VIP System

Chapter 50 - Me, A Mother Figure?

Back in the capital, the guild hall was a hive of activity. Adventurers and clients bustled in and out, the air filled with the sound of animated conversations and clinking armor. The line for receiving rewards stretched long, a testament to the guild's thriving success.

In a secluded corner of the hall, Amanda was busy assisting Suga and Elois in forming their elite roster, the force that would lead the guild's efforts in conquering the World Tower. Elois began their conversation by listing their top ten elite members.

Suga handed a stack of papers to Elois, who laid them out one by one on the table. The papers, however, numbered only eight. The names of the adventurers displayed were: Talia, Shel, Elois, Kidd, Eldric, Boris, Luth, and Leo.

Suga, noticing the discrepancy, frowned. "Why isn't Amanda on the guild's elite list?"

Before Elois could respond, Amanda spoke up, her voice calm and steady. "Given their level and power, I don't deserve to be among them. For the World Tower raid, the elites will be deployed in pairs with their teams. Right now, I'm not convinced I can contribute effectively."

She paused, determination and humility shining in her eyes. "And if I were to be deployed, I'd join Leo's team."

Elois looked at Amanda, nodding with understanding. "Your honesty is appreciated, Amanda. We need everyone at their best for these kinds of raids."

She then remembered something she wanted to ask Amanda about Leo. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully, fingers tapping lightly on the table as she leaned in.

"Amanda," Elois began, her tone curious but gentle, "how do you feel about being a mother figure to Leo?"

Amanda's eyes widened, her usual animated self shining through. She shifted slightly, her hands moving expressively as she spoke. "Claire? Are you talking about Claire?" she asked, a hint of confusion in her voice, her brow furrowing as she tried to understand her question.

Her eyes widened further, her brow furrowing deeper as she tried to comprehend Elois' question. She looked visibly confused, her hands moving expressively scratching her head as she processed the idea. For a moment, she seemed lost in thought, her animated nature taking a backseat to genuine bewilderment.

In the Eldara clan where Amanda was born, the concept of a mother figure was vastly different from what Elois was suggesting. The closest thing to a mother Amanda could think of was their queen, who gave birth to all the elves in their clan. However, the queen's role was not nurturing in the way Claire had been to Leo. Their queen did not breastfeed, bathe, or care for the elves like a human mother would. The queen's duties were more about leadership and ensuring the continuity of the clan.

Amanda's thoughts flashed back to her own upbringing, being assessed by the Elders and placed among the warriors due to her exceptional mana. She had learned to wield a sword and become a fierce protector of her people, but the tender, nurturing acts that Claire performed for Leo were foreign to her.

She suddenly remembered a particular moment with Leo. Her expression changed from confusion to a mix of embarrassment and amusement. "If you mean like Claire..." Amanda started, her eyes still wide. "I remember offering to breastfeed Leo, but he didn't seem to find me as appetizing as Claire."

As she spoke, Amanda instinctively grabbed her chest to illustrate her point. Elois and Suga's reactions were immediate; both flushed deeply, their faces turning crimson as they tried to maintain their composure. Elois' fingers stopped tapping, and she leaned back slightly, her mouth opening and closing as if searching for the right words.

Suga looked away, coughing awkwardly into his hand. "Well, that's... um, not quite what we meant," he stammered, his eyes darting anywhere but at Amanda.