Mid Rank Mage

The group of adventurers consists of one wearing heavy armor, the other with twin daggers on his waist, and the last was wearing a robe with a staff on his side.

'So a warrior, an assassin and a mage, huh?'

Regis analyzed the three men based on their weapons and clothes.

He then tapped Pandora on the shoulder and whispered, "Make sure to hide your mana, okay?"

Pandora nodded obediently, she was sharp enough to know the indication behind his order.

Unfortunately, it seemed that it was too late as Regis sensed the robed man coming over towards them with his staff.

'Shit…' Regis cursed internally as he kept looking at the menu.

"Hey kids, where are your parents?"

A voice sounded, making the two look behind them.

Standing there was a smiling man with dirty brown hair who was holding a 2 meter long wooden staff with a blue jewel on its head.

Regis then gave out a polite smile, "Pardon me, mister. But our parents passed away long ago. We are orphans."

Hearing his words, the man's face froze.

"O-Oh I'm sorry to hear that." 

Seeing their faces, the man noticed their red eyes, 'Oh? They're devil spawns? How peculiar…'

"It's fine, it's been a long time since then anyway…" A sad light could be seen in Regis's eyes as he spoke.

The man's lips twitched, "Well, how about I make it up to you?"

"What do you mean, mister?"

"You see, I have sensed some mana fluctuations from here earlier… I was wondering if it's yours?" 

The man looked at Regis before his eyes wandered over to Pandora.

'Strange… I think that it's from her, but I don't sense anything.' He didn't think that they would have the ability to hide their energy since they were just children.

Sensing her eyes, Pandora twisted her body to the side.

"I'm sorry, mister. My sister here is quite shy with strangers…" Regis said as he placed his hand on her hand.

"Oh, where are my manners? Let me introduce myself, I'm Fiollo. A Mid Rank Mage and A Novice Adventurer."

'Oho? I think we need a change of plans…'

"Eh? Really, mister?" Regis didn't try to hide the surprise in his eyes.

Pandora's ears also perked up.

The man named Fiollo smiled, "Yes, anyway. About my question earlier…"

'Let's cast the bait…' Regis smirked internally as he stopped hiding his mana.

He showed an unsure expression, "I don't really know, mister. Me and my sister don't really know anything about ener—"

"Wait. There it is again!" Fiollo's eyes lit up as he looked at Regis.

'To think that he was the one who awakened mana.' He then glanced at Pandora, 'Though I was sure that she was the one… well, it must be the beer.'

Fiollo smiled, "Hey kid, what's your name?"

"Me? I'm Regis and this is my sister, Pandora. Why did you ask, mister?"

"We're currently looking for someone to carry out loot when we go to the Goblin Forest. Seeing as you have awakened mana, I want to know if you're interested."

He then winked at Regis, "Who knows, maybe you'll be able to learn a thing or two from me. Anyways, what do you think?"

However, Regis only had a stunned expression on his face, "Me? I have mana?"

Hearing his words, Fiollo was surprised, "Eh, you're really not aware of it?"

'Well, I guess it's normal since this area is a bit underdeveloped…" He looked towards Regis and said, "How about I give you some time to think? But don't take too long, we'll raid the Goblin Forest the day after tomorrow."

"Okay, mister. I'll look for you after I've thought things through." Regis said as he slightly bowed in gratitude.

Fiollo waved at the two of them as he returned to his companions.

Regis proceeded to act normal as he called Mara and placed their order. They then proceeded to eat their meal before returning to their room upstairs.

"Brother, what's going on? Are you planning something?" Pandora spoke as she tilted her head.

She was confused because Regis had told her to hide her mana while he exposed his.

Knowing what she had in mind, Regis smiled as he caressed her head, "Initially, I wanted to stay lowkey to avoid attention."

"However, I thought of something when Fiollo introduced himself."

"What is it?" Pandora asked curiously.

Regis pointed at her in response, "You."

"Me?"

"Yes, in fact, I have already decided that we'll go with them. I only asked for some time to think to show uncertainty…"

"But how will your plan involve me?"

"Silly, it's because of your powerful gift."

Hearing his words, Pandora's eyes lit up in understanding.

Regis saw her reaction and nodded, "Yes, I'm planning on going with them so that you can copy that mage's magic spells."

"I have also thought of you revealing your mana, but you have already formed a star."

"They will only be suspicious of us if we were to show them that you have a mana star despite having no background at all…"

"Besides, we can use that as our trump card since we still don't know what they are planning."

Regis spoke continuously as he caressed her head, he didn't believe that the three men were good people.

'Well, if they are, then we're lucky.'

'But if they are not… then I'll have to rely on my demonic power again…'

His eyes lit up as countless back up plans formed in his mind. The two of them decided to just stay in their room for today.

***

In the lobby of the inn…

The three men enjoyed themselves as they were surrounded by women of the village.

It was still morning, and yet they were already drinking alcohol.

"Hey, Fiollo. Why did you go towards the two devil spawns earlier? Don't you know that they're unlucky?" Asked the man wearing heavy armor.

Fiollo smiled and said, "You know I don't believe in those things, right?"

"But why did you speak to them?" The man with twin daggers on his waist asked from the side.

"Well, don't worry about that, Moru. I'll explain the details later. I just want to help them since I find them pitiful." 

"Woah, how benevolent of you~"

"Are all mages this kind~?"

"Can you tell me more stories of your kindness in my house~?"

…

The women laughed as they heard the three men's conversation.