Cassandra's partner

I stared at the glowing panel before us and tried not to stutter:

— So… I have 15% succubus blood. — I said.

Cassandra spontaneously started laughing out loud. Everyone turned to her.

"What was so funny?" Koharu asked awkwardly.

"I just didn't expect to see a man with succubus blood. And a man from World Two, to boot," Cassandra said , laughing some more.

Koharu cleared her throat hesitantly:

"By the way… what's a succubus?" Koharu asked .

The room fell silent.

We stared at her as if she had asked if the sun rose in the morning.

"Hey, Fujimoto… don't tell me you know what a succubus is?" she added.

— I know, right… anime and manga taught me that. They appear a lot in ecchi works or a little above that. — I replied.

Koharu blushed instantly.

Max scratched his head.

“What are mangoes?” Max asked , confused.

— Anime? — Shana repeated , a little confused.

— Ecchi ? — Cassandra arched an eyebrow.

"Don't think about that now!" Koharu retorted, completely red.

— Let's get back to focus. — Koharu said .

Shana took a deep breath, taking in the explanation:

"Succubi and vampires are inferior races descended from demons. Vampires have some strength; succubi are, in essence, experts in seduction," Shana explained .

—But… are they strong? — I asked .

"Vampires, a little. Succubi, no." Shana was blunt.

Max turned to me:

— Do you think your mother was a succubus ? — Max asked.

Shana shook her head.

"With the percentage so low, it's more likely that Fujimoto's grandmother was a succubus ," Shana replied .

I nodded, trying to swallow the news.

Koharu nudged Cassandra:

"By the way, how did you do that hidden status thing?" Koharu asked .

Cassandra smiled proudly:

— Sahōkuri . My ability unlocks the essence of items, tools, and weapons when I touch their core. — Cassandra replied.

—It was like Fujimoto explained. — he continued .

"I had already unlocked my hidden status years ago, I just didn't quite understand how my ability worked," Cassandra concluded.

— Wait… — Koharu became serious.

"Are these menus we use items?" Koharu asked in shock.

"Almost. Menus are magical systems, but they have restrictions that hinder our experience and leveling," Cassandra said .

We looked at each other, trying to keep up.

Shana then snapped her fingers as if fitting a final piece.

—Elven magic, — Shana said .

— Yes. — Cassandra nodded.

"And I believe whoever cast that spell also erased the memories of the One World population about levels and status," Cassandra said .

— What?! — I took a step forward.

“Could this be the work of the god of World One?” I asked.

—I don't know, then. — Cassandra replied seriously.

Koharu shook her head.

"From the story you told, the gods enjoy confrontation. They want to see someone grow strong so they can then humiliate them as an example to others," Koharu said .

— An example that spreads fear, keeps everyone in line. — Max completed.

I crossed my arms.

— Whoever it is… the answers must be in the Kingdom of Syros . — I said.

Kupi yawned on Max's shoulder; both of them and even Shana seemed to suddenly feel sleepy.

— Sorry. — Cassandra laughed.

— I think it's time for bed, — said Cassandra.

— There's another detail first — I said.

"We need to decide where you're going to sleep tonight. Since you're a girl, it makes more sense for you to stay with Koharu or Shana," I said.

"My bags are already in this room. I'd better stay here," she said , pointing.

— …It's my room. — Koharu remembered .

"Then perfect. We have two beds, after all." Cassandra smiled.

Max raised his hand.

—Why wake up early anyway? — Max asked.

"Because I'm meeting someone at work." Cassandra fixed her hair.

—My childhood friend… and partner in crime. — concluded Cassandra.

—Crime?! — the three of us said at the same time.

— I'll tell you later. Good night. — she winked.

Each of us went to our rooms. My head was spinning.

“Succubus, elves , gods, menustravados … Syros …”

I found out later: the two were left alone.

Koharu watched Cassandra with a frown.

— What's wrong? — the blonde asked.

— Nothing… — Koharu replied.

Cassandra glanced at the beds and chuckled softly:

"It's a good thing there are two. Imagine if we had to share one?" Cassandra said sarcastically.

Koharu blushed to the roots of her hair.

— I… I can't imagine that kind of thing!

— Just kidding. — Cassandra lay down, turning onto her side.

—But tell me… do you like Fujimoto? — Cassandra asked.

Koharu froze.

— No. Why do you ask that? — Koharu asked.

— You're welcome. Let's go to sleep. — she smiled.

Koharu turned her face away, but I know she was thoughtful.

Cassandra was the first to wake up. She hurried down the stairs.

— Where are you going , girl? — he asked.

— Sorting out personal matters, — she replied.

He scratched his beard.

"The owners of the other adventurer's houses in neighboring towns kicked you out. You know why, right?" he said.

“I know,” she replied, her gaze growing cold.

"They ruined my life and Kairo 's. It's Merechal Melissa 's fault ," Cassandra said with a look of hatred.

— You can bring Kairo over here… just don’t get into trouble. — Ros said with a light sigh.

—Thank you, Ros . You're so sweet. — she thanked.

—It's not flattery,— he said.

—I have respect for Kairo 's family … and for his father, both his blood and his foster father, — Ros said.

Cassandra stopped, surprised.

“You… knew my blood father?” Cassandra asked.

"We'll talk about that later. Go on. Kairo should be waiting for you," he replied.

She hurried out, the morning wind ruffling her blond hair.

At the Spa, he took the keys, opened the main door and locked it behind him.

He saw a basket of men's clothes and left his own clothes in the basket.

He walked through the steam to the mixed area.

There was someone in the bath, with their back turned, broad shoulders.

“Did you sleep well here last night, Kairo ?” she asked, stepping into the water.

