Before heading out, Servi jogged over to pick up the shield she had taken off.

“You’re tough. Very tough. As Fisher mentioned, my full power was behind it,” Feral said. His tail slammed against the floor, and Servi thought he was more dog than Kobold with how his feelings were so prominently on display.

Servi put a hand to her crushed armor and looked back at Feral. “It’ll take a lot more than that to kill me. I’m quite durable,” she replied back. After slipping her arms through the shield's hooks, Servi waved and walked from Feral. He happily slammed his tail in response. Perhaps that was his way of saying goodbye?

She made her way through the building, and soon, she found herself standing in the middle of the lobby. She didn’t see a clock, so she asked the receptionist the time.  

“It’s a bit past 4:30. Oh, hey, how did the training go?” Roland asked.  

“It went so-so. But I need some new armor,” Servi moved her arm and showed Roland her injury.  

“Do you need to see a medic? And did the Captain cause it?” Roland’s face had a bit of a shocked look to it, but it must’ve been his years of experience that helped him keep a mostly straight face.  

“Fisher didn’t do it. We had to spar, and I went up against a Kobold.” Just as she finished her sentence, the culprit himself wobbled and stomped out through the lobby. His tower shield, strapped to his back by crude chains, was the talk of the room.  Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared in pure amazement.  

He looked down at Servi and nodded, and she returned it.  

“He was the one who did it," Servi said.

“It’s almost impossible for a Human to compare their strength to a Kobold. I’m actually surprised you can even walk. What was the Captain even thinking?” Roland exclaimed.

Servi smiled and put her hands up. “It’s no big deal, not one bit. If anything, I was excited to try my hand at fighting him. Still, I'd never faced a stronger opponent.” Feeling giddy, Servi waved to the receptionist before leaving the building. Once she was outside, she waved to the guards and jogged her way back to her home at the Warden office with a bright smile on her face.

I don’t know why, but I feel amazing! I feel like I can take on anything! Watch out, world! I'm coming for you!

Itarr watched with happiness as Servi eventually made it to the steps. But she didn’t say anything. She stayed quiet and only focused on observing her happy friend.  

The two long lines were gone, but the streets were as packed as ever. Walking inside, it felt like the number of people stayed roughly the same. It was just as crowded, and Servi couldn't spot the Elf she wanted to see.

“I hope Claire is still here,” Servi said as she made her way up the stairs. The beautiful wooden handles to her right slide across her palm. Her mood had shifted just a bit, and she no longer felt as happy.  

Hmm…Did my adrenaline run out? That was a pretty heavy hit.  

Reaching the third floor, she unlocked and entered her room.  

“Man, I forgot to tell Momo where we were gonna meet up,” Servi muttered. She slumped down on the hard mattress and changed into something that was much more comfortable. A blue shirt, black pants, and black boots were her choice of wear for the evening. She also had a jacket, but it wasn’t on her. Not having a coat rack, Servi decided to use Telekinesis to use the air as one. It was small and black, barely coming down to her belly button. Standing up, she held her arms out, and the jacked put itself on her.  

I like the clothes, and I noticed you went with black again.

“Just like Momo has pink, I think I’ll choose black. Besides, it’s cute, isn’t it?” Servi took out a mirror she got when she robbed the Old Onyx clothing store and anchored it to the wall via Telekinesis. Doing a little twirl, she giggled as she watched her black hair swished and swooshed in the mirror before striking a pose. Then she pulled out a black comb and started to brush her hair, even though it didn’t need it.  

There’s gotta be something going on. I’d never acted like this before, have I? 

Servi stopped brushing and absorbed the mirror and comb before making her way outside.  

Why did you stop? 

“I don’t know. I can’t exactly explain it. I’ve been feeling a bit weird all day, but I don’t think I’m sick."

If you were sick, then True Immortality would’ve kicked in.  

Itarr went silent for a moment, then Servi suddenly smiled. “Maybe I’m just nervous.” 

It could be. This whole mentoring thing is off-putting and new to me as well.  The Goddess added on, but her voice was kind of unusual.

 Making her way up to the fourth floor, Servi knocked on Momo’s door, but she didn't get a response.  

Seems like Momo isn’t here. Is she still with her mentor?

“That’s probably it. Well, what do you want to do?” Servi turned from the door and made her way back down the stairs.  

Maybe we can relax in your room?  

“That’s a good idea as any.” Entering her room, Servi had only sat down on the hard mattress when she heard a knock on the door. Answering it, she found a cute Singi with pink hair. Her face was slightly flushed with sweat, and she was breathing a bit hard. It was pretty clear to Servi that Momo probably ran all the way home.  

