Chapter 198: Departure

After an evening spent with celebration, the next morning eventually arrived. By the time the first rays of the sun intruded upon the glass windows and began to light up the dusk, dark room, Aiden was already up and ready. 

He was slightly concerned, as he did not have the opportunity to lay out the news of the entire truth of yesterday's meeting with Sarah, and his temporary leave from the city because of it. To add to it, Cole already started making plans during the night about the next grand missions their now Rank 2 duo would overtake, starting today.

Last night, Aiden did not have the heart to burst his bubble and simply let him bask in his own glory, at least for one night before he would most likely ruin the mood during this morning's breakfast.

Walking out from the simplistic bathroom, with his face still dripping water, he quickly equipped his usual clothing, the khaki-colored linen pants, similar shirt, and reached for the door to leave the room. Before he did, however, he closed his eyes, and focused on his inner self, searching for a faint flickering light in the dark vastness of his Soul Space. 

Locating the entity, he sighed in relief and quickly returned to reality, afraid to bother or interrupt her recovery.

'She is doing fine, that's good…' He commented inwardly, shaking his head and pushing on the door. 

Approaching the stairs, Aiden was surprised to see the already awake and patiently waiting figure of his friend, the hero-of-yesterday, Cole sitting on their now-usual spot in the far corner, all by his lonesome, with two plates of the breakfast meal already prepared. 

Just as he noticed his friend, Cole also spotted him. His face turned into a cheerful smile, he jumped up and waved at him, motioning, signaling him to get over.

"Hey there Cole, how are you this morning?" Aiden was the one to speak first when he walked over. He had his usual friendly smile stretching across his face, as he looked at his friend, and took his seat across him at the table.

"I couldn't sleep, I was so excited! I still can't completely believe that I have done it you know… Like me, Cole Phamas, did a successful Rank Up, not to mention on my very first try? It's too unbelievable, I still feel as if I am dreaming." 

Speaking, he looked at the plates in front of them, and whilst returning Aiden's friendly smile, he continued.

"I hope you don't mind, but I have already ordered for both of us. The usual, of course!" 

Shaking his head, the smile did not leave Aiden's face as he spoke.

"No, of course, I don't mind. Let's dig in, I also have something important to tell you… But it can wait after we have filled our bellies!" He spoke, and, not giving chance for a response or refusal, he pulled the closest plate in front of him, and began chewing it in."

If nothing else, Aiden had to admit that the food, the delicacies he found in the human world was incredible. Before coming here, he wasn't that interested in taste, the only thing that mattered was the amount of energy they provided to his body. 

While this crucial fact did not change, and it was the number one key factor in deciding what to digest, he found a joyful surprise in the taste of the food offered in this particular establishment. Granny was great at creating desserts for Lily's sweet tooth, but as for cooking? She never really bothered. Both her and Lily's and for that matter, even Number 3's requirements were fulfilled with the simple raw gathered fruits and vegetables. The meat was usually simply cooked with little-to-no seasoning, just the bare minimum. Even so, Aiden wasn't entirely convinced that was done by Granny, as he never really did see her doing anything of the sort.

So, this discovery, the taste of the herbs and seasonings… Were the first new positive discovery of the otherwise grim-looking world of humans.

As they were enjoying their meal, Aiden was suddenly alerted by a familiar presence approaching. Soon enough, the doors to the inn opened, and a curly-haired, chirpy-looking gal appeared in the doorway. She scanned through the thin crowd swiftly with her eyes, and as soon as she spotted their figures, her already smiling face turned even brighter. She quickly galloped over and looked over at their table. 

Although Aiden had already spotted her, Cole was surprised to see Mary appearing at their place so early in the morning. Usually, they met at the guild, after all. 

"Hey guys, got room for one more?" She greeted with a cheery smile, glancing more towards Aiden than Cole.

Understanding the unsaid request, Aiden smiled and silently scooched aside, giving her some space to sit.

Surprised by the familiar voice, Cole looked up from his half-finished breakfast. 

"Huh? M-mary? W-what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the guild already?" He asked between two gulps.

Giggling at her friend's incredulous look, Mary responded with a chirpy tone.

"I guess, I could… I usually just go to the guild and have my breakfast there at the back office… But figured since you guys are eating here every morning, I would rather enjoy it with you two, instead of by myself or those dumbos at the guild…" She spoke, as a momentary frown flashed across her cheery face.

"Oh… I see... Well, happy to have you join us!" Cole spoke, and as he was about to dive back into his plate, he realized that it would be rude to not offer at least some of it to her. He looked back up, and with a slightly troubled undertone, he asked.

"Uhm… do you want some? Or… should I order another one for you?"

Shaking her head, Mary wanted to refuse.

"N-no, no need to, just enjoy yourself, I-" However, before she could finish, a plate appeared in front of them from the side, as Aiden pushed it over. 

"Here, you can take mine, I am full already." 

While that statement wasn't entirely true, his condition and statistics were indeed restored to the max. He did not feel hunger, nor did he ever feel any detriments other than a deteriorating condition in his character screen when he did not eat anything for days. He wasn't entirely sure how often he would need substance, but just like with sleeping it was obvious and clear that he could go on for days when needed.

"I-I can't p-possibly…" Marry stuttered due to the shock that the secret prince of her dreams, her handsome friend, suddenly gave her his own breakfast! Was he only doing to not be rude? Or did he mean more by it? She was desperately clinging to the second possibility. Whilst she was in deep turmoil inwardly, she tried her best to maintain her cheerful and casual attitude on the outside. 

Taking a deep breath, she looked at the plate and was about to gently push it back, but Aiden stopped her, as he reacted faster.

"Don't worry Mary, I am really full. It would just go to waste, so just feel free to enjoy yourself." Seeing the hesitant look on her face, another thought came to his mind, something that his master taught her years ago about personal space and common sense.

"Oh… You don't want to eat my leftovers, right? Sorry, it was rude of me." He grabbed the edge of the plate and wanted to pull it back but this time, he was stopped as the girl repeated his earlier action and grabbed on her newfound breakfast nervously.

"No! Don't! I-I… I want it!" Realizing what she had just said, her face instantly turned beet red. Shaking her head, she quickly corrected. "I mean, I am hungry, and I don't mind this plate at all! In fact, I'm happy and delighted that you would offer it to me!"

She quickly, afraid of his refusal, grabbed the edges of the plate and not minding the used cutlery, quickly began to rapidly chortle up its contents.

Smiling at her reaction, Aiden did not mind and did not try to take back the plate anymore, he smiled at her shenanigans, and enjoyed as his two friends finished their meal in relative silence. 

Only once they completely emptied the plates in front of them, did he speak again.

"It is actually rather lucky to have you join us this morning Mary, I have something important that I have to tell both of you." Although he was still smiling, he turned serious slightly scaring the two.

"What is it Aiden? What is bothering you?" Cole asked, worried about his friend's sudden change of tone.

"Yeh, what is bothering you? You can tell us, Aiden!" Mary added, with the same worried look as Cole, her earlier shyness quickly vanishing from her mind.

"I…" Taking a sigh, Aiden decided to just quickly throw the bomb out into the open, and not run circles around the subject. "I will need to leave the city for a few days on an important assignment from the guild. Before you ask…" He looked at Cole with a wry smile on his face. "...I can't take you with me this time, sorry."