Academic gathering with a lich

Candy brought William to the shopping district in the central area, the most orderly commercial center, where the ornaments hanging from the surrounding shops dazzled like stars, confusing William’s eyes.

While Candy admired those shiny objects, he casually started a conversation.

"Is it that elf girl named Fannila?"

"Yeah, what kind of gift would make a girl happy?" William wasn’t surprised Candy knew Fannila’s name. He had already been at the Bloody Rose for about a week, and besides his regular work and magic practice, he had been discussing Fannila with Betty, the elf barmaid. There weren’t many Elves in the City of Wandering, and their naturally gentle dispositions kept them in contact with each other.

Upon hearing William’s words, Candy turned his head to look back at him. In his hair as soft as wool, those submissive eyes held a trace of grievance, but it was quickly purified by the innocence revealed in his agate-like eyes. He sighed in relief and continued to walk forward.

"William, Elves have very long lifespans. For all you know, Fannila could be hundreds of years old, an age your grandmother couldn’t reach."

"Two hundred forty-six years old. Elves enter maturity at two hundred, so in terms of human lifespan, Fannila and I are about the same age. Moreover, when it comes to feelings for a member of another species, you can’t really measure it by age. Candy, being a Succubus, you must be quite old too, right?"

Faced with William’s guess, Candy puffed up her cheeks, extended an arm, and lightly knocked on William’s shoulder to express her slight discontent. "I’m not old at all, I’m only sixteen this year, and my sister only came of age the year before last. She’s only twenty-three years old, that’s human lifespan."

"That woman is only twenty-three? But I thought Succubi were also a Long-Lived Species."

"But for Succubi, maturity is tied to their strength. Out of a thousand years of life, except for their childhood, Succubi are mature for the rest. Sister Anna won’t get old, but she can change her body’s age range, though that’s a skill used for hunting."

New knowledge was added—once Succubi reached maturity, they were dangerous creatures.

William thought to himself.

"Candy, you call your sister Anna, but do you know her true name?"

Candy furrowed her brow, looking troubled.

"Mr. William, the true names of the Demon Race shouldn’t be casually told to others. If you want to know my sister’s true name, you should ask her yourself."

"But I can’t ask her, that Anna behaves like a mother leopard whenever she sees me."

"That must be because Mr. William doesn’t speak to her in the right way. Tone and attitude are also really important."

William scratched his head. "It’s so troublesome."

Candy’s eyes sparkled with little stars. "Of course difficult matters are important, but I believe Mr. William will succeed, after all, it’s Mr. William."

"Forget it, it’s better not to get involved in troublesome things." William shifted his gaze and noticed a necklace with a green leaf-shaped pendant hanging at a nearby stall.

"Candy, this, would Fannila like it?"

Candy’s cheeks puffed out like a ball again, but the good-hearted succubus still went over and seriously examined the pendant.

"It’s made of gemstone, not the jade beloved by Elves, and the craftsmanship is too rough. For Elves who have certain fixations on aesthetics, it might not pass muster."

Listening to Candy’s explanation, William thought it made sense, so he left the pendant behind and moved on.

"You know quite a bit about Elves too, Candy."

"Because Bloody Rose has drinks supplied by Elves, and we collaborate with them on some holiday activities, so having more contact with them meant I got to understand them a bit."

"That’s great; I was already losing hope when I couldn’t invite Miss Betty to accompany me. I didn’t expect you to be so reliable, Candy."

"It’s not a good choice to use Miss Betty as a reference for gifts. She has the habit of appraising by value. She would pick something of higher worth, not sentiment. Miss Betty is quite an unusual Elf."

The selection process that followed was nothing more than a back-and-forth between the two of them, but there were some oddities as well.

"Candy, how about this one?"

"Not so good, Elves don’t really like things with sharp edges, and they’re not very convenient to wear. However, my sister does like this."

"Candy, what about this?"

"Color-wise, white or green are best; you’ll hardly see black on an Elf. But my sister likes black and metallic colors."

"This?"

"Mr. William, it’s best not to choose any jewelry in the shape of leaves, it shows a stereotypical image of the Elf Race, and every girl wants to be unique. I suggest you pick something a bit more special. This kind... um... my sister wouldn’t like either."

After some time asking questions, William learned how to choose gifts suitable for girls and also peculiarly understood the personal preferences of the Succubus Anna, and after comparing...

"Candy, your sister really is a strange girl, huh."

"Sister Anna is a cherished girl with a special aura!" Candy was quite unhappy with William’s comment, but instead of getting angry with the pendant in her hand, she gently placed it back where it was, because she hadn’t paid for it.

"Well, but I’ve found the gift I had in mind."

William chose a white jade bracelet that fit the Elves’ aesthetic, the inner circle supposedly engraved with a lucky Spell. Bullshit, I as a third-tier mage don’t even know of such a Spell ever existing among humans. Still, William could inscribe his own Inscription, and incidentally seek some child of destiny to get it light-enchanted.

"Thank you, Candy."

William felt satisfied with his trip.

Candy watched him with a smile.

"Sister still has no gift."

William felt something strange about Candy’s squinted smile.

"You also want to buy a gift for Anna, Candy?"

Candy didn’t answer, instead shifting her gaze to the neatly wrapped gift in William’s hand.

"Sister still has no gift."

Somehow, William felt that Candy seemed a bit dangerous right now.

"Then... then let me cover the cost of Anna’s gift as a thank you for your help in choosing," offered William, pulling out his wallet.

Young, slender fingers appeared before William’s eyes, pointing at the tip of his nose.

With a dangerous aura, Candy’s voice turned cold.

"You’re here to pick a gift, Mr. William, as a way to show gratitude to Sister Anna for helping you get settled at Bloody Rose. It’s your voluntary act of appreciation."

William felt his fingers gripping the Gold Coin become slightly sweaty as he forced a chuckle.

"Yes, of my own free will, I should indeed properly thank Miss Anna for her kindness. So, Candy, I’ll pick the gift. Anna won’t be upset, will she, if I get it wrong?"

"Not at all, sister is a very kind person."