Cafe

Vivian was inside her room, 3-08, which was located on the 3rd floor. 

She already moved all of her items from the shared room which was located on the 1st floor to here and placed them on the corner. 

Lorei said that the bed, pillows, curtains and other things will be sent later…

She glanced at the windows.

By her estimate, it was still around 4:00 p.m.

It's still too early for those kids to be there…

She turned her head and looked at the poleaxe.

I really didn't expect to get a suspension…

But then again, what other choice do I have…?

Tch!

She clicked her tongue.

I have to get strong as soon as possible…

At least a year…

And when that happens, I won't have to hide anymore and could I just do whatever I please…

She crossed her arms on her chest and began tapping her feet.

Since she no longer wore leather armor because it was already useless to her in her opinion, she didn't have to worry about folder her arms on her chest withoit suffocating herself. 

What should I do in the meantime…?

I want to avoid going out of the city and hunting monsters for now…

She recalled her meeting with the Guild Master, specifically about the things he said about overhunting and her explosive growth within the span of two months.

I've made too many bold moves lately…

But again, what choice do I have, right…?

She then recalled what the Guild Master told her about the background of original owner of the body she inhabited.

She placed her hand on her stomach.

So this body had children…

But they died, huh…

Well, at least it's convenient for me…

She tried to recall the rest of the information.

Born and raised in Siera Village…

The village got attacked by monsters two months ago and only a few survivors…

And supposedly, not of her parents, siblings, her husband and children survived... 

Moved to Bridge Town to join the Temple of Thieves and become an adventurer…

And then moved here to Luxen City…?

Vivian recalled the first time she woke up inside this body.

Although she was close to Luxen City, she woke up in the middle of the forest.

Was this body really heading to Luxen City…?

Was it doing a quest…?

Did she really die and I took over…?

She doesn't call having any wounds on her body when she woke up.

"Fuck it."

She turned away and exited the room.

As she was closing the door, someone called out her name.

"Sister Vivian?"

Vivian turned her head and saw Criselle.

"Sister Criselle!" Vivian said and closed the door before heading over to her. "It's been a while. How are you?"

"Congratulations on becoming a White Cloak. When did you change color?"

"Just today."

"Oh! What Class Magic did you learn?"

"[Halo]."

"That's very nice. You now have a passive mana recovery boost. Very helpful in training Magic Arts. Have you bought a magic item that also boosts mana recovery? It's extremely helpful."

"Already did," Vivian said and pointed to the earring on her right ear.

"You're really are very diligent. I won't be surprised if you will surpass me one of these days."

Vivian waved her hand.

"That's impossible. If that happens, it would probably take me at least 20 years. So where are you headed?"

"I took a day off today to deal with some personal matters. You?"

"Just killing time for a moment. I'm waiting for Sister Lorei to deliver the bed, pillows and curtains that I ordered."

"Oh, so you just moved here?"

"Yes. You also live here?"

"This is my room," Criselle and pointed at one of the doors engraved with the sign 3-05.

So we're neighbors, huh… 

I just hope she isn't the type who would --

She suddenly remembered Marie.

As far as Vivian can remember, it was somewhere on the 2nd floor.

"Since I'm done dealing with the things I had to do and you're not busy at the moment, why don't we celebrate for a bit?" asked Criselle.

"Um…" Vivian paused for a moment to think about it. "Sure, but I can't stay long and go too far because I'm also waiting for Sister Lorei."

"There's a new cafe outside the compound that recently opened. I haven't been there yet, but I heard they have tasty cakes with beautiful designs. We can grab something to eat there and it will be my treat."

"Okay, but as long as I get to treat you next time."

A smile appeared on Criselle's face.

"Deal."

The two women walked together.

***

Vivian and Criselle entered a cafe.

Vivian's eyes looked around and she was impressed.

It was truly a high-end cafe with medieval architecture and had a very pleasant smell that could put anyone in a relaxed mood.

It was nothing compared to Shirley's Tavern or the eatery beside The Silver Wing Inn.

Well, it is outside the compound of the Temple of Priests after all…

I doubt it if the Temple of Priests or even the surrounding stores would let an eye-sore be built in this area... 

Even the staff were all so good-looking that Vivian couldn't help but secretly glance at Criselle.

Is she that type…?

She shook her head mentally.

Even back in my original world, the more high-end the business is, the better-looking the employees are…

As Vivian continued walking with Criselle, she couldn't help but notice that people, specifically men, were staring at her longer than usual. She was already used to being stared at, especially once she became a Priest. But this time around, they held their gaze a little longer.

She finally noticed that they were staring at her chest.

After all, she wasn't wearing her leather armor and was only wearing a black fitting and stretchable long-sleeve shirt.

She subconsciously grabbed the front ends of her cloak and pulled them together to cover herself.

Was this too much…?

She glanced at Criselle.

But this woman didn't say anything…

Maybe she's the type who hates perfect and beautiful women like me…?!

It was then at the corner of her eye, Vivian noticed Marie drinking tea and eating cake with Carr, Said and other people she wasn't familiar with. There was even the cute woman who didn't say anything and just stared at her with a hint of animosity the day she took the mock exam for her first Holy Mission.

