Chapter 35: Unexpected Invitation
JASMINE FLAMESWORTH'S POV: It had been nearly five months since I last saw Arthur, back when we parted ways after the dungeon raid of Dire Tombs. Those memories were still fresh in my mind, and I found myself missing him more than I ever thought I would. Arthur had become like a little brother to me during that time, and now that we were apart, there was an emptiness that only his presence could fill. We'd fought side by side, shared stories, and grown closer through our experiences, forging a bond that I hadn't realized was so strong until he was gone.In the time since then, the Twin Horns, my old comrades, had risen in ranks. We'd become an AA-rank adventuring party—a significant achievement that allowed us to enter any AA-rank dungeon without needing to form alliances with other parties. It was a testament to our growth and strength, and I couldn't help but feel proud to be a part of it. We had all come a long way.For me, personally, these past few months have been transformative. I unlocked my deviant affinity—Sound magic—which had boosted my power considerably. It was what finally pushed me to the peak of an S-class adventurer and a fraction away from achieving SS-class. Mistral, my bond, had been instrumental in helping me reach this level. Yet, despite all these advancements, I still hadn't unlocked the second phase of my will. It was a goal that remained just out of reach, something that I knew would take more time, patience, and perhaps a bit more guidance.Now, we were heading back to Xyrus City, a place that held so many memories. We were on our way to meet with Alice, Reynolds, and Ellie, but there was another reason I was eager to visit. A few days ago, I received a letter from the Director of Xyrus Academy. It was completely unexpected—I had never met the director in person, and I couldn't think of any personal connection we might have. The contents of the letter intrigued me, though, and I couldn't shake the feeling that whatever the director wanted to discuss was important.As we arrived at the Helstea mansion late in the morning, I could feel everyone's anticipation. After knocking on the door, we waited outside, exchanging quiet conversation. Soon enough, a maid opened the door, greeting us with a warm smile as she welcomed us inside."Hmm, the mansion seems empty, is no one present?" Helen asked as she noticed no one was inside. "Lady Alice, Lady Tabitha, and young Ellie are all in the backyard," the maid informed us."Why are they in the backyard?" Adam asked.The maid's smile turned mysterious, and she simply replied, "Why don't you go and see for yourselves?"We exchanged intrigued glances before following the maid through the mansion, eager to see what awaited us in the backyard. There was a sense of something special in the air, and I couldn't help but wonder what surprise the Leywins had in store for us. Mistral also seemed to sense something, as I could feel a strange nostalgic feeling within her.As we made our way to the backyard, the anticipation grew. The maid led us through the hallways until we finally reached the glass doors that opened up to the backyard. What we saw on the other side was nothing short of shocking.The entire backyard was heavily damaged—scorch marks on the ground, patches of dirt and grass torn up, and even a few charred remains of what might have been trees or bushes. In the center of the chaos stood little Eleanor, Arthur's younger sister, with a bow in her hands. She was shooting arrows at targets hanging a few meters away, her concentration intense as she tried to reinforce herself with mana.Adam was the first to react, his eyes wide as he let out a low whistle. "Holy crap," he muttered under his breath, clearly impressed.Helen, on the other hand, voiced the question that was on all of our minds. "Did... Did Ellie awaken?"Her words drew the attention of Alice, Tabitha, and Eleanor, who turned to face us, surprise evident on their faces. Alice quickly recovered and asked, "When did you all arrive?"Durden stepped forward with a grin. "Just now. We wanted to surprise you."Alice smiled warmly, though the surprise was clearly on us this time. "Well, consider us surprised as well. It's wonderful to see all of you again."I was still processing the scene before me. Little Ellie had awakened? And not only that, just how big was the explosion to be this destructive?[A-Aveline....?] Mistral's voice echoed in my mind as she stood beside me, looking at Ellie in utter bewilderment.What? Aveline? Who is that? I asked her mentally, curious to know what was the reason for this reaction, but my question seemed to take her out of her trance.[No, it's nothing.....for now], she finally replied, but I could tell something had shaken her. I wanted to press her for more, but Alice's voice brought me back to the present."Why don't we go inside and talk in the hall?" Alice suggested with a warm smile on her face despite the surprise at our arrival.We followed her and Tabitha into the house, leaving the damaged backyard behind. As we settled into the hall, Alice began to explain. "You just missed Arthur by a few hours. He went back to the academy this morning."I couldn't hide my disappointment. I had been looking forward to seeing Arthur again. Adam, ever the joker, noticed my expression and couldn't resist. "Haha, look at her. She's so disappointed that her little brother isn't home," he laughed, his voice full of teasing.Alice raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Little brother?" she asked, curious about the dynamic.Angela, always quick to join in, smiled mischievously. "Oh, Jasmine's developed quite the brother complex for Arthur. She will probably be doting on him whenever she gets the chance."I felt my face heat up, and I tried to deny it, but the words came out as a stammering whisper. "It's... it's not like that..."The room filled with laughter, and I knew there was no point in arguing. Embarrassed and having had enough teasing for one day, I stood up. "I think I'll go out for a bit," I said, trying to change the subject. "I'll be back by evening."With that, I quickly made my exit as Mistral followed me, but I could still hear their laughter trailing behind me.I made my way through the bustling streets of