Chapter 243: Little Troublemaker

As they approached the table, Mia motioned for Adrian to wait. She sneaked up behind Irithel, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Despite Mia's stealth, Irithel's keen senses had already picked up on her presence. Still, she played along, pretending to be engrossed in her conversation.

"Boo!" Mia exclaimed, jumping up behind Irithel.

Irithel feigned a startle, turning around with wide eyes. "Oh, Mia! You got me!"

Mia giggled, clearly pleased with herself. "Sister Irithel, I wanted to introduce you to someone. Someone from the academy!"

Irithel raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Oh? Who might that be? Did a student pick up the mission we posted yesterday?"

Mia nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, And... ta-da!" She turned dramatically to reveal Adrian standing nearby.

Irithel's eyes widened in genuine surprise as her eyes landed on Adrian. 'Sir A-Adrian?' She was at a loss for words as she never expected to see him here.

Mia beamed with pride. "See, I told you, Brother Adrian. Sister Irithel is amazing! She even won the Beast Tamers Challenge event in the Tournament you know! And she is friends with all the other famous freshmen like the All-Healing-Mage, and Elemental Swordsman, not to mention with the Academy's Princess, Miss Aria."

"Umm... Mia-"

Irithel wanted to stop Mia from embarrassing both themselves and Adrian but the eccentric Mia continue.

"Here is a secret! She..." Mia paused as if she was saying something mysterious. "She is even close friends with the most famous freshman of the Academy - The Sweet Silent Devil!"

"Sweet what?" Adrian replied dumbfounded. 'When did I have such a nickname?'

"The Sweet Silent Devil!" Mia replied laughing. "Everyone calls him that in the city you know."

"Hmph, only girls call him that." Finn finally spoke up. "Us, boys, call him the Deadly Silent Devil!"

"D-Deadly?" Adrian was yet again dumbfounded. 'Damn, who even created that?!'

"Umm..." Irithel cleared her throat, her cheeks tinged with a slight blush. "M-Mia, Finn, let's not overwhelm Mister Adrian with all this information."

Mia giggled, unfazed. "But it's true, Sister Irithel! You're amazing, and everyone should know it!"

Adrian chuckled, finding the situation both amusing and funny. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Miss Irithel. Mia and Finn have told me a lot about you."

"!" Irithel was confused by Adrian's words. Didn't they already know each other... Or... 'Ah! These two don't know who he is! Then I should act along with him.'

"I-It's nice to see you again t-too, S-Sir Adrian..." But she still couldn't get over her embarrassment.

"Again?" Mia asked her ears perked up. "Have you seen Brother Adrian before? Don't tell me-!?"

Adrian who was about to reply to Irithel looked at Mia. 'This girl is really something else. She has the same personality as the little sister character of some animes...'

"Sister Irithel, do you perhaps..." Mia approached Irithel and whispered. "...like him?"

"!" Irithel's eyes widened in an instant, her pointy ears twitching uncontrollably, her heart beating faster as she tried to process Mia's whispered question. "L-like...?" she stammered, feeling her cheeks heat up.

"Hehe," Mia giggled, delighted with her discovery. "Finn, Sister Irithel-"

Before she could finish, Mia was suddenly yanked away by her ears. "Ow, ow, ow!" she yelped.

A woman with fox ears and a tail, dressed like a housewife, appeared behind Mia. "Enough, you little troublemaker," she scolded, her voice firm but gentle. "You're troubling our guests."

"N-no, Mom, I'm not!" Mia protested, struggling to free herself.

Finn instantly hid behind Adrian, peeking out to watch his mother discipline his sister.

The woman sighed, pulling Mia away from the group. "Come on, let's give them some space." She continued to nag softly, "Honestly, Mia, you need to learn when to stop."

Irithel, still recovering from her embarrassment, looked at the woman gratefully. "Thank you, Mrs. Rena."

Mrs. Rena, Mia and Finn's mother, nodded and then turned to Adrian. "I apologize for my daughter's behavior. She's a bit too enthusiastic sometimes." She smiled warmly, gesturing towards a seat. "Please, have a seat."

Adrian, still amused by the whole situation, nodded and took the offered seat. "Thank you, Mrs. Rena. It's no trouble at all."

Mia, now standing next to her mother with her ears drooping, looked genuinely contrite. "Sorry, Brother Adrian, Sister Irithel. I got carried away."

Adrian smiled at her. "It's alright, Mia. Just don't overdo it next time."

Finn, still hiding behind Adrian, peeked out and gave a small nod in agreement.

Mrs. Rena sighed and turned back to Irithel. "I hope Mia didn't cause you too much trouble."

Irithel shook her head, smiling. "No trouble at all, Mrs. Rena. Mia and Finn have been a great help."

"Then, I will leave you alone. Have a good meal." Mrs. Rena smiled at the two.

"Come on Mia, you will be going with me."

"B-But! O-ok." Mia wanted to retort but one glare from Mrs. Rena was enough for her.

"Finn, you too."

"!... Fine..." Finn who was still hiding grumbled and followed after them to the other side of the table.

Adrian then sat down on the chair beside Irithel, since it was the only one free. He saw other staff looking at Mrs. Rena and the kids with laughs and chuckles. It seems this was a daily occurrence.

Smiling to himself, he picked up the spoon and started eating.

After a while, Adrian glanced at Irithel, noticing she still seemed a bit flustered. "So, Miss Irithel, this was the place Instructor Elara recommended you?"

"Eh, ah, right." Irithel, startled, replied. "I have been working here for two months in my free time. But I didn't expect you to see you here, Sir Adrian."

"Well, I wanted to apply what I learned in the course. Then I saw this mission today morning, so I decided to apply to it. The rewards are nice as well." Adrian replied. "Besides I think it might be useful for this little and me."

Irithel's eyes shifted to the small hedgehog resting on Adrian's left shoulder. "Right, you finally succeded in hatching your egg, right? I saw it in the classroom but couldn't talk with you. Argh! Sorry, I haven't even congratulated you!"

"Congratulations!"

"Haha, thank you." Adrian smiled slightly. "But, I don't see your little companion. Is he not here?"

"Ah, you are talking about Ignis. He's here, but..." Irithel stopped. "He's r-resting now, right resting..."

Adrian's raised his eyebrow clearly sensing her lie. But he didn't want to trouble her so he didn't pry any further. "Ah, I see... Then, let's continue eating. We got still work to do after all..."

"R-Right. Let's finish the lunch first..."

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