The Hotel with Only Two Rooms Left

Night deepened, and the hustle and bustle of Suijin Town gradually subsided as the wind and snow intensified.

In the guest room in the back hall of the Sanhui Church, the fire in the fireplace was crackling, casting a warm glow over the entire room.

Scarlett Stewart sat at the desk, her quill suspended in mid-air, a drop of ink gathering at the tip but hesitating to fall. On the parchment in front of her, only one line of title was written:

"Preliminary Assessment Report on the Magic-Age Population and Potential Students in the Suijin Town Parish"

As the special admissions officer of the Lucalia Magic Academy, she was obliged to record in detail all the promising seedlings discovered during this trip and send them back to the academy's archives for final assessment and assignment by the admissions committee.

This was the process, and also the rule.

But...

In Scarlett's mind, the scene in the square during the day lingered.

That man named Lynch, that "wild card" who claimed to know nothing about theory but could casually blast out Arcane Shock.

"A Tier 2 mana pool, yet possessing a mana control precision comparable to Tier 6..."

Scarlett muttered to herself, her azure eyes looking somewhat obscure and undefined under the flickering candlelight. "And that peculiar line of thought of integrating physical rules into magic construction... That absolutely cannot be summarized by the ordinary word 'genius'."

"That is an uncarved rough stone, perhaps even containing some ancient mystery."

If it were a talent of Asik's level, Scarlett would not hesitate to write it into the report, let him enter the academy, receive orthodox education, and become an excellent magician.

But Lynch was different.

Scarlett knew the behavior of those old folks in the academy too well.

Those astrology-obsessed old men of the Astrological Faction, or the old fogeys of the Rune Faction who gnawed on ancient books all day long, once they knew there was such a freak who could "instantly cast arcane magic", they would definitely swarm over like sharks smelling blood.

When that time came, what business would a young associate professor like her have?

"No."

Scarlett slammed the quill onto the desk, a flash of resolute ambition in her eyes.

"This kind of special student must be taught by me personally."

"Only a 'new school' mentor like me, with an active mind and not rigidly adhering to tradition, can develop his true potential. Handing him over to those old stubborns will only turn him into a mediocre reading machine."

"Moreover..."

The corners of Scarlett's mouth curled up into an arc with a bit of selfish motive. "If I can cultivate him, who can compete with me for a seat in the next 'Starlight Council'?"

Thinking of this, Scarlett decisively crumpled the unwritten parchment into a ball and threw it into the fireplace.

Spreading out a new piece of paper, her pen flew:

"...The admissions work in Suijin Town this time has concluded smoothly. Discovered one apprentice with cultivation potential (Asik), recommended for admission to the Magitek Engineering Department. Apart from this, although there are some youths of the right age, their aptitudes are mediocre, and there are temporarily no other targets worthy of special attention..."

After writing the last line, Scarlett blew dry the ink and satisfiedly stamped her personal seal.

As for Lynch?

That was her "private research project", her, Scarlett Stewart's, "unofficial disciple".

Later, she would find an opportunity to bring him to the royal capital in a private capacity, keeping him in a golden house... oh no, teaching him behind closed doors.

"Hehe, Mr. Lynch..."

Scarlett looked at the flying snowflakes outside the window, her eyes burning. "You can't escape."

...

Meanwhile, on the streets of Suijin Town.

Lynch's family, who had just extricated themselves from that long and sumptuous dinner, were trudging through the snow, stepping deep and shallow.

"Phew... That meal took really long."

Lynch tightened the leather armor on his body and let out a breath of white air. "But I did learn the recipe for that 'Red Wine Braised Veal Shank'. I'll buy some beef and make it for you guys later."

"Mhm."

Felsy held his arm, leaning half her body weight against him.

She seemed exceptionally clingy tonight, her hands hidden under the fox fur cloak tightly clasping Lynch's fingers all along.

Mainly, that Scarlett was too annoying.

Always looking at Lynch with that aggressive gaze.

If it weren't for maintaining her persona of a weak woman, Felsy would have loved to skin her alive on the spot!

Fortunately, Lynch wasn't interested in her.

Even so, Felsy planned to send Kuma tonight to punish this naturally flirtatious woman and give her a little warning.

However, there was something more important at hand...

"What time is it now?" Felsy asked softly.

"Almost eleven, I guess."

