On the way back to the monastery, Amethely and Keilyn decided to stop by their favorite café. Thus telling the two Kilenloth knights to get back before them. They were reluctant to leave but also didn't want to anger The Oracle.
Amethely, on the other hand, felt bad for them since the Café Lestia was an invite-only café. Each member could only invite one other person, and Amethely had already used hers on Keilyn; Keilyn, in turn, invited Chely. Of course, that didn't mean they couldn't do a takeout.
"Are there any sweets you would want?" Amethely asked elegantly. Her soft, soothing voice tickled their souls.
"U-um…" the two knights became slightly flustered, making Keilyn sigh.
"Don't be shy," Keilyn voiced. Her smile was gentle, too, but more approachable. "You can request anything. It's a thank you from Saint Amethely herself, right?" She turned to Amethely, who smiled softly.
"I heard that you two guarded my room at the base for a week. Tell me if there is anything more I can do for you."
Dazzled by her bright light, they cleared their throats.
"In that case… I would like cream puffs with Lihesh berry filling…" one said.
"I'd like a cream puff too, but with Siuri filling," the younger one added.
"Understood, thank you for your hard work," Amethely said and waved them goodbye for now.
But as soon as they left, Amethely could feel someone pinching her cheek; it was a displeased best friend—Keilyn.
"Ame, you can't just say 'you can request anything', how naive can you be? What if they took your words seriously? And also, don't give me, 'but they're girls.' Trust me, some girls have their eyes on you too."
"…S-sorywh," Amethely replied with slightly teary eyes; her words weren't even proper as Keilyn forgot to release her…
"Sigh…"
And so, the two left the military. Once they entered the café, the bell ringing filled the shop as the sweet aroma of pastry tickled their nostrils. The café's aesthetic was that of an old house made out of wood with comfortable seats. It was cozy and sophisticated; even the tiny creaks made by the floor made them feel at ease.
Besides that were the other regulars who greeted them with warm smiles. Many were ordinary people, and some were high-profile like them, which didn't matter here, making everyone comfortable as everyone knew everyone.
"Oh! Owner Bettlon, you're here today?" Keilyn's eyes sparked as she saw the owner by the counter.
The brown-haired man with golden eyes named Bettlon smiled at them. "Welcome back, Lady Keilyn and Saint Amethely. I see you're as enthusiastic about our treats as usual."
"Yes, everything is delicious, especially the ones you make."
The owner chuckled. "I'm flattered—although I was only out of the city for a few days, you're already trying to bargain with me, are you, Lady Keilyn?"
"Ah… Ame. I got caught," Keilyn said. Her expression was that of defeat.
"Ehehe, Kei and Owner's banter is always a delight; the regulars think so too," Amethely giggled, and the regulars softly laughed along in the background.
"I see. I see. That's the case. Well, will you order the usual?" Bettlon asked.
"Yes, and the various different cream puffs," Keilyn replied smugly as she pointed at the list.
"A takeout? Would you like us to deliver it to the monastery?"
"Hihi, you catch on fast, Mister Owner," she said as she exchanged a business look with him.
"Of course," Bettlon replied proudly, puffing his chest—a thud followed as he bumped his fist onto it. "It's always a pleasure doing business, Miss."
"Oh, please, you can just call me Kei."
"Hahaha, that's a little difficult for my fragile heart, Lady Keilyn—"
"Even though you're this informal with me?" Keilyn teased. Her grin was unfit as an oracle but endearing as a girl in her early adulthood.
"Caught in the act, huh?" Bettlon pondered.
Watching their exchange with warm eyes, Amethely went to take a seat while Keilyn chatted some more—she'd gotten to know the Owner over the past years and frequented the café more than Amethely herself. To Keilyn, Bettlon was like an older brother who helped her study when she was at the academy—that and he didn't have ulterior motives like the people who approached her at the time.
…
..
Later the same morning, lively chirps, roars, and shrieks echoed in the distance. Giant birds soared the sky above—one clad in hot red flames and the other in crystallized feathers, fleeing from the predatory bird engulfed in flames.
—IIIIIIKKKKK! The frost bird shrieked; in mid-air, it briefly turned around, launching its deadly feather at the pursuer.
—BOOM!
