Finally! The big day has arrived! Though the real event doesn't start until the evening. So my new clothes don't go on until later, right now I'll use my normal suit.
The morning feast is strange but traditional: a type of sweet, unfamiliar milk, freshly baked bread, an odd fish, and a peculiar mushroom that leaves me guessing. There are other dishes too, none of which I can name.
After the good breakfast, we have sword practice as usual, and as always Yumiko is teaching me.
"Weirdo, get up!"
Yumiko is pushing me as usual, damn she is going hard on me.
"Yeah…" I mutter, barely holding back a sigh.
"You need to use your legs, be quick on your feet and your knees are important!"
"I see, I am trying."
"Try harder!"
Why can't Rina teach me! I mean at least she doesn't punch me.
Like Yumiko is way too straight forward, and can't tone down on her strength.
There are some times she can go easier but once she lands one blow she doesn't stop.
"Hey! Don't zoom out!"
Fuck! How did she get in front of me so quickly!
Okay, use my legs, now block, and swiftly move away. Yes! I blocked it, I kinda feel like I am improving, somewhat.
I blocked one, now let's just…
"Don't get confident!"
Oogh! Fuck that hurt. A sharp pain shoots through my ribs. I can already feel the bruise forming, and it throbs with each breath.
"You are thinking too much."
"I am?"
"Yes!"
"What do you want me to do if not to think?!"
"Don't raise your tone to me!!" She drops her sword and approaches me quickly, "Whack." the sound of Her fist smacking against my face.
Fuck! That bitch! Why does she always have to be so brutal?
"Ahh come on!!"
Crossing her arms, making her usual , "Mhm!"
Damn it! Why does she need to be a little shit, yeah I am taking a break.
Leaving Rina and Yumiko to spar. I cross the yard over to the bench to take a rest.
I should probably practice using spells, so I got back to training again but this time trying to progress my mana pool.
I start by casting three to five water ball spells, then take a short rest before continuing. I've learned that because my mana pool is small, my MP recharges fairly quickly. So I can usually cast for a while, and it now doesn't feel so weird casting, it feels more natural.
The feeling of getting out of mana is mostly the same as getting tired, but for a short duration.
For someone who got isekaie'd, shouldn't this be easier? All the stories I read made it sound like power comes fast... but this? This is dragging.
I would love to become stronger though, so I can move on to the next spell. I could try to learn some other kind of novice spell, maybe fire would be cool or wind.
But on the other hand, I could always just stick to water, progress and use stronger water spells, learn to control it better, and learn to change the temperature.
If you learn to change the temperature, you will have a lot more possibilities, for example you could make ice, or hot water, and that is a useful ability.
I'm nowhere near that level yet.
I haven't been here for so long yet so I shouldn't rush anything, I mean it is not like I am going to become strong overnight, that is unrealistic.
Plus I'm practicing both sword fighting and magic, that might not be a normal approach and it definitely will make both progressions go slower.
We'll see how it goes, I will take it slow, isn't like I need to get strong anytime soon anyways.
Part 2
The streets of Luminara buzzed with life, filled with residents and invited guests alike. Stomachs satisfied with delicious food, the crowded establishments rang with the sound of celebrations. The bright moonlight illuminated the kingdom, the cold air filled with the glow of lanterns, casting flickering light across the bustling crowds.
A night to be celebrated, with traditions, food, drinks, dances, music and dazzling performances, and Soon, the fireworks. Something that puts a smile on my and everyone else's face, leaving excitement in the air, as joy spread through the kingdom of Luminara.
A time of the year that is special for everyone who lives here, something they hold dear in their hearts.
"Hey, Kaito quick."
"Huh? What is it Umi?"
"The fireworks are about to start!"
"Ohh yeah, we should get out to the front yard, to get a good view," I replied quickly
"No, follow me, quick."
"Okay, okay."
Following Umi's lead up the stairs in the mansion, through doors I never been through before and higher up the mansion.
"You remember, I told you I was going to show you a good spot," she tells me while running up the staircases.
"Uh, yeah? Is this the place where everyone else is?"
"No, they're in the front yard. Everyone is usually there but you have never seen this before, I want to show you the best view."
"I see, I suppose we will join the others later then?"
"Yeah."
What is this spot she is talking about??? Is it the rooftop?
Umi rushes up the final steps and throws open the door to the mansion's rooftop. Just as she steps outside, a firework shoots into the sky, its bright colors bursting into a dazzling display that fills the night air with shimmering hues. She stands in awe as more fireworks follow, painting the darkness with vibrant bursts of light.
