Food court

'Do you even sleep at night?'

Melissa said while pushing Wind through the food court entrance.

It was on the right wing of the first floor, where a large pine tree could be seen through the window, and the smell of a large chunk of meat being grilled filled the court.

Wind said while trying to cover his hands while yawning,

'I do.'

'Then why do you always keep your eyes closed?'

'To be prepared when I need them to be open.'

The food court didn't seem to have many attendees at this time. They sat down next to a large window.

Melissa continued,

'You always reply with puzzle-like answers. Do you like puzzles, or have you been hit?'

As Wind opened his mouth, Melissa kept going,

'Actually, drop that one. What I really want to know is how your relationship is with your master's master, Crescent Gale.'

Wind's eyes opened a bit with a unique expression, and he said,

'She is the greatest sorceress that has ever lived, will live, and will keep on kicking for eternity.'

Melissa chuckled and said,

'That sounds rehearsed, and it doesn't tell me how your relationship with her is.'

'Never met her.'

'So, you've never verified her skills?'

'What would that look like?'

'I don't know—like a sorcerer's duel?'

'I haven't met sorcerers other than my master and my father.'

'What! Isn't there an association for you all?'

'There is. I've never been there.'

'You really are a loner, aren't you? How did you meet Rising Blade, then?'

'One day, he came home, and my father sent me away with him.'

'What about your father? What's his name?'

'I don't know.'

'How come?'

'I haven't returned home after going with my master.'

'And your master hasn't told you?'

'I didn't ask.'

'I still can`t believe you weren't interested in having Crescent Gale as a connection? I would've tried to get on her good side for sure. By the way, what do you want to eat?'

'Whatever you take.'

Melissa leaned forward and put a finger on his forehead as if drilling a hole in it and said sternly,

'Let's make this an exercise for you to have a little more than one-liners. How about you pick what we should eat?'

'Is that an order as my employer?'

Melissa didn't expect that answer...

'Sure—I gu-ess?'

Wind started to walk to the chef and said while pointing at Melissa,

'Give me two of what she likes.'

Then he pointed toward Melissa.

Melissa shook her head and just waved to the chef, who answered immediately,

'Oh! For the young lady? Yes, I'll bring it to you in a minute.'

Melissa wanted to be mad but didn't find a fault in it.

'Is there anything you're curious about in our home, city, or anything at all?'

Wind sat down and answered while looking at the ceiling,

'There is one thing.'

'Aren't you going to say it?'

'If they weren't listening, I would.'

'Who is listening? The food court staff?'

Wind shook his head.

'Is it related to you always looking at the ceiling?'

'No, that one is easy to bypass.'

Melissa's breath hitched, and she looked up to find who Wind might be referring to, only to find the place empty, just like it was in the training ground hall.

'Is this your ultimate prank that's happening all the time? And who are you bypassing? I feel like every minute with you is just giving me more questions than answers, and your one-liners aren't helping much to defuse these questions.'

'Not a prank. That's a long story, sorry.'

'See? You still aren't helping. And what is this long story? We'll be stuck together for the foreseeable future. Might as well know your long stories, and you aren't much younger than me.'

'No, please. That will tire me out.'

'How feeble are you to be tired from just speaking?'

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"DAD, Dad! Why are you crying?"

"I just remembered a friend while reading this line."

"Is this friend not in town?"

"No, sweetie. They traveled to a far place. We won't be able to meet for a while."

"Then, when I grow up, I can travel with you to meet this friend?"

He started to rub her head and said while laughing,

"Sure thing."

After he settled a bit, he asked,

"Do you want me to read more or stop for the day?"

"Keep going! I want to beat our last record of finishing it in a week."

"Fine by me."

He said while his back was drenched with sweat, and he started to act out these characters again.

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'Aren't I hired to be a guard? I'll use energy for that.'

'This is gonna be worse than I thought. I might regret the impromptu pity fight that happened.'

'I don't know about the fight, but I'm here.'

'You're here because of that fight, or you could've just been my brother's training partner every day instead of once a week. You should be grateful.'

'For how long?'

'For how long what?'

'How long should I be grateful for?'

'What are you ta—'

As Melissa was speaking, a couple of staff members brought plates filled with various dishes, told them to enjoy their meal, and left.

Melissa, smelling the aroma of the food, said,

'I'll take a break from trying to talk to you.'

And they started to eat ...