After walking for almost thirty minutes along the Moston Brook walkway, they reached Failsworth Lower Memorial Park. Entering through a side gate, Sarah sat down on a bench beside the path.
"Richard, go to the main gate. I need a hot chocolate badly," Sarah said.
"Okay. Sit here. I'll be back in no time," he replied.
Richard headed toward the main gate, relieved to spot a mobile beverage van parked there. He ordered a hot coffee and a hot chocolate. With both drinks in hand, he hurried back to Sarah.
She held her cup with both hands, taking small sips. As she swung her legs, her eyes followed the children playing in the distance. Richard stood beside her, occasionally sipping his coffee while watching her. Though the sun shone overhead, the temperature hovered near freezing. A cool breeze brushed past, lifting her hair gently. The tip of her nose had turned red from the cold.
An inexplicable urge to kiss her crossed his mind, but he struggled to suppress it. Sarah didn't like displays of affection in public.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking his reverie. He answered the call, "Mom."
"Richard, where are you?" Patricia's voice came through the speaker.
"I'm at Lower Memorial."
"Is Sarah with you?"
"Yes, she's here with me."
"When will you come back?"
"We'll leave shortly. I'll drop her off at her home, then return."
"Tell her to have lunch with us. Your grandma is making salmon. Sarah loves her cooking."
"Then call her dad and let him know I'll bring her after lunch. If we call, he won't believe us," Richard said with a chuckle.
"Haha! Sure. Oh, and on your way back, stop by Tesco. I've placed an order online. I'll send you the pickup code."
"Okay, Mom."
Ranav had been staring at Paramita for several moments, lost in thought. She noticed and asked, "What are you looking at?"
"Yes, Mom," Ranav muttered absentmindedly. His vision shifted, and he suddenly realized Paramita was looking at him curiously.
"Shit! I got lost in my memories again. Did I say something weird? God, save me," he thought to himself.
"What?" he said aloud, feigning confusion.
"Nothing. Your coffee is getting cold," Paramita replied. Her thoughts wandered. "Maybe I misunderstood. He was probably thinking about his mom. After all, he's just a five-year-old boy, away from home. But wait... why would he think of his mom while staring at me? Does that mean I look old?"
Her inner turmoil made her cheeks flush slightly. "Calm down, Paramita. It's just this odd boy."
Trying to steer the conversation, Ranav said, "I was thinking about the secret of my master. I agree to your condition. You can tell me now."
Relieved at the change of topic, Paramita said, "You cannot tell anyone, and your promise stays until I decide on it. Do you agree?"
"Yes. But don't ask me to harm my people or do something beyond my ability. Other than that, I promise. Now, tell me," Ranav replied with a cheeky grin.
"Nifty. You've set your boundaries too," she said with a smile.
After taking a sip from her cup, she began, "Your master is only two years older than my mom. Don't you think she looks older than her age? Logically, mages with six elements like her should look much younger."
She paused, then added, "After graduating from the academy, she joined the Mage Association's elite team called the 'Judges.' Only the best combat and battle mages can join this team. They operate under the direct command of the Supreme Council of the Mage Association. Do you know about black magic?"
"No," Ranav replied. "I've neither read nor heard anything about it."
She said, "Black magic is forbidden worldwide. It involves several cruel practices that use humans as ingredients to gain power. Academy students learn about it, but the knowledge is otherwise restricted. I only know about it because of my parents' discussions."
She looked at Ranav and said, "Some alchemists use human blood to create pills. Others consume human hearts to enhance their strength. Some mages drain life force, raise man-eating monsters, or cast forbidden spells to control others. All of this falls under black magic."
She paused to gauge Ranav's reaction. When he remained silent, she continued, "Judges have judicial authority to execute practitioners of black magic on the spot. They are essentially killing machines for rogue mages and black magicians who harm the kingdom's citizens.
Not long after your master became a Judge, she led a team to a black magic hideout. It was an ambush. Someone leaked information about the mission. All her companions died, and she escaped, severely injured. Though healers saved her, her life force was permanently damaged. That's why she looks much older than my mom.
To make matters worse, the Mage Association blamed her for the failure. She lost her position as a Judge and relocated to your village after my mother invited her to stay at our county."
Ranav's face darkened as he absorbed the story. After a moment of silence, he murmured, "Her life is really tragic. No wonder she doesn't trust people. I hope time has healed some of her scars."
"She doesn't want anyone to know about her past. That's why she stays in the village. My mom has asked her to move to the town several times, but she always refuses. Please don't share this with anyone. Some stories are better left forgotten," Paramita said softly.
"Don't worry. I won't tell a soul. Promise."
"Good. Now, you wanted snacks, right? Let's go. Park Street has the best options," she said, standing up.
As they left the park, Ranav noticed rows of restaurants and food carts lining the street. This was the first time he had seen such a variety of food in this world. The bustling crowd reminded him of his first visit to Manchester's Piccadilly Gardens.
Ignoring all the nearby dazzling shop, Paramita led him to a small, old-looking restaurant.
The shopkeeper greeted her warmly, "Miss Rawat, long time no see. Welcome!"
Then, noticing Ranav, he added, "Is this your younger brother? I didn't know you had one. Thanks for bringing him here!"
"Don't start gossiping, Grandpa Chen. He's not from here. He's staying with us as a guest. Think of him as my friend," Paramita said with a smile. "Now, take our order. My usual for two, please."
The restaurant was empty, and they sat at a corner table. Paramita found herself thinking about the awkward moment in the park, her cheeks turning slightly red without her realizing it.