Evening had fallen over Orario, but the streets remained as lively as ever. In the West District market, magic stone lamps flickered to life one by one, casting an inviting glow over the various stalls and their wares.
Ryuu was skillfully selecting medicinal herbs at a stall, while Suren inquired about the price of freshly arrived Mithril powder at a nearby alchemy stand.
Just then, a clear, slightly nervous voice spoke up from beside them.
"Excuse me... are you Senior 'Versatile' Suren?"
Both turned at once. Standing by the stall was an elven girl who looked to be about fourteen. She bore typical elven features: slender, tapering ears peeking through her long black hair, and skin so pale it was almost translucent. Her red eyes were clear and filled with a serious intensity.
She wore the uniform of the Dionysus Familia, with a finely decorated rapier at her waist. She radiated the fresh, high-minded aura characteristic of a rookie.
Suren recognized her immediately: Filvis Challia, the rising star of the Dionysus Familia—a tragic figure in the original story. However, at this moment, her eyes shimmered with unabashed admiration and nervousness.
"I am Suren," he said with a polite nod. "And you are?"
"Filvis Challia! Dionysus Familia, Level 1!" The girl immediately straightened her spine, her movements as precise as a soldier on parade. "The record of reaching Level 2 in three months... I—I have always looked up to you! I have carefully studied every one of your combat reports!"
Her voice trembled with excitement, and a faint blush crept up her pale cheeks. The shyness unique to elves was on full display.
Suren sighed inwardly. He knew Filvis was a good person—earnest, noble, and possessing a heart of true justice. But she was also one of the victims most deeply deceived by her primary god, Dionysus—the one who masqueraded as a benevolent deity while secretly being the mastermind "Enyo."
"Miss Filvis, you flatter me," Suren said with a warm smile.
Filvis shook her head vigorously. "I heard that you train until late every night, that you're always the first to charge in during explorations, and that you've even invented new magic items... That is the kind of adventurer I aspire to be!"
As she spoke, her gaze drifted to Ryuu, and her eyes brightened instantly.
"You... you must be Senior 'Gale' Ryuu! A veteran member of the Astraea Familia!"
Ryuu gave a slight nod, her expression calm but her eyes soft. "Good day, Miss Filvis. The Guild has noted the Dionysus Familia's active performance in the Dungeon lately."
"There is still much room for improvement!" Filvis's face turned even redder. She instinctively adjusted her perfectly straight collar, her elven penchant for cleanliness and order shining through.
"Um... if—if it's not too much trouble, there is a cafe run by Wiese Elves just ahead. The environment is very quiet... I was wondering if I could buy you both a cup of coffee and ask for some advice regarding exploration?"
She lowered her head as she finished, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes like a student waiting for a teacher's approval.
Suren looked at Ryuu. The elven lady's expression was a bit complicated; she seemed to have sensed something, her pointed ears twitching slightly.
"Very well," Ryuu finally nodded. "But we cannot stay for long."
"Wonderful!" Filvis looked up, a pure smile blossoming on her face.
The cafe was tucked away at a corner of the market street. Its exterior was modest, but the interior was filled with the fresh scent of herbs and wood. The decor featured natural timber and wicker furniture, accented by carefully tended ferns—a style that was unmistakably elven.
The three sat by the window. Filvis studied the menu with great focus before ordering three cups of their signature coffee.
"Senior Suren," Filvis began during the wait, her hands placed neatly on her knees, her posture as formal as if she were in a classroom. "Regarding the tactic for handling multiple Hellhound packs... I saw in the Guild records that you used a feint to successfully split their formation. How exactly do you judge the timing for the feint versus the main attack?"
Suren glanced at Ryuu. The elven lady was holding her teacup, her jade eyes cast downward as if savoring the tea, but Suren could feel that her attention was entirely on him.
He returned his gaze to Filvis and answered patiently.
"First, you must observe the specific individuals within the pack—usually the largest one positioned at the rear. Its gaze and the direction of its low growls will betray its intent. The feint must be convincing enough to force them to fall back and defend... for example..."
For the next twenty minutes, Filvis asked one question after another, covering everything from tactical details and equipment maintenance to mental focus and team coordination. She even produced a small notebook to take diligent notes, her red eyes sparkling throughout.
Ryuu listened quietly, occasionally adding a point or two. However, as time went on, she began to notice something. The way Filvis looked at Suren... it was far too focused.
It wasn't just a junior's admiration for a senior. It was laced with a growing affection that the girl herself might not even have realized. The way the elven girl's cheeks flushed when she spoke, her unconscious lean forward, and the light in her eyes whenever Suren answered...
Ryuu's pointed ears slowly turned crimson. She suddenly remembered Suren's skill: [Hero's Charm].
A reflection of the soul's essence... naturally attracts the attention and favor of those with good intentions or those who long for beauty. The effect increases with time spent together.
In the Dungeon or during routine training, the influence of this skill hadn't been very obvious. But here, in this quiet, private setting, facing a pure-hearted elven girl who already idolized him...
Ryuu felt an inexplicable sense of restlessness. She set her teacup down a bit harder than usual.
"Miss Filvis," Ryuu's voice remained steady, but it carried an undeniable note of urgency. "It is getting late. We have important matters to attend to at our headquarters."
