An Unexpected Welcome

Garandia Forest, Daybreak, Traveler's Road

Walking down the dirt path, the boy cradled the young girl in his arms as she slept peacefully. At times he was irritated with her pawing at his face though he continued.

"Useless girl, can't even make the journey."

Grimly remembering at how she was exhausted easily, while neglecting the fact she was just a villager with no traveling experience he expected at least a couple more hours out of her before passing out on the road.

"F-Father..."

Nuzzling her head into him her tail curled around his arm as he could only sigh from this poor behavior of hers. Of course, this didn't stop her ears from twitching at his voice.

"I'm not your father..."

Ignoring her murmuring he pressed onward as he reached the fork in the road with signs for different locations, he merely walked past the sign deeper into the forest. Shortly, he slipped into a barrier which led to another area.

"Fortunately there weren't any monsters around..."

As the boy approached the opening a large chain was found rooted to the ground, as the attached platforms ascended to the skies as the clouds parted, a soaring fortress was revealed. He took a moment to approach the chains as they swayed across the sky.

"She's not going to wake up...isn't she...?"

Calmly walking up the chain with her in hand he approached the first platform as the teleporter glowed faintly in response to his presence to which the girl's ears stiffened at the sound of it. He stepped into the circle as light surrounded them as he then looked up.

Soon after, they exited the teleporter as they arrived in the central area of what appeared to be the fortress in the sky.

"Oi, wake up. We're here."

"Mmm..."

Lightly grasping her nose, he decided to quickly wake her by closing her airways. Her cheeks turned red as her tail tightened his arm he could only wait.

"B-BUU!"

'Bu?'

Immediately releasing his hold on her nose, the girl squirmed in his arms as she realized that he was carrying her again once more which made her heart skip as her tail again brushed his arm vigorously. He was not impressed by this as he simply set her down then crossing his arms as a voice drew their attention.

"Ah Kien, good to see you're back. You've only been gone a few hours."

"It was nothing, just a simple clean-up call from an old friend."

"Oh? And who's this?"

"Someone I picked up; the village was long gone when I arrived. She's all that's left so I brought her here at the request of the client."

The figure pondered over this for a moment studying the girl as they exchanged glances at one another. The girl could see this person was kind yet had an air of maturity despite being young though that was all she could deduce from this impression of hers.

"Well hello there, what's your name?"

The girl was surprised at this question as she could only turn to the boy, now named Kien who briefly glanced at her and motioned for her to speak.

"K-Kiizu..."

"Pleased to meet you Kiizu, I'm Ensher Renhart."

Taking a better look, Kiizu was comforted by the girl's charming smile and kindness towards her. It was rare to for her to meet other humans, so this experience was a little startling for her.

"I know you may have a lot of questions, but first let's get you some food you must be hungry!"

"Umm, can he come too?"

"Hmm?"

Turning to look at Kien, they gave him a questioning look as Kiizu's ears perked for a response. Kien sighed then walking past them.

"Not interested, I'm off to the job board Ensher."

"Kien! You're just gonna leave her like that?!"

Kien stopped as he turned slightly back towards them as they could only make out his mouth with an eye glaring back at them.

"I'm not her Keeper, besides I didn't bring her here to waste time. You should already know what she's capable of Ensher."

Ensher pouted in response to this as Kien scoffed then walking away to which Kiizu mustered the courage to then speak.

"W-Wait!"

Kiizu stretched her hand out to him though her words fell on deaf ears as he soon disappeared from view she could only look down, feeling a sense of loneliness again her ears then drooping with her tail barely moving clearly showing how she felt.

"Don't worry Kiizu, he'll come around. He's always been like that."

"Always?"

Ensher smiled as she noticed Kiizu's ears rising and continued.

"His childhood isn't exactly a pleasing one, I know he cares about you just like the rest of us. Though he has his own way of showing it."

"Really?"

"It's a long story, but I think it's better if you learn about it from him than me."

Kiizu held Ensher's hand feeling better from her encouraging words and responded with a smile.

"Thank you Ensher!"

"Of course! Now, let's go have some breakfast!"

"Yes!"

As they walked towards the cafeteria Kien stood nearby against a wall as he briefly smiled before disappearing.

'It's going to be a long day...'

Eltheca Cafeteria Room, Midday

Entering the cafeteria hall Kiizu was bewildered at the people here. Humans, Elves, Demi-Humans ate and conversed with each other. She had never expected to see this even while growing up back home.

"There's so many people here..."

"Yup, there's no discrimination here since we're all in this together."

Suddenly her stomach rumbled as a result of the permeating smell of the food she could only blush a little as Ensher giggled then taking her hand.

"Well come on, the line is over there."

"O-Ok..."

"Hey Ensher! Who's the new girl?!"

"Yeah! She's cute!"

Feeling embarrassed Kiizu could only look down as they approached the line for food as the young men looked at her while the girls nearby could only scoff at the boys' behavior.

"She's a good friend of mine, now get back to eating! Don't you have missions to do today?!"

"Geh!"

"She's onto us...we'd better get going."

As they attempted to leave, they bumped into something as they were startled at what it was only to find out it was Kien who stood there calmly.

"K-Kien?!"

"Quiet! You don't want to get him mad!"

Opening his eyes, Kien glared at the young men who could only slowly start to retreat in response to this.

"Out of my way, I'm in no mood to be disciplining you this early."

"Y-Yessir!"

"Tch..."

They both immediately ran past him as he let out a sound of displeasure as he approached the line behind the girls. Kiizu felt her heart race though tried to keep her excitement though her ears swayed with her tail in sync. Noticing her tail moving back and forth in front of his face Kien gripped her tail, stopping it immediately.

"Eek!"

"Stop moving, you're annoying me."

"K-Kien!"

Reacting to this, Ensher grabbed his hand as he soon let go of the tail Kiizu dropped to the ground, her legs numb from his touch she felt embarrassed by the emotions she suddenly felt.

"Kien! Didn't I tell you it's not polite to suddenly grab someone's tail!"

"Whatever, it's her fault for waving her tail in my face."

"Y-You! Stupid!"

Kien shrugged in response to the scolding he received from Ensher as Kiizu brooded over what just happened.

"Get moving, time is being wasted and Bellatos isn't going to wait for us."

Brushing past them Kien moved ahead of them as Ensher proceeded to help Kiizu up. Looking ahead, she could only see Kien again walking farther away from her.

"Are you alright Kiizu?"

"Y-Yeah..."

Rising up, she looked towards Kien who was already getting his food and proceeded to find a place to sit. She wanted to be with him, but all she could do is watch him for the time being.

"Oh, so I didn't mention this to you yet Kiizu. But if Kien brought you here, that must mean you have the aptitude to be a KurtzPel."

"Huh?"