Chapter 14

Chapter 14. Mission of rank A.

If everything goes according to plan, then this is the enemy's plan.

From the thoughts of a paranoid.

Sephiroth. Morning.

I met the morning orderly exhausted, but still satisfied, still, you can finally move on to something more complicated than banal fireballs and blows with raw Force - the books on Fire magic downloaded into the brain just required practice, sorry, that some bummer came out with Life - there were no Life magicians among the dark ones from that town, they cast a spell through the Ritual, so their books were appropriate - not a single direct spell, but if I have enough time, I can bungle something- something like a war golem - my knowledge is still not enough for the city. Well, okay, back to the magic of Fire. The first thing recommended for a novice pyromancer to learn was how to extinguish a fire. This was followed by the art of directing the flame, and only then, changing its properties. A sophisticated fire mage could do almost anything that can be imagined with his element. Hard and strong like granite a piece of plasma? Sure, not a problem! Liquid like napalm? And you can! But it was considered the highest chic to create a flame that burns only what the magician wants. The author of this technique is considered Tivilm the Libertine, I think it is not worth explaining what exactly he burned, hehe? So I started training. The first ones looked quite simple - extinguish the candle with a mental command. There was no problem here - Natsu did similar tricks on reflexes alone, without bothering with an abstruse theory, changing the size and shape of the flame was already more difficult, at least until I trusted the instincts of the dragonller. In general, judging by the information taken from Natsu, everything was just fine with the control of the form, and he also learned to set properties right in the battle with Erigor, in any case, in the canon it was that way, and even here I see no reason so that he doesn't succeed. But it was difficult for me to do that - the consciousness, accustomed to the fact that first it was necessary to figure out exactly how this or that ability works, did not want to simply follow the pattern. In addition, I could not understand why Natsu, with such control, does not use something lethal, such as Gehenna (judging by the descriptions from the book, the spell falls short of the highest rank very little), but is limited to very rough attacks, bluntly pressing enemy with their power. With the same Erigor, in the canon, one could simply burn out part of the air nearby with an instant fiery flash, tearing off the protective covers, and not heat the air in a radius of a couple of tens of meters around.

Several hours of persuading my own consciousness bore fruit - I nevertheless copied the skills of the pink-haired dragonsler, and then I began to correlate them with the obtained theory. Hmmm ... if our fireman starts using his potential correctly, then very, very many bad people will become sad. Just think, the control of magic is at the highest level, but it was only necessary to select the desired state of the organism and it was possible to control not only the shape, but also the properties of the flame, no, I did not learn to set the parameters of the burned object, after all, this is really the level, if not God's chosen one, then a powerful S-ovik, exactly, as well as making the fire stone durable, but to grow a hand out of a flame that is capable of manipulating objects is quite (true, objects in such a limb heated up great, and the same candles generally burned out very, very quickly, but the fact itself ).

With the 'subtle' spells, the situation was much worse - if the flame itself was controlled perfectly, as well as the dragonsleer's techniques, which boil down to spitting with the elements or saturating with fire any part of their body, then it was possible to create the 'classic' spell of the school of fire with some difficulty - Natsu's techniques were more aimed at using the power 'in oneself' than 'out of oneself', which did not suit me - I wanted to control the Force completely, and not in places. Yes, and the black flame somewhat strained - yes, certainly very powerful, but alas, it can not be used everywhere. At the same time, one more small problem of my new body became clear. Although I was initiated as a dragonsler, I was in four schools, but the Lullaby's powers were applied only to three of them, as a result, my reserve of pure 'fire' mana was relatively small, in fact, that is why the flame came out black - subconsciously I drew on it from its most developed source - from the Darkness. In general, in the energy component of my carcass, the devil himself will break his leg - I seem to have only one reserve, but there are four channels through which it is filled with Power, plus the usual restoration due to the energy of the world. The rearmament of its own channel did not have and simply drew from the reserve, in general, only Natsu had its own source (or channel, here it is also not clear how to call these formations correctly), all the other magicians I saw had nothing of the kind. So, returning to my long-suffering carcass. The difference in the channels was clearly noticeable - three were quite powerful, but the fourth looked rather weak against their background, for the same Dragneel it was much better expressed. This means that if I do not want to constantly shine with a black flame, I need to adjust the fiery source to a more or less normal level.

