It had been over three hours since Catrina's initial test began, and the sun now hung low in the sky, casting golden light across the cratered training grounds. The air was thick with dust and the lingering tingle of mana. Despite the exhaustion, a sense of clarity had settled over the group. We'd finally decided on the weapon combo that suited her best: a greatsword for her dominant right hand and a tachi for her left. Unusual, yes—but it worked.
She was now slouched slightly, sitting cross-legged in our informal circle, her face smeared with dirt and sweat, her cheeks still flushed from exertion.
"So… you guys don't mind me joining?" Catrina asked cautiously, her voice tinged with nerves as her gaze flitted between the members of the squad.
The others nodded without hesitation. Chinada even gave a subtle thumbs-up.
"Hm, no," I said casually, arms resting over my knees. "All you need to do is make sure you get a rare or exotic class. That shouldn't be too hard with the people you'll be training with." I gestured toward Chinada and Brenda, both of whom radiated a calm sort of menace even while relaxed. "However, just a warning—if you don't, then I can't help you."
"I'll do my best," Catrina said with an eager nod, her voice brimming with youthful optimism.
Just then, an all-too-familiar voice rang out from the mansion, cutting through the warm afternoon like a blade.
"Sister! Come to the mansion! We have a problem!"
Amari's shout was sharp with urgency. I sighed, pushing myself to my feet with a lazy stretch. A problem. Of course.
"I'll come back later. There seems to be something I need to take care of," I said to the group, waving over my shoulder.
"See you tonight, Mom!" Apricot called after me, voice light and playful.
I twitched. "Tonight?" Catrina asked, clearly confused.
"Whatever," I muttered, brushing it off as I Flash Stepped toward the mansion balcony.
I appeared a few feet in front of Amari, who stood overlooking the garden with crossed arms and a slight scowl.
"Told you she would hear me," Amari said smugly, glancing at Zagan, who stood a few paces behind her with an unreadable expression.
"So, why did you call?" I asked, cocking my head.
Amari rolled her eyes and then turned to go inside the building. "Earl Everstern and his wife arrived about thirty minutes ago. They're demanding compensation—and an apology."
I followed her into the hallway, my boots clicking lightly on the marble floor. "Did they mention Catrina?" I asked.
"Yeah, and you as well. Apparently, it's your fault. Everything," she said, clearly unimpressed.
I blinked. "I guess it is technically my fault for their betrayal… but demanding compensation from a marquis house? How highly do they think of themselves?"
"Are they in the drawing room?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yep. Dad's with them. Mom left early this morning—some kind of border issue again."
"Cool." I cracked my neck and walked faster. "Let's go see what these idiots actually want."
We were just approaching the door to the drawing room when a shrill voice exploded from inside.
"What do you think you're doing?!"
I paused, raising an eyebrow. "Interesting," I muttered, then reached for the handle and pushed the door open.
Inside, a blonde elf woman stood stiffly behind one of the couches, her arms rigid and eyes burning with indignation. Her husband, a black-haired man with a pinched expression, was seated nearby. Across from them, Dean reclined on the opposite couch with a neutral look that screamed long-suffering patience.
"Aah, you finally arrived," Dean said calmly when he noticed me.
The woman whipped around, stomping toward me with heavy, deliberate steps.
"Who the hell are you?!"
"Don't shout like that in someone's face, Lady Everstern," I said coolly, brushing past her without breaking stride. I dropped onto the couch beside Dean with an exaggerated sigh, Amari and Zagan flanking us like silent sentinels.
"Now that my daughter is here, we can start talking like civil people," Dean said, his tone bordering on diplomatic—though there was a subtle steel underneath.
"So you're the disgraceful being that led Mary and her party to their downfall," Lady Everstern hissed, venom dripping from every word.
Dean raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
"Honey, calm down," Sir Everstern murmured, placing a hand on his wife's leg in a weak attempt to rein her in.
Dean leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on his knees. "Now, might you tell us why you're here? I've heard about the incident from my daughter, but I fail to see why it concerns you."
