Time passed in a blur for Lesker. He had the same routine for the remaining days he spent in the village.
Wake up early, prepare breakfast, go out to hunt with Ilan, go to visit the old man when he returned and dinner with both Quella and Ilan.
He was speedily becoming acquainted with Quella. She was friendly, easy to talk to, highly intelligent and considerate. She was the perfect woman. What's more, Lesker chest didn't hurt as much when he talk to her. His body seemed to accept her.
The time for him to depart drew near. The cart lie at the back of their house and Yuli had said goodbye to his family. He was quite excited to leave and discover 'glory'. The naivety of the young boy was refreshing to both men.
The four sat to have dinner in Quella's house as per her request.
"You are leaving for the capital soon, right?" she asked after they were done eating.
"Yes. We leave in a few days" Lesker responded.
"I see. Will you be returning?"
"That largely depends on what happens in the capital. There is a large possibility we may never return. After all, I'm not from here originally"
"I...see. Then, can I make a request?"
"Sure. If it is within my power, I would grant it"
"Can I come with you?"
"...What?" the three males exclaimed simultaneously.
She sipped her drink casually.
"I'm originally from the capital. I don't know where you all got the rumor that I'm a foreigner from but my complexion is something that is commonly seen in the capital. It's been a while since I left home"
"Are you sure?" Lesker asked, still confused.
"Do I look unsure to you, Mr Lesker?"
Sure enough, her easy going eyes were resolute and her demeanour showed she wouldn't back down. He had no other choice but to agree.
"But Miss Quella, for the two Mage Masters in the village to just leave, isn't that dangerous?" Ilan argued.
"Mr. Ilan, there's no need to worry about that. I noticed since I entered this village that it is under the special protection of a god. I'm sure it'll be fine, even after we leave"
"If you say so" Ilan said, also backing down. It was kind of hard to argue with her logic. The two men had to admit defeat.
"Leaving now, it means you're not going to attend the festival?" she asked, staring at them both.
"Yes. We have to get an early start" Ilan replied.
"That's unfortunate. I wanted to witness a village festival. But, that's fine. I could always come back. One of my students was quite excited to go with the village Beau. She'll be surely disappointed"
Lesker flinched. He didn't want to hurt Sora intentionally but it was hard to pass across to her that he wasn't interested in her. She was someone who wouldn't take no as an answer.
"I'm sure she'll be fine. If she truly wishes for a handsome gentleman to be with, there are many outside this village, yes?" Lesker said in his defense.
"You re certainly right. For such a promising young maiden, surely she would go out to find more opportunities outside this small village. I just worry it might cause her trauma. As her instructor, I cannot help but worry, you see" Quella said, a hand on her cheek with a troubled look. Lesker was getting cornered.
"I'm sure such a small thing cannot deter her. She has frightening ambitions after all" Ilan said, helping him out.
"The mind of a maiden in love, is more fickle than you can imagine. You shouldn't be insensitive. Give her a proper goodbye, will you?"
The three males left Quella's house in a sullen mood. Yuli was a bit confused but he could see Lesker was troubled.
"Damn! I never knew Miss Quella could be this scary" Ilan said, shivering as he remembered what happened.
"But she is right. Knowing how stubborn Sora is, I wanted to leave without her knowing. However, Miss Quella saw through me right away. I have to give Sora a proper goodbye. She's the only one who has chased after me this long"
"Alright. I'll come with you. Who knows if she'll go crazy?"
"Just say you want to see her too"
"Gross! Urgh Lesker!"
"Pardon me but I couldn't help poking fun at you" Lesker said, chuckling. Ilan shook his head and let it slide.
"I'm going to the hunter's union base in the city tomorrow. I'll be gone for two days. Would you be alright?"
"I'll be fine. I'm not a child Ilan. I can take care of myself"
"Alright. Just don't overdo it. Take card of this young man too"
"Of course. What do you take me for?"
"Right. I've forgotten you're as meticulous as a mother"
"Whatever. Be careful"
"I will"