That familiar flavor hit her tongue like a warm tide, and a blissful smile spread across her face. In that instant, happiness felt almost unfairly complete.
It was hard to refuse.
As a Guild advisor, she technically wasn't supposed to ask adventurers for anything in return. In most cases, it was the other way around—an overworked advisor might offer a small congratulatory token after a major milestone like a level-up. Some adventurers would give gifts to thank their advisor, but people like that were rare.
When Xien first offered her a bento as thanks, she refused immediately.
But then—then—he opened it, "so it wouldn't go to waste," and the aroma conquered her lack of backbone in a single breath.
So, caught between pride and desire, she chose desire.
And as the saying goes: once you do it the first time, the second time becomes easy.
By now, she'd been thoroughly "trained" into accepting feedings without guilt.
Warm sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the room in a gentle glow and making the girl's happiness look almost like something you could touch.
"So, Xien… you came again to keep studying?" she asked, trying to sound casual. "Isn't that… a bit risky? It hasn't been that long since the incident…"
She was worried he'd run into danger again if he wandered around alone. Things weren't peaceful lately—even the Guild staff went home in groups after work.
"Of course I came to study," Xien said. "But not just that. I'm here to update my registration."
He leaned back with a grin.
"I leveled up to Level 2. I came to get it recorded."
This was something he'd already discussed with his goddess. In the end, they agreed to officially register his new level and let the news spread—because Orario needed a spark people could believe in.
In a city that worshiped heroes, nothing lifted morale more than the appearance of a "hero seed."
Yes, it would draw attention. Yes, it carried risk.
But Xien thought it was worth it. It would also keep him sharp—danger had a way of preventing complacency.
"Pff—!"
The girl froze for half a second, then promptly sprayed.
Fortunately, Xien had predicted this. He lifted a sheet of paper in front of his face before she fully exploded—while, without missing a beat, quietly having the Orange Cat "record" her cuteness for posterity.
"Cough—cough—cough—!"
She choked, coughing violently as food caught in her throat.
Xien stood, poured a cup of water, and handed it to her. Then he moved behind her and gently patted her back through her clothes to help her recover.
Kids really did have trouble staying composed.
About half a minute later, she finally caught her breath.
"Whew… I survived," she muttered, face burning. "Thank you. And… sorry you had to see something that embarrassing."
"It's fine," Xien said, looking entirely unbothered.
If anything, he looked suspiciously pleased.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Wait a second—so you set me up on purpose?" she demanded. "You made that joke just to watch me make a fool of myself?"
Her gaze sharpened into something dangerous.
"Pervert, Mr. Xien. If you don't give me a reasonable explanation today…"
Xien raised both hands in surrender—while wearing the most innocent expression imaginable.
"I wasn't joking," he said calmly. "I really am Level 2."
"Liar."
"Don't believe me? Want to see for yourself?"
"I'll see."
A moment later, Xien pulled his shirt on again.
The girl stared at him with her mouth slightly open.
She couldn't read all the finer details—some entries were restricted—but the big, unmistakable 2 beside his level was clear enough. She didn't know much about divine script, but even she could read a number.
He really had reached Level 2.
In less than a month.
"How is that even…?"
"It's hard to explain in one go," Xien said lightly. "A lot happened. I got… plenty of exercise."
He kept it vague on purpose. He wasn't about to tell her he'd nearly died.
She rubbed her forehead, still dazed.
"Wow… I don't even have a sense of reality anymore. An adventurer I've only met a few times suddenly hits Level 2…"
Her feelings tangled into a messy knot—pride, disbelief, and something like anxiety.
It was just too abnormal. Was this even remotely a "human" pace?
"Shouldn't you be happy for me?" Xien asked.
"…I should," she admitted, then straightened up and forced herself into a proper smile. "Congratulations, Xien."
"That means your feelings were received," Xien said, teasing.
She huffed, but she was smiling for real now. A higher level meant stronger survival odds in this city—she couldn't deny she felt relieved.
"Alright," she said, composing herself. "I'll go get the registration form."
Then, as if remembering something, she added with a slightly awkward look:
"Also… thanks. Your level-up means the Guild subsidy tied to my advisory work increases too. So… thank you."
Xien blinked, then waved it off.
"That's what you deserve. I'm happy to have you as my advisor."
He meant it. She'd been diligent, and the knowledge she taught him had already proven its worth in the Dungeon.
She paused, then gave him a small, resigned smile.
"Fine. If you say it like that, I'll accept gratefully. Wait here."
The effect was immediate.
Before long, word spread through the Guild: Xien had reached Level 2 in under a month.
Shock rippled outward like a thrown stone.
Most people's first reaction was disbelief.
After all, even the famous "Sword Princess" had taken a year to reach Level 2—setting a record that stood for a long time. Without later anomalies, that record might have remained untouchable.
Now a newcomer supposedly did it in less than a month?
To many, it sounded like an insult—like being told outright that anyone who couldn't reach Level 2 in their lifetime was worthless. Why would adventurers accept that easily?
The pace was unheard of.
People wanted details, wanted proof, wanted to interrogate—
But when they regained their senses, the "little miss" was already gone.
