The morning was lively as Bral and Idin bantered with Amukelo, who, despite a lack of sleep, seemed eager to start the day.
"Are we hitting a quest today?" Amukelo asked, stretching out his stiff muscles.
"No, I think both you and Pao could use a day off," Bral replied.
"I'm fine, really, I can go," Amukelo insisted, his voice firm, showing his readiness.
Idin, leaning against the wall with a playful smirk, chimed in, "You will get tired really quickly. And even if you can, I don't think Pao can. She still sleeps like a baby. It's better to skip today to avoid any unnecessary risk."
Before Amukelo could respond, Bral shifted the topic with a mischievous grin. "Never mind that, let's talk about something more interesting. What happened yesterday? You two were out late, huh?"
Amukelo paused, gauging how much he should share, finally settling on, "Nothing special, really. We did a bit of shopping, then went to a restaurant. Ate some, drank a... bit of wine." He hesitated as he remembered just how much wine had flowed between them.
Bral, intrigued, leaned forward. "How much did you drink? You seemed pretty steady when you got back."
Surprised, Amukelo asked, "How do you know that?"
"Bao told us. I woke up about an hour ago, so she already told us when you came back. She couldn't sleep not being sure what was going on with Pao," Bral explained with a chuckle.
"Just a few bottles," Amukelo admitted, his cheeks coloring slightly at the memory.
Idin raised an eyebrow, amusement twinkling in his eyes. "A few bottles, just for the two of you? No wonder Pao was knocked out."
Laughing, Amukelo shook his head and shifted the topic to something less awkward for him, and he genuinely was interested in, "I can't believe you all come from noble backgrounds. I'm the only peasant here."
Bral and Idin laughed at his remark, "Yeah, it has some pros, but that noble life is a bore. No adventures, no excitement. I'd rather be a broke adventurer than a rich prisoner any day," Bral said with conviction, which Idin echoed with a nod, "Very well said."
"So, if we're not questing today, are you guys heading to the training facility?" Amukelo asked, already reaching for his gear.
Bral smirked, "You sure you don't want to rest instead? It might do you some good."
Amukelo straightened up, his determination clear. "When has anyone ever achieved greatness by doing less? I need to train to get stronger."
Idin clapped him on the shoulder, his grin wide. "That's the spirit! I like that. Let's go then."
As they were leaving the inn for the training facility, they nearly bumped into Bao, who was coming from the opposite direction.
"Well, well," she said, smirking. "What's the rush? f it isn't the morning brigade. Where are you all marching off to so early? You lose a bet or something?"
Bral smirked, leaning casually against the wall as if the conversation were already a game. "Morning, Bao. Training facility. You know, to work on being even more perfect. What about you? Gonna sit this one out and work on your sarcasm instead?"
Bao's lips twitched upward in the barest hint of a smirk. "Sarcasm's already perfect, thanks. Unlike your footwork."
Idin snorted, and Bral shot him a mock glare before turning his attention back to Bao. "Come on, what's the real plan? You've got that 'up to something' look. Don't tell me you're going soft and actually taking a day off."
Bao crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly as if she were bored of the conversation already. "I'm spending time with Pao if you must know," she replied. "Figured I'd keep her company. You know, sisterly bonding and all that."
"Sisterly bonding, huh?" Bral teased, crossing his arms. "Is that code for showing her how to shoot better than me?"
Bao's smirk grew. "Please, Bral. She doesn't need my help to outshoot you. We all know how bad you are at shooting." Idin chuckled quietly behind them, while Bral tilted his head to pretend to be offended.
Amukelo stepped forward with concern. "Is Pao okay? Should I stay back too? If she needs someone…"
Bao's gaze flicked to him, her expression cooling further. "Relax, Amukelo. She's fine. She doesn't need you hovering like a lost puppy." She paused, her tone growing sharper. "Or me, for that matter. I just thought I'd spend time with her because, unlike some people, I value my family."
Bral chuckled, unfazed by her tone. " I value my family as well, you know? But just don't scare her off with all that charm of yours."
Bao blushed slightly and looked to the side, and she stepped aside. "Now, if you're done holding up the hallway, go hit each other with sticks or whatever you call training. I'll make sure Pao knows you're all wasting your time instead of doing anything useful."
As they passed, Bral glanced back at her with a grin. "Don't miss me too much."
Bao didn't even look at him. "Don't worry about that."
Her cool demeanor stayed intact until they were out of sight. Only then did her shoulders relax slightly, her expression softening as she muttered under her breath, "Idiot."
She turned and headed toward Pao's room, shaking her head but unable to completely hide the small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
Walking toward the facility, Amukelo was visibly deep in thought, prompting Bral to nudge him gently, "Don't worry. Nothing's happening to Pao. You're just not used to seeing someone hungover. Honestly, Bao doesn't really need to stay with her either; she just likes pampering her little sister a bit."
This comment managed to lighten Amukelo's mood, and by the time they reached the training facility, he seemed more at ease. The day's training was vigorous yet fundamental, involving simple sparring sessions and practicing basic combat maneuvers. Despite his lack of rest, Amukelo kept pace with Bral and Idin, pushing through fatigue with a determination that impressed them both.
After several hours, as fatigue began to set in more forcefully, they all agreed it was time to wrap up and head back to the inn for some well-deserved rest. When they arrived, they found Pao already up and about, her cheeks flushing pink as she caught sight of Amukelo and greeted him warmly.
Bral and Idin exchanged knowing smiles, amused by the obvious connection forming between their two young comrades, while Bao rolled her eyes at their antics.
Seizing the moment, Pao suggested to Amukelo that they could start their magic training whenever he felt ready. Eager, Amukelo agreed immediately, and they set off together, leaving Bral, Idin, and Bao behind.
"What training?" Bral murmured, half to himself and half to the others as Amukelo and Pao disappeared.
Idin and Bao shrugged in unison, their curiosity piqued but Amukelo and Pao already left. They decided to just leave them now, and ask for it later.
Pao and Amukelo stepped out into the inn's quiet backyard, a space mostly overlooked by guests and occasionally visited by the staff for brief moments of respite. The area, shaded by a few leafy trees, offered a peaceful setting for their impromptu session.
Amukelo, noticing Pao's slightly weary demeanor, voiced his concern, "Are you sure you don't want to rest for today? We can do this any day."
Pao shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips as she insisted, "No, I'm fine. You've already had a full day of training, so should think a bit more about yourself." Her voice was cheerful, but Amukelo could see the faint signs of fatigue under her eyes and the slight tension in her posture indicating a mild headache.
Despite his own deeper fatigue—having woken up earlier, gone to bed later the previous night, and already pushed through a strenuous training session that day—Amukelo felt compelled to proceed. He didn't want to disappoint Pao by suggesting they postpone their plans, especially when she seemed eager to get started. With a nod of agreement, they both readied themselves.