Life of Magic With a Talkative Heart-Chapter 138: In the Basement

The three of them went away from the noise, down in the basement.
Anna led the way, walking around with the familiarity of being in one's own home.
Then walked Luce. Despite being blind, she easily navigated her way without needing any help.
The last of them was Cyril, along with his companions. He stared at the priestess's back, his expression thoughtful.
But then, when they reached the basement itself, he finally switched to observing it in detail as well.
Could there be something unusual here?
He looked around without too much confidence. Logically he understood that there was nothing suspicious about Alvin or this orphanage, and he would only waste his time.
Yet no matter how much evidence to the contrary was thrown in his face, Cyril just couldn't shake off the deeply ingrained feeling of hostility he had towards Alvin.
The basement was dark, illuminated only by a single weak magic lamp at the center. Most of the space was covered with boxes, various equipment, and old torn clothes.
Morpho flew off his shoulder, exploring the place.
Among the pile was an obviously new box, and placed on top of it was a briefcase that Cyril found familiar.
Noticing his prolonged gaze, Anna stepped closer and explained, "Mr. Alvin would bring us supplies once a month. It's mostly healing potions he had made. I've tested them a bunch of times in the past."
"I see."
What a good guy he is.
Cyril moved his gaze away. It was yet another proof of Alvin's good deeds, but it only made him more frustrated.
Why do I feel this way? Am I just upset there are good people in the world?
"Yeah, good guys like him make me sick."
Rhamn nodded in complete agreement.
Cyril didn't even have the energy to sigh, simply ignoring her.
He instead continued looking around the basement, Anna walking closely by his side.
That's when he noticed an old couch placed in the corner and Luce standing in front of it.
Suddenly, this elegant priestess fell face-first into the leathery seat.
"Aaah~" A muffled, relaxing sigh echoed in the dark basement.
"Finally we can relax a bit. Taking care of kids is so tiring~"
Cyril stood frozen, somewhat surprised. This priestess seemed more elegant before.
Anna nearby had the corners of her mouth rise, holding back a chuckle.
Luce then turned her head away from the leather, poking out in their direction.
"Come! Join me!"
Anna fought against the urge to laugh, holding a collected expression with a subtle smile. She slowly walked up to the couch and sat in the corner.
Cyril remained standing, only crossing his arms.
"You too, Cyril! Come on!"
Luce sat up, her posture terrible, and made space in the middle of the couch. She patted the available seat while nodding up and down like a knowing parent.
Anna on the other end of the couch curled her fingers, looking at the floor.
The author's content has been appropriated; any instances of this story on Amazon.
"I want to hear more about you! So, I understand you've been to the zoo?" Luce asked, still patting the seat nearby.
"...Yes, I have," Cyril said, finally moving.
He walked to the couch. But as he passed under the magic lamp, it suddenly broke with a loud pop.
"Oh!" Anna yelped as their surroundings became dark.
"What's wrong? What was that noise?"
To the blind woman's question, Anna answered after a pause. "The old magic lamp broke... Why did it have to be today?"
Cyril helplessly dusted off the remains of the lamp off his shoulder.
"Damn old junk."
Soon, Luce spoke up with enthusiasm.
"Not a problem! Allow me!"
With her words an incredibly bright white light suddenly lit up the room completely.
"...!"
"Ah! Luce, it's too bright!"
The light grew dimmer, becoming bearable.
Cyril, with a frown, looked towards the source of the light.
Luce's hand was lit up with a golden radiance. It somehow seemed warming.
"Sorry..." she awkwardly apologized.
However, Cyril was more curious about another thing.
"...It's not magic?" he asked.
Cyril couldn't feel any traces of mana in that light.
Luce immediately sat up straight and nodded.
"The Gods grant us power to survive in these trying times."
She raised her golden hand higher.
"This is a Light miracle from the Sky God. It's a favorite among his followers."
Cyril silently looked at her, clearly shocked. For one, he wasn't too familiar with systems other than magic. He never even heard the church had power like that.
But the bigger reason for his shock was another one.
She is actually a priestess?
"It seems Gods give power to just about anyone."
Cyril swallowed his thoughts for later, finally taking a seat on the couch.
He also took Tigris off his shoulder, placing him on his knees.
Atheris looked left and right, observing the people near. She sprang her body and hissed, as if ready to lunge at any second.
"Is that a snake here?!" Luce suddenly yelped.
The golden light flickered, almost disappearing, but the priestess managed to hold on.
"…Atheris is not good with strangers." Cyril gave her a long stare, as if trying to look past the blindfold.
He could hear Luce's heartbeat, so he knew just how nervous she really was.
"Cyril has a few magic creatures as companions. You don't have to be afraid of them," Anna hastily reassured her friend.
"I wouldn't be so sure if I were you."
Rhamn sent her a threatening glare.
Calm down.
"Oh, right. You are a beast tamer, Cyril. I trust you." Luce waved her hand, showing she didn't mind.
Then, she plastered herself on her part of the couch, ready to listen in a comfortable position.
"Alright. Let's talk about that zoo already. I am curious about what happened."
Anna, on the other end, leaned a little closer, eager to hear it as well.
"You've been there too. What are you curious about?"
Cyril cleared his throat, contemplating for a moment what to say.
"There's not much to say."
And he didn't.
Luce's face twitched, briefly showing disappointment.
"Is there something particular about it you want to know? I think you should know how it went." Cyril said, glancing at her blindfold.
"No. I mean, I did read the newspaper. I was just curious..."
Luce melted into the couch, turning her head away.
Cyril only patted Atheris hanging near him, partly to calm her down.
Like this, silence settled between them.
From the floor above, the chaotic thuds of kids running became louder and louder. It seems it has already begun.
Anna sat with her back straight, eyes aimed at the ceiling. When a particularly distinct shattering sound came, a helpless smile formed on her face.
She shook her head, looking at the two other people on the same couch.
Suddenly, she noticed Luce's lips widening into a mischievous smirk.
"Luce-"
But it was too late.
The priestess raised her body from the couch, crossing her arms.
"Cyril, I can't believe it. You have two beautiful girls here with you, and you are more excited to play with your snake!"
He froze, slowly turning to look at her.
"Atheris is a hundred times more beautiful than both of them combined!"
Anna covered her face with a palm, her cheeks reddening slightly.
Luce, completely unfazed, pointed at Cyril near her.
"Could it be that you are heartless? Hmm? Let me check~"
She playfully put her head against his chest, listening in with her ear.
"Ah, but there… it… is…?"
Her playful smirk slowly disappeared, replaced by confusion. She couldn't hear that characteristic beat.
Rhamn.
"Sorry."
His heart finally beating, Luce's face recovered its composure.
But her momentary confusion was all the opening Anna needed.
"Luce!"
Anna suddenly leaned over Cyril, pushing the priestess's head away.
"You are from the church! You can't do things like that!"
Luce let herself be pushed all the way from the couch, falling down on the dusty floor.
"Ouch," she uttered.
"Anna, how could you? Now that you've found someone, will you really forget about me?"
A vein twitched on Anna's forehead as she let out a long breath.
"Luce," she said, her voice serious, "please get us something to drink from upstairs."
The priestess's face froze. With each bang from upstairs, it became paler.
Then, sighing in a dramatical fashion, she stood up and walked towards the stairs, taking the light with her.
"I'll leave you two to it then. I'll lock the door, don't worry~"
Anna immediately froze, sheepishly glancing at Cyril.
He fought against the urge to sigh, keeping his face calm.
Just need to endure until an opportunity presents itself…