Chapter 51: Lame Praise.
Skoll didn’t immediately warm to Boon and Mist’s friendly overtures, but he didn’t reject them either. Ace and Frosti, however, were pleased by their efforts to befriend him.
In the past two months, Skoll had mostly spoken only to Ace and Frosti, limiting other interactions to necessities. His lack of rejection was already a positive sign.
As for Saintess Suna, Skoll, Ace, and Frosti felt an inexplicable fondness for her, though they chalked it up to the approachable aura common among temple saintesses and didn’t dwell on it.
By evening, after an exhausting day of training, Ace and Frosti planned to head home. Skoll, Ace, and Frosti intended to grab food nearby and return to their temple lodging near the training grounds.
Suna, waving goodbye, prepared to handle her own tasks.
[I’ve got updates on Skoll’s recent situation, but I still need to raise funds and investigate that mysterious silver-haired Fallen Blood Clan member privately. Both require manpower—ugh, what a headache!]
Pondering a way to kill two birds with one stone, Suna decided to visit a place for mission ideas and potential recruits.
As dusk fell and magic stone lamps lit the streets, Suna took a circuitous route to the dimly lit “Rust District.”
Lacking proper maintenance, the Rust District teemed with homeless wanderers, gang members occupying intersections and sturdy buildings, and others living in gray or black-market trades.
It was Blackmount’s slum, a crime-ridden gray zone.
As a saintess, Suna would stand out, so she donned a deep blue hooded cloak from her storage pouch.
Just as she tied it and prepared to enter, she sensed a familiar figure hurriedly catching up.
Sighing deeply, she groaned, “Ugh…”
[It’s him again? I shook him off multiple times—Skoll, are you a bloodhound?]
Inwardly grumbling, she heard Skoll’s low voice.
“Saintess Suna, where are you going?”
Turning, she gave a flippant excuse. “What a coincidence, Skoll. Just grabbing some dinner and drinks.”
Unfazed, Skoll saw through her. “There aren’t any good restaurants or bars this way. And the Rust District isn’t a safe place to wander at night.”
[Tch, a guy obsessed with training and studying knows this area? I thought he’d be clueless enough to fool.]
Despite her internal complaints, Suna stayed calm, waving him off. “Fine, I’m not getting food or drinks, but I don’t owe you an explanation. Go home and sleep, kid.”
“I don’t have to follow your advice either,” Skoll retorted.
Unsure of his motives, Suna pressed, “You know it’s advice, so why follow me? What’s your deal?”
As she spoke, she sensed the Goddess’s aura on Skoll intensifying, beginning to solidify.
[Tch, a Goddess’s blessing? That’s how he tracked me? Is it tracking, perception, luck, or foresight? If I can pinpoint this intel first…]
Though she’d honed her ability to sense divine auras after the eastern intelligence post incident, Suna now clearly felt Skoll’s blessing forming.
“What’s surprising?” Skoll asked, puzzled.
Quickly deflecting, Suna countered, “Nothing. But why are you tailing me? Got something to say?”
Skoll paused, then mumbled vaguely, “…I don’t know. Just a feeling.”
Suna blinked, exasperated. “Huh?”
Seeing his awkward expression, a mischievous spark lit in her.
“Wait, don’t tell me you’re crushing on me? Even if you’re interested, stalking’s not the way to go.”
With a lecturing tone, hands on hips, she exuded a mock-serious aura.
Skoll, losing his usual calm, flustered. “No, it’s not that!”
Suna tilted her head, teasing further. “Not even a little? I think my beauty’s a weapon, you know. Pfft, haha!”
As Skoll grew visibly embarrassed, Suna laughed. “Sorry, you’re always so serious, I couldn’t resist messing with you. But—”
Before she finished, Skoll, red-faced, blurted, “Saintess Suna, you are beautiful and holy.”
Suna froze briefly, then continued, “Uh, thanks? But you really shouldn’t follow me. You’re not strong enough, and that area’s not for you.”
Skoll shook his head, gazing at her with sincerity and a hint of expectation.