Unwelcome Guest

"Clang clang clang."

The knocking sounded, unhurried and somewhat abrupt in the quiet afternoon village.

Lanto walked to the door and stopped. He stood there for two seconds, then reached out and opened the wooden door.

Ubel was standing outside the door.

She wore the black robes of First-Class Mage, the hem of which swayed gently in the breeze. Her long green hair was styled into a side ponytail, and her purple eyes, framed by M-shaped bangs, were half-open, with the corners of her mouth curving upwards into a playful arc.

"Hey! Glasses Guy, long time no see!"

Lanto looked at her, his face expressionless. He wore a black First-Class Mage uniform, similar to a suit, with the collar neatly buttoned. His eyes behind his glasses were calm and still.

"Goodbye," Lanto said.

He took half a step back and raised his hand.

Clang.

The wooden door slammed shut in front of him, the hinges making a dull thud.

There was a moment of silence outside the door.

Then, Ubel's voice came from behind the door, his tone still light and cheerful, with a hint of laughter.

That's so unfair!

Lanto stood inside the door, motionless.

"This is the village where you grew up, isn't it?" Ubel's voice continued, somewhat muffled through the door panel, "Peaceful and tranquil, it's a nice place."

A faint rustling sound of clothes came from outside the door, as if she had turned around.

"If you don't open the door, I might cause a huge scene."

Lanto remained silent.

After a few seconds, he spoke, his voice steady.

"It doesn't matter, I didn't have any attachment to this village anyway."

"I see." Ubel's voice held a deeper smile. "So, to whom did you reserve your affections?"

Lanto didn't reply.

The area outside the door quieted down. Only the faint sounds of children playing and laughing drifted over from a distance.

A few seconds later, the knocking sounded again.

"Knock, knock, knock."

She even leaned forward, her lips almost touching the wooden door, her voice carrying through the door panel, tinged with laughter.

"Open the door! Open the door now, Glasses Guy!"

Lanto stood there, listening to the rhythmic knocking. He lowered his eyes, looking at the wood grain on the floor in front of him.

"... I already said my name is Lanto."

He spoke in a low voice, as if talking to himself.

"Never mind, it doesn't matter."

He reached out and opened the door again.

Ubel was still standing outside the door, still in the act of knocking. When he opened the door, she lowered her hand, naturally stepped aside, and walked into the house, the hem of her black robe brushing against the threshold.

She glanced around the room, then walked to the old wooden chair by the window and sat down. The chair legs dragged on the floor with short, sharp scraping sounds.

Lanto closed the door, walked to the low cabinet by the wall, and picked up the teapot. The teapot was made of coarse pottery, with irregular patterns left from the firing process. He poured a cup of black tea, the sound of pouring clearly audible in the quiet room.

"What do you want, Ubel?"

He placed the cup on the table in front of her. The surface of the cup swayed slightly, reflecting the wooden beams of the ceiling.

Ubel didn't touch her glass immediately. She looked up at him, her purple eyes fixed on him, the curve of her lips unchanged.

"What, aren't you afraid of me?"

Lanto walked to the other side of the table and sat down in another chair. He leaned back in the chair and placed his hands folded on his lap.

Why do you ask that?

Ubel stretched out his hand, his index finger tapping lightly on the table. His neatly trimmed nails made a subtle, rhythmic tapping sound on the wood grain.

"This is my conclusion based on my analysis," she said, her voice carrying that characteristic languid tone. "You only dared to use Clone Magic to participate in such an important occasion as the First-Class Mage exam. I guess you might be very afraid of others appearing in front of your true form."

She paused, drawing a small circle on the table with her fingertip.

"And a mage as skilled as myself is especially frightening to you."

Lanto looked at her, his eyes behind his glasses showing no emotion. He waited a few seconds before speaking.

"Really? That's how I look."

"There are probably three possibilities." Ubel held up three fingers, then bent them one by one. "You're a coward, you have a quirk, or... both."

She lowered her hand, leaned forward, rested her elbow on the table, and propped her chin up.

"Hey, Glasses Guy, during the magician's exam, observing a ferocious beast in a cage from a safe place... isn't that interesting?"

Lanto was silent for a moment. He looked away and gazed at the courtyard outside the window. The afternoon sun slanted in, casting square patches of light on the floor, with dust particles slowly floating and sinking in the beams of light.

