Saturday arrived, bright and quiet, with a soft golden light seeping through the dormitory windows. Ethan woke to the warmth against his cheek, blinking at the ceiling for a moment before it hit him like a thundercp.

  The parade. The date.

  He sat bolt upright. “Oh crap. That’s today.”

  With the energy of a man who’d just remembered an exam he hadn’t studied for, Ethan scrambled out of bed and rushed through his morning routine. Bath, teeth, hair. He changed shirts three times before settling on a neat white one with a dark blue jacket, sleeves cuffed just enough to look effortless—but not zy. Dark trousers. Polished boots. Breath check. Hair—again.

  “Okay,” he told his reflection, trying to sound confident. “You’re not going to faint, panic, or say anything dumb.”

  ...Probably.

  By the time he left the dormitory, he’d checked the time at least five times and still arrived at the school garden nearly an hour ahead of schedule. Better early than te, he told himself, trying not to overthink it.

  What he didn’t expect was to see Misha already there.

  She stood near the ivy-covered archway, facing the flowerbeds, pretending to examine a cluster of daisies while sneaking gnces toward the path like she wasn’t doing exactly that. Her outfit was simple and sweet—a pale pink blouse with puffed sleeves and a white skirt that brushed just past her knees. But the most telling part wasn’t her clothes—it was her expression.

  Misha looked like she was about to pass a school presentation. Her cheeks were flushed, and when she spotted Ethan approaching, she jumped slightly, then tried to compose herself in record time.

  “Y-You’re early,” she stammered, eyes flicking everywhere but at him.

  Ethan blinked, caught off guard. “I could say the same about you.”

  “I-I just... didn’t want to be te!” she said too quickly, then looked away, clearly scolding herself.

  He smiled, a bit amused and a bit relieved. “So you got here a whole hour early… just in case?”

  “I don’t know!” she huffed, hugging her arms. “Maybe I forgot how long it takes to walk here.”

  Ethan tilted his head, then a thought struck him. If Lilith enjoyed a bit of theatrical treatment, maybe…

  With a flourish, he stepped forward and dipped into a graceful bow, one hand resting over his chest, the other extended toward her in an exaggerated, knightly gesture.

  “My dy,” he said with courtly charm, “might I have the honor of accompanying you on this fine day’s parade?”

  Misha blinked, her eyes wide. For a heartbeat, she looked like she might ugh—or run. But then something shifted. Her expression steadied, and with a breath, she straightened her back and id her hand gently into his, her fingers poised with practiced grace.

  “I would be delighted, kind sir,” she replied, her voice smooth, almost formal.

  Ethan raised an eyebrow, surprised by the fluidity of her response. She even added a tiny, impeccable curtsey—so quick and polished it felt like second nature.

  “You’ve definitely done this before,” he said, smiling.

  Misha looked away, a hint of color rising to her cheeks. “Just… once or twice.”

  He chuckled and offered his arm properly. She took it without hesitation.

  The parade turned out to be far more crowded than Ethan had expected. It felt as if the entire city had poured into the streets, shoulder to shoulder, voices rising in excitement as colors and banners rippled overhead. Guards struggled to maintain some sembnce of order, their whistles drowned out by the sheer noise of the festivities.

  Every food stand within sight was bustling with business, long lines trailing back like snake tails. The smell of sizzling skewers, sweet roasted nuts, and steaming bread rolls filled the air. Ethan couldn't help but sigh with mild regret.

  “I should’ve opened a food stand,” he muttered.

  Misha ughed beside him. “Maybe next year.”

  They wandered through the crowd, taking in the festive chaos. Children ran by in masks, merchants shouted their prices, and above it all, the shadow of the dragon’s mounted head loomed in the distance—its massive jaws frozen in a fearsome snarl.

  Ethan and Misha chatted in easy rhythm, the noise around them fading into background as they talked about nothing in particur—little jokes, observations, people-watching commentary.

  As the sun reached its peak, Ethan gently reached out and took Misha’s hand. She blinked but didn’t pull away.

  “Come on,” he said. “Time for part two.”

  They navigated the packed streets hand-in-hand, Ethan carving a path with careful steps until they arrived at a cozy little restaurant tucked off the main pza. A uniformed attendant stood at the door.

  “Reservation under Ethan Cross?” Ethan offered.

  “Yes, right this way. Apologies—we weren’t able to get a window table on such short notice, but you’ll find this one quiet and comfortable.”

  Ethan nodded in appreciation and led Misha inside. The restaurant, though away from the main parade route, was still bustling, but their little corner gave them a sense of calm.

  He held her chair and helped her sit before taking his own seat across from her.

  “Today’s on me,” he said with a casual grin. “So order whatever you like.”

  Misha beamed. “Really? That’s sweet of you.”

  Ethan smiled back, though internally, he mourned for his wallet. Goodbye, sweet silver…

  Still, he pushed the thought away. No use crying now. Better to enjoy the day for what it was.

  They ordered, then fell into easy conversation. Misha vented about how math still made no sense no matter how many formus she memorized, and they both groaned over how grueling Physical Education had become tely. The chatter flowed easily, light and honest.