Lynch looked up at the moon obscured by dark clouds and felt a bit worried. "It's so late, the snow on the road is probably even thicker. And the wind wolf packs are most active at night. If we rush back to the village now, the risk is too high."

Although his combat power had significantly improved recently, Lynch, as a prudent "head of the family", didn't want to take his wife on such a pointless risk.

"How about... we stay in town for the night?"

Lynch suggested, "Anyway, there's nothing urgent tomorrow. We can leave when it's light and the snow stops."

"Sure."

Felsy agreed very quickly, without even a second of thought.

"Then let's go to the 'Golden Rose Inn' ahead." Lynch pointed to a three-story building not far away with its lights still on. "I heard that's the inn with the best environment in town, and the heating is very adequate."

Hearing the word "inn", the beast ears of Kuma, who was walking behind, twitched sharply.

She looked up, just meeting Felsy's backward glance.

That was an extremely calm look, yet containing some kind of unquestionable command.

Felsy tilted her head slightly, gesturing towards the inn with her eyes, then looked at Lynch, and finally her gaze landed on Kuma beside them.

As a confidante who had followed the witch for many years, and as the ace intelligence agent of the Scorched Earth Guard, Kuma instantly understood.

"Causing trouble again?"

"This look... is clearly saying: 'Go, clear out the irrelevant personnel, I need to create an opportunity'."

Kuma sighed in her heart.

Is this the fate of a tool?

"Um... Brother Lynch!"

Kuma suddenly clutched her stomach, crying out with an exaggerated expression, "Ouch! My stomach feels a bit uncomfortable! It might be because that foie gras earlier was too rich! I... I want to go to the inn to use the bathroom first! You guys take your time!"

After saying that, without waiting for Lynch to react, she dashed toward the Golden Rose Inn like a skyward rocket with a whoosh.

"This child, eating that much, how could she not feel sick..."

Lynch shook his head helplessly and supported Felsy to continue walking slowly.

...

Three minutes later.

In front of the counter of the Golden Rose Inn.

The fat boss, who was usually arrogant and always looked down his nose at people, was now shrinking in the corner of the counter, his fat trembling all over, his face pale as paper.

In front of him, that beast-eared little girl, whose height only reached the edge of the counter, was playing with a pitch-black dagger in her hand.

The dagger didn't touch him, but the almost tangible killing intent felt like a pair of icy hands tightly strangling his throat.

"Did you understand?"

Kuma smiled sweetly, revealing two cute little canine teeth. "My masters will be here any minute. They are a very loving, albeit slightly shy, married couple."

"To promote family harmony and the great cause of human reproduction..."

The dagger in Kuma's hand suddenly slammed into the thick wooden board of the counter with a muffled thud, biting deep into the wood.

"Your inn currently only has two rooms left."

"And both of them only have one bed."

"Other than that, all the standard rooms, suites, and even the woodshed... are all either 'fully booked' or 'leaking,' understand?"

The plump boss nodded desperately, almost breaking his neck. "U-understood! Only two large bed rooms left! The rest were... were booked entirely by a merchant caravan just now! Even the stables are full!"

"Very smart."

Kuma pulled out the dagger and casually tossed down a gold coin, the one Felsy had secretly slipped to her earlier.

"This is for the room and a tip. Remember, act natural. If you dare to blow our cover..."

Kuma made a throat-slitting gesture.

"I get it! I get it! I'm a professional!" The plump boss wanted to cry but had no tears.

...

When Lynch pushed the door open and walked in with Felsy, this was the scene they saw:

The inn's lobby was quiet. Kuma was sitting obediently on the sofa, swinging her little legs. Meanwhile, the plump boss approached them with a face full of "regret."

"Oh my, dear guests, what terrible timing!"

The plump boss rubbed his hands together. Although his acting was exaggerated, it won out in sheer sincerity. "A large caravan of traveling merchants suddenly arrived just now and booked almost the entire inn. We only have the last two rooms left."

"Only two left?"

Lynch froze for a moment. "Then do you have a standard room with two beds? Or a larger suite?"

"No more! We really don't!"

The plump boss shook his head like a rattle drum. "These remaining two rooms are both couples'... ahem, cozy large bed rooms. As for the other rooms, let alone a person, you couldn't even squeeze a cat into them."

Lynch frowned.

This was troublesome.

