The Mysterious Black Magician

So Bob was a little dramatic if someone looking down to the parties from the lower section.

Especially that Kiko was insulting them on their faces.

"Heh, " Kiko sneered at Bob. If not because of Miss Almina's presence, he already taught this person a lesson.

However, "Puwahahaha!" One of Kiko's friends burst into laughter.

It was the big guy who Bob fought in the duel before.

"You've got guts for talking back against Kiko, Gorilla!" Said the person.

'Gorilla?' Bob repeated in his mind. Then he grinned and rebutted, "said the Broken Boulder.."

The big guy twisted his face, he disliked Bob's way of talking back; especially that their duel last time had ended in a draw.

"Look, look! It seems like a fight is about to happen!" Pointed someone among the crowd.

"Hehe, broken boulder? Is it a kind of insult?" Followed by other people.

The big guy's face was shaded by darkness upon hearing Bob's insult. "Broken Boulder, huh! You want a 'go?!" He exclaimed.

"Ooh! The baby is affected? Crying? Come to daddy I'm always ready to spank you!"

"Puffft!" Someone from Bob's team failed to hold the laughter.

The big guy's mood worsened because of it, and he walked to the front to confront Bob.

A glint was visible in Kiko's eyes. He used his hand to block his friend. "You have a sharp tongue." 

Kiko sounded cold. He was barely holding himself. If not because he was wary of Almina's presence, he already charred this insolent fool.

"Heh!" Bob snorted. He wasn't afraid even though he knew how strong Kiko was.

"Looks like things were going for the worst, " a random person stated.

Kiko sent a sharp gaze to Bob which Bob received without stepping back. Beside him, Chloe hid behind Bob. "T-That's, enough Bob…" she muttered. She didn't like the events that unfold.

Although his magical power was below from Kiko, he believed that this guy wouldn't dare to persuade a fight in the presence of Miss Almina and Miss Ace.

Miss Almina was the leader of all the Elite. Though there was a gossip about her liking this Kiko. If Almina turned a blind eye, he wished the Ace would help him. After all, she was the one who asked them to join this exploration team for this time. Also, Almina's party was an ally to them.

After Ice meddled, the argument immediately stopped.

Amina sighed. "Big sis Ice, do you think it will be fine?" She whispered into her ears. Ice forced a soundless laugh. She too didn't know. She just wished that it would. "Uhm, if you wish to postpone today's exploration, you have the final say," Ice replied.

Almina pondered for a second, but then she decided to continue. The next day everyone has free time because all the academy staff has some urgent matters to discuss.

They entered the dungeon after Ice left them. Their group was as big as three parties that consisted of 8 - 10 members in each party.

Their group gathered attention. The people around shouted for their success before they left.

Around this time, Yman and Rea finally returned to the mansion. They were outside for the rest of the day.

Yman proceeded to the stable where he was staying. When he entered, the two kids were already there. "Welcome back Big brother!" Yman was taken aback at the lively greeting from Mei, the sister of Moi. For some reason, he remembered his sister at Mei's greeting.

<Partner, are you okay?> Sistela asked when she noticed her partner's absent-mindedness.

Mei tilted her head. 

"Yeah, I'm fine," he answered. "We're home," Yman's late reply to Mei.

"How's your date with Big sis?"

"....."

"D-Date?" Yman muttered after a second of being speechless.

<Isn't it the 2 weeks of the first month of autumn?>

Yman's mouth hung open. Sistela seemed to misunderstand Mei's question.

"It was a fine day," his reply.

"Hehe, I see," Mei giggled.

"Sister! Big bro, welcome home!" Moi greeted as well upon seeing him.

"Mhm!" He nodded.

"You're at the right time! The food was cooked!"

His stomach growled after hearing it.

Then the children laughed at him. Yman chuckled a bit while scratching his face. Sistela on the other hand landed on his shoulder. She was wondering what they were laughing about.

Yman was living together with the kids in the stable. It was about 250 meters away, south of the mansion and surrounded by a farm. 

