Sudden Trip

-----Yui's POV

I don't know when, but I managed to fall asleep incredibly early. Even now while resting on the bed, it still feels as if she's still combing my hair with her fingers.

Yui: "Mmm- Kaede?"

It was when I turned over to see her properly that the person who I thought was still with me, was in fact someone completely different.

Mai: "Sorry~ Kaede has gone to the guild to check for any letters. She'll be back soon."

She continued to pat my head, taking Kaede's place with a wide smile on her face.

Yui: "How long has she been gone?"

Mai: "Not long, maybe an hour or so."

So that's how long I fell asleep for... It was disappointing to see that it was Mai who had taken over, but I was also relieved to immediately know where she went. I guess it makes sense that she would like to write letters back to Fleur, she does value them as some sort of family. Actually, we're on break now right? Maybe when she gets back maybe we can go over there for a visit! Kaede has already met my family, albeit in a public setting, but didn't she want to bring me back to Azalea when we first reunited? Maybe that's why she's checking for letters, maybe writing back to let them know I'm coming?

I found myself getting excited at the thought of travelling all the way out to Azalea with Kaede, sitting up from the bed as Mai finally releases her hand from my head.

Yui: "Thank you Mai."

Mai: "No problem."

Wait, on the subject of Mai, doesn't she need to be close to Kaede as her familiar?

Yui: "Hey, how far are you able to leave Kaede's side?"

Mai: "Hmmm. Well, she pretty much gave me a physical form when she freed me. Before I was strictly bound inside her, moving exactly where she goes. But now I can go wherever I'd like, however I guess you could say my soul is shared with hers now, so if something happens to Kaede then it'll affect me as well, so being nearby Kaede would be best."

Yui: "Wait, so if Kaede dies then-"

Mai: "Correct. Well, I don't actually die. But instead I'll return back to where I was."

She always seems to have more and more mysteries surrounding her.

Yui: "And what place would that be?"

Mai: "Hmm. I guess limbo would be the most accurate? Time still flows there, but it's quite boring. So my siblings and I watch over worlds to cure our boredom. Key word "watch," which is why what I did, going over to the world my brother was watching and stealing yours and Kaede's soul might not have been the best thing to do, haha."

Woah... So what, does this mean?

Yui: "So, you're like a god then?"

Mai: "No, but I guess in this world humans regard me as some kind of god with that myth of theirs. Honestly, I'm getting more confident that there is no god, since I would've surely been punished by now after interfering with giving magic to humans."

Yui: "Actually speaking of that. You said that the first family you gave magic to, you had them make a deal right?"

Mai: "Yes."

Yui: "Why did you have to take half their life away?"

Mai: "Boredom I guess? Humans don't live long you see, so I wanted to see what they'd do if I took half their life away. At first I thought they'd deny it, but they immediately accepted."

She sure is scary when talking about these kind of things so casually. So she can just erase half of someone's remaining life because of boredom? Just how much power does she have?

Mai: "Ah, don't worry. I wont do something like that again. Plus I'm bound in the material plane now thanks to Kaede, so I cant really use my powers to it's full extent."

Did she realize my thoughts? Either way, I'm glad to hear that I won't need to worry about something like that happening again.

Suddenly, the door to the room opened before closing quietly. I quickly tidy up my bed hair to a certain extent before Kaede- and Olivia?- came into the bedroom

Kaede: "You're awake?"

Yui: "Mmm! Mai was keeping me company."

Mai: "Just as ordered~"

Kaede: "Thank you."

Olivia: "Sorry to intrude-"

I don't necessarily mind Olivia being here, in fact I'm more pleased than anything as it gives me more chances to bridge that gap between us.

Yui: "Oh no, you're fine! What brings you here?"

Olivia: "I ran into Kaede on the way to the guild. We ended up talking a lot and she offered for me to come inside."

Yui: "The guild?"

Olivia: "Yes. I went to see about my father, but I also registered as an adventurer!"

She pulled out the familiar sight of a guild card, the same kind that Luna and I have, shoving it forward to me enthusiastically. Is it just me or is her way of speaking more relaxed now.

Kaede: "Mai would've told you, but I went to see if I got any letters"

She then brought from her side the letter in question before sitting down next to me on the bed. Olivia ended up sitting down on the other bed next to Mai.

Kaede: "I haven't read it yet, but it's from Sicily so I thought you'd like to read it with me."

Yui: "Sure!"

She opened the letter next to me as we both start to read it's contents.

