The Hostess of Fertility was rowdy and deafening beneath the stars and moon.
It was Orario's most famous tavern—not only because of its prime location on West Main Street between the bustling old town and the trade district, but also because it was close to Babel Tower and the central plaza.
Anyone who was an adventurer knew this place.
And many famous familias held victory banquets here—especially the Loki Familia, one of the strongest in the city.
Plus, there were lively, adorable waitress girls…
…and food so good it made you forget your worries.
"Hi—one more stewed chicken and grilled fish set, and pasta too… Cecile, you want anything else?"
"No, I'm full…"
As she spoke, the girl looked at her empty plates and couldn't help thinking Evan's appetite had gotten even bigger lately.
Was it because his status values had risen?
Well—no. Today, Lefiya was treating them. The School District girl said she wanted to thank them.
So if someone else was paying, why not eat?
It was just…
"Lefiya, are you okay?"
"Huh?"
The elf girl froze, finally realizing what Evan meant, and hurriedly waved her hands.
"I'm fine, I'm fine! If it's not enough, just order more!"
Lefiya had savings, and the idea of treating them as thanks was something her classmates also agreed to—so it wasn't like she was paying alone. It was fine.
But watching Evan bury his head and eat with serious focus…
Lefiya felt strangely dazed.
Because the Evan in front of her now was nothing like the Evan in the Dungeon—
especially the Evan who fought that gigantic monster.
The image wouldn't leave her mind:
One hand carrying a greatsword, the other gripping a dagger—swinging, stabbing, pressing down on a terrifying monster again and again.
What kind of fighting style was that?
How could someone wield two completely different weapons at the same time?
And…
What she remembered most vividly was Evan's eyes.
They were the eyes of a beast.
A wolf.
She remembered her distant homeland—how in the Vesen Forest, sometimes at night, from far away, you'd glimpse that same cold, emotionless stare.
As if even a rampaging giant monster wasn't something frightening at all—
Just ordinary prey.
Just a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.
"!"
Was it scary?
Even now, the memory of Evan drenched in monster blood made her shiver.
So…
"Um… may I ask… Evan-sama and Cecile-san… which Familia are you members of?"
"Why do you want to know?"
"Ah… I… sorry… I…"
Seeing the elf girl stammer, Evan tilted his head in confusion.
And then Lefiya suddenly stood up and shouted—
"Please let me join your Familia—f-for an internship—please!!"
Clutching her skirt, Lefiya finally blurted out her real purpose.
"…?"
Thankfully, the tavern was loud enough that no one paid attention to their corner.
Beside Evan, Cecile reacted first. She leaned close to his ear and whispered softly:
"It's that thing… every year, some School District students join familias in the city. There's also this 'internship'—they participate in a familia's daily activities first to see if it suits them, and then decide whether to stay or leave…"
School District students were excellent.
At the very least, compared to gods wandering around looking for recruits like pulling lottery tickets, these boys and girls had undergone real education and training.
And most importantly—their skills and magic had already been fully "identified."
You could tell their potential and future growth at a glance.
And Lefiya was even one of the best students—part of the elite "Baldur" class. A top student among top students.
Her original goal had been to join the Loki Familia—one of the city's strongest.
But they said Loki herself wasn't very interested in the School District.
So for a long time, not a single student had joined her familia. Even this year, though they sent two executives as recruiters, many people said it was just for show.
Lefiya had met those two Loki Familia adventurers back at the School District:
A cat-person swordswoman named Anakitty, and an elf compatriot—Alicia, known as "Garden of Purity."
Both were famous Level 4 adventurers in the city.
Lefiya had even spoken with Alicia once.
And it was because of her encouragement—and the "mission" she spoke of—that Lefiya first developed the desire to become an adventurer.
And then there was more.
An elf from the Freya Familia, known as "White Elf Wand,"Hedin Selrand, had also come to recruit her—saying she could join anytime, to a familia just as powerful as Loki's: the Freya Familia.
It left Lefiya feeling overwhelmed by the attention.
So her sudden choice to seek an "internship" with Evan's familia wasn't because joining Loki was too hard—
Nor because she feared Freya Familia's iron-blooded, gunpowder-filled atmosphere wouldn't suit her.
No matter how difficult it was—
Lefiya believed she could become the best.
After all, when she first entered the School District, she'd fought her way through 1,200 applicants and became one of only six new students that year.
The reason her mind changed today was simple—
"I want to become an adventurer that monsters fear!"
Lefiya admired adventurers.
When she left her home alone to join the School District and travel the world, she'd once felt lost about the future.
Until recently, when she came to Orario.
This massive city at the center of the world—Babel Tower piercing the clouds—carved itself into her heart, pure and absolute, like something eternal.
"I want to be able to protect everyone in front of monsters like that!"
When the elf girl was lost, Teacher Leon had once said: the more you worry, the more you need to reach your conclusion only after you've worried.
She hadn't known why she wanted to become an adventurer—she'd simply admired them.
But now, in her fundamentally kind heart, she found the simplest, roughest answer—
To protect others.
"I don't want to see my companions die. So I want to become stronger."
She finally said everything she wanted to say.
But looking at Evan and Cecile—who just stared at her, heads slightly tilted—she suddenly felt embarrassed.
Then…
"Um… actually, I'm pretty strong too… I'm already a Level 2 mage, and… I have a skill…"
The young girl thought Evan might be rejecting her for being "too weak."
But that wasn't it.
"Sure."
Evan hadn't even listened to her self-introduction, because—
"Another person means another worker."
He whispered to Cecile.
And Cecile nodded quickly, agreeing completely.
Besides…
If they wanted to revive the Astraea Familia, relying on only two people—no, three, counting Ryuu Lion, who they still didn't even know where she was in the city—was impossible.
They needed new recruits.
So, with Cecile the "captain" making the call (even though it was entirely Evan's decision),
Lefiya's internship request was approved.
Starting today—
She would temporarily be a member of the Astraea Familia…
…
-------
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