CHAPTER 294: 294. WHO’S MANLY?

The grand bells of Eldoria rang as Priestess Seraphina stepped forward, radiant in her ceremonial white and gold robes. The crowd hushed, thousands of eyes on her as she raised her staff high.

"Good morning to you all. Thank you for coming. Today is no ordinary day for our kingdom," her voice rang clear over the crowd, smooth as a song.

"We are gathered to honor a new S-rank hunter of Eldoria. He is young, but his strength is undeniable. Since losing Valerie, our hero, may her soul rest with the goddess—our defense force has suffered. We were weaker and vulnerable. If calamity struck, we would not have stood long. But the goddess has blessed us again. Asher Reynolds, our first male student to ever ascend to S-rank. He is not here to replace Valerie, but to stand with us, to strengthen us, and to protect our kingdom as a whole."

The crowd was utterly silent, hanging on her words. Her speech stretched on, painting Eldoria as the goddess’s beloved jewel, urging other hunters and Asher’s peers especially to follow his example and rise higher.

Finally, the Duke opened the ornate box in his hands, revealing a golden necklace with Eldoria’s insignia. He passed it to Seraphina, who slipped it over Asher’s head like a crown of honor.

"With this insignia, you swear loyalty to Eldoria in triumph and in despair, in fortune and in ruin. Rise, Asher Reynolds—S-rank hunter of Eldoria!"

"CHEEEERS!"

The square erupted with cheers, applause, and the stamping of feet. Firecrackers went off again, filling the air with colored sparks. Onalenna, watching from ger seat felt her chest ache with pride. Her boy. The child she hadn’t planned for, the one she worried over was now standing tall, celebrated by the kingdom itself.

When the formalities ended, the real festival began. The long tables were piled with roasted boar glazed in honey, baskets of buttered bread still steaming from ovens, skewers of spiced lamb, and fruit preserves that stained children’s fingers bright red.

And of course—where there was a crowd, there were Banji and Kelly. They hustled through the throng, selling wine and fruit from their bottomless realm. One moment their crates were empty, the next, they ducked into the realm and returned with fresh stock. The crowd ate it up, literally.

Music played: fiddles, lutes, and the deep drumbeat of orcs from the northern tribes who had come for the occasion. Asher signed lots of autographs. A lot of noblewomen fluttered fans while trying to catch Asher’s eye, and even Liloth, the guildmaster who always wanted to keep things secret couldn’t help but kiss her young lover’s hand to the delight of half the crowd and the envy of the other half. Clara, the ever-bold receptionist, snuck up to kiss Asher’s cheek, sparking laughter and cheers. Even Veyna, Eldoria’s famed artist, arrived to sketch the moment into history.

Asher endured it all; the praises, the flaunting women, the endless clamor until he managed to slip into the cool shadows of the church and called Anna inside church with him.

Before she could speak, he wrapped her in a fierce hug.

"Oh, I missed you so much," he murmured, inhaling the sweet fragrance of her silver-green hair.

She smiled. "Really? Looks like you’ve been doing just fine without—"

Her words were cut off as his lips pressed against hers, a kiss deep enough to melt her thoughts. She kissed him back until her senses returned and she realized where they were. She pulled away, breathless.

"Ash... we’re in a church!" she gasped.

"So?" he said flatly, kissing her again, as if daring the goddess herself to intervene.

They didn’t hear the footsteps until it was too late.

"You two should get a room."

Anna froze. That voice.

Her knees buckled and she dropped into a bow. "Forgive us, Priestess, we—"

"It’s fine," Seraphina said with a playful wink. "Today is for joy, not sins. But do be careful... if the wrong eyes saw you, it would be scandal, not celebration."

Asher smirked. "Thanks, your holiness."

She rolled her eyes and disappeared into her chambers.

Hand in hand, Asher led Anna back outside, where they joined their friends in drinking and laughter until late and the festival slowly wound down.

The crowd dispersed in pairs and groups: Brian and Mirai groaned about being too stuffed to walk, Natalie yanked Derrick along like always, and Kira made a valiant attempt at small talk with Lorraine. That left Adrian with Lorraine’s friend, Cammy.

Both walked stiffly, lips pouted, arms folded across their chests, like sworn enemies forced to march together. Yet their stolen glances betrayed them: Adrian kept sneaking peeks at her pink cotton-candy hair glowing under the magic street lamps, and Cammy, though tipsy from too much wine, found herself drawn to his sharp profile.

Her steps wobbled. She stumbled, knees knocking. Adrian sighed and caught her before she could fall.

"Ugh, seriously?" he groaned. "You’re falling all over the place. Where’s your friend to babysit you?"

Her hand steadied on his chest. His grip was surprisingly firm, his chest solid. She blinked up at him. "Am I a nuisance... or are you just too weak to handle me? Am I too heavy for you?"

Adrian’s brows shot up. "Heavy? Bitch, please—"

Her hand slid to his collar, tugging him close. Her voice dropped low. "Here’s what you’re gonna do: carry me all the way home. Unless you want to end up on my bad side."

Adrian chuckled dryly. "Bad side? You’re already on my bad side. And what makes you think I’m scared? We’re both C-ranks, remember?"

"I’m stronger than you," she slurred defiantly. "And I’m not a coward. I’m not afraid like you... l..."

Before she could finish, she pressed her lips to his. A quick, messy kiss, three seconds at most. It took all she had to do it. Adrian froze, then flushed red all the way to his ears.

"W-what the hell was that?!" he stammered.

Cammy grinned. "See? I do the things you’re too chicken to try. You’re such a baby." She said, though on the inside, her heart was pounding.

I did it!! I’ve had my first kiss!!

"Really?" Adrian snapped, brow arched.

"Yeah, really. Virgin baby. Bet that was your first kiss."

Adrian’s eye twitched because she was right. But he wasn’t about to admit it. He yanked her closer, aiming for a kiss of his own, only to headbutt her forehead.

"Ow! What the hell, idiot?!" she yelped.

"I—l—" Adrian stammered, burning with embarrassment.

Cammy smirked wickedly. "You were trying to kiss me, weren’t you?"

"Why would I kiss you?!" he barked. "There are plenty of cute girls around here. You’re not one of them!"

Her bioluminescent pink eyes glowed in the darkness, making him gulp despite his words. Annoying as hell, but gods, they were beautiful.

She leaned closer, voice dripping with mockery. "Let me show you how a real woman handles a boy."

Her arms wrapped around his neck, lips crashing against his in a deeper kiss. Adrian’s hands hovered, twitching awkwardly then, muttering "fuck it," he grabbed her ass hard. It was too soft and warm that he felt his dick dribble with precum from over-excitement in his trousers. Cammy gasped into the kiss,her pulse racing, though she masked it with a grin.

"No way I’m letting you get cocky, loser."

Her smirk widened as she pulled out from the kiss, breathing geavily. "So, there’s a little man in you after all. I thought you were gay. But is that the best you can do?"

Adrian narrowed his eyes. "Bitch, don’t test me."

He pulled her into a side alley, out of sight of the dwindling festival-goers, and summoned a dimensional door. Cammy blinked, stunned, not knowing what the hell it was.

Adrian dragged her through and the door slammed shut behind them.

"Let’s see who’s really manly, you or me... bitch."

TBC