Ruger froze for two reasons. First, he had no idea Aisijin planned to grill fish steaks the day after tomorrow, much less nineteen varieties he had never tasted. Second, although he understood the longing behind Little Fairy's bashfulness, he did not know how to truly grant that wish. He certainly welcomed Little Fairy, and Aisijin and the others got along well with it too.
As he pondered, he could not help looking toward Serious Mouse.
The Inn had changed because of this fellow. The changes were not entirely its doing, of course, but it was at least a contributing factor.
Seemingly sensing Ruger's gaze, Serious Mouse shrugged its plump shoulders. Clearly, it had no ideas either.
"All right, then!" Seeing Little Fairy's disappointment, Ruger said, "From today onward, you're officially part of the Inn. You can come and go just like your boss, Fat Mouse."
Ruger had considered several methods he could try, such as leaving his Arcane Imprint on Little Fairy.
His words had barely left his mouth.
Little Fairy's delight had yet to fully blossom across its face.
An inexplicable change stirred within him. He raised his head and exchanged a look with Serious Mouse. Clearly, this fellow had sensed it too.
It seemed that, with his words and his sincere acceptance of this little fellow, something had become different.
"Huh?"
Little Fairy tilted its head.
"There's a door here? How come I never noticed it? Wow, there's a bell too! How strange." Little Fairy fluttered its wings and rammed into the bell, setting it ringing. "That's what I've been hearing all this time, but... I never saw it before, or even wondered where the ringing came from. Is this a spell too, Teacher?"
Little Fairy's eyes lit up. Rather than dwell on what had happened before, it