Chapter 235 - Love Rival

Love Rival

Then again, she was as good as exposed as well. I was more annoyed when the restaurant people recognized us from the last time we were here…

“Eat more, Asagi. It is my treat.”

“Thanks.”

While we were a party, we managed our own money separately. Your treat? Do you mean the party funds? Stuff like that didn’t happen. It was good to hold onto your hard-earned money.

The slices of meat were thick today as well. It was as if they had gotten a good grasp on what Daniela liked. It wasn’t the most appetizing sight… I wondered if they had tripe.

But they kept bringing more and more meat. They knew she could eat it. Just like yesterday, I focused on cooking and trying to make her happy.

“Asagi. I believe that one is ready.”

“No, not yet.”

“But I am hungry…”

“It’s best to eat it when it’s just right.”

I had become an expert, it seemed. Still, Daniela could not complain about the results, and she even said, ‘I want you to cook meat for me tomorrow as well.’ That made me regret it a little. But, well, at least I could see her smile… Though, I would have to make her eat some vegetables later as well.

Eventually, the smell seduced me, and I ate until I was stuffed. And then we both left the building very satisfied. As we had been in there for a while, the crowd outside was now dispersed. It was quieter, even if the festivities continued.

“Let’s go back…”

“Yes.”

We dragged out heavy bodies forward. I didn’t hate that sensation of being stuffed after eating meat…I don’t know, it was different, somehow. The memory of its taste lingered, of course…but also the memory of how fun it was. Perhaps it was because I was with someone I liked.

The night sky was clear, making the stars very visible. They were so bright that they looked like they might fall down at any moment. Next to me, Daniela smelled of our dinner. Well, so did I.

It was very relaxing. I was glad that I was with her.

And it was with such feelings and smells that we held hands and walked back to our room.

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The next morning, we gave our clothes over to people in charge of laundry and then headed for the arena. We woke up earlier than usual in order to do it, but it turned out to be more time consuming than expected. And so we had to hurry.

“Hey, Daniela. Come on.”

“I am tired…”

“So am I.”

We had stayed up quite late talking, which meant a lack of sleep. I thought that moving my body like this would help me wake up, but…it didn’t.

Still, we had to go. Lemon would have saved us seats today as well. As Daniela had let it spill that it was hard to see anything, she would have gotten front row seats this time. She was very diligent.

“We finally arrived…”

“Uh, good morning. Mister Asagi, Miss Daniela.”

“Good morning… Here you go.”

“Yes, thank you.”

We greeted the same guy and handed in the cards. You’d think they’d just let us in, but rules are rules.

“Oh, are you a light elf?”

A voice called from behind us. Well, it was obviously not calling to me… Still, I turned around to see who it was.

“Oh, Adlus.”

“Hmm? Have we met?”

“No…”

It was the handsome guy with the platinum blond hair. I hadn’t meant to say that out loud.

“Who are you?”

“Adlus Brasilf. A light elf, just like you.”

“I see. Asagi, Lemon will be waiting for us.”

“Uh, yeah.”

I was shocked at her ability to take no account of someone. He had said his name but she hadn’t given hers. I would want to cry in his position…

“Wait a minute. It is quite regrettable that you ignore me of all people.”

“I do not see a reason that I should give you any of my time.”

“But we are of the same race. Perhaps this is fate?”

“What utter nonsense. You have wasted enough of my time already.”

Sparks flew. …Well, it seemed like they were. His methods weren’t exactly the most commendable, but Daniela was acting rather odd as well. I don’t know. It was like they were somehow very incompatible.

“Hey, you.”

Adlus looked towards me.

“Uh, yeah?”

“Give up this woman. A light elf should walk with a light elf. Your kind does not live long enough to be a suitable match. Ah, yes. I will pay you off. Then you can withdraw.”

These words were so sudden and so meaningless that I was at a loss for words for an instant.

What? Money? Leave? What was he saying about Daniela?

“All right, you handsome bastard… There are things you should never say…”

My voice shook with rage.

“You are the one with the ungoverned tongue. We are elves, the chosen race.”

“Chosen? Daniela is wonderful and beautiful, I’ll give you that. And light elves are indeed a great race…”

“So you understand? Then…”

Adlus offered his hand to Daniela, completing misunderstanding me. I grabbed his wrist with the intention of crushing it.

“However, in spite of appearances, you’re just full of shit. In fact, you’re not even scum!!”

“Let go of my hand. Or else…”

“Or else what?”

Magic energy began to blow around Adlus as he looked down at me. Was this a threat? Stupid bastard. That wasn’t enough to make me back down.

“Perhaps I’ll kill you?”

The calmness in his voice nearly made me blow a fuse. That was one thing not to be said lightly. Back in Japan, such threats would just lead to a fight. But in this world, people could actually die.

It didn’t help that I was already angry. Cold air was already gathering around my feet.

“Then give it your best shot.”

Ice crackled on the floor. Adlus’s own magic stopped it from reaching him, but the area surrounding him was starting to freeze.

But then something tapped my shoulder. I turned and saw Daniela. I had been so aggravated that I hadn’t noticed that she was reacting in the same way. The magic energy that was flowing from her was crazy

“That is enough. No one ridicules my Asagi to that extant.”

“Hmph… So you’re Asagi. You haven’t been an Adventurer for long, have you? Still, you won’t earn my forgiveness easily.”

“I don’t want it. But come at me again, and I’ll ensure you’ll never want to walk the streets again.”

I tightened my grip once more before letting go. Tsk. I was almost disappointed it didn’t break. He was incredibly strong…

“Daniela. We’ll meet again.”

“I hope you will bring a written will next time.”

“Hmph. You are a feisty one… Now, excuse me.”

Adlus walked through without even being signed in. …What a rule breaker.

“…Did you not know him, Mister Asagi?’

“I knew that a lot of people were chanting his name. What’s with him, anyway?”

“He won the last two tournaments.”

“He won?”

The man behind the desk shook his head in wonderment.

“Yes. Adlus the Wanderer…. He’s a professional water magic-user. He will be in the main games.”

“Water, huh…”

Unfortunately, water magic was very powerful. Something without shape can be made into anything. The possibilities were endless. It could be used for attacks and defense. And he was clearly more skilled than me. But…

“I’ll freeze whatever he throws at me.”

I said as I crushed the ice under my foot. Ice magic was perfect for taking the warmth out of something. I would show him. It didn’t matter if it had a shape or not.

He’d fall to his knees and beg for forgiveness. He’d regret trying to take Daniela away.

“Let’s go, Daniela. The game’s about to start.”

“Yes. There are better things to think about.”

“Right!”

We bumped our fists together. That was all that was needed for us to land on the same page. It was ridiculous that anyone could think they could come between us.

Now, it was off to see Group C!