyoren scratched his cheek. The explanation was needed. The context was necessary.
"Elise is with Jena, she said she has a lot of things to catch up with Jena. Girl's talk, she said. So I decided to move alone for the rest of the day."
Ina's smile widened. Her face practically beamed. The opportunity was recognized. The opening was clear. The prey was alone.
"I see... I see. So, you are free now? Fufu."
But before Ina could say another word, the vendor in the back was calling. Shouting. The interruption was jarring. The reality intruded on the moment.
"Miss! Are you going to order or not?!"
Ina jumped a bit on her heels. Surprised. The concentration was broken. The hunt was paused. Then she giggled. The recovery was quick. The composure returned.
"Oops. Sorry Hyoren, I was in the middle of buying snacks."
She then turned on her shoulder. Addressing the vendor directly.
"Yes mister! Please wait a bit."
She then faced Hyoren back again. Smiled. The promise was clear. The conversation would continue.
"Wait a bit till I finish ordering, ok? And we can talk again."
She then turned around, and walked towards the vendor. The gait was confident. The tail swished with anticipation.
Hyoren nodded, before following her. The hunger was still present. The opportunity was convenient. The company was unexpected but not unwelcome.
"Talk about good timing, Ina. I was also looking for snacks as I'm a bit hungry. What did you buy?"
Ina giggled beside him. Her cat ears perked and twitched. The amusement was evident. The joy was genuine.
"Fufu. I plan to order squirrel karaage. This stall is famous for its crispy and juicy karaage without being too pricey. And his homemade sauce is perfect. Do you want to?"
The mention of karaage made his mouth water. The fried food was a familiar comfort. The crispy exterior. The juicy interior. The savory sauce. He nodded.
"That sounds delicious, Ina."
Ina nodded. She then walked towards the stall. Her cat tails swished left and right. Indicating a good mood. The energy was infectious. The anticipation was shared.
Then they arrived at the stall. It was a simple stall which sold fried food. There was a variety of food sold here. The small sign on the side only said "Fried Foods." Talk about simplicity. The name was unpretentious. The focus was on the product. Not the branding.
From the menu, Hyoren could see Squirrel karaage, Squirrel fillet, Fried Potato, and some other dishes which he didn't recognize. The options were diverse. The prices were reasonable.
Ina then talked to the vendor. The order was clear. The voice was confident.
"Mister, two servings of karaage please. One for this handsome guy over here. Fufu."
Hyoren then stepped forward.
"Also one serving of potato please..."
The vendors nodded.
“Two serving of karaage and one potato! Please wait a bit!”
Ina looked at him. Smiled. Her cat ears twitched. The observation was playful. The teasing was gentle.
"Someone is hungry huh. Fufu."
Hyoren scratched his cheek. Embarrassed. The admission was obvious. The appetite was evident.
"Well yes. Haha."
Both of them then waited for their order to be done. The fryer made a distinct sound as the vendor cooked their order. The sizzle of oil. The bubble of hot fat. The promise of crispy and delicious food. The crowded and busy street vendors surrounded them.
***
After a few minutes, their order was done. They received their order. Two servings of karaage and one fried potato. The vendor packed them in sturdy paper wrapping. The smell wafted through the paper. The aroma was rich and savory. Ina received them. Her small hands held the packages with care. Her tail swished behind her
Hyoren then stepped forward, paid all with a few copper coins. The exchange was quick. The price was reasonable. The vendor nodded in appreciation.
"Thanks for the purchase! Enjoy your food!"
The vendor thanked them. The words were genuine. The smile was warm. The transaction was complete.
Hyoren and Ina then started walking. Their steps fell into rhythm. The crowd moved around them. The noise of the district surrounded them.
"Should we find some place to eat, or are you going home straight away, Ina?"
Ina giggled. The sound was light and playful. The cat ears twitched with mischief.
"At first, I planned to go home to rest. But now, not anymore. Fufu."
She licked her lips. The gesture was deliberate. Her eyes sparkled with intent.