"I prefer people who state their purpose directly, Ubel."

Ubel blinked. She tilted her head, her green ponytail sliding down to her shoulder.

"Oh? So you want to like me? That's why you're telling me how to become the person you like?"

Lanto turned back to look at her. He opened his mouth, then closed it again. In the end, he simply picked up his cup of black tea and took a sip.

Ubel looked at him and laughed. It was a soft laugh, tinged with a hint of triumph.

"Glasses Guy, there are no cages here anymore. I can do whatever I want now."

Lanto put down the cup, the bottom of which touched the table with a soft "click".

"Really?" he said, his voice flat. "Would you like some sugar?"

He picked up the sugar jar from the table. It was a simple earthenware jar with tiny chips on the edge of the lid.

Ubel glanced at the candy jar in his hand, then at his expressionless face.

"Put less."

"Okay, okay."

Lanto opened the sugar jar, scooped out a little sugar with a small spoon, and sprinkled it into her cup. The sugar granules dissolved quickly in the water. He put down the sugar jar and stood up.

"I'm going upstairs to get the cookies I baked at noon. Do you want some?"

Ubel leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest.

"I want to eat," she said, casually crossing one leg over the other, revealing a section of dazzlingly white thigh. She leaned slightly forward, resting her elbow on her knee, and looked at Lanto with her chin propped up, a smile that was somewhere between a joke and a warning curving her lips.

"Glasses Guy, you're not going to run away under these circumstances, are you?"

Lanto had already turned and was walking towards the stairs. He stopped and turned half of his face to the side.

How could I possibly run away?

After he finished speaking, he continued walking upstairs. His footsteps echoed on the wooden stairs, one step at a time, gradually fading into the distance.

He went into the bedroom and closed the door behind him.

He stood behind the door for two seconds, then walked to the wardrobe and opened the door. Inside hung a few clothes, not many, all similar styles and colors. He pulled out a worn suitcase from the bottom, placed it on the floor, and unfastened the clasp.

The box was empty, with only a faint scent of camphor wood.

Lanto walked to the bedside, pulled a notebook from under the pillow, and stuffed it into his suitcase. Then he opened a drawer, took out a few changes of clothes, folded them neatly, and put them inside. There was also a set of toiletries, a few silver coins, a roll of bandages, and two small bottles of commonly used medicines.

The movements were neither hurried nor slow, each step was clear, and there were no superfluous movements.

Close the suitcase and fasten the buckles.

He carried the suitcase to the window and opened it. The afternoon breeze blew in, carrying the scent of grass from the yard. He leaned out and looked down—the backyard was empty, with a few washed clothes hanging on the clothesline, swaying gently in the breeze.

Lanto looked down at the open space and let out a soft breath.

"Kindness."

He muttered to himself.

"Run away quickly!"

He stepped onto the windowsill, carrying the suitcase, leaned forward, and nimbly leaped out.

My knees bent slightly upon landing, cushioning the impact. The soles of my shoes left shallow imprints on the soft mud.

He straightened up, dusted off the hem of his clothes, picked up his suitcase, and walked out along the narrow alley beside the house.

The alley was very narrow, only wide enough for one person to pass through. On both sides were the stone walls of the neighbors' houses, with vines climbing on them and leaves rustling in the wind.

He paused at the alley entrance and turned to look out.

There was no one on the main road. In the distance, on the ridges of the fields, there were a few small figures of farmers bent over working, like silhouettes.

Lanto stepped out onto the stone path. The box wasn't heavy, but he walked slowly and quietly, as if afraid of disturbing something.

"Really."

He spoke in a low voice, his tone flat.

"What exactly is that guy doing here?"

He adjusted his glasses, his gaze sweeping over the familiar houses along the roadside. Chimneys, roof tiles, dried vegetables drying on windowsills. Every place was familiar, yet every place was unfamiliar.

"It doesn't matter."

He turned the corner and walked onto the path leading out of the village.

"I don't want to be around dangerous guys who could kill me at any moment."

Ubel sat in her chair, listening to the sounds from upstairs. She picked up her glass and took a sip. The water was just the right temperature, and the sugar content was just right.

She put down the cup and gently ran her fingers along the rim.

I heard the sound of a closet door opening upstairs, very soft, but clear enough. Then came the rustling of clothes, like someone was rummaging through something.

