My Servant Is An Elf Knight From Another World

Chapter 1010: Eye For An Eye

I clocked into my shift yawning and shambling through like my body had collectively siphoned the entire world population’s worth of insomnia last night.

This was me reaping what I sowed, I suppose. The foolhardy and arrogant I—spending the entirety of Irene’s lesson the day before expending my magic over and over again into the ground like I was made out of the stuff. If I was, then I definitely wasn’t now.

Sure, I could’ve had Ash transfer some of her energy to me, and yeah, she sure was plenty keen on taking on my fatigue as her own when she suggested it... but this mistake was my own and I much rather keep it that way.

If I pass out because of my own stupidity, then so be it.

Already counted maybe six or seven instances where I’ve briefly become detached from my own stream of consciousness only to be jolted back into sentience realizing I’ve been staring blankly at a tub of coffee beans for the past eternity or something.

And those were only the few occurrences I was aware of.

It didn’t help that the morning was shaping out to be one of the slowest of the week; halfway done with my shift and I’ve only seen three people come and go so far. Add to the fact that my favourite customer was an apparent no-show, and frankly, I didn’t need magic fatigue as a reason to be nodding off.

The spot in the corner was empty of the usual shuffle of papers, the hasty scribble of ink, and the familiar clatter of an empty ceramic cup beckoning for a refill. There were only two likely causes that would be keeping Irene at bay, two that I can think of anyway, and that was either work’s got her deeply preoccupied or worse—Amanda has.

I tried texting Amanda about the whole thing knowing full well I’d probably get nowhere and sure enough all I got back were flowery coddling and words of affections feigning that all was well and normal.

<<They’re just helping me with feedback and finishing touches with your gift>> she innocently proclaimed. <<Just wait and see! Good things come to those who wait remember? So just wait! <3 >>

But just what kind of present needs the assistance and feedback from a Succubus, a vampire and an Elf—this weary, bleary brain could never figure that out. I have a whole party later on to mull about too, and I’m already lacking in brainpower as it was.

I was just about to doze off again, or at least I think it was—it was the only to explain the sudden snap of awareness coursing through me when I heard Nick coming up beside me.

"Hey," I said, immediately straightening my posture and widening my eyes. "Need me for something?"

Nick spent the next few seconds appraising his diligent underling before responding. "You know... you look like shit."

"Is it that obvious?" I said, slumping stiff shoulders that were much too tired to pretend otherwise.

"Up all night celebrating," He grunted in disapproval, already deciding his assumption was the only factual truth of the matter. "At least you had the decency to actually come into work and not call in sick."

"Nah, I knew you’d miss me too much," I said, flashing him the widest smirk I could muster at the moment. "Wouldn’t do that to you."

Nick didn’t say anything back. I prefer to think that he was just much too shy to. Makes his stoic demeanor much better that way.

"No customers," He turned his large, lumbering figure toward the empty counter, expanding his gaze onto even emptier tables and chairs. "Morning rush is already over too. It’ll probably stay empty until the afternoon, most likely."

"Lucky for me, not lucky for business," I paused to yawn, nearly dislocating my jaw in the process. "You’re not gonna say that it’s somehow my fault, are you?"

"No... I’m just seeing if there’s any reason to let you off early today."

I couldn’t believe what I just heard come out of his mouth. Was I dreaming? Did I actually fall asleep for real this time? If so, I better wake up before the real Nick finds me snoozing under his supervision.

"You’re serious?" I asked. "You really gonna let me go for today?"

Nick veered his gaze toward the display window, seeing only an empty road and even emptier sidewalks. "Yeah, I guess I am."

Y’know, I think I might like dream-Nick much better than the real one.

"Wow, is it my birthday?" I joked.

"Hayley called," Nick said. "Said you have some party to go to today so it’s better if I let you off early to prepare."

I felt the smile freeze on my face in confusion. "Hayley told you all that? She told you, but not me?"

"You’re working. You sure you’re supposed to be on your phone?"

Touché, bossman, touché.

"How does she know about the party I’m going to in the first place?" I asked. "I only just decided I’m going to it last night."

"Because she has an invitation to the same one. Leon’s place, right? I guess he informed her that you’ll be coming."

Hayley was invited? As in, like, a direct invitation? Okay, now I’m really starting to wonder just what kind of party this was.

"She’ll also be fetching you at your place, she said," Nick continued. "Your house is on the way over there anyway, so there you go. You can go now."

It’s just starting to dawn on me that Hayley truly was Amanda’s closest buddy. Surprise after surprise I’ve been struck with, and I’m just supposed to go along with it.

"Alright, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow," I said, fishing my keys out of my pocket and heading to the back. "Thanks for covering for me, I suppose."

I barely lifted a foot to leave before I heard Nick speak again.

"Wait."

Wait, I did. Idling in place, twirling my keys around a finger and staring at the back of Nick’s head, clueless as to the reason why.

"Do me a favor while you’re there," He muttered, the usual dullness in his voice ever so slightly amiss. "Keep an eye on Hayley for me."

As far as favors go, that seemed a reasonable enough request. Party in a place packed with strangers, hosted by a certain individual that I knew personally wasn’t always as benevolent as he portrays himself to be. Typical sibling concern, right?

Except I don’t get the feeling her well-being was the focal point as to why he was asking.

"Is there something I should be keeping an eye out for?"

"Maybe. Maybe not," I saw Nick’s shoulders lift and drop into a shrug. "It’s just that... our dad mentioned he was going to some party too. That party is also today."

"Oh," I understood at once. "And does Hayley know?"

"No."

"Why not? You didn’t tell her?"

No response again. This time, I didn’t have to make up a flimsy excuse for his silence.

"Nick?"

"Look, she said this party was important to her—and maybe he’s there, maybe he’s not, that’s why..." he turned his head slightly, a half-gaze meeting mine. "...just keep an eye, won’t you?"