Chapter 10 The Grumpy Grum Grum

The beast's muscular body was covered in sturdy leather straps with plates of metal, intricately designed to provide both protection and an imposing appearance. Its broad shoulders and powerful limbs exuded strength, while its fierce gaze, hidden beneath a helmet, seemed to pierce through one's very soul. The glimmering armor, decorated with intricate engravings and symbols, spoke of the monster's valor and battle prowess.

Enormous horns, curved and polished to a shine, protruded from the sides of its helmet, adding to the imposing stature of the beast. As it took a step forward, the ground trembled beneath its weight, and the faint sound of its heavy breathing filled the air.

 Though caught off guard by its sudden arrival, I couldn't help but be captivated by the intricate details of its armor and the aura of strength it exuded.

As the monstrous figure came into view, Lumi let out a sound of annoyance, yelling, "Ghe! It's Bill the Grumpy Minotaur!"

The minotaur turned his attention towards Lumi, his temper flaring. "What do you mean, 'Ghe'?! Stupid girl, it's Bill the Minotaur, not grumpy!" he grunted angrily.

Fear gripped me as I stood in the presence of this true monster, towering in all his glory. I was at a loss for words or actions. Frozen in place, I tried my best to remain calm. I looked to Lumi, hoping her expression would guide me on how to proceed. Should I run away or attempt to be friendly? But to my surprise, Lumi seemed unaffected by the minotaur's presence. Instead, she flailed her tiny arms, cutely pointing and throwing a hissy fit.

"You big dum dum! Stop calling me stupid! And I'm not little, you grumpy grum-grum! Ghaaa! Ghaaa!" Lumi expressed frustration.

Bill let out a subtle chuckle, unable to resist teasing. "Ha ha, 'Not little,' she says? You're no bigger than a bean sprout, you stupid girl! Try growing to at least Bill's knee height, then we'll see. Ha ha ha!" 

His words only served to further irritate Lumi, who responded by adorably stomping her feet in frustration and directing her anger toward Bill.

"How about I kick you in that knee, huh? Would you like that, huh?" she shouted, proceeding to kick at Bill's massive leg, hopping around and playfully tapping him. 

But her gentle kicks went unnoticed by the towering minotaur, who taunted her, "Oh! What's this? A fly trying to step on Bill's feet? Ha ha ha!"

As the tension threatened to escalate further, I instinctively reached out, gently pulling Lumi away from the minotaur, seeking to soothe her adorable anger. With a tender expression, I spoke softly, "Lumi, let's not let this escalate. It's important to stay calm and composed."

Lumi's cute face, filled with a mix of worry and frustration, looked up at me. She hesitated for a moment, her emotions visibly wavering, before finally nodding in agreement. Taking a deep breath, she mustered a small smile, allowing her anger to dissipate. 

The minotaur's eyes turned towards me, his tone becoming more serious as he addressed me directly. "And you must be the wonder boy, the one who everyone talks about, Kazuki. The one who saved Lumi, right? You look tiny and scrawny but I feel you are a fine young man."

I couldn't help but feel a little flustered by his unexpected praise. Trying to maintain my composure, I replied with a modest smile, "Thank you, Mr. Bill. It's an honor to meet you. I did what I could to protect Lumi because she's special to me."

The minotaur's stern expression softened, and a gentle smile spread across his rugged face. "Ah, young love. It's a beautiful thing, isn't it? Lumi is lucky to have someone like you looking out for her. Keep being the wonder boy she needs, Kazuki."

Lumi blushed brightly when the topic of love came up, and she couldn't help but yell, "Ahhh! Baka!" She quickly turned around and dashed away. However, in her haste, she ended up tripping in the most adorable manner, stumbling over her own feet and falling to the ground. With a swift recovery, she dusted off her clothes and ran off. Rabi-kun followed, hopping after her. 

Left behind with Bill the Minotaur, an awkward silence settled between us. The air felt heavy, and uncertainty loomed. I glanced at Bill, searching for something to break the silence, but words failed me for a moment.

 Eventually, summoning my courage, I mustered a small smile and spoke, "So, Mr.Bill," I said with a friendly smile. "I wanted to ask you about Lumi. You've known her for a while, right? What can you tell me about her?"

