Ruth woke up with her face nestled against Alex's chest, the soft morning light filtering through the window. She stirred slightly and gently shook Alex awake. His eyes fluttered open, a lazy smile spreading across his face. Ruth's heart skipped a beat at the sight, and once Alex was fully awake, he turned to her with a thoughtful look.
"Would you like to go out on a date with me today?" he asked, catching her off guard.
Ruth's eyes widened in surprise before a soft smile crept onto her face. She nodded, feeling a bit flustered by the unexpected invitation. "That sounds like a good idea."
Alex, equally excited about the day's plans, grinned and suggested, "Dress comfortably. It's going to be casual."
Ruth nodded, her heart racing with anticipation, and headed to her room to change while Alex went to his. Once Alex finished dressing, he stepped out into the hall, but seeing no sign of Ruth, he figured she might still be getting ready. He approached her door and knocked.
"Come in!" Ruth called from inside.
Stepping into Ruth's room, Alex was immediately struck by how vibrant and full of life it was. Colorful decorations adorned the walls, giving the room a warm, welcoming feeling. He commented, "Your room looks amazing."
Ruth emerged from the bathroom, her face glowing, and asked, "How do I look?" She wore a blue, flower-patterned sundress with sandals, her long hair cascading down her back, free from the bun she usually wore while working. The sunlight streaming through the window caught the soft waves of her hair, making her look ethereal.
Alex was momentarily stunned by Ruth's beauty. His mind went blank, and before he could think, he blurted out the truth. "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."
Ruth's face flushed crimson at his words, and she smiled shyly. "Thank you," she whispered, her heart pounding. Gathering herself, she asked, "So, where are we going?"
Alex, finally regaining his composure, smiled back. "I was thinking we could head to the library and explore for a bit, maybe find some books to read. Then afterward, we could come back to the estate and have a picnic in the courtyard—enjoy the view of the city and the forest."
Ruth's eyes lit up at the mention of the library. "That sounds perfect! The library is my favorite place to go on my days off."
Alex raised an eyebrow in pleasant surprise. "I didn't know that. Well, in that case, how about we make it a weekly date?" he suggested.
Ruth's excitement bubbled over, and she nodded eagerly. "I'd love that!"
Once they had gathered their weapons—Ruth's dagger and Alex's sword—they made their way to the kitchen, where Hugh was enjoying breakfast. He greeted them with a wide smile and a hearty laugh.
"Good to see you're back on your feet, lad," Hugh said to Alex, his voice warm with relief. "You gave us all quite a scare that night, but I'm glad everything ended alright in the end."
Alex smiled, feeling the sincerity behind Hugh's words. "Thanks, Hugh. I appreciate it. I'm feeling much better now."
As they packed a lunch for their trip, Hugh noticed their attire. "Well, well," he said, eyeing their clothes. "Why do you two seem all dressed up?"
Ruth blushed slightly and explained, "We're going to the library today."
Hugh chuckled, shaking his head with a knowing grin. "Ah, a little library date, eh? Well, you two be safe and… don't do anything I wouldn't do."
His comment left Alex and Ruth red-faced, their embarrassment evident. Ruth quickly packed the last of their lunch, trying to avoid eye contact, while Alex just cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Thanks, Hugh," Alex mumbled, trying to regain his composure. With everything packed and ready, they waved goodbye to Hugh and set off for their day at the library.
After making their way through the lively city streets of Gorin, Alex couldn't help but notice the stares and whispers from the people they passed. Some murmured about his unusual red and blue eyes, while others complimented his striking appearance. Ever since his recent cultivation advancements—reaching the advanced stage in Demonic Ascension and beginner stage in Heavenly Descent—his physical features had sharpened. He had grown taller, now standing at 6 feet, with a more mature presence that made him appear closer to 18 or 19 years old.
As they walked through the crowded streets, Ruth held onto Alex's arm, guiding him toward the library. This was Alex's first time visiting the inner parts of Gorin, and he marveled at how different it was from Vana. Gorin was bustling with thousands of citizens, far more than the rural community of a few hundred he was used to.
