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Cecil dropped her hand, somehow feeling nervous as she swallowed, turning her head. There was a tall, humanoid figure standing in the distance beside her, the mist concealing their face.

Judging from the voice that just spoke, Cecil assumed the mysterious figure was a man. His voice was low, indifferent and strangely seductive.

[ Optional mission #4 : The Nice Guy
Objective : Accept the stranger's helping hand
Reward : 1000 points ]

The system reminded Cecil once more, and she was nonplussed by this mission. She knew she clearly heard the man asking her if she needs help.

I...I...should accept? The...1000...points...

Everytime I think this system is getting better, they do something like this. The jump in points is too abrupt...but I guess it isn't an unpleasant surprise.

Seeing no response from Cecil, the man made sighed

"You must be deaf, apologies," the man started to make gestures with his hand in the mist. "Here we go. Do. You. Need. Some. Help--no, that's head."

"What's the sign for help?" the man muttered, thinking for a second, before nodding at Cecil, repeating the signs. "That's right, do you need some heads?"

"..."

"...yes, I do need some help."

The man paused and then walked a few steps forward, and Cecil could finally get a good look at him.

There was only one word that occurred to her once she observed the man.

Exotic.

His ebony eyes were sharp and curved, there was also a distinct mole under his right eye, and his thin, curved eyebrows were slightly furrowed. Along with his alluring, pink lips and an attractive jawline, including a nose that adds on to his somewhat feminine charm.

If it wasn't for his cobalt blue hair that only reached his neck, and his grey and black rogue-like outfit, and his voice, Cecil would have assumed it was a woman.

"You aren't deaf?"

"No."

"A pity."

"A pity?"

"I wanted to see what it was like to ask a deaf person if they wanted some heads."

"..."

The beautiful yet handsome man sauntered his way over, standing beside Cecil who was still laying in a prone position.

"You need those Flaming Lavender?" he pointed downwards at the herb Cecil has been grasping at for the past few minutes.

Cecil wanted to smack her face with her palm upon hearing the herb name.

That's what the author named it as? Putting flaming in front of lavender?

No wonder I couldn't recall the damn name!

Cecil nodded at the mysterious man, and the man simply walked to the edge of the slope, and stepped forward...his right foot floating in the air.

"...?!"

That was when Cecil noticed a cloud of darkness under his black boots, supporting him. He descended down the steep slope, as if making a stairway, bending down and plucking the Flaming Lavender out.

However, once Cecil remembered the origins of those clouds made out of darkness, she paled.

This man...is a dark magic user! And judging from his level of creating those dark clouds out of nowhere, he is definitely of the highest caliber.

He isn't getting affected by the poison of the herb either!

This man isn't normal.

Dark magic users lacked elemental energy, since they have dedicated it to dark magic. Most of them are volatile and extremely unstable individuals, and they lacked any sense of morals. They were a few exceptions, but they were extremely rare.

However, Cecil could tell that this man was one of the few rare exceptions of dark magic user. Though, it scares her that she knows this man is extraordinarily powerful.

Cecil licked at her dry lips, remaining composed and the man lifted his head up. "Only one?"

"One."

The man made his way up, and Cecil slowly rose up to her feet, patting at her dirty clothes. The man handed the herb over to her, his expression bored but he still managed to look flawlessly beautiful.

"Thank--"

"I hate that word." he interrupted with expressionless eyes.

Cecil blinked, "how do you want me to express my gratitude to you?"

"Say the word...Widerlich?"

Her face contorted with disgust upon hearing that dreadful name. "Widerlich." she spat out, shuddering visibly.

"You are one of the better ones." A hint of smile played on the man's lips.

"For saying the word?"

"For being ugly."

"..."

The man didn't stay any longer, turning around and walking back into the misty woods.

"I will find you again if I'm bored, I like your ugly face."

"..."

Is that supposed to make me feel happy? This man is so strange. And I don't really want to see you again either...

The man stopped halfway. "Oh, that's right. You must have a name. What is it?"

"Cecil Lan."

"Cecil. Very good, please stay ugly. You suit that kind of ugly."

He continued onwards and Cecil was speechless. Even if she didn't care that people insulted her, but the way the man spoke with a bored look, especially with how weird he is, it didn't sit well with Cecil.

[ Optional mission #4 : The Nice Guy
Objective completed!
Reward : 1000 points.
Reminder, your total points is now 1110 points. ]

"AI500, who was that bizarre man?"

[ The Nice Guy! ]

"..."

[ You'll meet him again soon~ ]

"Since he helped me, I guess entertaining him once doesn't hurt."

Cecil looked down at her gloved hand, seeing the herb, her expression incomprehensible.

She thought she'll be happy when she got the herb, but now...

***

Cecil walked back, using the glove to wrap the herb as she hid it inside her robes. Now, all she wanted to do was find her teacher, Eri, to guide her for her second form.

"Hey, Cecil. What weapon did you manage to get? For you, I guess it's a sword too!"

"It's twin daggers." Cecil answered, lukewarm.

"Twin daggers?"

"Mhmm." Cecil nodded, gesturing to her dagger holders.

