Chapter 15: First Date?
The half-elf young lady who liked to be direct gradually overlapped with the image Liam had of her. Her Guild uniform paired with black women's high heels.
In terms of height, she was slightly taller than him.
Eina leaned forward slightly with her hands behind her back, her green eyes, as brilliant as emeralds, not hiding the smile deep within them in the slightest.
"Or perhaps..."
"Liam was just saying it casually?"
This was intolerable.
Liam felt it was very necessary to suppress Eina's arrogant air, even if the upward curve of her lips held the sweetness of a first love.
"Of course, I couldn't possibly joke about something like this."
"I just didn't expect Miss Eina to agree so readily. Let's go to The Hostess of Fertility for dinner then."
"If we leave now, there should still be seats."
"I'm honored."
Her beautiful eyes rested on the young man's handsome face. After confirming Liam wasn't feeling forced in any way, Eina then nodded lightly.
She didn't want to burden him because of her own spontaneous idea.
Noticing Liam's highly infectious smile, her brows were quickly covered with worry.
Eina, with her understanding personality, immediately said, "Actually, it's fine to eat when we both have time."
"Liam should still prioritize his own matters."
"Of course, it's not about that."
Liam spread his hands, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness, "It's just that there are so many adventurers in the restaurant. If they find out..."
"That I'm on a date with Miss Eina, they'd probably have thoughts of killing me, right?"
"."
"Even if that really happened, it seems like a worthy death!"
As he spoke, his tone became even more solemn, completely failing to notice the half-elf young lady beside him, whose face had turned thoroughly red.
It was just that the setting sun splashing on her lovely face.
Made it not particularly obvious.
In the evening, "The Hostess of Fertility" restaurant was very lively. The sound of conversations could be clearly heard even from the entrance, but the clamor was destined to be short-lived.
When Liam walked into the restaurant, the overall situation was normal.
When Eina, following behind him, arrived at the restaurant, the atmosphere suddenly became exceptionally quiet. Even the motions of eating seemed to halt.
As adventurers, most had dealt with Guild staff.
Among them were adventurers who had tried to hit on Eina but were ruthlessly rejected. Seeing Liam, who had beaten them to it, their eyes seemed to be on fire.
Very young, like a new adventurer, apart from being slightly handsome.
From the standpoint of these imagined love rivals, some adventurers couldn't find any shining points in Liam at all.
"Is that Miss Eina?"
"So who is that unfamiliar brat!!"
"Could it be that Miss Eina likes boys with a youthful feel? Can this kind of new adventurer really give her a sense of security?"
"."
"It's over, I probably don't have a chance anymore..."
The restaurant's atmosphere was relatively quiet, making the hushed conversations exceptionally clear.
Liam had, of course, anticipated this situation, but he hadn't expected it to be this exaggerated. Hostile gazes.
They probably felt...
That they should be the ones standing next to Eina, right?
And what broke the quiet atmosphere was Mia Grand, dressed in the owner's clothes, a Dwarf whose figure was extremely tall and robust.
She slammed the wiped wooden tray heavily on the counter.
Mia's eyes were full of deterrence, and she reminded them impolitely, "If you're here to eat, then hurry up. Don't occupy seats just to chat."
"If you don't eat, there are plenty of others who will!"
"."
Daunted by Mia Grand's powerful aura, the adventurers on site didn't continue this boring behavior. It was just that during their meal.
Occasionally, probing gazes would be cast towards Liam.
He didn't feel any discomfort, though. It was just that the look Liam gave Eina directly said, "See, I told you so."
"Look..." "Pfft!"
Facing Liam's somewhat helpless expression, Eina, who had never imagined such a scene, covered her mouth and burst out laughing.
The sense of contrast was really strong.
Clearly a new adventurer, yet he had single-handedly defeated a Minotaur, possessing a mature and steady personality unbecoming of his current age.
He actually cared about such things?
Feeling somewhat underestimated, Liam shook his head lightly and then flipped through the menu, "Forget it. Miss Eina, what would you like to eat?"
"Don't be polite."
"Of course."
It could barely be considered her "first date." In front of Liam, she still had to maintain a ladylike demeanor. That's what Eina said.
But the dishes she ordered were extremely small in portion, and even the prices were chosen from the cheaper options.
She finally handed the menu to Liam beside her, not forgetting to add, "I work at the Adventurer's Guild every day."
"Eating too much will make me fat."
"Understandable."
Consider it a reward after completing today's Dungeon exploration. Liam ordered himself the shop's signature dish for 1500 Valis.
Drinks were, of course, essential.
When he went back after eating, he could conveniently pack a portion for Hestia too. She was willing to bear three months of debt and work part-time to buy him a weapon.
Liam really couldn't bring himself to eat alone.
After he ordered the required dishes from Mia at the front desk, just as he was pondering how to make the atmosphere of this meal less cold.
It was Eina who initiated the conversation.
She propped her cheek on her left hand, turned her head sideways, and asked with unconcealed curiosity, "Liam-kun, why did you want to become an adventurer?"
"."
He couldn't just say that he transmigrated to the DanMachi world with a cheat system, and since he could grasp extraordinary abilities, there was no reason not to become stronger, right?
He didn't evade the question.
Liam's tone became much more serious, "A dream?"
"It might sound a bit cliché to say that. Thinking about establishing myself in the Labyrinth City Orario, I must possess sufficient strength."
"That's why I became an adventurer."
"."
There were many reasons for wanting to become an adventurer. Eina hadn't expected Liam to be so pragmatic, giving such a simple and unadorned reason.
Wanting to establish himself in Orario, so he became an adventurer to get stronger.
She took a sip of her orange juice-flavored drink. It wasn't that she had an issue with Goddess Hestia, but if he purely wanted to become stronger.
Wouldn't choosing a powerful Familia be more helpful?
With Liam's strength as a new adventurer capable of defeating a Minotaur, she didn't think other Familias would miss out on such a genius!
"This might be a bit presumptuous."
"Since Liam-kun became an adventurer to improve his strength, why not choose those Familias with greater fame and power?"
"She took me in when I was at my lowest."
"Even though the Familia's conditions were very poor, Lady Goddess still did her best to help me." He didn't feel it was offensive. Even these words.
Liam spoke them with a clear conscience. Finally, he looked at Eina with a smile, "In my hometown, there's a saying."
"A drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring."
"Instead of looking for a powerful Familia to join, I think helping my own Familia gradually grow stronger will bring a greater sense of accomplishment!"
"."
The young man's pure and earnest attitude was undoubtedly a shining point in Eina's eyes. She didn't know what Liam had experienced.
But to possess such excellent character.
And a mature, steady personality that was neither arrogant nor impetuous, thinking of Liam's talent...
Eina looked forward to it. Perhaps in the not-too-distant future, the name "Liam Moon" would be known by adventurers throughout Orario.
"Liam-kun."
Her eyes were firm, yet her smile was as gentle as a spring breeze caressing one's cheek. She encouraged him earnestly, "I believe you can do it!"
(End of this chapter)