Chapter 15: The First Date?

The half-elf lady who liked to play straight took a form increasingly familiar to Liang Yue’s impression: the guild uniform paired with black women’s high heels. She stood just a little taller than him. With her hands clasped behind her back and a slight forward lean, her emerald-green eyes sparkled brilliantly, revealing the laughter deep within without any concealment.

“Or could it be...”
“That you, Liang Yue, were just joking around?”

What can be tolerated, and what cannot. Liang Yue felt it necessary to suppress Eina’s arrogant demeanor, even though the smile at the corner of her mouth carried the sweetness of a first love.

“Of course, such things are no joke.”
“I just didn’t expect Miss Eina to agree so straightforwardly. Let’s go to the Bountiful Mistress for dinner.”
“If we leave now, there should still be seats available.”
“It’s an honor.”

Her beautiful eyes settled on the boy’s delicate face, and after confirming that there was no reluctance in Liang Yue’s expression, Eina nodded gently. She didn’t want her sudden decision to become a burden for him. Noticing Liang Yue’s infectious smile, a shadow of worry quickly crossed her brows.

Being considerate by nature, Eina quickly said, “Actually, we can eat together whenever we’re both free.”
“You should focus on your own matters.”

“Of course, it’s not that.” Liang Yue spread his hands helplessly, his tone tinged with resignation: “It’s just that the restaurant is full of adventurers. If they find out that I’m on a date with Miss Eina, I’m pretty sure some of them might want to kill me.”

“...”

“Even if it really happens, it’d be a worthy death!”

He ended with absolute conviction, completely unaware that the half-elf lady standing beside him was blushing deeply. The sunset cast a warm glow on her exquisite face, but it was nothing too obvious.

——

The Bountiful Mistress restaurant was bustling at dusk; even from the doorway, conversations were clear. Yet this noisy atmosphere was destined to be short-lived. When Liang Yue entered, everything seemed normal. But as Eina followed him inside, the ambiance suddenly turned unusually quiet, and even the act of eating seemed to pause.

Most adventurers had dealings with guild staff, and among them were some who had tried to flirt with Eina but were mercilessly rejected. They looked at Liang Yue, who had taken the lead, with eyes practically burning with envy. He was young, seemingly a rookie adventurer, though his appearance was somewhat refined.

From the perspective of these invisible rivals, some adventurers couldn’t find any spark in Liang Yue.

“Is that… Miss Eina?”

——

“Then who is that strange kid?!”
“Could it be that Miss Eina likes boys with a strong youthful aura? Can such a rookie adventurer really offer her a sense of security?”
“...”
“I’m doomed. I’m afraid I have no chance now...”

The restaurant’s quiet atmosphere made every whispered conversation stand out clearly. Liang Yue had anticipated this, but not to such an exaggerated degree of hostility. They probably thought that the person standing next to Eina should have been one of them.

Breaking the silence was Mia Grando, the stout dwarf who was the restaurant manager. She slammed a polished wooden tray on the counter. Her gaze was intimidating as she brusquely reminded, “If you’re here to eat, hurry up. Don’t just hog seats chatting.”
“If you’re not eating, there are plenty of others who will!”

Due to Mia Grando’s powerful presence, the adventurers stopped their petty behavior, though occasional curious glances were still cast at Liang Yue. There was no discomfort, but Liang Yue’s look toward Eina plainly said, "So, it’s just as I thought."

“See...”

“Pfft!”

Eina, who never imagined such a scene, covered her mouth and burst into laughter at Liang Yue’s helpless expression. The contrast was striking. Despite being a rookie adventurer, having single-handedly slain a minotaur, he possessed a maturity beyond his years. Yet he cared about such trivial matters?

Feeling somewhat underestimated, Liang Yue lightly shook his head and then browsed the menu. “Forget it, Miss Eina, what would you like to eat?”
“Don’t hold back.”
“Of course.”

Trying to maintain some semblance of a lady during what could barely be called their 'first date,' Eina said this while ordering dishes of very small portions, even picking the cheaper items. Finally, she handed the menu back to Liang Yue, adding, “I work at the Adventurers’ Guild every day.”
“Eating too much will make me fat.”
“Understood.”

As a reward after today’s dungeon exploration, Liang Yue ordered the restaurant’s signature dish, priced at 1,500 Faris. Drinks were a must, of course. When they finished and returned, he planned to bring a portion back for Hestia—a willing burden of three months’ debt and work to buy a weapon.

——

Liang Yue really couldn’t bring himself to eat alone. After placing the order with Mia at the front desk, he was just pondering how to ease the cold atmosphere when Eina took the initiative to open a conversation.

Leaning on her left hand, she tilted her head with obvious curiosity. “Liang Yue, why did you want to become an adventurer?”

“...”

He couldn’t simply say that he was transmigrated into a different world carrying a cheat ability and that it made no sense not to grow stronger. Yet he didn’t evade the question. His tone became much more serious.

“A dream?”
“Saying that sounds a bit fake... I thought that if I wanted to make a name for myself in the labyrinth city of Oralie, I had to be strong enough.”
“So I became an adventurer.”

“...”

There were many reasons to become an adventurer, and Eina hadn’t expected such a pragmatic, unadorned answer. To make a foothold in Oralie, so becoming an adventurer and growing stronger. She sipped her orange juice-flavored drink. It wasn’t that she disliked the goddess Hestia, but if one only wanted to get stronger, wouldn’t choosing a mighty divine patron be more helpful?

Given Liang Yue’s strength—able to defeat a minotaur as a novice adventurer—she doubted any other divine patron would let such a talent slip by!

“This might be a bit forward.”
“If you became an adventurer to improve your strength, why didn’t you choose a patron with greater fame and power?”

“She took me in when I was at my lowest.”
“Even though her conditions were poor, the goddess did everything she could to help me.”

Liang Yue spoke without offense, his conscience clear. Then, looking at Eina with a warm smile, he said, “In my hometown, there’s a saying: ‘A drop of water shall be returned with a gushing spring.’”
“Rather than seeking a powerful patron, I think it’s more fulfilling to help a patron grow stronger with my own hands!”

“...”

The boy’s pure and earnest attitude undoubtedly shone as a bright spot in Eina’s eyes. She didn’t know what he had been through, but he possessed such excellent character. Coupled with his calm and mature demeanor, and considering his talent... Eina looked forward to the day when the name “Liang Yue” would be known among adventurers in Oralie.

“Liang Yue.”

Her gaze was resolute, her smile as gentle as spring breeze brushing across the cheek, sincerely encouraging him: “I believe you can do it!”