Harem System In A fantasy World - Chapter 155: Winding down

Chapter 155: Winding down

They did not immediately rush out of the dungeon after deciding to call it a day.

After the Warbeast fell, they remained on Floor Fifteen for a few quiet minutes, mostly to catch their breath.

The water around the fallen body slowly turned red before the dungeon absorbed it as it always did, and the heavy pressure that had filled the cavern gradually faded.

Tessa stretched her arms over her head and let out a long breath.

“That,” she said slowly, “was the most fun I’ve had in weeks.”

Mira rolled her shoulders and checked the slight burn mark on her sleeve before nodding in agreement.

“It was balanced,” she said. “Strong enough to be interesting, but not strong enough to force us into a corner.”

Aria looked at Elion again, clearly still thinking about what she had witnessed.

“So you really waited that long to draw your sword, hmm?” she said softly. “Letting us do all the work.”

He smiled lightly.

“I was letting you enjoy yourselves.”

Tessa snorted.

“If you were slacking, there’s no shame in just saying so.”

He did not deny it.

When they finally began the climb back toward the upper floors, the atmosphere between them was light.

They talked about small details from the fight, replaying moments in casual debate, each of them pointing out where they could improve or where something had worked especially well.

“You overcommitted on that second punch,” Mira said to Tessa as they walked up the stone passage.

“I knew he couldn’t follow up fast enough,” Tessa replied confidently. “It was well calculated.”

“You slid across the floor from the impact though,” Mira said flatly.

“I slid with style.”

Isolde let out a quiet laugh at that, and even Aria smiled.

Elion walked slightly behind them for a few moments, his gaze tracing the sway of their hips. Tessa’s confident stride, her leather armor hugging the curve of her ass, was still damp with sweat that made the material cling like a second skin.

They had grown comfortable as a team.

By the time they stepped out of the dungeon entrance, the sun was beginning to set over Grimholt City.

The sky was painted in warm shades of orange and gold, and the cool evening breeze felt refreshing against their skin after the dense dungeon air.

The city was alive with its usual activity, merchants closing stalls, children running through the streets, and lanterns being lit one by one along the roads.

Tessa’s provocative attire drew eyes like moths to flame, especially since she had gotten rid of her armour; her tight tank top strained against the fullness of her breasts, and the leather pants molded to her thighs and the generous swell of her hips, accentuating every shift and bounce.

Random men paused in their tracks to look over, trying to get a good look. A burly drunk licked his lips and shifted his weight toward the group after saying something to his buddies.

Elion didn’t hesitate. The moment any of them so much as twitched with intent to close the distance, he unleashed subtle threads of killing intent, making their faces pale as instincts screamed of imminent death

The ladies, sensing the subtle tension loooked behind them only to find Elion smiling calmly.

“Everything alright back there?” Mira asked with a knowing smile.

“Nothing I can’t handle,” He gave them a casual thumbs up and continued following from behind.

After walking for a while, Elion realised they were not headed anywhere remotely close to the academy, “Are we going somewhere?”

Tessa took a deep breath and stretched again.

“We are not going back to the academy yet,” she declared firmly.

Mira immediately agreed.

“Of course not. That would ruin the mood.”

Aria nodded happily and slowed her steps to walk beside Elion.

“We should celebrate properly.”

Isolde glanced toward the central district.

“There’s a restaurant near the square,” she said calmly. “It’s quiet, but the food is good.” They all looked back at him as if waiting for him to agree.

It’s not like you were going to say listen even if I said no. He sighed.

Elion looked at all of them and gave a small nod. “Then we celebrate.”

They walked through the streets together, simply five young people enjoying the evening air.

They walked through a busy night market, and a few people glanced at them curiously. But now it was dark enough so that they only received a few casual glances.

“You really are unfair,” Mira said suddenly, looking at Elion again.

“How?” he asked.

“You let us think you were mainly a mage.”

Tessa chuckled as she added, “You let us think you were decent with a blade. You’re not decent. You’re frightening with that thing.”

Aria nodded slowly. “When you stepped forward, with your blade in hand, your posture, stance, and movements,” she said softly. “It all felt… natural.”

He shrugged lightly.

“It is, I just feel very comfortable holding a sword in my hand.”

Isolde studied him for a few seconds longer than the others. “Would you look at that, a genius with the sword, who also happens to be a talented dual elemental mage, the professors will be shocked,” she giggled lightly.

He looked at her with a light smile. “I told you. I didn’t need the experience.”

“Hey, don’t become a narcissist on us now!” Tessa swung a fist at him. They all burst out laughing from the outburst.

They reached the central square as the last light of day faded into a deep blue evening sky. Lanterns now glowed warmly along the buildings, and the restaurant Isolde had mentioned stood on the corner, its windows glowing with golden light.

The smell reached them before they even stepped inside.

Roasted meat. Fresh bread. Spiced vegetables.

Tessa’s stomach growled loudly.

“See,” she said, placing a hand dramatically over her abdomen. “Now I’m struggling.”

Mira laughed.

“That’s the first honest thing you’ve said all day.”

They entered the restaurant together.

The inside was warm and lively without being very loud. Wooden beams crossed the ceiling, and soft music played from somewhere near the back. Conversations flowed gently between tables, and the scent of food wrapped around them like a blanket.

A hostess approached with a polite smile.

“Table for five?”

“Yes,” Isolde replied calmly.

They were led toward a round table near one of the large windows, where they could see the lantern-lit street outside. The chairs were comfortable, the table was polished, and the atmosphere felt far removed from the dungeon they had left less than an hour ago.

As they sat down, and then there was a shared quiet moment.

No one spoke immediately.

They looked at each other instead, small, proud smiles spreading naturally across their faces.

They had reached the limit of Floor Fifteen. They had fought a worthy opponent; they had won. And they had done it together.

Tessa leaned back in her chair and folded her arms behind her head.

“Alright,” she said with a grin. “Now we can argue about who carried the fight.”

Mira rolled her eyes.

“You wish.”

Aria rested her chin lightly in her hand as she looked at Elion lovingly.

“You’re paying, right?” she said sweetly, but her eyes were anything but. She was teasing him.

Elion smiled and decided to play along. “We’ll see.”

A waiter approached with a friendly smile and placed five menus on the table before stepping back politely.

“Take your time,” he said. “I’ll return shortly.”

Tessa had already opened hers.

“Take my time?” she muttered. “I’ve been fighting since morning.”

Mira smirked as she unfolded her menu more neatly.

“You were enjoying yourself too much to complain then.”

“That was different,” Tessa replied. “That was productive hunger.”

Aria leaned slightly toward Elion so she could look at his menu as well.

“I want something warm,” she said softly. “And sweet after.”

“You always want something sweet after,” Mira said without looking up.

Aria smiled. “And?”

Isolde scanned her menu calmly, her eyes moving line by line.

“This place is known for its herb-roasted venison,” she said. “And their mushroom cream stew.”

Tessa looked up instantly.

“Meat first. Everything else later.”

Elion rested his elbow lightly on the table and read through the options.

“There’s grilled river bass with garlic butter,” he said. “And roasted lamb with rosemary.”

Mira finally looked up.

“Lamb,” she said immediately. “And their fire-spiced potatoes.”

“Of course you’d pick the spicy option,” Tessa said.

“It’s called having taste.”

Aria tapped a line on the menu.

“Oh,” she said. “They have honey-glazed duck.”

“That sounds good,” Elion replied.

She smiled at him.

“Then I’ll get that.”

The waiter returned just then, with a small notepad in hand.