Giana and I had a relaxing week while the rest of the team finished the mission. She didn’t manage to get over her fear of the dark and being left alone.

  It had been a while since I was this relaxed. I had given Giana the rundown on how Misha behave as Witchaven would be our next destination. I had also let her read information I had stolen about potion making, Misha healing magic and barriers while she tutored me on how to be less shit in [Transforms].

  “I feel like we’ve become closer in this week.” Giana said, as her song drew the attention of everyone in the park. She told me that her mermaid identity allowed for her to do crazy and impossible things with her voice like singing and talking at the same time or putting a choir to shame just by herself as she can currently sing with 17 voices at the same time.

  I hope the same counts for the rest…

  This would be the place where we would meet up, but they were late. Raishin and Noelle arrived first.

  Oh hoh, is that progress I, see?

  Yes! But the rest of the mission was quite boring after you two left, how are you feeling?

  “I’m fine.” Giana said and went to socialize with Noelle who seemed in a great mood.

  So, what happened? Where are Greg and Yvonne?

  I tried to listen to what Noelle says and not what I think she says!

  How are you this dumb… and Greg and Yvonne?

  Raishin seemed uncomfortable. They will come a bit later… I’m sorry Agnis, I tried, but I think you have to fix this… Greg and Noelle kept fighting.

  I guess my time to relax is over.

  I’m sorry…

  I don’t know why but I got the feeling that Raishin did his best to make it work out. I don’t think he has the social skills to fix this, neither do I so it’s up to Giana who has but… not sure how well that will go.

  And it started out so well…

  I was thinking and I’m not sure but… do you think it was a good idea to have them join our team?

  Raishin seemed to regret asking that question, but I think it’s important to ask questions like that.

  It was a terrible idea and I told them that when they first brought it up, but I’m not a god, so I can’t force them to do anything. They chose this by themselves, but there is something you need to remind yourself of.

  I looked over to Giana and Noelle who didn’t seem to be listening in.

  The three of them have a different goal than us, is what I’ve confirmed. We were and are focused on finding Hourai. Do you think they share that goal? Past and present? Is starting an idol group something, you do while looking for your hometown?

  Raishin thought about it and it seemed to click.

  Oh right, then what is their goal? Do you know?

  Nope, but I think I have a good guess; to not end up alone. We’re immortal, the surrounding mortals will die sooner or later. How many mortal deaths will we or they endure before we either don’t bother or seek immortal companionship?

  Is that why they seem to put so much effort in trying to get to know us?

  Well, it’s just my theory. It’s that and probably also to keep us alive, as being immortal doesn’t mean that we will live forever…

  I see that makes a lot of sense… so what will happen when our goals clash?

  Huh?

  What if finding Hourai.

  Raishin put one hand to his side .

  Puts our lives at risk?

  He said as he put his other hand to the side indicating some sort of scale.

  Oh, dunno. That’s a good question. Let’s hope we don’t find out…

  Is it going to cause another fight like this one?

  Probably not, it will be a bigger fight…

  We both sighed.

  Why is life so hard?

  I know right?

  So, what have you been up to while we were away?

  Raishin seemed to insinuate something that wasn’t funny.

  Well, we surely got closer but not like that, I actually need to ask Noelle something. How is she?

  Well, I told her about how Greg’s aura seems similar to a demon and she said she was a goddess right?

  Demi-god but yeh.

  Maybe his edgy demon like aura is clashing with her goddess aura!

  So, it’s not just me that thinks Greg’s aura matches those of demons, but Raishin has made an interesting point.

  That might be the smartest thing you’ve said in a while, I will keep an eye on it but I meant between you and Noelle.

  Getting there! I have seen the error in my ways!

  Raishin said while confidently slapping his biceps. I’m not sure if that’s the appropriate gesture for this situation, but Raishin sucks at faking things. He either is truthful or he thinks that he is, I will also have to keep an eye out on this.

  Do you mean if I talk to Noelle for a bit? Can you keep Giana company in the meantime?

  Of course! You don’t have to ask! I know that you won’t steal her away and you’re her little brother, huehue.

  Ugh, not you too well, I just thought that it might be polite to ask.

  Raishin smacked my back, launching me toward Noelle.

  We’re friends! There’s no need for that!

  “It’s good to see you’re doing well lil’ bro!” Noelle also gave me a smack on my back and launched me. “Woops!” She stopped and I got nailed to the ground. “Sorry.”

  It’s in moments like these that make me think you’re perfect for Raishin, can we talk? I’m sorry Deca, can you talk to Raishin for a bit?”

  “Sure! Hey Raishin! Want to hear some of Noelle’s secrets?!”

  Oh yes!

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  “Hey Giana!”

  I gestured for us to move away a bit further.

  “What is it lil’ bro, I don’t see you this serious often, it’s about what happened during our mission isn’t it?”

  Uh, not really but we can talk about it later. You see Giana has developed a fear of being in the dark but more importantly a fear of being alone. I wanted to get closer in the past week, but I couldn’t… I felt as if I was taking advantage of the situation…

  Noelle sighed, sat down and put up a serious face. “You really are socially retarded, aren’t ya?”

  Huh?

  “Look, I admire that you are trying to be considerate but… if she never got sealed away, do you think she would have wished for something else?”

  How would I know?

  Noelle smiled. “And that’s exactly the problem! Don’t go off what you think she would think! Just ask her and… I don’t think she would mind even if you would take advantage of her, that chick is crazy about you, you know? She might even get frustrated because you are playing it safe and taking more of a human route than a 9t route.”

  But I grew up between humans, I don’t know what the 9t route is…

  “I’m a 7t, so I don’t know either, but as a member of a race that’s also extinct I can tell, you’re acting as if you have the luxury of a race that’s abundant. Go out there, make me proud and turn me into an auntie!”