A loud explosion thundered across the sky as a beam of flames blasted out of the predatory bird's beak, toasting the frozen feathers, and directly hit the frost bird—KRRRIIK!? The frost bird cried, its blue feathers scattered as one of its four wings turned to cinder, causing it to tumble in the air as its speed decreased drastically.
—IIIK! Crunch!
The flame bird crashed into the frost bird and clutched it with its scorching hot blade-like claws. The frost bird struggled and tried to shake free, flapping its wings in a panic. But the beak and claws of the flame bird slowly dug into its wings, melting the ice. As a last resort, the frost bird created spikes that protruded from its body, trying to get the hunter off its back.
It was exhausted. Its mana was almost depleted rapidly; it had been chased since last night. The light in its eyes began to flicker—the ice finally melted, exposing its vulnerable flesh.
However, as the water melted and steam reeked, the frost bird summoned the last bit of its strength. It sublimed the steam into ice, catching the flame bird off guard and extinguishing its flames as it was left covered in frost.
—IIIIIKK??!!
The flame bird shrieked, its clutches loosened; the frost bird managed to escape and encapsulate the flame bird in a water sphere before instantly freezing it. The sphere began to descend while the frost bird soared into the sky before diving, using its momentum to accelerate the massive ice ball. Just like that, the flame bird shot down like a meteorite.
In the distance was a sturdy barrier under a core, humming as it generated the forcefield. But despite the safety of the barrier, the students couldn't help but shiver at the horror they'd witnessed in the sky.
Noel felt something crawling on his skin, causing cold shivers to run down his spine. On the other hand, Chely calmly ate, blowing the food on her spoon before eating it deliciously.
The students look at her. Is this… normal?! They wondered as their eyes quickly turned back to the birds.
—KABOOM!!
…
..
A little earlier in the morning, after the confrontation and Noel's flirtation, the jade-scaled dragon Iristolth landed. Like a storm, the students were blasted with swirling winds as Iristolth transformed into a beautiful older lady with jade hair and golden eyes. But despite looking human, traces of her draconic form lingered in the form of a few crystallized scales on her arms and horns.
With their mouths agape, the students stared at her, their eyes wide open, yet they weren't too surprised—instead, they were captivated.
"Noel, just… don't hit on her…" Alum said in jest, breaking the silence.
"…"
Who do you think I am!? Of course, I will… But in the middle of his thoughts, his eyes met with Chely's. …n't!
"Jeez! I won't—I've only hit on The Hero!" he retorted.
"…" Alum leaned his head to the side. "Are you sure? The first time you approached me, didn't you say, "This drink is heavy. Will you hold it for me?" or something along those lines?" he chuckled as he recalled that cold day by the shore.
"Does that… even count…?" Noel replied reluctantly. He was a little frustrated but flattered, gritting his teeth. Ugh… this guy completely emulated the way I tease… but with a deadpan twist! But…! "Besides, it worked, didn't it? We're friends now, aren't we?" he added with a playful grin as he flung his arm over Alum's shoulder.
Alum's eyes widen lightly. "I suppose." A smile sneaked up on him—but then he realized something. "…Does that make me easy?"
Hell no! Do you know how hard I've worked to befriend you?! Noel exclaimed.
At this point, everyone seemed to have forgotten that a beautiful yet scary dragon had landed. However, Iristolth wasn't bothered by the lack of attention, instead, she covered her mouth as she lightly giggled. As for Chely, she embraced herself again, stepping away from Noel slowly as she cautiously glared at him with a hint of mock disgust.
"Iris has a partner," Chely voiced sternly. "Unless you want to break a 200-year bound and end up crushed by the sea or shattered by ice, I would not anger a Hydro Lord were I you. For the record, Iris is a sovereign of winds herself."
—Gulp…
"Then… are they stronger than you… Lady Hero…?" Noel asked, sweat nervously trickling down his forehead.
"No," Chely bluntly said. "Ugh… but the way you called me gives me the creeps…" she murmured.
Noel felt an arrow pierce his chest. He hesitated but asked, "Um… what did you say…?" while clenching his chest.
Chely frowned. "Pardon my wording; I meant to say that I felt repulsed by the way you referred to me as 'Lady,'" she replied, smiling gracefully—the sun behind only made her silver ash-brown hair even more dazzling.
