Theo and Yunyun were sitting at one of the guild's most secluded tables. The bustle of the adventurers continued in the background, but in their corner, the atmosphere was much calmer. Yunyun kept her back so straight she looked like a board, with her hands clenched over her lap. She was extremely nervous; for someone who could barely speak to girls her own age, being in front of an adventurer showing genuine interest in her was almost too much to process.
Fortunately, Theo knew how to handle the situation. He wasn't an expert in social relations, but his pragmatism allowed him to lead the conversation in a way that didn't feel suffocating.
"To start formally, I'll introduce myself again" - Theo said, breaking the ice. - "My name is Theodore Strange, but you can call me Theo. I'm a level 23 adventurer. Currently, I have a small group; it's just a level 25 crusader and me."
Yunyun nodded quickly, listening to every word as if it were an important dictation.
"We also usually go on missions with a Thief" - Theo continued, and for a moment he made a face of annoyance.
"Though I don't know her level" - he said, remembering every time he asked Chris, she would merely mock him or change the subject.
"I-I am Yunyun" - Yunyun said, introducing herself formally after gathering her courage. - "I am a level 12 archwizard. At the moment, I only know how to use intermediate magic, but... but I promise that soon I will be able to learn advanced magic. I'm still working on it."
Theo nodded calmly, showing that it didn't bother him at all.
"Even with intermediate magic, I'm interested in having you join" - Theo commented. - "Our group lacks someone who handles magic consistently. But, I'm curious... Why did you learn intermediate magic first? I knew those of your clan usually wait to learn advanced magic directly."
He paused and added in a soft tone: - "If it's a delicate subject, you don't have to tell me. I don't mean to make you uncomfortable."
Yunyun lowered her gaze slightly, playing with her fingers. She was surprised that someone was so considerate of her feelings.
"It's just that... when I needed to learn advanced magic, I didn't have enough skill points" - she explained in a soft voice. - "I had to spend points on other skills necessary for an archwizard, so I fell short. And as for why I didn't wait..." - her face turned a bit redder - "it was because a companion's little sister was in danger. I couldn't stand by with my arms crossed while she needed help, so I learned intermediate magic to intervene immediately."
Theo listened attentively. It wasn't just that Yunyun was a capable mage; she had principles and wasn't a fanatic for power for the sake of being powerful. That kind of loyalty and readiness was exactly what he was looking for in his team.
"That says a lot about you" - Theo said with a small smile. - "Actually, now I want you in my group even more. So, Yunyun, would you like to join us?"
Yunyun snapped her head up. Her eyes shone with a mixture of surprise and pure joy. For a long time, she had sought someone who would accept her without strange conditions or mockery involved.
"Y-yes! I accept! I would love to!" - she responded with enthusiasm, causing some nearby adventurers to turn and look at her. She shrunk back in her place, embarrassed by the outburst, but the smile didn't leave her face.
Hours passed. Evening began to fall over Axel, tinting the stone walls a warm amber color. Theo walked through the main streets, feeling quite satisfied. He had secured a key piece for his group, and the sense of progress was constant.
After the talk, Yunyun had asked him with great excitement when they would start doing missions. It was a somewhat awkward moment, as Theo had to explain that he and Darkness were taking a few days of rest after an exhausting week of constant work. Seeing how the girl's excitement dimmed a bit, Theo felt somewhat guilty.
'I couldn't leave her like that' - he thought. So he proposed something: early tomorrow they would do a simple mission just the two of them, to get used to fighting together. It was a small white lie, as he truly planned to rest, but he didn't mind sacrificing a day if it helped integrate his new archwizard. They said goodbye after agreeing to meet at the guild at dawn.
Now, Theo was heading toward the blacksmith's workshop. With all the commotion of meeting Yunyun and Megumin, he had almost forgotten that today was the designated day to pick up his new gear.
As he turned a corner, he spotted two familiar figures sitting on a bench near a fountain: Chris and Darkness. Both noticed his presence at almost the same time.
Shortly before Theo appeared, Chris and Darkness had been submerged in a rather personal conversation. Darkness was a bundle of nerves, her gaze lost in the water of the fountain.
"He seriously invited you on a date?" - Chris had asked for the third time, with a mischievous smile.
"Yes!" - Darkness responded, covering her face with her hands. - "I don't know what to do, Chris. You know perfectly well what the problem is... if he discovers who I really am, or if he finds out about... you know..."
Chris let out a long sigh and leaned back on the bench. - "Darkness, please. You already know Theo well enough to know that he doesn't care about noble titles or politics."
"I know that, but it's different" - she replied. - "I've never had a date like this."
"The only person who sees a problem here is you" - Chris stated. - "Look me in the eyes. Do you or do you not want to have that date with him?"
Darkness's response was instantaneous, without a trace of her usual masochistic hesitation.
"Of course I want to! Theo is the only man who... who hasn't walked away after seeing how I truly am. He doesn't look at me with disgust or fear."
Chris thought to herself that Theo was basically the only man who knew her true personality, but she kept the comment to herself.
