Chapter 430: Blood Zone Mynes adjusted her hair with a slow, weary sigh as she stared at her reflection in the small inn mirror. The circles under her eyes were so dark they looked painted on... proof that she hadn’t had any real rest in a long time. "It’s been a while..." she muttered, brushing her bangs aside. "Since I got to rest." The capital was bustling outside her window, loud and full of people even though the sun had long dipped below the horizon. The Academy was still in chaos after the incident two weeks ago, and every single instructor... especially the higher-ranked mages like her had been slammed with nonstop work. She left the mirror and picked up her coat. ’Commoners really do surprise me...’ she thought with a tired chuckle. After the Academy disaster, they had actually tried to cancel Grand Mage Luke... accusing him of negligence, demanding he be punished, even suggesting he be expelled from his post. ’Were they expecting the Empire to let go of a Grand Mage because of a simple incident...?’ They couldn’t begin to imagine what a world without Luke would look like. But that was politics... the louder voices often came from those who understood the least. Mynes looked down at her clothes. She had chosen something comfortable, practical, and nothing too formal since she’d be going on a mission personally assigned by the Emperor himself. She would be working with someone else too, which meant she shouldn’t dress too provocatively. But despite that practical thought... ’If it was Azel... I would’ve worn something that showed a bit of my boobs,’ she admitted bitterly. It had been two entire weeks since she last saw him. He had been visiting the capital often for various meetings, but their paths never crossed. Each time she missed him, the ache got worse. ’I really miss him... his face, his voice, his attitude... I haven’t even taught him new runes in a while.’ She sighed again and walked out of her apartment. Waiting outside was a teleportation mage in uniform. "Your teammate has arrived," he said with a stiff voice. "I will be transporting you to the meeting room now." "Alright," Mynes said, lifting her chin and stepping closer. The world warped and her stomach flipped... Unlike the usual mages he was used to, this one felt rushed. And then she appeared in a grand meeting hall... seated, as though she had always been there. ’Who is going to be my teammate?’ she wondered, blinking through the dizziness. Her vision was hazy from the teleport. She looked forward, squinting at the silhouette sitting across the long table. ’As long as he or she doesn’t try to kiss m—’ Her vision cleared. It was Azel. Azel, looking as tired and overworked as she felt, staring right at her. "Hey, you look dead," he said bluntly. "Have you even been sleeping?" Her throat caught. She leaned forward slightly, staring into his eyes as if he might vanish. "Are you real?" she breathed. "I know I’ve been dreaming about seeing Azel later and hugging him, but you don’t need to pop up in front of me like that..." "Pervert," Azel said, irritated. He flicked open a sealed letter. "I was assigned to be your teammate on this job. It’s most definitely not a dream." She placed both hands under her chin dramatically and blushed. "Did you miss your professor too...? Because I missed you very much..." "I forgot you existed," Azel replied without hesitation. She clutched her chest as if stabbed. "Ouch... that hurts. You don’t have to be so harsh on me. I’m still a pure maiden, you know... my heart is soft." She gave a small pout. "I know you miss m—" The door swung open. The Emperor stepped in with his crown on his head. Azel and Mynes immediately shut up. "It’s good that both of you accepted the mission despite knowing the dangers," Emperor Aldric said seriously as he sat at the head of the table. "I will re-brief the details and explain why you two are specifically chosen." ’It’s not like I had a choice.’ Mynes and Azel thought at the same time. The letter hadn’t asked... it had told. "You will be deployed to the border between the Starbloom and Aegis Empire," the Emperor continued. "Into the Blood Zone." Mira entered the room just then wearing her ful armor. She gave a small bow. "Knight Commander Mira will accompany you. There is a monster in that zone causing significant casualties. Troops from both sides have gone missing. Panic is spreading." Aldric’s eyes hardened. "And the Blood Zone is dangerously close to the town where my daughter currently resides." There was silence for a bit. "Even though she is protected by a Grand Mage, I want this creature eliminated swiftly. Do you understand?" All three nodded. The same teleportation mage appeared once more. "You will be transported now. A word of advice... close your eyes while in teleport." Azel opened his mouth to protest but it was too late... The world twisted violently. Whump! The three of them were sprawled across a forest floor. "Fuck." Azel’s groan was immediate. His head rang and his vision swam. He forced himself upright, rubbing his temples. "I hate that guy." He had teleported him from Lepreun town all the way to that meeting room which was impressive but it made his head split. "Same here," Mynes muttered, hugging her knees briefly before taking a deep breath. Mira exhaled calmly and stood, shaking off the dizziness. Then she glanced at Azel. "Azel... lay your head on my lap," she said quietly, patting her thigh. Before he could reply, she pulled him down, guiding his head into her lap as naturally as if she’d done it many times. Her fingers touched his temples and she began massaging gently. "Get your bearings," she added. "It will be a very long mission." Her voice was steady, but her heartbeat thundered. ’His face is on my lap... it feels so warm...’ Mira thought, forcing herself not to look flustered. Mynes stared at the scene with a stiff, trembling pout. ’S-so bold... she just— she just took his head and...’ Azel, half-dazed, groaned softly as Mira’s fingers worked slow circles along his scalp. "Damn... that actually feels good..." Mira’s blush deepened so sharply her ears turned pink. Mynes snapped. "HEY! If lap pillows are part of the mission, I DEMAND TURN ROTATION!" Azel didn’t even open his eyes. "Denied." And then there was a heavy rustle...