And that was what Momo did after saying goodbye to her mentor. She wanted to see her friend and tell her about her day.  

“Hi!” Momo said as her chest moved with her inhales and exhales.  A wide smile plastered her face. 

“Hey, Momo,” Servi replied. She stepped out of her room.  

“You’re done for the day?” 

Servi made her way over to a small bench and sat down. Momo took the seat beside her.  

“Yep. How about you?” 

“Yeah. I just got back myself. It was alright. I ended up having to run ten laps around a track and then sparred against a Kobold...” After sighing, Servi looked at Momo, who had a look of fright plastered on her pretty face.

“A Kobold?! Are you okay? They’re super strong, you know.” 

“Oh, I know that now. I didn’t even stand a chance. He knocked me out in a single hit,” Servi laughed as she remembered the fight. “It was like I was a puppy, and he was a lion.” 

“You sure you’re okay? What about your shield?” 

Servi nodded. “The shield is fine. In fact, we couldn’t use them. And we couldn’t use the weapons we brought with us. Before running the ten laps, Fisher told us to run over to the middle of this field and bring back a weapon. But yeah, I’m fine. I wished I could say the same for my armor, but I can't.” 

“Oh no! How damaged is it?” Momo held her sweaty hands to her face in shock.  

“It's cracked and broken near the side, but it's wearable.” 

Momo sighed in relief and returned her hands to her lap. “Well, I’m glad you weren’t hurt.” 

“That's enough about me. How was your training?” 

Momo’s eyes lit up like a firecracker, and she spoke a kilometer a second. “Oh, it was amazing. Dineria’s store is like a forest inside. And she has her own training room in the back! And she’s super nice, and she even treated Srassa and me to a cup of tea during lunch! Oh, Srassa is the other girl Dineria is mentoring. She’s a Human with blond hair and green eyes. How many were in your class?”  

“Six. Two Dwarfs, Two Koena, a Kobold, and me. The only Human girl.” 

“You’re surrounded by guys?” 

“Yep. But I think I managed to prove myself today. I just lost the one match, and the ten laps weren’t that difficult.” 

Momo leaned back further on the bench and dangled her legs. She liked it when she could relax and talk to her friend.  

“Well, that’s good. I’m glad we both had a good time. Hey, wanna go and get the chocolate?” 

Did she have a good time? Every pore of Servi’s body was yelling at her to say that she didn’t, but her mind counteracted every pore and wanted her to say she did. It was like her body and mind were conflicted on what was the truth.   

Was the body the authority on what was good or bad, or was it the mind? Servi didn't know.

Servi nodded. “It’s a good thing you brought that up. Honestly, I just about forgot about it.” 

“I almost did too. Dineria told us that if we met her expectations, she’d give us some hand-made cookies. I’m glad she said that because it reminded me of our promise.” She got up from the bench and stretched. Like its owner, her tail followed along and did something close to stretching.  

“Mind if I change real quick?” she turned to look at her sitting friend, and she shook her head.  Her black hair danced lightly in front of her eyes, and her ears and red eyes peeked through the metaphorical black forest.

“Not at all. I’ll be right here, okay?”  

“Okie-dokie! I’ll be right back.” Servi watched with a smile as her friend practically skipped up the stairs.  

You know, Momo’s improved quite a bit. Even though it's only been a single day, maybe this mentoring thing was the thing she needed all along.  

“Yeah. It’s been good for our Singi, hasn't it?. Being surrounded by a teacher-like figure who really wants to see you improve and even offering snacks if you meet their expectations is something everyone needs. It's only been one day, but I think it's a good start... You know, Itarr, I’m so happy for her. I really am.”

Then why do you sound so sad? 

“I liked it when she relied on me. I know I said I wanted to see her stronger and more confident, and I truly meant that, but I hope she doesn’t decide to leave me.” 

Why would you ever say that? Remember when she hugged you after the announcement? When you two were talking about slaves? 

“Yeah?” 

I don’t know if it’s where I’ve been inside you, but I felt nothing but the honest truth coming from her. You and her are friends, right? 

“Yeah. We’re friends.” 

Wouldn’t friends stay friends with each other? I don’t see why you should think any differently.  

As if flipping a switch, the sadness Servi felt disappeared like a string in the wind. After a few more seconds of thinking, Servi still didn't understand why she even felt down in the first place.  The sudden disappearance of those emotions frightened her a little bit, but she chalked it up to being stressed out from having to work so closely with one of her mortal enemies.

“Thanks, Itarr. I can always count on you.” 

You are most welcome. I’ll always be here.