"That's not any better!" Noel retorted as he fell to the ground, exaggerating as he punched the soil. Wait… does that mean…? Suddenly, he shot up like a rocket. "Then, can I call you by name?"
"Hmph," she huffed, crossing her arms.
What the hell? Those were some harsh words… Compensate me a little, will you?! But… her reaction is rather cute… I mean, she broke character and all… wait, Noel, get a grip!
"A non-answer, huh? Then… do you have a partner?" he asked playfully with a V-pose resting on his chin.
"…"
Chely averted from Noel's gaze grumpily, indicating a no. What's with this guy?! I even told him I was stronger than an elemental sovereign and he keeps going?! Her exasperated thoughts were written all over her face, cracking Noel up as he began to laugh.
"What's so funny?!" Her brows furrowed, her teeth grinding as her clenched fist was about to 'cleanse' evil(Noel) with a punch.
"Oh, nothing. You're actually more approachable than I thought," Noel replied, grinning.
It caused Chely's lips to pout slightly. "Hmph!" she turned her head, her hair flowing along, glittering silver in the sun. "Who do you take me for?" she added, giving him the side eye—
"And kind of cute, too, Chely." Noel smiled genuinely without the annoying teasing grin, but it was also the first time he'd addressed her by name.
"…"
Kei help! How do you deal with guys like him?! Chely cried in her mind, trying not to show it externally despite her slightly flushed cheeks.
"Hmph… Cute or whatever. Fine, use my name. At least that doesn't make my skin crawl—you really got some nerve, Noel," she replied in mock annoyance.
"Hahaha, late much?"
"S-shut tup!"
"Tup…? Bit your tongue?" Noel grinned.
"Tch…" Chely clicked her tongue and turned away from him.
There they go again… everyone thought as they sighed—although they found it scary how quickly they got used to it.
As Noel and Chely exchanged, the students glanced toward Iristolth, who the two seemed to have forgotten about. They gauged her reaction. But she just happily smiled at them while their eyes seemed to ask if Chely was, in fact, stronger than her and her husband. In reply, her slightly glowing golden eyes seemed to have suggested a yes and that she didn't mind that Chely declared it so bluntly—it was simply the truth, causing the students to sweat nervously as the beautiful girl before them was scarier than a literal dragon.
…
..
"I apologize for the late introduction. My name is Iristolth—but you can call me Iris if that makes it easier," the dragon lady introduced herself elegantly.
Umm… why didn't she introduce herself first instead of The Hero? The students wondered—which Iristolth caught wind of.
"Oh, I'm not related to the empire or anything—I'm just a dragon helping a friend, just in case!" she softly added, clasping her hands together.
Is she… a ditzy...? Kevin wondered, not knowing his peers had the exact same thought.
"What about the other dragons?" David voiced reluctantly, his amber eyes peered past her.
"Oh? They're my cute children~" Iristolth replied, giggling softly with the elegance of a mature lady.
"…"
Both the male and female students were captured by her mature aura—she was essentially that MIL—older lady… Even though they consider Chely to be very pretty. She didn't have Iristolth's aura, nor did she seem as friendly—which is something looks alone can't solve.
Emely, who was now a lot calmer, went to Alum's side—he's still as indifferent to beautiful women as always. Even with otherworldly beauties like them… aww Al, I worry for your future… she sighed inwardly. Although this one has children and is in a relationship…and apparently over 200 years…
"Not related to the empire… does that mean Miss Chely came here as a lone representative?" Emely inquired.
"Aww, Sweetie~ You don't have to address Elly so formally; you're older than her, after all," Iristolth replied as if the question went over her head.
Emely glanced toward Chely; unexpectedly, her conversation with Noel wasn't charged with the flirtatious energy from before—both seemed to converse appropriately with Alum and Miu nearby.
"Is that… alright?" Emely voiced.
"Of course it is! By the way, ask me anything. Elly might seem intimidating—which is presumably why you're all here instead. But I must say, she's a caring girl!"
They all looked at Chely again and had to admit she wasn't as intimidating as they initially thought. Currently, she had a somewhat relaxed conversation with Noel, Alum, and Miu as they unpacked stuff from a purple gem-like cube known as Void Box.
"Oh, and as said, you can call me Iris too!"
"Iris?" Emely vocalized her name reluctantly. "Is that okay?"
"Yes! The pronunciation is perfect," Iristolth replied. "And to answer your question. Elly is the sole representative, although I doubt they need anyone else."
