Zion looked at Candy with surprise in his eyes.

  "Hey, what are you doing staring at my friend like that?"

  Zion quickly regained his senses.

  "Sorry, just thought she looked familiar."

  He held out his hand.

  "Once again, I'm Stella's brother, Zion. Apologies if I was rude."

  Candy beamed.

  "Not at all. It's great to meet you!"

  Candy shook his hand energetically.

  "If I'd known you had such a handsome brother, I would have asked to meet your family soo- Ouch!"

  Candy laughed as Stella elbowed her in the side.

  "What, I'm only speaking the truth!"

  "Alright enough teasing you two, I need to sit down."

  At his words, Stella quickly made room and pulled out a chair.

  "I'll start dinner now, it should be ready in a bit."

  "Want me to help?" Candy asked.

  "Sure, could you chop some carrots and potatoes for me?"

  "Yep!"

  While Stella prepared a pot of broth, Candy took a knife and began to cut the vegetables.

  [Detecting current weapon…

  Current Weapon: Kitchen knife

  Skill: Weapon Mastery (intermediate) activated]

  'Huh? Why did the skill activate?'

  As she moved the knife to cut down, she felt the system guiding her hands. She quickly and skillfully cut the vegetables into uniform pieces.

  'I didn't know this skill could be used outside of combat. Isn't cooking a completely different skill? Developers, what's going on?'

  Unfortunately the mysterious developers never replied.

  Stella walked over to take the cut vegetables and exclaimed,

  "Wow, I didn't know you were so good at using a knife."

  "Just one of my many talents, hehe."

  Stella put the vegetables into the broth.

  "Dinner will be ready soon, can you get the bowls, Candy?"

  "Sure."

  She looked around the room but couldn't see them. As she looked over at Zion, he smiled and pointed at a cabinet.

  "Ah, thanks."

  "No problem."

  Soon, the meal was ready and Stella served them.

  "It's not much, but I don't think my cooking is too bad."

  Candy scooped up some of the soup. Her mouth filled with the fragrance of the vegetables and the hearty broth.

  "It's delicious!"

  Zion took a spoonful.

  "It is, thanks again, Stella."

  Stella blushed at the praise.

  "It's no big deal."

  The trio talked as they ate, with Candy narrating how she came to Silva.

  "What do you do, Zion?"

  "I work as a doctor and herbalist for the city guards."

  "Wow, that's so cool!"

  "Yeah, but it means he spends most of his time at work and rarely comes home."

  Stella shook her head disapprovingly.

  "You're going to overwork yourself like this."

  Zion shrugged.

  "It's my job and passion. I wouldn't change it for anything."

  Candy looked around the room.

  "So are all these plants medicinal ones?"

  "Yes. My lab at the guards' building doesn't get much light, so I grow most of the plants I use here."

  "The only time he comes home is when he needs them," Stella complained.

  "Sorry, I'll try to come home more often, but we're seeing more injuries now that summer is nearly gone."

  Candy spoke up.

  "Why are there more injuries now?"

  Zion sighed.

  "With the cold seasons approaching, many of the beasts in the forest are looking to secure their territories and food. As such, they end up getting closer to the city. The guards can handle them, but with so many it's inevitable for some people to get hurt."

  "Oh, that makes sense."

  After finishing dinner and washing up, Stella led Candy to her room. Although it was a tight fit, they both managed to squeeze onto the bed.

  "Good night, Candy."

  "Good night."

  ...

  Candy gradually opened her eyes. The room was still dark. Gently sitting up, she looked at Stella's sleeping face and smiled.

  Looking out the window, she saw the crescent moon gently shining with a purple hue.

  Turning her head, she spotted a faint warm glow coming from under the bedroom door.

  Quietly standing up, she slipped out of the room.

  As she entered the kitchen, she saw Zion sitting at the table.

  The warm candlelight softly illuminated the room.

  Hearing her enter, he turned and motioned for her to sit with him.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Candy took a seat opposite him.

  "Can't sleep?" Zion asked.