"Ahem." Lady Everstern sat down stiffly. "We're here to get an explanation for what happened during today's extermination quest—the one Catrina joined with her party."
Sir Everstern took over, his voice steadier. "When she first joined the guild a year ago, we offered to make her a party, but she declined. She said she wanted to meet new people. So we let her… and she met Mary's party. They were kind and respectful. We even welcomed them into our home."
He sounded so sincere it was almost pathetic.
'Nice people?' I thought, biting back a scoff. 'They were clearly after her money. There's no way a group like that stays loyal for a full year just out of friendship.'
"In the end," Sir Everstern continued, "we're here to request that you release Mary and the others—and issue a formal apology for the slander. The rumors about them trying to kill you."
At that, I couldn't help myself. I chuckled. Not a polite laugh, but a sharp bark that made the couple flinch.
"Rumors?" I said, leaning forward. "Do you take me for a joke? People try to kill me every other day. What would I gain by inventing a story about some random party? I don't have time for petty drama."
I raised my hand and conjured a swirl of snow, placing it gently on the table between us.
"Here. This is the closest thing you'll get to the remains of that party."
"You—!" Sir Everstern shot to his feet, rage twisting his features. "You killed them?!"
"Yes. Of course," I said, unbothered. "But don't worry, your daughter is fine. She—"
"How dare you kill Mary, you bitch!" Lady Everstern shrieked, leaping up, eyes wide with fury.
I blinked, glancing toward Dean. He was already staring at me with a confused expression, mirrored by my own.
"What sort of combat house are they?" I asked under my breath.
"They're mages. "They occasionally produce skilled children who excel in the assassin class," Dean murmured back.
"Ah."
Turning back to the couple, I said louder, "Lady Everstern, calm down and let me finish."
"That doesn't change the fact you killed Mary!"
"And what of your daughter?" I snapped, standing to my full height. "Why do you care more for some outsider than your own flesh and blood? Do you even want to know how she's doing?!"
The woman's face paled, her mouth opening but no sound coming out.
"No? That's what I thought." I glared at her. "Is this how elves behave in this world?"
"That's not fair—" she began, but I cut her off with a snort.
"Did you know elves are supposed to be family-oriented?" Zagan chimed in casually. "Just under Demon Foxes in how much they value blood ties."
"Huh, is that true?" Amari asked, raising a brow, seemingly oblivious to the tension.
"Yeah," Zagan nodded. "Did some research. Elves value family loyalty. Demons care more about power, though."
Dean shook his head with a sigh. "So you're saying something's wrong with this elf's brain?"
"Pfft. Pretty much." I shrugged. "But it doesn't matter anymore. Go reflect on where you went wrong."
I turned toward the door. "Your daughter is training with her new squad. She's doing fine. Better than fine. I'll keep this conversation from her—for now. Figure out how you'll explain this yourselves."
Without waiting for a response, I slipped out and shut the door behind me.
'Maybe I'm too charming sometimes,' I thought, then immediately discarded it.
"What now…" I murmured, glancing around.
'Maybe I'll go ask Kayda about magic again.'
I wandered down the hallway, thoughts drifting.
'What a day… Guild registration. First quest. Betrayal. Murder. Mental breakdown revelations. Did some evil god curse me with perpetual chaos?'
"Where do you think you're going?" A familiar voice interrupted.
I blinked. I was standing at the mansion's front gates.
Turning slightly, I saw Mom walking up beside me, still dressed in full combat gear, weapons hidden but unmistakably present.
"Honestly? I don't know. Thought I was heading to Kayda's room," I admitted.
"Well, you're not," Mom said dryly. "You were heading toward the North district. That's where Kayda actually is, by the way."
I blinked again. "Toward her?"
Mom nodded. "And yes—I told them to keep quiet about your personality stuff. However, please understand that most people tend to avoid facing the truth. We just assumed the worst."
She gave me a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"That's why we kept it from you. For now."