If they were at home, even if there was only one bed, he could sleep on the floor or go to a side room.

But the rooms in this inn were usually not very big, and in the dead of winter, the floor would definitely be freezing cold.

"This..."

Lynch turned to look at Felsy, looking somewhat troubled. "Wife, there are only two large bed rooms. Kuma definitely has to sleep in one by herself. Then the two of us..."

He paused, scratching his cheek uncomfortably:

"How about I go borrow two quilts from the boss, and I make do on the floor for the night?"

Hearing this, Felsy, who had remained silent, flashed a hint of "I knew you would say that" helplessness in her eyes.

This idiot, sometimes he was so upright that it made people want to beat him up.

"The floor is cold."

Felsy pulled her fox fur coat tighter. Although her voice was still cool and clear, it carried an irrefutable firmness. "You've only just reached the second tier, and your body hasn't fully shed its mortal shell. If you freeze and catch a cold, who will take care of me?"

"But..." Lynch looked at her, hesitating to speak.

He was mainly afraid that he wouldn't be able to control himself.

After all, Felsy was simply too... too stunningly beautiful. It was fine when they slept in separate beds usually, but if they shared the same bed, smelling her fragrance and feeling her body heat... Lynch was truly afraid he would turn into a wolf.

Furthermore, he was worried Felsy wouldn't be used to it. After all, even though they were husband and wife in name, they had always treated each other with polite respect. Wouldn't such a leap in progress be too abrupt?

"There are no buts."

Felsy seemed to see right through his concerns.

She lowered her head slightly, a perfectly timed blush appearing on her face, and her voice became soft and delicate:

"Actually... I'm also doing this for safety."

"Safety?" Lynch was taken aback.

"Mhm." Felsy raised her head. Her purple eyes rippled with moisture, filled with "fear" of the unfamiliar environment. "This is a town inn, after all, with all sorts of people around. I heard... lately there have been roaming thieves who specifically target single female travelers."

"If you sleep on the floor, in case someone breaks in through the window, or if there's any sudden emergency, you might not be able to react in time from beside the bed..."

"So, being a little closer, I... I would feel much more at ease."

These words were perfectly reasonable, strictly logical, and even carried a pitiful, seeking-protection undertone.

It was practically textbook green tea... oh wait, frail wife speech.

Listening from the side, Kuma rolled her eyes so hard they almost reached the ceiling.

"Thieves? Breaking in through the window?"

"Lady Witch, have you forgotten that you literally scared a third-tier magical beast to death with just a glare last night?"

"If any blind thief in this town actually dared to enter your room, I'm afraid even their soul would be extracted and turned into a specimen, right?"

"This excuse is... truly terrible. Only a lovesick fool like Lynch would believe it."

Sure enough.

As soon as Lynch heard this, his expression instantly turned serious.

"You're right!"

Lynch slapped his thigh. "This inn doesn't look very sturdy either. What if there really are bad guys? Your safety is the most important thing!"

"Then it's settled! We'll share a room. I won't sleep on the floor; I'll sleep right next to you and guard you!"

After saying that, he turned to the boss and said, "Boss, we'll take both rooms!"

"Right away!"

The plump boss looked as if he had been granted amnesty. He quickly handed over two keys, his hands shaking as if he were passing a bomb.

...

Second floor, at the end of the corridor.

"Kuma, you sleep in this room by yourself. Lock the door properly at night, and shout loudly if anything happens."

Lynch handed one of the keys to Kuma and instructed her.

"Got it, Brother Lynch."

Kuma took the key, glanced at Felsy standing behind Lynch, and revealed a meaningful, mischievous smile on her face. "Wishing you two... a good night. Hehe."

After saying that, she made a funny face and slipped into her own room.

Only Lynch and Felsy were left in the corridor.

The air suddenly became quiet, even a bit hot and dry.

"Then... shall we go in too?"

Lynch gripped the slightly cold copper key, yet his palms were sweating slightly.

"Mhm."

Felsy replied softly.

Click.

The door opened.

The furnishings inside were very simple: a table by the window, a fireplace, and... a double bed that took up most of the room's area and looked exceptionally soft.

Lynch looked at the bed and swallowed hard.

Tonight... seemed destined to be a sleepless night.

But Felsy, following behind him, looked at that bed, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly in the shadows.

It was the triumphant smile of a hunter watching their prey fall right into a trap.