At the appointed time, Alan, Armis, and Lyco stood at the academy gates, waiting for their female companions. Alan and Armis wore matching attire in black and white, a gift from Lyco on their first outing. Lyco himself opted for a simple black overall with green tights, a style choice that didn't quite match his taste.
"Where are they?!" Alan impatiently inquired, scanning the area for any sign of their friends.
"Girls always take their time, Alan. It's normal," Armis remarked, leaning casually against the academy gates.
"Yeah, she's got to make an entrance, or else how would she show off that 'ugly mug' of hers," Lyco interjected with a smirk.
Before Alan could voice further complaints, Aurelia came running towards them, followed closely by Relecta.
"Hey guys! Thanks for waiting!" Aurelia exclaimed breathlessly as she reached them.
Armis almost stumbled as he tilted to watch Aurelia approach them, her white cropped overall hugging her curves in all the right places, accentuating her ample bosom. The neckline teased a tantalizing glimpse of the line between her breasts, while a bold red fabric flower adorned her right chest, bouncing along with her every step. Her head was crowned with a large ponytail, allowing her features to shine in the sunlight, her smile radiant with a touch of blush. Below, a blue skirt cascaded down to her knees, slit from the right to accentuate her legs. White-strapped sandals completed her ensemble.
Armis watched in awe as she spun gracefully before him, showcasing her outfit with a blush and smile. "How do I look, Armis?" she asked, her voice filled with anticipation.
Armis, blushing furiously, stuttered out a response, "A...a...Au...Aurelia! You look very beautiful..."
"Easy there, puppy…" Lyco teased from behind Armis, playfully patting him on the back.
Alan was visibly impressed by Aurelia's effort in her attire, but he was taken by surprise and awe when he laid eyes on Relecta standing behind her. Relecta wore tight black pants that accentuated her now plump legs than before, paired with a yellow top that tantalizingly ended just an inch above her belly button, teasing a glimpse of her slim abdomen. The top hugged her developing curves snugly, with only one button fastened at the chest, leaving two undone for a hint of allure.
She accessorized with a temple necklace adorning her neck, while her hair was neatly tied in a bun at the back of her head, with two large bangs framing her face on either side. Completing her ensemble were cute little shoes and a white robe that cascaded down her back from her shoulders, covering only her backside.
As Relecta danced around like Aurelia in front of Alan, she asked in a childlike voice, "Boss!!! How do I look?" followed by a playful wink.
Alan's initial surprise quickly turned to visible upset as he pulled Relecta near and hastily covered her with the robe, buttoning it up to her neck. Whirling around to face Aurelia with an expression of dismay, he demanded, "What have you done to her?!"
Ignoring Alan's upset gaze, Aurelia chimed in with a carefree tone, "They are my old clothes. Do you like it? She looks beautiful, right?"
Shocked by Aurelia's nonchalant response, Alan grabbed Relecta by the back of her coat and lifted her in front of Aurelia, exclaiming, "WHAT?!! She's just a kid!"
Still unfazed by Alan's complaints, Aurelia maintained her upbeat demeanor, hooking her arm through Armis's and pulling him forward as she left Alan behind, saying, "Come on, Alan. You've accepted her as your concubine in front of Master Longiseus. She should at least look good enough for that status."
Confused and shocked, Alan could only manage a cringe and an exclamation of "Huh!?"
Suddenly, Relecta, now angered by Alan's behavior, jumped and bit Alan's hand, causing him to release her robe. She then jumped down and stomped away from him with a furious look, leaving Alan watching her departure with a mixture of bewilderment, shock, and discomfort evident on his face.
"She's not wrong, dude, you know," Lyco remarked casually as he approached Alan, his arms crossed behind his head as he looked ahead.
Alan turned to him with an angry and furious gaze, yelling, "This is all your fault, you know!!!"
"Huh?" Lyco started, startled by Alan's accusations, shivering under his piercing gaze. "What do you mean—" Then, suddenly, in mid-sentence, he remembered the aftermath of the chaos at the festival.