Ubel looked up at the ceiling. Her purple eyes curved into crescents, and the corners of her mouth turned up in a smile.

Footsteps came from the stairwell, lighter and more hurried than when they went up.

But the sound was coming from behind the house.

Ubel didn't move, but continued to stare at the ceiling. She listened as the footsteps quickly faded into the distance, crossed the yard, and disappeared in the direction of the village road.

The room fell silent again.

Only the occasional birdsong from outside the window and the faint sounds of children's laughter in the distance.

Ubel sat for a while longer before slowly standing up. She walked to the window and looked outside.

The village road was deserted, not a soul in sight. The sunlight made the road surface appear white, and a few chickens pecked at the grass by the roadside.

She watched for a while, then turned and walked towards the door. The hem of her black robe swayed gently behind her.

Lanto walked along the mountain path.

The wind rustled through the roadside trees, the leaves whispering like countless tiny whispers. In the distance, the outline of the village could be seen, the rooftops of the houses gleaming with a warm, aged sheen in the afternoon sun.

He stopped, turned around, and looked at the place where he had always lived.

The village is small, with houses scattered along a main road. Most are made of wood and stone, with thatched or tiled roofs. Wisps of smoke rise straight up from the chimneys in the still air.

At the entrance of the village stands an old locust tree with a large canopy that casts a wide shade. Several children are playing under the tree, their figures too small to be seen clearly.

Lanto stared at it for a long time.

Then he spoke softly, his voice carried away by the wind.

"I never imagined I'd leave the village this way..."

He turned around and continued walking up the mountain.

After walking for a while, a clearing appeared beside the mountain path. There were many tombstones in the clearing, made of different stones, some new and some old. Some tombstones had withered flowers in front of them, while others were clean, with only moss slowly spreading on the stone surface.

Lanto walked to the edge of the open space and put down his suitcase. He stopped in front of one of the tombstones.

The tombstone is made of gray granite, and the surface is somewhat weathered, but the inscription is still legible. It simply bears the name and dates of birth and death, without any unnecessary decoration.

He knelt down in front of the tombstone. His knees touched the ground with a slight sound.

He lowered his head, clasped his hands together, and closed his eyes.

The wind whistled through the tombstones, carrying a faint sob. From the distant mountains came the long, ethereal cry of an unknown bird, which sounded exceptionally clear in the silence.

He just knelt there, motionless.

It was a long time before he opened his eyes. He didn't get up immediately, but just stared quietly at the words on the tombstone for a long time, as if trying to etch those strokes into his eyes.

Then he heard a sound behind him.

"Glasses Guy, whose grave is this?"

Lanto's body stiffened.

He didn't turn around, nor did he answer immediately. After a few seconds, he spoke, his voice flat.

"I thought I was well hidden. How did you find me?"

Footsteps approached from behind him, unhurried, rustling softly as they stepped on fallen leaves and pebbles.

Ubel walked up to him and stopped. She looked down at the tombstone, her long green hair falling from her shoulders and swaying slightly in the wind.

"This is the conclusion of my analysis," she said, her tone carrying a hint of self-satisfaction and pride. "I know you very well, don't I?"

Lanto finally turned to look at her. He was kneeling on the ground, needing to tilt his head back to meet her gaze. His eyes behind his glasses were calm and still, but something was slowly settling deep within them.

"No, you don't understand me at all."

Ubel bent down and moved closer to him. She reached out, her arm naturally encircling his neck and resting on his other shoulder. The gesture was intimate, but not forceful; it was more like a casual pose.

"Yeah, Glasses Guy, I don't know you well enough. So, tell me more about yourself, okay?"

Lanto looked at her face, so close to his. Her eyes were a beautiful violet, half-open, reflecting his image. The corners of her mouth curved upwards, a playful smile tinged with inquiry.

He remained silent for a long time.

The wind continued to blow, swirling a few withered leaves among the tombstones. A bird called out again from the distant forest, this time closer, its voice piercing the silence with exceptional clarity.

Lanto looked away and returned his gaze to the tombstone in front of him. He spoke, his voice lower than before, but each word was pronounced clearly.

"... This is my grandmother's grave."

Ubel didn't speak, she just listened quietly. Her hand was still on his shoulder, unmoving.

"She passed away five years ago, peacefully in her sleep," Lanto continued, his gaze falling on the inscription on the tombstone. "Back then, I was Third-Class Mage."

