Amukelo's steps quickened as he navigated through the familiar streets, his heart thumping with a blend of excitement and nervous anticipation. The evening air was cool against his skin, contrasting sharply with the warmth spreading through his chest as he approached the designated meeting spot.
As Amukelo was on his way, he stumbled upon a small stall with simple jewelry. He stopped for a moment and looked at it. Just as he was about to continue, an old lady asked him seeing his gaze, "Why such a handsome young man like you is dressed so elegantly?"
Amukelo laughed and said, "I'm about to meet with someone," The lady giggled while suggesting, "Then maybe you should give a small gift for this someone."
Amukelo pondered for a moment looking at the jewelry, and then decided, "I don't know much about jewelry, could you suggest something?" The lady gave him a few suggestions, and Amukelo chose to buy a simple golden necklace with a flower.
As Amukelo finally arrived at the meeting spot, the quaint square was serene, centered around an ornate fountain where Pao was seated, seemingly lost in thought as she gazed skyward.
Her figure was outlined against the fading light, dressed in a delicate pink summer dress that fluttered slightly with the breeze. The sight of her so peaceful and contemplative made Amukelo slow his pace, his initial rush giving way to a more measured approach. He listened for a moment, the soft sound of her sigh melding with the gentle murmur of the fountain's flowing water.
Gathering his courage, Amukelo cleared his throat gently as he neared, announcing his presence with a tentative, "Hey, Pao. Sorry for being late, I had some issues..." He trailed off as she turned to face him, her expression transforming with surprise and a quick blush coloring her cheeks.
"You... You look beautiful," Amukelo managed to say, his own face mirroring her flush. Pao's eyes darted away, her hands fidgeting slightly as she murmured a shy "thank... thank you."
Her curiosity piqued as she took in his attire, "Your clothes... Why do you wear clothes like this?" she asked, her tone mixed with admiration and surprise.
Amukelo hesitated, his initial worry about his appearance surfacing. "Do I look weird? Should I wear something else?" he asked, a note of concern in his voice.
Quick to reassure him, Pao responded earnestly, "No, no, no... You look... I just didn't expect that." She seemed to struggle for words, her gaze flitting back to his outfit.
Relieved, Amukelo smiled and explained, "Ahh, I'm glad you like it. It was Bral's and Idin's idea." He watched her reaction closely, noting a flicker of irritation—not towards him, but presumably towards their meddling.
"Their idea?" she repeated, her annoyance fleeting as she looked back at him with a softer expression. "I told them you asked me to go shopping, and they told me to wear this," Amukelo added.
Pao sighed, a mixture of exasperation and amusement in her voice, "Why they... ahh... Whatever. I'm just glad that you came, I began to worry." Her tone softened, and Amukelo's face fell slightly as he apologized, "I'm sorry, the process of tailoring this took longer than we expected." He gestured to his outfit, turning slightly to show off the meticulous details.
Amukelo then reminded himself about his gift, "Ahh.. I almost forgot. I got you something. I hope you like it," he took a small box out of his pocket and gifted it to Pao.
Pao's cheeks reddened as she opened it. When she took out the necklace, she looked at it for a moment, her eyes sparkled, "Tha... Thank you, Amu. It's beautiful." He sighed and said, "I'm glad you like it, I was choosing it on the run, so I wasn't sure if I made a good choice." He then gave her a warm smile.
"I... It means a lot, especially because it's from you," Noticing her cheeks flush even deeper, she quickly averted her gaze and changed the subject, "So, let's go before they close," she said briskly, standing up from the fountain.
They walked together, Pao leading the way with renewed purpose. The awkwardness of their initial encounter slowly gave way to a comfortable silence, punctuated by shared glances and tentative smiles. As they moved through the streets, the promise of the evening ahead filled Amukelo with hopeful excitement, his earlier anxieties melting away under the gentle influence of Pao's presence.
The soft glow of lanterns lined the cobblestone street, casting a warm, inviting light as Amukelo and Pao made their way through the bustling town. The evening air was filled with the murmur of townsfolk finishing their daily routines, the distant clatter of dishes from nearby eateries, and the occasional laughter of children playing in the fading light. This serene backdrop provided a soothing counterpoint to their initial nervous energy.
"So, what do you want to buy?" Amukelo asked curiously as they walked side by side.
Pao glanced over, her expression thoughtful. "A few things. A new, stronger staff, some grimoires, and a few other items," she listed, her tone hinting at a well-planned shopping trip.
