When the plates were emptied and cups drained, laughter still hung between them like the lingering warmth of the café's lamps.

Maria stretched her arms above her head, smiling faintly. "That was… nice. But I don't want today to end with just coffee."

"Agreed," Aurelia said immediately, already standing with a glint in her eyes. "We're not going back to the dorms yet. Come on, the evening's just getting started."

Michael raised a brow. "You sound like you've already planned something."

"Of course." Aurelia smirked. "There's an arcade street just a block down. Mana games, racing simulators, even a dueling ring. It'll be fun."

Maria perked up. "That does sound fun."

Sam hesitated. "An… arcade? I'm not sure if—"

"You're coming," Aurelia said firmly, tugging his sleeve.

And so, their little group spilled out into the dusky street, the air buzzing with chatter and glowing with neon mana signs. The arcade street was alive—rows of bright lights, laughter, and the faint hum of magical constructs powering machines.

The first stall they came across was a mana-racing simulator. Transparent constructs of glowing vehicles floated within a dome, where players controlled them through mana steering wheels.

"Let's race!" Maria grinned, already pulling Michael toward it.

"Wait—"

"Too late." She shoved a token into the slot, and the construct lit up. "You're my rival, Michael."

Aurelia chuckled, leaning against the machine. "Oh, this I have to see."

The race began. Michael's hands adjusted to the mana controls quickly, instincts sharp, eyes scanning each curve. Maria, on the other hand, leaned forward with fierce determination, her hair flying around her shoulders as if she was fighting for her life.

Halfway through, Michael smirked. "You're going too sharp on the turns. You'll lose speed."

Maria shot him a glare. "Don't lecture me in the middle of a race!"

Sure enough, her vehicle clipped the edge of a barrier, sparks flying. Michael's slid smoothly ahead, weaving like he'd been doing this all his life.

The finish line flared.

Michael's construct crossed first.

Maria slumped in her seat, pouting. "…Unfair. You must've played before."

"First time," Michael said casually.

Aurelia clapped slowly. "And thus begins the legend of Michael the Mana Racer."

Maria puffed her cheeks, muttering. "…I'll win next time." But despite her words, her lips curled faintly at the corners.

---

The group drifted from stall to stall—testing archery games (Sakura easily outscored everyone, of course), dueling holograms (where Aurelia nearly knocked Michael off balance in a mock spar), and even a strength tester that left Sam red-faced when his strike barely moved the mana gauge.

By the time the arcade lights dimmed for the evening, they carried laughter with them into the quieter streets.

The sky was painted with streaks of violet and gold as the sun dipped behind Arcadia's rooftops. The five found themselves walking toward a small park, lanterns glowing softly along its paths. Trees rustled in the evening breeze, and a fountain trickled in the center, casting shimmering reflections.

Maria walked a little ahead, her silver hair glowing faintly under the lantern light. Michael found himself matching her pace without thinking.

"You're quiet," she said softly, glancing at him.

"Just… thinking."

"About?"

Michael shrugged lightly. "Today. It's different, being like this. No danger, no monsters. Just… us."

Maria's steps slowed. A small smile touched her lips, warmer than the usual sharp expressions she carried in battle. "Yeah. I like it."

From a few steps behind, Aurelia watched them, her arms crossed. Her sharp eyes softened slightly as she saw Maria glance at Michael, her cheeks faintly pink.

So, it's like that, Aurelia thought. Then, her smirk returned.

"Maria," she called out suddenly.

Maria turned, startled. "W-What?"

"You've been smiling a lot tonight. More than usual." Aurelia's tone was playful, teasing. "Could it be… our dear strategist has something to do with it?"

Maria nearly tripped over her own feet. "T-That's not—! Don't say ridiculous things!"

Michael sighed, running a hand through his hair. "…You never stop, do you?"

Aurelia winked. "Why should I? Watching her react is priceless."

Maria muttered furiously under her breath, face glowing pink, but she didn't deny it.

The night wound down with the five sitting near the fountain, sharing soft laughter, trading small stories—like any normal group of friends would.

But as Michael leaned back, gazing up at the stars, he couldn't shake the warmth in his chest.

A warmth that wasn't from victory, or survival, or the System's rewards.

It was something quieter. Something fragile.

And when his eyes drifted sideways, catching Maria stealing a glance at him, he thought… maybe, just maybe, this was something worth protecting too.

