Days seemed to pass in the blink of an eye, yet within that time, Maxwell and Gladiolus trained relentlessly. They worked, focusing on building their physical strength, enhancing their stamina, and improving their resistance for the upcoming sparring match against Sidgroth. Each day began early, filled with exercises, cardio workouts, and endurance tests that left them in sweat but undeniably stronger.
However, what stood out the most was their improvement in teamwork. Initially, Maxwell thought it would be a challenging and lengthy process, given that Gladiolus was a beast and not a typical partner. To his surprise, they quickly became a well coordinated duo. Gladiolus not only understood commands but also demonstrated the ability to make effective decisions independently. Every choice the beast made seemed to align perfectly with Maxwell's strategies, giving desirable outcomes. Their growing synergy felt natural, almost as if they had been partners for years rather than weeks.
During that time, however, Maxwell couldn't shake the thoughts of what Malacosteus had told him. He knew without a doubt that Malacosteus was dangerous, responsible for the disappearances and undoubtedly deserving of justice. Yet, despite everything, a strange sense of connection to the creature was bothering him. It wasn't sympathy, but a shared understanding of their unique situation: neither of them were from this universe.
The idea of visiting the Elemental Forest to confront Malacosteus tempted him, not for an alliance but to simply talk. However, Maxwell understood the risks all too well. He couldn't act recklessly, not with Sidgroth still around. The vwarrior would never approve, and it could likely lead to unnecessary conflict. Maxwell knew he had to wait until Sidgroth left before making any move.
Sunday, the final day before the sparring match with Sidgroth tomorrow. Maxwell stretched as he stood from his bed, his muscles sore from his relentless training.
"Sparring with the legendary Sidgroth Blackfire," Maxwell muttered to himself, rubbing the back of his neck. "Most people would call that an honor, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But honestly, even after all this training, it feels like it's going to be a one sided beatdown." He let out a sigh, pulling on his boots as Gladiolus walked into the room, tilting his head as if to share in Maxwell's unease.
Maxwell gave his companion a tired smile. "I hope you're ready for tomorrow, buddy. We're going to need every ounce of strength and teamwork we've got to make it through."
"Well, we're gonna take it easy today," Maxwell said, stretching his arms as he stepped out of his room with Gladiolus trotting alongside him. "A free day before the big sparring match tomorrow sounds like a good plan. Rest days are just as important as training, after all."
He looked at Gladiolus as if he too was ready to enjoy a well deserved break. Maxwell smiled faintly, feeling the tension from the past week beginning to ease, even if just for a moment.
"Not going to train, Maxwell? You do realize what day it is tomorrow, right?" Sidgroth asked, sitting in the dinning room as he watched Maxwell with Gladiolus at his side.
"Yeah, but I'm gonna leave that up to luck," Maxwell replied with a grin, shrugging nonchalantly. "I mean, that is my Ornament and all."
Sidgroth raised an eyebrow, his expression was rather unimpressed. "Luck can only take you so far, kid," he said, his tone firm but not unkind. "Don't think it'll save you when you're staring down my warhammer tomorrow."
Maxwell laughed, scratching the back of his head. "Guess I'll find out the hard way then, huh?"
"Anyway, are you going out on patrol?" Sidgroth asked.
"Actually, I'm gonna call my little miracle worker and set up a little date for us," Maxwell replied with a smirk.
Sidgroth let out a sigh, shaking his head. "Oh, the girl. You do realize being the area's only healer keeps her busy, right? She's got her hands full pretty much all the time."
"And that's exactly why I'm calling her now," Maxwell countered with a confident grin. "Gotta catch her before she inevitably gets busy later. Timing is everything, Sidgroth."
Sidgroth gave him a doubtful look but said nothing, simply drinking his coffee as Maxwell pulled out his phone. "Good luck with that," he muttered.