"Where do you want to go, Hyoren? Let me accompany you."
Hyoren smiled wryly. His relationship with Ina was complicated. She was Elise's best friend. But Elise kept warning him. She was a man-eater. And Ina did say she was interested in him in front of Elise's face. He was torn. Should he let Ina accompany him? The decision was not simple. The situation was delicate.
He weighed his options. After a few seconds of deliberating, he decided.
He would try to keep some distance from Ina. Trying to not let her flirt with him. Without pushing her too much. This way, he wouldn't offend Ina, and hope Elise wouldn't be angry at him at the same time. The balance was tricky. The navigation required care.
"Well, I planned to go to the Adventurer's Guild reference room. Elise suggested that I go there to learn more about adventuring from the books available there."
He then looked at Ina on his side. To her casual outfit. The dress flowed with motions as they walked. Weaving through crowds. The fabric caught the light. The pleats shifted with each step. The cardigan draped elegantly over her shoulders. The transformation from clerk to casual was complete. The effect was striking. She looked cute and chic.
"You are on a day off, Ina?"
Ina leaned forward a bit. Thinking about his question. Her steps were still steady. Her tail swished with each of her steps. The motion was rhythmic.
"I see. Guild’s reference room. You love reading, huh. I love an intellectual guy."
She licked her lips again. The gesture was habitual. The predator was always present beneath the playful exterior.
"And, yes. Unity Day is my rest day of the week. So I'm free today."
She nodded.
"Let me accompany you to the guild. And I will go as your friend, not as a guild clerk."
She smiled mischievously. The distinction was clear. The role was different. The dynamic was shifted.
"As a senior clerk, I know the reference room like the back of my hands. I can help you get the books you need. How is my offer? Tempting right? Fufu."
Hyoren crossed his arms while steadily keeping his pace. Weighing his options. Her help would fasten his research. He didn't need to scramble to find correct books. The reference room was vast. The collection was extensive. Having a guide would be valuable.
He still worried about her flirtatious side. But he decided. He would try to manage it, without offending her. The decision was made.
He finally nodded. The acceptance was given. The agreement was formed.
"Your help is appreciated, Ina. If you are fine with accompanying me. I would mostly read a book though. So if you are bored, you can leave me anytime."
Ina almost jumped on her walks. The excitement was visible. The joy was palpable. Then she faced Hyoren. Her expression was joyful. Radiant. The cat features seemed to glow with happiness.
"Really? Yay! A date in the library!"
Her tail movement was now frantic. Swished left and right in quick motions. Her mood soared. The enthusiasm was overwhelming. The energy was infectious.
"And of course not. I won't leave you alone. I will never let this rare chance when you are alone, go. Fufu."
Her cat ears perked. The motion quickened. She was eager. The predator had secured her prey for the afternoon.
Hyoren smiled wryly.
"Please don't call it a date... Elise would be angry..."
Ina giggled. The sound was conspiratorial. The secret was theirs alone.
"Fufu. She won't be angry about something she doesn't know... right?"
She licked her lips. A mischievous grin appeared. The implication was clear.
Hyoren scratched his cheek. He didn't know what to answer. The trap was laid. The response was difficult. So he focused on the path forward. Weaving through the crowds of Adventurer's District.
The area around here dealt with adventurer's needs. Some camping gear stalls. Some supplies vendors. The variety was extensive. The offerings were diverse.
"This bag is sturdy! It's a second hand, but I guarantee the quality!"
"Does anyone need a new skinning knife? This selection is made from the best blacksmiths!"
"Jerky! Hard tacks! Supplies!"
Hyoren and Ina walked past all of them. Their steps were steady. Their purpose was clear. The destination was ahead.
They walked for a while, and then they found a small park nearby. With few benches. Surrounded by trees and bushes. There were few people there. Chatting. Eating. The atmosphere was peaceful. A respite from the chaos. A moment of calm in the busy district.
There was one empty bench. The opportunity was clear. The spot was available.
