As I had already mentioned; the world really works in a mysterious way. Fate this. Destiny that. Kismet—or whatever. They, as though, operate on the background and scheme a script of what's supposed to happen exactly as they premidated it to be.
Honestly, I don't dislike it. If fate would work it's way to meet the worldly standards of fortune and whatnot (especially if it aligned to how I wanted it to be) and turn things back to it's destined course. Who am I to complain? Heck, I'd even laugh and sing my praise to whoever orchestrated all such.
Why am I dwelling on these fate-destiny nonsense, you asked? That's obviously because one is presented right upon me.
"Hey, young man, would you be so kind to please direct us the way to the entrance of Saint Stella Academy?" A woman that appeared to seem on her mid-twenties asked with an alluring smile.
I'll ask again until the world's knowledge and books of prophecy gets pissed; Was this fate or a mere coincidence?
Who could have thought that it was this easy to find her; Maria Vlad Valentine, is who.
Twenty Minutes Earlier;
Finally, I was released. Exhaustion line on my face; my shoulders sagged as I walked away from the Shadow Lair.
Going over the report really is a lover of taking time; it's already very late. I wonder if Sofy had eaten yet?—if she hadn't, I'd die from both her complaints of being neglected and having to explain all that happened today with Shinra. Oh, And I have to explain how I got to know Varvara, too. Just thinking about all these makes me even more fatigued.
I took the road departing the headquarters and headed my way back home. Looking at the dimmed sky, three of the orbs had already replaced the sun's brightness, making a way for a pseudo moon to lit up. I wonder what the sky outside of Saint Isle looked right now; filled with real stars no doubt. I brought my bushed eyes back to the road.
Despite the fact that it was undoubtedly already late, the street lamps kept the night awake. Paved paths illuminated by the streetlights at measured intervals—walking about a place like this really felt like I was in the medieval era—except for the tall buildings which comprised the shopping district of Saint Stella.
The shopping district was quite bustling. Given how lively the environment is, you won't even notice that it's almost 11 o'clock in the eve. Huge mall structures, electronics stores, crowded food stands; the type of sight one might anticipate to see in a developed metropolis is laid bare here to witness.
People went to and fro with their purchase. Cars and vehicles zoomed as they passed through the concrete road. The advertisement displayed on a large screen planted at the building's broad side showed a beautiful woman with a wonderful smile.
I stopped on my track and paused with my eyes glued on a certain poster. I took my phone and snapped a photo. An anime girl cutesy posing was viewed in my peripheral vision—I was tired a moment ago, but seeing my cute anime wife healed my soul. I smiled to myself.
"He-he. Sylphania really is an Angel." I've got my priorities.
It's only a walking distance from the train station to our house. Still, there was a fifteen-minute travel taking the train from the headquarters; quite far if I say so myself.
I am currently admiring the shopping district right the distance outside the Shadow Lair; thus, I need to get on a train to get home.
Just to be clear; It's not like I'm stalling the time because I'm hesitating to get home as I know Sofy's angry with me, okay? It's not that. Promise. Honest.
I rummage through my pocket and took my Student Traveler Point Card. An I.D card that serves as credit points for the students to spend for their daily necessities. Oh, points are accumulated through good grades and monster kill count from dungeon diving—I'll take my time explaining that later.
For now, let's buy something that would lift Sofy's mood. If I remembered correctly, she was craving for some pudding. Alright, let's get some tribute for the goddess—if not, devine punishment will surely befall me.
As I went through the automated entrance of a nearby convenience store (named 7/24) by the train station—a bell rung to indicate that someone had entered the structure. The only person at the store was a woman wearing spectacles behind the counter. With only the two of us present, the store was largely vacant. I bowed at her greet and scanned the purchasable items the store had offered me.
Though there were many different items at display, the majority were everyday essentials such canned foods, and instant noodles. There's also the tissues, wipes and beverages.