Longiseus had brought them all to the infirmary for treatment and interrogation about the destruction. During questioning about Relecta's origin and her relation to the group, everyone remained silent until Lyco, in a moment of misguided pride, had announced, "She is Alan's concubine!"
The revelation surprised and shocked everyone, especially Alan, who bore the weirded-out gaze from Longiseus, further embarrassing him. "Peculiar taste," Longiseus had remarked in Alan's direction.
"Oh yeah..." Lyco replied, as realization dawned on him, guilt lacing his voice.
"Do you have any idea how hard it was after that, from having her stop calling me Master and Dear everywhere?!! And now Aurelia has encouraged her even further!!!" Alan yelled at Lyco.
"Sorry, but I thought since neither you nor Relecta had any Slave Marks, it would be hard to prove that she was your slave, and it would worsen the situation even further…" Lyco explained his reasoning with fright in his voice as Alan's furious gaze began shoving him backwards.
"And this didn't?!" Alan yelled at Lyco, his own reasoning fueling his anger.
"Calm down, Alan. What are you worried about? She is 17, just 3 years younger than us. She just looks younger and small because of her malnutrition, but now in your loving care, she is gaining her proper weight and size back," Lyco said, pulling the last thread of Alan's anger. After Alan looked at Relecta and indeed noticed changes in her physique, his anger was momentarily quelled when Lyco added loving and caring to his character.
Alan closed his eyes in anger, then rose back up. After taking a deep breath, he fixed Lyco with a stern gaze and spoke calmly, but with an underlying threat in his voice.
"Lyco… run."
Lyco, hearing Alan's calm yet ominous tone, realized Alan's intention and scrambled to his feet, beginning to run as Alan chased behind him. The rest of the group followed, witnessing the start of their day off take an unexpected turn.
"How much longer?" Lyco's voice cracked as he dragged his weary feet along the scorching ground. Aurelia had led them miles away from the academy, to the far west of Relic Castle, and the relentless sun beat down on them mercilessly. Everyone was visibly drained and exhausted, their energy sapped by the oppressive heat, but Aurelia seemed unaffected, her enthusiasm unwavering.
"Come on, guys! We're almost there!" Aurelia's voice rang out like that of an excited child on their way to a favorite destination, leaving her companions trailing behind.
"What's gotten into her? This can't just be anxiety," Lyco grumbled, wiping sweat from his brow and struggling to catch his breath.
"And WE ARE HERE!" Aurelia's exclamation broke through Lyco's thoughts as she turned toward the group, her arm extended triumphantly, presenting a sight that took their breath away.
Alan took the final step forward, carrying Relecta like a piece of luggage in his arms and as he looked ahead at Aurelia, his eyes widened at the sight before him: a colossal dome constructed of glass and bricks, with numerous gates and a constant flow of people entering and exiting. The structure emitted an unmistakable aura of fulfillment and satisfaction, serving as the ultimate destination for anyone in need of anything.
"This is Inges Emporium, the largest collection of shops in Pompeii," Aurelia explained, her voice tinged with excitement as the group basked in the revitalizing glow of the market inside the dome.
The circular layout of the market, centered around a small dome, created a mesmerizing wheel-like pattern with rows of shops radiating outwards at intervals, offering a plethora of goods and services to satisfy every need.
As Alan and the group took in the sprawling view of the market, they were greeted by a myriad of shops and vendors, bustling with activity. Merchants from all corners of Pompeii, guards ensuring security, and a sea of customers filled the space, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Aurelia halted the mesmerized group with a clap, drawing their attention to her. With a mischievous wink and a tilt of her head, she declared, "This place has everything you could ever need, from the smallest everyday items to rare and extravagant raiding gear. And the best part?" Her excitement palpable, she leaned in closer to the group and whispered, "I know just the shop that sells all the gear we'll need for our raiding adventure. Follow me."