All my next trainings were aimed at expanding the channel, since the information taken from Natsu made it possible to develop an effective method - it was required to absorb a lot of the necessary elements, and then sit and endure, and not throw everything out in the attack (constantly provide expanding pressure on the walls of the channel, so to speak ). I came across this method quite by accident, when I noticed that after each absorption and use of fire, the source of the dragonsleer became a little more powerful, literally a grain, but still noticeable to my instinct, and then knowledge of biology and common sense helped. I must say the exercise is much more difficult than it looks at first glance. Take ... tea, for example. Here you drank a glass of a tasty and healthy drink, everything is fine and wonderful, but now you need to drink another one, and then another. Not so great anymore. But this is not a problem, then you feel like, sorry, to the toilet, but instead you have to endure and continue drinking tea. And now add a roof that gradually leaves me under the pressure of magic ... In general, the night was fun, even very much. As a result, in the morning I decided that it was worth interrupting and generally taking a walk in some deserted places in order to throw off excess steam, and even such a load is best combined with complete devastation, giving the 'muscle' a rest, so as not to burn out. This means that I urgently need to take on a mission, or maybe more than one.

The tail greeted me with deathly silence. The guys looked askance strangely, in the emophone there was clearly a slight envy (almost everything), seasoned with a bit of some respect (Loki, it seems, was imbued). But I didn't notice any of my yesterday's companions, neither Elsa, nor Lucy, damn it, even Mira was not at the counter. Instead, the Master was standing there (or rather, sitting on the counter itself) and fixed me with a suspicious look. No, we will not go there yet, but we will go to the task board. Teek-s, what have we got here? Garbage, garbage, far away, oh, three days of travel and the task is just for me - to find and destroy the monster that bothers the inhabitants of a small town, and they pay one hundred and twenty thousand, I will not say that I need money now (the hamster twirled his finger at his temple), but still not bad. In the end, if you continue to destroy all sorts of thieves' guilds at the same speed, then they may end, who then will you order to expropriate the unjustly acquired property? Having ripped the order off the board, I was already soaping myself out when I was stopped by the Master's call.

-Sephiroth, stay, please, - eh, but I really was hoping to quickly dump. It didn't work, it's a pity. Taking a deep breath. I went to the authorities.

-Did you want something, Master?

-Not here, let's go, - and we went up to Makarych's office, hmm, well, yes, he must be doing guild affairs somewhere, when he is not sitting on the counter and whipping beer (that is, it happens very rarely and most of Mira seems to be doing the work for him). Jumping onto the table, the old man turned to me and gave me a sly look.

-Well, how was your date? - oh, how much there was in that voice, with just one phrase to start trolling like that, yeah ... the experience of steering such a crazy guild is immediately visible. And what a face the old man had at the same time ...

- Quite, although it was difficult at first, - I chuckled.

- I see, but I want to warn you, - now the master was VERY serious, - you will offend my daughters - I'll get you from the other world and explain how wrong you are, - I don't know if he wanted to scare me or just knock off unnecessary arrogance from the beginner, but in the end he only achieved that my respect for him grew a little more - my grandfather really perceives the guild as his family. As a convinced dark man, I fully support him in this regard.

-Do not worry, old man, I will tear anyone for them myself, - at the thought and girls, lips stretched by themselves in a dreamy smile. But this reaction clearly pleased the Master.

-He, it seems that old Bob has grown up a worthy replacement, - Makarych smiled into his mustache, - he, too, was that heartthrob at one time, - I remember this round something in a pink dress, brrr, mind me, - but tell me how you got there before such a life?