He paused for a moment, as if he needed time to organize his thoughts.

"My parents passed away when I was young, and I've lived with my grandmother ever since. She said she doesn't have much time left and hopes I can take care of her in her final days. She said she doesn't want to die alone."

He lowered his eyes and looked at a small clump of tenacious wild grass growing in front of the tombstone.

"To be honest, I found it quite troublesome, because the magic academy was in both Nod-Krai and the Royal Capital, which were both very far away, and I wasn't as skilled at creating clones back then as I am now."

Ubel gave a soft "hmm" to indicate that she was listening.

"Grandma knows her days are numbered, yet she's surprisingly energetic." Lanto's voice was steady, as if he were stating something unrelated to himself, but his speech was slower than usual.

"I was the one being taken care of by her. She always said that I was still young and needed someone to take care of me. She cooked for me every day, tidied my room, and even stood at my door with a cup of hot milk when I practiced magic late into the night."

He paused, took a breath, and slowly exhaled.

"Grandma probably just wanted to live with me. Just as I was thinking this, Grandma quietly passed away."

The wind picked up, blowing Ubel's robes and long hair. She didn't bother to straighten them, but just listened quietly, her purple eyes fixed on him, unblinking.

"Five years have passed, and I still haven't been able to leave this village," Lanto said finally, his voice so low it almost seemed to dissipate in the wind. "It seems that not only does Grandma want to live with me, but I also want to stay by her side."

He's finished speaking.

The open space fell silent, save for the sound of the wind, the faint sound of flowing water in the distance, and his still-slight breathing.

Ubel remained motionless, her arms still around his shoulders. She looked at him for a moment before speaking, her voice softer than usual, less playful, and carrying a different tone.

"I see."

She let go of his hand and straightened up.

Lanto remained kneeling in place, motionless.

"So, Ubel, you should tell me now—what exactly are you here for?" His voice regained its usual calm. "If you're here to kill me, I'm going to start running for my life."

"How could that be? If I wanted to kill you, you would have died a hundred times over."

Ubel took a folded piece of paper from her robe. The paper was made of parchment and had some worn edges. She handed the paper to Lanto.

"This is a mission notification from the Continental Magic Association."

Lanto looked up at the paper in her hand. He didn't take it immediately, he just looked at it.

"You should have just taken it out in the first place, and then what?"

"Team mission," Ubel said.

Who and who?

"Me and you."

Lanto was silent for two seconds.

"Hmm, the task was clearly assigned to the wrong person. Can I go back now?"

Ubel took the notice and tucked it back into her robe. She tilted her head, pretending to think seriously, but the smile in her eyes was unmistakable.

"Well, theoretically speaking, when Serie assigned the task, she said not to force you," she said. "But I'm going to force you anyway, since I want to get to know you better. If you don't want to go, I'll drag you there."

Lanto stared at her for a long time. Finally, he sighed.

"You just want to 'resonate' with me and then use my Clone Magic, don't you?"

He seemed to have thought of something, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

"However... strangely enough, I don't feel this is a bad thing. Perhaps deep down I'm also searching for someone who can take me away from this village."

Ubel's eyes lit up. She leaned closer to him, her purple eyes curving into crescents, the light within them even brighter than before.

"Huh? Are you flirting with me?"

Lanto stood up. He brushed the dirt off his knees, his movements unhurried and deliberate, every detail exuding composure. Then he bent down and picked up his suitcase.

"Does it look like that?"

Without waiting for her reply, he turned and walked towards the mountain path.

Ubel followed, walking beside him. Her hands were behind her back, her steps were light, and the hem of her robe swayed gently with each step.

"Flirt with me a few more times."

Lanto stared straight ahead, his voice flat and even.

"Let me see the mission details first."

"OK."

Ubel pulled the notice out of his robe again and handed it to him.

Lanto took it, unfolded it, and quickly scanned the words on it. After reading it, he folded the notice, handed it back to her, and then turned back to continue looking at the mountain road ahead.

The two walked side by side like that.

Bell's boots rustled softly on the gravel. The wind blew between them, carrying the scent of the mountains and the faint fragrance of distant flowers.

In the distance, the village's outline had become very small, hidden behind layers of mountains and trees, and gradually disappeared from sight. Only the path leading out of the village stretched into the distance in the afternoon sunlight.