"Hey Mari, sorry to call so early, I know it's probably a bit unexpected, but I was wondering if you happen to be free right now?" Maxwell said, his voice a little hesitant as he waited for her response. "I was hoping we could spend some time together, maybe grab something to eat or just hang out for a bit. But of course, if you're busy or if this isn't a good time, we can always reschedule for later, no problem at all!"
"Hey Maxwell," Mari replied, her voice sounding a little flustered but warm. "Uhmm, I-I'm not busy! At least not for now... I mean, I've got some free time, so if you'd like to meet up, I'd be happy to."
"Great! I figured it was best to catch you before you got swamped with work," Maxwell said, a hint of relief in his tone. "How about we meet in the town square in an hour? We can take it easy, drop by a cafe, maybe check out that bookstore you mentioned last time."
"That... that sounds nice," Mari replied, her voice soft but genuine. "I'll see you there, Maxwell."
"Perfect, see you soon!" Maxwell ended the call, a grin on his face as he turned to Gladiolus. "Looks like we've got plans, buddy. Time to impress."
"Do you really plan on taking Gladiolus on a date? Don't be an idiot, kid," Sidgroth said, shaking his head with a smirk. "Come on, Gladiolus, let's go on patrol together."
Without hesitation, Gladiolus followed Sidgroth, leaving Maxwell standing there.
"Hey, Gladiolus is my conversation starter!" Maxwell called after them, but it was clear they were already on their way. He sighed, watching them go. "And they're gone... Guess it's just me then."
Maxwell took a moment to make sure his appearance was presentable. He ran his hand through his hair, making sure it wasn't too messy, and adjusted his clothes, smoothing out any wrinkles. He didn't want to seem like he hadn't put any effort into this, after all, it wasn't every day he got to spend time with someone he liked. He wanted to look like he was taking it seriously, not just another casual hangout. Satisfied with how he looked, he grabbed his mace just in case, then headed out the door.
Maxwell spotted Mari sitting on a bench in the distance. Her outfit immediately caught his attention, a black turtleneck paired with a short black skirt and black tights, all topped off with a red oversized jacket. The outfit gave a feeling of casual comfort and effortless style, but it was the white sneakers with black accents that added a sporty, edgy vibe, making the whole look feel balanced yet distinctive.
Her medium length bob cut stopped just above her shoulders. The straight strands had a subtle inward curl at the ends, her thick bangs, neatly cut, framed her face delicately, partially covering her forehead. The warm brown color of her hair complemented her features.
As Maxwell approached, he couldn't help but smile. She looked effortlessly stylish, and there was something about the way she carried herself that felt warm and inviting.
"Hey Mari, you look amazing!" Maxwell complimented with a grin, his tone warm and genuine as he approached her.
Mari's cheeks flushed lightly, and she glanced away shyly before responding. "T-Thank you, Maxwell," she said softly, tucking a strand of her warm brown hair behind her ear. "Is Gladiolus not with you today?"
Maxwell chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. "Nah, Sidgroth decided to take him on patrol. Something about me being an 'idiot' for even thinking of bringing him along." He smirked. "Guess it's just the two of us today. Hope that's okay."
"T-that's okay, in fact, I prefer that..." Mari admitted, her voice barely above a whisper as her cheeks flushed a light shade of pink.
Maxwell's grin widened at her shy response. "Well, why don't we stop by a cafe first? We can grab something to eat and drink, and then check out that bookshop you mentioned. Sound like a plan?"
"That... that sounds okay with me," Mari nodded, her eyes looking up to meet his briefly before looking away.
"Great! Let's get going then," Maxwell said, his tone light and cheerful as he offered his hand to guide her. Mari hesitated for a moment but then gently placed her hand in his, allowing him to lead the way.
They arrived at the cafe, Maxwell held the door open for Mari, who offered a small smile as she stepped inside.
After looking at the menu, they placed their orders, a plain black coffee and a blueberry muffin for Maxwell, and a soothing tea with a slice of lemon cake for Mari. Once their drinks and snacks were ready, they settled at a small table near the window.
Maxwell took a sip of his coffee and leaned back in his chair. "This place has a nice vibe. Good choice."
Mari nodded, her hands wrapped around her tea cup. "I-I like it here. It's quiet... comforting."
They began to eat in a comfortable silence, occasionally exchanging glances. The cozy setting seemed to ease Mari's shyness, and Maxwell, noticing her relax slightly, decided to start a light conversation. "So, any books you've been eyeing at the bookstore? Or are you going to surprise me with something unexpected?"
Mari looked up, a faint smile on her lips. "Maybe a little of both. There's a novel I've been curious about, but... I like browsing to see what catches my attention."
"Sounds like a solid plan," Maxwell replied "Just don't judge me if I pick a picture book or something similar."
Mari chuckled softly, her laughter a delicate sound that made Maxwell's grin widen.
"By the way, I heard your Ornament is actually pretty rare. I didn't realize healing abilities were that uncommon," Maxwell said, leaning forward slightly, genuinely intrigued.
Mari looked down at her tea, her voice soft but steady as she explained, "Well, you see, most people are born with one of the common elemental Ornaments... And while they're capable of healing, it's... crude and inefficient, more like patching up a wound temporarily than actually treating it." She paused, her fingers gently tracing the rim of her cup. "But my Ornament... it's a rare divergence from the light element, it focuses entirely on healing. That's why it's so effective."
Maxwell nodded thoughtfully, impressed by the explanation. "So, it's not just rare, it's specialized. That's pretty incredible, Mari. You're like a miracle worker, literally."
Mari's cheeks turned pink, and she looked away shyly. "I-I wouldn't go that far... I just do what I can to help people."
"Don't downplay it," Maxwell said with a grin. "Not everyone can say they were born with an Ornament that's both rare and life-saving. Honestly, it's admirable."
Mari's blush deepened, but there was a small smile on her face. "Thank you, Maxwell. That... that means a lot."
"Although, I'll admit, the way I use my Ornament is pretty amateurish," Mari said, her tone was more self conscious. "You see, my Ornament can evolve into something called siphon magic. It lets me switch between healing and siphoning energy from others to strengthen myself or weaken them. But... siphon magic is illegal in most places."
Maxwell leaned forward with curiosity. "Have you ever thought about trying to unlock siphon magic in secret?" he asked, the words slipping out before he could think them through.
"N-no!" Mari stammered, quickly shaking her head. "I'm not looking to get myself arrested or labeled as some kind of outlaw!" There was a nervous tone of humor in her voice, as though trying to lighten the mood.
Maxwell laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. "Right, that was probably a stupid question. Forget I said anything."
Mari let out a small laugh of her own, relaxing a little. "It's okay. I mean, the thought crossed my mind once when I first learned about it, but I couldn't risk it. Besides, I'd rather focus on helping people than... you know, breaking the law."
"Fair point," Maxwell said, smiling. "Though, I'll admit, the idea of you secretly mastering siphon magic does sound kind of badass."
Mari blushed again, shaking her head with a shy smile. "You're impossible, Maxwell."
As they finished their meal and gathered their things, Maxwell stood and stretched slightly, turning to Mari with a warm smile. "So, I'm guessing the next stop is the bookstore, right?" he asked, his tone light and inviting.
Mari nodded, brushing a strand of her brown hair behind her ear. "Y-yeah, if that's still okay with you," she replied softly.
"Of course it is! Lead the way," Maxwell said, gesturing for her to go ahead. "I'll just try not to embarrass myself with my lack of book knowledge."
Mari chuckled quietly, her confidence growing just a little. "I'm sure you'll find something that catches your interest. Besides, I don't mind helping you out if you need it."
"Well, looks like I've got the perfect guide then," Maxwell teased, walking beside her as they left the café and headed toward the bookstore.
Just for this moment, Maxwell let go of everything, the thought of Malacosteus, the pestering thoughts of his past life, and the unanswered questions that often lingered in his mind.
All that mattered now was the present, and the joy of simply living this second chance he'd been granted...