Chapter 7: Chapter 4: Dance Training

I looked at my blood-stained hands, still clutching the stone knife. The feeling of reality hit me like a blow. I had murdered a person, ended his life. A shudder ran down my spine as I realized the consequences of my actions. But then, Shinoa brought me back from my dark thoughts with a slap. "Don't burden yourself with it, even if you think you did something wrong. This man would have died anyway; you just shortened his suffering," she said with a weak smile. Her words tried to calm me and ease my guilt. "B-but what about you? You also killed someone," I replied, and my voice trembled with fear and self-doubt. I could see the lifeless body of the slave trader, and it was hard to shake off the feeling of guilt.

Shinoa looked at the corpse of the slave trader and just shrugged. "Alive, he would have enslaved or killed more people. I just prevented that from happening. Besides, there are no soldiers around. Even if there were, they would understand that this man had done wrong to his slave and tried to attack you." Her words made me think. It was a world where violence and injustice seemed to be omnipresent. Shinoa justified her actions as a form of self-defense or even as an act of protecting others. But could I see my deed the same way? Was I a tool of fate that perhaps only hastened the inevitable?

When I woke up the next day, I still felt the exhaustion from yesterday. The memories of what happened still weighed heavily on me. I decided to dispose of the blood-red water from the bucket to avoid constantly being reminded of it. "I hope today isn't too busy," I muttered to myself. I wished for a quieter and less burdensome task. But I knew that it wasn't always in my power to shape the day the way I hoped for.

I put on my pants and tried to focus on using my magic to transform my appearance back into that of a human. But to my disappointment, it didn't work. My exhaustion prevented me from using my powers properly. It was frustrating, but I couldn't force it. I decided to cover my horns with a hat. It was better not to attract unnecessary attention. I buttoned up my shirt and put on my shoes to get ready for the day. After completing everything, I left my accommodation and headed to "Mother's Store" to pick up my clothes. There, I hoped that the tasks of the day would distract me a bit and help me push the burdening thoughts aside, at least for a while. I had to learn to deal with my feelings and the consequences of my actions. It was a challenge, but I knew I wasn't alone in this and that it would take time and support to overcome this burden.

"There you are!" the shopkeeper said as I entered the store. I nodded politely and looked around. The boxers they were selling looked a bit different than usual, slightly wider cut. Interested, I asked, "Quick question, how much is this?" The shopkeeper snapped his fingers, and one of the boxers flew over to me. "You get three of these for free if you buy something else that's worth 2 Dragon Coins or more." His offer sounded tempting, and I briefly considered if I could find something else useful.

Finally, I spotted a bracelet with a piece of wood, something carved into it. I liked it, and it seemed to meet the value requirements for the offer. I decided on it and handed it to the shopkeeper. He added three boxers to the gray shopping bag and said kindly, "Thank you for your purchase." I thanked him as well and left the store. It felt good to own something new, even though my mind was still burdened by the events earlier. Perhaps the bracelet would give me a certain reminder that not everything in my life had to be shaped by violence and dark situations. I hoped that slowly but surely, I could find a new sense of normalcy.

Shinoa, who happened to be walking along the street, spotted me as I exited the store. She immediately ran over and put me in a headlock. Her unexpected appearance made me laugh. "There you are!" she exclaimed cheerfully. "Training? Today?" I asked, somewhat surprised, and looked at her curiously. I was still preoccupied with thoughts from yesterday and hadn't expected her to invite me to training right now. Shinoa looked determinedly at the blue sky and then nodded. It seemed like she wouldn't accept any excuses. I felt that she wanted to pull me out of my contemplation, and that the training would do us both good. A small smile spread across my face. "Alright, I'm in," I replied, feeling my mood slowly lifting. The training would help clear my mind and refocus on other things.

As I held the wooden scythe in my hands, I immediately felt that it was significantly heavier than last time. "Did you incorporate weights into the wood?" I asked Shinoa curiously. She smiled and gave me a thumbs up. "You're supposed to build muscles while swinging the scythe," she explained and tossed a stone in my direction. I barely managed to dodge it and exclaimed, "What was that for?" But Shinoa had her reasons and held another stone in her hand. "Hit five of those in a row, and training for today is done," she said with a determined tone. I let my shoulders sag and sighed. "You can't be serious," I replied frustrated. In response, a stone flew past me.