At one of the sill were spices, playing cards, candies and baked goods. Additionally, there are items like razors, detergents, hygiene kits, cleaning supplies, and so on and so forth—condoms included, of course.
Taking another turn to one of the corner of the store was where the pudding and the other variety of sweets was stored.
I took three pudding and put it in my shopping cart.
"Meat buns? Oh, yeah—I only realized this, but I haven't eaten anything myself, have I?"
I pulled three meat buns from the shelf as well. After that, I surveyed the store for about ten minutes to gather all that I would be needed.
Cup noodles for my midnight+anime snack. Chips, crackers, and chocolate for Sofy. Though, I must warn her about the sweets part. I took ice cream on top of all that.
"Ah, I need vegetables for tomorrow's breakfast."
I went my way to the raw ingredients quarter and grabbed some meat and vegetables altogether.
"We still have some eggs so I guess this is all for today."
Thinking that I've got all that's needed, I headed for the counter. Hey, I'd mistaken my buying of tribute to shopping instead... I was late to take that on.
I gave my I.D card to the lady in glasses and let her scan it. She bowed her head to indicate the end of my payment. I smiled at her and then left the convenient store two bags of goods in tow.
" I'll have to head for the station now. It's already 11:20pm so the last train would leave in a bit."
I pass right through the busy shopping area on my way to the train station. Alleys filled the spaces created by the transition between the buildings. The only other dark areas in the vicinity are these backstreets; the district's least secured area. The spot avoided by most of the residents... a place unsuitable for the ladies to lurk; that's where I met them…
Back to where we started;
At first, I could only make out her silhouette as the alley's gloom was concealing the upper half of her body. However, once she stepped a bit closer, the light revealed how beautiful she was. My eyes didn't betrayed. I was glued to her boobs—I mean to her entirety.
This woman who stood before me was wearing an elegant black one-piece dress with a chest halter, showing a glimpse of her wonderful valley (thank you very much!) and high slits before her thighs that shows off both of her long, attractive legs. High heels, black stockings, and an overly seductive garter belt enveloped her bare limbs. She looks extremely appealing. Scratch that she was steaming hot and sexy—viva the mature beauty!
Along with those, her long, golden blond hair; which was pulled back into a low ponytail that touches the bottoms of her legs—appeared silky that reflects the blinking lights of the shopping area. Her ruby serpentine eyes with black slits, as if those of them reptiles… defines that she ain't really a human.
Her pale skin was somehow covered with dirt and for some reason, her clothes are frayed. She's covered with small injury as well.
"Hmm, the entrance to the academy? Sure."
I replied nonchalantly. I don't know how a person like her manage to enter the boarders of the island; but this was the very first time we met. Sure, she looked suspicious; nonetheless I can't just accuse her.
Gather up gents. Accusing a beautiful (mature, big-boobed) lady is the definition of sacrilege!
Plus, if she's asking for the Academy's direction, then Jin must be involve. Either that or she's got another motive in mind. I'll never suspect her, though.
Also, since I will be heading by the same direction, why not? She gets to find the academy while I get to walk with such beauty. A win-win situation, I'd say.
"Really?! I'm so glad!"
She said as she suddenly grabbed my hand that's free from the groceries. She seemed genuinely happy that she acted like a child… and also, she's leaning too close. I can clearly see the gap between her wondrous mountains through the transparent chest-halter of her dress. Also, why does she smell so good when her clothes are visibly tattered? Is this the power of a mature women? She smells like citrus. No! It was greater than that!
Her eyelashes are so long, maybe longer than Sofy's? and her lips pale red, literally tempting as it glosses with the slightest touch of light. I burned the sight to my memory's hard drive.
"Hm?"
As I was having these wonderous thoughts, I noticed another person's body frame lying on the ground behind her. I wasn't sure what gender the person was at first, but when a car passed by, a girl with long silver hair was revealed.
Seeing the girl from behind made my eyes went saucers in surprise. Just how much of a teaser this world was? To think that it would be so easy to find you; Maria Vlad Valentine.
