"First, let's return to the headquarters of Sky-Covering Wings. Later, I'll send someone to the prince's mansion to inquire. If Prince Philip is available, he'll summon us directly." Freya said as the airship came to a stop. We actually have to wait for a summons?! That's so arrogant! He wanted to mock these high-ranking nobles in his mind, but then he remembered that the other party held the title of prince—a member of the royal family, perhaps the current king's brother, uncle, or something. Not just anyone could meet him on a whim.
"Karyana, go find us a carriage outside. We're heading back now!" "Yes, Chief."
The three of them walked out from where the airship had docked. The area was packed with people, all dressed in flashy clothes, clearly from wealthy families. Many of them had their eyes locked on Freya... and of course, anyone looking at Freya would inevitably notice him standing beside her. So in Sean's vision, the prompt [Being watched...] kept appearing, and the number behind it kept increasing—x2, x3... x4... x5...
"Uh, maybe we should just leave now," Sean suddenly said. Glancing at the stares around him, not only was he being watched by the crowd, but various status effects were popping up above his head.
"Yeah, that's a good idea." Freya seemed to notice the surrounding gazes too. The two of them headed straight out of the airship docking area...
For Sean, Rietis was too big and crowded. He could only follow Freya; otherwise, if he took a wrong turn, he might never find his way again.
"By the way, Sean..." Freya said out of the blue as they walked.
"What's up?"
"Remember what I told you before?"
Before... That question left Sean confused. They'd said so much to each other! Where was he supposed to start?
"When?" he had to ask.
"About our organization. You haven't forgotten, have you... Our little sister would be so pitiful if you forgot her just a few days after parting." Freya spoke ambiguously with a half-smile. Above her head was the status [Teasing!], but she wouldn't elaborate, leaving Sean scratching his head in thought.
The "little sister" she mentioned was probably Ignia, since she was the only one Freya ever called that in all the time they'd known each other. Did she mean I forgot Ignia?
While Sean was puzzled, Karyana came running back, urging a large carriage behind her...
...
At the headquarters of Sky-Covering Wings. Sean had no idea where it was located now. He only remembered that after leaving the airship docking area, they traveled for a long time toward the setting sun, then turned a few corners before arriving.
When he got off the carriage, Sean felt the building before him resembled the grand cathedrals in his memory—spire-like shapes covered almost the entire structure. It was pure white, with a large garden outside. Though not as big as Earl Hamilton's estate, it was beautifully maintained, with most of the flowers in vibrant colors. Just like Freya's taste in clothes—she loved bright hues!
"The Chief is back!" A little girl sweeping the entrance spotted them as they approached. She got excited at the sight of Freya, but above her head were the statuses [Nervous!] and [Surprised!]. [HP 3000/3000, MP 1500/1500, Neutral]... Even a cleaner was a Level 3 Order user.
"The Chief is back!" The call echoed one after another... Suddenly, many people came running from all directions in the courtyard.
As Sean stepped inside, his eyes were drawn to a dragon-like sculpture carved in the center of the yard, its wings spread wide atop a pedestal. It looked a lot like Freya's magical beast, but this one seemed bigger, with more prominent claws and fangs, making it appear fiercer!
"Is that your magical beast?" Sean asked abruptly.
"That's a dragon—a rare type of magical beast. Legend says it was the pet of our first chief... That's why our organization is called Sky-Covering Wings." Freya replied briefly.
A dragon! So, like a giant dragon. Images from stories and novels suddenly popped into Sean's mind. So this world had creatures called dragons too. It did have a bit of a dragon's silhouette—sharp teeth and claws all present—but Sean was still a little disappointed... If this was what dragons looked like in this world, they were barely bigger than oversized pets. Not like the ones in the tales he'd read, which could take human form or save the world.
"Hey, that's a guy." "Yeah, a guy..."
Just as Sean was pondering his imagined dragons, a discussion caught his attention. A guy? He looked at the girls with [Curious!] and [Speculating!] statuses above their heads.
They were probably gossiping among themselves, but their voices were too loud—he could hear them from here. And when he looked at them, they pretended to be shy and looked away, even blaming each other for being "overheard."
What's up with these girls? Is it that strange to see a guy? There were plenty on the streets. Or was it just him?
Only then did Sean realize that since entering this cathedral-like building, everyone he'd seen was female—just varying in age.
"Hey, little witch..." He nudged Karyana with his elbow.
"What?"
"Uh, I mean, Karyana. Is this place all girls?" He couldn't quite believe it but had to ask.
"Of course. Sky-Covering Wings has always only taken talented female wizards to train..." She answered impatiently, then nodded at Sean and said, "You're the first guy I've ever seen here."
Hah~ No wonder...
Memories flashed back to over a week ago in Koga City. Back then, Freya had seriously told him not to mess with the girls in the organization. He hadn't thought much of it at the time, assuming it was just a standard warning from a chief who'd seen his relationship with Ignia. But he never expected this place to be like this.
The only man in a women's organization—that title alone sounded awesome.
He watched Freya walking ahead... She had already draped her red cloak over her shoulders, her bright red hair falling down her back. Her stride was graceful and alluring, the epitome of a strong woman. But above her head appeared the status [Chuckling to herself!].
So she'd heard all that! And she was laughing about it.
"Sean, come inside with me later. I'll show you around the organization. From now on, you're one of us too."