Chapter 148: Chapter 148: System's Hesitation

During a break, Kriz approached the four girls, Mirror Shot hopping playfully at his feet. "So, tell me the truth, ladies, what brings you to these parts? Decided that seducing Elio required more combat skills?"

Valeria, the most pragmatic of the group, responded coldly, her steel-gray salamander mirroring her icy demeanor. "We're here to become stronger and... to help our families."

Kriz couldn't resist the opportunity. "Oh, are you sure? Nothing says 'I love you' like knowing how to throw a dagger with deadly precision..."

Aria stepped forward, her fiery red salamander bristling on her shoulder.

Kriz raised his hands in surrder, Mirror Shot ducking behind his legs.

But to his surprise, Aria didn't get angry. Instead, she smiled sadly, her salamander's flames dimming. "I'm sorry if we've giv the wrong impression. Our interest in Von Elio... it's complicated."

"Love always is, sweetheart," Kriz said with a wink. "Believe me, I know. I once tried to court a girl by offering her a new bed... It didn't go well."

Aria let out a laugh, the first guine laugh Kriz and Brok had heard from her. "You're incorrigible, you know that?"

"It's part of my charm," Kriz replied with a smile.

"Well, ladies," Kriz continued, clapping his hands to light the atmosphere, Mirror Shot jumping in sync, "Are you ready to become the best dagger throwers this side of the monster sea has ever se?"

"Yes!" they responded in unison, their thusiasm contagious. Their salamanders seemed to perk up, each reflecting their owner's rewed determination.

"Hey, Brok," Kriz whispered as the girls practiced their throws, their salamanders providing colorful light shows with each successful hit. "Do you think they're really interested in Elio or is it just for power?"

Brok shrugged, his muscular rabbit flexing unconsciously. "Who knows. But as long as they're willing to work hard and contribute to the city, I guess their motivations are their own business."

As Kriz walked away, muttering something about "cute manipulative girls," Brok couldn't help but notice the way they moved, with a grace that spoke of years of training in... seduction? It was a strange contrast to the brusque and efficit movemts of the usual soldiers.

♢♢♢♢

As the day progressed, both Kriz and Brok couldn't help but notice the change in the girls' attitudes.

During another break, Kriz approached Brok, Mirror Shot creating sculptures of the girls' 'progress'. "Hey, ornamtal muscles, have you noticed anything weird about our seductresses?"

Aria shook her head quickly, her salamander's flames dimming. "It's too risky. If you confess... and we're wrong... Just by cutting off the mana... Cassandra could ev...

you know what she could do."

Silce fell betwe them as Aria's almost words hung in the air. Their salamanders huddled closer, as if trying to shield them from the weight of their predicamt.

However, doubt still lingered in their minds. Were they really on the right path?

Mei finally broke the silce, her purple salamander uncurling slightly. "But what if... we stop trying to seduce him and just... continue with the training? We don't have to betray her, but we don't have to go ahead with the seduction plan either. We could strgth our skills and buy time to decide what to do."

Valeria nodded slowly, her salamander's scales lighting. "It could work. It would keep us on mission, but without putting us at unnecessary risk."

Mei sighed, looking at the other three. "So, do we continue with the training and put the seduction on hold?"

The other three nodded siltly, tacitly agreeing to the new course of action. Their salamanders seemed to relax, the tsion in the air dissipating slightly.

♢♢♢♢

As the sun began to set, Brok gathered all the recruits for some final words.

"You've done a good job today..."

"And remember," Kriz interrupted, earning an exasperated look from Brok, "the key to defeating the frog is to convince it you're statues. It'll get so confused it'll forget to move."

Brok, for his part, grunted, his voice lad with reluctant approval. "Tomorrow we'll continue with..."

He interrupted himself again upon seeing a familiar figure approaching. It was Zara, her salamander Flare perched alertly on her shoulder.

Kriz straighted up, a mischievous smile on his face. "Atttion, everyone. The big boss's guardian has arrived. Try not to stare too much or she'll bite, especially you four," he added, winking at the girls.

Zara greeted everyone with a gesture after 'playfully' swatting Kriz's face, her gaze lingering briefly on Aria and her frids. Flare hissed softly, eyeing the girls' salamanders. "Good work, everyone. Kriz, Brok, can I talk to you for a momt?"

♢♢♢♢

As they moved away from the group, Zara asked in a low voice, Flare leaning in to list. "Have you se Elio? Luci told me he hasn't be able to find him for 7 hours."