Bill turned his massive frame towards me. His deep voice rumbled as he responded, "Ah, Lumi, huh? She's quite the interesting one, that dwarf-elf girl. A unique blend of two noble races. I've known her for several years now. Since the day Bill became one of the council members. Despite her shy and passive nature, she's smarter and more cunning than she lets on."

I nodded, intrigued by Bill's insight. "I've noticed her intelligence and resourcefulness. But there's still so much I don't know about her. Can you shed some light on her magical abilities? She seems to have quite a talent for it."

Bill let out a hearty chuckle. "Ah, her magic. Well, she's been practicing since she was a child. Her goal was to create a teleportation spell, or something, something that could change the world. But, as you know, her magical experiments don't always go as planned."

I nodded, recalling the chaotic room I had found myself in when I first arrived. "Yes, I experienced that firsthand."

Bill's expression turned thoughtful as he gazed at me. "You know, Kazuki, Lumi has never shown much interest in anyone before. The fact that she expresses herself so freely around you tells me there's something special about you. Perhaps fate has brought you together for a reason."

I pondered Bill's words, a mix of curiosity evident in my eyes. "I'm still trying to understand my role in all of this. But one thing is certain: I want to protect Lumi and help her find her place in this world."

Bill nodded approvingly. "That's a noble goal, my friend. If anyone can guide her, it's someone like you, who's willing to put themselves in harm's way. Just remember, Lumi may trip on her own feet, and look cute, and defenseless with a gentle heart, but she's stronger than she appears. Support her, but never underestimate her."

Bill the minotaur continued, "It would be nice to talk with you more, Kazuki, but I think you should go after the young Lumi. She possesses an unrivaled smart mind, but she is just a foolish little girl. That intelligent little head of hers is always inventing something, and who knows what she will do next? Perhaps this time, she will blow up the palace. You should be by her side and see that it would not happen."

"I appreciate your advice, Bill," I replied, mustering my resolve. "I'll make sure to find Lumi and ensure that she doesn't get into any more trouble."

Bill nodded, his massive horns casting imposing shadows across the room. "Good. I trust you'll do what's necessary. Keep an eye on her, and remember, sometimes even the smartest minds need guidance."

With his words echoing in my mind, I made my way in the same direction Lumi ran off. As I traversed the corridors of the grand palace, I couldn't help but feel the excitement. The unfamiliar surroundings and the fantastical beings that populated this world served as constant reminders of the extraordinary world I had ventured upon.

Eventually, I reached Lumi's lab. The door was closed and I couldn't open them. I knocked at the door and jokingly asked, "Lumi? Is anyone home? Here comes Kazuki!"

 Suddenly, the lock on the doors cranked and the door creaked open, revealing Lumi huddled over a desk, surrounded by a flurry of scrolls, books, and magic crystals. Her focus was intense, her brow furrowed in deep concentration.

"Lumi," I called out softly, not wanting to startle her. "It's Kazuki. Are you alright?"

Startled by my presence, Lumi looked up, her adorable eyes widening in a delightful mix of surprise and relief. "K-Kazuki! I'm so sorry I left you there all alone and ran off! I... I apologize for all the trouble I've caused," she stammered, her cute gaze shifting to the side.

Drawing closer to Lumi, I reassured her with a warm smile, "Don't worry, I'm perfectly fine. Bill turned out to be quite the... ummm... friendly minotaur."

Lumi replied shyly, "Yeah, Bill may seem grumpy most of the time, but deep down, he means no harm. Well, most of the time, at least. He's actually quite sweet when he doesn't try to insult you."

Taking a seat at the nearby table, I motioned for Lumi to join me. 

"From what I gathered, Bill genuinely cares for you. He seems to have taken a liking to you," I remarked, a hint of admiration in my voice.

Lumi sat across from me, her eyes sparkling with a mix of pride and humility. 

"Yeah, I know that. And I don't mean to brag, but most of the council members like me... well, except one. There's this one representative from the MIS, the magic investigation society. He always gives me this evil glare when no one else is around or as we pass each other in the corridor,"

 I remembered Alitia saying that she suspected someone from the MIS to organize the assault on Lumi. Leaning a bit closer to Lumi I asked, "A member from MIS? Can you tell me more about him?"