"Damn loli hag."
That thought echoed again and again in Adonis' head as he watched Elora dig into a mountain of food — steak, stew, three types of pie, dumplings, grilled fish, honeyed bread, two mugs of juice, and she still hadn't reached dessert.
All of it… on his tab.
"I saved her life and now I'm getting robbed."
He didn't say that aloud, of course. Instead, he smiled stiffly, sipping water while his wallet cried.
"You're really a kind person," Elora beamed, cheeks stuffed with apple pie. "Treating a young girl like me to such a grand meal… truly chivalrous. As a reward, I've decided to allow you to be my friend."
Adonis stared at her, deadpan.
"How generous of you," he muttered through gritted teeth.
"You're welcome!" she chirped, shoveling in another forkful.
He wasn't sure what infuriated him more — her freeloading, her smugness, or the fact that despite looking like she was 13, she claimed to be 18. A loli hag, as the phrase went. Legally an adult, physically a child, mentally a brat.
"So," Elora said between bites, "you're an adventurer, right? You look 14 or 15, just like me! Don't worry — people mistake me for a kid all the time. It's tough being youthful and gifted."
Adonis' expression twitched.
"If only you knew I actually AM 14…"
"I guess we're partners now," she continued. "Two teens taking on the world! We'll climb to S-rank together!"
Adonis took a slow, deep breath to avoid flipping the table.
He'd been careful to hide his age and identity while here in Shangila. His black cloak, mask (glitchy though it was), and low profile helped avoid attention. But now he was eating with a magical munchkin who seemed determined to drag him into the spotlight.
Still, despite her… eccentric personality, Elora did seem trustworthy. She hadn't even tried to peek at his wallet — unlike others in this town.
"What rank are you?" he asked, cutting into his now-cold food.
Elora puffed out her chest. "C-rank! Surprised, right? I'm knight-class and only 18 — obviously a genius. It's just… I don't like bugs, okay?"
"…That explains the mantis disaster."
She glared. "I saved my mana for emergencies!"
"You screamed 'perverted mantis bit my butt.'"
Elora paused, blinking. Then she smirked.
"…Worked, didn't it?"
Adonis groaned and looked away.
Still — C-rank was impressive. And he could use a party member. The guild only assigned him D or E-rank requests, and he was burning time and energy for small coin. Joining a C-rank adventurer's party would open up better missions — and faster advancement.
She was eccentric, loud, and possibly insane. But not a fraud.
And that was good enough for him.
"…Fine," Adonis stood up, brushing off his cloak. "Let's form a party."
"Wha—wait! I want dessert!"
He paused, sighed in defeat, and sat down again.
"Order something cheap."
"Got it! Three plates of jelly pudding and a chocolate parfait!"
Adonis rested his face in his hand.
This is going to be the longest two years of my life.