For the past two months, Shin had been tirelessly following the same routine. As the date of the war loomed closer, his efforts began to show results. He had grown 2 centimeters taller, and his once noticeably thin frame had started to gain some muscle mass.
Now, Shin lay shirtless on the ground, drenched in sweat from relentless training. His muscles burned with soreness after swinging his sword thousands of times.
As he caught his breath, a figure approached, stepping into his line of sight.
"Hm?" Shin opened his eyes, squinting to see who it was.
"You seem to be taking your training very seriously," Fiona remarked, her voice carrying a refined elegance.
"Oh!" Shin quickly got to his feet and bowed. "Hello, Madam Fiona!"
"You don't need to be so formal," Fiona said, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
"Okay! By the way, did you come to see me?" Shin asked with curiosity.
"Yes, actually. Sir Bajar couldn't make it because he's on a mission," Fiona explained. "Also, there's going to be an event tomorrow. I suggest you take some time to rest."
"An event?" Shin asked, tilting his head.
"Yes, it's more of a festival," Fiona replied with a playful smile.
"Oh, really? Tell me more about it!" Shin's energy returned as excitement lit up his face.
"Hm, it's a secret. It'll be better for you to be surprised~," Fiona teased.
"I see… then I'll look forward to tomorrow," Shin said with a grin.
"Do you have anything planned for today? Aside from training, of course?" Fiona asked, her tone softening.
"Ah, no," Shin scratched his head awkwardly.
"Good, then do you want me to explore the kingdom with you?~" Fiona asked in a soft tone, a gentle smile gracing her lips.
"But you said I should rest for tomorrow's event," Shin tilted his head, confused.
"Don't worry about it. You seem fine," Fiona replied with a soft laugh.
After Shin quickly dressed, Fiona waited patiently outside the academy.
"I'm here!" Shin called out, waving his hand.
Together, they walked through the bustling streets toward Fiona's favorite inn. As they walked, Shin couldn't help but notice Fiona's radiant smile.
Shin saw Fiona's radiant smile,
Like the sun, it shone all the while.
A fleeting warmth, a light divine,
In her glow, his hope would shine.
"She's beautiful," Shin thought, his heart skipping a beat.
Fiona noticed his gaze and tilted her head. "Hm? Do you need something?" she asked curiously.
"Oh, nah. It's nothing," Shin replied, snapping out of his thoughts.
"Oh, okay," Fiona said with a soft chuckle as they continued walking.
"So this is what it feels like to walk with someone. It feels... like a date," Shin thought, cherishing the moment.
When they finally arrived at Fiona's favorite inn, a grand building adorned with opulent decorations, Shin gulped nervously.
[The Opal Inn]
"Looks like an expensive place," Shin thought, his stomach tightening.
"You sure we're eating here? I'm broke, so I can't treat you!" Shin confessed, looking down.
"Of course! It's my treat. Just treat me next time, hero~" Fiona said in a soft, teasing tone.
They entered the inn, where a sharply dressed male servant greeted them.
"Good afternoon, Sir and Madam. How many people?" the servant asked.
"Two, please," Fiona replied, smiling warmly.
"Please follow me," the servant said, leading them to a table set for two. He handed them menus before turning his attention to Fiona.
"Give me my regular order~" Fiona said without hesitation.
"And for you, sir?" the servant asked.
"Uh..." Shin hesitated, his eyes scanning the menu. Everything was outrageously expensive.
"Don't worry, it's my treat," Fiona assured him, her smile easing his nerves.
"Just give me what she's having," Shin finally said.
"Coming right up, sir," the servant said before leaving.
After a short wait, their food arrived, meticulously arranged on fine plates.
"Two Gorca meats, two juices, and two Flower Cruise desserts," the servant announced, setting everything on the table with practiced precision.
"Enjoy your meal, Sir and Madam," the servant bowed politely and left.
"Gorca meat? It's my first time hearing about this," Shin thought as he slowly bit into the meat, savoring its taste.
