CHAPTER 1 - Lorelei's Tears Dissolve Into the Lake

[yumemory]

[Location: Manor lounge, day]

Bradley: I beat that monster first. That makes it my win.

Mithra: No, actually it’s mine. The monster I beat was bigger.

Bradley: Huh!? That’s not how it went! That time we were gonna see who’s faster at beating a magical monster!

Mithra: Is that so? It’s been a while, so I don’t remember.... But I'm the stronger one here, is it not enough reason to make it my win?

Bradley: Don’t fuck with me, no way I’m agreeing to that!

Akira: Chloe, could it be that Bradley and Mithra are….

Chloe: Y-Yeah, they look kinda heated. Is it okay to talk to them now?

Akira: Let’s count to three. I’ll do it with you.

In the lounge, Bradley and Mithra are arguing about something with their long legs crossed.

We didn’t hear what exactly they were bickering about, but the heavy air around them made it look like they were about to fight.

We observed the situation from the entrance door, but it didn’t take long for Bradley to notice us.

Bradley: Hey, what’re you two skulking around?

Chloe: Ah!

Akira: G-Good afternoon, Bradley, Mithra. Are you two having an afternoon chat?

Mithra: Yes. In fact, we’re having a tea party.

Now that he said it, the two of them had a teacup in their hands.

Mithra: I felt like having one today, so I invited Bradley and Owen to join me.

Chloe: Huh? But I don’t see Owen anywhere…

Mithra: He told me that he had some urgent business to do. It was supposed to be a tea party for the three of us, but I don’t mind having it with just this guy.

Bradley: Tsk, that bastard ran away….

Akira: (Bradley couldn’t come up with an excuse, huh….)

Bradley: So? What d’ya guys want?

Bradley: You were staring so hard that your eyeballs were about to fall out. Just spit it.

Chloe: Um….

Akira: Do your best, Chloe…

Chloe: O-Okay!

Chloe inhaled deeply and took a determined step ahead.

Chloe: P-Please let me take your measurements!

Bradley: ...Huh?

Mithra: Our measurements?

Chloe: Yeah. I take everyone’s measurements regularly to ensure the outfits I make will fit the wearer perfectly.

Chloe: Your height may have stopped growing, but using healing magic could cause subtle changes to your body, or to the muscles you built…

Chloe: So, would it be okay if I take your measurements…?

Bradley and Mithra: …...

They stared at Chloe without uttering a word. Their silence was oddly intimidating, sending a chill up our spine.

Bradley: So that’s what it is.

Mithra: Sure, I do not mind.

Bradley smiled widely, and Mithra added a quick nod.

Chloe: ...Really?

Bradley: Getting measured is an easy task. Your outfits’ been a great perk to us.

Mithra: Please do it quickly. Should we take off our clothes?

Chloe: Y-You don’t have to take them off. I’ll start measuring now!

 

Chloe: I’m glad I mustered up the courage to ask. Thank you!

Bradley: Make sure to sew something incredible. It has to be something that’ll flaunt my charm.

Bradley: Listen. It needs to look lavish. Ain’t gonna accept a cheap-lookin’ outfit.

Mithra: Please make my outfit more stylish than Oz’s. Preferably one that is not troublesome to wear.

Akira: (T-They surprisingly have some detailed requests….)

Chloe: Luxurious… Strong-looking… Alright, I noted them down.

Chloe: I’ll do my best to make outfits that will suit your tastes!

Bradley and Mithra’s requests seemed to have made Chloe happy. Instead of putting up a protest, his eyes gleamed brightly.

Akira: (He really loves making clothes…. I’m glad the two of them agreed to his request.)

Chloe: Master Sage, thank you for accompanying me. I got some good inspiration now!

Akira: I’m glad to hear that. Should we call it a day?

Bradley: Wait up. At least have a cup before you go.

Bradley pulled me to sit down with him, and I found myself unintentionally looking at his face.

Akira: Is it okay for us to join? I thought this was the Northern wizards’ tea party.

Bradley frowned and whispered in a low voice.

Bradley: Just join me, will ya? If you’re here, Mithra won’t dare try some messed up stuff.

Bradley: That guy’s way too whimsical. Sometimes he’ll casually say he feels like killing me, screwed up shit like that.

Akira: I-I see.

Chloe: Then, excuse us for joining!

Mithra: Welcome. Have this as a side dish.

Akira: This side dish looks like charcoal, don’t you think...?

Mithra: Why, yes, it is charcoal. I don’t know why Bradley won’t have a bite.

While no one is even trying to have a taste, Mithra took one chunk of the charcoal and made a loud chewing noise before swallowing.

Bradley: Anyway, don’t think we’re done discussing that bout.

Akira: Oh right, you two were talking about something before we came in. What was it about?

Mithra: I wonder...

Bradley: You’re way too forgetful. It’s an old story, from before you were born, or from before anything ever came to existence.

Mithra: I remember now. It’s about my amazing victory of beating a huge prey.

Bradley: Don’t make shit up. My subordinates were also in that bout. Judging from the time taken and the amount of prey we collected, I won.

Mithra: Huh? The amount your subordinates got shouldn’t count.

Bradley: It should count. They’re pretty much a part of me.

Akira: (I don’t really understand, but I can tell they have something to settle….)

 

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