"Ah... is that so?" Filvis blinked, then quickly stood up. "I'm sorry for taking up so much of your time! I truly learned a lot today..."
She looked at Suren, her eyes filled with reluctance. "Senior Suren, in the future... may I still ask for your guidance?"
Suren was about to respond, but Ryuu stood up first.
"Heh, if the opportunity arises." The elven lady's tone was uncharacteristically stiff. "Farewell, Miss Filvis."
With that, she practically grabbed Suren's hand and led him quickly out of the cafe.
Filvis was left standing there, staring blankly at their retreating backs. After a long moment, she whispered to herself:
"Did Senior Ryuu get angry? Was I being too forward...?"
Ryuu remained silent on the way back. Suren could feel the strength of her grip on his hand—not painful, but very firm. The elven lady's ears were so red they looked ready to drip blood, and her pace was much faster than usual.
"Ryuu?" Suren spoke tentatively.
"..."
"Are you... angry?"
"...No."
She definitely is. Suren sighed to himself, having a pretty good idea why.
When they reached the headquarters, the aroma of dinner was already wafting from the dining hall. Kaguya was leaning against the porch, wiping her katana. She raised an eyebrow as she saw Ryuu leading Suren in.
"Oh? You're back? Did the date go well?"
"It wasn't a date!" Ryuu countered immediately, though her voice lacked conviction. She let go of Suren's arm and hurried toward the dining hall. "It was just... a routine shopping trip for materials."
Lyra poked her head out of the kitchen, her eyes twinkling beneath her short pink hair. "But Ryuu, your ears are so red~ Are you that happy just from being out alone with Suren?"
"Lyra!" Ryuu's ears turned even redder.
At that moment, Goddess Astraea descended from the second floor. She watched the interaction between her children, her coffee-colored hair shimmering softly and her blue eyes filled with knowing amusement.
"Suren, Ryuu, welcome back." The goddess spoke gently. "It seems you encountered something interesting today?"
"We just ran into a rookie from the Dionysus Familia and exchanged some thoughts," Ryuu answered before Suren could, though her voice grew quieter as she spoke.
Kaguya sheathed her sword and walked over with her arms crossed, her gaze traveling between Ryuu's crimson ears and Suren's slightly helpless face. A playful smirk touched her lips.
"That little elf named Filvis? I've heard of her; she's an overly serious child. So... has she been charmed by our 'Versatile' lad?"
"Kaguya!" Ryuu finally snapped. "Stop talking nonsense!"
"Whether it's nonsense or not, you know the truth in your heart, 'Klutz Elf'." Kaguya shrugged and looked at Suren. "[Hero's Charm] is quite a convenient skill, isn't it? Beautiful women throwing themselves at you wherever you go."
Astraea shook her head gently, her smile deepening. "Alright, Kaguya, stop teasing Ryuu. However..." She looked at Suren and Ryuu, her voice warm and meaningful. "The bonds between Familia members are diverse. As long as you recognize and support one another, any kind of relationship is beautiful."
The implication was clear. Ryuu froze on the spot. After a few seconds, she mumbled, "I'm going to organize today's purchase list," and bolted up to the second floor.
The room fell silent for an instant before Lyra and Kaguya burst into unabashed laughter.
"Pwahaha! She's so embarrassed!"
Even Kaguya let out a rare, genuine laugh. "That hopeless elf finally has a reaction like a normal girl."
Suren rubbed his temples, feeling both helpless and... warm. Goddess Astraea walked over and patted his shoulder gently.
"Go tell her to come down for dinner. Ryuu is sometimes too serious; she needs someone to give her a little push."
Suren stopped in front of Ryuu's door. A warm light peeked through the crack at the bottom, but there was no sound from within. He raised his hand and knocked softly.
"...Who is it?"
"It's me. It's time for dinner, Ryuu."
Silence followed for a few seconds. "...I'm not hungry."
She's definitely sulking. Suren sighed, his tone softening. "Everyone is waiting for you. And Noin made that stew you like today."
After a few more seconds, the door opened a sliver. Ryuu peeked out with half her face visible, her long golden hair slightly messy and her jade eyes cast down, avoiding Suren's gaze.
"...About what happened at the cafe today," her voice was as quiet as a mosquito's buzz. "You are not allowed to tell anyone."
Looking at her rare, pouting-child demeanor, something soft in Suren's heart was touched. He suppressed a smile and nodded seriously. "Alright, I won't tell."
"A-and..." Ryuu bit her lip. "In the future, try to avoid spending too much time alone with juniors like Miss Filvis."
"Why?"
"...You know exactly why!" Ryuu glared at him, but it was more of a flustered look than an angry one.
Suren couldn't hold back his smile anymore, his expression turning gentle and slightly doting. "I understand," he said softly. "Let's go, Ryuu. Everyone is waiting."
Ryuu hesitated for a moment but eventually stepped out of the room. She didn't look at Suren, walking quickly toward the stairs with her head down, but her pink ears and the slight upward curve of her lips betrayed her true mood.
Inside the dining hall, the warm lights, the lively chatter, and the kind gazes of their comrades awaited them.
The day of the Hopeless Elf came to a close in a way that was a bit chaotic and embarrassing, but mostly filled with warmth.
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Danmachi: My Magic Style is Different from Yours (90 Chapters – Ongoing)
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