'I'm over five hundred years, for crying out loud. These humans are like children to me.'
Lemi felt like she would cry out, with the way the two human boys kept talking.
Was this her punishment for defying Jared? Babysitting the boys.
"Haa..." A brief sigh escaped her lips.
Even though she felt like their treatment of her was polarized, the Half Elf couldn't bring herself to hate it. In fact, it was the opposite.
'Well, it's not so bad...' Lemi smiled slightly, feeling her initial hesitance fade away.
Both of the boys were loud, annoying, and mistaken about her.
However, she couldn't say she disliked the scene unfolding before her.
'I guess you also enjoyed yourself like this sometimes...' A boy appeared in her mind—the same person she suspected to be her father.
"Maybe I should have—"
>SHIIIIIIINNNNNNGGGG!!!<
A bright light interrupted her line of thought, causing Lemi and her comrades to closer their eyes in response.
It was a bright yellow color, almost golden in its ambiance.
"W-what's going on now, Lemi?"
"Yeah! Did something go wrong?"
The Half Elf almost wanted to take back all the nice things she thought about the two boys the moment they came crying back to her.
"How the hell am I supposed to know?!" Her voice screeched, causing both boys to scream in response.
If the brightest mind among among them had no idea what was occuring, how could they think of anything?
"I don't want to return! I don't want to go back there!" Edward shouted, clinging firmly to the giant blade he swiftly summoned.
It seemed he was ready to swing his sword to simply avoid the looming fate that seemed inescapable.
"H-hey! Don't you dare swing that thing!" Lemi screamed.
"H-how did you—? You can see me?!"
"No! Of course, not. But I can tell what stupid things you'll do."
This intense back-and-forth between Lemi and Edward unnerved Ivan, who was left just as confused as the two.
His mind was under stress, and he didn't know what to do. Perhaps he wouldn't mind returning to the quiet and peaceful place from earlier, but...
'What if Lemi can't bring us out?!'
Sweat dripped from his face as he entered a state of panic.
"Rararararararara!!!" Before he knew it, Ivan was throwing balls of flames in the direction of the light—not that he could even see well, to begin with.
>BOOOOMMMM<
>BOOOOOOMMMM<
>BOOOOOOOMMMMM<
Loud explosions echoed across the hallway, causing Lemi and Edward to snap at Ivan.
"I-I was freaking out, okay? Hope nothing hit you!"
"Of course not! Can't you tell where I am by hearing my voice?"
"A-ah, true..."
"You guys are idiots."
Who would have thought that a team which almost achieved perfect unity was once again ripped apart by an unexpected variable.
"I think we should just—"
>WHOOOOOSSSSHHHH<
A gust of wind suddenly manifested, and the light slowly converged in a single location. Everyone's vision slowly returned, and their various awkward positions were revealed.
Lemi was flat on the ground, trying her best to avoid being hit by Edward's swing it Ivan's explosive spells.
Ivan already had two fireballs prepared—ready to launch them—while Edward's blade was raised, taking on a stance that meant he could strike at any time.
"You guys! What the... unbelievable!" Lemi screamed in exasperation, rising to her feet whole casually dusting her outfit.
"W-well..."
"I just..."
"Save it!" Lemi ignored their excuses and pointed her gaze in the direction of the converged light.
Floating in mid-air was a card. It hovered in the air, slowly spinning as it bounced ever so slightly.
"I've never felt energy like this before... what is this?" Edward was the first to whisper.
The mysterious object hummed, glittering yellow as it invited all three of the spectators to draw nearer.
"I think... that's the Arcana. We passed the test, so this should be our reward... right?" Ivan simplified the experience, staring at Lemi for confirmation.
The Half Elf did not respond. Her eyes were simply focused on the card, enamoured by its existence.
"Interesting... we actually got one." A smile leaked from her face.
She reached out for the card, but was promptly stopped by Edward and Ivan.
"It could be a trap!"
"Y-yeah!"
Despite their volatile arguments, there was no doubt that they still cared about each other. There was no way they could just accept such a risk and—
"You're right. Edward, try taking it." Lemi smiled in response to their worry.
"E-eh? But it... could be a trap." His response was that of confusion and apprehension.
Unfortunately for him, the Half Elf didn't seem to care about his worried reaction.
"Exactly. You're the sturdiest among us. Come on... just do it. You're strong, right? Right?"
The musclehead nodded, though it was a bit uncertain whether he agreed to Lemi's clearly unreasonable request because of his confidence in his abilities... or the foolish feeling of love.
Either way, the boy sucked it in and approached the card with a fierce look of determination. He had to do it! He had to prove himself.
"I am stro—" As soon as he touched the card, it glowed purple and sent a wave of energy.
>WHOOOOSHHHH<
The violent burst of power instantly repelled Edward far far away from the suspended card.
"Argh!" The muscular teenager was pushed far down the hallway.
Itt took his absolute best to regain balance and launch himself back to his comrades, though he was wincing as he returned to them.
"Ow... ow..." He nearly cried, feeling his body throb in pain. Cackles of purple lightning flickered on his body as he felt their sting every second.
It would appear that he wasn't strong enough.
"Your turn, Ivan." Lemi glanced in the direction of the very hesitant human.
"Hell no!"
"Come on, don't you trust me?"
"Not at all!"
"I have a plan, and I need you to—"
"Do it yourself!"
Lemi's eyebrows twitched as she glared at the stubborn redhead.
After watching the strongest member of their group get fling away so easily, who in their right mind would want to take the risk? Definitely not the most cautious one among them.
His answer was an emphatic NO!