Letter from Sicily: We arrived at Azalea! We told Fleur that we knew you and she allowed us to stay in your old room. It's a bit cramped using a small bed like that. Also you didn't tell me that Fleur and Faye were demi-human! No wonder you managed to become an adventurer, she even allowed us to register as well in order to help pay for our stay. Mell really misses you though. Even on the ride over here she was crying all over sis. So I hope we can see you again soon. Love sis <3

Kaede: "Huh... She didn't write about that hmm..."

Yui: "Eh? Write about what?"

Kaede: "Oh, when we went to the guild there was a lot of commotion. Turns out there's something bad happening near Azalea, hoards of monsters that have no signs of stopping."

Yui: "What?"

Olivia: "Yeah. It was quite surreal to hear about it. I ended up registering as an adventurer to go with Kaede... That's of course if you're planning to go lady Ellen."

It was a shock to hear Olivia wanting to go out and join the fight in Azalea. I don't mind going since I was thinking about going just before, but to go there to fight? I hadn't expected that.

Yui: "I'll go. I want to meet Fleur, and see where Kaede grew up."

I turn my head to face Kaede, a smile appearing on both our faces as she just gently nods her head in agreement.

Kaede: "Mhmm. I did promise her to bring you over so-"

Yui: "So when?"

Kaede: "Oh... Yeah the caravans leave tonight so we don't have much time to prepare I guess. Oh, and you'll also need to get one of these passes from the lady at the guild here."

She showed me a pass that she took out of her bag, which Olivia also brought hers out to show as well.

Kaede: "It's a pass for adventurers to give aid to Azalea. Free travel basically to Azalea and back to here."

Olivia: "You should get it while you can. It's the only way to get in as well."

Well from what Kaede just told me, I'd be surprised if they let regular folk inside Azalea. If anything, they'd want people to evacuate. Making up my mind, I stand up from the bed, grabbing my rapier from up against the drawer.

Yui: "Then, shall we?"

Kaede/Olivia: "Yes!"

I would ask Luna to come as well since she too is an adventurer like me. But right now she's spending time with her family, so maybe it'd be best to let her relax, especially after a long week from the tournament. I'm not sure what George's and Mark's plans are but it'd feel off bringing them without Luna so I decide to just stick with the 3 of us... oh, and of course Mai.

We eventually make our way to the guild with the 4 of us as the place seems completely different than all the other times I've been here. There really must be something big happening... The other adventurers that were in our near vicinity were quiet upon noticing us, unlike the rest of them that are closer to the reception desk. Looking at the gazes that were upon us, there were some that were scared, maybe even fearful of us as they distanced themselves, giving us room to move forward. It can't of been me as all the other times I never got glances like that... It must be-

Receptionist: "Ah, you girls again. Is this your friend?"

Kaede: "Yes. Shoot! Did you bring your guild card with you?"

In a panic I quickly check my pockets in hopes to find-

Yui: "Found it!"

It was the replacement one I got, so my first card must still be somewhere back in the dorms, most likely in Luna's room. I show the card to the lady as she goes to inspect it.

Receptionist: "Perfect. So you'll be joining in with everyone at Azalea?"

Yui: "Yes."

Receptionist: "Then here's your pass. Be sure not to lose it."

Yui: "She hands over the same pass that Kaede and Olivia showed earlier as I tuck it into my pocket along with my guild card.

Receptionist: "Good timing too since I would've stopped handing these out in 30 or so minutes. The caravans are getting quite full as is."

Kaede: "How many caravans are going?"

Receptionist: "Right now it looks to be 9 and we only have 1 left so the available spots are limited. Of course if a higher ranked adventurer would like to join then I'd gladly oblige, but I would have to kick someone of a lower rank out."

Ouch... I'm only an E rank so the likely-hood of me not going is quite high if that does happen. Wait Olivia just registered so at least I've done a job so maybe Olivia would be the one to go instead? Either way I hope none of us get kicked out as I pray that no big shot end up coming along.

Kaede: "...Well I'm only going to go if both Yui and Olive are coming."

Yui: "Olive?"

Olivia: "Ah, that's my adventure name."

Yui: "It's cute."

Olivia: "OH uhm... Thank you my lady."

Receptionist: "I expected as such. Don't worry, we won't be kicking you two out since you're with Kaede. I typically wouldn't allow it, only to A rank adventurers, but with Kaede having many accomplishments already, I'll allow it."

Kaede: "Thank you."

Thankfully, that big shot seems to be Kaede. I mean she did kill a dragon, or played the biggest role in it right? Wouldn't that in and of itself put her at A rank or even higher?