Resolutely, I picked up the scythe again and tried to hit the stones. The thought of baseball wouldn't leave my mind as I hit one stone, cheering, "Homerun!" Shinoa looked at me questioningly, not familiar with baseball. I focused again on the next stone. This time, I narrowly missed it, and the stone painfully hit me in the stomach.

"That's going to be a bruise," Shinoa remarked dryly. But I didn't give up, stood up straight again, and concentrated once more. After several attempts, I hit another stone and cheered proudly. My attention now turned to the third stone, flying even faster than the previous ones. Undeterred, I prepared to hit it. However, I underestimated the speed, and the stone left a dent in the blade of the wooden scythe. With horror, I thought that this stone would have seriously injured me otherwise.

Shinoa praised me and encouraged me to hit the next stone. I was ready and tried to prepare for the throw. As the stone flew in my direction, I had barely time to react. I quickly jumped back to increase the distance and pulled the scythe upwards. When the stone touched the scythe, it shattered into many small pieces, and the scythe also broke into many wooden pieces. Some of the stone splinters h*t me, but I ignored the pain. "I hit all the stones!" I cheered with pride. Shinoa seemed impressed, but she had another surprise in store. An iron scythe flew towards me and stuck into the ground next to me. "Now repeat the same process with this scythe," she instructed. I tried to pull the scythe out of the ground, but it was incredibly heavy. My arms felt like they were about to tear at any moment. "I-it's heavy!" I groaned loudly in exertion

. Shinoa laughed at me and teased, "Hahaha, I can't anymore. He finds it heavy." Despite the itching in my fingers, tempting me to pick up a stone and throw it in her direction, I restrained myself and focused on the ongoing training. I knew I had a long way to go to improve my skills and become stronger.

After gradually getting used to the weight of the scythe and swinging it a bit, the little maid, who had been enjoying her drink from a white and blue porcelain cup while sitting next to Shinoa the entire time, made the grass grow again. Shinoa advised me to start by cutting only the grass to get used to it. After that, I should do some muscle-building and endurance exercises before swinging the scythe again until sunset. I looked at the sky and saw that the sun hadn't even reached its zenith. "I'm going to die," I muttered slightly desperate.

Shinoa went into the estate and returned shortly with two wooden mugs. "If you're thirsty, help yourself," she said kindly. Gratefully, I nodded and swung the scythe again. After cutting and sweating for a few hours, I felt the urge to take off my hat to let some fresh air touch my sweaty forehead. It was uncomfortable wearing a hat while swinging the scythe, and the sweat was pouring down. But I resisted the urge and focused on the task.

After cutting all the grass, I staggered towards Shinoa to get a drink. She noticed my dilemma with the hat and stood up. "Stay still for a moment," she said, approaching me.

When Shinoa touched my back and whispered the words "CinderellaSilentis," I felt something change in my body. Surprised, I touched my hair and noticed that it had returned to its original brown color. It was as if a spell had been cast on me, altering my appearance. Confused, I turned my hand to my forehead and realized that the horns were gone. It felt good not to feel them on my head anymore.

"Thanks, Shinoa," I said with a smile and took the mug by the handle to drink from it. "Tastes slightly bitter-salty, what is it?" Shinoa also drank from her mug and replied, "Pesula, that's what it's called." I drank the beverage and placed the mug on the ground before returning to the scythe lying there. To my surprise, it suddenly felt much lighter than before. "Hey Shinoa, why is the scythe suddenly so light?" I asked, confused. Shinoa stood up and was suddenly right in front of me without me noticing her movement. It was as if she had always been there, making no sound or movement. "Simple, the drink you had is actually meant to strengthen the body faster, of course, only if you train properly," she explained. "Normally, you would need two to four days to partially swing the scythe with one hand. Pesula, on the other hand, accelerates this process immensely, and since it has no side effects, it's even decently sold – everyone has access to it." She took the scythe from my hand and struck it into the ground. "You're going to do this until the moons are up there, only three breaks, no more," she said, handing me the scythe back before immediately slashing it into the ground again. I followed her instructions and worked hard to master the scythe.

