Ethan woke up to find it was already evening, and the house was quiet. Lindong and Miss Keroy were nowhere to be seen. He asked the neighbors and learned that they had gone hunting with Hagrid earlier in the day, taking three tents with them and leaving a message that they might not return for two days.
Lately, Hagrid had been complaining that the area around Ximu Town was too calm, with even large beasts rarely seen and no trace of magical creatures to be found. So, it’s rare to have found a like-minded friend in Lindong, and they’ve set their sights on catching a drake.
Ave, upon noticing Ethan’s slightly unnatural expression, sharpens her gaze instantly. The blonde hair on her head points at Ethan like a radar, treating him as a criminal suspect.
"Do you know something?"
Ave squints, "I’ve always wondered why Ximu Town has never experienced a magical creature invasion. Is this your doing?"
Dealing with magical creatures is the responsibility of the Hunter’s Guild. Border towns of the Empire are classified as high-risk areas where magical creature attacks happen annually. Severe instances require the Kingdom Army from nearby cities to dispatch troops for support. Conservatively estimated, invasions often result in dozens of casualties, and historically, some towns have been completely destroyed by large magical creatures.
But Ximu Town is an exception; it hasn’t been attacked by a single magical creature, and not even their shadows are seen on the surrounding mountains.
Clearly, this is very unusual.
"It might have something to do with my previous practice of the Fireball Skill..."
Ethan answers guiltily.
The proficiency level of the Fireball Skill occasionally jumps a bit, and he doesn’t know whether he hit beasts or magical creatures. The book "Where Are the Magical Creatures" mentions that most magical creatures have a much higher intelligence level than beasts and know how to avoid danger.
"That makes sense then."
Ave suddenly realizes, this casual conversation has unintentionally solved a long-standing mystery for her, though there are still some details that baffle her, "How many fireballs did you have to throw up the mountain to scare away magical creatures within several miles?"
Such a phenomenon has never occurred in history.
"Just a few, not many."
Ave expresses skepticism, staring at Ethan for a long time, convinced he’s lying. From her understanding of Ethan, he must have thrown a lot of fireballs up the mountain, possibly hundreds!
While they are discussing, Rowena returns after a day out.
As soon as she steps into the door, she grabs their attention—there’s no helping it, she’s just too noticeable. Rowena has two conspicuous red marks on her forehead and face, and when she comes closer, Ethan notices her neck has them too, though she’s unaware of it.
"Where have you been?"
"Me? I went to play at the archery club!"
Rowena says confidently, having already become familiar around town with her identity as a Divination Master. With Hagrid off hunting and Ave locked in her study, she got bored and wandered out, coincidentally meeting Captain Hagrid who was recruiting members for the archery club in town, and joining in since it was free.
At this point, Rowena proudly puffs out her chest, "Even though it’s my first time playing with a crossbow, I’m a prodigy-level player. I easily defeated the town guards, and they couldn’t hit me with a single shot!"
Ethan and Ave are of one mind, lowering their heads and covering their eyes, making a sound of light contempt.
It’s just so Rowena to want to save face, clearly shot like a sieve, yet still speaking so boldly without a blush.
"What do you mean? Are you doubting me? You can ask Captain Hagrid; he said I’m already so strong, it’s like cheating!"
Rowena raises her voice, which is true but has some artistic embellishments.
In reality, she was hit by several arrows, fell to the ground, and kept loudly reporting enemy positions to her teammates, forcing Hagrid to set a rule that dead players could no longer speak.
Teammates generally felt Rowena was more useful "dead" than alive.
You see, she’s so formidable that it’s set against her in her own rules.
Ave can’t listen any further—she’s feeling an inexplicable pang of sympathy. After all, Rowena is certified as a Great Mage by the Astrology Guild, yet every time she opens her mouth, she somehow seems pitiful.
To prevent Rowena from heading further down the wrong path, Ave points at her forehead.
"Hmm? What are you pointing at?"
Rowena walks into the bedroom puzzled, soon a scream comes from inside, and silence falls over the apartment.
Rowena stays in her bedroom, not coming out. Ethan goes back to the house, fetches sour cream and jam, and cooks a pot of Rowena’s favorite vegetable soup to comfort the beginner who got shot at the club.
The sumptuous dinner is prepared, and Ave knocks on the door, prompting Rowena to emerge, head bowed, like a ghost. The red marks on her face and neck have disappeared, though her whole face is as red as a tomato, extending down to her neck.
This is by far the most silent dinner recently, and Ave several times wants to speak but doesn’t know how to console her.
If it were her experiencing such things, she’d probably want to hide in shame.
That night, Rowena ate a lot, wolfing it down with occasional expressions of rage, and Ethan wonders if she’s imagining the bread as her enemy shot with arrows.
"Actually, though..."
After eating, Rowena takes a deep breath, "I got bitten by bugs on my way back. The bugs in this town are so nasty; they specifically target my face to bite! I just wanted to explain so there wouldn’t be any misunderstanding; I’m very talented playing crossbows, with stamina and agility, and the guards here are no match for me. Those red marks aren’t from arrows."
Ethan immediately adds, "That’s right, Ximu Town is notorious for its venomous bugs; many people suffer from them!"
Upon these words, Ave also nods repeatedly, "Yes, when I first arrived in Ximu Town, I got bitten several times, and my arm swelled with a big bump that took days to heal."
As a follower of the God of Truth, she doesn’t want to know the truth in this case.
Rowena is really pitiable, seeing her tearful and looking like she might cry any moment.
Rowena’s eyes light up, as if seeing hope anew, "These bugs are truly detestable!"
"Knock knock, knock knock—!"
An untimely knock interrupts the warmth in the room, and Hagrid’s signature loud voice comes from the other side of the door, "Is Miss Ave at home? I heard the Divination Master is visiting you; is she okay? Please let her know I’ve severely reprimanded my men; how could they treat a beginner ?"