"I… still don't understand. What does it mean exactly?" At Emely's inquiry, the students listened intently—they didn't understand why they'd only send Chely, but… Iristolth's reply chilled them to the bones.
"Ah… if I had to guess, I suppose it's so that others aren't in the way if she had to unleash her magic. That would've been the case had abominations appeared instead of you. Basically, she's one of the few who can solely shatter the dimensional dome that encapsulated you all—had you been inside its relative safety too long, you'd probably end up afflicted by a shard. Now, that would've been unpleasant."
"…"
Even though they didn't understand some of the concepts, they understood that their previous safe area was slowly corrupting them with something if their interpretation of Iristolth's words was correct.
Sensing their unease, Iristolth continued. "Since you arrived in this world through a dimensional fracture known as a spatial quake, some residue of the shatter might've lingered. Those shards still held dimensional properties and might've cut into the Mirrored Realm, which would've corrupted the dimensional dome you were in. And so, destroying the dome also means destroying the rifts that sustain those shards."
Uhh… we still don't get it… The students commented inwardly, their heads spun.
"What is the Mirrored Realm, exactly…?" David asked with great intrigue.
"Not a place I wanna be," Iristolth replied cheerfully. "But to put it simply, it's the only world our inhabitants could realistically travel to and back. Whether you come back as you or the reflection of you depends, of course…" Slowly, her eyes darkened as her expression grew somber. "So… I'm sorry to say, but you can't return to your original world. For that I know, Lethren is the world closes to that cursed realm. I will say you're lucky but unlucky. You are lucky not to have fallen into the Mirrored Realm but unlucky to have fallen here from where you came. By the word of the ancient, this world is… a stronghold."
The students couldn't ask what she meant. Iristolth said that she herself didn't understand as this knowledge was passed down many generations. Awkwardly, the students sat down on the grass beneath them. Even the usually talkative and dense Kevin was quiet as everyone was deep in thought, trying to come to terms with the fact they had no way home.
Those aware of the tropes had a hunch it was the case too, but they didn't expect that the world they'd almost fallen into a realm that even a dragon does not want to talk about. Iristolth seemed to have answered their questions in truth. And she herself looked pained by it. It made them question what her relation to that accursed realm was.
"Iris, you shouldn't scare them like that. As long as the empire has existed; even before that. There hasn't been any sign of instability in the past thousands of years—and these spatial quakes aren't enough to open a gate there. Even the worst ones are smitten by Divine Light," Chely abruptly interjected. "Besides, only fools willingly travel there, but The Light is too kind to punish those fools…"
"S-sorry… it just… haunts me still… to think my own flesh and blood sought powers from something so accursed…" Iristolth mumbled disheartedly.
"…"
"I still can't thank you enough for… alleviating his suffering… something nor Olth couldn't…" she said, her chest resting on her forearm as she tightly clasped her upper arm.
"…I'm sorry. I didn't intend for you to recall bad memories." Chely walked up to Iristolth, gently stroking her back. "Sorry…"
"Oh… um… no. I apologize for making it awkward when things looked so bright…" She looked at Chely, then Emely, and the students. "I'm sorry, everyone… but he's in a better place now." Her bright smile returned as she gazed into Chely's eyes.
"…"
I don't understand how you can smile at me like that. I killed your child. Even if he was a corrupt version of himself. Don't you resent me, Iris?
..
One eventful day, at the age of 17, Chely was called into Rigeld's office. He wore a server look; it was then she caught wind of a dragon dismantling smaller cities one after the other—casualties were in the thousands even though a day had barely passed. It was speculated that those cities were infiltrated and that their barriers had been altered months prior, which was why the dragon was able to cause that much havoc. But… the dragon was also corrupt and slowly turned those around it into abominations akin to itself.
"Chely. Turn these areas into cinder," he said, pointing at a map. "We've contained the areas for now. Everyone inside can't be saved; they've… become something else. SIGH… We can't be this lenient anymore—every city needs to connect to the Diloth System whether they like it or not. I hope this tragedy will be a reminder for those underestimating the outside world."
"…Understood," Chely replied heavy-heartedly.
