Days passed, and today marked the weekly holiday at Gaia Academy. Normally, the academy would be quiet, with students either resting or heading home, but not today. The grounds were bustling with activity as excitement filled the air. In just three days, the annual Festival of Valor would begin in Rayah City—a grand event held every year to honor the heroes who sacrificed their lives to save the city from the monsters. The festival spanned three days, filled with remembrance, celebration, and the promise of excitement.
Alex was in his dorm room, training as usual. His movements were precise and focused, each strike of his sword slicing through the air with deadly accuracy. Sweat dripped down his brow as he completed his routine. He wiped it away with a towel and was about to resume when a knock on the door interrupted him.
He paused, took a deep breath to steady himself, then walked over to the door. When he opened it, he found Leon standing there, his face bright with enthusiasm.
"Hey, Alex!" Leon greeted him with his usual energy. "Want to go shopping today? The festival's coming up, and we should get ready."
Alex considered it for a moment. He wasn't particularly interested in the festival, but the thought of seeing Rayah City during such a significant event intrigued him. Plus, Leon's insistence was hard to ignore.
"Alright," Alex agreed. "Give me a minute."
Leon nodded and waited patiently as Alex quickly freshened up and changed into more casual clothes. Once ready, the two of them left the dorm and made their way to the academy's entrance gate.
As they approached the gate, Alex noticed Lila and Sophia waiting for them. Lila's face lit up as she spotted them, and she waved energetically.
"Hi, Leon! Hi, Alex!" Lila called out, her cheerful voice matching the sunny day.
"Hey, Lila!" Leon replied, just as cheerfully.
"Hi," Alex said, his tone more subdued but still acknowledging her.
Sophia also greeted them with a simple, "Hello."
Leon responded with his usual cheer, while Alex gave her a polite nod. Despite their past interactions, Alex wasn't surprised to see Sophia with Lila. Since the VR survival run, Lila had quickly become friends with Sophia, who had naturally blended into their group. At first, Sophia had been awkward and distant, but Lila's bright nature and Leon's overly friendly demeanor soon made her feel comfortable among them.
As the group gathered, they began discussing where to go. Leon, ever the enthusiastic planner, suggested they visit "The Grand Market of Elysia"—the largest market in Rayah City.
"The market's owned by the Reinheart family," Leon explained, his voice brimming with excitement. "It's got everything you could possibly need for the festival!"
Everyone agreed, and they made their way to the train station that would take them to Rayah City. As they boarded the train, Leon continued to chatter about Rayah City and its many attractions, particularly those owned by the Reinheart family.
"Did you know," Leon began, "that the Reinheart family owns a ton of industries in Rayah City? They've got their hands in everything—markets, transportation, even entertainment!"
Lila listened intently, her eyes wide with amazement. She asked questions now and then, clearly fascinated by the influence of Alex's family in the city.
Alex, on the other hand, remained silent, staring out the window as the scenery passed by. He was used to hearing about his family's power and wealth, and it didn't interest him as much. Sophia, sitting next to him, was also quiet, though her thoughts were more focused on the festival and the upcoming days.
The train sped along the tracks, carrying them closer to Rayah City and the bustling preparations for the Festival of Valor.
The bustling energy of Rayah City's streets enveloped Alex, Leon, Lila, and Sophia as they made their way to 'The Grand Market of Elysia'. The market was a massive, multi-storied structure that dominated the city's skyline, a testament to the power and influence of the Reinheart family. The building was a blend of modern architecture and ancient artistry, with towering glass walls and intricate stone carvings depicting the city's rich history.
As they entered the market, they were greeted by a well-dressed receptionist behind a marble counter. The moment she saw Leon and Alex, her eyes widened in recognition. Without a second thought, she hurried towards them.
"Young Master Alex! Young Master Leon!" she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of surprise and respect. "Welcome to the Grand Market. How can I assist you today?"
Alex and Leon exchanged a glance, amused by her enthusiasm. This wasn't surprising, though—before they had left for Gaia Academy, Maya had ensured that all key personnel in their industries were introduced to the two of them. It was standard procedure for the future leader of the family.
"There's no need to call the manager," Alex said, his tone polite but firm. "We're just here to buy some clothes."
The receptionist nodded quickly. "Of course, sir. Please, feel free to browse. If you need any assistance, don't hesitate to ask."
With that, she stepped back, allowing them to explore the vast market on their own. The group made their way to the clothing section, where racks upon racks of luxurious garments were displayed. The clothes were finely crafted, made from the rarest materials, and enchanted with subtle spells to enhance durability and comfort. However, they were also incredibly expensive, with even the simplest item costing thousands of points.
As they perused the selection, Lila's excitement slowly faded. Her eyes lingered on a particularly beautiful dress, its fabric shimmering like starlight, but when she saw the price, her expression grew somber. Ninety thousands of points were far beyond her means.
Leon, who had been watching her closely, immediately understood what was going on in her mind. He opened his mouth to speak, ready to offer to buy anything she wanted—after all, to him, the cost was insignificant. However, before he could say anything, Alex subtly stepped in.
"Lila," Alex said, his voice calm and measured, "if you see something you like but can't afford it right now, you can take it. In return, you can help me with something within the next three years."
Lila blinked in confusion, her eyes searching Alex's for some hidden motive. "Help you? With what?"
"I'll tell you after the mid-term exam," Alex replied, his expression unreadable.
Lila hesitated, clearly torn. She was well aware of her financial limitations, but accepting something without paying for it outright went against her sense of self-respect. The offer was tempting, especially since it came with a promise of earning it back. After a moment of thought, she nodded slowly.
"Alright, if you're sure."
Alex gave a small nod, satisfied. His reasons for making the offer were twofold. First, he knew Lila well enough to understand that she wouldn't accept charity. She was proud and valued her independence. Offering her a way to repay him ensured that she wouldn't feel indebted, and that she'd keep her dignity intact.
The second, and more crucial reason, was that Alex recognized her potential. If his memory from his previous life served him right, Lila was destined to receive a blessing from a deity, one that would elevate her talent in potion-making to unparalleled heights. In his past life. However, that version of Lila had died during an attack in the second year at the academy.
This time, Alex intended to change that fate. Lila's talents were too valuable to be lost. He would protect her, not just because of her potential, but because he valued her as a friend and ally.
As Alex watched Leon picking out dresses for Lila, a thought crossed his mind. It was clear that Leon had feelings for her, though he tried to hide them. Alex felt a protective instinct towards Leon, who in their previous life had sacrificed so much for the sake of others. This time, Alex was determined to ensure that Leon found happiness.
After Lila made her choice, they moved on to other sections of the market. The day passed in a comfortable rhythm, with Leon cheerfully chatting and Lila slowly coming out of her shell, encouraged by his infectious enthusiasm. Sophia remained quiet but engaged, her cold exterior beginning to thaw in the presence of these new friends.
As they made their way through the market, the weight of their recent experiences began to lift, replaced by a sense of camaraderie and anticipation for the upcoming festival. Even Alex, who usually kept to himself, felt a small sense of contentment as he observed his friends. The Festival of Valor was approaching, and with it, new challenges and opportunities that none of them could yet foresee. But for now, they had this moment—a rare pause in their intense lives—to simply be teenagers exploring the world together.