His eyes widened in surprise. "Wow!" he exclaimed excitedly.
Fiona chuckled. "Haha, it's good, right?"
"Yeah! By the way, what's Gorca meat? I've never heard of it before," Shin asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Oh, it's from a breed that's half wolf and half boar," Fiona explained.
"I see… but shouldn't it be tougher? This is so juicy," Shin remarked, impressed.
Fiona nodded. "Well, it's all in the preparation. The cooks carefully freeze the Gorca meat, slice it thin, and then boil it for an entire week. That's what gives it its tenderness and flavor."
"That's amazing! No wonder it's so expensive," Shin said, his eyes sparkling with amazement.
Fiona laughed softly. "Not just that—it's also because the Gorca is a rare species. Being a mix of wolf and boar makes it hard to breed."
"Woah!" Shin's admiration for the dish only grew.
After finishing their main meal, Fiona and Shin moved on to dessert: the Flower Cruise. Shin cut a small piece and tasted it.
"Mmm… wow, this is really sweet! What's it made from?" he asked.
"It's made using a special flower that only grows in the land of magic, [Arcanathis]. The flower must first be purified with an enchanted liquid, which is why only that kingdom can cultivate it," Fiona explained.
"May I ask, how is it made edible?" Shin asked, intrigued.
Fiona smiled. "The dessert you see here isn't the actual flower. It's a cake made from the flower's nutrients. The flower itself is inedible, but its essence is extracted to create this natural sweetness. That's why it doesn't contain any sugar—it's completely pure and also incredibly beneficial to the body."
"That's incredible," Shin said, savoring another bite as Fiona chuckled softly.
After a while, they finished their dessert. Fiona, as always, handled the bill. The servant approached with the total cost, but before he could say anything more, Fiona smiled and handed over the payment. "Keep the change," she said with a wave of her hand.
With that settled, they got up from their seats and made their way toward the door, the faint clink of coins and murmurs of gratitude fading behind
the servant moved ahead, opening the door with a polite bow. Stepping outside, Shin and Fiona were greeted by the breathtaking expanse of the evening sky. The deep azure canvas glowed softly, illuminated by scattered stars and the lingering warmth of twilight.
Fiona paused, her gaze lifting to the heavens, a serene smile gracing her lips that seemed to reflect the sky's radiance. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" she asked in a softened tone, her voice almost a whisper, as though afraid to disturb the moment's tranquility.
Shin turned to her, his eyes lingering not on the sky but on her. For a moment, the world seemed to blur around them. "Yes," he replied softly, his voice tinged with sincerity. "It is beautiful. Very beautiful."
The sky shone above, but Shin couldn't help feeling that the true beauty of the moment wasn't in the heavens—it was standing right beside him.
Fiona glanced back at Shin, her emerald eyes sparkling with curiosity. For a moment, he froze—caught almost red-handed, his gaze lingering on her for just a beat too long. Panic flickered across his face as he quickly turned his head, feigning interest in the cobblestone path ahead.
"Hm?" Fiona murmured, raising an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at her lips. She didn't press further, letting the silence linger as a soft breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers through the air.
Without another word, they continued walking toward the bustling market. The lively chatter of merchants and the vibrant colors of fresh produce and wares filled the atmosphere. Together, they browsed through stalls, picking out small necessities and trinkets, their footsteps weaving easily through the crowd as if they'd done this a hundred times before.
Fiona's fingers brushed lightly against Shin's as she grabbed his hand, her touch warm and unexpected. Before Shin could react, she tugged him toward a nearby stall brimming with vibrant fruits.
"Hey, Shin, have you had this before?" Fiona asked, her eyes sparkling as she held up a perfectly round elfple. The fruit gleamed in the sun, its skin a rich violet hue.
Shin hesitated for a moment before answering, the memory of the moment surfacing in his mind. "Yeah," he replied with a chilling smile that didn't quite match his words. "When Sir Bajar gave me 50 gold coins..." He glanced at Fiona briefly, his smile slipping into something a little more playful. "But I guess I can make an exception."