"Then there's no problem. You should take advantage of this miracle that came to you" - Chris said with a pat on her friend's back.
Darkness remained pensive, but then frowned. - "What do you mean, miracle?"
Chris only smiled mysteriously and pointed toward the street. - "Ask him. Here he comes."
Theo approached the duo with his usual calm stride.
"Hello" - he greeted.
"Hi, Theo!" - Chris responded energetically.
"H-hello, Theo..." - Darkness murmured, stuttering a bit and avoiding direct eye contact.
"What are you doing around here at this hour?" - Chris asked. - "I thought you'd be busy training or something. You usually do everything very early."
"I was busy all morning" - Theo explained. - "In fact, I'm on my way to the blacksmith to get the armor."
Chris and Darkness looked at him with curiosity.
"Busy with what?" - Chris asked, arching an eyebrow. - "Don't tell me you started training again and forgot the world?"
Theo felt a slight sting of offense, though he knew she was partly right.
"It wasn't that" - he said, looking away. - "Besides, that only happened once... today was different."
They both laughed a little, relaxing the tension. Theo decided to drop the news at once.
"Today I met an archwizard from the Crimson Demons. Her name is Yunyun. She knows how to use intermediate magic and seemed capable to me, so I invited her to join the group."
The silence that followed was deathly. Chris stopped smiling and Darkness looked at him with wide eyes.
"You invited her?" - Chris asked, surprised. - "I mean, aside from the fact that you didn't ask Darkness, what surprises me is that you took the initiative to meet someone and ask them to join. You're always so... closed off."
Darkness, after recovering from the surprise, nodded. - "I don't mind that you invited her, Theo. I trust your judgment in choosing companions. But yes... it is surprising that you were the one to take the first step."
Theo made a face, feeling a bit judged. - "I'm sorry for not consulting first. It happened quickly and I didn't want someone else to take her."
Chris stood up from the bench, brushing off her clothes.
"Well, whatever. What's done is done. But now what matters is that armor!" - she said enthusiastically. - "Come on, show us what you've been planning with all that mithril."
She looked at Darkness and motioned for her to stand up.
"You don't mind if we accompany you, right, Theo?"
"No, no problem" - he responded with indifference, though he knew Chris only wanted to snoop and perhaps tease Darkness a bit.
The group set off toward the artisans' district. Upon arrival, they were greeted by the heat of the forges and the smell of burnt metal. The blacksmith, a robust man with arms like trunks, saw them enter and smiled from ear to ear.
"Just in time, lad!" - the man exclaimed. - "Go in the back, it's ready for the final fitting."
Theo entered the back room while the girls waited outside. A few minutes later, the sound of metal clashing against metal announced his return.
When Theo stepped out, silence reigned again, but this time it was due to awe.
The armor was imposing and sophisticated. It consisted of a dark brown breastplate of plates reinforced with golden mithril edges that formed angular and aggressive patterns. Over the metallic protection, Theo wore his long dark leather coat with golden details on the edges and collar, giving him an air of authority and mystery. The pauldrons were prominent, with upward-pointing tips, and his forearms were protected by articulated gauntlets that followed the same black and gold pattern. His boots, equally reinforced, completed the image of a warrior who neglected not a single vital point.
In his left hand, he carried an exceptional shield. It wasn't a simple sheet of metal; it was a heraldic shield of complex design, with a dark circular center surrounded by golden filigree and engravings reminiscent of wings or flames. The top and bottom ended in sharp points, and the gleam of the mithril in the reliefs made it stand out even in the dim light of the workshop. At his waist hung a claymore with a wide blade and functional design, without excessive ornamentation, ready for real combat.
[Image]
Chris let out a long whistle.
"Wow... now you truly look like an elite adventurer, Theo."
Chris turned toward Darkness, who was completely static. The crusader had red cheeks and her eyes were fixed on Theo, scanning every detail of the armor with a fascination that bordered on devotion.
"And what do you think, Darkness?" - Chris asked with a malicious smile. - "How does our intrepid leader look?"
Darkness reacted with a start, clearing her throat with difficulty.
"H-he looks... very good" - she managed to say. - "The quality is excellent. The armor gives him an imposing presence."
The blacksmith crossed his arms, proud, and commented. - "It's one of my best works. I'm glad to see it worn by someone of your caliber."
Theo observed his reflection, feeling the lightness and freedom of movement that the mithril provided.
"Thank you for your words" - Theo said to the artisan. - "It has exceeded my expectations."
"Well" - the blacksmith said - "a set like this can't go without a name. Have you thought of one?"
Theo smiled sideways, casting a quick glance at Chris.
"The team will be called the Imperturbable Globetrotter."
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The delay was a combination of being busy with university and being too lazy to write a chapter in my free time.
But anyway, the next chapter is the date, although I don't know when it will be because, well, next week I'm going to be very busy with university.
That's what Theo looks like. The image isn't mine, of course, but I had the AI add the armor exactly as I wanted. It was quite a challenge to get it just right (I really liked the result).
I hope you enjoyed the chapter.