- I don't know, I'm just equally attracted to Lucy, and to Elsa, and to Mira, to be honest, I don't understand our guys at all - constantly communicate with such girls and do nothing in their direction. How blind is it?

-Well, the younger generation has not gone mad yet, only fights on their minds, - the Master sighed sadly, clearly remembering the piles of complaints, - and the old people are not interested in the girl themselves, - the oldest member of the guild sighed even more sadly. But it will not be easy for you with them, not easy.

- Hmm, and you don't mind that I'm trying to look after three at once? - really strange, we are not in Islamic countries ... or what do I not understand?

-Why? If this suits everyone, then everything is in order, there, the same Loki generally meets with almost a dozen girls, - the magician shook his shoulders.

-It's clear, well, thanks for the fatherly blessing, - oh, what a face the chapter had at that moment, and you can't dig it - you just gave the go-ahead, it's a pity that there is no camera at hand, hmm, it would be necessary to redirect it slightly in a different direction - by the way, how about a couple of lessons on rituals and barriers?

-AND? What? - mmm, a sharp change in theme, multiplied by a slight shock before, heee, now you can take it warm.

- Well, remember, you said that you would help me with magic? I am slowly studying rearmament and Fire myself, but I don't want to experiment with Life, Death and Darkness. So I thought that there are still rituals and barriers - and most importantly, an innocent look.

-Uh, um ... well, yes. Only now I am somewhat busy ... - the old man rushed about, clearly not eager to strain.

- It's okay, I'm just going on a mission, maybe after its completion?

-Ahh ... well, - the chief 'Fey' was delighted, - is that all?

- Yes ... for now, yes, - I finished a little ominously and smiled slightly bloodthirsty, - well, then I'll go?

-Yeah ... - the Master replied slightly with a sluggishness, it seems he remembered how my little confrontation with the Council ended and figured out how to get away with a little blood.

Having said goodbye to Makarych, I nevertheless left the guild, having previously cast a fleeting glance at the S rank quest board. Announcements with the island hung in their place, next to a couple of similar contracts. Hmm, you should then look for more information on it, and it will be good to explore the rest of the places.

Meanwhile. Home of Lucy Heartfilia.

-Elsaaaa! - the white-haired sorceress was clearly out of sorts.

-Mirrrra! - the warrior did not remain in debt, literally snarling the name of her eternal rival. The girls glared at each other, as if there was no six-year break in their confrontation. The atmosphere was so tense that Happy, who accidentally flew into the house, risked a heart attack, because someone, but he knew what Mirazhana was like before, but, luckily for the cat, at that moment in time he was very far from the place of the showdown. But Lucy was close and the prospect of staying on the ruins of her lovely house did not appeal to the girl.

-Girls, what are you doing? No need to quarrel ...

-Quarrel? We are not fighting yet ... wow, but actually, yes, we are here for a different reason ... - Elsa began, - namely, what to do in the current situation, - not that Scarlett had strong feelings for the silver-haired magician , because of which the girls gathered, but it was clear that Mira liked the guy ... and this made me a little jealous, as in distant childhood, and the old competition, it seems, began to go to a new level. Seeing that Mirazhana began to get involved in the struggle, the girl smiled mentally - now she looked much more like the former Demoness, whom Scarlett missed ... sometimes ... very, very rarely.

-Let's call a spade a spade, we all start to like the same guy, right? - With a venomous smile, Mira asked, not without pleasure noting how embarrassed the warrior was, and Lucy turned a little pink.

- Well ... I like it ... it's somehow too ... - Elsa began, but finally got confused under the mocking gaze of her friend, who was clearly enjoying the situation, - what do you say? - the Valkyrie decided to divert excessive interest from herself and Lucy fell to be the switchman.

