Donovan didn't really have Sylvia's number, nor Clara's.
So, he could only ask Tiero to tell Sylvia that he wants to meet up at the cat café where they had last seen each other.
And now, Donovan is seated at a table, leisurely drinking a cup of coffee.
He tried Vincent first, but he was unfortunately busy with his sister's piano competition. Next, he tried his past acquaintances, but they didn't answer his call or respond to his text. They're probably busy, Donovan thought.
In the end, he chose Sylvia. And she fortunately agreed.
His left hand was petting and stroking a black cat's fur, while the other was busy with the phone.
Once again, Eva, the beautiful female barista, was stealing glances at Donovan. She skillfully hid it by busying herself with her phone.
Wow, he looks more stunning today… Is he waiting for someone?
I should really ask for his number…
Eva couldn't help but let out a giggle, and she quickly cleared her throat to hide the giggle she had made.
Meanwhile, Donovan was busying himself with real video footage of Annihiliths. But the camera work was so messy that it was difficult to determine exactly what was happening.
Terrible cameraman…
Just a single Drone-type Annihilith could kill so many ordinary people… Oh, I hope Reapers aren't too difficult…
He gave a silent prayer to the families who had lost their loved ones due to the Annihiliths.
After that, Donovan turned his phone off to look at himself through the reflection.
Oh, damn, there's a pimple on my forehead and one under my right eye…
And damn it, I'm fighting so hard to keep my eyes open… The cozy feeling of this café is not helping at all…
My drowsiness will surely disappear once I'm out there in the field…
He took a sip of his coffee, and let his thoughts wander to everything that had happened up until now.
I transmigrated, went to my brother's wedding, helped Sylvia with her mission, completed my first mission on the planet 843-Karlon-45…
After that, I completed my second mission with Dean and nine other Visitors… We fought a powerhouse, and somehow lived because it was all inside a dream…
…And after that, I advanced to Category 5… Now, I'm about to do my Advancement Trial…
Hm… I feel like I'm forgetting something…
Oh, right! The archers on Tosla that somehow knew I'm a transmigrator… But how did they know? Someone was definitely controlling them…
But who? The King of Ice?
Wait… It's possible that it was the old man that Michael and Dean had encountered and defeated… Which reminds me, Michael took the man's corpse back to Umbrellas…
I wonder what they're doing with it?
Technology here has advanced so far that they might find out additional things from the corpse, and find out that I'm a transmigrator… No, surely, technology can't do that yet…
But if they find out I'm a transmigrator, how would they react…? I have to prepare myself for when that happens…
Suddenly, the sound of the café door opening snapped Donovan out of his thoughts.
Turning his head, he saw Sylvia walking in.
His heart started to beat faster due to nervousness.
Eva's voice sounded throughout the inside of the café, "Welcome, Miss Sylvia."
Eva had already apologized to Sylvia for what happened the other day, the day she was caught taking photos of Donovan.
"I'll have the usual," said Sylvia as she found Donovan's table, walked to it, and took a seat across from him.
She got to the point, "Do you need my help?"
Wha—… Wow, she read my mind…
Donovan quickly composed himself. "Yes. It's for my Advancement Trial."
"Knew it." Sylvia smiled, happy that she guessed correctly.
"You're a Shower Rank, correct? If memory serves me right, you have to defeat one Reaper-type."
"And how unlucky you are, when a Reaper-type is a Mage's worst enemy."
She let out a brief, soft chuckle.
Donovan couldn't help but awkwardly laugh, "Yes… So, um, can you help me, Miss Sylvia?"
"As it just so happens, I'm going on a mission later this 1 o'clock," she said with a nod. "Three Drone-types and one Reaper-type."
Well, I guess that's a Storm Rank for you, already confident in taking missions with a Reaper-type…
Sylvia continued, "I'll deal with the three Drones."
"No interfering while I'm fighting them."
"Once I pin the Reaper-type on the ground, you finish it off with your beam thingy."
"Got it?"
Donovan nodded quickly, "Yes, yes!"
Suddenly, Sylvia's order arrived. A cup of black coffee and ham sandwich.
After giving Sylvia her food and coffee, Eva suddenly said to Donovan, "...M-May I have your number?"
Upon hearing Eva's words, Donovan was a bit surprised.
My number…? W-Wait, is she interested in me?
Donovan nervously chuckled. "Um… sure…"
With that, Eva gave Donovan her phone, and Donovan… "reluctantly" typed in his number.
Upon receiving her phone, Eva offered Donovan a smile before walking back to the counter.
Meanwhile, Sylvia watched all this happen while sipping on her black coffee. There was a slight twitch of her right eyebrow, and a slight squint of her eyes.
She then said, "Actually, I think I'll go on my mission now at 11."
Surprises after surprises. Donovan then asked, "Why?"
"Because I just saw something irritating."
…Irritating?
Donovan felt compelled to ask what the "irritating" thing she saw was, but the words died in his mouth.
Sylvia then bit on her ham sandwich.
Donovan sipped on his cup of coffee. No one talked for a while.
