The guild hall was already lively when he arrived — adventurers chatting, weapons clinking, and the smell of ale lingering faintly in the air.
Behind the counter, Lena looked up from her paperwork. "Well, if it isn't our rising star."
Oliver grinned, resting his arm on the counter. "Flattery this early in the day? You're spoiling me."
She smiled knowingly. "You seem in good spirits."
"Of course. I came for a new mission."
"Is Miss Isolde not with you today?" she asked, flipping through the request parchments.
"Nope. Flying solo today."
"Ah…" Lena said softly — and before Oliver could blink, she quietly set aside one parchment and reached for another.
Oliver noticed immediately. "Hey, hey—what was that? What did you just put away?"
"Hmm? Nothing."
"You definitely switched missions after hearing I'm alone," Oliver said, frowning. "What's that supposed to mean? Are you looking down on me?"