- Uh, - Heartfilia felt a little uncomfortable, being under the gaze of two girls, - I'm ... not sure yet, but if you compare with Natsu, then Sephiroth makes me feel much more positive, - the blonde tried to buy some time to think , it was as if Elsa and Mira had already divided the guy and there was no place for Lucy, of course, pride and her own interests did not allow agreeing to this. It was urgent to come up with something.

- Yes, Natsu is very peculiar, - Elsa smiled, - but this is not about him now.

-Yeah, and the main question is what to do?

-There is another problem, - Lucy acted discontent (although she didn't have to strain too much for this, although she liked Elsa and Mira, but not to such an extent as to give way to competitors without a fight), - he invited all three of us and showed everyone roughly equal attention ...

-From what can we conclude ... - the beginning of the World.

-Someone a little too overtook, - Elsa finished ominously.

-What's so bad if we have one guy for three? - asked Lucy and was surprised at her own words. Although ... in this situation, such a solution seemed optimal - it allowed him to gain time ... and it was interesting to try his hand at fighting two beautiful girls. The rich imagination of the sorceress drew several interesting options for the development of events ... although you can do without the 'extra' competitors .. Lucy was embarrassed and looked away.

Scarlett choked on the air, and Mira looked dumbfounded by such a proposal, but ... there was something intriguing about him, the spirit of struggle and rivalry held the girls together better than any words and promises. There was only one small problem to solve.

-If three girls like the same guy, - began Scarlett, - then they just need to become the best friends ... - and follow the attempts of competitors ... mentally continued the beauty.

-In order to plan joint actions ... - added Mira, thinking that the situation is still out of the ordinary. But it was better to control the situation, being on the crest of events, and again 'crossing swords' with the old rival was unexpectedly pleasant ... and the new one also shows great promise ...

-And to correct the brain of one cunning magician, - finished Lucy, admitting that it is worth punishing a guy who thinks about himself too much, but it is better not to take your eyes off the 'friends'.

The girls smiled at each other and laughed merrily. The atmosphere of tension and general suspicion thickened even more in the room, but there were also changes, now there was some excitement and ... a common source into which you could throw your insecurity and irritation.

-Cake?

-I won't refuse!

At this moment, the magician Sephiroth, an immortal and practically indestructible creature, froze and turned around, somewhere inside there was a slight tremor similar to a tickling and for some reason wanted to speed up his step. After standing this way for a couple of moments and not finding anything suspicious, the magician grunted thoughtfully and continued on his way ...

A little bit later. Fairy Tail Guild

-What do you mean gone? Elsa asked.

- Took the task and left, - the Master shrugged his shoulders, not forgetting to sip beer from the mug. The girl caught herself on the fact that her eyebrow was starting to twitch.

-I ran away, you bastard, - an ominous atmosphere began to spread across the hall, spurred on by giggling from behind the counter, where Mira had already settled. Elsa turned to the hall:

- How long has Sephiroth gone? - the heavy look of the warrior made even hardened magicians like Wakaba and Macao nervous, let alone the rest.

- About an hour ago, - at last one of those sitting could not resist.

-Hmm ... still have a chance to catch up where he went? - the question has already been addressed to Makarov.

-Elsa, you know the rules, everyone is free to go wherever he wants ...

-Where. Is he. Heading out? - said the girl separately, and with such an air that it became somewhat uncomfortable for the most chosen of God ...

-In the vicinity of Akalifa - merchants left an order for some monster that got everyone.

Without another word, the Valkyrie walked out of the guild building.

As soon as the girl left the threshold, the master took off his funny hat and bowed his head, as if in mourning.

-Forgive, Sephiroth, forgive and rest in peace.

- Let's remember him, friends, Kana joined, raising a mug.

- They're not serious, are they? - worried Lucy.

-Do not worry, she will not do anything to him ... I hope, - the girl Mira did not reassure too much.

- Maybe I should go with her?

