The two stopped dwelling on it and returned to their usual rapport, making their way back to base.
The moment Liber stepped through the gate, he saw Lefiya looking delighted.
"Ah! Miss Ais!"
Liber watched the elven girl, who had been looking a little down earlier, run happily toward Ais, who was standing inside the manor.
Her eyes were fixed on Ais's back, as if she could see a tail wagging behind her.
You're an elf, not a beastman!
Seeing how quickly Lefiya's mood had changed, her excitement was obvious.
Liber couldn't help but tease her in his thoughts.
"Lefiya."
Ais had been standing by the entrance with a somewhat tense expression. When she saw Lefiya approach, beaming, she spoke gently.
Her tense features relaxed a little, and the corners of her mouth lifted ever so slightly. Her whole demeanor seemed much softer.
"I've been waiting for you."
"Huh?"
Lefiya stared at Ais in confusion, her excitement giving way to bewilderment.
Ais shifted her gaze from Lefiya to Liber behind her.
"Hm?" Liber had been watching the girls talk. When Ais looked his way, he pointed at himself in confusion.
"Liber, I'd like to ask you something. Could we talk in private in the garden?"
Ais nodded at his gesture.
"Could you tell me what it's about first?"
He scratched his cheek and asked, looking at Lefiya's dejected expression.
"It's about leveling up."
At that, Liber looked thoughtfully at Ais.
"Sure."
"Then I'll wait for you in the garden. See you in the dining hall later, Lefiya."
Liber watched Ais head toward the garden, then glanced at Lefiya, who looked like an abandoned puppy.
"That's it for today, Lefiya."
He shrugged and headed for the garden.
As he passed Lefiya, he patted her on the shoulder.
"Have some confidence. See