Alia smiled sweetly and approached her long-ti childhood friend from across the crowded room.
She and her family weren't living in this neighborhood, but their family had been friends with the Leckerman family for generations, so they were also invited to the birthday party.
Adam loosened his clenched fists and forced a smile as he prepared to greet her.
"How're you doing?" Alia asked. "We haven't seen since... when?"
"The school reunion a few years back," Adam said.
While it was a few years for Alia, it had only been a few months for Adam.
They traveled to the Black Sea, the most treacherous sea in the New World, and while Adam didn't want to do it, others convinced him to go there.
The loudest voice was Alia.
She insisted that it was necessary to ensure the Star Faction's victory, and Adam listened to her as she was the advisor of the guild.
Reluctantly, he agreed to set sail for the dangerous waters, which ended up being the decision that ultimately led to his death.
"Ah, it's been already so long." Alia smiled with nostalgia. "I hope you've been doing good."
"I am doing alright," Adam said formally.
His tone made it clear for Alia that he was treating her like a stranger-it was very odd to her, as during the school days, he was quite warm to her, because she believed that he had a crush on her.
Alia's brows slightly tightened, and she asked, "What're you up to these days~"
"Nothing much," Adam replied.
"Is that so~" Alia sat down beside him, using the seat that Alice used just monts prior. "I heard that you've been playing that ga."
"That ga?" Adam looked at her briefly and kept his sentences short.
He had a hunch what Alia was after and was waiting for his hunch to co true.
"Mortal Online." Alia said with a smile. "Our school group is still active and rumors about
us spread there quickly. I heard that you've been playing that ga from them."
'A lie.' Adam thought.
'I am not close to any of them. It would be impossible for them to know what I am up to unless soone from my family told them, which is unlikely.
'First of all, Serah is not proud of the fact that I am playing that ga. She is old-fashioned, and she would rather have be a shop clerk for the rest of my life.
'While being rcenary in Mortal Online is sothing to be proud of, she doesn't think the
sa.
'John is not a gossiping type, and I don't need to worry about Alice spreading those kinds of
rumors.
'Alia just wants to admit that I am playing that ga because of one reason...'
"Yeah, I've been playing it recently." Adam said with a nod. "Why?"
Alia smiled and clapped her hands. "So am I. I graduated from the tutorial around one year ago, and I had been addicted to it ever since."
"Oh, what guild did you join?" Adam asked nonchalantly while knowing the answer.
"The Moonlit Guardians." Alia responded with a smile. "They're in control of the Chumash Village that is around a day trip away from Dawnwatch."
"I see," Adam nodded. "Is that what tier of a guild?"
"Four," Alia said with slight hints of embarrassnt in her voice. "With my D-ranked score, it was the safest place for to go."
"Mm." Adam nodded.
"By the way." Alia turned to him with a smile and curious gaze.
'Here it cos.'
"I heard so rumors in the New World." Alia said and fidgeted with her clear, black hair. "My guild mates can't stop talking about it. There's apparently a new S-ranker, and his na is Adam Palestar."
"Mm." Adam nodded and chuckled. "A coincidence. I've been mistaken for him too many tis."
"Is that so?" Alia's gaze turned suspicious. "Weird. I saw a picture of him, and he does look like you..."
'She ca here prepared.'
Adam scratched the back of his head and sighed in resignation.
"Alright, you got . That's ."
"Ah!" Alia happily exclaid. "I knew it!"
"I would appreciate it if you don't go around telling everyone, though."
"I understand~" Alia said and playfully did a zipping motion across her lips.
"I'll be on my way." Adam stood up from the chair. "I ca to this party to just show my face, and now that I have done that..."
"Ah, wait." Alia stood up and touched his hand intimately. "I'd like us to et in the New World; maybe go for a coffee."
Adam looked at her and took his hand away. "No need for that. I wouldn't want you to travel to Dawnwatch for just coffee."
"Ah, no worries~"Alia smiled cheekily. "I am already in Dawnwatch, doing so business for my guild. Let treat you to a lunch."
'She was really prepared.' Adam thought.
'She knew that I was part of Crimson Hounds, which is located in Dawnwatch, so she ca there to et .
'She most likely ca to this birthday party expecting to be here. If I wasn't, she would've most likely sought out in Dawnwatch.'
"Ah, the thing is..." Adam scratched his head. "I am currently in Driftwood. It takes about a day to return to Dawnwatch."
"That's completely fine; I'll have to spend a few days in Dawnwatch either way." Alia said,
really insisting.
It even took Adam by surprise, even though he had known him for such a long ti.
'She is very desperate.'
Adam had a few guesses about why.
'It's because I am S-ranker. In the past life, I was only C-ranker, and the first ti she showed
signs of wanting to be part of my party was when I started making a na for myself as a
surprisingly talented individual.
'She is attracted to my current status as S-ranker. She doesn't want to miss this chance to join forces with soone who could reach the top of the New World.
'She believes that my potential success could elevate her own status in society.
'In the end, she did betray for Calamity. Her loyalty is never genuine; she will just switch
sides when she has milked everything she could.'
"I'll be busy for the next couple of days. I just returned from the Gathering, so I am sorry, but I
have to pass."
Adam said, then left the party without looking back.
Alia stood behind, stunlocked expression on her beautiful face. She had never been
rejected so bluntly before.
"Tch..." She clicked her tongue with an ugly expression and started biting her nail.
"What's with that arrogance? Now that he has beco S-ranker, he has completely forgotten
about ?
"I thought this would be easy; that's why I ca to this fucking party in the first place.
"Does he already have so bitch that has tricked him into liking her?
"What a weak-minded loser. All the n are the sa..."
Alia's mind anxiously ran. She didn't want to miss this opportunity.
When she first heard the na Adam Palestar from her guild mates, she thought it couldn't possibly be him-the nerdy-looking young man from the high school.
It was impossible.
However, after seeing the picture, it was clear as day.
"Think, Alia, think!"
"Ah, Adam?" At that mont, a sweet-sounding voice ca.
Alia turned to and saw a sweet-looking, round-eyed young woman looking around in
confusion.
"Alice, right?" Alia's cold look changed, and she was smiling again.
"Uh, who are you?" Alice asked and looked at the empty chairs. "Do you know where the
person that was sitting here has gone?"
"My na's Alia, Adam's childhood friend." Alia offered a handshake.
"Oh..." Alice looked at the hand and shyly shook it.
"Adam just left." Alia looked at the door. "I guess the party wasn't to his liking."
"Oh." Alice pouted and wondered whether she should also leave.
She wasn't that interested in this party.
At that mont, Alia wrapped her arm around Alice's arm and said, "I heard a lot about
you from Adam."
"You have?" Alice asked in surprise.
"Yup." Alia giggled and said. "I am alone here as well; my parents went sowhere. If you
don't mind, want to hang out together?"
"Umm, alright." Alice nodded with a shy smile.
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