Maya was proud of Elena. Even though she lost patience at the end and made a scene, she endured wonderfully and brought everyone an enormous amount of power.

Although Maya wanted to be the Harvester herself, after seeing how much was required of one while the ones participating still reaped bounds of power, she didn't feel too much regret. Maya's powers still levelled up simply by being bathed in the currents of it during the ritual.

Maya had decent control over water, but her bond with the element always felt rather weak. Perhaps it was because she kept comparing herself to the raw talent that was Elena. In all fairness, Elena deserved her title.

Now, Maya was faced with another challenge.

The day prior, while she was strolling through downtown Amellan, a woman approached her.

'I know her. Isn't she Elena's guardian?'

She looked like a typical suburban mom, which was strange since she didn't have any kids or lived in suburbia.

"You're that roommate of my Elena, right?" she approached Maya as if she were approaching her daughter's classmate.

It was a favour she needed. Apparently, she had organized a surprise congratulations party for Elena and needed Maya to bring her to their house at five sharp.

"It's the third house in the row on Mandrake Street. Right after the one with a big garden. You'll see. It's a quaint little abode…"

The woman was all excited and blabbering about it, pushing money into Maya's hands to make sure she did the task. Maya felt awkward because the woman didn't give her a chance to refuse the money, so Maya had to make sure Elena showed up.

It was hard to get a hold of Elena with her newfound spotlight, and even harder to convince her. However, Maya had coerced her into going by promising her the money Mrs. Trento gave her, and they arrived at the party fashionably late.

However, the moment they entered her guardians' house, they could tell this 'party' was very amiss.

First of all, the only guests they could see at first glance were elderly people, mostly their neighbours and other townies—not people Elena knew personally or wanted to be associated with.

Second, there was an enormous three-level, overly-embellished chocolate cake sitting on display, tempting guests and making them anticipate the moment its glorious sweetness would be served. As soon as she laid eyes on it, Elena's eye involuntarily twitched.

Maya sighed, feeling it was only a matter of time before an argument erupted.

Elena held it in well for a while. She did try, for how many long, excruciating minutes it took, to receive the congratulatory remarks from the guests. But soon enough, her face began looking as if she were contemplating homicide.

Soon, yelling began, and listening to their arguments, it became apparent who was behind this hellish setting.

As it turned out, naive Mrs. Trento sought advice from Sarah, whom she mistook for Elena's friend. Eager to help, Sarah listed all of Elena's 'favourite' things to make sure Mrs. Trento organised the most splendid party.

"You're such an empty-headed woman!" Elena insulted Mrs. Trento. "In what world would this be considered a great party?! This is a torture chamber!"

Elena furiously suggested at the living room, where people—mostly above the age of 60, excluding Maya, who still somehow blended in—sat eating biscuits as they watched the drama unfold in front of them.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Sarah said you like the elderly. That you miss having a grandparent figure."

"Really? You thought I like old people even though I avoid you like a plague?"

Mrs. Trento gasped. "Young miss, you did not just call me old! I have just turned 42. I am not old!"

"It seems you got one foot in a grave already…"

While Elena argued with her guardian, Maya enjoyed cake and biscuits, chatted with the elderly, played bingo, and found herself quite enjoying the atmosphere. They had such great stories and such laid-back attitudes that Maya couldn't help but relax.

"I said it as a joke before, but you really do belong in a home for the elderly," Leo commented.

Maya was a girl who most enjoyed lounging and reading. If the whole burden of having to save the world or whatnot, she would've been spending her life leisurely enjoying interesting stories.

As the bickering continued in the background, an elderly man with a faint British accent sitting next to Maya turned to her.

"Is this young lady the esteemed Harvester?" he inquired, gesturing towards Elena with a knobby finger.

"Yes, she is the star of this party," Maya responded, subtly nodding towards Elena.

"The Trentos must be quite proud," the man commented, his eyes twinkling with amusement as they flickered between the arguing pair. His weather-worn face bore a curious smile as if he saw their words being exchanged in jest.

"From the looks of it, she might be regretting ever taking her in," Maya replied with a hint of laughter in her voice.

The old man chuckled warmly, "Aleda might've gotten a bit too excited, but being a guardian has its rewards…" His voice trailed off, lost in sweet nostalgia. "It's the joy of raising our future generations. But I'm afraid I'm too old for the task now."

Maya's interest was piqued. "Oh, you were also a guardian?"

"Yes, I had a few wards under my care. It was always a lively household, to say the least," the man fondly reminisced. "Where are my manners? My name is Alfred. I live in the house next door. You must be one of young Elena's many friends."

"Many friends?" Maya almost choked on her lemonade, but tactfully let it slide. Not everyone needed to know how difficult Elena truly was. "I'm Maya, Elena's roommate and friend. Is the house with the beautiful garden yours by any chance?"

"That's the one," he replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "I try to maintain it as best as I can."

That house was always brimming with greenery—lush foliage scaling the walls while potted plants adorned every windowsill, even now during winter's embrace. It was the house that made Linda turn her head every time they passed it.

"You're doing a wonderful job," Maya complimented. "It's beautiful."

Alfred waved off the compliment with a bashful chuckle. "I'm not used to flattery. The garden belonged to my late wife."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Maya offered her condolences, her voice gentle and sympathetic.

"Don't mention it. It's been a while, now. The garden is all I occupy myself with these days. It used to be her masterpiece," he said, his voice softening as he got lost in his memories. "It is too bad no one visits to admire it nowadays. My wards are all long grown up…"

Maya thought living alone must make him quite lonely. Out of sympathy, she suggested, "I could come and visit in the spring when it blossoms."

The old man's eyes widened as he was pleasantly surprised, "You're welcome anytime."

As he continued to chatter about Herbology and medicinal plants, Leo, who was quietly observing their conversation, playfully teased, "Knowing you, you'll actually feel obliged to fulfil your promise."

Maya simply smiled. She had made a new friend. It being an elderly man was unexpected, but she was glad all the same.

Maya looked back to Elena who now stood stiffly next to Mr. Trento who was regaling their guests with a humorous anecdote about Elena and how wonderful it was to be raising a daughter, treating her as if she were his own child. Guest laughed with joy while he would give Elena's shoulder a fatherly rub at times.

Not having followed how their argument ended, Maya concluded that Elena had lost and now had to put on airs. Although outwardly she had a convincing mask of polite decorum, Maya knew her well enough to tell she was extremely uncomfortable.

However, Maya still couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth. If Elena was willing to be here and endure it must mean she did care about her guardians to some extent. Perhaps, in their own unique way, they could become a real family. Only if Elena learned to open up more and accept them.

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