"Believe me, if Elsa is in such a mood, then this is a bad, very bad idea," the waitress sighed, although thoughts about the real reason for the reluctance to let the ghost magician go to Sephiroth were on the verge of consciousness.

- I see ... then you just have to wait?

-Yes...

Sephiroth. Approximately two hours walk to Magnolia.

I decided to go on foot, there were two reasons for that - I didn't want to torment the body once again in transport - after all, the brain and nervous system cannot be easily improved. Replace with something new according to the model - please, but like this, in fact, to compact the neurons on their own ... that's still a hassle, and when after the central nervous system (brains, if humanly), you have to strengthen the autonomic nervous system ... brrr ... only the thought that after such an improvement my reaction speed would come out about 70 percent of my past - and this is only due to the quantitative condensation, and if I deal with 'draconization', I might surpass ... hmm, myself. The second reason for choosing the walking route was time - I needed to think about the latest incidents, did I do the right thing to start courting three girls at once? Maybe you should have acted consistently? Hmm ... no, I don't think it would only be worse, and just choose who to give preference to ... alas, but this is not for me, after all, am I a tentacle monster from space or went out for a walk? Although, now I'm really just walking, hmmm ... My thoughts were interrupted by a howling intuition - something very powerful was approaching ... and very, very evil. Faint-hearted thoughts had not yet had time to take shape, when the roar of the monster informed me that I was already late ...

-SEPHIROT !!! - Elsa. Very angry Elsa. Very angry Elsa WITHOUT a hamster cart. A lump formed in my throat. It seems that in nuclear physics it is customary to say 'Oops' in such cases. But all the same, how beautiful she is in this state: a decisive look, fluttering fiery red hair, magic literally pouring out into the surrounding world, ready to crush any opponent of her mistress. You can admire this spectacle for hours, but, alas, no one gave me that much time. So, if I do not want to arrange a duel here, I urgently need to distract her.

-Hi Elsa, what are the destinies? - the first option, we depict a felt boot.

-What do you mean, 'what fate' !? We agreed that you go on a mission with me! - I was covered with a destructive look. Yes, it would be scary if I didn't know what Titania really is.

-Hmm, then I was simply presented with a fact, but why should I agree? Don't you think that if you work in a team, then I should have the right to vote? - sounds, of course, harsh, but the girl is too used to building everyone around herself, which I cannot admit in relation to myself, my beloved.

-What are your conditions? - oh, how much suspicion is in the voice, do you think I will now demand a date? But I didn't guess, this path leads to a message, which means we will be more cunning.

-Oh, a mere trifle, - slightly approaching the girl, as if for a kiss, feeling in her emotions growing irritation ... and disappointment? Heh, now someone will be very surprised, - I want ... to offer you, - even closer, the warrior's hand begins to rise, obviously to give too much a good slap to the magician who thinks about herself, - to tighten up my swordsmanship, - mmm, what face, and only emotions - surprise, a whole sea of ​​surprise, relief and ... a drop of annoyance? Is it from the fact that there is nothing now to hit me in the face, or from the very fact that I did not try to kiss her? Gods, how to understand women if they do not understand themselves?

-Uh? - all the rage immediately disappeared somewhere, it is a good thing - shock therapy, although the 'shock' here is somewhat different.

- Well, yes, since we will be partners, why not help each other? I'll tell you about fencing, nevertheless, agree that my skills in this art are somewhat higher, but in Rearmament, on the contrary, I'm very, very far from you, and I myself would not give up your lessons.

-Hmm ... well ... I don't know ... - the Valkyrie was confused. So, you have to use heavy artillery.

-And if, in addition to fencing, I add trips to the pastry shop? - I ask the girl about the tone of the tempter.

-I agree! - hmm, was it just me or she shouted it out before she fully realized? This is what the life-giving cake does.

-Well, we agreed, then let's go, partner? - a smile crept out on my face by itself.

-Come on, partner, - the girl nodded.