Xyrus, letting the vibrant atmosphere of the market distract me from the teasing back at the mansion. Stalls lined the streets, filled with merchants selling everything from exotic spices to finely crafted weapons. The chatter of the crowd mixed with the calls of the vendors, creating a lively symphony of sounds that filled the air.As I wandered, I kept an eye out for something special—a gift for Arthur. I wanted to find something that would suit him. It wasn't long before a particular stall caught my attention. The merchant had an array of magical artifacts and trinkets, each one unique in its own way.One item, in particular, stood out to me—a small, intricately carved pendant that could amplify the wearer's mana. It was simple yet elegant, and I knew it would be something Arthur could use in his training. Satisfied with my choice, I purchased the pendant and tucked it safely into my ring.With the gift secured, I turned my attention to the next task at hand—visiting the Xyrus Academy. The letter from the director had been on my mind ever since I received it, and I was curious to know what she wanted to discuss. Making my way through the city, I eventually reached the academy's grand gates. After a brief exchange with the guards and showing the letter, I was allowed inside. They also called a staff member named Rosa to escort me. As Rosa led me through the grand halls of Xyrus Academy, my mind drifted to thoughts of what could have been, If I had awakened with fire affinity instead of wind, perhaps my life would have taken a different path. Maybe I could have attended the academy, honing my skills among other talented mages instead of being dismissed by my family as lesser.The thought lingered, bittersweet and tinged with a hint of regret. But I quickly pushed it aside. The choices I had made, the hardships I had endured—they had shaped me into who I was today. I was strong, capable, and no longer defined by the expectations of my family. The wind affinity I possessed, along with my newfound Sound magic, had brought me far.As we approached the director's office, Rosa turned to me with a polite smile. "The director will be here in a few minutes, Miss Jasmine. Please, go right in."I nodded in thanks, taking a deep breath before stepping through the door. I took my seat at the front of the table which I assume was the director's, Mistral curled up beside me on the floor, she seemed to be deep in thought ever since we arrived in Helstea's Mansion.After a few minutes of waiting, the door to the office finally opened. Director Goodsky entered first, followed closely by Arthur. I had intended to meet him before leaving, but I hadn't expected to see him here, in the director's office.Arthur's surprise mirrored my own as he stammered, "J-Jasmine?" I stood up from my seat, equally taken aback. "Arthur? Sylvie?"Sylvie, who was resting on his head also let out a loud chirp before jumping to me and licking my cheeks.Director Goodsky, eyed Mistral for a few seconds, then with her calm demeanor, said, "Now, why don't you both take a seat so I can explain the reason I called you?"We both sat down, still glancing at each other with a mix of confusion and curiosity. The director began to explain, "The class on Team-Mechanics Fighting I is scheduled for a dungeon raid in two weeks. Normally, this wouldn't be an issue, but due to recent abnormalities in the Beast Glades, the situation has become more complicated. Initially, we considered canceling the raid, but many of the students—largely due to their noble backgrounds—insisted on going through with it.""But, what does that have to do with us?" I asked, still curious. "Yes, I am getting there, dear. While Professor Glory is an experienced AA-class adventurer, having two S-rank adventurers accompany the students would provide an extra layer of safety and ensure the raid proceeds smoothly." She paused, her gaze shifting between Arthur and me. "That's where the two of you come in.""So you want us to accompany the raid to ensure the students' safety?" Arthur asked, his tone thoughtful.The director nodded. "Exactly. Your skills and experience will be invaluable in case anything goes wrong. It's a precaution, but one we can't afford to overlook."I was still trying to process everything when I realized something didn't add up. The director mentioning Arthur's adventuring experience caught my attention. His identity as an adventurer—Note—was supposed to be a secret."Wait a second," I interjected, glancing between Arthur and the director. "How does the director know about your adventurer alias?"Arthur gave a small, sheepish grin and shrugged. "Some old hags have a lot of ears," he said, not directly answering but making it clear that the director was well-informed.Director Goodsky chuckled softly at Arthur's comment. "Oh my, that's very disrespectful, Arthur. I don't think I'm that old. But yes, it's true—I've been keeping tabs on him for quite some time. Arthur's activities haven't gone unnoticed by those who pay attention. But you can rest assured, his secret is safe with me."I nodded, still a bit taken aback by how much she knew. But if Arthur trusted her, then I could too.The director then moved on to discussing the logistics of our involvement. She mentioned that the academy would compensate us for our time and efforts, given the added risk of the mission. The compensation was fair, and both Arthur and I agreed to the terms without hesitation."However, since Arthur's identity as an adventurer must remain concealed, he will participate in this raid as a student," Director Goodsky added. "It's important that the other students don't become suspicious."Arthur nodded in agreement. "Understood. It makes sense to keep my identity under wraps."With everything settled, the director thanked us for our cooperation. "Your presence will ensure the safety of the students, and for that, I'm grateful. I trust that both of you will handle the situation with the utmost care."After that, we both left the director's office, and Mistral followed behind.~~A/N: Ugh... I am dead. Anyway, tell me how is the chapter, Mistral was very shocked to see Ellie, and I wonder why~ though, it isn't that hard to guess I assume. Also like the chapter if you enjoy it and comment your opinions.