126: A Window Into A Peaceful Life

A month passed in peace without anything of particular note transpiring. Classes at the Luminary Institute marched along as the students returned to their mundane routines. By this point, a handful of S-Rank Hunters returned to their previous routines; yet, most, seemed to hold the same invisible standard, staying on hiatus and sharpening their claws for the upcoming storm. The power gap though, did leave for several A-Rank guilds and hunters to step forward into the spotlight, ascending into S-Ranks—to the fanfare of the entire association.

Angelica and Roxanne, during this time, stayed holed up in their apartment. The month had been fruitful, as most of Angelica’s wounds had healed—bar her eyes and her shoulder blades. With her spotless memory though, she could navigate the entire house without issue, even with bandages still over her eyes. Today, she cooked as the news played in the background.

[Ice Elves Guild newly promoted into the S-Class! Are they the next big thing? Most guilds are still in hiatus, so where do they stand? What are the big guilds all preparing for? We’re here today with the leader of the Ice Elves guild to ask about his opinion on all these matters! Tune in!]

“Oh...?” Angelica cocked her head to the side as the newscasters changed to the interview segment. “This guy? Interesting, interesting... I didn’t think he’d reach this high up.”

[Good morning, how are you doing? What are your thoughts on these recent developments? The Ice Elves are one of the darlings of this new wave of guilds. How would you say you all compare against the rest of the S-Class?]

[It’s a pleasure to be here, thanks for the invite. I’m doing extremely well this fine morning, hope you are too. The guild has just been celebrating our recent promotion, so moods are high. In terms of the recent developments, I, myself, can’t quite say what the big guilds are thinking. We all know they’re quite secretive after all.]

“True, true,” Angelica nodded her head while plating her food and pouring some more oil into her pan to continue on with the next dish. Before she could begin the next dish though, she felt an embrace from behind as Roxanne wrapped her arms around her waist and rested her chin on her shoulder.

A quiet whisper wandered into her ear. “Morning, love, thanks for cooking, even in your current state.”

“It’s really quite easy, good to move the shoulders as well,” Angelica reached up, patting Roxanne’s head. “I’m listening to an interesting interview right now though. They’re interviewing the guildmaster of the Ice Elves.”

“Oh them?” Roxanne made a fake vomiting sound. “I’m biased against their leader.”

“He didn’t do anything wrong,” Angelica smiled. “He only confessed to me back then, and it wasn’t like he knew we were dating.”

“I think he did, but he just thought of himself as so much better than me, that you would never be able to turn him down,” Roxanne spat before sighing and falling quiet. “I’ll listen along with you though, I’m interested as to what they’re saying.”

[... So, yeah, given the recent developments, with the discovery of a hidden organization’s existence, one that’s been behind these assassination attempts, I’m not surprised they’re all holed up. Yet, I still think they’re neglecting their duty to the people. We’re here to protect them, and there are so many threats other than this mysterious organization.]

“He’s really quite media trained...” Roxanne commented while Angelica hummed in agreement. “Especially for someone who had sat solidly in the middle of the Class One rankings in his time at the Institute. Something must’ve changed to let him ascend to S-Rank.”

“I have inklings, but only time will tell,” Angelica shrugged, adding a couple of ingredients as the oil had heated to temperature.

[As for how I think the Ice Elves Guild compares to the rest of the S-Class Guilds, I think we’re just as competent as any of them. The current S-Rank guilds have held a monopoly for far too long. I think every guild in this wave of new guilds is just as good, or better, then the current guilds. Time will show that guilds like the Wildheart Sentinels aren’t as special as you all think they are.]

“Damn, they’re really calling my guild out? Of all the guilds to choose you choose mine. Arguably one of the worst to use for your example too...” Roxanne shook her head as Angelica chuckled. “Now, why are you chuckling?”

“Amusement,” Angelica smiled. “From what I remember though, his guild is definitely a step below the well established S-Class Guilds. They’ll blend in well with the borderline S-Class Guilds, but the Association really shouldn’t be admitting guilds that are just going to fall into the gray border area between the two ranks.”

“Investing in their future perhaps,” Roxanne shrugged. “Though, with how he is as guild master, I don’t see the guild growing much further beyond this. Most talented hunters would rather join a guild master who isn’t... well, you know, like him.”

[Do I have any comments on the Wildheart Sentinels? Since I mentioned them earlier? I’d say I do. I’m actually fairly familiar with the leader of that guild, Roxanne, since we were classmates. In fact, back when I was a star-studded student at the institute, I had regular interaction with her. So, I’d say I know her quite well.]

“He was neither star-studded, nor did we ever interact beyond that one argument...” Roxanne snorted while squeezing Angelica’s waist. “But sure, say that.”

[I’d say she’s really neglecting her duty right now. Well, that’s if she’s still alive. We still haven't gotten confirmation, and, at this point, I’m kind of doubting it. I’d understand why the guild would want to hide it, as it’d plummet their ranking without such a powerful hunter, but it’s their responsibility to the world to be transparent about these types of things.]

[Beyond that though, I will say, though they’re such a stabilizing force, and have done so much for the people, they’ve strayed from their path. They’ve started this dangerous trend of just taking an indefinite hiatus to prepare for this still unconfirmed threat. What if this secret organization is actually just looking out for us?]

“This man sounds so braindead,” Angelica laughed while plating her last dish, “Mind turning it off? I assume he’s just going to insult your guild, and I don’t need to get angry right now.”

“Yes ma’am,” Roxanne detached from Angelica, turning off the TV from across the room before helping to carry the plates to the table. “Thank you again for cooking such a scrumptious lunch.”

“Of course, it’s what I’ve always dreamed of doing, so it’s nice to have a brief little bit of this life,” Angelica smiled while bringing over the rest of the food.