  Eventually, the conversation drifted toward the Mana Manipution css.

  “So,” Ethan asked, his voice casual as he leaned slightly forward, “how’s your circution going? Getting any better with the new technique?”

  Misha nearly dropped her fork. Her cheeks, already lightly flushed from the warmth of the room, deepened several shades.

  “It’s… better,” she admitted in a small voice, not quite able to meet his eyes. “A bit. But… nothing like when you help.”

  Ethan blinked, caught off guard. “Really? Why’s that?”

  Misha looked down, fiddling with her napkin as she tried to expin. “It’s hard to keep a steady pace the whole way through. When you’re doing it alone… you either go too fast or too slow without noticing. Then these bursts of mana start pooling up in certain areas, and the whole thing starts to feel… off.”

  Ethan’s brows drew together in concern. “Does it hurt? Or feel uncomfortable?”

  She quickly shook her head. “No! No, it’s just… weird. Like I’m doing it wrong. But it fades once I stop.”

  Ethan let out a breath and nodded. “That’s good, at least. Still, if it really helps when I guide you, I don’t mind helping again. Any time.”

  It was a perfectly innocent offer. Well… maybe not entirely innocent—but it was well-intentioned.

  As for Misha—already fighting to keep her face from combusting—it felt like a direct hit to the heart.

  “…Maybe…” she mumbled, almost inaudible. “Maybe after the parade, you could… help again.”

  Ethan smiled warmly, as if completely oblivious to the double meaning. “Sure! Just let me know when.”

  At that moment, their meals arrived—grilled sea fish dressed in a fragrant, homemade sauce, steam rising in soft curls. The smell was rich and savory, carrying hints of citrus and herbs.

  Ethan’s mouth watered just from the smell. The fish glistened beneath a thin veil of steam, its golden skin crackling with promise. He hadn’t even taken a bite, and he already knew it was going to be amazing.

  Across from him, Misha’s eyes lit up like she’d just unwrapped a birthday present.

  “Wow…” she whispered, almost reverently. “I’ve always wanted to try this.”

  Ethan blinked. “You have?”

  She nodded, still staring at the perfectly grilled fillet. “It’s from the southern coast, right? I read about it once in a book—how they catch these fish during winter and preserve them in enchanted salt before shipping them innd. I never thought I’d actually get to taste it…”

  She finally looked up at him, her expression glowing with quiet excitement. “Thank you, Ethan.”

  He smiled, already halfway to saying No problem—but then he remembered something.

  Wait a second… even the closest port is over a week away by carriage.

  His wallet whimpered.

  This is going to cost more than my dignity during PE css…

  Still, he forced himself to square his shoulders and pick up his fork like a man prepared to die gloriously in battle.

  “You only live once,” he muttered under his breath.

  Misha tilted her head. “What was that?”

  “Nothing,” he said quickly, fshing a grin. “Let’s dig in.”

  The parade buzzed through the streets with thunderous excitement, and the two of them leaned close to the second-floor window, pressed shoulder to shoulder as they watched the spectacle roll by below.

  Soldiers marched first, proud and polished in formation. Then came the band, loud and brassy, horns and drums echoing off the buildings. And finally, the main event arrived—a massive cart adorned with gold-trimmed banners and garnds, carrying none other than Principal Garrick Thorne himself, sitting like a bored warlord atop the sin dragon's head.

  The beast's head was enormous, its jaws still lined with jagged teeth. Its once-sharp eyes had gone dim, but even lifeless, it carried an air of menace.

  “Wow! That’s quite big!” Misha breathed.

  “Imagine the whole thing,” Ethan muttered. “It had to be bigger than a house.”

  “The paper said Lord Garrick took it down solo. Can you believe that?” someone near the window murmured in awe.

  Misha’s eyes narrowed slightly, her voice dropping to a soft murmur. “One day… that’ll be me.”

  Ethan turned to look at her. “Huh?”

  Misha didn’t answer right away. Her eyes were still on the parade, but something in them had shifted—distant and reflective.

  “When I was little,” she said quietly, “I lived with my mother at my grandparents’ ranch. It wasn’t an easy life, but I liked it. I used to py with the sheep all day—get all muddy, chase them around… It was fun.”

  Ethan remained silent, listening.

  “One day, while my mom was herding the sheep, a Wind Dragon flew over the valley. We were used to seeing big birds now and then, but this… it was different. She tried to rush all the sheep into the barn. I still remember her shouting, trying to push them in…”

  Misha swallowed.

  “And then, just like that, it happened. One moment she was there, and the next, she was gone. Her and one of the sheep… swallowed in a single bite. Just like that.”

  Ethan’s breath caught.

  Misha’s voice was calm, but the intensity behind her words left no doubt.

  “That day, I decided.” Her gaze was fixed ahead, but her fingers tightened slightly around her fork. “One day, I’ll hunt a Wind Dragon down.”

  Ethan blinked, unsure of what to say.