As Aurelia shared insights about the market and her preferred shop, Alan's eyes roamed and settled on a sophisticated establishment amidst the bustling throng. Despite the sparse foot traffic, the shop emitted an alluring ambiance that piqued Alan's peculiar interest. Atop the shop, elegant lettering proclaimed:
"Custom Made Gear: Tailored Raiding Equipment to Your Specifications, Ready in Just an Hour."
"Interesting.." Alan murmured aloud.
"Huh? You want to check out that shop?" Aurelia queried, approaching Alan.
"Yeah, that looks interesting," Alan responded, his gaze still fixed on the establishment.
"Are you sure about this, Alan? It seems a bit pricey," Aurelia cautioned, glancing at the other nearby shops.
"Yeah, that one does look expensive, Alan. Are you sure you don't want to look at the other shop? Aurelia mentioned they have a variety of gear, some at more affordable prices," Armis added, pointing to a shop with a fancy front and fancier sign.
But Alan, drawn in by the shop's allure, disregarded the other options.
"No, thank you, but I think I want to check out this one," he declared before tugging Relecta along with him. She protested, still upset from him, "Hey, where are you taking me? I don't want to go into that ugly shop! Unhand me!" Despite her futile attempts to break free, Alan persisted and dragged her into the shop.
"Sure, suit yourself. Come on, Armis, let's buy some gear for you," Aurelia remarked, seeing Alan's decision. She then linked her arm with Armis's and led him into the fancy shop.
As Armis stepped into the shop, he was greeted by servants at the entrance, which surprised him. Inside, he found a bustling shop filled with customers and attentive staff ready to assist them.
The shelves and cabinets displayed a wide array of gear specifically crafted for raiding. Armis observed everything from utility belts to sleeping tents, as well as complete sets of armor and attire, all meticulously labeled with details about their fabrics, properties, origins, and, notably, their extravagant prices. While Armis felt uneasy in the unfamiliar atmosphere, Aurelia seemed to blend in effortlessly, as if she belonged there.
Armis felt a sinking feeling as he noticed the exorbitant prices, even for the most basic gear, realizing it was way beyond his budget.
Regret began to gnaw at him for following Aurelia to the shop. Thinking on his feet, he devised a plan when he observed Aurelia conversing with a shop assistant about finding armor and a trial room. The assistant then led them to a secluded changing room in the middle of the shop, its glass walls allowing them to view the attire gallery outside.
Armis seized the opportune moment as Aurelia approached him with an attire in hand.
"See Armis thi—"
"Aurelia," Armis interjected, gently holding her hands and locking eyes with her, causing her a slight startle. "Last time you picked out my outfit. This time, let me choose one that suits you best."
Upon hearing Armis's proposal, Aurelia hesitated, attempting to avert her gaze in denial. However, she soon recognized the sincerity in Armis's eyes and his hopeful expression. Yielding to his request, she relented.
"Sure, Armis, why not," Aurelia responded in a calming tone.
"Really? Thank you. Now, you sit here and I'll be right back," Armis said, guiding Aurelia to a chair near the changing room before darting off into the gallery of clothes and armor.
Aurelia watched with an amused smile as Armis meticulously pondered over each row of garments, carefully considering his options before making a selection.
After twenty minutes, Armis emerged with a stack of clothes, far more than Aurelia had anticipated. She watched in astonishment as Armis handed her the stack, declaring, "Here, let's try this outfit."
"This outfit? All of this is for one outfit?" Aurelia asked, her eyes widening in shock.
"Yes. Now come on, try them on and show me how they look," Armis urged, gently pushing Aurelia into the changing room and closing the door behind her.
Leaning against the door with a sigh of relief, Armis glanced down at the robe Aurelia had chosen for him. It was a white, long robe with a chest opening, adorned with silver threading. Intricate black patterns encircled the sleeves, extending to the elbows. Armis examined the tag attached to it, which read: "Tritren Robe, made of fur from hunting cyans of the 26th floor. Poison-resistant, flame-retardant, highly stretchy, and durable. Price: 7089 Gold Coins."
