After accepting the mission, Lily wasted no time returning to her room.
Her steps were quick, almost restless.
This is it… my first real mission outside.
The thought lingered in her mind as she pushed the door open and began packing.
She grabbed her small handheld bag and placed it on the bed. One by one, she added her belongings—a change of clothes, her school emblem, Arlen's card, and the mana restoration bottles she had been saving for emergencies.
She paused briefly, staring at the bottles.
Don't waste them unless you have to…
Her fingers tightened slightly before she closed the bag.
No hesitation.
She slung it over her shoulder and headed straight back to the guildmaster's office.
The guildmaster looked up as she entered.
"Ah, you're back. I forgot to mention a few things earlier."
Lily stood quietly, waiting.
"First, the party is meeting tomorrow at around 6:00 a.m., so you should get some proper rest. I've heard you tend to stay up late."
Lily looked away.
Who told him that…?
She didn't respond, only giving a small motion for him to continue.
"The last thing is… this."
He pulled out a small pendant.
"This is a mid-rank tool. It allows you to teleport back to a preset location if you inject mana into it."
Lily reached out and took it.
It felt light.
Too light for something so important.
The guildmaster's expression shifted.
"Lily… if anything goes wrong, use it. Don't risk your life for this mission."
His voice was firm.
Serious.
For a moment, Lily hesitated.
Run away…?
That wasn't something she liked the sound of.
But…
"…Okay. I promise."
It wasn't a strong answer.
But it was enough.
Back in her room, Lily sat on the edge of her bed, the pendant resting in her palm.
Then her gaze shifted to the cloak.
She picked it up, running her fingers along the fabric.
Imitation… what does that even mean…?
She stared at it for a while longer.
No answers came.
Eventually, exhaustion won.
She lay down—
—and fell asleep.
Lily woke up at 5:30.
She groaned softly, dragging herself out of bed.
Too early…
After washing up, she put on the cloak.
It settled over her shoulders naturally.
Comfortably.
Still don't get it… but it feels nice at least.
Grabbing her staff and bag, she stepped outside.
The city was already alive.
Sunlight spilled across the streets, and the market buzzed with activity. Vendors called out to customers, carts rolled over stone roads, and people lined up at stalls.
Lily walked quietly through it all.
…It's kind of peaceful.
Not silent.
But steady.
Predictable.
Her steps slowed as she approached a bakery.
The smell alone was enough to pull her in.
A few minutes later, she walked out with a warm piece of bread shaped like a mug.
She took a bite.
The crust cracked lightly beneath her teeth, giving way to a soft, fluffy interior. Warmth spread instantly, carrying a rich buttery taste with just a hint of sweetness.
Lily paused mid-step.
…This is really good.
She took another bite.
And another.
By the time she reached the guild, half of it was gone.
Kane was already there.
Sitting.
Waiting.
Staring at the floor.
…Why did I agree to this…
His fingers tightened slightly.
A real party.
Real people.
More strangers.
His chest felt tight just thinking about it.
Just don't mess up…
That was enough.
That had to be enough.
The guild doors opened.
Kane glanced up—
—and froze.
…Lily?
He immediately looked back down.
Why is she here…?
Lily stepped into the guild, still holding her bread.
She walked into the pub area and sat down.
Then she saw him.
"…Kane?"
Her eyes widened slightly.
He's here too…?
Before she could think further, someone approached.
"Excuse me, are you Miss Lily?"
She turned and nodded.
"I'm the party leader. Come with me."
They gathered around a table.
Lily sat.
Kane sat.
Neither looked at each other.
"My name is Benson Gray. Knight. Main attacker."
Confident, Lily noted.
"I'm Christina Brown. Alchemist. Support."
She seems… nice.
"John Marine. Paladin. Tank."
Big…
"…Kane Wall. Mage. Support dealer."
Still the same… Lily thought.
"And you?" Benson asked.
Lily hesitated.
"I—I'm Lily. Mage… secondary dealer."
"OKAY!" Benson clapped loudly.
Both Lily and Kane flinched slightly.
"Since we don't know you two well, we'll run a small test."
Lily blinked. "Wait—you three already know each other?"
"Of course," Benson grinned. "Ten years together."
Then—
in perfect sync—
"Our party name is The Colored Wolves. Remember it."
Lily stayed silent.
Kinda loud…
The air felt different there.
Open.
Clear.
Serious.
"Targets first. Then a duel," Benson said.
Kane stepped forward.
Don't mess up…
He raised his hand.
Mana gathered.
Expanded.
Then—
BOOM.
A wide explosion consumed all three targets instantly.
Dust scattered.
Silence followed.
…Too much?
Kane lowered his hand.
Lily stepped forward calmly.
No need to overdo it.
Wind gathered at her fingertips.
A precise strike—
Then water—
Clean.
Controlled.
Each target fell separately.
Kane stood across from Benson.
He's strong…
Too strong.
Kane swallowed.
Don't use it…
No mana explosion.
Just elemental magic.
Fire.
Wind.
Water.
He attacked carefully.
Defensively.
But Benson pushed forward relentlessly.
Each strike heavier than the last.
Too fast—
A misstep.
A gap.
And—
Kane was defeated.
"…I see," Benson said.
Kane looked down.
…Of course.
Lily stepped in.
Her eyes sharp.
He's straightforward… but experienced.
She moved.
Not attacking.
Setting.
Layer by layer.
Invisible traps formed across the field.
Benson advanced.
Confident.
Aggressive.
Just as she expected.
Step there…
A slight shift.
His rhythm faltered.
Now another…
His timing slipped.
More pressure.
More disruption.
Then—
He overcommitted.
A single opening.
There.
Lily struck.
Clean.
Decisive.
Silence.
"…Well then," Benson said slowly.
A grin spread across his face.
"This is interesting."
After that They rested.
Drinks were brought out—non-alcoholic.
Christina leaned forward, smiling.
"You two are so cute."
Lily blinked.
Kane froze.
John replied " careful they are still students"
"Wait—you're both this young?" Benson added.
John just laughed.
Kane sat quietly, holding his drink.
She won…
Of course she did.
She's strong.
Stronger than him.
Again.
His grip tightened slightly.
…I need to get better.
Lily took a small sip.
Her gaze drifted.
Towards Kane.
He held back…
She noticed.
Why…?
They were both so deep in thought they didn't realize they were both staring directly at each other!
The party members watched in amusement with their thoughts in unison
oh !.. the feeling of youth