  “Maybe I’ll never find the one that took her… maybe it’s already dead. But that doesn’t matter.” She turned toward him, her eyes clear and unwavering. “I just want to bring one down with my own hands.”

  There was no bravado in her tone. No attempt to impress. Just a quiet, determined conviction built from years of pain and resolve.

  Ethan didn’t try to give her comfort or reassurance. He simply nodded and asked "So, what happened after that?"

  “After that, I was taken in by my father’s side of the family. I didn’t even know I had a father, much less that he was a noble. It was… strange. His daughters—my half-sisters—treated me like a stain on the carpet. Smiles when he was around, but once he was gone…” she trailed off, her voice tightening. “The insults, the cold shoulders, the little ‘accidents.’ He was too busy to notice. Or care.”

  She drew a slow breath, then gave a soft, self-deprecating ugh.

  “Honestly, one of the reasons I chose to attend the Adventurer Academy was just to get away from that pce. I didn’t expect much. But…” Her voice softened again. “Now I’m gd I did.”

  Ethan turned to her, surprised by the sudden shift in tone.

  “At least here I have friends,” Misha continued, then hesitated—her voice barely a whisper as her face turned a soft shade of red, “and…”

  She couldn’t finish. She just looked away, flustered, and busied herself with her pte.

  Ethan didn't press her. He just smiled quietly, a bit stunned, but warm all the same.

  Their food had grown cold during the parade, but neither of them seemed to care anymore.

  “It’s still delicious,” Misha said brightly, trying to steer the moment elsewhere.

  Ethan chuckled. “Yeah.”

  And then came the bill.

  Two gold coins vanished from his wallet like fallen leaves in the wind. His heart broke in absolute silence.

  But pride was pride. He didn’t flinch.

  “We still have time! Let’s go take a look at the market!” Misha beamed, grabbing his hand.

  Without a chance to say farewell to his vanishing fortune, Ethan was pulled back into the lively streets, the warmth of Misha’s hand keeping the cold of his wallet at bay.

  As the sun dipped behind the rooftops, casting golden light over the pza, the two of them found a quiet spot to rest by the fountain. The gentle spsh of water made for a calm backdrop, and Misha leaned her head against Ethan’s shoulder, letting out a small, content sigh. Instinctively, he wrapped an arm around her, offering quiet support.

  “So,” he asked softly, “where should we go now?”

  “Back to the dorms, right?” she replied, eyes still half-lidded. “Where else could we go?”

  “That’s…” Ethan hesitated, then smirked. “You did ask me to help with your mana circution again, didn’t you? I thought maybe… we could get a room at an inn.”

  Misha stiffened slightly.

  “...”

  “Or,” Ethan added casually, “we could just do it in your dorm room.”

  “T-T-That’s—!”

  “Or we could invite your friends to watch and judge your form,” he continued mercilessly, enjoying her flustered expression.

  “N-No! I can’t—!”

  “Then… will you ask them to leave?”

  “They… they should understand…”

  “Should?”

  Misha groaned softly, cheeks red.

  “Really? Really?” Ethan pressed, the grin on his face widening.

  “Hmm… maybe we should get a room,” she mumbled, practically hiding her face in his shoulder.

  “Right?”

  “If you keep teasing me,” she growled under her breath, “I will bite you again.”

  Ethan ughed, raising his free hand in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. Mercy! Mercy!”

  “Hmph!” Misha huffed, but the smile she tried to hide was unmistakable as she pressed her face against Ethan’s chest to conceal it.

  “All right, let’s go,” Ethan said, giving her a gentle squeeze before helping her up.

  The two walked side by side through the lively streets, eventually stopping in front of a clean, well-maintained inn that looked respectable enough to match their modest standards. Lanterns flickered softly in the windows, casting a warm glow that welcomed them inside.

  The dining hall was filled with chatter and the clinking of dishes, heads briefly turning as the pair entered. Ignoring the curious stares, they approached the front counter where a busty attendant—probably just a few years older than them—greeted them with a bright, professional smile.

  “Good evening! Are you here for dinner or staying the night?” she asked. Before either of them could respond, she continued in a well-rehearsed rhythm. “If it’s dinner, please take any avaible table and an attendant will be with you shortly. If you’re staying, just let me know—double bed, twin beds, or a spot in the shared room? Prices are listed on the board. If you can’t read, I’d be happy to assist!”

  The flood of information caught Ethan off guard. He blinked, letting it all sink in before stepping forward and pcing five silver coins on the counter.

  “A room with two beds, please.”

  “Got it!” she chirped, slipping a brass key from a drawer and pcing it in his hand. “Check-out is by noon unless you choose to extend your stay. Let us know if you need anything.”

  “Thanks,” Ethan said, relieved that the transaction was done.

  “Happy to help!” she beamed, and then—gncing at Misha still clutching Ethan’s arm—leaned slightly over the counter with a pyful smirk. “Oh, and just so you know, the walls are nice and thick. But still, do try to keep it down. We’ve had compints before.”

  Ethan choked on air.

  Misha squeaked and buried her face in Ethan’s sleeve.

  The attendant winked.

  “Enjoy your night~”