Congratulations! Itarr cheered.  She was the only one who congratulated Servi. The five watching couldn't do anything more than stare with their jaws opened. Even Fisher was dumbfounded, and the silence only broke when Silverado half-yelled.

“Did you really climb that shield?!” 

“Impossible?!” 

“No, it’s not. Riki, that's what we should’ve done. I can’t believe I didn’t think of it!” Rakkire said to his cousin.  

“That has to be the craziest thing I’ve seen. It was like watching a little squirrel climb a tree!” Desperado noted.

“Medic!!” Fisher yelled. He had been watching with careful eyes. Two young Humans wearing a red uniform with a white cross rushed to the fallen Kobold. As they were healing Feral, Fisher turned to Servi and questioned her. “Why did you do that?” 

“Because I needed to get close to use Lucem. It works better the closer you are to the target’s eyes, right? I was lucky Thunder Snap actually worked. If that didn’t, then I would’ve lost. But why didn’t he use his tail? Even disoriented, he still could’ve won,”  Servi said what no one wanted to say.

“I see. I have never seen anything like that before. As a fighter, you pass. But as a tank, you fail. Feral was disoriented after the Thunder Snap, and you could’ve ended it then and there with your sword, but you had to go use Lucem and your shield, even knowing he might've attacked with his tail the second time.” 

“Servi…” Came a growling voice. Feral had a large white bandage around both of his knees, but he was walking fine. Those medics must’ve had access to powerful healing skills. “That was the first time I've ever lost to a Human.”

“Explain why you didn't use your tail when you could’ve won?” Fisher demanded.  He narrowed his eyes and stared at Feral like he was pathetic. “You better not have gone easy on her because she's a Human!!” 

“I did no such thing!" Feral angrily slammed his tail into the ground. "Whenever I enter battle, that’s all I can think about. I must admit, I believe it to be a weakness. I realize now I should’ve used my tail, but I was distracted by the pain in my ears and eyes," he admitted. He hated how naïve he was. Feral didn’t think he could lose to anyone but another Kobold.  

“That’s why this program exists.” Fisher turned around and faced his mentees. “This entire thing is to build your confidence and give you the experience so that when you go out into the field and start taking or resume taking quests, you’re more prepared. It’s so that things like this are less common! Everyone here is weak. That’s a fact. You’re only Rank 10, but that’s fine. Everyone starts weak and grows into their strength.” 

Compared to when they started, Fisher was like a saint. The first few days were filled with nothing more than him insulting everyone and calling them maggots. He did it for a reason, though. He wanted to break his mentees at their core and rebuild them up. But was that the only reason? Maybe somewhere along the line, and as the days passed, there was a hole in his heart and mind that realized something? Perhaps that realization, as much as he hated it, was something he couldn’t keep inside. But he’d rather die before he ever admitted it.  He was weak and not the strong man that everyone believed him to be.

Ha, I guess that’s why I’m so frail... Dammit, Fisher! You fool!   

Feral ended up with a damaged knee that'd be better after a bit of rest, so he left right after Fisher dismissed them. Servi went to apologize but was stopped by Silverado of all people. She saw the Kobold disappear as he turned around and corner. She and the rest of the four were in the training field. Fisher had already left as well.  

“Don’t feel bad. Kobolds live for war and battle. And to best one in physical combat is not something for them to be upset about. They value strength, and you showed that today. You don’t want to disrespect him by apologizing, do you?” his silver scales shined in the sunlight. He cracked a smile, and Servi returned it.  

“Thanks. I gotta admit, I don’t really know all that about their culture.”  

Maybe this could be a chance for me to learn more? 

“Aye. For Kobolds, you just gotta smack those big bastards around a little. Strength is what they value above all else,” added Riki.  

“Don’t be racist, cousin. Some of them don’t like to fight all that much,” Rakkire berated his cousin and added on more information.

“Speaking of fighting, I thought a Kobold was a shoo-in to win the tournament. But maybe not,” Desperado said.  