Ruth eagerly pointed out the city's key spots, sharing bits of Gorin's culture and social norms with Alex along the way. "You know," she said with a smile, "a woman holding a man's arm like this means we're together—more than just friends." She blushed slightly as she said it, glancing up at Alex.
Alex, feeling a surge of pride, walked with more confidence. He was glad to be seen with Ruth, someone he found to be the most beautiful woman he'd ever known. It filled him with a quiet sense of satisfaction as they made their way through the city.
Finally, they reached the library—a grand, gothic building adorned with statues of angels and demons that lined the roof. Alex marveled at the architecture, the gargoyles looming overhead, giving the place a sense of both elegance and mystery.
Ruth tugged him inside, and as they entered, they were greeted by the librarian, a friendly older woman who smiled warmly at Ruth. "Good morning, Ruth," the librarian said, her eyes twinkling as she glanced at Alex. "And who is this handsome young man?"
Ruth, blushing deeply and unsure of how to explain their relationship, hesitated. Sensing her discomfort, Alex confidently stepped in, smiling at the librarian. "Good morning," he said. "I'm Alex, Ruth's fiancé."
Ruth's face grew even redder, but she nodded in agreement, shyly confirming Alex's bold declaration. The librarian chuckled and winked at Ruth. "Well, don't let him get away, dear. He seems like a keeper."
Alex, feeling a bit nervous but also pleased, thanked the librarian. "We're here to find some books," he said. "I'm looking for anything on cultivation or world history."
The librarian raised an eyebrow, teasingly saying, "Are you sure you don't want to read some of the books Ruth's been enjoying lately?" Her smile hinted at something playful, and Ruth quickly cut in, her face flushed. "No, no, it's fine! We're here for cultivation and history," she said hastily.
Alex, confused by the exchange but not wanting to press further, smiled politely. "Could you help us find those books?" he asked.
The librarian chuckled again and nodded. "Of course. Follow me, young man. I'll show you the way."
As they followed the librarian, she led Alex and Ruth into a quiet, secluded room within the library. The walls were lined with old tomes and scrolls, all dedicated to world history—the known kingdoms, continents, and cultures throughout the land. Alex scanned the shelves, noticing a distinct lack of any books related to cultivation, which piqued his curiosity. Just as he was about to ask the librarian, she interjected.
"I'll grab what we have on cultivation," she said kindly. "But I should warn you, the collection is limited. Knowledge of cultivation techniques and general information isn't something easily shared, especially not with common folk. It's a closely guarded secret in most circles."
Alex, understanding how valuable and rare cultivation knowledge could be, nodded in appreciation. "Thank you," he said. "We understand, and we'll make use of whatever is available."
The librarian smiled and left to gather the books, leaving Alex and Ruth alone in the room. Ruth, ever curious, wandered through the shelves, pulling out books on general knowledge about the world—its geography, different kingdoms, and key historical events. She brought a few volumes over to the table where Alex sat, and they both settled in to read.
It was the perfect balance for them—half date, half training. Ruth smiled at Alex over the top of her book, her eyes sparkling with excitement at the peaceful atmosphere. "It's nice, isn't it?" she said softly. "Just… us and the books."
Alex smiled back, nodding. "Yeah, it really is. This is exactly what I needed."
Time seemed to slip away as they read through the history books. Alex learned about various distant lands, mysterious continents, and kingdoms that operated with different forms of government. Ruth chimed in with her own thoughts on some of the stories, pointing out how certain events in Gorin's history had shaped its culture today.
After what felt like hours, the librarian returned with a modest stack of books on cultivation. She placed them on the table between Alex and Ruth. "This is what we have," she said. "It's mostly basic information and general concepts. True cultivation techniques aren't something you'll find easily, especially not in a public library like this."
Alex thumbed through one of the books, glancing over the pages. It was filled with common knowledge, explaining the basics of body, spirit, and mana cultivation, but there were no advanced techniques or insights into how to progress beyond the basic stages. The further Alex read, the more he realized that most cultivators likely guarded their secrets fiercely. It made sense that even a library as grand as this one would be limited in its collection.
