Chapter 438 - 354: [Kaleidoscope]

Chapter 438: Chapter 354: [Kaleidoscope]

On the plate were perfectly fried eggs and three crispy-crusted berry pies.

Starting the day with a meal like this was a wonderful way to lift one’s spirits.

"Here you go."

Hera placed two more cups on the table, filled with a vibrant red beverage.

She gave Zelir a playful wink. "It’s a raspberry drink. A great appetizer... and it’s on the house."

"Thank you." Zelir gave a slight nod.

"You sure get friendly with all the women around you, don’t you..." Gray mused.

"It’s not like I go out of my way to get chummy with them," Zelir said, taking a sip of the complimentary raspberry drink.

It was actually quite good—sweet and tart.

"Let’s just hope your Bev thinks so, too."

Gray picked up his knife and deftly spread butter on his bread. "When a woman gets jealous, there’s no reasoning with her."

’Bev...’

At the mention of her name, Zelir’s thoughts began to wander.

’Come to think of it, I’ve been away from Black Stone Town for over half a month now.’

’I kind of miss her.’

’And I don’t know if it’s because I acquired [Vigorous Energy]...’

Just last night, Zelir had even dreamed of a scene with Bev among the roses.

’Hmm...’

’I have to admit, even though the [Beautiful Illusion That Shatters at Touch] ending was awful...’

’...life before the Evil God destroyed the world really was paradise.’

’It was pure bliss.’

"Any plans for today? More Magic practice?" Gray asked, spearing a piece of ham and putting it in his mouth.

"That’s not urgent. First, I need to collect the reward for the Nine-headed Dragon Snake mission."

Zelir had already planned out his day. "And after that, I need to restock on consumables..."

"Oh..."

"What about you? Want to come with if you’re not busy?"

"Me? Of course I’m busy."

Gray grinned. "Didn’t I just tell you? I didn’t make it to the Cat Lady Tavern yesterday, so I have to make up for it today."

’Tch...’

"Since you’re going to the Adventurer’s Association, remember to pick up my share, too. Next round’s on me."

"Got it..."

...

After finishing breakfast, Zelir went to the Sen Gu Town Adventurer’s Association alone.

Sure enough, the place was already quite crowded, even for the early morning.

But something was different from usual...

Zelir keenly noticed that many Adventurers seemed to be discreetly watching him.

And they seemed to be muttering something under their breath.

Unlike the usual way he’d drawn attention, these gazes were pointed. It was as if, to some extent... they recognized him?

’How strange.’

Zelir remained outwardly calm, but he was already straining his ears as he passed by.

Even though the Adventurers deliberately lowered their voices, Zelir still managed to catch a few words.

This was the benefit of his enhanced Perception.

"Hey... look, that’s him."

"I heard... the Dragon Snake... was taken down by him..."

"But weren’t there a lot of people in the Elite Expedition Squad...? Four Mages... Why should he get all the credit...?"

"That’s different... It was all him... Flame and lightning..."

"For real...? Are you exaggerating?"

From these fragmented whispers, Zelir began to understand the reason.

’It seems news of the Nine-headed Dragon Snake’s defeat has already spread... They even know who was part of the expedition.’

’No wonder they recognize me.’

Zelir walked up to the association’s counter.

The receptionist was still the same person—the somewhat short-tempered, red-haired girl, Lily.

Just like last time.

After she finished with an Adventurer who seemed a bit hard of hearing, the impatient look on her face melted away like cream the moment she saw Zelir.

"Mr. Zelir!"

Lily’s eyes lit up, and her voice rose a few pitches. "You’re here!"

"You still remember me..." Zelir said, a little surprised.

"Of course I do!"

Lily smiled. "You’re a very famous figure now, you know!"

"You were part of the expedition that defeated the [Cruelty]-rated Demon from the second floor of the ruins, the Nine-headed Dragon Snake, right?"

"Ah... yes."

"Word about that has already spread."

Lily was animated, making no effort to hide her adoration for Zelir.

"That was a [Cruelty]-rated Demon... To do that at your age! It’s amazing!"

"It was only a juvenile."

The praise was making Zelir a little embarrassed. He waved his hand dismissively. "Besides, I had help from my teammates."

"You’re far too modest, Mr. Zelir."

Lily said excitedly.

"I heard that at the most critical moment, it was you who stepped up to turn the tide, taking out that... that rock head with a single, powerful blast of Magic!"

"The expedition would have failed otherwise."

"The other two Combat Mages, who are much more senior than you, couldn’t manage it... That just goes to show how incredible you are."

"It’s just a shame the Association didn’t send me as an observer. I would have loved to see a scene like that..."

"And also..."

Lily suddenly lowered her voice mysteriously. "Do you know what the other Adventurers are calling you in private?"

"What are they calling me?" That question piqued Zelir’s interest.

He remembered Zanxi saying that this battle might earn him a title of some kind.

"They’re all calling you..."

Lily cleared her throat and announced solemnly.

"Kaleidoscope!"

"Kaleidoscope...?"

Zelir was a little surprised.

"That’s right, Kaleidoscope."

"It means ’ever-changing and mysterious.’ The story is that the title came about spontaneously because you’ve mastered so many different kinds of Magic, and they’re all remarkably powerful."

’Zelir... the Kaleidoscope...’

Zelir mulled the title over in his mind and suddenly let out a chuckle.

’It does have a pretty nice ring to it.’

’And it fits well with my Technique Celestial Calculation ability.’

"You’ve been an Adventurer for less than a year, and you’ve already earned your own title. That’s really something to be proud of."

Lily was also very happy for Zelir.

"Many Adventurers toil their whole lives away, only to either retire in obscurity or die at the hands of some Demon."

"To earn a title that really sticks, to have their deeds spread by word of mouth among other Adventurers—that’s a dream for most of them."

’I guess that’s true...’

Zelir smiled.

’In any case, I guess I’m a moderately famous Adventurer now!’

Zelir presented his Adventurer’s Badge to collect the reward Kilian had left for them.

"I’ll collect my teammate’s share as well," Zelir said.

"Of course! Please wait a moment!"

Lily immediately turned and headed to the small room in the back with a brisk pace.

While he waited, Zelir leaned against the counter, his gaze sweeping over the scene.

The Sen Gu Town Adventurer’s Association was certainly lively, constantly buzzing with energy.

The corkboard on the wall, used for posting various missions, was already so densely plastered with requests that the original wood was completely hidden from view.

Even without the hype from the newly opened ruins, the Sen Gu Town Adventurer’s Association was in a different league from the one in Black Stone Town.

"Hey! Morning!"

A broad hand suddenly clapped Zelir on the shoulder, followed by a familiar voice.

"Well, if it isn’t Zelir the Kaleidoscope!"

Zelir turned to see it was the Adrian Squad.

"Morning, Adrian," Zelir greeted with a wave.

"Me too, Zelir!" Redia added with a hearty greeting.

"Morning to you too, Redia," Zelir said, waving again.

"I have to say, that title really suits you. On my way over, I kept hearing Adventurers talking about you."

A smile played on Adrian’s lips. "A genius young Mage proficient in multiple schools of Magic deserves a title like ’Kaleidoscope.’"

"Just Zelir is fine..." Zelir said, sounding resigned.

"Don’t be embarrassed. You’ll be hearing it from a lot more people in the future."

Adrian said good-naturedly, "Sigh... I wonder when I’ll get a title of my own."