“It sounds like you’re planning to lose,” Servi said.  She held her arms in a t-pose and stretched them.  Silverado thought it was a bit weird, but he mimicked her.  A surprised look appeared on his face when he realized he was tense.

“It’s not that. You’ve seen how strong Kobolds are. I don’t want to be rude, but if Feral would’ve remembered he had a tail, you would've lost.” 

“You got me there,” Servi chuckled a little bit and lowered her arms.  

“Still, climbing his shield that's nearly as tall as he is AND using Lucem?! You’re one brave Human.” 

“Thanks.” 

“So listen, the four of us were thinking about getting some dinner later on. You’re more than welcome to join us,” Silverado asked.  

Servi was conflicted. It wasn’t as if she didn’t want to go-- she did because she came to enjoy her new friends' company-- but her mind immediately went to Momo. And that got her thinking.  

“I’d like to, but I told my party member, Momo, that we’d have dinner together tonight. Did you ask Feral?"

“We did, but he just grunted and walked off. But you’re more than welcome to invite this Momo and anyone else,” Silverado said. 

Ah, he might have to work. Remember? He works at that Madam Canary's Sweetie Tweety, Itarr said.

“Sure, I’ll ask her. Where were you meeting at?” 

“Here, actually. There’s a good steak house that’s about a fifteen-minute walk from here. Since we’re all comrades, I was thinking we could all go together.” This time, it was Rakkire who spoke. 

Well, I don’t really see anything wrong with that. And it might be nice. Enjoying a nice dinner with some friends I’ve grown to like... I could think of a worse way to end the day. 

“Sounds good. So what time?” Servi said.

“7:30. Is that fine with you?” Riki asked. “It’s a little bit past 4:40, so that’s a little less than three hours.” 

“It sounds fine to me. I’ll see you guys later.” 

Servi walked towards the double set of doors after waving to her friends. Yes, to her friends. After working hard with them for two weeks and even seeing their low points where they wanted to give up, she did feel a sort of kinship with them.  It wasn't entirely there, but it was growing.

But why is my heart uneasy? Do I really deserve to have friends and to be happy after I’d taken so many lives? As she walked home to the Warden office, passing by hordes of people of all different races and colors, it reminded her of seeing all those slaves locked away in a dank underground cell.  

I did the right thing. I know I did. If I didn’t, then I’m just as bad as those slavers... Or am I even worse? I didn't kidnap anyone, but I did kill a lot... She felt a tinge of pain in her head before suddenly blinking a few times.  

I feel fine now. I’m not on my period, am I? Can that even happen since I’m immortal? It does cause pain, so I shouldn't have to worry about bleeding every month... But why does my mood flip-flop like a pancake every morning? 

Servi felt her head hurt for just a moment, and she smiled. I shouldn’t worry about that. She picked her brisk walk into a jog. Servi's green cape attached to her leather armor fluttered in the wind with her black hair while two red eyes stared straight ahead.   

Fifty minutes later, Servi was sitting on the bench outside her room. She was wearing a yellow tank top, a thin black jacket sewed with an orange pattern, black pants that came to about three-quarters down her legs, and black shoes with white socks. It was modest, sleek, and cute. When she put it on, she did a little twirl and giggled when Servi saw herself in the mirror she took out from her ring.  

She silently talked to Itarr as she waited but stopped when she heard both the voice of her friend and a stranger.

“And that’s her. Hey, Servi!” Momo half-yelled. She waved to her friend, and Servi waved back. She got up and walked over to them.  

“Servi, this is Srassa. Srassa, this my party member, Servi.” 

Unlike Momo, Srassa wasn’t wearing any armor. It was a floral sundress that came down right below her knees. Her blond hair was long, but the green bow in it added to her overall adorable charm. Her green eyes matched the light green bra, whose left strap peeked out just a little bit. She was bustier than Momo but smaller than Servi. On her feet, she wore sandals that had quite a few straps around her ankle and legs. Servi later found out from Momo that they were called gladiator sandals. A brown purse was gripped tightly in her hands. Even Servi could see that she was nervous.  

