Chapter 334 Charming Wit and Dazzling Smile

Suzuka took a deep breath, her smile returning but with a softer, more comforting edge.

“It’s alright if you don’t recognize me right away,” she said gently.

“A lot has changed since we last saw each other. But I’m here to help, Anna. And I’m glad you’re safe.”

Anna blinked, her eyes still clouded with a mixture of recognition and fear. She slowly took a tentative step forward, her hand gripping Antonio’s arm for support.

“Suzuka?” she finally said, her voice trembling.

“I... no, I haven't forgotten you. It's just you look much older, and so different. I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you.”

Suzuka nodded, her smile becoming more genuine as she took another step closer, her gaze reassuring.

“Don’t worry about it,” she said with a playful glint in her eyes.

“It’s a lot to take in, I get it. I’m just glad to see you safe. And don’t worry about Clive. He won’t be bothering anyone for a while. He’s currently taking a little nap but all of the business with him are settled. He won’t be bothering you or anyone else.”

Antonio's eyes softened, a mixture of gratitude and resignation flickering across his face.

“Thank you, Suzuka. I don’t know how to repay you for all this.”

Suzuka gave him a look that was half-teasing, half-serious.

“Oh, don’t get all mushy on me. I did this for Anna, not for you. And just so you know, you and I are not done yet. We have unfinished business. But let’s save that for a later time, shall we?”

Antonio lowered his eyes, a shadow of understanding passing over his face.

“I understand.”

Suzuka hoisted Clive onto her shoulder like a sack of overripe potatoes, the man’s limbs flopping uselessly as she carried him out of the building. As they stepped outside, she turned to Antonio with a grin.

“I’ve got some business to attend to,” she said with a theatrical flourish.

“Someone else is eager to meet our buddy Clive. You should get Anna home and make sure she’s all right. I’ll find you later. Until then, Antonio.”

Antonio gave a nod, a mix of gratitude and unease in his eyes.

“I will. Thank you again, Suzuka. I’ll be at home - you know the way. I’ll be waiting. We can make things right there. Until then.”

With that, Antonio walked away, Anna in tow. Suzuka turned on her heel and made a beeline for Windmill Inn, where Isaac and Olivia were likely waiting.

She burst through the door with all the grace of a hurricane, her eyes scanning the room until they landed on Isaac and Olivia at the bar. Isaac was sipping a drink while Olivia chatted with him, her eyes bright with anticipation.

“Ahoi there!” Suzuka called out with mock spirit, waving her free hand.

“I come bearing gifts! Lookie here what I got!”

She strode confidently over to Isaac, the weight of Clive draped over her shoulder. She dropped him unceremoniously onto the floor, the impact waking him with a groan.

Olivia’s eyes widened with a mix of amusement and curiosity.

“Ara, ara, what do we have here? A man? Are you trying to make me jealous?”

Isaac’s face lit up with a mix of recognition and disbelief as he saw the prone figure at his feet.

“Clive! You found that snake!? I’m speechless! Thank you is definitely in order. Where did you find this rat? What kind of filthy corner was he hiding in?”

Suzuka let out a hearty laugh, the sound echoing through the inn.

“One question at a time, please! Olivia, meet Clive - he’s a filthy rat who’s been in desperate need of a good spanking. And Isaac, you won’t believe this: it turns out he’s been running a loan sharking business, preying on the poor. I just happened to drop by and do a bit of ‘renovation’ on his base of operations.”

Olivia tilted her head, clearly intrigued.

“Oh, so you’ve been playing the role of the avenging angel, have you?”

Suzuka winked.

“Something like that. Just another day in the life of a hero, you know?”

Clive, his consciousness slowly returning from the haze of being knocked out, groaned and blinked as he found himself sprawled on the cold, hard ground. The world around him came into focus, and he saw a figure standing over him - a man whose presence alone sent a shiver down his spine. This was not someone he wanted to encounter under any circumstances.

"Isaac? Isaac Van Blous? Oh no, no, no, no." He muttered.

Panic clawed at Clive’s insides as he looked at the man. The room was filled with people watching the chaos unfold, their faces mixed with curiosity and unease. Desperation surged through him, and he began shouting at the top of his lungs, his voice trembling with fear.