Her white dress and blue hair reflecting the colors as she turns to me, "Isn't this the most beautiful thing in the world!" Her smile rivaling the brightness of the colorful sky, her hair flowing with the wind, and her dark blue eyes sparkling with purple light, radiating pure joy.
My face fills with sheer delight from the scene in front of me, her reaction, the view of colorful fireworks, almost leaving me speechless, it is all so beautiful. "Yeah... Yes it is truly amazing." Those butterfly's in my stomach is back, the atmosphere of Umi is just, just special, I feel like a new person when I am around her. It all is truly amazing.
"It is more then amazing, I love it! Thank you, thank you for bringing me here Umi."
All she does is responding to me with a smile, but I think that is better then any kind of words she ever could responded with. It kinda makes me fell something weird, from her reactions, not only, her personality too, everything about her make a soft twisting feeling in my stomach.
Turning around smoothly and slowly moving towards the edge of the mansions rooftop, Umi stands there quiet amidst the loudness of fireworks, admiring the view of colors, lights, crowded streets in the live full night. Her hands dangling behind her back as her bright blue hair blows backward, following the wind's flow.
I never thought I would feel this alive, everything feels I don't know, weird? New? It doesn't mater, it is truly the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed in my life. Leaving tears in my eyes I am not sure why, is it joy? Yeah it has to be. My heart is skipping a beat or two, my breath is heavy and my hands are shaking a bit, am I cold?
It is the mix of everything, something that feels only achievable in fantasy stories. It's unrealistic, no, it is the culture, traditions, and the citizens, that makes this real, all the time everyone has put into this, that is what makes this special, what makes it so, so amazing.
Umi and I took a last glance of the view from the rooftop and turned back to the door, to join the others. It is a festival to celebrate together, so we should be with the rest for this moment.
But this moment I just had with Umi, will be kept deep in my heart, I will hold it dear, close to me. Something I wont forget and will be with me until the day I meet death.
"I can't tank you enough for showing me this, it was the most beautiful scene I have ever witness."
"I know right! It is so amazing, I love that spot as well, and I am glad you like it." Umi's smile, along with her pretty blue eyes, shines in my direction as we walk down the stairs. I think my heart just skipped a beat once more. I don't feel nervous around her—it's just that her energy leaves my heart in awe.
Opening up the front door, sounds of everyone covers the front yard. Everyone is having fun, talking, drinking and watching the fireworks together.
My eyes spots Yumikos bright red hair, her eyes filled with stars as she looks up in the air, beside her is Rina who watches the colorful sky accompanying Yumiko. Julian and his father stands close by, drinking wine, talking and watches the night sky. Everyone seems to have a good time together.
Yumiko's black dress looks amazing, a smooth tight fabric lingers right below her shoulders.
"Umi, is it fine if I go and join Yumiko and the others?"
"Of course."
"Have a good time, Umi."
"You too Kaito!"
Waving goodbye, I make my way towards Yumiko and her family.
"Hi, what do you two think of the fireworks?" I ask, stepping up next to Rina and Yumiko.
"I love it!!" Yumiko's sharp voice cuts through the sounds around us. Her eyes shows the same energy as her words did.
"It is amazing, really amazing." Rina answers me looking up, not even glancing at me. I am glad she enjoys it though.
"Wanna follow me and Rina down to town soon?!"
"Yeah sure, of course."
Her dress is beautiful, how much did that cost?!
"Yumiko."
"Yeah!"
"You look beautiful today, Miss." Her sleek black dress drapes elegantly from her shoulders, accentuating their graceful curve, while her shiny red hair cascades down, smooth, clean, and radiant, I can't help but steal glances at her figure. She looks truly stunning today.
"Thank you!" Her tone, slightly smoother and calmer than normal, appreciates my compliment.
Her bright expression warms my heart; it makes me feel comfortable. Just by her bright smile she can change the whole atmosphere around us, it is amazing how charming she can be.
Part 3
The whole streets are filled with people both from this kingdom and from others. There are people from all kinds of places, from small villages to bigger kingdoms. Even the nobles from the Forsadana kingdom are here to celebrate Luminara.
Forsadana is the wealthiest kingdom in the world of Septaria, so it is an honor for the Kingdom of Luminara to host them, and Julian seems very pleased.
"Hey, Kaito! Rina! Listen!"
Yumiko's voice sparkled with excitement as we strolled through the bustling town square. A lively melody danced through the air, carried by the gentle strumming of a lute and the cheerful soft voice of a female singer. The vibrant sound wrapped around us like a warm embrace, filling the streets with a relaxing energy.
