"No way."

"Omora... this isn't up for discussion."

"No means no. It's humiliating, degrading, and who knows what other word I could throw in to make this sound even more serious!"

For an hour, I had been arguing with As about my discovery, or more precisely, how we would present it to the Guild Master.

"Can you explain to me what's so demeaning about it?"

As sighed, looking at me with irritation, which only annoyed me more.

"Well, the fact that I'm downplaying my abilities, and you're taking all the..."

I stopped mid-sentence. Cream of the crop...? Where do I know that phrase from...?

[Identification - Cream: a product made from cow's milk. Often added to coffee]

Ah... okay...

[Skill Upgrade: Identification I upgraded to Identification II]

Well, there you go. Upgrading because of cream...

I sighed and shook off these internal musings for a moment. I had a bigger problem. As had decided that to make everything seem more "realistic," we would pretend that he heard those creatures and saw several before there was only one, then sensed them but wasn't initially sure, and only after I spotted the single one, he whispered a warning to me that there were more, and I wanted to show off in front of our new friend... and that's it.

"As... I'll come off as a pathetic, attention-seeking damsel..."

I looked at him pleadingly. He sighed.

"It's the only sensible solution. To them, you're a child. And I look like a battle-hardened mercenary. They'll believe me more than a little girl. Sorry, flower... sorry."

I didn't miss the moment he stopped short of saying "lil flower." For some unknown reason, I felt regret... I could have complained a bit more. I didn't like it when HE was the sensible one.

I looked at the ceiling for a moment with a pouty face, then sighed resignedly.

"Fine... I understand... let it be... But I'll get you back for this someday!"

I heard his snort. He had stood up and was leaning on the table, arms crossed over his chest, looking at me with an odd smirk.

"I suspect you won't let me forget it."

"Good that you're aware of it."

"I'll bring something to eat. Lie down and rest. We don't know when that brat will return and how much time we'll have then. Rest while you can."

With that, he quickly straightened up and left the room without waiting for my response. That stung a bit. It was as if suddenly, when we crossed the city's threshold, he forgot who I am and really treated me like a little girl under his care. But it was ME who freed him. ME! Omora! A flower of just a few days...

I sighed again and flopped back onto the bed with all my might. Well... maybe a little nap wouldn't hurt...

I closed my eyes, drifting into darkness.

"A..ia!"

"A..a!"

Blinding light upon opening my eyes, and in its glow, the face of a gently smiling woman.

"Time to wake up..."

She seemed to be saying something more. The image was blurry... as if I couldn't fully open my eyes. I tried to focus.

"What are you saying?" I wanted to ask, but the words didn't leave my body.

"Get up!"

The woman seemed to be laughing. But so warmly... and... caringly.

"I'm trying..."

"I'll be wa...ing n...t doo..."

Her next words were unclear, and suddenly her face started to recede.

"No! Wait!"

I felt an empty longing. I wanted her to come back.

"Wait! Where are you going?! Wait!"

I struggled fiercely with my body, trying to get up.

"Omora?"

"WAIT!"

I sat up in bed and immediately felt a pain in my forehead. I had bumped heads with As, who was leaning over my bed.

"Ouch!"

We both groaned in pain, rubbing our foreheads. In the background, I heard Lux's snicker. He stood near the closed door, in the room.

"Why did you do that?"

I looked reproachfully at As, but he seemed... concerned... No, maybe I was imagining it. His brows were furrowed, and I could see he was gearing up for a scolding... Here it goes...

"I was just trying to wake you up. You were tossing and turning and yelling as if you were having a nightmare..."

He hesitated, looking at me intently.

"A dream? I dreamed?"

I sounded as disoriented as he did.

"Yes. I'm sure of it."

"I confirm! I heard it!"

Lux chimed in from behind As, causing him to snort in irritation.

"That's strange... I don't... remember anything..."

I frowned. For a moment, it seemed I remembered... but now everything vanished as if shrouded in fog.

"Well, nightmares are nightmares, and sleep is sleep... but the Master is summoning us. Let's go or I don't want to anger him... he might take away our assignment..."

Lux clapped his hands as if to motivate them, then quickly left the room.

"Let's go. I'll wait downstairs!"

He added and slammed the door.

I quickly got up and ran to the door. But As didn't move. He looked at me strangely.

"Coming?"

I asked, surprised.

"Eh... yes, yes... of course."

He said as if jerked out of deep contemplation and followed me.

Our trio briskly walked straight to the Guild, then up to the office of the Guild Master. Apparently, his name was Alber Graham, and he was level 15. I don't know if that's a lot, but both As and Lux made a big deal out of it... that he was not far from the maximum level. I was surprised. I reached level 3 quite quickly... but for some strange reason, I was registered as level 1. Go figure...

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This is what Tarks looks like: