A Day at the Market
After an intense training session at the guild headquarters, Merslin and Elena sat down to rest, drenched in sweat. As they caught their breath, a loud growl echoed from Merslin's stomach.
Elena chuckled. "Merslin, you always get hungry after training, don't you?"
Merslin grinned. "Yeah, but today I feel even hungrier. We should prepare lunch."
The two made their way to the guild's kitchen, only to find that they were running low on ingredients.
"Looks like we're missing a lot. Should we go to the market and buy some supplies?" Elena suggested.
"Great idea. Let's get some fresh ingredients and cook something delicious!" Merslin agreed.
As they arrived at the bustling marketplace, the vibrant atmosphere greeted them—merchants shouting their wares, customers haggling over prices, and the scent of fresh produce filling the air.
"There's so much to choose from here. What should we make today?" Elena mused.
"I trust your cooking skills. Whatever you make will be great," Merslin said with a smile.
He couldn't help but admire the way Elena carefully selected vegetables, her expression focused as she examined their freshness.
Meanwhile, Lisa was visiting the blacksmith's workshop, discussing weapon forging techniques.
"Lisa, your sword is always razor-sharp. How do you handle it so well?" the blacksmith asked.
Lisa smirked. "Constant training and dedication. I also want to learn more about weapon forging."
Not far from them, Aria was at the pet shop, completely enchanted by the puppies playing in the pen.
"They're so adorable," she murmured to herself.
Just then, one of the puppies playfully jumped on her. In a flustered attempt to dodge it, she accidentally lifted her skirt.
"Ahh!" Aria gasped, hastily pulling it back down, her face turning bright red.
Laughter erupted from the nearby vendors who had witnessed the scene, making Aria even more embarrassed. "That was so humiliating," she mumbled.
Back in the market, Merslin and Elena were finishing up their shopping when Lisa and Aria approached.
"Merslin, Elena! Fancy running into you here," Lisa greeted them.
"Lisa, Aria! How have you been?" Elena asked warmly.
Aria, still flustered, avoided their gazes. "It's… nothing. The puppies were just too cute," she muttered shyly.
Lisa chuckled. "Aria, looks like even the animals are drawn to you. Don't be embarrassed."
Merslin smiled reassuringly. "We all have embarrassing moments sometimes. What matters is that we can laugh about them."
Back at the guild, the four of them gathered to prepare lunch with the ingredients they had bought. Elena made a fresh salad, while Merslin grilled the meat.
He found himself unable to take his eyes off Elena as she skillfully chopped the vegetables, completely engrossed in her work.
"You're really good at grilling the meat, Merslin. It looks delicious," Elena complimented.
"I can't wait to try your cooking, too. It's more fun when we do this together," Merslin replied.
Once the meal was ready, they all sat together, enjoying the food and lively conversation.
"Today was really fun. I had a great time thanks to everyone," Merslin said.
"Yeah, spending time together makes everything more enjoyable. We should do this more often," Elena agreed.
Blushing slightly, Aria added, "Next time, I'll be more careful when playing with the puppies."
Lisa smirked. "That innocence of yours is quite charming, Aria."
At that moment, Merslin playfully teased, "Aria, you do remember the moment your skirt flew up, right? It was really cute."
Aria's face turned red again as she shouted, "Merslin, stop bringing that up!"
Elena laughed. "Merslin, don't tease her too much. But honestly, today was a lot of fun."
Merslin looked at Elena with a smile. "It was special because you were here, Elena."
The four of them shared a hearty laugh, wrapping up their enjoyable meal together.
Tusi-mabeop (Clairvoyance Magic)
The mage's tower training room was an exquisite blend of ancient mysticism and refined magic. Towering ceilings bore intricate runes, and glowing crystals illuminated the grand chamber. Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting colorful reflections across the room.
At the center of the room, Merslin sat at a grand wooden desk, surrounded by magical tomes and training tools. He took a deep breath, focusing on the delicate balance of mana flowing through his fingertips.
"Tusi-mabeop (Clairvoyance Magic) is essential in battle. I need to master this." He muttered to himself as a faint glow flickered at his fingertips.
Just as he was about to stabilize the spell, the door creaked open.
"Merslin, how's your training?" Elena's voice was light and pleasant as she stepped inside.
Her soft footsteps barely echoed across the polished floor, and the fabric of her robe swayed gently as she approached. Merslin felt his concentration slip for just a moment—then, without warning, his magic fully activated.
His vision sharpened. The outlines of objects became crisp, the transparency of materials subtly altered.
And then, he noticed something he wasn't prepared for.
The fibers of Elena's robe appeared strangely… insubstantial. The light hit it at just the right angle, shifting its opacity. Merslin's breath hitched.
"No… This can't be happening."
His mind reeled as realization dawned upon him. He had read about this before—Luminaria's mages adhered to a strict tradition of uninhibited movement, meaning their robes were designed without unnecessary constraints beneath.
But knowing about a custom was one thing. Experiencing it firsthand was something else entirely.
His heart pounded, heat rising to his face. He needed to stop the spell—immediately.
Merslin hurriedly tried to dispel the magic, but in his panic, it only intensified.
The delicate embroidery of Elena's robe seemed to shift, the veil of illusion flickering between clarity and concealment. His mind screamed at him to look away, but his body hesitated for just a fraction of a second too long.
"Merslin?" Elena tilted her head slightly. "Your face is red. Are you feeling alright?"
The concern in her voice only made things worse.
"A-Ah, it's nothing!" He practically yelped, jerking his gaze to the floor. "I was just… focusing too hard!"
Elena hummed in understanding, stepping closer. "Don't push yourself too much. Take your time and practice steadily."
Summoning every ounce of willpower, he clenched his fists, forcefully breaking the spell's hold.
The magic dissipated instantly.
He exhaled sharply, relief washing over him like a tidal wave.
"Finally… It's over."
Elena, oblivious to the war that had just taken place in his mind, gently patted his shoulder. "You're making great progress, Merslin. Keep it up. I'll always support you."
Her words were warm, encouraging—and yet, he still couldn't bring himself to meet her eyes.
His ears burned, the previous images still seared into his memory.
"Th-Thanks, Elena. That means a lot." He tried to sound normal, but his voice cracked slightly.
Elena didn't seem to notice. Instead, she chuckled. "You look exhausted. Don't overwork yourself, okay?"
"Y-Yeah… I'll do that."
As they left the training room together, Merslin swore to himself—he would master Tusi-mabeop (Clairvoyance Magic) properly next time, without any more… complications.
"What do you think about today's chapter? Leave a comment below!"