Its melody of her smooth tone of voice with that perfect light pitch sinks into the abyss of the calmness around us, leaving our thoughts behind.
The music makes the world around us fade away, most of the other sounds disappearing until only the melody remained. I could clearly see the intricate details of the decorations and the bright lanterns illuminating the streets. It felt like wandering through a whole new world of peacefulness, where nothing could stress me. In that moment, it was just me, the enchanting environment, and the melody, as if I were blissfully lost in a dream.
The sound of fireworks surrounded the air with beauty, stand owners drinking, dancing to the music and having fun. Families gathered together, sharing there moments, while we stroll around, admiring the scene before us.
"Can we go there?" Yumiko points across the corner at some dancers performing with blue fire lanterns. They're doing a slow, graceful dance on the street, the blue light casting an ethereal glow on their surroundings. It looks majestic.
"Of course."
"Whatever you want."
There are three girls, around 18 or 19 years old, dressed in flowing, midnight-blue dresses that shimmer in the lantern light. The dresses, though revealing around their shoulders and waists, still drape elegantly down to their ankles, fluttering with each movement. Each dancer holds a lantern, cradling it in both hands, the flickering blue flames casting playful shadows on their faces.
Their dance swayed in sync, hips rolling as a hypnotic grace, shoulders dipping in smooth, fluid motions as they were in tune with the very elements themselves, and their feet glides effortlessly across the ground. The flickering blue light swirls in the air around them, as there flowing motions makes them appear as they are part of the blue flames themselves.
Their bodies delightfully sways in perfect rhythm, their slender arms moving in grace, guiding the lanterns in the air with smooth arcs. The thin, flowing fabric of their dresses offering teasing glimpses of their soft skin beneath as it clings briefly on their curves before fluttering with their next motion, giving the feel as they are gliding rather than dancing.
Their long dark hair swirls behind them as it twirls, catching waves of lingering blue light from the flames, following their steps in harmony.
Soft, Melodic music swirls through the atmosphere, blending the steeping sound of the dancers, matching their rhythm almost perfectly. A subtle crackling from the flames follows into the rest of sounds. The cold breeze almost being unrecognizable by the moment and warmth from lanterns as the moment itself feels like a calmness of magic.
Yumiko stares into the performance, captivated by every movement of the dancers. Her eyes, wide open with awe, glow with a bright purple light, a mesmerizing mix of the blue flames and her naturally red irises Her flushed cheeks reflecting the warmth of the fire, adding a vivid glow to her expression of excitement. The softness in her hair is much smoother and calmer than usual, you could see the amount of time she has spent on it, shining with a crimson brilliance, that looks absolutely stunning.
The surrounding lights, highlighting her black dress with soft colors, revealing the volume of her figure, the twisting thin fabric covering her, twists and flows from her shoulders, hugging her waist before cascading down to her thighs, where the fabric ends and her smooth skin is revealed
Admiring the swift flow of the flame dancers' beauty together, watching their movements closely, following their waists flow, swirling long hair, and the revealing smooth skin reflecting shine from the lanterns, drawing the eyes to every detail of their fluid movements. They're like a magnetic field of beauty.
The dancers shift their stances gracefully, the flames dimming slightly, leaving the crowd in suspense. A murmur of quiet chatter rises as the flames diminish, and for a moment, the performance seems to be ending.
"Is it over?" I ask out of my curiosity.
"I hope not! This was incredible, I have never seen something as fantastic as this before!" Her eyes shining with happiness and excitement fills the air with joy, her smile, expression lights up the whole atmosphere as always.
"I actually don't know, if the show goes as in the previous years, it..." Before able to finish her sentence, Rina gets interrupted.
A burning purple burst of awe illuminates the air around us with flames from the lanterns, like an vibrant explosion of charisma. Like they are casting a spell of beauty over the crowd, along with the flames and their elegant figures, luring everyone who were chattering into quiet peacefulness.
As they move with quicker, swiftly motions, their steps revealing more of their radiant, dewy skin, catching the flickering purple hues of the flames, the light caressing their bodies in waves. The ethereal colors, layers the graceful curves with a subtle sheen. As the fabric covering them sways with the wind in grace by their movement, as the glowing purple aura dances across their figures.
The flames becomes stronger, embarking with grace of the dance. When the girls breath, the fire breath, when the girls moves, the flame moves, their breathless gasps mingling along with the fires crackling sounds.
