Ethan stood in the academy's training hall, his chest heaving as he finished another round of intense drills. Sweat dripped down his face, his muscles aching from hours of relentless exertion. The sound of his breathing echoed in the empty room as he gripped his training spear tightly, his mind locked on a single memory—the moment Alex had cut his head clean off in the VR world. No matter how much he trained, and how much effort he put in, the image refused to leave him. It haunted him every time he closed his eyes, his hand unconsciously drifting to his throat as if he could still feel the blade's cold edge.
The door to the hall creaked open, and Mira and Liana stepped in. Both girls watched him for a moment, exchanging concerned glances. Mira was the first to speak, her voice soft but firm.
"Ethan, you're pushing yourself too hard," she said, walking closer to him. "You've been training like this for days. You need to take a break."
Liana nodded in agreement, stepping forward as well. "She's right. You need to relax, and clear your head. This... this isn't healthy."
Ethan stopped, lowering his spear, though his jaw was still clenched. He looked at them, his eyes distant. "What else am I supposed to do? I can't forget what happened that day."
His hand moved instinctively to his throat again, the phantom sensation of Alex's sword still vivid in his mind. Every night, the same scene replayed in his dreams—Alex's cold, calculating gaze, the feeling of helplessness as his head was severed from his body in that virtual world. It wasn't real, but it felt real. Too real.
"I haven't had a decent sleep in days," Ethan admitted his voice barely above a whisper.
Mira frowned, stepping closer and placing a gentle hand on his arm. "You can't let that weigh on you. It was a simulation. Nothing more."
"But it was more than that," Ethan said, his eyes hardening. "It was a reminder of how much stronger Alex is... how much I have to improve if I want to beat him."
Liana crossed her arms, her expression a mix of empathy and frustration. "You're not alone, Ethan. We've all been there. But you're making it worse by isolating yourself like this. You need to step back sometimes, or you'll burn out."
Ethan let out a deep breath, lowering his head. He knew they were right, but the weight of his failure gnawed at him relentlessly. Before he could respond, Liana continued, her tone more upbeat now.
"You know what? Let's go shopping," she suggested, her eyes brightening. "The festival is coming up, and it's the perfect excuse to get out and do something fun. Clear your head for a bit."
Ethan blinked, surprised. "Shopping?"
"Yes, shopping," Liana replied, nodding eagerly. "You need a distraction, and so do I. My result in the VR survival test... well, let's just say it wasn't what I expected."
Her voice wavered slightly, betraying the frustration she had been holding back. She had been humiliated, especially after underestimating Sophia, only to realize just how much stronger Sophia was. The defeat had stung her pride deeply, a blow she was still trying to shake off.
"I thought I was stronger than her," Liana continued, her voice quieter now. "But I was wrong. I need a break from all this... from thinking about it. Let's just... enjoy the festival, at least for a little while."
Mira smiled, sensing that Liana was speaking for herself as much as for Ethan. "It'll be good for both of you," she added. "And maybe for me too."
Ethan looked between the two girls, their faces filled with hope that he would join them. He sighed, feeling some of the tension ease from his shoulders. Maybe they were right. Maybe he needed this more than he realized.
"Fine," he said, finally lowering his spear and giving a small, tired smile. "I guess I could use a break."
Liana grinned. "Good! Let's go then. We've got some shopping to do before the festival kicks off."
As they turned to leave the training hall, Ethan glanced back at the sparring dummies and training equipment one last time. The memory of Alex's cold gaze still lingered, but for now, he would set it aside. There would be time to face that demon again—but today wasn't that day.
Today, he would try to live a little.
After finishing their shopping, Alex, Leon, Sophia, and Lila decided to roam around the city. The streets were lively, with colorful stalls, bustling crowds, and performers scattered about, all in preparation for the upcoming festival. As they walked, Leon pointed out various landmarks, trying to keep things light, while Lila marveled at every sight with wide eyes.
Eventually, they found themselves at a quaint restaurant. The four settled in, sitting around a large round table. The air was filled with the warm aroma of food, and things felt somewhat relaxed for the first time in a while.
Leon broke the silence, grinning. "So, who here thinks they could beat me in a food challenge?"
Lila giggled. "I bet you eat more than you fight, Leon."
Sophia raised an eyebrow. "How does one train for that, exactly? I imagine it's not much different from your regular routine."
Alex smirked but remained quiet, preferring to listen.
Lila tilted her head toward Alex. "What about you, Alex? You barely ate during our last meal. Got a secret diet plan or something?"
Alex gave a small chuckle. "Just not a fan of overeating. It slows you down."
Sophia glanced at him thoughtfully. "You're always thinking about training, aren't you?"
Leon jumped in, laughing, "Oh, don't ask him that! He'll start telling you about his 'optimized training schedule,' and we'll be here all day."
The light-hearted atmosphere was comforting. After finishing their meal, they stepped out of the restaurant and into the cool evening air.
As they walked, a man in a wheelchair approached them. He was missing an arm and a leg, his wheelchair was adorned with an array of vibrant flowers. His face was weathered but kind and his eyes carried a deep story.
"Would any of you fine folks like to buy some flowers?" the man asked, his voice hopeful.
Sophia was about to say something, but Alex spoke up before she could. "I'll take all of them," he said quietly.
The man's face lit up, surprised and overjoyed. "All of them? That'll be 50 points."
Without hesitation, Alex transferred the amount, accepting a bag brimming with flowers. The man thanked him profusely before wheeling himself away, his eyes filled with gratitude.
After a brief silence, Sophia turned to Alex, curiosity in her voice. "If you wanted to help him, why not just give him the money? Why buy all the flowers?"
Alex looked at her, his face calm "He wasn't asking for charity. Even after everything he's lost, he isn't begging for money. He's working, earning a living with dignity. If I just handed him free money, he wouldn't have accepted it. I'm respecting his self-worth."
Sophia nodded, absorbing his words, while Lila chimed in softly, "What will you do with all these flowers?"
Alex didn't answer right away. Instead, he gestured for them to follow him. They walked in silence until they arrived at the center of the city, where the grand memorial of Rayah stood — a massive blue diamond-shaped gem, surrounded by a sea of flowers. The names of the fallen heroes and hunters who had sacrificed their lives for the city were etched into the stone.
Alex walked up to the memorial and gently placed the flowers at its base, standing still for a few moments, staring at the names. The others stayed behind, watching silently.
"That memorial means a lot to him," Leon said in a low voice. "Alex's swordsmanship teacher, the one who taught him everything about sword basics, died in a dungeon break just outside of Rayah City. He was an S-rank hunter, one of the strongest. He was like family to Alex."
Sophia's expression softened as she listened, while Lila looked sad. Leon continued, his voice somber. "I'll never forget the day Alex found out. He cried... all day. That was the first, and the last, time I ever saw him cry."
Alex remained silent at the memorial for a few more minutes before turning back to the group. He didn't say anything as they started walking back together, but the weight of the moment lingered in the air.
There was no need for words. Some memories spoke louder than anything else.