She walked quickly towards it. The motion was quick. Eager. Then she turned around to Hyoren, gesturing to him to follow her. The invitation was obvious.
"Let's eat first here then, Hyoren. We can't eat in the reference room as food is banned in the Guild. So let's fill our stomach first."
Hyoren smiled wryly. But he decided to follow Ina. The logic was sound. The suggestion was reasonable. The company was acceptable.
"Okay, Ina. That was a good idea."
Ina plopped down on the bench. The motion was casual, she was comfortable. She settled into the seat. Making herself at home.
Hyoren sat beside her. Trying to keep a slight distance. A distance which still respected the boundary, but close enough to indicate she was welcomed. The positioning was deliberate and careful.
Ina looked at their distance. And smiled. The expression was perceptive. Understanding. She recognized the attempt. She acknowledged the boundary. But she didn't push.
He expected her to close the distance, maybe even close enough to touch. Continue her flirting. But she was not. The restraint was surprising. The behavior was unexpected.
He was relieved. The tension eased. The worry receded.
Ina then gave the two packages to Hyoren. His karaage and fried potato.
"Here, Hyoren. Let's eat. I'm hungry."
He took the package from Ina. The weight was satisfying. The warmth seeped through the paper.
"Thanks, Ina."
He opened the packages. The savory aroma of the food tickled his nostril. The scent was immediate. Overwhelming. The food looked perfect. Crispy. Golden brown. With sauce. The appearance was appetizing. The promise was fulfilled. He pierced one with a small stick provided. And put it in his mouth.
The food exploded on his tongue. The crunch was satisfying. The juice was flavorful. The sauce was complementary. It was not as good as Bertho's Dining's squirrel karaage. But it was close. He could eat this everyday. The satisfaction was real. The enjoyment was genuine.
He then took the fried potatoes. And bit it. The look was similar to french fries of Earth. And the taste was also similar. The familiarity was comforting. The memory was triggered. The nostalgia was present.
He closed his eyes, savored the taste of home for a while. Slowly munching. The moment was personal. The connection was deep. The longing was subtle but real.
Ina beside him smiled, watching him with interested eyes, like he was an interesting specimen. The observation was keen. The curiosity was genuine. The amusement was evident.
After a while, she broke the silence. The voice was soft. Teasing.
"Is it that tasty, Hyoren? It's like you eat heavenly food. Fufu."
She giggled. Hyoren's reaction was amusing for her. The display was entertaining. The response was entertaining.
Hyoren opened his eyes in surprise. And turned his face towards Ina. His dark eyes met with her large amber eyes. The contrast was stark. His angular features against her soft expression. The moment of connection was brief but intense.
He scratched his cheek. Embarrassed. The reaction was awkward. The exposure was uncomfortable.
"Well. I just really like the taste, Ina. It tastes familiar to my home food."
He didn't elaborate. What he meant by home. Ina didn't need to know about Earth. He already told her his made-up story. The fiction was maintained. The truth was hidden.
Ina nodded in understanding. The acceptance was immediate. The curiosity was shelved. The empathy was offered.
"I see. Your home huh..."
The words trailed. She knew his story. The made-up story of a village stricken with plague. The tragedy was accepted as truth. The sympathy was genuine.
She shook her head. Tried to dispel the sad atmosphere. Her cat ears twitched with motions. The energy shifted. The mood lightened.
"Enjoy your food then! I'm glad you liked it. These were my favorite snacks too. Fufu."
Hyoren smiled, before taking another karaage to his mouth. The taste was satisfying. The moment was pleasant. The company was acceptable.
"I will, Ina. I think this will become my favorite snack too. Haha."
Both of them laughed at the same time. The sound was shared. The moment was light. The connection was genuine.
They enjoyed the snacks at the bench. Their physical distance remained the same as before—a distance that respected boundaries without feeling unwelcome. The space was maintained. The respect was present.
But unknowingly to him, something between them had shifted—subtly, but undeniably.