The noise grew clearer as someone stepped into the shop.
It was her.
Celia Rae walked in, drawing the attention of everyone inside.
She moved with a natural grace, not forced or rehearsed. Her pastel-pink hair shimmered faintly under the light, and the mole under her right eye only made her more distinct.
Her smile was soft.
Even without speaking, her presence made heads turn. It wasn’t just because of her beautiful appearance.
If Isaac had to say what it was, he would call it her ’star aura’.
She walked up to the counter when her turn came.
“Nice to meet you,” she said warmly. “I’m Celia Rae.”
A system screen blinked open in front of his eyes.
[A suitable target detected in host’s vicinity.]
Celia Rae
Age: 21
Rating: 96
Personality: Bubbly, Charismatic, Lonely.
Likes: Being praised genuinely, singing under the stars, cute harmless monsters, writing secret lyrics in her notebook that she might never show anyone.
Dislikes: Fake compliments and flattery, fans who cross boundaries, getting scolded for not living up to others’ expectations.
Status: Slightly surprised by your handsome appearance. Thinks you look even better in person than in photos. Wants to complete her job quickly by showing that Titan Edge Guild is planning to come to Akaza Ruin, and return.
Isaac wasn’t shocked that the system set her as a target. She had a SSS-rank Talent, after all.
But the details still caught him off-guard.
’Rating 96… Even Emily only had 95 despite having SSS-rank Talent and a mid-rank species bloodline. Her rating reached 96 only when she got a Beast Bond.’
’How is Celia already 96? She should be a human.’
Celia gave a small laugh, breaking his train of thought.
“Sorry if I’m being too forward,” she said, thinking he was surprised when she suddenly tried to shake hands. “I was just a bit excited to meet another SSS-rank Awakener.”
“No offense taken.”
Isaac gave a polite smile. He shook her hand.
“I’m Isaac Hargraves.”
She chuckled again. “So, how many grains can I buy? I need as many as I can get for my guildmates.”
The people in line behind her stirred.
“Did she say guildmates?”
“That confirms it then—Titan Edge Guild is moving in.”
“This is huge…”
“Wait, are they flirting?”
Isaac stayed calm.
“Fifty per person,” he said. “Same for everyone.”
“Only fifty? That’s almost nothing.” Celia gave him a playful look. “What if I send others in to buy more for me?”
He shrugged. “That’s allowed. But, if you want to buy in bulk, it’s better to make a contract for it with me instead of buying from the shop. It’ll save you some money in the long run.”
Celia nodded. “That’s true I guess.”
She pulled out her credit card.
“I’ll take fifty Tier 0 and fifty Tier 1 grains each.”
Tyr quietly moved the crates while Alice rang up the total.
Before leaving, Celia paused. “Do you mind if I can get a with you photo? I want to post it on my social media account.”
“Sure.”
Isaac saw no reason to refuse a free promotion offered by the city’s idol.
They took the photo, and within seconds, she posted it to her social media account.
“Thanks again,” Celia said. “See you around.”
She waved and walked out.
The shop’s buzz returned almost immediately. Several customers were now whispering about the picture. Some had taken out their device to check the photo Celia uploaded.
Isaac ignored most of it. He kept selling.
When the rush finally died down, he turned to Alice. “We should close for now. It’s time for lunch.”
Alice was at her laptop again. She didn’t look up.
’Is she ignoring me?’
Isaac smirked. “Don’t tell me you are jealous?”
She froze.
“What?” she said slowly.
“You’re jealous,” Isaac repeated. “Because I was close to Celia.”
Alice narrowed her eyes. “I am not.”
“Right,” he said with a light laugh. “Because to be jealous, you’d have to like me first.”
Alice froze.
She hadn’t expected Isaac to be upfront like that.
Professor Catherine’s voice echoed in her memory: “Isaac would say yes in a heartbeat if you proposed. He likes you very much.”
“Don’t make him wait for too long, or he might lose interest.”
Just as she opened her mouth to respond, her device buzzed.
She picked it up, answered, then ended the call after a short exchange.
“That was Selene,” she said. “She’s coming.”
Isaac raised an eyebrow. “Now?”
Alice nodded. “She said she wants to talk. She’s on her way.”
They packed up and left the shop. Tyr stayed behind to lock things down and secure the crates.
When they reached the house, lunch was already on the table.
Leora and Emily had finished setting up. Professor Catherine was already seated with a glass of lemon water in hand, looking far too relaxed.
“Just in time,” Catherine said cheerfully.
“Where were you?” Isaac asked her.
“Don’t worry. I was guarding Alice. It’s just that I did so from the shadows.”
They all sat down.
The meal was simple but delicious. Isaac noticed Alice was unusually quiet. She seemed to be thinking about Selene.
Just as everyone finished, someone knocked on the front door.
Leora went to greet her.
Selene Calloway walked in, dressed in her usual high-class uniform, lined with deep green and silver.
Her expression was missing the usual firm, businesslike calm she carried with her.
There was no trace of the confident corporate leader today.
Instead, her shoulders seemed tense.
Her face looked composed but slightly pale, and she avoided direct eye contact with Alice.
They all sat down in the living room.
Leora stayed near the hallway wall, her arms crossed, watching without speaking.
Professor Catherine leaned back on the couch, half-interested.
Emily sat beside Isaac, silent, with a soft frown on her face.
Alice sat across from Selene, and Isaac remained next to her without saying anything.
Selene clasped her hands on her lap, glanced briefly at Isaac, and then turned her gaze to Alice.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
Her voice was steady but softer than usual.
“I shouldn’t have said those things.”
No one responded. Alice didn’t even blink.
Selene inhaled deeply and continued. “It may come across as forced. Pretentious, even. But these past few days… I’ve had time to think.”
She paused.
“Dad’s words made me realize how wrong I was.”