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Amanda’s 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.

Elois cleared her throat, trying to regain her usual calm demeanor. "What we want to say was," she began, her voice a bit steadier, "Leo looks up to you. He respects you, and in many ways, he relies on you for guidance and support. It’s not about the physical acts of caregiving, but the emotional guidance you provide."

Amanda’s animated expression softened as she considered Elois’ words. "Oh, I see," she said, her tone more thoughtful. "I suppose I do feel a sense of responsibility for him."

She paused, her eyes darting around as if searching for the right words. "I wouldn't consider myself his mother," she began, her voice steady. "That role can only belong to Claire. I'm just making sure that I fulfill what Claire and Samuel asked of me."

She looked up, her eyes reflecting a blend of determination and loyalty. "A request given by friends on death's door is like a sacred quest for us Elves. Taking it binds our lives to it, ensuring it's completed no matter what. For me, Leo is like a cherished party member. I would care for him and even offer my life if it needed be."

Elois and Suga listened intently, their expressions serious and respectful. They understood the gravity of Amanda’s words, knowing that in her culture, such a commitment was not taken lightly.

And now that they were talking about him, Amanda continued, her brow furrowing slightly. "There's something different about Leo that I can't quite explain. It's like he's aged or something."

Suga picked up Leo’s paper from the table, causing the other papers to slide away slightly. He read Leo's age out loud, "Sixteen."

From a nearby table, an older adventurer with a staff leaned beside him chimed in. "Huh? That guy's not near the age of sixteen," he said, his voice carrying the weight of years. "He feels even older than me."

The adventurer, who appeared to be about fifty, had deep wrinkles around his eyes that not only marked his age but also his experience. He exuded a knowledgeable aura, his presence commanding respect. His staff, intricately carved with runes, hinted at his long history of magical expertise and countless adventures.

Elois looked at him in surprise. "Owen! I didn’t see you there."

Owen, an adventurer who had joined the guild even before Samuel, smiled warmly. His eyes twinkled with the wisdom of years gone by. "I've been around, keeping an eye on things," he replied, his voice steady and reassuring.

Amanda turned to him as well, a smile spreading across her face. "Owen, it's good to see you."

He greeted her with a sly smile. "I've missed seeing your beautiful self around the guild," he said, his tone playful.

Amanda laughed, the sound light and genuine. "You always know how to make me smile, Owen."

He chuckled, the sound deep and rich. "Well, someone has to keep the mood light around here."

Suga, still holding Leo's paper, looked thoughtful. "What do you mean by 'aged,' Owen? You think there's something more to it?"

Owen, leaning back slightly, squinted at him as if noticing him for the first time. "And who are you again?" he asked, a hint of disinterest in his voice. His focus shifted back to Amanda, clearly more comfortable engaging with her.

Suga, taken aback, opened his mouth to respond but paused, glancing at Amanda and Elois for support. He forced a smile, trying to keep the mood light. "Oh, I'm just the guy who likes to organize things, like our plans for the World Tower raid," he said, chuckling awkwardly.

Elois rolled her eyes playfully at Owen's typical behavior. "Come on, Owen, you know Suga. He's been with us for a while now, helping out with all the important stuff."

Owen raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Oh, right. The organizer," he replied, the disinterest still evident.

Suga scratched the back of his head, looking a bit defeated but maintaining his good humor. "Yeah, the organizer. That's me."

Amanda, sensing the need to steer the conversation back on track, smiled warmly at him. "Owen, could you please explain what you meant by Leo being 'aged'? We're all really curious."

His demeanor shifted immediately, his expression softening as he focused on Amanda. "Of course, Amanda," he said, his tone becoming more engaged. "It's hard to explain, but that Leo carries an aura of someone who's seen much more than his years would suggest. It's as if he's lived through experiences that have aged him beyond his physical years."

Amanda nodded, her thoughts aligning with Owen's words. "It makes sense. Leo has been through a lot in a short amount of time. He's had to grow up fast."

Back at the entrance of the dungeon, Leo took a deep breath and began to walk forward. The towering opening of the cave loomed before him like a monstrous maw, the darkness within seeming to swallow him whole. As he stepped into the pitch-black interior, he felt an odd sense of calm. Despite the lack of light, he could sense everything around him with uncanny clarity.

The large stone ahead stood imposingly to his left, its rough surface cold and unwelcoming. Several pole-like structures lined the cave's sides, and he noticed more peculiarities: broken pieces of ancient pottery, scattered bones, and occasional patches of bioluminescent moss casting an eerie glow. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decay.

The air grew colder with every step, the dampness clinging to Leo’s skin like a second layer. Each breath tasted of earth and decay, the scent thick enough to make him gag. The silence pressed in on him, broken only by the faint drip of water echoing from deep within the cave. Every instinct told him to turn back, but he pressed on, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword.

Leo moved cautiously, his senses on high alert. The further he ventured, the more intricate the cave's interior became. Stalactites hung from the ceiling like the fangs of a great beast, and the sound of dripping water echoed in the distance. He could feel the presence of traps and hidden mechanisms, the dungeon's defenses ready to test any intruder's mettle.

Finally, he reached the end of the dungeon. The grandeur of the cave's entrance was deceptive compared to the elaborate design within. As he stepped into an empty chamber, pole torches suddenly ignited, casting flickering light across the room. In the center, a magic circle glowed ominously, surrounded by a dark miasma that swirled above it. The creeping voices echoed through the dungeon sending chills to anyone that will hear it.

"Another adventurer," said a girl's voice, high and eerie.

"Has ventured inside," continued a boy's voice, equally unsettling.

The voices alternated, completing each other's sentences. "We need to try him," the girl said.

"Before he can go forward," the boy finished.

Leo's eyes darted around the room, trying to locate the source of the voices. The dark miasma above the magic circle seemed to pulse with malevolent energy.

"We hope," the girl intoned, her voice dripping with sinister glee.

"That this adventurer," the boy echoed, his tone equally malevolent.

"Gets past us," they said in unison, their voices blending into a chilling harmony.

"Because the dungeon master," the girl continued.

"Wants to play," the boy added.

"With someone already," they finished together.

The voices repeated in an eerie chant, "Let's do it, let's do it, let's do it," their tones a blend of a child's playful whisper and a dark, foreboding threat.