"Thank you," Alex said to the librarian as she left them to their reading.
Ruth leaned over, looking at the books Alex had spread out before him. "So," she asked, "anything new?"
"Nothing much," Alex replied, his fingers tracing the page. "It's all basic stuff I've already learned or figured out on my own. I guess it's like she said—cultivators don't want to share their power, so these books just touch on the surface."
Ruth nodded, understanding the situation. "Still, it's good to have a foundation. Even if the secrets aren't here, at least we can reinforce what you already know."
They spent the next few hours reading, sharing notes, and discussing what they learned. Alex, though a bit disappointed by the lack of advanced techniques, appreciated the time spent together with Ruth in a peaceful environment, away from the stress of training and battling star beasts.
As the afternoon sun started to dip lower in the sky, casting warm light through the library's tall windows, Alex closed the last of the books on cultivation and sighed contentedly. "This was good," he said, stretching his arms. "Even if it wasn't the advanced stuff I was hoping for, it feels like we got something done."
Ruth smiled warmly, putting her own book down. "I agree. Plus, it was a nice way to spend the day together."
Alex nodded. "Definitely. I think we should head back soon, though—don't want to worry anyone at the mansion."
Ruth giggled. "Yeah, we've been here for hours."
With that, they packed up their belongings, thanked the librarian for her help, and headed out of the library, arm in arm, ready to return to the mansion after a quiet, but meaningful day of learning.
As the sun began its slow descent behind the horizon, casting a golden glow across the estate, Alex and Ruth made their way back to the mansion, their footsteps in sync with the soft sounds of the evening. Alex felt a sense of peace wash over him, a kind of contentment he hadn't felt in a long time. When they reached the courtyard, with the warm colors of the sunset reflecting on the building's stone walls, Alex gently took Ruth's hand, leading her to the steps.
Sitting together, he pulled her close, his arm wrapping protectively around her. They sat in silence for a moment, watching as the sun's final rays illuminated the tops of the trees and buildings, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. The world around them felt quiet, serene.
Breaking the silence, Alex turned to Ruth, his voice soft but sincere. "Thank you, Ruth. For being here for me. For supporting me through everything—through the training, the battles… just, everything." He paused for a moment, searching for the right words. "I promise, no matter what happens, I'll always be there for you too. Anytime, anywhere."
Ruth looked up at him, her eyes reflecting the warmth of the sunset. She smiled, her heart full, and instead of speaking, she simply leaned her head against his shoulder, cuddling closer into his embrace. No words were needed. The quiet comfort of their connection said more than anything either of them could express out loud.
Together, they watched the sun dip below the horizon, the sky transitioning into a deep purple, the stars beginning to twinkle above. For the first time in a while, both of them felt completely at peace, content in each other's presence as they enjoyed the simplicity of the moment.
As the peaceful moment under the sunset faded into night, Alex and Ruth knew it was time to report their return to Lady Mane. Hand in hand, they made their way through the quiet corridors of the mansion until they reached Lady Mane's office. They knocked softly, and her voice called them in.
Lady Mane looked up from her work, and a warm smile graced her face as her eyes fell on Ruth. "You look lovely, Ruth," she complimented, noticing the change from her usual attire and how her hair flowed naturally. "It's nice to see you both had a good day."
Alex and Ruth both nodded, their faces reflecting the peace and contentment they'd shared throughout the day. "Thank you, Lady Mane," Ruth said, her voice soft but appreciative of the kind words.
"We did," Alex added. "We made good use of our time, and we're ready for tomorrow."
Lady Mane, satisfied with their report, gave them a nod. "Good. I'm glad to hear it. Now, get some rest. Tomorrow, the work continues."
With a final exchange of pleasantries, Alex and Ruth excused themselves from Lady Mane's office, making their way back to Alex's room for the night. The calmness from earlier still lingered between them as they prepared for bed. They settled in beside each other, wrapped in the comfort of knowing that despite the challenges ahead, they had each other.
The peaceful night embraced them as they drifted off to sleep, ready to face whatever tomorrow would bring.