"Oh? I see you're not alone?"
I said casually as I pointed pass through the lady in black. I was pointing at Maria's direction. I acted normally so as to not raise any suspicions.
"What happened to her?" I cocked my head. Appealing as a curious individual.
"Ahh… she just, you know, passed out from exhaustion? Yep, hehe." She scratch her face with her fingers.
Clearly, she's trying to hide something. I will not suspect her, though. And then as she said her excuse, a rumbling sound was heard coming from her stomach. It was pretty loud; but she held her stomach and said...
"T-that was not me…"
...in a face that's as red as a tomato… She must have been so hungry.
"I see."
I suppressed my laughter. And is she really going to feign ignorance about that? Seriously?
I rummaged the bag of groceries which I was carrying.
"Well, anyway, here. It's a meat bun."
"Ahh…"
She looked like she's about to cry, and her hand was drawn slowly towards the bun. But before she could reach it, she held her right hand full force with her left as if trying to stop herself from doing something too dangerous. It surprised me actually. My image of her being a mature lady had gone roaming through the night.
"No! I musn't! I'd already bothered you for taking your time talking to you and you would even guide us… I can't possibly… haaa…"
I watched her blankly in silence. She's saying all that but I don't think it was actually working. Plus, she's drooling at the corners of her mouth.
"Don't worry about it. I actually bought too many that I'm in trouble. You will be helping me by eating one."
I smiled at her. Upon hearing my words, she gently took the bun from my hand; but, as soon as she did, she dug for a quick bite, almost instantly that half of the bun was swiftly gone.
"Ahh… my first food after three days…"
S-seriously? Just how rough were you living at this point?
Why do I feel too much pity for this grown up woman...? I have mixed emotions about this. Also, she was tearing up with her every bite. She looked like a child eating her favorite snack, really.
I watched her in silence as she was eating, pity swirled inside me. Then, I noticed something on her arm.
"Hey! You were hurt?"
I asked strongly. What I noticed behind her arm was a wound. It was not just a wound that I considered as minor injuries; it was huge, and a fresh one at that. It was so new that there's not a sign of healing from it.
"Ah, this? Hehe. Don't worry. It's just a minor one. It'll heal in no time."
She was done eating and she was licking her fingers.
"No. That won't do."
I grabbed her arm, gently as I could to have a closer look at her wound. It's quite deep, no wonder she looks so pale. I surmise it was due to blood loss.
"Come with me. I will show you the entrance to the academy after this was taken care of. I know a better place to patch this up."
While I was saying this, she said nothing in response. She stood still and instead was only staring at me in silence, her eyes widening as if in bewilderment. But then after a moment of her pause, she nodded slowly for affirmation.
"My, oh my. Your quite forceful when it counts, eh? Hehe. I can't say I hate that kind of character, though."
She smiled. I was so sure that she lost so much blood, but when she said those lines, her face turned red a little—like the color of the evening fall.
Her wound was pretty huge; so, as to avoid being infected I went back to the convenient store to buy some bandage and disinfectant. For now, this will do. I don't think I'd be able do anything about this, but if it's 'her', I think there would be no problem.
You might say; hey, you're being too much of a simp! Sucks for you but I'm not doing all these for nothing. The reason why she was injured as well as their delay in arrival—I want to know it all. And this is the perfect opportunity for that. And of course, I'd do all these for a a beautiful lady like her. Duh, that should be obvious. Pretty simpy, no?
After I was done tending to her wound, the lady smiled again—even prettier than the last. See? Simp or not, that smile is worth saving for.
"By the way, young man, may I ask for your name?"
"Gleren. Gleren Stasis."
"I see. Gleren, eh? Fufu. It's good to meet a nice person like you. My name is Claudia. Claudia Asmodeus."
She took my hand to hers and shook it in a light handshake.
Asmodeus? What a peculiar surname.