As the moons began to rise, I took another break and talked to Shinoa, who was getting a massage from the little maid and eating. I took a deep breath and mentally prepared for the rest of the training day. When the moons finally reached their peak, I dropped to the ground exhausted and gazed at the starry sky. After a while, I approached Shinoa, who was taking a foot bath with the maid and eating. "Bif was ef?" she asked with a full mouth. "What?" I replied as I took off my shoes and socks. "Bah! Does it stink?" Shinoa said, covering her nose. She held her palm towards my feet, and suddenly, something blue lit up in her hand. "Th-that's really not funny," I stammered as the light grew brighter. "Clean those stinky feet!" she commanded, and a blue-green jet of water hit my legs and shoes.

I also put my feet in the warm footbath and felt the pleasant warmth relax my tired muscles. All the effort I had felt earlier seemed to dissipate in contentment. Shinoa continued to gaze at the night sky, and I also enjoyed this peaceful moment. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and Nia stood behind us. "Shinoa, did you forget that Zero still needs to learn?" she said, sounding slightly biting. Shinoa looked at Nia as if it didn't matter and replied, "Can't you do that tomorrow? We're just relaxing here."

Confused and surprised, I watched as Nia approached Shinoa and with a simple snap of her fingers, rapidly cooled the air around us. Within seconds, the warm footbath turned into icy cold water, and I quickly pulled my feet out of the icy element. "W-wait, N-N-Nia," Shinoa stammered, clearly trying to defuse the situation. She raised her hands in surrender. "So, what do you say?" Nia asked with a mocking smile while effortlessly controlling the cold.

Shinoa's expression looked tense, and I felt that some kind of power struggle was happening here. I was confused and didn't exactly know what was going on. "That's enough, Nia," I said calmly, hoping to defuse the situation. "We just wanted to relax and enjoy the evening. There's no need to create conflicts here." Nia looked at me for a moment, then her expression relaxed slightly. "You're right," she finally replied, gradually letting go of the cold.

I followed Nia through the narrow streets back to the tavern, with my wet shoes and socks sticking unpleasantly to my feet with each step. The fresh night air was cool and refreshing, and I could smell the stea*y scent of food from the surrounding street stalls. The sparse lighting of the street lamps cast gentle shadows on the cobblestones and historic buildings.

As we walked slowly, I involuntarily looked up at the sky. The darkness was interspersed with countless sparkling stars, shining like diamonds on a velvety black canvas. An almost childlike wonder overcame me as I enjoyed the sight, and a smile crossed my lips.

"Do you like the night, Zero?" Nia suddenly asked, her voice interrupting my silent admiration. I looked over at her and nodded slightly. "Yes, I like the night very much," I replied softly. "As a child, I loved staring at the evening sky. The stars always fascinated me. They're like little lights for the lost in the dark, guiding the way." The words came almost naturally as I immersed myself in my memories. As a little boy, I often sat on the roof of our house and looked at the stars. They seemed to bring me a kind of hope, a connection to something greater beyond the everyday.

When I looked back down the street, I noticed how quiet the city was at this time. Most shops were already closed, the shutters of the houses were lowered, and only here and there was lively activity from the taverns audible. The soft clicking of shoes on the pavement and the muted laughter of the

night owls accompanied us on our way. The street lamps cast warm light on the cobblestone street, creating a cozy atmosphere. The shadows of the houses danced in the light, giving the scene a certain magic. As we moved slowly forward, I could hardly get enough of the picturesque scenery unfolding before us.

With each step, I felt the tension and thoughts of the events of the past few days gradually dissipate. The silence and beauty of the night had a soothing effect on me.

In this enchanted moment, it felt as if time stood still, and the world lost its hustle. The burden of worries and fears seemed to retreat momentarily, and I could fully concentrate on the peace and beauty of the night. Every step on the cobblestone felt muffled and gentle, as if I were walking through a dream. Nia and I continued our way gently, our steps in harmony with the quiet melody of the night. We traversed narrow, winding alleys, their cobblestones marked by centuries of life and stories. Passing by a colorful mix of people and beings exploring the city at this late hour, some were human, while others unmistakably bore features of non-human races – their presence added an extra layer of fascination to the scenery.