Her classmate, a nondescript female student, leaned down to observe the dagger. The handles were a polished black, and its material seem smooth. It has an indiscernible pattern of the earth insignia inscribed on the front bolster and rear bolster and at that moment, Cecil reached out and touched one of the dagger with her right hand.

The insignia glowed with a pretty green and she unsheathed the dagger. The student gasped in awe, intrigued by the gorgeous dagger.

Now that Cecil had the time, she could finally admire her daggers properly.

Its silverish-white blade was sharp and straight, but it was slightly curved at the blunt edge. There was a hint of black at the end of the body, adding a nice contrast.

Cecil proceeded to draw out the other dagger, raising her eyebrows when she realised this dagger was completely black. Similar to the design of the other dagger, there was a hint of silverish-white to act as a good contrast as well.

"They look really pretty."

"Thank you."

"Thanks for showing me your daggers too!"

The female student jogged forward, curiously investigating the weapons of others.

***

The expedition ended on a peaceful note, and the teachers from the respective division guided their students back. It was still in the odd hours of midnight, and the teachers sent the students back to their dorms.

"Miss Eri."

"Yes, Cecil?"

Cecil bowed slightly out of politeness. "Can I make a request for my lessons?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"Instead of teaching me to use my weapons first, could you teach me how to accelerate the growth of plants, herbs and flowers?"

Her teacher frowned at her words. "You do not wish to improve your fighting abilities?"

"It is not my priority."

Eri pondered for a moment, before smiling and patting Cecil on the shoulder.

"Alright, that's fine. Since it's you, you'll be able to catch on quickly and you won't lack too far behind from others."

Cecil smiled back at her teacher, overjoyed. "Thank you very much, Miss Eri."

"It must mean a lot to you to do this first," her teacher added, patting her shoulder once more. "Go ahead and rest. I'll see you tomorrow."

Cecil nodded, heading back into her dorm.

***

Cecil opened her windows to her room which led to a small balcony. Her mind was wide awake and she couldn't sleep.

"You are back."

"...you aren't supposed to be here." Cecil turned to look at Kai stepping down from the fence.

Kai scratched his head, "my bad, I was too impatient and worried about your expedition. Since you even said that you needed to use that glove."

Cecil smiled, reaching into her robe for the glove. She had already placed the Flaming Lavender in a glass container.

"It helped me a lot, you can give it back now." she handed the glove back to Kai.

Kai took it, blinking curiously. "What was the herb anyway?"

"Flaming Lavender."

"Ah, that explains why. And what is it for?"

Cecil remained quiet for a few seconds, not knowing how to answer such a question.

"...to help someone precious to me."

Kai was alert upon hearing those words. "Someone precious to you?" he repeated, his voice calm but his expression says otherwise.

It's not that kind of precious you think it is, you silly Kai.

Cecil walked forward, reaching up to ruffle his hair and Kai leaned in to her touch. "It's not a lover, and it's platonic."

She could see his imaginary ears shoot up eagerly, and the tail waving around happily. She softened her expression, and Kai held onto her hand still ruffling his hair.

"Your friend is ill?"

"No, it is to help with a...painful process."

"I see, I hope it helps them," Kai grinned, releasing her hand. "They must be lucky to have a friend like you, going out of your way to get a poisonous herb."

Cecil brought her hand back, smiling. "Actually, I am lucky to have met them."

Kai nodded, climbing back up the fence. "You should rest, Cecil. I'll drop by to see you train tomorrow."

"Alright."

Kai prepared to jump off the fence and her smile started to slowly disappear.

"Kai, wait."

He paused, turning around. "What is it, Cecil?"

"I..."

...I can't bring myself to say it. That I'm...helping him disappear to join souls with Xue.

I...how can I...?

"Are you okay, Cecil?"

"I...I'll see you tomorrow."

Kai chuckled, nodding and he jumped off the fence. Cecil watched his figure disappear into the night, her expression showing a trace of sadness.

"AI500...please remind me again."

[ Time limit : 18 days
42 days has passed since you were last given this secret mission. ]

Cecil stared at the time limit, glancing down and she bit on her lower lip.

***


Pt. 1

《 start 》

Kai, for you and Xue...a poisonous herb doesn't scare me.

Those days, in the hospital all alone, suffering every single day. I was very, very miserable.

That's when I stumbled upon you, Xue, Hana and the others. Reading about this journey with all of you, I didn't feel so alone anymore.

It was as if someone was there to share my pain, but at the same time, the pain all of you went through...saddens me.

I was extremely attached to all of you and then...I read, and read and read...till the end, hoping that it was all worth it for you and me.

...and all of you died in such a way, even Xue.

I thought, if I had the chance to, I would definitely jump into the story to change it for the better.

That's why, this time, since I was given the chance...I won't hesitate, for you, for Xue, for Hana and for everyone I've met along the way in the book.

...but the thought of you disappearing after joining with Xue...

It makes me want to cry.

《 stop 》

***

Pt. 2

《 start 》

Cecil will be alright.

Cecil will not be alright.

Cecil will be alright.

Cecil will not be alright.

...

Should I just barge into the expedition?

...but master will kick me all the way back here...

《 stop 》

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