Their breaths becomes heavier and their movements tones down, slowly getting ready to stop after a long predominance. With the lanterns in their hands, standing back to back in a circle exhausted on the street, they bow their heads "Thank you everyone for your time!" their light soft hearten voice clings to once heart with delight.
A gentle rustle of hands coming together fills the air around the three girls, everyone is clapping their hands after a elegant performance.
Yumiko clapping her hands quickly as her eyes are locked on the three girls in front of us. As Rina gently creates a sound of clapping following everyone else's rhythm.
"They were amazing, I can't believe how talented they are." I say, turning towards Yumiko and Rina.
"Yeah, I know right! They were so good!" Yumikos words almost echoing through the street as she stands right next to me.
"It was truly amazing, the time of practices and training they have had to put in is fantastic." Rina's more calm reaction smoothing out Yumiko's loudness.
"And the purple fire, it was so—cool!" Yumikos voice spikes of shouting.
"Yeah, I though they were going to end when the blue fire toned down."
"I know! I thought so too, but the flame busted into a beautiful purple light."
"Yeah, it was wonderful."
"Do you know if their are more performances?" I mean, there should be, right? If not all of the other performances are done for the day as this one.
"Hope so! We should take a look." Yumiko quickly responds to my question.
"I don't know, maybe but probably unlikely, most performances has most probably ended, might be some left though." Rina answers.
"Yeah, we could always take a look around."
Hopefully there might be some left, I really wanna see more of these unfamiliar performances. I wonder how many of them there are.
Part 4
Waking up, feeling a calmness of the morning. The quietness surrounds me, only making it more peaceful, noticing the soft light streaming in from the window. the wooden walls leaving small creaking sounds, the smell of the morning breakfast covers the air with a scent of hunger.
Sitting up in bed, I stretch, feeling a soreness in my body—probably from yesterday's training. My eyes fall on a bruise forming on my ribs. Why did Yumiko have to hit me so damn hard!
I feel tired from last night, I can't remember how long we were up watching different performances due to Yumiko, she never got out of energy, but when she did, she were out, her arms hanging limp and her eyes-half closed as she stumbled her way back, she outdid herself by far.
I bet she's still sleeping.
Still, I have such great memories from the last night, everything felt amazing, as if I were dreaming. The time I had with Umi was... special. It felt like—no, maybe—I've fallen for her? But then, there's Yumiko. I think I might feel something for her, too. Damn it. They're so different, yet they both have their own kind of charm.
It is easy to see why I like Umi, she is kind, thoughtful, and there's something about her that just feels right. While Yumiko is energetic and confident but also hot headed, dumb, aggressive and stubborn, but maybe that is a part of the charm I like? nah...
trying to wash the thought out of my head, I raise up from the bed, ready to get breakfast. The smell of the breakfast lingers in the air as always, this time though, the smell feels different, as the table is filled with some new things. The newly baked bread and tasty smell of tea still flouts through but there is something more?
I Meet Umi outside of my door, holding a plate with tea and cups for the breakfast table.
"Good morning Umi."
"Good morning Kaito," she replied back with her sweet voice.
"Are you in a hurry?" I don't wanna interrupt her while working but I wanna ask something.
"No, not really, why?"
"I just wanted to ask you, what did you think of the day yesterday?"
"It was fantastic, I loved it. What about you?" She answers calmly.
"I think it was really amazing, I had a great time." The time with both her and Yumiko was stunning, watching the fireworks to watching the performances, something I have never done before.
I actually wish I could spend some more time with Umi this time, but still, I wanna spend time with Yumiko somewhat as well.
"That is great to hear."
"And thank you so much for bringing me to the rooftop, it was one of the best moments in my life."
"Thank you too, I am glad I could bring you there." Her politeness is overwhelming, her tone of voice and her reactions to her words are just perfect.
"Do you think you will have time tonight? Maybe you could show me around." I hope she has.
"Yes I will, I can meet up with you once I do."
"Sounds good. I suppose you need to get back to your work now, right?"
"Oh... yeah, I need to go, bye Kaito. See you later."
"Of course, bye Umi."
From this information, I look even more forwards for tonight. Maybe Umi and I could walk down town together, or maybe, Yumiko could follow, well we'll see.
I wounder if this night is going to be the same as the last one or if this one is gonna be unique in its own way. If it is the same as the last day, I don't really mind but it would be fun with new things.
If Umi can show me around later, I will most probably see a lot. Damn I haven't been feeling this good in years, this festival really is something.