The warmth of our kiss calmed her perfectly.
Then, pulling back slightly, I opened my arms wide and watched as she curled up against me.
"You can't change what has happened," I taught her softly, "so let's just move forward together, okay?"
This relationship we have is not complete yet. There's still so much we have to share before we could take it to the next step, and we know that it will take time.
"You are a wonderful lady; you won't have any trouble achieving your goals." With that said, I kissed her tender forehead.
Now that she understood why I was strong, it felt only right for me to ask a question too: "My reason for seeking strength may be foolishness, but what about you, little lady? Why do you desire strength?"
My question was sincere and reflected in my eyes.
When someone is asked why they want strength or knowledge or anything abstract, there's often a moment of hesitation before they respond—if they can respond at all. It's rare to find someone who knows their purpose so clearly; yet here she was—one of those rare individuals.
"Well…"
Her eyes sparkled with clarity as she spoke without hesitation, "I've always dreamed of reaching a place where people look up to me… becoming someone others can admire."
She paused for a moment before continuing: "I suffered in a place even demons would fear, but that place has perished now. Every person there who did wrong is already dead and… I have no regrets about that."
Her past had not been all rainbows and sunshine either.
"When I first arrived at the academy after everything happened," she wondered thoughtfully, "I hoped for a fresh start in life where I could understand magic and explore things that once seemed mystical to me." Her expression shifted slightly as she recalled those memories.
"But because of the special powers over which I had no control… many people feared me." She smiled softly at those memories before adding: "Thankfully, a wonderful teacher helped me immensely during that time and taught me how to harness my powers effectively."
Even before you enter the academy, there are people who help you understand your powers better.
It seems like she also met someone good who knew about her special powers.
"But despite all that," she continued with a hint of sadness creeping into her voice, "I struggled to connect with most people there during my past few months at the academy… I couldn't even make any friends because of those powers."
She was sad, she was frustrated as well, but, at the same time, she seemed glad now.
"When I learned about special classes taught by exceptional teachers at the academy I realized that overcoming them would open new paths for me, perhaps leading me higher than I'd ever hoped."
It was quite the look she had just now.
"So," she concluded with determination in her voice as if reclaiming her strength once more, "I set out on this journey as an adventurer, to train hard enough so that one day… one day… people could look up to me freely—to talk with me openly… and maybe learn from me if given the chance."
Most students in those special classes were unique individuals gathered from various places, each possessing different races and extraordinary abilities, but setting aside my own skills, she was just like an exceptionally talented Mortal being among them all.
Against those purebloods blessed by fate or those gifted with monstrous talent… She knew it would be an uphill battle.
"Zora…"
I could sense all her emotions swirling within me like an intricate tapestry woven together by perhaps one of Axiom's designs: like the system created by him which held significance beyond mere rules of the world.
"You'll do great."
Times had changed anyway; talents wielding greater powers now emerged like never before. And thus another opportunity awaited us both amid these new faces from around the world.
I smiled warmly at her again: "There's no doubt you'll achieve what you desire. We'll head out tomorrow since the exam is also scheduled then… we'll be quite busy tonight."
With our long conversation coming to an end though…she still had more questions lingering on her mind:
"Aren't we supposed to travel through major cities on our way back towards academy grounds? We're far away from any main city that has a Warp point… will you use your teleportation magic again? Can it really take us so far away?"
Her voice dropped low as uncertainty crept into each word spoken aloud.
This place was pretty far from the academy, actually.
Though we were in the same existential plane that housed the grand academy, the plane itself was as big as a world, so the academy which existed at the centre of this world was pretty far away from where we are right now.
Still…
"It can," came my reply after considering how best to explain things without overwhelming her further yet again; "As long as there's water nearby, I can go anywhere. But for now… that distance is limited."
A somewhat distant look crossed over my face while saying this—it would take time before regaining all the previous strengths lost along our journey thus far…
"Is… that so?"
Her expression shifted dramatically upon realizing even someone like myself possessed limitations too…
Her eyes sparkled anew after hearing my answer though, and soon began growing heavy with sleepiness creeping upon them slowly but surely after today's exhausting battles fought together side-by-side…
"Shall we get going then? Let's think about the other stuff after a warm bath and some good food."
With one last glance exchanged between us, a nod was received as the moon hung lower and the dawn awaited just beyond horizon's edge…
Soon, we would go to the academy, which was supposed to be my first destination.
Since the opening day for the admissions is tomorrow, we will be meeting many people starting tomorrow, and since we will have to go through the admission process just like everyone else, we will need proper rest.
'It shouldn't be that difficult though, so there's no need to worry about those things.'