  "Sort of."

  "Me neither."

  The two sat in silence for a bit before Zion spoke.

  "You were at the guards' training grounds a couple night ago, right?"

  "Huh? Yeah, I was."

  Zion sighed in relief.

  "I knew I had seen you before. You were the one sleeping on the bench."

  "How do you know that?" Candy asked in surprise.

  "My office overlooks the grounds and I just so happened to see you."

  "Ah."

  "At the time, I thought you were really brave sleeping out in the open like that."

  "Well, I didn't have much choice at the time."

  "I see."

  Zion looked troubled.

  "May I ask you something?"

  "Sure."

  "You aren't actually a novice adventurer are you?"

  "Hmm? What do you mean."

  Zion turned serious.

  "I could tell by the way you acted at the training grounds. Despite being alone and in the dark, you were carefree. You looked like someone who could hold their own. I may not know how to fight but I've been around soldiers long enough to see that."

  Zion shifted slightly.

  "My suspicions were confirmed when I saw your knife skills. Your ease in using the knife isn't something that new adventurers have."

  Candy laughed and raised her hands up by her head.

  "Aww, you caught me. I am stronger than I look, but I really am a novice adventurer!"

  "Alright."

  "I can tell you don't believe me at all."

  "It doesn't really matter. Plus, knowing that you are strong makes this part easier."

  Candy gave a confused look as Zion looked directly at her.

  "I have a request for you."

  "What is it?"

  "Please protect Stella for me."

  "Huh?"

  "I need you to protect my sister."

  "Why?"

  "Has Stella told you about her goal?"

  "A bit, she said that she wanted to become a super strong adventurer and travel all over the continent looking for treasures."

  Zion smiled sadly.

  "So she didn't tell you the whole truth."

  "Well no, even though we're good friends, we've only known each other for a few days. It'd be weird if she told me everything."

  Zion softly laughed.

  "You're right, it would be weird. But now that I know you a bit more, it's also very important."

  Zion looked at the flickering candle.

  "The reason she wants to become strong and the reason she wants to be an adventurer have to do with me."

  "As you probably noticed, my legs aren't the best and my overall health isn't great either. That's part of the reason I decided to become a doctor."

  "I see."

  "Stella has always been worried about me. When we were children she said that she'd become an adventurer and find a way to treat me. I didn't think she'd actually do it though."

  "I love my sister and I know that she is strong enough to do anything she wants, but I can't help worry as her brother. I've seen how much she's struggled to get stronger and I don't want her to throw her life away or put herself in danger because of me."

  Candy nodded.

  "I understand that."

  "Knowing you're here to watch out for her reassures me, but I wanted to ask you to look out for her anyway."

  Candy thought for a moment.

  "I understand your concern for your family. Being an adventurer definitely has risks."

  "So you'll-"

  "However."

  Candy's expression became more serious.

  "I also think you are underestimating her. Yes, she may be a novice now, but I know that she can become much stronger in the future. In fact, I plan to help her with that, but I don't think you understand her goal completely."

  "Yes, maybe part of the reason she wanted to be an adventurer was to help you, but I know that her passion also comes from herself."

  "I've seen her fight and I've seen her train. She might be a bit unaware now, but everyone has to start somewhere. Seeing her happiness and excitement, I believe that she truly wants to become an adventurer."

  Zion looked slightly surprised.

  "You've seen her struggling, but I've seen her excelling. Her aptitude for the bow is extremely high and I know she'll improve quickly."

  "It's ok to be worried, she's you sister after all, but please don't underestimate her ability or her resolve."

  Zion was stunned for a moment before he began to think. He was silent for a moment before speaking.

  "I see. Thank you for telling me this. You're right. I've only been looking at her as my precious younger sister and I ignored any other reason for her actions. Knowing that she is truly happy in what she's doing reassures me."

  "I'm glad you can understand her."

  Candy stood up.

  "Still, your request from earlier, I will fulfill."

  "I will look out for her. Not as someone who needs protection, but as someone who is my precious friend."