Even without the full truth, the public reaction was largely positive once they learned the boy belonged to Astraea Familia. A stronger Astraea Familia meant higher safety for ordinary citizens.
And so, Xien's name finally began to spread in earnest across Orario.
But that was the city's problem.
For Xien and the girl, the day continued as usual.
They returned to their one-on-one lessons. Since he was now Level 2, he could finally touch more advanced knowledge—by Guild regulation, certain information was restricted for beginners because learning it too early could be harmful or simply pointless.
Most adventurers hated study.
Xien didn't.
He'd spent most of his former life learning, and with a system backing him up, absorbing information felt almost like breathing.
Which led to the girl's newest, sweetest headache:
Her knowledge base got drained again.
By sunset, they finally wrapped up.
The last light of day spilled across the tabletop, painting the room in warm gold.
Xien stretched lazily, and the girl used the moment to make an invitation.
"Let's go celebrate at The Hostess of Fertility," she said. "My treat. For your level-up."
"You're always the one being treated," Xien replied, smiling. "I'd feel bad."
"It's fine," she insisted. "Just this once."
Xien nodded with exaggerated solemnity.
"Since it is the request of my little lady, I shall obey."
He stood, then bowed with theatrical elegance.
"Tonight, I am your knight. Command me."
Her face went bright red.
"T-then, Knight… let's go."
After a short walk, they arrived.
The pub's familiar sign swung gently above the doorway. Xien stared at it for a moment, feeling a strange sense of déjà vu.
Last time he came here, he'd been a weak nobody.
Now, he'd been through too many things, survived too many edges, and gathered a foundation of strength.
It felt like a lifetime had passed.
When they entered, the room's attention snapped to them.
"Hey… isn't that…?"
"It is. Why's he here…?"
Xien didn't care much. As a "knight," he guided the girl to a quieter seat.
A waitress in a maid outfit approached, menu in hand.
It was Syr.
"Mr. Xien, Miss Zuru—welcome to The Hostess of Fertility," she said with a sweet smile. "What would you like?"
"The discounted set we ordered last time," Zuru answered quickly. "Please."
Syr blinked.
"Oh—Miss Zuru is ordering?"
She'd assumed Xien was treating the girl, but it looked like the opposite.
"Yes," Zuru said, lifting her chin. "He's my assigned adventurer. He leveled up, so as his advisor, I'm celebrating with him."
"…Hm?"
It was like someone dropped a bomb into the pub.
Most customers here were adventurers who had just returned from the Dungeon—no wonder they hadn't heard the news yet.
"Yeah right…"
"No way…"
Syr, politely curious, voiced what everyone was thinking.
"Leveling up means… Mr. Xien is Level 2 now? But last time you came, I remember you'd only just become an adventurer."
"Yes," Xien said mildly. "You could call it… fortunate timing."
He had no intention of flaunting it. Only fools bragged about success in public.
Syr's smile widened.
"You're too modest. Reaching Level 2 in such a short time—no matter the fortune involved—still requires real ability."
"In Orario, even luck is a talent."
"I'll take that blessing," Xien replied.
"Then please wait a moment," Syr said brightly. "Your meal will be ready soon. And I'll pass your greetings to Mama Mia."
"Please do."
"I will."
The wait was short.
Soon, their food arrived, and they ate while chatting about ordinary things.
"You've adapted well to your Familia, right?" Zuru asked.
"Yeah. Everyone's been good to me."
Then Xien tilted his head.
"By the way—earlier you seemed really focused on the Guild pay increase. Are you short on money?"
Zuru paused.
Her expression dimmed slightly, but she still answered.
"…Sort of. I can manage. But my mother and my little sister need it."
"That's why I pushed to graduate early and take this job."
She looked up at him and smiled—bright, sincere, and a little tired.
"So… thank you, Sir Knight. You've helped me a lot."
"I see," Xien said softly.
A long-term patient in a struggling household—he understood immediately. When one person needs constant care, everything becomes heavier. And for a family living away from home without wealth, it was worse.
He considered her features. A half-elf meant one parent was likely an elf. She'd said her mother couldn't tolerate climates outside their homeland—an elf's sensitivity made that plausible.
Xien set down his utensils.
"Is it okay if I ask what's wrong with your mother?" he said gently. "I'm not prying just to pry."
"You already know my role in Astraea Familia is healer. If it's illness, I might be able to help."
Zuru froze.
Then her eyes widened, hope rushing in so fast it almost looked painful.
"Y-you… really mean that?"
Xien smiled—warm, calm, and certain.
"I do. So… she's sick? Tell me what you can."
And Zuru began to explain—slowly, carefully—as if she was afraid that speaking too loudly might shatter the possibility in front of her.
"My mother has a congenital hereditary disease," she said. "She can't adapt to climates outside our homeland… so she's been recovering in a city called the Free City, where the air is closer to home."
"And then she gave birth to my little sister, so… life became…"
Her voice trailed off.
Xien nodded quietly.
He already knew the answer to his next question.
And he already knew what he could do.
Because the solution was sitting right there—obvious as daylight.
....
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