The receptionist had barely closed the door when Mina stepped forward quickly. Her eyes lit up as she saw Élise, and without hesitation, she wrapped her in a tight embrace.
— Élise! It's been so long… I thought I'd never see you again!
Élise, at first a little stiff, eventually returned the hug with a tender smile.
— Me too, Mina. I never imagined fate would bring us together like this, under such circumstances.
Daniel, meanwhile, stood frozen, caught off guard by the display of affection. He couldn't bring himself to look away, struck by the grace of the newcomer. When Mina finally pulled back, her gaze fell directly on him.
— And him? she asked with a mischievous smile. Who's your companion?
Élise drew in a brief breath, then rested her hand on Daniel's shoulder.
— This is Daniel. He's a new adventurer… and a friend.
The word resonated simply, yet carried weight. Daniel, startled, swallowed hard and nearly choked. His cheeks flushed red as he lowered his head awkwardly.
— Oh, bravo, Lysandra's voice whispered mockingly in his mind. Look at you… one smile and you're already undone. Truly pathetic, Daniel.
Daniel arched an eyebrow almost imperceptibly, as if to reply silently. It's not my fault she's so… dazzling.
— Of course, of course… the goddess answered with a crystalline laugh. But remember, you have a mission. Pretty faces can wait. And if you keep drooling like that, you'll look like a fool.
Élise, noticing her companion's confusion, frowned slightly and waved the situation away.
— Forget it, Daniel. No need to overthink. Let's stay focused.
Mina, amused by the stranger's reaction, let out a soft laugh before shifting back to a more serious tone. The receptionist, who had been watching the scene, cleared her throat.
— Well then. I'll leave the rest to you. Mina will explain everything. She's the only one who has received the full details of the mission.
With a slight bow, the receptionist left the room, leaving behind a heavy silence.
Mina immediately took the floor, her voice firm yet carrying a warmth of familiarity:
— This isn't like any ordinary mission. We were chosen for a very specific reason. The Royal Academy has detected anomalies near the borderlands—disappearances, rumors of unknown creatures, possibly tied to a magical rift.
A chill ran down Daniel's spine. Lysandra, too, stirred within him, her tone suddenly serious:
— A magical rift? Now that is intriguing. If true, this goes beyond a simple quest. Daniel, listen carefully. Opportunities like this often reveal deeper truths.
Mina then unfolded a map from her satchel and spread it across the table.
— This is the area we're tasked with monitoring. The orders are clear: investigate, identify the source of the disturbances, and, if possible, put an end to it. But be cautious—there's no guarantee we'll come back unharmed.
Élise furrowed her brows, pressing her finger to one of the marked villages.
— I know this place. It's a farming region… if there are disappearances there, then the situation is truly serious.
Daniel spoke up, trying to shake off the unease still lingering inside him:
— Alright, but if we're being sent in as a team, it means the Academy knows this is dangerous. Mina, surely you've been told more than we have.
Mina locked eyes with him, making Daniel's heartbeat quicken all over again.
— Actually, I don't have all the answers. This mission is about observation and reaction. We'll have to improvise.
— Ha! Perfect for you, Lysandra scoffed inside his head. You already improvise just to figure out where to put your feet. This is exactly your specialty.
Daniel cleared his throat, deliberately ignoring the jab, and tried to put on an air of confidence.
— Then we don't have a choice. We'll go, we'll see, and we'll act.
Élise looked at him, amused by his sudden seriousness, and replied simply:
— Now that sounds more like a real hero.
Mina's lips curved into a knowing smile.
— Then let's form a true team. Together, we'll succeed.
A solemn silence followed, soon broken by Lysandra's voice in Daniel's mind—mocking, yet almost tender:
— Well, here you are, already surrounded by two remarkable women. Just try not to ruin everything, my dear Daniel…