The guy and the girl walked along the dusty road, chatting at ease about all sorts of nonsense and making plans for future classes. Ahead of them were waiting for Akalifa and the monster that got everyone, but for now ... while you could just walk along the road and enjoy each other's company.

A couple of days later.

So we got to Akalifa, I will never forget how we went to him - as it turned out, Elsa kept only weapons and armor in her pocket, household items were located just in the cart left at home, and I had only one sleeping bag with me copy, and stomping for three days ... It would seem that we should be happy, such a reason to `` hide from the rain with one raincoat '', but something hated me to do that, I know we wouldn't have anything like that anyway, but here (and this has nothing to do with the fact that the girl did not take off her armor during the campaign even when she went to bed). So I completely gave up my sleeping bag to the lady, the aforementioned lady tried to be indignant and refuse, but was simply presented with a fact - either she was lying on the sleeping bag, or we were both lying on the ground, which would be the height of idiocy. At the same time Elsa showed me a couple of tricks in her magic. Things, it would seem, are the most obvious, but you cannot learn this from books, and, perhaps, you also cannot learn from a left teacher. Still, Scarlett is really a genius in rearmament. So I found something to do at night.

The city itself was quite beautiful, but it was famous for its trade guild - it was possible to buy and sell in it, if not everything, then very, very much - from a sack of potatoes to a magical artifact. But what was not in the city was the thieves' guild - the local merchants donated very generously to the guards, which, again, were armed very, very well, so that the local law enforcement officers clung to their service with their teeth and they would have been bought ... difficult. However, this is not about that. At the council, we learned in more detail what kind of monster this is. Honestly, when I heard his description, then ... mmm ... I thought that maybe well he nafig? The whole point was in the natural peculiarity of this reptile - he could speak. And he spoke the truth and only the truth, moreover, about any living creature on whom his gaze fell. Periodically, this bastard appeared in the markets or in the shops of merchants, where he informed everyone about some not the most prominent act of anyone present. A monster prophet who can see the past, and if you also consider that the truth can be presented in different ways ... in short, he really got everyone, but no one wanted to contact him, being afraid to expose a skeleton or two from his closet in front of everyone. This is where our valiant guild came out. True, judging by the look of the warrior, the prospect of facing an overly talkative creature did not suit her either. It would seem - what is it - the animal is not dangerous, in terms of combat characteristics, a little more than none ... but everyone has their own secrets, and it is better to leave some memories intact. We left the council very thoughtful.

-What do we do? - first of all I ask the warrior.

-Kill the monster, - the Valkyrie replied gloomily, - the task has already been accepted by the guild and to refuse it - to dishonor 'Tail'.

- It goes without saying ... but do we have to go together?

-What do you mean? - Well, if you want me to say out loud what you thought ... so be it.

-Every person in the past has something that ... you don't always want to show even the closest people. Or memories that you don't want to stir up. One of us is more than enough for this monster, and the second does not have to be around - again, a terrible storm is going on in Scarlett's emophone, no, after all, men are much easier to read than women - everything is much simpler and more logical there. Finally, after some hesitation, as if by force, Elsa made a decision.

-We are still partners and must act together ... - only this option she very, very much did not like.

-Good let it be your way. I wonder where his lair is? - I'm leaving a not too pleasant topic.

-Must be in the swamps near the city.

I looked at the already setting sun.

-Hmm, I think there is no wash away looking there at night. Maybe a cake? I am treating.

-Come on, and in the morning we'll go after the monster.

When we got to the hotel, we booked rooms for ourselves and went down to the dining room, where we already had dinner with feeling and really, when they brought dessert, I decided that Elsa shouldn't poison her soul with memories or hear about her partner something like - 'a terrible monster - the body thief ', and therefore made a plan to find adventures in the night swamp.

