I AM A MAGE BUT WITH MILF SYSTEM-Chapter 371: Camaraderie

Liam gazed at the board, where Lias's pieces had cornered Joseph's into a hopeless mess. He snorted, flipping his dagger into the air and catching it.

"I told you not to bet against Lias, you thick-headed ape. Stick to breaking skulls—leave the thinking to him."

Julian laughed and grabbed a mug of ale from the table. "To the Archduke's finest," he said, raising it with a grin. "One's a genius, one's a drunk, one's a show-off, and one's… well, Joseph."

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The Guardians erupted with laughter—Raphael toasting back, Lias smirking, Liam saluting with his dagger, and Joseph muttering curses under his breath.

gluck gluck

Julian chugged the last of his ale before slamming the mug down onto the table with a loud thud.

"Ahhhh, that hit the spot," he said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, a satisfied grin spreading across his face.

His eyes flicked to Raphael, who was chugging his own mug, cheeks already flushed from the drink. "And how the hell did you pick up this drinking habit, huh?" he asked, leaning forward in genuine curiosity.

Raphael rolled his eyes, slumping back in his chair with a groan. "My lord, you left me alone in the brothel," he shot back. "God knows what habits I've picked up—booze, cards, you name it, maybe even a few sins I don't remember."

Julian threw his head back and laughed. "What else? Smashing girls?" he taunted, grinning wickedly.

Still upset from his board game's thrashing, Joseph suddenly perked up and started laughing. "Oh, yes, I heard the story from the lord himself!" he roared, slapping his knee. "Apparently, Raphael here lost his virginity to a prostitute!" He pointed a finger at Raphael, grinning like a kid who had just won a prize.

"Shut up!" Raphael barked, nearly falling out of his chair. "That's not how it went, you barbarian!" His face reddened—half from the drink, half from the embarrassment.

"My lord dragged me to a brothel, right? He smashed the fine lady called Katsuna—had her screaming his name—and left me alone with the leftovers!" He pointed a thumb at Julian, who was already laughing so hard that he nearly choked.

Julian waved a hand, catching his breath. "Leftovers? Please—the girls there were still a catch! I just had first pick; that's all!"

He smirked, leaning back and propping his legs on a nearby chair. "You should've seen him, Joseph. He was stumbling around, asking me 'Oh, my lord, what do I do with her?' Like a damn lost puppy!"

Liam, still twirling his dagger nearby, snorted loud enough to cut through the noise. "A puppy with no game," he teased, flipping the blade and catching it mid-air. "Bet he paid her double just to figure out where to start." He flashed a wicked grin, dodging as Raphael chucked a crust of bread at him.

Joseph roared again, pounding the table so hard that the board game pieces bounced. "Oh, I can see it—big bad Raphael, blushing at a working girl! Tell me, was she gentle with you, or did she charge extra for the lesson?"

"Piss off, all of you!" Raphael growled, but his laugh betrayed him, spilling out freely as he drained his mug and slammed it down. "You're one to talk, Joseph—Lias just wiped the floor with you, and you're still sweating like a hog! At least I got something out of my night!"

Lias smirked from his seat, tapping the board lightly. "He's got a point, Joseph. You are no match for me here—or anywhere else, apparently." He glanced at Julian, his eyes twinkling. "Should've bet on Raphael's brothel tale instead—more action there."

Julian clapped his hands together, grinning wide. "Alright, alright—new rule: next round's on whoever tells the worst story. Raphael's in the lead, but Joseph, you're close with that 'I can't move a tile' whimpering!"

He grabbed another mug, raising it high. "To Katsuna—keeping my Guardians sharp, one way or another!"

***

The room was a storm of laughter and clinking mugs, Julian and his Guardians lost in their own world. But just as they were sinking deeper into it, a sharp knock echoed through the room, breaking their lively atmosphere.

The room went dead silent in an instant, all fun drained as if someone had flipped the switch. Liam narrowed his eyes and his aura flared, rippling through the room as he scanned the door.

Julian's grin faded, his eyes flicking to the door. He raised a hand, gesturing and nodded at Joseph.

The big man grunted, wiping sweat from his brow, and lifted himself up. Walking to the door, he paused for a moment before yanking it open with a creak. His eyes widened, and he froze for a split second before lowering his head to a bow.

"Princess," he whispered.

Raphael, still lounging with his mug, strained his neck but didn't see anyone. "Who is it, meatball?" he asked, his tone half-teasing, half-curious.

Joseph didn't answer—just stepped aside, his head still lowered.

Hallie stormed in, her gown wrinkled and stained with tears, her face a mix of fury and desperation. Her hair was a mess, strands clinging to her damp cheeks, but her eyes burned, locked on Julian.

The three Guardians—Raphael, Liam, and Lias—shot to their feet in unison, lowering their heads in a bow.

Raphael nearly tripped over his chair, cursing under his breath, while Liam retreated his aura back. Lias straightened last, his smirk gone, replaced by a reserved but calculating stare.

Julian, however didn't even budge. He stayed lounged in his seat, one leg lifted up on a chair, gripping the ale mug tight between his fingers. His eyes traced Hallie as she approached, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

The room's tension spiked in an instant, but he was untouched, unbothered.

Hallie stopped a few steps away from Julian, her breath surprisingly calm while her hands remained clenched into fists.

The Guardians stood in an formation, waiting for a signal, but Julian just tilted his head slightly, studying her like a cornered mouse.