“Nice to meet you! I’m Servi," Servi extended her arm and produced a friendly smile.

Srassa, the mysterious stranger that Servi knew about from Momo, stuck her hand out as well. “I'm Srassa.  It’s a pleasure to meet you.” 

“Servi, what are you all dressed up for?” Momo asked. She gestured over to a small table, and the three sat down.  

“The classmates I'm training with asked me out for dinner tonight. I thought we’d go and have some fun. They said if I knew people who wanted to go, I should ask them. So, Momo, Srassa, want to come with us?” 

Me? We just met, and you’re already inviting me out to dinner? Momo was right about you.  You are friendly.

"That sounds fine to me. Srassa, do you want to come with dinner with us?” Momo asked. Her pink tail lightly swayed from side to side as she awaited an answer.  

“Umm, I’m fine with going, but can I ask where?” Srassa squeaked. She reminded Servi of Momo. 

“There’s this steak place that’s nearby. We were meeting at 7:30 at the headquarters, and then we're walking to the restaurant from there. It's only a fifteen-minute walk.” 

“Okay... I’d love to join you all,” Srassa stood up, did a little curtsy, and sat back down. 

Momo must’ve seen the confusion in Servi’s eyes, and she explained. “Srassa’s a noble. Apparently, that’s something they do.” During the walk from Srassa's house to the Warden office, the noble girl answered Momo’s question about the nobility, including one about the curtsy.

“Oh, I’m sorry if it was inappropriate,” Srassa quickly apologized, but Servi shook her head.  

“Nah, it wasn't inappropriate. But we have some time to waste before we have to leave.” 

Srassa looked at the cute pocket watch she pulled from her purse. It was black and had a white cat on the front. “It’s 5:34. What time are we leaving here?” 

“Hmm, it’s a bit of a walk to the headquarters, so how about 6:10?” Even if we get there early, we shouldn’t have to wait long.” 

“Okay,” she replied.  

Momo spoke up. “If that's the case, I’m gonna go change and take a shower, okay? I’ll be back soon.” 

The Singi turned around and almost sped up the steps to her room. Servi was happy that Momo was excited. She really was. There was a time Servi almost cried because there was a chance for Momo to leave her. But this time, her mind didn’t even wander over to the sadness. The only thing the black-haired girl felt was blissful happiness.

Servi and Srassa had an, admittedly, awkward conversation at first, but it grew organically to the point where both of them felt like old pals.  

Sometime later, and unbeknownst to them, Momo secretly spied on her two friends from the stairs with a smile. She was a bit nervous about introducing Srassa to her friend.  

It was the very first time I actually had someone to introduce to someone else. Hehe!! My friends look like they’re getting along so well!

Momo stopped hiding and came down to meet them. The Singi wore the outfit with the black suspenders that she wore during the quest to buy Claire chocolate, and the adorable catgirl looked as cute as a button.

“Wow, that looks good!” Srassa excitedly complimented her new friend.

“Thanks! So I think we got some time left, so why don’t we just chat?” Momo bashfully smiled at her new friend and beamed on the inside. She didn't do a decent job of hiding it, and Servi picked up on Momo's glee.

Oh boy, chatting with a couple of friends! Oh, grandpa, I wish you could see me now!! 

"Sure, why not?" Servi said. 

For a little bit over thirty minutes, the three friends talked about their mentors and the training they had done. All the while, Srassa, Momo, and Servi had pleasant smiles on their face.  

If someone looked different or had characteristics that others did not have, like a tail or scales, that did not mean the emotions they felt were any less real or valuable. And for Srassa, who, unfortunately, grew up without many friends, she was absolutely beyond happy. Her situation was similar to Momo's in more ways than one, but she had the luxury of money and a supportive family. She envied Momo, in a way, and she wanted a close friend to talk to. Srassa yearned to get into fights and have arguments one day and make up the next. She sort of thought that maybe Momo would be that friend. She even thought they could be that friend to each other, but she became slightly sad when she realized Servi was that friend to Momo.

Maybe..... if possible.... could we be that friend to each other? The three of us?