It also couldn't be helped that they too were all good-looking.

I remember hearing a study that equally attractive people tend to stick together because they more or less go through the same experiences…

Marie noticed Vivian and Criselle walking together and she was surprised to see Vivian wearing a White Cloak. She was about to wave and call them but stopped because they appeared to not have noticed her.

"Sister, did you know that this shop is owned by one of our brothers?" said Criselle.

"Really? I didn't know that."

Vivian and Criselle found an empty table and sat on it.

"His name is High Brother Craig, a Gold Cloak, and is part of the nobility."

"I have a question, sister. Is he called High Brother because he's part of the nobility?"

"No, it's because he's a Red Cloak. All Red and Gray Cloaks are addressed as High Brother or Sister."

"I see."

"Even Brother Isaac used to be called High Brother Isaac back when he was a Gray Cloak."

Isaac…?

Vivian tried to remember who Isaac was.

Unfortunately, she couldn't remember who it was.

"So Red and Gray Cloaks can get demoted?"

As far as Vivian knows, only Gold Cloaks can be Red and Gray Cloaks.

"Yes, they can be demoted but it's very rare. Usually, when a Priest doesn't want to be a Red or Gray Cloak anymore, it's because they want to retire and focus on other things, like family."

"Like get married and have kids?"

"Yes."

"Oh…"

So Priests and Priestesses here can get married…?

Wait…!

Can they get or be married while still being a Red or Gray Cloak…?

What about sex…?

Can they also marry people outside the Temple of Priests…?

Vivian wanted to ask but didn't dare to because she was afraid that it might be basic common knowledge and it would be strange that if she, a grown adult, knew nothing about it.

After all, based on her observation and experience, the Temple of Priests was quite influential and their members held a lot of social status.

Wait…!

Maybe I can bait her that way…

"Sister Criselle, are you married?"

"Used to be."

"I'm so sorry to hear that. I didn't mean to pry."

"It's fine. It's all in the past."

"For all it's worth, I'm actually a widow."

Criselle raised an eyebrow.

As far as Criselle knew, during the time when she and Marie washed Vivian at the infirmary after Vivian's Awakening Ceremony for her [Fire] and [Wind Mastery], they bombarded her with questions. And one of the questions that Marie asked Vivian was where was she from which then led to another question if she was single or not. Vivian told them that she was from a small village down south and she had no family here in Luxen City and was single.

"You're a widow?"

"Yes. It's something that don't exactly want to share with anyone because it's a painful memory. But since I was the first one to ask you a personal question and you strike me as someone who's caring and understanding, and you and I used to be... wives --"

Vivian almost choked and vomited when she said the word "wives".

"-- for some reason, I couldn't help myself sharing."

Criselle didn't say anything.

Vivian scratched her head and let out an awkward smile.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable." 

"No, sister, you didn't. I just wasn't expecting it. I'm grateful that you think of me as someone who's caring and understanding that you're willing to share something so personal to me."

"I see. Thank you. So your ex-husband, was he a Priest?"

"My ex-husband? He was a merchant and part of the Temple of Blacksmiths. How about you, sister?"

"Just a simple farmer like me."

"How about children?"

"They also passed away."

"I'm so sorry to hear that. Please forgive me for asking such questions. As a mother myself, I would never wish for any parent to experience such a thing, even to my worst enemies."

Vivian waved her hand.

"It's okay. As I mentioned earlier, I'm the one who opened the topic after all."

"Excuse me, Honered Priestesses," a male voice suddenly interrupted them.

Both Vivian and Criselle turned to who spoke. It was a very handsome brown-skinned man with black hair and wearing a white long sleeve polo shirt, and black pants and shoes. He was so handsome that he looked like he stepped out of a cover of a romance novel.

The man offered a bow. 

"My apologies for interrupting your conversation, Honored Priestesses, but may I take your orders?" he said and offered them both each a menu.

"Thank you," Vivian and Criselle said as they received the menu and began reading.

"I want this pink-colored cake and this Junea tea," Vivian said before handing back the menu.

"I'll have this Russ Cake and Sun Tea," Criselle said before handing back the menu.

"Thank you, Honored Priestesses. I will be back with your orders," the waiter said and bowed before leaving.

To continue their conversation, Criselle was about to talk about her children but bit her tongue after remembering that Vivian's children were all dead. 

She was scrambling her thoughts to think of a topic when Vivian spoke. 

"Sister, I have a question."

"What is it, sister?"

"Do you think my shirt is too revealing?"

Criselle looked at Vivian's black fitting and stretchable long-sleeve shirt.

"Well… As a woman, I can understand wanting to wear something more relaxing. But with your face and all... it's… you know…"

A dark expression appeared on Vivian's face.

"But I'm only a C-cup, not D."

"You can't control the reactions of people."

"How is that fair? It's not like I'm showing any skin."

"Again, sister, you can't control the reactions of people."

Vivian rolled her eyes and then changed the topic.

"Sister, I have a question about Physical Arts."