“Please! Someone! Help!” he yelled, his words barely coherent through his panic.

“I’m being attacked! They’re trying to steal my belongings and kill me! They’re wild people, thieves! Killers! Help! Call the guards! Call the guards, someone!”

His pleas were met with silence, broken only by the harsh clang of Suzuka’s boot connecting with his side. The impact drove the air from his lungs, and he tumbled onto his side, gasping in pain. Suzuka grabbed Clive by the collar and yanked him upright with a strength that made him flinch.

“Shut your trap!” she snapped, her voice cutting through the din with icy clarity.

“No one is going to help you! They probably know who you are and what a rat you are. So you better shut up, or I’ll make it worse.”

Clive’s eyes widened with a mixture of fear and desperation. With a frantic, almost animalistic movement, he tried to flee, his legs wobbling as he stumbled toward the door. But his escape attempt was abruptly halted as his legs were encased in solid ice pillars, freezing him in place. The chill of the ice crept up his body, and he felt the sting of its cold as it held him immobile.

Isaac, his face a mask of barely contained rage, stepped forward from the bar. The air crackled with the tension of his presence, his magic visibly swirling around him. His eyes locked onto Clive with a fierce intensity.

“You stinking rat!” Isaac roared, his voice carrying the weight of unbridled fury.

“Where is the belt with my family crest? The one you stole! Don’t you dare play the fool and say you don’t know where it is! Because you damn sure know the worth it carries.”

The commotion had drawn the attention of everyone in the inn. As the threat of violence and the crackling of magical energy filled the air, the patrons began to edge toward the exits. It was common knowledge in the city that when a mage was involved in a scuffle, it was best to leave before becoming collateral damage.

Clive, his eyes darting around in panic, stammered as he struggled against the ice constraining him.

“Isaac! Wait! Wait! Please! I know I did you wrong, but let’s not get violent! Let’s talk! Let’s talk, alright?! It wasn't me who set the fire, I swear! We were hired to do the job, I'm just a middleman! I’ll tell you everything you want to know, I will! I swear! The belt... Yes, the belt. I know where it is. I will tell you who got it! Just calm down, okay? Calm down, your ice is freezing me, please, just let’s calm down.”

"Oh, you will talk, you can be sure about that."

Isaac's eyes softened with gratitude as he turned to Suzuka, “I am grateful for what you did for me. Thank you. But I must apologize because now, with this rat in my hands, I need to break our agreement. I’ll be consumed by my own business from now on and won't be able to assist with your ambitions. I must act quickly before the trail of the people I’m searching for goes cold. It won't be long before word spreads that Clive has fallen into my grasp. I’m truly sorry.”

Suzuka gave him a warm smile.

“It’s fine, Isaac. I’ll manage. You go and take care of your business. I’ll be staying in town for a while, so if anything comes up, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll be more than happy to lend a hand.”

Isaac nodded appreciatively. With a swift motion, he released the ice binding Clive’s legs and grabbed him roughly by the collar. As he began to lead the disgraced figure out, he added, “Thank you again, Helen. Until next time we meet.”

Suzuka offered him a playful wave.

“Bye, Isaac. And good luck with your... rat-catching.”

As Isaac departed, Suzuka turned to Olivia, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“So, now that that's taken care of, how about we go and visit my parents? What do you think?”

Olivia’s eyes lit up with playful excitement, her voice taking on a flirtatious, teasing tone.

“Oh, meeting the folks, are we?” Olivia purred, her tone dripping with playful intrigue.

“How could I possibly resist such a tantalizing invitation? I’m just dying to see how they’ll react to their long-lost daughter making a grand entrance. Besides,” she continued, her voice dropping to a whisper, “I’d love to see if they have any juicy stories about the old Suzu. Maybe there’s a charming childhood story or two they’d love to share. Who knows, I might even get to impress them with my - oh, I don’t know - charming wit and dazzling smile.”

Suzuka couldn’t help but chuckle at Olivia’s response, the corners of her mouth tugging upward as she considered the playful banter.

“Oh, I’m sure they’ll love you. And I have no doubt you’ll leave a lasting impression. Let’s go, it's not too far.”