A Homely Invitation

After the duel, Secessus didn't even stay to shake his opponent's hand or check if he was fine. When one of the other bronze adventurers demanded him to do so, he replied with his aura fiercely clashing and overwhelming everyone as he spoke.

"What I fought was a bunch of armor and items, I have no one to give my respect to." Were the only words uttered, and no one dared to demand any more from the shade demon as he walks away.

When Secessus rejoined the others, it seemed that Kir had already heard the news as he was in the process of patting Alessia's head and talking way too loud saying things like. "Didn't I tell you so?" and other similar things, consequently bragging about her and also about himself.

"Why don't you guys stop by my place? This is great news!" Kir says excitedly, seemingly having already planned everything out.

"We don't want to intrude. Perhaps later." Secessus replies, shutting down the idea.

"You're not intruding."

"Kir, I respect you. But I already know that you don't wear the pants in the house to guarantee me that." Secessus replies, hoping that his first sentence was enough to not sound too harsh.

"It's her idea." Kir replies, still trying to recover from the firm refusal, so he sounds a little hurt.

"Why would she propose that?"

"She wanted to talk to you when you made progress with the mana training. It's for the gold rank test. That's about all I know."

"Still, Alessia shoul-" Secessus was about to refuse again, but sensing the refusal, Alessia intervenes.

"We would love to!" She instead says firmly accepting Kir's proposal.

"Brilliant, I'll go home first and tell her about it." Kir says before swiftly leaving so that Secessus can't refuse again.

The shade demon noticing this blatant attempt at trying to get their will through decided to let it be. It's not like he's against the idea entirely, and if there is something to discuss, then it should happen sooner rather than later.

About an hour later, the 3 individuals meet Kir again. He says everything is prepared and that they can follow him now. This is not without mentioning that it would be a gigantic shame if they decided to skip now. Clearly guilt-tripping Sol from another refusal. Luckily, the refusal does not come from Secessus's mouth as he obediently follows Kir to his home.

About a ten-minute walk later, they arrived at Kir's house. It actually looks surprisingly luxurious. The house is in one of the richer neighborhoods in the center and looks well maintained. The stone that the house is made of seems to be of high quality, as the size of the house itself is also larger than the usual Yeoroughian house.

A young girl, probably around the age of 12 sits in front of the door. Carrying quite a little eagle doll in her hands, seemingly waiting for someone. The girl's eyes lit up as soon as the man who shares the same color of hair as herself comes into view.

"Dad, there you are!" The girl yells as she rushes over, jumping into Kir's embrace.

"Wooh, you're excited." Kir replies, hugging his daughter carefully.

"Mom promised me some extra cake if I behave!" The girl yells excitedly, her mouth already drooling at the prospect of cake.

"Well, then what should you do when you meet visitors?"

"Greet them!" The girl that's begun to jump like a small rabbit replies energetically.

She now glances over to the people next to her father and stops jumping. The cogs slowly turn in her head as she sees strangers with her father visiting her home.

'Strangers…visiting….visitors….OOH!' The young girl stops jumping and straightens up her posture. Holding her eagle doll with her two hands, she lowers the two hands together. Giving a clearly learned but dignified look, even if she's just a small girl.

"Greetings, I am Chiara. It's a pleasure to meet you. Please follow me inside and if you have any questions feel free to ask them." The girl named Chiara says, trying to match some dignified tone, speaking a bit slower and more pronounced. It isn't as well practiced as her posture, and thus it seems a bit sloppy, but also rather cute.

Following the young girl and her father in the house, the smell of cooked chicken, peach, and spices fill their nostril.

"Mama, they're here!" The young girl yells in her normal voice.

Hearing the yelling of her daughter, a rose-haired woman approaches carrying a toddler in her hands.

"Thank you, Chiara. Can you check on your sister? Tell her we're dining soon."

"mmhmm." The girl grumbles, seemingly not excited by the prospect.

"Chiara, do you want cake or not?" The mother says in a more stern voice.

"Claire, are you ready?!" At this, the girl immediately runs upstairs, yelling for her sister.

"Sweety take Chasin for a bit, will you? And make sure the chicken doesn't burn." The woman, asks, handing over the pink-haired toddler to her husband.

"Okay." Kir replies obediently, going to the kitchen it seems whilst carrying his sleepy son.

"Greetings, I am Pallas. Please take a seat and feel free to ask any questions." Pallas says in a highly dignified tone and the same posture as what her daughter Chiara was doing before.

She then guides the 3 individuals to the dining room. Seating the visitors next to each other as the food gets brought by Kir.

Looking at Alessia and then Pallas a question pops up in Secessus's mind. One that he has been wondering about for a long time, but never saw fit to actually ask.

"What is it?" Cornelius asks, sensing that Secessus is thinking deeply about something.

"Cornelius, you know some things, right?" Secessus whispers, making sure that no one else hears.

"I mean, I wasn't going to say it myself." Cornelius whispers back, not denying it, but seemingly very happy with the indirect compliment.

"Is coloring your hair a trend or is that actually genetically?" Secessus asks, looking at Alessia's dark green hair and Pallas's rose hair.