I Have a Task Log

Colin said, "There’s really no need to be in such a hurry."

"But I have to get stronger. Right now, I can still only use Tier Two Divine Skills." Orelia looked at him earnestly. "If this keeps up, I’ll be too embarrassed to join your victory celebration in the future."

"Are you sure you want to go alone?" Colin asked.

Kase aside, he was still a little worried about Orelia. After all, the young woman looked as if a strong gust of wind could blow her over; it seemed like she wouldn’t even dare to raise her voice in an argument.

Orelia smiled and retorted, "Why wouldn’t I dare?"

However, after seeing the determination in her eyes, Colin nodded and said, "Take care of yourself, Orelia."

"I’m a grown-up now. I can definitely take care of myself, Mr. Colin." Orelia crossed her arms and feigned a pout.

Just then, Ale spoke up. "Are you all leaving?"

"That sounds so ominous," Kase said with a yawn. "Makes it sound like we’re all going to die. See you in a month, pointy-ears."

Orelia stepped forward and gave Ale a gentle hug, then said, "See you in a month, Ale."

"Okay, it’s only a month..."

Though she said that, Colin could clearly see that Ale was still unhappy, like a small child having to say goodbye to her friends.

After settling things, the group emerged from the sewer entrance.

Kase and Orelia took a carriage out of Thousand Masts City, while Colin went to the Black Tower, heading straight for the Magic laboratory.

He had just walked through the main door, before he could even find a suitable spot, when a familiar red figure darted up to him. A closer look revealed it was Sela, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time.

The young female Mage approached, her face flushed red, and greeted him, "Colin, have you been well lately?"

"Lately? I’ve been doing pretty well," Colin said.

"I mean, the dragon," Sela said in a low voice. "Didn’t you fight a dragon? I saw it in the papers. That had to be you. You must have been badly hurt."

"More or less. Multiple fractures all over, extensive frostbite, a concussion, that sort of thing." Colin waved his hand dismissively. "But with the help of Divine Arts, those injuries were nothing. I was mostly recovered after a few days of rest."

"Really? That must have hurt a lot," Sela said, a hint of worry in her voice.

Colin said, "It wasn’t especially painful. You know, when you’re seriously injured, your body helps numb the pain so it doesn’t interfere with the process of saving yourself."

Sela said with a sigh, "Back when you stopped me in the slums, I never imagined things would turn out like this. It feels like... it feels like half a lifetime has passed, but it’s actually been less than a year."

At this, she seemed to realize her words might have been inappropriate and quickly tried to backtrack, "That’s not what I meant, Colin, I..."

"I know," Colin said with a smile. "I’m a poor kid from the slums. No one can erase that fact. Don’t worry, I don’t mind."

Sela took a few deep breaths.

Then, she clenched her fists as if steeling her resolve.

Just as Colin was about to ask what she wanted to say, Sela blurted out, "So, are you free anytime soon? Can I invite you to a party?"

"Uh..." Colin asked, confused. "A party?"

"Please, Colin, I already promised my classmates you would come, and I don’t want to be a liar." Sela pressed her hands together and continued, "If you come, I’ll give you all my allowance—fifty Gold Coins in total!"

Colin scratched the back of his head. "Well... I guess that’s fine. When’s the party?"

Hearing this, Sela’s already flushed cheeks turned a few shades redder. She suppressed the urge to jump for joy and quickly said, "Three days from now! Thank you so much, Colin."

"It’s not a big deal. Do I need to wear formal attire?" Colin added. "Also, it’s a bit unfortunate, but my teammates just left Thousand Masts City. Do you need them to come too?"

"It’s okay. If your friends want to come, they’re welcome," Sela said. "By the way, do you have formal wear? If not, we can go get a set custom-made right now. My taste is..."

"That won’t be necessary, I already have a set," Colin said, waving his hand.

Just then, he noticed Sela kept looking around.

Colin glanced around as well and saw many people looking their way. It wasn’t surprising. Chatting idly in a place like the Magic laboratory was bound to attract attention, especially when one of the people involved had recently been in the newspapers.

Sela started shuffling backward as she spoke. "Then I’ll see you then! Do I need to pick you up? Or..."

"Just tell me where the party is."

"It’s at the Golden Mast Mansion in the Marine District! It starts at six-thirty in the evening. I’m really looking forward to seeing you there, Colin. Bye!" After saying her piece, Sela bolted.

Colin chuckled helplessly.

’Getting to eat and drink for free at a party, and get paid fifty Gold Coins on top of that? Can a deal this good really exist in the world?’

But the young woman was clearly the artless type. Just by looking at her expression, Colin could guess her reason for inviting him was definitely not something like ’she’d boasted to her classmates and was now in a bind’.

Of course, he didn’t think she had any ill intentions, either. He’d just have to wait and see what it was all about.

「Amidst his busy training and studies, the day of the party soon arrived.」

That afternoon, Colin was in his room, alone, "wrestling" with his formal wear. It took a great deal of effort just to get the clothes on.

He went to the mirror in the washroom, wrapped a hot towel around his face, lathered up some soap, and spread the foam over his cheeks. Then, he used a Dagger to slowly scrape the stubble from his face.

At times like this, Colin dearly missed electric razors.

Once he was done, he looked with satisfaction at his smooth chin.

When he first started shaving like this, he would nick himself from time to time, but that didn’t happen anymore. He wasn’t sure if it was because his body had gotten stronger or for some other reason.

Colin adjusted the collar of his formal wear slightly.

Through the form-fitting suit, the lines of his muscles were faintly visible.

Colin sighed, then bent over to tug at the slightly short pant legs.

This was the problem with high-end, form-fitting formal wear. As soon as his Power and Constitution increased, the suit would become a bit snug.

’Of course, you can’t blame the tailor for something like this. If it really doesn’t fit anymore, I can just have another one custom-made. The cheapest formal wear probably doesn’t cost more than five Gold Coins, right?’

As he was thinking this, Colin pushed open his door.

At the same time, Ale opened her door from across the hall.