Paki~, paki~, the flames crackled in the campfire. While watching the flames crackling as though dancing, Alex kept track of the surrounding movements and sounds.
This was the group the second night, the day has been uneventful except for Sebastian pestering Alex to help him in his sword practice and it went without saying that he lost miserably, three times to be exact, however, he did not seem dissatisfied, he keeps up, Alex noticed that he was improving which showed the man's talent.
Alex smiled wryly thinking about it. Shaking his head he decided to concentrate on the duty at hand because monsters are active at night.
Indeed, at night, monsters would run rampant around the outskirts of the city and frequently appeared on the highway. The monsters didn't even care who they attacked, they just attack whoever they saw.
In fact, while Alex and Meera were on lookout, there were already 7 Goblins casually piled up at the periphery of the campfire. They were not defeated by Alex, they were defeated by Gracier, Eleonora, and Golfak during their turn on the lookout. The shift had become three instead of four, Golfak's behavior had changed, so Alex lessened the punishment.
Fortunately, as they hadn't received an attack since then, they weren't as tense. Meera held out a cup of tea using water that had just been boiled on the campfire and handed it to Alex.
''Here.''
''Thank you.''
Receiving the cup, he took several sips after smelling the fragrance.
Though it had already passed mid-summer and was entering late summer, the nights could still be said to be very warm.
Under these circumstances, Meera looked interestingly at Alex, who was drinking the tea without sweating.
Noticing Meera's eyes intensely lock onto him, Alex couldn't help but ask.
''What?"
''Well, how can you drink hot tea in this hot weather without even sweating?''
''Back in my hometown, I used to drink coffee all time. I get my body used to it reason why even after drinking hot tea I don't sweat.''
〖That's doesn't explain why here though. If you had given this excuse on Earth I would have understood however you are not on Earth anymore, your previous body got destroyed and you get a new one, so why this excuse?〗Silveria asked curiously.
'Well, I didn't lie, though. Even though it's a new body, my soul didn't forget. Or it's because of my new body. Well, it doesn't matter, she wants a reason I gave her one, whether it's true or what doesn't matter here.'
Alex explained to Silveria who thinks what he said made sense.
Meanwhile, Meera was interested in the new word she just learned, she had never heard this word before.
''What is a coffee?"
''It's like tea but stronger and instead of being brewed from leaf it is brewed from a bean, coffee beans.''
To Alex's explanation, Meera's eyes shined, she was now more interested in trying this whatever coffee.
''I want to try it someday. If I visit your hometown I hope you will invite me for a coffee.'' Meera said with a smile.
''I will,'' Alex responded while inwardly thinking isn't gonna happen 'cause it's impossible to go back. Well, they may be a coffee in this world.
Indeed there's coffee in this world. He will learn this fact soon.
''It's my turn to ask. Normally, aren't you bad with heat? Or are elves good at coping with the heat?''
''Hmm, well, about that. I suppose we can cope with a certain degree of heat because we live in the forests?''
Meera answered while Alex was thinking that her answer sounds more like a question than a real answer, nevertheless he didn't point this out.
''How long it has been since you left home?" Alex's curiosity got the better of him, hence he asked.
''it has been five years. Why did you ask me this?" Meera answered Alex's question before raising a question in turn.
''Well, from the stories I've heard elves don't like to leave their forest and interact with humans,'' Alex explained.
To Alex's words, Meera smiled before answering.
''Not necessary, maybe it was like that in the past but currently not anymore. For proof, there are lots of Elves living among humans here. Well, back home some still against the idea of leaving the forest, though. Everybody has his/her reason for leaving.''
Seeing the look in her eyes, Alex decided that it would be wiser to switch the subject.
Glancing at Meera's bow placed on her lap, Alex asked ''May I?"
There was a silence before Meera nodded and passed her bow to Alex.
Upon receiving the bow, Alex felt it was quite heavy and yet Meera had no trouble carrying it.
For a moment he had the urge to Appraise it, however remembering Leena's advice he decided against it. For starters, Meera was an Elf, a pretty sensible one if not she wouldn't be able to see spirits, less befriend them before making a contract with them. She's talented, if Alex were to use his Appraisal skill Meera will notice it and may become wary of him again.
Truth be told, he did not know why but since the moment when Gracier and he entered that meeting room, instantly Meera became wary of him after looking at him. As for the reason why he doesn't know.
'Sil, can you give a reason why this girl became wary of me after seeing me yesterday.' Alex asked Silveria's opinion on the matter.
〖If my guess is not wrong it's probably because of the amount of MP you possess Normally at your level shouldn't possess that amount of MP. She acted warily first because she wasn't sure if your intentions were good or bad. Well, it seems she got her answer it why she became all friendly all of sudden.〗
'I see.'
Hearing Silveria's explanation, Alex felt that it does make sense.
Refocusing his attention on the bow, Alex asked.
''This bow is quite good. It's a magic item isn't it?''
Though Alex didn't have the power to feel other people's magic, he was still able to feel something from the bow when he held it. It was the same kind of feeling as Golfak's magic sword and Diaz's sword, in other words, he judged that it was a magic item.
''Ah, as I thought, you could tell? This is a family heirloom that is handed down from generation to generation. It's an excellent weapon that can grant the Wind attribute to arrows.''
Meera explained while lovingly caressing the bow Alex just returned.
''Wind attribute huh?! As expected of Elves.''
''Should I take it as a compliment?'' Meera asked with a smile.
Alex only shrugged his shoulders in response.
''Tell is Gracier your real sister?"
Suddenly Meera asked, like Alex early, her curiosity got the better of her therefore she couldn't help but ask, she wants to know the siblings' story, even it was a small part of it.
Alex who was smiling stopped smiling and answered, ''Yes she and I are real siblings.''
That's all he said. Seeing Alex's expression, Meera felt that she asked something she shouldn't have asked.
Smiling bitterly Meera decided it was better to switch to another subject to erase the heavy atmosphere that was about to descend upon them.
''Tell me Alex why did you choose to become Adventurer?"
Alex stayed silent for while before answering.
''I become Adventurer to accomplish my goal which is to become the strongest.''
''Interesting,'' Meera said, she knew Alex was not joking because the desire and
determination inside his green eyes which she found beautiful by the way couldn't be faked.
''As for you why did choose to become an Adventurer?" Alex asked in turn.
''Well, my reason is simple. I want freedom and I know being Adventurer could help achieve this.''
''I see.''
It was all Alex said, Meera was a little bit surprised, she thought Alex would have asked more questions after hearing her words.
''Why do you seem surprised I didn't ask anything?" Alex asked.
''Well, I was expecting a question though. Like what do want to be free from?"
To Meera's words Alex smiled, ''I guess I could have asked but you will not have responded sincerely anyway because the real answer has something to do with the reason you left home. Reason which you don't seem ready to share, so no, I will not ask anything.''
''Smart, I like it. I-"
Meera wanted to continue but stopped midway through her sentence because her mind got captured by the beautiful morning glow.
So, was Alex.
While the two people watched the morning glow, as the surrounding area brightened up, and a rustling sound could be heard from one of the tents.
''What a shame, we will continue our conversation another time. It was quite fun to talk with you.'' Meera said before standing up and started doing stretch up.
''Likewise.''
Alex said before leaving for his morning jogging.
Looking at the leaving Alex's back Meera smiled thinking that Alex was not that scary, only the amount of MP he possesses was frightening.