Fiona laughed softly, her smile reaching her eyes as she picked five of the elfples—two for herself, and three for Shin. "I'll treat you," she said, her voice light and carefree. "It's the least I can do."
As Fiona handed over the coins, she glanced at Shin again, her tone shifting slightly. "Thank you. This is my first time having an actual conversation with someone in so long. I mean, I'm not saying I'm lonely—I have a friend named Ria—but... this just feels different, you know?"
Shin looked at her, unsure of how to respond. The air between them felt a little more charged now, like something unsaid lingered in the space. He cleared his throat, trying hard not to sound too awkward. "It's okay," he finally muttered. "It's... also my first time having a conversation this long. Even though I'm an elf and have a long lifespan, I barely communicate." "i see then i hope i can change that" shin smile scratching his head
There was a brief silence between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Just... different.
"hey shin you wanna go to a carnival?" fiona sincerely asked "A carnival?! ofcourse!" fiona grab shins hand and they ran towards the carnival
fiona buy a 2 tickets toward the male servant " 2 ticket please!" after they bought the ticket they line up and once arriving the door of the carnival they give them the ticket to the female servant as they enter shin see alot of people watching the show
they sat near the stage after a while the show started.
The lights dimmed, and the crowd's murmur slowly faded into silence. The air buzzed with anticipation as the show began. A spotlight flickered on, revealing a group of acrobats performing daring flips and stunts, their movements fluid and graceful. The crowd erupted in cheers as they leaped through the air, catching each other in mid-flight, performing seemingly impossible feats.
Shin's eyes widened in awe, completely captivated by the spectacle. "This is amazing," he whispered to Fiona, his voice filled with excitement.
Fiona, watching the performance with a soft smile, nodded. "I thought you'd like it. There's so much more to see here."
The acrobats continued their performance, flipping and twirling with incredible precision. The music grew louder, enhancing the dramatic flair of the acts. The atmosphere was electric, and Fiona could feel Shin's energy mirror her own excitement. It was rare to see him so animated, and she couldn't help but smile to herself.
As the show went on, the crowd cheered louder with each breathtaking act. Shin leaned forward, engrossed in the performance, his eyes not leaving the stage. "I've never seen anything like this before," he said, almost in disbelief. "It's like they're defying gravity."
Fiona chuckled, her green eyes sparkling in the dim light. "This carnival always has something special. But the best part? It's all about having fun together."
As the acrobats finished their final stunt, the crowd erupted into applause. The performers took their bows, and the lights came back on, signaling the end of the show. Fiona squeezed Shin's hand gently, her smile never fading. "What do you think? Should we check out the other attractions?"
Shin looked at her, his face still glowing with excitement. "Absolutely. This is just the beginning!"
As Fiona walked away, her silhouette gradually fading into the night, Shin stood at the gates of the academy, his thoughts swirling. The night air was cool, and the quiet of the academy grounds made everything feel peaceful. Yet, something lingered in his mind—today had been unlike any other.
He smiled softly to himself, remembering the way Fiona had looked at him, her gentle smile and the warmth of her presence. He couldn't help but feel grateful for the time they spent together. Despite the unusual circumstances of their lives, moments like this made everything feel… normal.
Shin turned and walked into the academy, the door closing behind him with a soft click. The corridors were empty, the usual hustle and bustle of the day replaced by the calm stillness of night. He made his way to his room, the sound of his footsteps echoing softly.
As he lay down on his bed, he stared up at the ceiling, his mind still filled with the events of the day. The carnival, the show, and especially Fiona. There was a sense of peace that settled within him, a calm he hadn't felt in a long time.
What surprises will tomorrow bring? he wondered as his eyelids grew heavy, the quiet anticipation of the next day already creeping into his thoughts.
With that thought lingering, Shin closed his eyes, drifting into a deep, peaceful sleep.