And then night came, it was time to go out, I carefully opened the window and began to get out into the street. What was my surprise when I met the gaze of the warrior ... crawling out of the next window. The girl also did not expect such actions from me, and so much so that she forgot where she was and unclenched her hands. Hmmm, night acrobatics are so cute. I managed to react and grabbed the girl in the fall, but I would not have been able to carefully lower her to the ground. I had to pull into my room. An intriguing picture - a night, a hotel, there are only a guy and a girl in the room, having dinner together in the evening, the lights are off, and the bed is spread out. And these two are looking at each other with a strange look.

-It seems that we are already starting to think synchronously, - I grin crookedly, - well, what are we going to do next?

-You stay in the room, and I will go and kill the target.

-Will not work, you will stay in the room, and I will follow the goal.

-Not! You have recently been in the guild, and I, as a senior magician, bear responsibility for you before the Master.

-Yes, so we will not agree. I propose to decide who to go in the old proven way, "I clenched my fist and grinned.

A little bit later.

-You cheated! - the girl's indignation knew no bounds.

-How can you cheat at rock-paper-scissors? - we make innocent eyes.

- I don't know, but you were definitely cheating!

- If you cannot prove it, then you just have to accept it. So I went, wish me luck, - Elsa clenched her fists.

-Good luck and ... thanks, - the warrior turned to the wall, changing her voice to the previous command intonations, - and so that he would return by morning!

-Yes, your Excellency! - jokingly trump the girl's back and jump out of the window, no longer worrying about secrecy.

Elsa was still right - you can really cheat in 'rock-paper-scissors', you just need to have a good baggage of knowledge in psychology, knowledge about the person himself and a 'combat mode' capable of calculating much more complex actions, so this just luck and nothing more, hehe.

Night. The outside. Grass. Swamp. Not Blok, of course, but he describes the environment very accurately. Unless it is worth mentioning separately the crowds of winged bloodsuckers, these creatures have pissed me off since the last time, but now, with a modified hearing, they were not just annoying, they were wildly FURIOUS. In general, I found the desired victim in a very, very bad mood. The asshole disguised himself well as a lingonberry bush, the only thing that gave him away was too active stirring, well, he felt by his instinct like a living creature, not a plant. Although I have not really figured out the flair for life yet, what is there was enough for a small swamp.

- The monster who stole the body of the mage of the dark guild, why did you come? - Hmmm, exactly the target we were looking for - we 'talk' for less than a minute, and we already want to beat down such an impolite interlocutor. Instead of answering, I just fried the asshole with a stream of fire, however, then I had to absorb the flame that was lit on some bushes, but these are all trifles. Putting the burnt carcass in the bag, I went back. And why is it considered an A rank mission? Unless the merchants had to set such a price, because no one wanted to mess with the bastard for less money, and if the tradition of chatting with the enemy before he pounds him is widespread here, then such a prophet would be worse than a hydra.

I returned to the hotel in the morning (fortunately, I guessed to leave my mark), where I found Elsa already (or, nevertheless, still) awake.

-Well, that's all, - I flop a little tiredly at the table.

-Lucky, how do I look?

-Uh huh, now home?

-First to the council for a reward, you deserve it, - the girl smiled warmly at me, hmm, it seems that her attitude towards me became somewhat better for that night.

-We, aren't we partners? I raise an eyebrow.

- But I didn't do anything ... - So, I have already heard a similar song from Gray, do they have a guild disease?

-You were ready to insure me, this is quite enough, so do not think to refuse - I will be offended. However, if you are so uncomfortable, then you can buy me dinner in return.

-Okay, - for some reason the girl was embarrassed. Why be embarrassed, because I didn't say anything like that, or did I?

Then nothing worthwhile happened - they handed over the little body to the council, received the due reward and gratitude for not destroying the city. We boarded the train and made our way to Magnolia. Sometimes I caught Elsa's pensive glances on myself, but somehow it was impossible to decipher them. This is how our first joint mission ended, quietly and calmly, and the next day I understood why the girl was so embarrassed when I talked about lunch ...