Nico awoke to a soft warmth pressed against him, sunlight slipping through the room's single window to land across the bed. He blinked slowly, coming to his senses, and froze when he felt the weight of an arm draped across his chest. A glance downward confirmed what he'd already guessed: Lila was nestled beside him, her face calm in sleep, her breathing soft and steady.
Heat flushed his cheeks as he realized the sheets were only half covering them. They were both bare beneath them. He swallowed, trying to piece together exactly what had happened the night before, but his memory was foggy beyond the feast, the dancing, and the warm glow of the bonfire.
Lila's eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, she stared at him, her face unreadable. Then, just as quickly, her expression softened into something shy and unreadable. She gave a slight stretch, the movement sending her closer to him. "Good morning," she said softly, though her cheeks colored just a bit as she settled back onto her side of the bed.
"Morning," Nico replied, his voice betraying his nervousness. "Uh… last night… I don't really remember…"
Lila's cheeks turned a shade darker, and she quickly looked away, her voice coy. "Maybe it's better you don't remember, then," she said, a teasing edge to her tone. But behind her lighthearted expression, Nico could tell she was hiding something.
He opened his mouth to ask, but she shook her head quickly. "Don't worry about it," she said, her tone leaving no room for further questions. She swung her legs off the bed and grabbed her clothes, turning away from him with a mysterious smile.
They dressed in silence, though Nico couldn't shake his curiosity—and a strange fondness that lingered as they both made their way downstairs for breakfast.
The morning in Dawnspire was bright and lively, villagers bustling about in high spirits after the successful defeat of the flying serpent. Word of the "mysterious S-rank summoner" had spread, and people were already creating wild theories and embellishing the story to greater heights. Yet, beneath the excitement, Nico noticed a few quiet glances cast his way as they made their way through the square.
After breakfast, Lila turned to him, her eyes serious. "Nico, I want you to train me."
He blinked, surprised by the request. "Train you? I mean… of course I will, but are you sure?"
She nodded. "After what happened yesterday, it made me realize how weak I am in comparison." Her gaze softened, her voice lowering. "You're the most powerful person I've ever met, Nico. I know you're holding back, but if you could help me even a little, I could protect people—protect you. I want to be strong too."
Her determination was clear, and her words resonated deeply with him. He couldn't deny the spark of admiration he felt, and he nodded, smiling. "Alright, Lila. I'll train you."
They packed some provisions and set off out of town, making their way up the narrow trail leading to the nearby mountains—the same range from which the serpent had descended. As they ascended, Nico took note of her enthusiasm, her excitement practically tangible as she walked beside him, pointing out various plants and discussing techniques she'd only read about in passing. She was eager to learn, and her energy was infectious.
They finally reached a clearing near the edge of a cliff that provided a view of the village far below, nestled between rolling hills. Nico dropped his bag and took a breath, surveying the open space. This was a good place to start.
"Alright," he said, turning to face her. "Before we get into anything advanced, we need to build up your endurance. Power means nothing without the stamina to back it up."
Lila gave a resolute nod. "Got it!"
"Let's start with some basic exercises," Nico said, showing her a few warm-up moves. They ran laps around the clearing, did a set of push-ups, and a series of stretches, each step a little more challenging. Nico kept an eye on her, noting her persistence even as she began to tire.
"Okay," he said after they'd finished their first round. "Now let's work on your magic. Show me your light magic again."
Lila extended her hand, a faint glow forming around her fingers before flickering into a small ball of light. She sent it toward a nearby tree, the light splashing over the bark with a gentle, warming glow. It was simple but controlled—a solid start.
"That's good," Nico said encouragingly. "Now, let's try something more intense. Imagine the light not just as a glow but as something that can cut. Focus on the feeling of sharpening it."
She frowned in concentration, her brows knitting together as she extended her hand again. The light this time was brighter, forming a concentrated beam that was just shy of what he'd achieved against the flower monsters but still promising. She released it, and it struck the tree with a faint singe, leaving a thin burn mark.
She beamed, her excitement almost childlike. "I did it!"
Nico laughed. "That was perfect. You're getting the hang of it!"
They practiced various techniques over the next few hours, working on her control, precision, and focus. The sun rose high, casting shadows that danced across the mountain's rugged terrain, and despite the difficulty of the training, Lila remained determined, pushing herself even when her body began to tire.
After a brief break, Nico decided it was time to introduce a more advanced exercise. "Alright, Lila, try this," he said, gathering energy into his hands and forming a small sphere of light. He tossed it gently into the air, letting it hover between them. "Hold it steady and keep it spinning."
She followed his lead, her hands cupped around the small sphere. At first, it wobbled in her grasp, but she steadied herself, focusing on keeping it stable as it rotated.
They continued like this, each exercise building upon the last. By midday, she was exhausted but exhilarated, her abilities visibly improved.
Meanwhile, back in Dawnspire, the head of the village, an older man named Garen, was pacing his office, mulling over the events of the previous day. He stroked his beard, eyes narrowed in suspicion as he replayed the details in his mind.
An S-rank summoner's eagle appearing out of nowhere? It didn't sit right. And he'd noticed Nico and that girl of his near the outskirts of the battle, standing apart from the others. Garen had always been good at spotting unusual details, and this one gnawed at him. It was no coincidence, he thought.
He finally turned to his assistant, a young scout by the name of Alaric. "I need you to look into something for me," Garen said, his tone low. "Find that boy Nico and his friend. Something isn't adding up, and I want answers."
Alaric gave a firm nod. "Understood, sir. I'll find them."
With that, Alaric left the room, his steps purposeful as he set off to search for any sign of Nico and Lila.
Back in the mountains, Nico and Lila had reached a natural resting point in their training. They sat on a boulder, overlooking the valley below as they caught their breath. The view was breathtaking, with Dawnspire nestled among the trees, its streets winding like rivers through the forested landscape.
Lila leaned back, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Thank you for this, Nico. I've learned more today than I have in months of training on my own."
He gave her a gentle smile. "You're a natural, Lila. You just needed a bit of guidance."
She glanced at him, her eyes bright with gratitude and something more. "Maybe one day, I'll be strong enough to stand beside you, to help you with all this power you have."
He looked away, feeling a mix of pride and guilt. He knew he was hiding so much from her, and he didn't want to burden her with the knowledge of what he could truly do, not yet. But her sincerity touched him, and he felt a renewed determination to help her grow stronger.
They descended from the mountain a little later, exhausted but satisfied with the day's progress. Lila's light magic had become sharper, her control over it vastly improved. Nico felt a surge of pride as he watched her confidence blossom.
As they neared the edge of the village, Nico spotted a figure standing on the road ahead, and he quickly recognized Alaric, one of the head council's scouts. Alaric raised a hand in greeting, though his expression remained guarded.
"Nico, Lila," he said, inclining his head. "The head council wishes to speak with you."
Nico exchanged a look with Lila, catching a flicker of worry in her eyes. "Did they say what it's about?" he asked, keeping his tone casual.
Alaric shook his head. "Not in detail, but it concerns the battle yesterday. There are some… unanswered questions."
The words hung in the air, a subtle tension winding through the moment. Nico nodded slowly. "Alright. We'll head there now."
As they walked past Alaric, Nico felt Lila's hand brush against his...