His voice came calmly, with a smile that was audible :

— The princess took a while to wake up, — Kairo replied.

"Then let me enjoy these waters a bit too." Cassandra sank in up to her chin.

"We have a lot to talk about, " Cassandra said.

We met for coffee. Only Cassandra didn't show up.

— Ros , where's Cassandra? — I asked .

"He left early for the Thermal House. He went to meet his partner," he replied .

"His real name?" Koharu asked .

— Kairo . — he said Ros .

I saw Shana get more serious.

— ( Kairo ? Could it be that Kairo ?) — she whispered.

— Hey, Koharu — Shana spoke loudly, suddenly.

“Do you want to go to the hot springs now?” Shana asked .

— I want! — Koharu replied.

Max sighed.

"You guys love these hot springs, huh?" Max said .

“The waters there are very warm,” I ventured.

"Are you an idiot?" Koharu gave me a sideways look.

— Calm down… I ’m not used to it. — I murmured .

— Aren't you going? — she insisted.

— Not today. — I replied along with Max.

The two left. I was left trying to put the puzzle together.

— So the partner is Kairo . — I summarized , scratching the back of my neck.

Shana and Koharu had already left.

Max gave a smirk.

—I bet this is going to be a mess, — Max said .

— It always does. — I replied .

I looked at my hands.

A part of me trembled with fear, with anticipation, with a fate I hadn't asked for.

Succubus, Guardian, Syros , Kairo , Melissa…

And, far away, Cassandra was immersed in the steam, plotting her next move.

I took a deep breath.

“Whatever it is… when the blow comes, I will not tremble.”

The steam rose gently, hiding the brightness of the sun.

Cassandra was soaking in the hot waters when she heard the familiar voice behind her.

—What was so important you wanted to talk about? — he asked . Kairo , leaning against the edge of the fountain, wet hair falling over his eyes.

Cassandra sighed, looking at the shimmering reflection of the water.

— I want you to join an adventuring party with me, — Cassandra replied .

Kairo stared at her in disbelief.

—Are you crazy? — Kairo asked.

— I know it's hard for us to trust others… but these are different. — Cassandra said .

— “Different”? — he frowned.

— At the first opportunity, they will betray us, like everyone else. — he replied Kairo .

— Please… just give it a chance. — Cassandra begged .

Kairo took a deep breath, crossing his arms.

—Okay. But if it goes wrong, don't say I didn't warn you. — he said Kairo .

Before Cassandra could respond, the sound of knocking on the front door echoed through the hall.

She stood up, wrapping the towel around her body.

— I'll see who it is. If it's a problem… run. — said Cassandra.

He walked to the entrance, the steam following his steps.

— Who is it? — Cassandra asked.

“It’s us!” a female voice shouted .

—Koharu and Shana! — completed the other.

"Is it just the two of you, or is there a crowd wanting to take a bath now?" Cassandra asked suspiciously.

“Just us!” Shana replied , laughing.

Cassandra opened the door. They both walked in smiling.

"You're wearing a towel... were you already enjoying the hot springs?" Koharu asked .

— Yes. But what about you, what are you doing here? But what about you, what are you doing here? — Cassandra replied , sighing.

“Shana wanted to come relax a bit,” Koharu said.

— And after everything we've been through, I think we deserve a break — Shana added.

— Unfortunately… it can't be used today. — said Cassandra.

But the two had already run off to the locker room.

(Great… the only waters available are from the mixed area…) — thought Cassandra, putting her hand to her forehead.

Minutes later, he heard Shana's voice:

"Looks like only the mixed version is available. That's okay, right?" Shana asked .

"Of course! When Cassandra's friend arrives, she'll let you know," Koharu said , smiling.

The two opened the door to the mixed area… and froze.

There was a man in the water, looking surprised.

Kairo .

The silence was broken only by the sound of water.

Koharu blushed.

Shana, however, widened her eyes and muttered softly,

— (So it really is him…)

Cassandra appeared right behind the two, visibly irritated.

"Two idiots! I told you to wait!" Cassandra said angrily.

"We didn't hear anything!" Koharu replied , embarrassed.

"Of course they didn't hear! They ran away like two children!" said Cassandra.

Shana lowered her head.

— Sorry… — Shana said.

Kairo gave a half smile.

— Hey, Cassandra. — he said Kairo .

— What now? — asked Cassandra.

"How about we go to the Adventurer's House and let them enjoy themselves?" he replied . Kairo .

Cassandra crossed her arms.

—Maybe that's for the best, — said Cassandra.

"Wait!" Koharu shouted .

"We don't want to disturb you. We can leave if you prefer," Koharu said .

Shana then smiled slightly.

“Or can we all enjoy it together?” Shana said .

Silence filled the air.

Cassandra and Kairo looked at her blankly.

“Just kidding!” Shana said , laughing.

Cassandra sighed in relief.

— Wow… what a scare. — said Cassandra.

"Coming from you, Shana, I don't doubt anything," Koharu retorted.

Kairo scratched his hair, laughing.

"You guys are too indecisive," Kairo said with a smile on her face.

"I agree. We need to decide soon." Cassandra shook her head.

— By the way, Cassandra — Koharu asked —

—They're under maintenance. — he replied quickly.

"You know, Cassandra... maybe Shana's idea isn't so bad after all," Koharu said .

— What? — the three asked at the same time.

"Shana wanted to come have fun, and you guys were already here. So... why not all together? That way no one will be sad," Koharu replied .

Cassandra looked at her and smiled.

"It's not a bad idea. The important thing is that everyone is happy," Cassandra said .

Kairo watched her expression, touched.

— It's been a while since I've seen Cassandra smile like that... — said Kairo .

He rose from the water.

— I know! Dinner's on me tonight. — concluded Kairo.