Finally Home (Part 2) (Rewritten March 2025)

"Anyway!" Tamara clasped her slim hands together. "Are you hungry?"

He turned his gaze towards the smiling girl. Astrid trusts her. That's all I need to know.

"Tamara, before that, can you help me with something? Is it possible to send a message to someone I've been traveling with lately? Does my User Interface keep a record of everyone I meet?"

Tamara tilted her head slightly. "No, I don't think so. That sounds more like what an Administrator would keep track of. Do you know the name of this person?"

"Only her first name, sadly. And with that alone, I can't add her to my friends list."

"Bummer…" she said, pouting her lips.

Even if I could communicate with someone from Unus Town like Monique Ascencio to keep an eye on Ashley, I'm pretty sure that would only increase my debt. Besides, I told Ashley to wait for me at the Renoviato Caves. She doesn't have a reason to leave without me. At least I hope so…

"Okay, another question. Is there a way to get in contact with an Administrator?"

"Unfortunately, they only talk in person with their Moderators, and they're a different can of worms, believe me! The only reason we know the Admins even exist is because they occasionally make live announcements about some important update or big event. But, Alan, even if you get in contact with one, I doubt they'll help you find your friend."

"Thanks for all this info, Tamara."

"Was I really that helpful? I just said what I know."

"No, really, you truly cleared my doubts."

"Glad to help!"

"So, by Astrid's orders, you're stuck with me today."

"That's right! Do you like pancakes? Follow me!" Tamara beamed and led the way, leaving behind a trail of floral scent. "You can order breakfast from your room, and an NPC will bring it to you, but it's more fun to eat at the cafeteria."

As they walked through the facilities, Alan spotted a pool where a swimming competition was underway. Beyond it were the training grounds, where he witnessed someone magically summon a 32-foot-tall bipedal dinosaur that bowed to its master.

"This way, Alan," Tamara called, urging him to keep up. "Do you like what you see? Our headquarters has everything an adventurer could wish for. We have plenty of training areas for whatever field you'd like to master, and... Look over there. That's the 'DC' gym. Say good morning to Karen and Faiza!"

Alan glanced in the direction she pointed. Two girls were about to enter the gym. The tall, black-haired one noticed him and grimaced upon making eye contact. The shorter one, looking drowsy as if she had just woken up, faintly waved at Tamara before stepping inside and closing the door.

"Where was I?" Tamara continued. "Oh, right! Tell me, Alan, is there any class you'd like to learn or perfect?"

"You want the truth?"

"Sure! Shoot!"

"At first, I wanted to be a swordmaster, and Astrid always cheered me on about it, but I quickly realized I sucked at it. Maybe I should take a look at other available Classes and find something that actually fits—"

What am I doing? I said too much. He shut his eyes, blushing. Tamara looked away, pretending not to notice.

"We can visit the library after breakfast, then," she said. 

This girl is too damn polite, Alan thought. Just then, the aroma of melted butter and coffee hit him, reminding him how hungry he was.

Inside the cafeteria, about twenty people were chatting while enjoying scrambled eggs, bacon, orange juice, and tea.

This reminds me of the lively recreational rooms at the Alvearium Enterprise HQ. The teens who would later become the Santa María's passengers spent time there, getting to know each other before leaving Earth. So nostalgic. I met Astrid there, and it was the best week I…

His smile faded as half the room stared at him. The rest noticed him once Tamara grabbed his hand to lead him to the food bar.

"Come, Alan," she said, oblivious to the fact that the whole place had gone silent.

With Tamara's help, Alan filled a tray with pancakes, coffee, and eggs, then returned to the tables. People were now whispering among themselves, sneaking glances at him.

"Hey, Founder!" a familiar voice called out, waving him over. "Come sit with us!"

Marissa.

Beside her, a long-haired redhead hissed, "What the hell are you doing?"

And that woman.

Alan exhaled deeply and walked toward them, ignoring Tamara's suggestion to sit somewhere else.

"Hey, it's the deadly ballerina," he said as he approached.

Marissa narrowed her eyes. "Huh? Where did that come from?" Then, she grinned. "Oh, I see! You were mesmerized by my sweet killing moves last night, huh? That was nothing, trust me. I might give you a quick demo in one of the training gyms later."

"Can't wait," he said with a mild smile before his gaze landed on Amelia, who was idly poking at her salad with a fork.

"Mooorning, Tammie." Marissa beamed.

The petite girl sat reluctantly beside Alan. "Morning, Marissa… Amelia."

Amelia did not respond, instead opening her User Interface.

"Yay! Let's have breakfast together. The more, the merrier!" Marissa clapped. "Founder, have you met my sister yet?"

"Who?" Alan frowned, glancing at Amelia. "Wait! You two are sisters?"

"That's right," Marissa replied, stuffing her mouth with egg salad. "Best known as the Deadly Flowers of Carcella!"

Alan kept staring at Amelia as she tapped her User Interface, changing her lipstick color from pink to blue to black.

Marissa swallowed before giggling. "Do you like what you see?"

Alan blinked repeatedly and shook his head. "I-I wasn't—"

"Tam's showing you the facilities, right? Do you like what you've seen so far?"

"R-Right! Very impressive place! I can't imagine how much you've all inves—"

After settling on a dark crimson shade of lipstick, Amelia snapped her fingers. Her breakfast instantly caught fire, burning to a crisp.

"I've lost my appetite." She stood up and walked past Alan without sparing him a glance. A second later, he felt a sharp pinch on the back of his neck.

"Ouch!" he yelped, spinning around, but Amelia was already on her way out.

Seriously, what's her problem?!

"Is something wrong, Alan?" Tamara asked.

"N-Nothing."

With Amelia out of the frame, the guilders from the adjacent tables swarmed Alan in an instant.

"Are you really 'The' Alan Warden? Where have you been all this time?"

"Hey, is it true you're going to be our new First Officer?"

"Is it true your level is beyond 100, and that's why it doesn't display properly?"

"Does that mean you're stronger than Astrid?"

"Woah, what is all this?!" Alan cried, overwhelmed.

"What did you expect, Founder?" Marissa said with narrowed eyes. "You're a legend here. Many stories have been told about you, and everyone just wants the truth."

"That's understandable, but--!"

Glancing at Alan's distressed face, Tamara took a deep breath before rising from her seat and slamming her palms on the table. "YOU'RE TOO NOISY! There will be a time for Alan Warden to tell his story, but not while he's trying to enjoy breakfast! So, everyone, back to your tables, now!"

As the crowd dispersed reluctantly, Alan stared at the petite young woman beside him, a startled expression on his face. And here I thought she was nothing but a sweet, mild-mannered girl!

"Well, that's no fun. I also wanted to hear what's going on with you," Marissa said, resting her hand on her cheek.

"Maybe we could talk about something nicer?" Tamara suggested, her attention back to her food.

Alan thought for a moment before smiling shyly. "Maybe… You could talk to me about Astrid, please?"