Raised in Dungeon

"Oh! A familiar! Does this bird also have something special like you two?!" Sharik inquired, intrigued by the crow on Allen's head.

"Not really, but perhaps she is special in her own way. She's a smart bird."

Sharik observed the crow, noting its demeanor. "Oh right," he mused, realizing that the crow was doing something that crows don't normally do, "She looks angry, but she's not beating her beak at me. That crow would normally peck you on the nose if it was angry."

Continuing to fix his gaze on the crow, Sharik ventured further. "Allen, have you ever tried to talk to it?"

Allen nodded. "I've spoken to her numerous times, but she's never given me a vocal response. She typically gazes into my eyes without making a sound."

"Are you sure he didn't give you an unusual response?"

"No, she just silently looked into my eyes."

With a puzzled expression, Sharik questioned, "Silence, you say? What do you mean by it?

Allen, growing more curious in turn, asked, "What are you getting at?"

Sharik explained, "No animal usually remains silent and maintains eye contact when you speak to them. They usually pay little attention to others. This is... odd, in a fascinating way."

"I see... does that mean it's good?" asked Allen again.

Sharik, who knew that Allen did not understand at all, began to explain.

"Perhaps you should consider taking her to the Aarakocra. Birds that possess high intelligence sometimes find themselves far from their native lands. It's possible that she landed here, seeking refuge after being unable to return to their territory."

"Aarakocra, the winged race," Allen mused, recalling Sharik's prior description of them. "But if I'm not mistaken, you once said they are among the most elusive and challenging races to engage with."

Sharik nodded. "That's correct. Aarakocra are known for their lofty self-esteem. To them, those without wings are beings of the underworld, lacking the divine gift to explore the skies.

"Then it will be difficult to get this bird to meet them," Allen said as he gave the bird above him a breadcrumb.

Meanwhile, the crow, Susan, contemplated her own situation. "Aarakocra," she thought, "Perhaps if I can meet them, I might find a way to live independently. I don't want to burden Allen by seeking his assistance."

The streets gradually grew less crowded as time passed, and Allen's concern grew. He couldn't help but fret about Felicia, who seemed to be taking an unusually long time. "She's taking quite a while," he remarked.

Allen intended to return to Felicia's balcony and wake her up, but fortunately, he didn't have to do so, as Felicia appeared behind him.

"Thank you for waiting," Felicia greeted him, her voice laced with a sense of triumph. She was clad in the same cappa clausa as the other students, but her appearance set her apart from the rest. Felicia's hair meticulously styled, cascaded in neat waves and was gently braided with an intricate binding net. Bathed in the morning sunlight, her luxurious locks seemed to radiate, casting an enchanting glow that accentuated her entire presence, enhancing her already stunning beauty.

She was wearing the same cappa clausa as the other students, but unlike the other students, Felicia's hair was more neat, wavy, and slightly braided with a binding net; her dense hair in the sunlight made all of Felicia's body also looked radiant, including her face which was surrounded by the reflection of the rays.

With a proud smile, Felicia inquired, "How do I look today?" She eagerly awaited Allen's approval, showing the results of her hour-long makeover alone without Rachel's help.

However, after a prolonged silence looking at Felicia, Allen reacted.

"Were you trying to prove that you can finally handle things on your own? You should be doing this, and ideally, you shouldn't waste time on it like you did today."

Hearing that, Felicia's cheeks puffed up, pouting with irritation. She didn't receive the reaction she had anticipated from Allen, and it was a source of disappointment for her.

"I knew it! You idiot!" Felicia exclaimed, walking past Allen and Sharik, clearly miffed by the response she had received.

Agitated by Allen's unexpected outburst, Felicia turned around with an angry expression. "What are you waiting for?! We're already running late, right? Let's hurry."

Allen and Sharik, remaining silent, exchanged puzzled glances. "Why is she suddenly angry?" Allen said to Sharik.

Sharik shrugged in response. "I don't know; I can't always fathom human emotions either."

However, it wasn't the argument that had sparked Allen's internal turmoil; it was the sudden recollection of a forgotten promise he had made to Rachel.

Upon arriving at the academy, Rachel reminded Allen of this promise. Initially, Allen had been angry with Rachel, as he believed the promise should have only been valid during the Francis's birthday. Rachel, however, countered with, "I never specified when it would be valid."

"Why am I even remembering it now," Allen said as he covered his face with his left hand, hoping that he had really forgotten about the promise.

He quickened his pace, moving ahead of Felicia, and faced her, leaving her puzzled by his abrupt change in behavior.

Felicia questioned, "What's the matter?"

Looking around to ensure no one was listening, Allen said to her, "I promise this will be the last time I am saying this."

He leaned his face closer to Felicia's face, towards her ear, and whispered,

"You look as beautiful as ever."

With that, Allen promptly turned away and walked off alone, leaving Felicia stunned.

Sharik tried to keep up with Allen, seeking an explanation. "Hey, what did you say to her? Why is Felicia just standing there?"

"Good then, I'd rather not see her for a while," Allen replied cryptically.

Sharik was puzzled. "Why's that? Are you sure it's a good idea to leave Felicia like this?"

Meanwhile, Felicia remained frozen, her hand still resting on her ear and neck, where she had felt the warmth of Allen's breath.

In a hushed tone, barely audible to anyone but the small bird perched nearby, Allen muttered, "Reig, take care of Felicia." With that, Reig took off and landed at Felicia's feet.

Felicia would catch up with them after five minutes.