40 – To each their own

"Yufine-saaan! It was huge success, right!"

"Yes, it went great. I can proudly say that this is not only safe to eat, but it's actually good too."

Nana was jumping up and down due to happiness, while shaking those big breasts. Take it easy or else you're gonna make me horny again.

Ever since that meeting we spent the next 3 days together. I tried teaching her how to make sandwiches. Eventually she really got good at it. Better than me, if I may say so.

"By the way, Nana. We spent all this time with me training you, but… I feel that something is missing."

"Did I forget to put enough love in my cooking?"

"No! Not that. Originally you were looking for me, right? I doubt it was for cooking lessons."

"Ah! You're perfectly right! I forgot."

She takes out a piece of paper and hands it over to me. At first glance it looks like a quest, but the document looks way too official. According to this paper, there are rumors about elf children being held as slaves, by a terrible bandit and sold on the black market. The details are plenty, from the presumed location up till how the bandit looks.

"Yufine-san, you still are a mercenary, right?"

"Yeah."

"Normally I wouldn't involve anyone else… but without my party, you're the only one I can turn to. Would it be possible to hire you? I want to save the children. They are part of my race, but… I am not confident to do this alone."

"Aren't you the princess? Can't you just take some palace guards or something?"

"Certain conditions imposed by father prevent me. Currently, I am an adventurer and I am not allowed to mobilize any troops."

I see. Honestly, what's that king thinking? It's beyond me.

"I can reward you properly for your service, so… please…"

"No need to bow. My friends are currently out training, so currently… I got nothing else to do. So yeah, I don't mind tagging along."

"Really?"

"Well yeah. We're friends after all, so it's normal for me to help you."

"Friends!?"

She jolted a bit and blushed.

"Yes, you are right, Yufine-san. We're close friends, hehehe!"

Gaah. That angelic smile is going to kill me. Stop being so cute. The only way I knew how to react was pat her head. She was surprised, but she accepted my strokes.

"I look forward to working with you, then, Yufine-san."

"Same here. And drop the honorifics. Friends don't do that. You can just call me Yufi."

"Yes!! Yufi!"

.

.

.

~Meanwhile~

"[Triple Tornado]!"(Iris)

"Not bad. [Terra Wall]!"

Currently, in a crevice, Luvia and Iris were having an all out match. Iris has improved considerably under Luvia's guidance. As a former general, Luvia has the knowledge needed to make someone like Iris come out of her shell and evolve to a level useful for Yufine.

"Not done. [Tempest]!"

Iris specialized in wind magic. Seeing that her attack was blocked, she surrounded herself by a gust of wind, amplifying her speed. She quickly circled around the wall to get behind Luvia.

"[Wind Cutter]!"

Waving her mantis arms continuously she generated several blades of wind which were headed towards Luvia. However, Luvia had a calm and composed expression. She waved her staff around.

"Track them all. Continuous [Fireball]!"

As the name implied, flame spheres formed around Luvia's staff and shot various fireballs to intercept the wind blades. On contact, the two attacks canceled each other out, but at the same time caused explosions.

Iris quickly leaped forward into the smoke.

"I got you now!"

She extended her right claw. The tip of her mantis claw was as sharp as a blade, and she extended it in a piercing manner trying to take advantage of the opening Luvia showed.

"Fool. That's a mistake."

As soon as Iris was about to pierce Luvia, a magic circle appeared in front of her. In the next moment, a pulse similar to a sound wave assaulted her and sent her flying until she crashed against a tree.

"Oops. Sorry, Iris. Did I use too much force?"

"I… I'm okay."

"I'm glad. It's good that your insect exoskeleton is tough. But honestly, Iris, if your opponent shows you an obvious opening, it's most likely a trap. You need to be able to read people properly."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Anyway, you made great progress. You have a natural talent. We just need to address a few more flaws, and you'll soon be able to hold your own and be useful for Yufi!"

"You… really love her, right?"

"From the bottom of my heart. She's so majestic. I don't know why but I simply melt while I am in her presence."

"True…her embrace is warm… and she's so…. gentle…."

"Mhm!! That's right! Most people can't see that, but she's so sweet."

"She…. Was willing to help me…. Stop being scared anymore. I like her…. For offering me… power. And the courage to speak up."

"We're not quite there yet, Iris. A few more drills and you'll be in top shape. Let's continue with some stamina training next. Those legs of yours need to be put in shape."

"Okay…."

"A few more days should do the trick. I can't wait to show Yufi my success once I finish molding you in a powerful warrior. I bet she'll praise me.'

"Will…. She be happy? And…. Give both of us more love?"

Iris was fidgeting while rubbing her legs against each other.

"Fufu. You fell in love with Yufi's magic rod too, it seems."

"....yes…."

"Don't worry. I'm sure she'll want to celebrate when we return, so yeah, she'll probably have her way with us until we faint!"

"....Yaay…"

"Alright. Now back to work. Your break is over."