The stable was just enough for them to live. From its left side, the horses and cows were sheltering the other stable. And on the right side was where the other livestock were being raised.

After a little lively dinner, Yman was sitting on the wooden balcony.

It was a good night, the moon shines brightly in the sky and some shadows of flying beasts would occasionally pass by.

The night wasn't warm and wasn't cold either. Insect's hum reaches his ears. Beside him, the two children were using his legs as pillows. They fell asleep after telling the story of a certain boy and his sister.

His eyes landed on the insignia peeking from Moi's tattered shirt. He wondered what it was. He about to lift his cloth but stopped, when realized that it was inappropriate.

<Partner, do you think we can succeed on the test?> Sistela, who was currently sitting on his shoulder, asked him a question.

"I can't say for sure, but we must. My Deity, I'm looking forward to working with you," He said with a serious tone.

<Of course, Partner! Let me help you handle the things you can't do by yourself! Hehe!> Sistela proudly announced.

"Mhm!" 

Yman nodded and glanced at her, based on what Ms. Pai said, Female System Deities were talented in Alchemy.

However, after watching the Professor working, Yman and Sistela found out that it wasn't an easy task to learn Alchemy. They needed to study and remember all the steps.

Seeing the professor working, Yman couldn't help but admire him.

But he trusted his partner. He believed that Sistela could do it. He would do everything to heal his sister.

Before that, he needed to contact his Sister. He missed her. It was already long enough since last he heard her voice. Looks like he needed to buy a new MTMD.

The next morning, Yman and Rea together with Sistela rode on the gigantic Hell Chaser Bird early in the morning.

"Rea, do you know the reason why the headmaster wanted to summon me?" Yman asked the girl who was sitting beside him.

"I don't know. But it must be important. Why don't you have a communication device?"

"I used to have one, but it was unexpectedly broke at my arrival here in the Empire."

She wondered if he was the type of person who didn't give importance to his property.

Perhaps he was also the type of man who can't handle a relationship. Or not giving importance to his girlfriend. 

Poof!

Steam appeared on top of her head with her thought starting to wander away from the main topic.

"Are you sick?" He asked upon noticing that her face was slightly red.

"No no…"

"No?"

"I mean I'm fine!" She yelled.

"....."

He wondered why this girl started to act awkward.

Several minutes later, the huge Hell Chaser Bird landed in front of the guildhall.

The people around looked at it and on the people riding on it. It was an eye-catching bird because of its size.

Yman had to catch Rea because of its height.

But for some reason, she jumped away from him.

"!!"

'Well, she was an expert as well and had a leveled-up body. So the concern was unnecessary for her,' he thought. But he was puzzled because it was the first time that she refused him to catch her. He guessed that she felt embarrassed because many people were watching them.

Well, he didn't mind it.

They then proceed inside.

As always, inside the guildhall, many adventurers were loitering around. Some were checking the mission tab. Some were talking with friends.

When they saw the people who just entered.

"It was Crimson and the Headmaster's niece."

"Wait, wasn't Crimson joined the competition?" 

"Yeah! But he suddenly disappeared after the first elimination round."

"I thought he was defeated."

"No! No one can defeat him!"

"There are gossips that he got a huge reward after the first elimination round and decided to quit the next round."

"Really?"

"That's what I heard in the pub."

"In any case, I still could not believe that Miss Ella was then headmaster's niece."

"But damn! Crimson is too lucky! He was able to befriend her!"

"I heard something also!"

"What? Wait, cover your underarms man!"

"Smell it, brother!"

"In any case, what did you hear?"

"That Crimson was promoted to a Gold Rank adventurer!"

"Really?"

"Yes!"

"Wait! Wasn't he a newbie?"

"The newbie thing is just shit! What matter is he can beat-up into pulp the 5 Silver-Rank Adventurers!"

"He even beat a Golden Rank adventurer!"

"Really?"

"What do you think of me! A liar!"

Adventurers started to whisper to the people beside them.

"Nevertheless, I'm so jealous of Crimson for being able to stand beside a goddess Miss Ella!"