  In our current situation?

  “Right, you have a point there… Just do whatever is in between how you act now and my suggestion, it will all work out. And don’t forget, go off what she thinks not what you think she might think!”

  I see, thank you, you might be the only one I can talk about these topics. Now about you and Greg…

  “Ugh, you switch up topics too abruptly! Don’t you want to talk more about Giana?!” Noelle said while showing slight discomfort.

  Wow, the first time a 7t is trying to dodge something!

  “Very funny, lil’ bro. Fine, come at me!”

  Right, I am not telling you to forget what Greg did, but can you let it pass? He is perhaps as socially retarded as I am.

  Noelle crossed her arms. “I disagree, I’m sure that you wouldn’t act like he did in that situation. And it’s not on me to forgive him, it’s up to Giana.”

  She looked over and I followed her gaze. Noelle was looking at Giana, who was teasing Raishin and making a fool out of him. It was heartwarming to see that she could get along with at least one of my friends.

  You might be right… I will talk to Greg, could you try to be a bit more patient with him? Raishin and I have been trying to crack his head open for years, we might have to do so physically if this goes on. Will you let me handle this?

  “Giana told me that you believe that you make for a terrible leader. I’m with her and disagree, I think you’re doing great.”

  Just trying to not be shit, you guys give me too much credit.

  Greg and Yvonne appeared in the distance. Yvonne seemed timid and unsure to do, as Greg was in some sort of edge mode and drawing women to himself.

  Yvonne had to point him in the right direction several times, but they weren’t making any progress.

  His edginess pisses me off. It’s time to bring it down a notch.

  I created a frost bow and attached a [Flour Time Bomb] at the shaft, and let the arrow fly.

  Hehe, he won’t be able to defend against this!

  The arrow flew straight at him, curved up to evade the mass of women and dove back down for a direct hit.

  Yvonne noticed in time and jumped away. A flour cloud eliminated all the edginess in the direct area.

  “Oh, great leadership lil’ bro! Give him another one!”

  Eh? Why not!?

  Another arrow exploded in a fine flour dust cloud.

  Well look at that I created a flour field.

  “haha! Won’t you get into trouble for this? I sure love fox pranks!”

  AGNIS!

  Does that mean he wants more?

  At least I made Noelle laugh. I teleported over to him and shooed away the ghosts in flour dresses.

  Ahh all better, a white flour suit suits you handsomely, you could get some dough for this suitable floury appearance if you get kneady for some gold.

  Those puns aren’t funny!

  Sealing my Deca isn’t either, now what’s the deal with this edge aura? You look like a demon.

  I did what I could, and my aura is fundamentally different from demons.

  Oh really? Because at the moment, it feels like you’re a super villain. You aren’t going to exclaim ‘Haha, foolish amateurs, the villain was me all along!’ after we get through all this bullshit and find Hourai right?

  Don’t be ridiculous!

  Hey Greg, you have a serious problem, half the team is upset with you and the other half doesn’t really want to talk about it. What’s going on with you, dude? It feels as if you’re closing yourself off from us.

  There is nothing wrong with me. I’ve been acting like I’ve always done, it’s you two who have changed. I never expected women to change you two this much.

  ‘Women’? You’re talking as if they’re some unrelated distant people, they’re our teammates, partners and share our hometown Greg…

  Those factors are all outside of my control, I never chose for it to be that way.

  Greg dusted himself off and his Jarn suit responded by getting rid of all the flour. Can my bathrobe do that too? I thought it was ruined! Wait I need to focus!

  Can you at least act cooperative toward them? You don’t have to like it, but we’re a team now.

  I will do my best, but I can’t promise anything,

  Greg walked over to the team but kept some distance, made a bench out of vines and started to read.

  Being a leader sure sucks, as I would just beat him up and crack his skull open so he understands. Now I have to exhaust other options first… Cracking his head open will feel so good.

  I started making plans on how to do this effectively when Yvonne returned.

  I apologize on his behalf Yv…

  “I…it’s not your fault… l…lets join the others.”

  We got together besides Greg, but he could hear us from here.

  Right, it was messy but we more or less completed our first mission! Who would have thought that infighting would be the true challenge… anyway, we’re heading for Witchaven now! I have given Giana the rundown of how things work, so the two of us will be leading this adventure! Now things might have drastically changed, so make sure you have a 9t with you at all time as shit will go down. It’s not a matter of ‘if’ it’s a matter of ‘when’.

  “Yes, so as you know, witches or more accurately Misha, are all women which means Raishin and Gregory need to be extra careful.” Giana continued.

  Raishin raised his hand.

  “Yes, Crazy Lightning?”

  It’s Sexy Lightning!

  Crazy Firecracker…

  Ugh, now I have to deal with 2 9t trolling me… But! Agnis is a dude too! Doesn’t he need to be careful?”

  “Uh, you know that he has infiltrated there before, right?”

  Didn’t he get caught?

  “That’s what I’m for! I gave him tips on [Transform] and behavior to be a more convincing Misha! Although…” Giana paused.

  Their lack of humor is probably going to get Giana and me caught sooner than later, Raishin is at risk too, assuming he can pull off a Misha disguise. Greg, Noelle and Yvonne are our only hope. Noelle… just don’t start making fun of anyone else, you will get found out…

  Noelle nodded. “I will do my best, but they will get it if they deserve it!”

  Anyways we will get into more detail once we get closer. Any questions for now?

  Are we going to meet Azu?

  Uhh unlikely but who knows, let’s go!

  follow if the story is interesting enough.

  Ayaru Mistflower