When it was Lupus's turn, she tiptoed energetically to the counter and hoisted herself onto the ledge with playful ease. "Two rooms, please!" she chirped excitedly, her fangs peeking out ever so adorably.
The receptionist nodded, tapping away on his kiosk, but his brow soon furrowed into a frown. He quickly masked his dismay before offering a polite smile.
"Apologies, dear guests. It appears we did have two rooms... until Sir Lunarius before you took one."
"Oh..." Jack's face betrayed no disappointment, though his mind raced with alternatives. He could sleep outside in a makeshift tent—it was just one night, after all. Anything would be better than an old, rugged man like him sharing a room with a beautiful girl like Lupus. And what if Willhelm found out? Would he see her in a lesser light? Think less of her as a potential partner? Courting another man at night like that...
Not that it mattered. Where he slept was irrelevant. Tomorrow, he'd be scavenging for an arcanite engine from the wreckage of fallen Armatus on the battlefield. Scavengers and debris collectors weren't all that different, and he had high hopes that luck would be on his side.
Jack was about to step away from the counter, words forming in his mouth to bid Lupus farewell — until he felt a firm grip on his wrist. Her fingers wrapped around it, holding him in place.
"Yes, we'll take that room!" Lupus declared to the receptionist, leaving no room for argument.
Jack blinked in disbelief. "Hey! I can't share a room with you~!"
"Shut up! Don't be such a whiny old man," she cut him off, flashing him an impish smile.
"I can just sleep outside like the others. I don't even have any credits on me," he insisted, trying to pull away.
Lupus didn't let go. Instead, she tugged him closer. "I'm, uh, I'm scared of phantoms," she muttered, cheeks tinged pink. "So, you have
"S-seriously?" Jack stammered incredulously. Phantoms were little more than myths—urban legends whispered about in the south of Germund, akin to mischievous spirits of the dead.
"Also!" Lupus added, cutting him off before he could argue further, "if you're planning any funny business, I know I'd take you down easily. Even without my arcane! Uncle Jack." She sealed the deal with a cheeky wink before spinning on her heel, her hair twirling past his nose. A warm, sun-kissed scent lingered in the air, curling around his senses longer than he expected.
So that's where that nice smell was coming from... Her hair smells amazing, Jack thought absently.
Lupus tapped her Stellius ring against the payment machine, collected her key, and strode off, still dragging Jack by the wrist.
"Please let go of my hand, Lupy," He eventually muttered as they stood waiting for the lift to arrive.
She did so without hesitation, but a giggle escaped her lips. "Hehehe!"
She was too innocent for this world. And Jack couldn't help but think of all the what-ifs.
What if I were a bad guy? Someone who would take advantage of her while she was asleep?
But then he countered the thought — Lupus was incredibly strong, after all. If the mother and child's story was true, she had taken down two Armatus
And a reminder that, if anything, he was the vulnerable one in this situation.
Jack sighed, resigned to his fate. "I guess... there's no way out of this now. I should've just accepted her hospitality and kindness. Tomorrow, we'll go our separate ways," he thought to himself.
Upon entering their room, he was taken aback by its sheer luxury and spaciousness. It had all the amenities of a high-end suite, with a grand king-size bed at its centre, adorned with two towels folded into origami cranes. The view outside would have been breathtaking — mountains in the distance and the stunning architecture of southern Germund — if not for the remnants of war scarring the landscape and the sight of miserable people gathering in the square below.
Lupus's lips curled into a wide grin. "Bouncy!" she exclaimed, climbing onto the mattress and bouncing experimentally. Her excitement mirrored that of a ten-year-old, yet Jack was certain she had to be over twenty to hold the prestigious title of Olympian Mage of the Agility Division. Still, he dared not ask her actual age.
"You should take a bath first," Jack offered as he collapsed onto the couch, twisting the cap off a cold bottle of water. Chapters first released on noᴠelfire.net
Lupus's eyes widened slightly, misinterpreting his offer as a hidden suggestion. "Do I smell bad?" She asked, embarrassed as she sniffed herself thoroughly.
"N-no! I just meant that since you paid for the room, you should have the privilege of going first," Jack corrected hastily before taking a sip of water.
"Can't argue with that," She replied, eyeing him strangely before motioning for him to come closer.
Jack hesitated, then shifted forward awkwardly. "What... what?" He stammered, averting his gaze from her dazzling eyes.
Lupus took his hands and guided him to sit before her. "Lupy... what are you thinking?" he asked, his face flushing crimson. His heart pounded, and his mind raced through countless possibilities.
Without answering, Lupus hovered her palms over his head, focusing on the dried blood at his wound. Closing her eyes, she chanted softly, "Iasis."
Glowing green glyphs materialised in the air, revolving around Jack's scalp. A soothing sensation washed over him as the throbbing pain in his head subsided to a negligible degree.
As the green illumination dissipated, Jack ran his fingers over his head, searching for his wound — only to find smooth skin. His eyes widened in astonishment as he locked eyes with Lupus.
"Thank you," He murmured in appreciation.
The bunny girl grinned before flopping onto the bed in exhaustion. "Phew... I'm out of mana now."
"Shouldn't you reserve some mana, at least?" Jack asked. He wasn't entirely sure how magic worked — he had never attended an 'Arcane 101' class, not that such knowledge was accessible to ordinary people anyway, but he could grasp bits and pieces.
From what he understood, Lupus's mana had a finite supply, and casting spells consumed it. The real question was how she would replenish it. Did it work the same way as an Armatus's arcanite engine? Could she simply recharge her mana like replacing a battery?