The price and description of the coat gave Armis pause, but he couldn't deny the allure of its design and fabric. He wondered if what he had chosen for Aurelia would suffice or if she would like it. Would she forget about his gear? Before his thoughts could delve further, Aurelia knocked from inside the changing room.
"Armis... I am ready."
Armis stepped back as Aurelia opened the door, revealing herself in dark cerulean metal armor. It started from her navel and extended up to her neck with a high collar. The shoulder pads and elbow pads were crafted from the same metal, featuring gaps for flexibility. Her bracelets were made of silver iron, matching the color of her gloves, which seemed to be made of a solid, sturdy material. Below, she wore black leg sleeves over tights, with knee and shin guards made from the same material as her armor. The right leg sleeve had buttons reaching down to her feet.
Armis, seeing his imagination come to life, exclaimed in excitement, "Oh! You look just as I imagined!"
"Really? Like what? A walking artillery?" Aurelia, visibly upset by Armis's choice of gear, retorted disappointedly, "Look at these," she pointed at her back and chest, "they do not show any skin at all. I feel so stuffed tha—"
Before Aurelia could continue her complaint, Armis stepped forward, his lips sealed tight with anxiety and a blush flushing his face. He held her shoulders, gazing into Aurelia's eyes with sincerity, and said,
"Aurelia, listen... I don't know how to say this, but I'm sure you might find it strange to hear. However, I want you to stay safe. I know you take pride in your beautiful body, which is commendable. But where we're heading next is filled with unexpected dangers, where death awaits us at every corner if we're not careful. So, I'm asking you, please, let go of your pride for now and focus on your safety, for me. Because I am not ready to lose a dear friend when I'm just getting to know you."
After Armis expressed his concern, he let go of her shoulders and quickly averted his gaze, waiting anxiously for Aurelia's response.
As Aurelia listened to Armis's heartfelt words, her eyes moistened. She realized she had found someone so caring and close to her that it melted her heart. Softly smiling at Armis, she said, "Okay, Armis, if you want this, I'll do it." Then, turning to the shop assistant, she instructed, "Please pack this." The shop assistant bowed in agreement and left the room.
Aurelia then turned back to Armis, her eyes lighting up as she saw the robe she had chosen for him in his hand. "Ohh! You liked it? See, it suits," she exclaimed excitedly. Hurriedly, she began to help Armis put on the robe, then she quickly grabbed a utility belt and a pair of tights from a nearby chair, handing them to Armis. With a playful push, she nudged him towards the changing room and closed the door behind him, saying, "Now it's your turn."
After a while, Armis emerged from the changing room, clad in the robe chosen by Aurelia. Beneath it, he wore loose brown pants secured by a utility belt with multiple pockets. The pants were paired with silver shin guards made from sturdy metal. The robe's chest opening revealed Armis's toned chest and a mark above it, causing him to blush as Aurelia admired his appearance.
"Wow, Armis! Just as I thought, it suits you well! And it's highly practical," Aurelia exclaimed with delight.
"Really? Thank you," Armis replied, his blush deepening. "And yes, you're right. Now I won't ruin my clothes every time I summon my armor, just like yours. Those buttons on your right thigh," he gestured to Aurelia's leg sleeve, "they'll allow you to summon your weapon while concealing it perfectly."
Armis moved towards Aurelia, who teased him, calling him "Mister Thoughtful." As she began to head towards the exit of the quarters, she suggested, "Come on, Armis, let's buy some potions and resting tents."
Armis halted in the middle and called out to her, his gaze downcast.
"Aurelia," he started, but Aurelia didn't turn to address his call. Undeterred, Armis continued, "I don't think I can aff—"
"I know, Armis," Aurelia interrupted, sensing his hesitation. "You're not very good at hiding your feelings. Just pay me back from your raiding loots, deal?"
Upon hearing Aurelia's response, Armis's face lit up with a smile, reassured by her understanding. He followed Aurelia, who called out to him with a smile, and they continued their shopping together.