The Hero was young back then, even now, at only the age of 23. She recalled clenching her fists to the point her gloves shattered and dug into her flesh. The horrid memories of drawing her Divine Blade to 'cleanse' each city with apocalyptic flames haunted her—it only took one sweep of her infused blade. What was left… was but desolate plains engulfed in cinders.
..
"—Hey, Chely, how do you operate this stove thing?" Noel asked, breaking her out of her deep thoughts.
"Huh? Oh, you need to infuse mana into the circuit, and you determine the heat by dragging this, um, thing here."
"You don't cook, do you…?"
Chely's eye twitched at his teasing. "I don't, what of it?"
"No, nothing; it just means that I can impress you with a delicious dish!"
"…Noel, you don't have to keep up the flirtatious act," Chely sighed and glanced toward the others as they helped Iristolth prepare the tables and chairs. "They've… eased up a lot and somewhat trust me now because of you… thanks…"
"…" Noel didn't say a word. He just nodded. Her words tugged his lips a little as they curved into a solemn smile. "Sorry. I went overboard back then."
"It's fine. It was confusing at first, but I was pleasantly surprised. People usually don't talk to me so casually, so… that does get lonesome sometimes," she replied, scratching her neck lightly.
"…I see."
"But your friend sure is sharp. He understood your intention and even acted in such a way to help me realize your intent."
"Alum? Yeah, well… he's observant and good at interpreting people's intentions. But it's hard to say. Sometimes he feels socially inept, and sometimes he's so shard it makes me question whether he can read minds."
"Ehehe," Chely giggled lightly. "Sounds complicated," she added.
"Sigh… you don't say," Noel sighed but chuckled in response. "Look at him. He's being fed sweets by a literal dragon and isn't even bothered."
"Iris is friendly, but Alum is unexpectedly receptive to it, isn't he? You must've worked hard to befriend someone as cold as him."
"…Yeah… it was hard work… he totally lied about being easy!" Noel huffed, causing Chely to smile.
"Oh, it's perhaps because light golden eyes are usually associated with dragons in this world. I don't normally see Iris that kind towards strangers, despite her being friendly."
"Is that… so?"
It was the first time he'd seen Chely smile innocently, albeit faintly. His face became slightly hot for some reason. His pulse quickened along his hasty heart. At the same time, Chely noticed a faint blush on Noel's face and became slightly bashful. She would glance at him occasionally when he prepared the beast they'd found in Void Box. The way he tasted the spice, slightly sniffing to get a feel for the aroma, and the way he reluctantly bit into a vegetable after cutting it was new to her.
"Is there anything you need my help with?" she asked.
"Hmm, how about helping me taste test?" he grinned in reply.
"Is that all you think I can do…?"
Chely crossed her arms with a condescending look on her face. Noel couldn't hold his laughter, as did Chely as she chuckled at the act. But in the distance—
"Aww, he's so cute! Can I keep him?" Iristolth asked as she hugged Alum.
"…" Alum has a deadpan face.
"N-no!"
Flustered, Emely tried to tear Alum away from Iristolth, but despite her fragile look, she was as unmovable as a mountain—even the victim himself was inexpressive as if he'd resigned to his fate.
"I'm his guardian, he's mine!" Emely still tried.
"…" Still a deadpan face—get me out of here, he thought to himself as he took another bite of the sweet thing given by Iristolth.
"Aww… why not?! You both could pass as dragons… oh I know! I suppose I can adopt you, too!"
"W-what! That's not how it works!" Emely protested, being pulled into Iristolth's embrace as well, and the other students would laugh at their antics, albeit mildly confused.
All the while, Miu watched in reluctance. Ultimately, she decided to join Noel and Chely to help them cook. Even though the others were more comfortable helping Iristolth to put up a temporary settlement, she was personally more at ease with Noel and Chely—after all, she'd seen through their facade long ago.
But as everything was done and they'd begin dining—BOOM! A loud explosion ruptured in the sky, and two massive birds soared above them in a chase, leaving them speechless as the food slowly got cold.
Right… we almost forgot, but… Is this… normal?! They wondered.
Judging by Chely's non-reaction, the occurrence was likely somewhat ordinary in this world. Apex predators and their prey existed everywhere, but… both those birds seemed extreme in their eyes. And for Chely to barely react must mean she was more terrifying than that.
After one of the birds crashed down, it shortly shot up into the sky moments later. But by that time, the prey had already escaped.