The snake shot up and flew into the sky. Jareth was about to run for his life when it abruptly vanished, leaving only a tiny figure levitating above.
"Damn! Did it transform into a human for an easier chase?!" Jareth cursed, already sprinting forward.
A lady suddenly appeared in front of him out of nowhere.
Jareth, almost bumping into the short lady, slid and fell down, scrambling away from the lady in fear.
"Who transformed?" A soft voice questioned from his front.
Jareth raised his head, and to his shock, the lady was now on the other side.
"Commander Dark Star?"
Everybody paused when they heard Alven's voice.
The lady turned to Alven and smiled. "Oh! Alven, how are you doing? Have you come to hunt?"
Alven nodded while scratching the back of his head.
The lady turned to Jareth, who had been studying her from the side.
She had braided her black hair and was dressed in a black robe that was more like a gown, with the upper section fitted to her body while the lower section flared with a long slit in the middle, exposing her high boots. But what was striking were her violet eyes and pale complexion.
"What were you saying about transformation?" she narrowed her eyes at Jareth.
Jareth smiled a bit and shook his head. "I thought the snake really transformed. I'm sorry for any misunderstanding."
He bowed slightly.
Her composure shattered into warm, melodious laughter.
"Why are you getting all worked up? I'm not that petty."
Waving her hand, a big snake head with a half-mangled look appeared in her grasp.
"You dropped this." She passed it to Jareth.
"Oh…" Jareth received it, clearly stunned at the snake's head returning to him in such a fashion.
She moved a bit back and clapped her hands.
"Okay kids, this is where we part ways. Good luck with your hunting. And remember, don't get lazy, as there are many hardworking ones among you. This might cause a rift in your relationship if your ranking differs by a chasm."
She waved at them and soared into the sky before shooting into the depth of the ruined estate.
Jareth was staring in Commander Dark Star's direction with lips slightly parted, dumbfounded by what just happened and fascinated that humans were able to fly.
"Jareth!" Liana's voice jolted him. "Why did you say that? You scared us just thinking of the rank of the beast that can transform."
"Sorry about that, but it looked like—"
"Fine!" Liana waved him off and pulled him by the wrist. "Let's go home. I need to do the ritual."
His lips twitched.
"Hey, loser!" Liana glared at the purple-haired girl. "I've a brother now, and guess what? He's a genius, unlike yours, who is a hammer-swinging maniac."
"What did you say?! Then let them fight it out," the purple-haired girl challenged.
"Okay." Liana moved back.
Jareth turned to the hefty-built boy rubbing his forehead with an innocent smile. The rest watched with interest.
"Let's just go home," Jareth said and turned around, leaving for Terminus Dominion.
"Hahahaha!" The purple-haired girl laughed boisterously. "Loser!"
"Loser?! Why don't we battle and see?!" Liana raised her fist.
"Zelda and Liana, you guys should stop—"
"Come at me!"
"You dare insult my brother?"
Jareth ignored the chaotic argument behind him and made his way through the woods.
Soon, he saw many arcanists walking in groups towards the ruined estate, but what caught his attention was a girl with a champagne-gold ponytail and a bow.
She was the girl that shot him with the golden arrow.
Both of them locked gazes with plain expressions before they retracted their gaze, like nothing had happened.
Happiness? Anger? Sadness? Disdain?
Nobody knew what was going through each other's mind.
"Hey! Wait up!" Liana's voice called from behind.
Twisting his head, he saw Liana pulling Nadia and running towards him.
Upon getting to him, she asked with puffed cheeks, "Y-Y-You just embarrassed me…."
Jareth just continued walking without answering.
"Hey! Stop ignoring me! You could have just beaten that hammer-swinging maniac."
Jareth said, "Rule number one for adults—you don't fight strangers or you might get your ass handed to you in the most brutal way on an unlucky day."
"He's not a stranger but just a hammer-swinging maniac," Liana argued.
"Why are you speaking like a hammer isn't a dangerous weapon? Is a hammer a toy?" Jareth glared at her.
"True. He burst a beast's head with one smash," Nadia replied.
"That hammer-swinging maniac is…"
That was how the trio left until they got home, with Liana and Nadia doing most of the talking. The only special thing that happened was drivers refusing to carry him because he was covered in mess.
Liana had to call Esta to come pick them up.
"So, how was your first adventure?" Esta asked as she unlocked the door.
'Adventure? You're the one that already concluded I'm dead!' Jareth grumbled inwardly but answered calmly, "Terrible."
"Good. Welcome to the life of an arcanist. What I didn't expect is for yours to happen so early. Go shower and come down for a meal. You smell like a miner who hasn't bathed for months," Esta replied and distanced herself from him.
She looked at Liana, "And you girls. What are you doing here? Go back and hunt."
"We want to join you guys to prevent the food from wasting, since you wouldn't like that," Liana smiled and pulled Nadia to the dining table without waiting for her reply.
Jareth ignored them and went upstairs for a warm bath. He remained under the shower for a long time, relishing in the feeling of the rushing warm water running down his body.
He changed into a casual shirt and shorts before going down for the meal. During the meal, Liana passed him some grilled meat, which she said was from the rabbit, wanting him to join her in the ritual. It was a bit salty but still edible.
"How is it compared to my sister's own?" She looked at him hopefully.
Seeing her hopeful gaze, Jareth gave her a thumbs up.
She stuck out her tongue before saying, "I know it can't compare but if you had badmouthed my food, I would have dug out all the ones you've eaten with my evil claws."
She raised her hand with a claw sign while trying to make her face evil.
Jareth smiled through a mouthful, enjoying the hearty meal.
Looking at the food with a distant gaze, he mulled, 'Warmth? When was the last time I ate with people after those accusations? I can't remember. However… eating happily with others is a nice feeling I never knew I'd enjoy again after coming out from prison. The slate is clean.'
"For eating my meal and praising it, I'll treat you in Hot Kitchen to a nice meal," Liana's voice snapped him awake.
"Huh?" Jareth was stunned for a second before he realized what was going on. "Oh no!"
Nadia burst into a fit of soft laughter.