"And how was your first day at the training facility?" she inquired, genuinely interested.
Amukelo paused, his mind replaying the day's intense moments. "I like the place. There are many strong warriors and many ways to get stronger. I even spared one of them today," he said, his voice carrying a mix of pride and humility.
Pao's eyes lit up with curiosity, "Did you win?"
Amukelo shook his head, a rueful smile on his face. "Unfortunately, no. I almost had him, but he was just too good."
"Who was your opponent?" Pao pressed, her tone slightly hopeful.
"He had red hair. His name was Padrin, I think?" Amukelo's brow furrowed as he tried to recall.
"Padrin?" Pao's expression shifted to one of recognition. "Yes, do you know him?" Amukelo asked.
"Not personally, but he's quite famous around here. He's one of the fastest-growing silver ranks in this town. You truly had a special opponent. How did they let you spar with him on your first day?" she asked, her voice tinged with astonishment.
Amukelo's eyes widened, "A silver rank? I thought he was a golden rank!"
Pao chuckled, "He's getting closer every day, but he still has quite a distance to cover."
"That makes me wonder what diamond rank looks like," Amukelo mused aloud, his gaze drifting to the stars beginning to twinkle in the sky.
Pao nodded, her voice taking on a reverent tone. "Diamond basically means you're a national hero. You can't reach that level without completing quests that have significance on a national scale. But not all diamonds are equal; some are significantly stronger than others."
"Wow, I can't wait till I get there," Amukelo said, his voice filled with determination.
Pao looked at him, her eyes sparkling with shared ambition. "I hope I'll be there with you," she said earnestly.
"Naturally, you and the rest," Amukelo responded with a broad smile, his enthusiasm infectious.
Their conversation paused as they arrived at their first stop—a quaint magic shop adorned with various mystical symbols and softly glowing orbs that illuminated the display windows. The shop's warm light spilled out onto the street, inviting them in. Pao led the way, her steps confident and eager, as Amukelo followed.
The magic shop was a tapestry of enchantment, brimming with an array of mystical artifacts that seemed to breathe with a life of their own. As Amukelo and Pao entered, they were greeted by the sight of small, luminous creatures flitting across the room, casting playful shadows on the walls. Shelves lined with glowing orbs, fluttering pages of spellbooks that seemed to turn on their own, and potions that bubbled and shifted colors captivated Amukelo's attention.
The section with the magic staffs was particularly mesmerizing. Rows of staffs stood like sentinels, each unique in design and purpose. Some were elegantly crafted from wood with intricate carvings that whispered of ancient forests and long-forgotten spells. Others were forged from metals that shimmered with an inner light, etched with runes that pulsed softly. At the tip of each staff, a crystal glinted—some clear as spring water, others dark as the night sky, all of them humming with contained power.
Pao's eyes lit up as they approached the staffs, her gaze flitting from one to another as she assessed their attributes. "I'm looking for something that reduces mana cost," she explained, her voice tinged with excitement. "My mana reserves aren't that great yet, and I want to be able to cast more powerful spells without depleting them too quickly."
Amukelo listened, fascinated by the glimpse into a world so different from his own experience with swords and physical combat. "Have you ever tried using magic?" Pao suddenly asked, turning to him with a curious tilt of her head.
"Never," Amukelo replied, his brow furrowing slightly. "Isn't that something you're born with?"
Pao paused, considering his question. "In most cases, people don't show any signs before they actually start training. It's possible to have a natural affinity for magic and not know it. Some might have incredible potential for magic but never discover it because they never try."
Amukelo nodded thoughtfully, intrigued by the idea that he might have untapped potential in a field so alien to him. "Maybe one day, I'll give it a shot," he mused, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
Pao's attention returned to the staffs, and after a few more moments of deliberation, she selected one with a sleek, dark wood shaft and a deep blue crystal that seemed to hold swirling stars within it. "This one," she declared, her voice firm. "It's perfect."
They approached the counter, where an elderly shopkeeper with twinkling eyes and a gentle smile rang up their purchase. Pao handled the transaction with ease, her excitement palpable as she carefully wrapped the new staff in a protective cloth.
With the staff securely in hand, Pao beamed at Amukelo. "Let's head to the next shop. I still need a few more items," she said, her energy undiminished by their first successful stop.
Amukelo followed his curiosity about magic deepened by their conversation and his admiration for Pao's passion growing. As they left the magic shop behind, the bustling street welcomed them back, the evening lights flickering like earthbound stars guiding their way to the next destination.