The only sounds inside the café were chewing, meowing, and sipping coffee.
A while passed, and Donovan finished his cup of coffee. The cat he was petting came to his lap, and laid down without a care in the world.
Seeing this, Donovan smiled. His right hand went to pet the cat.
And since the table was made of glass, it was see-through. Sylvia watched the cat get on Donovan's lap with a stoic expression.
Sylvia decided to make conversation, "Do you have a cat?"
Donovan shook his head. "No."
"Does your apartment not allow pets?" asked Sylvia.
"Pets are allowed, I just don't want one at the moment."
"Why not? Animals can be good companions."
Actually, that's a good question… Why didn't the original Donovan not get a dog? Or a cat…? Think, think, recall…
Oh, right, he— no, I once had a pet dog, but an accident occurred… I buried him with the help of Benedict… It happened while I was still… uh, was it 9 or 10…?
Donovan replied, "Childhood stuff."
Sylvia nodded. "I have a dog."
"What breed?"
"Husky. But she's currently living with my uncle."
"I see," said Donovan. Sylvia finished her ham sandwich.
She then said, "We'll meet up at the Portal Chamber."
"I'll be getting something first back in my place."
"But if you don't have anything left to do, you're free to come with."
Donovan felt a 'thump' in his chest.
…To Miss Sylvia's place…?
Uh, but she's right, I don't have anything left to do…
I already made sure to dress in my suit uniform before coming here…
Sh—... Should I?
Donovan fell silent for a moment.
"...Alright," he answered.
Sylvia hummed.
Meanwhile, Eva was secretly eavesdropping on their conversation.
Damn it! Miss Sylvia's already making a move on him…! Ugh…
Heh, no matter, I already have his number… Uh, wait, she probably also has his number…
Eva inwardly sighed.
She watched as the two paid for the coffee and sandwich.
After that, the two left the café.
Sylvia didn't bring her umbrella with her. She reached her hand out to Donovan.
Uh, what does she want…?
Donovan gave her a look of confusion.
She sighed. "Your umbrella."
"I'll hold onto it, and you'll fly."
Oh, I see…
Donovan brought the tip of the umbrella facing her, and she grabbed onto it.
Then, he activated his Flight spell, and the two lifted off from the ground.
With that, they flew away. Sylvia kept giving him directions, and eventually, they reached her apartment building.
They made a smooth landing. The two then entered the building, and eventually reached her apartment room.
As Sylvia unlocked the door, Donovan stayed standing there, watching her from outside.
Sylvia looked at him, and said exasperatedly, "What are you just standing there for? Come in, for goodness' sake…"
Donovan laughed awkwardly and nervously. He entered, and took off his shoes.
The inside of her apartment was nothing too special. Expensive furniture, a large TV, multiple buttons for robot assistants…
But the only thing that stood out was the abnormal disaster in the kitchen!
Uh, it seems she's terrible at cooking…
"Don't mind the kitchen. I tried my hand at cooking, and it ended terribly," said Sylvia. "Should've just used the robot chef for it."
Sylvia then removed her coat, revealing some of her curves.
She was very beautiful, thought Donovan. Indeed, she was a sight to see. Beautiful black hair, mesmerizing blue eyes… But he quickly averted his gaze.
Donovan didn't know where to look. He sneakily walked towards the balcony.
Sylvia looked at him through the corner of her eyes, and smiled slightly.
As she set her coat down, she said, "Make yourself comfortable."
"I'm comfortable," replied Donovan. Oh, but he was far from "comfortable." He was very nervous, and his drowsiness from earlier had already mostly disappeared.
She rummaged through her wardrobe, taking out the standard uniform for Visitors—a suit.
Donovan's gaze landed on a large mirror. And in the mirror, he saw Sylvia starting to undress from behind him!
His cheeks immediately went red, and he quickly closed his eyes. He hastily went to the balcony.
Does she have no sense of shame?! Donovan struggled to calm down.
What's she aiming for…? Is she also interested— no, no, what the hell am I thinking? No way that's true.
Inside, Sylvia didn't really undress all the way. She only removed unnecessary clothing before putting on a suit. A blue necktie and a black three-piece suit.
Noticing Donovan's disappearance, she went to the balcony and asked, "What are you doing here?"
"Nothing, just wanted some fresh air…"
"Suit yourself."
Donovan exhaled deeply, very embarrassed and nervous of the situation. This was the first time that he was inside a woman's place! Both in his past life as Leon Valentin and in his current life as Donovan Volgard, he's a virgin.
And he thinks he'll likely stay that way forever.
But this situation was giving him false hope.
Sylvia went to get her umbrella.
"We should go," she said.
Donovan snapped out of it, and walked back inside.
"If you need to take a piss, go ahead. Wouldn't want you being distracted during the mission."
She was very blunt. Donovan nodded, and used her bathroom.
As he exited the bathroom, he succinctly said a "thank you" before walking to the front door.
With that, Sylvia went to drink a glass of water. She locked everything before exiting her apartment.
They exited the building together.