Lillia led me us to an empty table in the middle of the guild hall. I had turned off the ‘appraisal’ skill, even if what I had said at the counter was a bit of an excuse, I did still feel a little drained from before. Having it on in a room full of this many women seemed like it might be a bit overstimulating. and there could always be something I really didn’t want to see. I was also feeling a little unsure if it was really okay for me to use it in such a way, as much as I kind of really wanted to use it anyway. What was with this ero skill tree anyway? I’d have to question Lillia about how something like this could come about later, but right now there was something else I really wanted to ask her.

“So, you’ve summoned a few heroes before me?”

“Yes, several.” She answered, before looking a little panicked and adding. “But, none like you before, none of them were special like you and we definitely didn’t do anything like earlier.”

“Oh okay… Um, I was just wondering what happened to them? Jules mentioned something about your last summon…”

“They were all destroyed I’m afraid.”

“Destroyed how?”

“Look Theo, it wasn’t that long ago, and the image is still pretty clear in my mind. Do you mind if we don’t talk about it right now?” She trembled a little as she spoke.

That sounded pretty ominous, but I didn’t want to press further for now.

“Sure, sorry, I didn’t mean to pry like that…”

“It’s okay, really I don’t mind, I will tell you when I’m up to it.”

“Right.”

“Anyway, what would you like to eat?” She asked passing me the menu.

Luckily for me the food in this world seemed pretty much like ours and I was easily able to pick something out before the waitress came over to take our order. The guild hall had a slightly strange atmosphere to it, a little like a cross between a town hall and a country pub. A couple of beers and a good meal inside of me then I didn’t think any more of it. After we had finished eating Lillia passed me over a key.

“Here’s the key to your room. I had one prepared for you earlier, room number twenty seven. It’s a nice room.” She told me.

“Oh right, thank you. Do I owe you any money for it?”

“No, no, don’t worry about that for now. We get some expenses and you’ll be able to pay your way as soon as we start on some quests.”

“Okay. So where do you stay?” I asked innocently.

“I have an apartment in the town… Um I’d like to, but I think for tonight it’s best if you stayed here. You know to get some rest. I wouldn’t want a repeat of earlier. I mean I would, but you know not like that.” She said blushing quite considerably.

“Yeah that’s fine I wasn’t expecting anything… I just wondered is all.”

“That’s good. I think you should probably head up for some rest and I said I’d meet a friend in town if I had the time.”

“Right, sure of course.”

“I hope you don’t mind me leaving you like this?” Her eyes looking straight into mine as she spoke.

“No really it’s fine. I want to head up now and I definitely could do with the rest so…”

“I’ll come and call for you first thing in the morning.”

“Okay, I listen out for you.”

It was already dark outside. I had no idea of what time it was really, but it did seem late anyway. Lillia said her goodbyes and left me to find my own way to my room.

While I was finishing off my beer, I started to think about this whole situation. I wasn’t entirely sure I was happy about it. I mean the skills were good and I’d already had fun, but the whole thing about fighting the demon lord was concerning to say the least. I was also kind of stuck on what Lillia had said about the men being destroyed and the distinction between that and how the women were killed.

In the end I gave up thinking about it, still not thinking too clearly and tired I finished my beer and headed up to where the sleeping quarters were. Lillia was right, it was a nice room. Perhaps a little basic but it would be more than sufficient for me. Feeling sleepy and with little else to do, I stripped down and climbed into bed, easily falling asleep.

Sometime later I was woken up by the sound of knocking on the door to my room. I sat up in bed and looked around the room a little confused. It was definitely still dark out, was that Lillia coming to wake me up? It seemed far too soon to be the morning. There was another knock at the door, so not knowing what else to do I climbed out of bed, then after quickly throwing on some trousers and a shirt I answered the door.

“Lillia?” I asked as I opened the door still a little sleepy.

No, it wasn’t her… Stood at the door was what I guessed to be a Catkin. I could tell by the little cat ears poking out of the top of her head and the tail wagging behind her back. This girl was seriously cute. She had silver blond hair, she was a little shorter than I am and was wearing a very well fitting little black dress.

“So, you’re Theo?” She asked.

“Y-yes.” I answered a little confused.

“Good, I came to the right room.” She replied walking straight past me and letting herself into my room.

“Um…”

“Do you want to close the door? It’s a little cold out.” She asked.

“Oh right, sure.”

Without thinking, I did as she asked and closed the door behind me. Suddenly a little worried about my situation I decided to activate ‘appraisal’ because you know, she might be hiding a weapon or something under that little black dress. Oh wow, the second in one day to be wearing a pretty lacy black two-piece underneath. This girl was hot as hell and had assets just like Lillia, she was a comparable beauty. In fact, I would have a tough time choosing between them if I a was asked who was prettier.

“Ahum.” She coughed to get my attention. “Well Lillia did say you seemed to daydream a fair bit.”

“Oh, so you know Lillia?”

“Yes, I thought you knew. You didn’t just let a woman into your room who you’ve no idea who they are did you?”

“N-no… Um, do you mind me asking why you’re here?”

“Training.”

“Right training… What training? At this time of night!”

“Now is always the best time to start. Lillia tells me you have a special skill?”

“Special skill… Oh, that. Yes.”

“Then please demonstrate it for me.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, please go ahead.”

“O-okay.”

I started to do as she said. This time I held my hand a little in front of her body, with the skill upgraded I didn’t need to touch. I waited for a moment, until the girl nodded for me to start then I activated ‘special heal’.

“Oh my.” She let out in a seductive voice whilst biting her lip. “This is, this really… oh.” Her legs wobbled a bit, her knees touching each other.

I turned off the skill, not wanting a repeat of earlier.

“That was just how Lillia explained to me.” She told me now back to her normal voice.

“Yeah…”

“Here take this.” She said tossing me the small vial she had been holding in her hand the entire time.

“What is it?”

“A mana potion.”

“Oh, I see.”

Not thinking straight or thinking things through properly, a little tired and because of the situation I threw back the potion without questioning it. I almost instantly felt revitalised, like I’d just woken after a great sleep, but that wasn’t all I felt. I could feel my blood rushing and I looked down.

“Oh, so you noticed. There was something a little extra in there. Now we can get to training and I’ll show you how to get the most out of that little skill of yours.”

I wasn’t quite sure what to think about this. On the one hand I felt a little taken advantage of, but at the same time I really, really wanted her to teach me…

“Well, what are you waiting for?” She asked throwing herself backwards onto my bed and striking a very alluring pose.