Gifts

“Aila... Miss Aila, when did you get here?” Blake asked, looking at Aila with a panicked expression as she seemed to appear out of thin air.

“I just arrived. I heard someone calling my name while I was still outside the gate, so I came in to see who it was. I can’t help it if my hearing is just that good! So, don’t go saying bad things about me behind my back!”

Aila spoke as she pointed to her long, slender ears. She pulled over a chair and sat down.

“I’m sorry... I’ve been dragging Sister Aila out lately. Blake, did you need something from her?”

Rosal walked in from outside and joined them. She looked a bit travel-worn and hadn't even put away her yet, clearly having just returned from the Adventurers Guild.

Blake calmed down a bit and finally expressed the idea he had been dwelling on to Aila.

“You’re saying you want to join ? It’s possible... however, with your current strength, even if I recommend you, you’ll still have to pass an entrance exam. Also, you’re different from me. Once you join an adventuring group, the higher-ups will assign you missions. How would you be able to follow him then?”

Aila listened carefully to his description, her brow furrowing slightly. As she answered, she glanced at Midir, her eyes asking why Blake had suddenly come up with such an idea.

“Miss Aila, can’t there be an exception?” Blake asked urgently, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

“I’m just stating the facts. Unless...” Aila hesitated, her words trailing off.

“Unless what?”

“Unless... you get Midir to join the adventuring group too. With his abilities, he wouldn't be assigned too many miscellaneous tasks... In that case, he could use his authority to take you along... Well, that’s roughly how it would work,” Aila said slowly, glancing at Midir again.

“How did this get dragged back to me?” Midir, who had been content to watch the scene play out, rubbed the bridge of his nose.

“I’m scouting talent for the group, aren't I? Haven't you been bothered lately about how to deal with the people trying to recruit you? If you come to my group, all of that will be solved. Don’t worry, I won’t mistreat you if I’m the one introducing you.”

As she spoke, Aila seemed to have convinced herself. She patted her chest and spoke to Midir with confidence.

“Hmm... how about this? Since you said Blake needs an exam, let him take your group's exam first. If he passes, I’ll join after I return from Crown Peak. How does that sound?”

Seeing the expectant looks on their faces, Midir gave a compromising answer after a moment of thought.

“That works! It would be dangerous for Blake to go to the Valley of Ice with his current strength anyway. It’s better to let him sharpen himself elsewhere first. By the time you get back, you should be able to take him to places that aren't as dangerous.”

After receiving Midir’s affirmative answer, Aila agreed immediately without a second thought. After all, recruiting someone like Midir was a huge win for her.

“Great! I’ll work hard!” Blake had assumed Midir wouldn't accept Aila’s invitation and had almost given up hope, but hearing this plan set a fire in his heart once more.

“Then you’d better prepare for some hellish training. Your current state isn't quite enough; you definitely need to improve.” Aila slapped Blake heavily on the back. Caught off guard, he stumbled, but a happy smile was already on his face.

“Um... excuse me... if Mr. Blake can join... what about me? Can I?” Watching the group return to a cheerful atmosphere, Rosal, who was sitting to the side, weakly raised her hand and asked.

“Of course you can. After all, you’re practically my half-disciple. Passing the exam should be easier for you than for Blake. Master Blake, you’d better step it up! If you can’t keep up with Rosal, the pressure will be on~”

Aila reached out and doted on the young girl by patting her head. She looked at Blake with a smile, her voice trailing off playfully.

Seeing the three of them regain their usual spirits, Midir breathed a sigh of relief. He watched them with a smile, a glint of light in his eyes.

In the days that followed, Blake resumed his high-intensity daily sparring with Rosal to make rapid progress. Filled with hope, his moves even seemed to flow more smoothly.

Midir also finished organizing everything for his journey. On the day before his departure, he prepared another feast for the three of them, and they coincidentally gave him a huge surprise in return.

At the dinner table after the meal, Rosal shyly took a wrapped sky-blue scarf from her bag and handed it to Midir.

“Mr. Midir, you mentioned before that you like blue... I had Sister Aila accompany me on a commission a while ago to get this. The scarf is woven from the silk of a Sapphire Silkworm. It has very good insulation. Since you’re going to the Valley of Ice, it should be helpful...”

The texture of the scarf was delicate and incredibly smooth. It shimmered with a beautiful glow under the light, looking like a slowly flowing starry sky. Rosal had even specially woven two shooting star patterns onto it with golden thread.

As Midir looked at the gift in his hands, a wave of warmth flowed through his heart. Across the table, the smiling Aila casually tossed a white spherical object over.

Subconsciously reaching out to catch it, Midir found a milky-white stone about the size of a ping-pong ball, as warm and smooth as jade.

“Little Rosal put a lot of effort into preparing that scarf for you. I’m not as meticulous as her, so I’ll give you a communication stone. These things aren't easy to come by, and not everyone can have one. If you run into a problem you can’t solve, you can use it to contact me,” Aila explained cheerfully, her tone carrying a hint of concern.

“Miss Aila actually gave such a valuable item as a communication stone. Does that make my gift look a bit inadequate?” Blake scratched his head in embarrassment when he saw the white stone in Midir’s hand.

“It’s the thought that counts. By the way, what did you prepare? The two of us haven't seen you making any preparations!” Aila leaned in curiously, looking at Blake’s empty hands.

“Wait, my gift can’t be brought inside. I had the people from the Duke’s estate deliver it after dinner. It should be here by now.”

Blake glanced at the street outside, which was gradually darkening, and signaled for the others to follow him out.

...

“Wow! A griffin! What a beautiful griffin!”

As soon as the three stepped out, they saw a guard from Blake’s house standing straight at the door. In his hand, he held the lead of a tall exotic beast with the body of a lion, the head of an eagle, and wings on its back. Rosal excitedly walked forward to take a closer look.

The griffin before them was sturdily built, about the size of a common pack beast. Aside from its snow-white head, its entire body was a beautiful and thick yellow. Its fur was sleek and shiny, gleaming with a beautiful pale gold light under the streetlamps.

Its massive wings were tucked against its sides. Feeling a bit bored, it watched Rosal approach, gave its body a light shake, and lowered its head to look at the girl with its large golden eyes.

“Ho, this is quite a grand gesture. While griffins aren't exactly rare, domesticated ones are very precious. Even your family probably doesn't have many, right?”

Aila spoke as she walked forward and extended her hand toward the griffin. The griffin was very well-behaved and nudged her palm with its large beak.

Sensing the griffin’s goodwill, Aila gently stroked its chin. Under her gentle touch, the griffin let out a comfortable purr like a kitten.

Midir was also seeing such a beautiful and magical creature for the first time. He walked up, wanting to stroke it like Aila had, but the griffin unceremoniously turned its head away, instead looking at Aila with a somewhat fawning expression.

“Haha, this fellow seems to like Miss Aila more. Mr. Midir has been rejected!” Rosal couldn't help but laugh when she saw the griffin’s almost human-like expression.

“It might be because of Miss Aila’s elven blood. Even domesticated griffins have a bit of a temper, but the elven race has a natural affinity for nature’s creatures. Maybe that’s why it’s closer to Miss Aila?”

Blake also chuckled. He took the reins tied to the griffin’s head from the guard and gently pulled its head back, forcing it to look Midir in the eye.

“Does it have a name? What is it called?” Midir didn't take offense at the griffin’s coldness after hearing the explanation. He simply tilted his head and asked Blake.

...