Packed full of people, the adventurer's guild was a hub for the brave adventurers of the capital to gather. Inside the tavern-like environment with booze spilling all over, and the whiff of delectable cuisines twirling in the air, the adventurers passed random chatter, trying to gain each other's trust so they could venture on profitable quests.
The lively environment inside the guild hall left Asuka feeling a bit intimidated. Bracing her heart, she pushed the door open and stepped right in. Curious eyes quickly turned in her direction as she entered. Driving away her angst by taking a deep breath, she made her way to the drinks counter.
'I don't like being glared at…' She thought to herself as she sat down on a stool.
Taking a brief look at everyone, she noticed strange glances from many men from across the room. Glancing down at her own body and the dress she was wearing, she was no longer surprised by the gazes but felt extremely embarrassed. Fidgeting in fear, her body squeezed together as if to shirk away from the eyes of these strangers.
"Hey," Suddenly a cold finger tapped on her shoulder.
"Ekkk! What?! Who?!" Jolting away from the cold touch, she quickly turned around to see who it was.
"Oh sorry! I didn't mean to scare you," Standing behind her with a nervous smile was a young girl with a quiver on her back.
After blankly staring at her for a moment, Asuka brought herself back to her senses. Pretending as if nothing had happened she put on an awkward smile. However, by the way she had screamed, her smile was not all that convincing to anyone. Ignoring the eyes glaring right at her, she brought her attention back to the quiver girl.
"Do you need something from me?" Asuka asked, scanning her clothes.
Dressed in an archer's garb, she appeared to be a novice adventurer. As she stared at the girl, Asuka felt a bit embarrassed that she was the one who got approached even though she was there to gather intel from others.
"Um…ugh," Scratching her chin, the girl looked over to another table, "I-No…I mean, we were wondering if you'd like to join our table?"
Following her gaze, Asuka noticed two of her companions quickly shying away from her gaze. Seemingly a bit shy, they pretended as if they weren't looking at her at all. Around the same age as the girl, the boy had a sheathed sword and a shield tied to the back of his armor, and the girl across him on the table was wearing a green witch's hat and even held a peculiar staff in her small jittery hands.
"My friend on that table is actually a novice mage, she'd love to talk with you actually," As soon as the archer girl mentioned the mage, she quickly lowered her hat and hid her face under it.
"Sorry, but I don't t-" realizing that she could use this opportunity to gather the information she needed, Asuka swiftly changed her answer, "Sure, I'd love to."
"Really?!" Hopping on her feet, the girl exclaimed ecstatically. "We'd buy you some ale and food as thanks, promise! Hehe!"
'Even though I said yes, I doubt I can teach the mage girl anything useful.' Feeling somewhat guilty about being offered something in exchange, Asuka instantly began reconsidering her decision.
"I'm Maggie, archer of unlucky clover," Extending her hand, the girl beamed a radiant smile.
"Unlucky clover?" Asuka mumbled, shaking her hand.
The vibrant glister in Maggie's violet eyes made Asuka's feet a lot more comfortable.
"It's our party's name, but anyway, let's talk at the table!" Wrapping her fingers around Asuka's wrist, Maggie pulled her towards the table with a spring in her feet.
A bit baffled by Maggie's impulsiveness, Asuka began to further question decision, but since she'd already said yes to the girl's demand, she couldn't back off from the situation. As they stood by the table, the guy cheerfully waved his hands to Asuka while the mage continued to hide behind her hat.
"Mayaaaa, I brought her here, at least say hi!" Pulling up a seat, Maggie offered it to Asuka.
Although, many of the patrons didn't need a reason to be staring at the exotic beauty, but now with the ruckus around her, everyone began to glare at the table with razor-sharp intensity.
"H-hi! I'm Maya!" Adjusting the hat back onto her head, the scaredy mage introduced herself.
"I'm Garth, the knight in our party," leaning over the table, the boy sprang terribly close to Asuka's face. "Are you new here? I haven't seen you around before."
Bringing her fist down on Garth's head, Maggie forced him back into the seat.
"That hurts!" He complained, caressing his head while pouting.
"Pfft!" Witnessing the silly scene, Asuka instinctively let out a laugh.
However, realizing her folly, she hastily covered her mouth. The other three looked at her delighted, completely infatuated by her appearance and grace. Upon noticing their glaring eyes, Asuka let out a muffled sigh before uncovering her face again.
"Ahem! Um…you wanted to ask me something?" She asked, turning her head towards Maya. "What is it?"
Even after getting properly introduced to each other, Maya's nervous demeanor persisted. Her eyes kept wandering back and forth toward Asuka, and her lips quivered to speak but her anxiety wouldn't allow any words to come out.
"She wants to know about healing magic, right Maya?" Garth interjected.
'Healing magic? Great! I think I can manage that.' Somewhat relieved, Asuka could feel somewhat relaxed.
"Do you wanna know any spells? Or just the general theory on how healing works?" Genuinely excited about the discussion, Asuka's face was plastered with a bright smile.
"Ah…can you teach me how to perform healing?" Maya uttered, still seeming a bit nervous.
"Sure, just concentrate your mana on your palms and repeat after me," With those instructions, Asuka began to teach Maya the basic principles of casting healing magic.
Their practice went on for a while, and in between the spell casting and the chants, the waitress brought them food and ale. Steering clear of the alcohol, she barely even touched the food. Just one bite of the hardened bread was enough to make her despise the food outside the castle.
'I didn't know people ate stuff like this, I'm glad I get to live in the castle.' Offering the food to Garth and Maggie, Asuka continued to teach the spell to Maya. Being quite young themselves, none of the two even touched one drop of the alcohol.
"There…" Asuka whispered, watching Maya's palms glowing a golden glow.
"Is it working?" Asking her companions that question, Maya's concentration fell off, making the spell fail once again.
"You had it!' yelled Maggie, right into Garth's ears.
"Watch it!" He shrieked back. "I might need my ears healed if you shout that loud!"
Watching the quarrelling duo, a strange sense of comfort washed over Asuka. The strange charm and comfort emanating from the two made her yearn for a similar bond with another person.
'Master's been really stern since the attack, and even before that I've never heard him genuinely laugh.' With a blink of an eye, she turned her head to towards the clock. There still being some time before Haruki came to the guild, Asuka decided to push for some answers of her own.
"Do you guy kn-"
"What other magic can you use?!" Leaning over the table Garth cut her off.
From the shock of him jumping at her face, Asuka's body subconsciously jolted back. Sensing a threat up close, her slender fingers immediately turned into claws and pushed Garth back into his seat as reflex. This time, however, his body toppled back along with his seat.
"Aghh!"
"Woah!"
"Your hand! How did you do that?!"
Having made a grave mistake, Asuka couldn't tell who said what or what exactly even happened.