---

The park's lanterns dimmed one by one as the hour grew late. A bell from the Academy's tower tolled faintly in the distance—curfew reminder.

Sam stood first, brushing off his robes. "We should head back before the dorm supervisors start asking questions."

"Mm." Sakura nodded, already adjusting the strap of her bow case. She glanced briefly at Michael and Maria, her expression unreadable, before setting off at a measured pace.

The group began walking down the lantern-lit path that wound back toward the Academy.

Maria ended up beside Michael again, though this time neither spoke for a while. The air was cool, the kind that slipped quietly under the skin, carrying with it the smell of damp earth and late-blooming flowers.

Michael broke the silence. "…Did you have fun today?"

Maria's steps slowed for just a heartbeat before she answered. "Yeah. More than I expected, honestly." She glanced sideways, lips tugging at the faintest smile. "Thanks for coming along."

Michael raised an eyebrow. "You were the one who dragged me into it."

Her cheeks colored. "…Still."

Behind them, Aurelia stifled a laugh. "So sweet. Should I leave you two behind and let the stars be your chaperone?"

Maria nearly spun around. "Aurelia!"

Sam blinked between them, confused. "What's she talking about?"

"Nothing," Maria snapped quickly, her ears bright red.

Michael exhaled through his nose, resigned. "…She won't stop until she gets bored, you know."

Maria muttered something unintelligible, but her steps edged a little closer to his, shoulders almost brushing.

By the time the Academy gates came into view, Aurelia had finally quieted, though the sly curve of her lips promised more teasing later.

The group split at the dorm crossroads. Sakura gave a short nod before heading to her wing, Sam shuffled off with a sleepy wave, and Aurelia lingered just long enough to murmur in Maria's ear, "Don't let him walk you to the door, or I'll really start spreading rumors."

Maria nearly choked, swatting her away. Aurelia only laughed, vanishing into the shadows of the girls' dorm.

That left Michael and Maria standing under the glow of a lantern, the courtyard quiet except for the rustle of leaves.

Maria hesitated, biting her lip. "…See you tomorrow?"

Michael gave a small nod. "Yeah. Tomorrow."

For a moment, neither moved. The lantern's light cast a soft halo around her silver hair, her violet eyes bright despite the night. She opened her mouth as if to say something more but stopped. Instead, she smiled, small but genuine, before finally turning toward the dorm entrance.

Michael watched her go until the doors closed behind her.

Only then did he let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

"Tomorrow," he repeated under his breath.

The word felt heavier than it should have.

Not a burden.

But a promise.

-------

The Supreme Hall was quiet.

Too quiet.

I sat cross-legged on the cold floor, my sword laid across my knees, breathing slowly to keep my mind steady. A month ago, silence like this would have felt oppressive empty. But now, after demons tearing through ballrooms and a Twin-Head Orc trying to crush me in VR… silence was a luxury.

I exhaled.

Four weeks. That's how long I'd been at Hero Academy. Four weeks, and already it felt like I'd lived half a lifetime.

Demon summoning. Near-death fights. System quests. VR Dungeon carnage. Maria dragging me to cafés.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Yeah. Definitely too much for one month."

The sword resting on my lap gleamed faintly in the morning light that filtered through the tall, runed windows of the Supreme Hall. I ran my fingers along its edge, channeling a trickle of mana. The blade hummed, faint frost gathering before dispersing into mist.

The Weapon Master trait was real. I could feel it in every swing, every stance. Movements that once felt awkward now flowed naturally, like my body had already memorized them. My training sessions were no longer me forcing techniques they were me remembering them.

I stood, drawing the sword into a guard stance. One breath in. One breath out.

Then the dance began.

The blade cut through the air with a sharp whshk as I stepped forward, pivoted, struck again. Each motion bled into the next, like water pouring downhill. No wasted movement. No hesitation. Just clean, precise arcs.

By the time I stopped, frost had webbed across the floor from where my aura had leaked without me realizing.

I sheathed the sword with a click. "…Getting better."

But there was no sense of triumph. Just quiet acceptance. I had to get better. There was no other choice.

Because this Academy wasn't just a school. It was a battlefield where power wasn't measured only by strength, but by influence, politics, and alliances.

And that battlefield was shifting again.

Ufff~ I let out a long breath

---

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