Do….Do I accept?
The interfaed before me, its eerie glow casting strange shadows across the room. My fiwitched, hesitation gripping me like a vice.
I-…
Please make your decision…
Death immi in 10 seds…
My breath hitched.
What?!
The tdown begins.
10.
9.
My heart pounded in my ears.
Was this a joke?!
Would I really die?!
8.
7.
Panic set in. Sweat f on my palms.
6.
I couldn’t risk it.
I hesitantly pressed my finger onto the Yes button.
The moment I did, the s flickered
Thank you.
Wele, Administrator.
Title: Magic Weaver
Status: Ryn Ashford
Race: High Human
Temple Reward:
Reward: High Magi Stone, Ability Sacred Shield, Title: Magic Siphoner
My mana begun to glow as I accepted it.
“Ryn! Lilli’s getting anxious.” Elnora’s voice chimed in my ear.
Her voice jolted me bato reality. My gaze li my mana—f familiar.
“Y-yeah, I’m on my way,” I replied, shaking my head as I swiped away the s.
No time to dwell on this now. I moved quickly, putting on my academy uniform with practice efficy.
Whatever had just happened…. I’ll deal with it ter.
As I stepped out into the hall, I quickly realized something—I had no clue where I was going.
“Uh, Elnora… how do I get out of here?” I asked, scratg my head.
“When you leave your room, take a left, then a right. You’ll find aor—take it to the first floor.” She instructed.
“A-alright! Thanks.”
Following her dires, I turned on my heel and made my way toward the elevator. As the doors slid open on the first floor, I saw Alex waiting on me.
“Took you long enough,” Alex said, crossing his arms as I approached.
“Where is Elnora and Lilli?” I asked.
“They went to grab some tea. They’re just outside.” Alex replied.
We both stepped outside into the open air. Around the er, at a small outdoor café, Lilli and Elnora sat a table—surrounded by two unfamiliar guys.
“Took you two long enough she said casually to us.” As she sipped her tea.
Elnora, oher hand, silently sipped hers, ign the two men.
Alex cleared his throat. “Sorry fels but these two are taken at the moment.”
The guys turned, clearly irritated “These, cute babe are—” They froze their eyes nded on me.
“Wait isn’t that…. Ryn Ashford.”
“You mean the Dungeon Master Syer?”
Their faces paled. Their fidence shattered.
“WE ARE SO SORRY!”
They immediately dropped into deep bows.
Without waiting for a respohey bolted, disappearing into the crowd.
“I’m gd you two came in time,” Lilli said with a smirk, as she set her cup down. “I thought I might have to chase those guys away.”
“Well, ime funt your status.” Alex replied shaking his head.
I she air. A rich, fragrant aroma filled my senses.
“hatever you two are drinking smells really good,” I said inhaling deeply. “I think I’ll go get some as well.”
“I’ll join you,” Alex added.
The two of us stepped ihe café, greeted by the sight of a grand, polished interior. The pce was elegant—clearly created on the campus for academy students. A massive menu hung above the ter, listing an impressive sele of drinks.
Alex stepped forward first. “Uh, I’ll have some Bck Lotus Tea,” he said, then turo me. “What about you Ryn? It’s my treat.”
I sed the menu briefly. “I suppose I’ll keep it simple—Hoea.”
Alex nodded. “Alright, and he’ll take a Hoea.”
Behind the ter, the barista—a dragonoid woman with sleek horns and long, dexterous tail—nimbly behind her prepared our drinks.
She moved nicely, her hands and tail w in sync as she brewed the tea’s Infront of us.
A moment ter, she pced two steaming cups on the ter. “Here you go—one Bck Lotus and one Hoea. Have a wonderful afternoon,” she said with a polite smile.
Taking our drinks, we stepped outside.
The girls were still seated, slowly sav their teas. As roached, they looked up, their eyes glinting with amusement.
“Oooh, Hoea! “Nice choice,” Elnora said, inhaling the warm, sweet aroma filled in the air.
Lilli took a deep breath as well, then g Alex’s drink. “Wow, Bck Lotus? Wasn’t expeg that you probably… picked that because of your soul,” she teased with a snicker.
“Haha, very funny,” Alex shot back. “At least I don’t have to brush my tail and worry about it matting.”
“HEY! That’s a serious issue we demihumans struggle with! You’d never uand!” Lilli huffed, clearly frustrated.
I snickered at their banter.
“I really like yh. Ryn,” Elnora said randomly. She smiled softly. “You seem a lot different sihe dungeon and… and I like it.” A faint blush crossed her cheeks.
“She brings up a good point Leader.” Alex added.
I hesitated before answering the obvious question. “Well, my priorities ged… I guess I realized I o focus on the present.”
“Wow. You really have ged, Ryn,” Lilli added, her voice quieter. “I retty mad at you for keeping things from me.”
“Tranqui,” Alex whispered.
Lilli took a deep breath before tinuing. “I just don’t uand why you didn’t tell me Ryn. Why did you keep it from me?” Worry crossed her face.
I’m different now I o tell her the truth.
“I—I don’t have an excuse,” I admitted, looking down. “I was in a bad pce mentally, and I struggled with trusting others.”
“So… you didn’t trust me?” Lilli tinued her frustration clear.
“No, no! It wasn’t like that,” I said quickly. “I just didn’t trust anyone.” Alex found out on act, and I fided with Elnora because she became my assistant.”
Lilli sighed, shaking her head. “I think I uand I may need some time. But I feel much better hearing you admit it and giving me some crity.” She hesitated before l her gaze. “T-thank you, Ryn. And please… no more secrets.”
I nodded solemnly. “I uand. And I’m truly sorry.”
Lilli exhaled, resting her fa her arms. Her voice came out muffled. “T-thank you, Ryn…” She blushed.
Not wanting to ruin the moment, Elnora interrupted. “I hate to interrupt but… we are supposed to report to the headmaster when Ryn woke up.”
“Oh, good point!” Alex replied, pulling a pocket watch from under his academy uniform as it glowed pink. “Crap! We’re te!” He quickly chugged the rest of his tea before looking at us. “You guys done?”
I hurried to finish mine, while Lilli and Elnora took their final sips. Without wasting another sed, we rushed toward the academy.
