A week had passed since the school reopened. Everyone, especially the mayor, was still curious about who put the gate in suspension but, to be on the safe side, decided to place safety talismans around the school to alert authorities in hopes people could get transported to safety before a dungeon gate completely opened again.
Rhia was in her morning gym class doing laps around the field when a familiar face caught up to her.
"Hey, Alex!" she cheerfully greeted the boy, who gave her a shy smile.
Alex wanted more to say but didn't know how to start the conversation when he suddenly recalled their time in the dungeon.
The way Rhia had fought to protect him brought forth conflicting emotions of giddiness and guilt. Yes, he was happy that she thought of him to such a great extent, but the sight of her risking her life made his tongue sour.
"Rhia, about our time in the dungeon-"
Rhia immediately slapped her hand over Alex's mouth, ignoring his flushed cheeks. Searching her surroundings with her eyes, Rhia made sure no one was paying attention to them before grabbing the other boy's hand and leading him away so they could talk privately.
"We must be careful whenever we breach upon that topic. You never know who is listening," Rhia warned him seriously, remembering Lucia telling her a few days ago that spies had been keeping watchful eyes on the children in their classroom.
Someone found it fishy that a stranger from out of nowhere managed to suspend the dungeon and did not say anything. It didn't make sense, especially considering the benefits they would receive from saving the mayor's son.
Rhia kept her identity a secret because she didn't want to be used as a bargaining chip for the people with the higher power to take advantage of her. Since dungeons first appeared in this world, the lands had been unsettled, and fear spread like a disease.
Things only got worse when the Holy Empire, the land of the celestials, announced the discovery of their champion, and just recently, so did the human kingdom where the main character lived.
Leaving out the goddess Lilith's champion, who they believed still hadn't appeared.
Once the kingdom announced that the goddess had chosen her champion, Rhia knew the value she would hold, meaning whoever decided to sponsor her could sway the people's hearts, thus giving them much control, not to mention a load of responsibility that came with the job.
Rhia knew her choice would garner scrutiny from others, but honestly, she just wanted to be a kid surrounded by the love of her family, not thrown into a game of politics that she had zero knowledge about. She'd fight monsters but not greedy people who thirsted for more political power.
Noticing the seriousness in Rhia's eyes, Alex nodded his head and ducked his head down when she smiled at him. The young boy, who had been lonely with no friends, was becoming addicted to Rhia's smile.
"Hey, how about you come to my mom's dessert shop, and we can talk some more there!"
Rhia asked, and Alex eagerly agreed, happy to spend more time with his new friend.
—
Baroness Night was just refilling the shelves of her dessert shop with a fresh batch of cookies when she heard the ring, signaling new customers. Dusting off her mint green apron, she stood straight on her feet with a smile.
"Welcome to—Ah! Adrian, what brings you straight here instead of the house?"
Her son's appearance confused the woman when she saw two figures step out from behind him.
"Mama! I brought a friend!"
Rhia beamed her mother a smile, who saw her daughter happily holding another boy's hand with blood-red crimson hair and ruby eyes.
'Wait! Crimson hair… Ruby Eyes… Could he be who I'm thinking?' questioned Rhia's mother, having a hint about the boy's real identity and trying to keep her nerves calm if her guess was correct.
The two children took a seat at an empty table since there weren't many customers inside.
"My Mama makes the best desserts in the city!" bragged Rhia as she sat her backpack beside her.
Alex was about to ask Rhia a question when he felt a burning gaze directed at the back of his head.
The redhead turned his head towards the direction it was coming from and flinched when he saw it was coming from Rhia's big brother, who seemed to dislike him instantly for some reason.
"Adrian, stop glaring at your sister's new friend and be nice," Rhia's mother playful scolded her overprotective son and lightly flicked his forehead.
She giggled when her adorable boy pouted at her, but she wasn't about to let him ruin this opportunity for her baby girl.
It had worried her how Rhia still had no friends at her age. Even though the baroness appreciated quality time she had with her daughter, she wanted to see her laugh and play with kids her age.
The reason why she decided to put her anxieties concerning the boy's real identity behind her and focus on her daughter's happiness.
"Here are some snacks for you children to eat."
She placed the plate on the table, followed by refreshments. Giggling to herself, she saw the hungry looks on the kids' faces.
She had decided to feed them some delicious monte cristo sandwiches served with a refreshing glass of iced fruit punch for lunch.
"Oh, we can't forget dessert!"
Her mother sat down a second plate, but served on this one was a small serving of raspberry and mousse cheesecake placed inside glass cups garnished with a dole of whip cream and a single raspberry.
Noticing the starry-eyed look in her daughter's eyes and the drool leaking from her open mouth, Baroness Night playfully tapped her nose, gaining her daughter's attention.
"Rhia, food first. Dessert second, young lady."
"Yes, mama!"
The children dug into their lunch with her mother away and tending to other customers.
"Rhia, where did that mysterious power come from? I know some demons are born gifted, but I never saw anything like what you went through before," Alex admitted as Rhia swallowed down a bite of her sandwich before answering.
"Alex, you know the history behind dungeons and the threat and danger behind them, right?"
Alex nodded his head, picking up a slice of his sandwich to eat, and Rhia continued.
"You know of the prophecy dealing with the three goddesses and their champions who are supposed to save this world from dungeon gates and usher us into an age of peace?"
Again, Alex nodded and understood. Rhia took a sip of her juice before dropping the bomb.
"Well, you're looking at one of them."
Alex blinked. Rhia took another scoop of her dessert and counted back from three and wasn't surprised when Alex jumped up from the table, mouth gaping and refusing to close.
"Y-Y-You're…. What! Huh?!"
Alex's brain fried from an overload of shock.
"Yep, my same sentiments."
Rhia remained calm and scooped another bite of her dessert into her mouth.