The light stones cast their glow on our paths, giving a friendly touch to the darkness. The shadows of the surrounding buildings danced in the light, as if telling their own stories. The whisper of the wind and the muted murmur of the passersby formed a gentle symphony, emphasizing the nocturnal charm of the city.

As we continued forward, I realized how deeply I was immersing myself in this special atmosphere. The darkness had an almost magical aura that distracted me from the difficulties of the last few days. It enveloped me like a protective blanket, and for a moment, I could forget my own thoughts.

Every step I took felt like a step into another world, a world of calm and peace. The city seemed to awaken completely differently at night, revealing its hidden facets. The chance encounters with other night owls, be they human or non-human, gave this nocturnal odyssey an additional depth.

While following Nia, we lost ourselves in our own thoughts as the nocturnal surroundings came alive around us. It was a momentary escape from reality, a moment of pausing and enjoyment. The darkness and gentle illumination created a unique atmosphere that made me forget the weight of my own past for a moment.

And so, we continued through the narrow streets, accompanied by the occasional sounds and encounters of the nocturnal city.

Back in the cozy tavern, my attention was captivated by a lively scene. Creatures of various kinds were celebrating enthusiastically: they toasted each other, laughed heartily, and seemed to be enjoying the night to the fullest. The loud clinking of glasses and the cheerful murmuring filled the room with contagious energy.

As we returned to the tavern, a vibrant picture unfolded before me. The tavern was filled with a diverse mix of people and non-human beings who had gathered in a festive mood. Laughter, conversations, and the clinking of glasses filled the air as the guests celebrated and enjoyed the night. The aroma of delicious food and drinks hung in the air, adding an extra touch of enjoyment to the atmosphere.

"Is something special happening today?" I asked Nia as I observed the colorful scene. She leaned slightly against me, as if absorbing the cheerful energy of the tavern. "In a few days, an ordinary citizen will be appointed as a Saint, or in other words, a hero," she replied, while I tried to suppress my rising excitement. The idea of being appointed as a hero ignited a burning ambition in me. My hand instinctively clenched into a fist, and I felt the tension in my muscles. The opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the heroes I admired was an incredible chance that I didn't want to miss. A sense of determination flowed through me as I focused on the idea of improving myself and seizing this opportunity.

Nia leaned in closer, looking directly into my eyes. A soft sigh escaped her lips, as if she could understand the challenges and ambitions blossoming within me. "So, how does one become a hero?" I asked her curiously, my gaze still fixed on the cheerful crowd. Nia took a deep breath before beginning her explanation. "There will be a massive gathering of monsters, and in that battle, someone will rise as the hero. That person will receive the blessing of the heroes and bear a stigma on their hand." The notion of receiving the blessing of the heroes and bearing a stigma evoked a mix of awe and nervousness in me.

"Well, I guess I need to get a bit better after all," I whispered softly as my thoughts settled like gentle waves. A approving smile played on Nia's lips as she delicately brushed aside a lock of her hair. "Yes, Zero, your skills must unfold further to shine in the upcoming conflict. The rivalry may be intense, but if you manage, you could truly rise as a radiant hero." Her words enveloped me like a warm embrace, adding even more strength to my determination.

As I stood in the tavern, absorbing the joyful atmosphere around me, I felt a new drive stirring within me. The thought of being appointed a hero and bringing about a change in the world was like a fire burning within me.

The rain dripped relentlessly on the wooden shutters, the rhythmic patter almost resembling someone gently watering plants. Each drop left small trails on the glass, forming irregular patterns. The gentle sound of the rain almost felt like a soothing lullaby, gradually lulling me into a deep slumber. However, suddenly, as if a thunderclap broke into my dreams, a loud pounding echoed on my door. My heart skipped a beat as I was abruptly woken from my peaceful sleep. With a hasty exclamation, I lost my balance, having slept on the edge of the bed, and found myself unexpectedly on the floor. The tired thoughts became clear with the sudden activity in my head, and I shook my head lightly to dispel the confusion.

Rubbing my slightly aching head, I slowly got up and trudged to the door. The rain had left a slight chill in the air as I grasped the handle of my room door. With a slight creak, I opened the door, and there stood Nia, clad in her brown leather jacket, the hood with cat-like ears perched on top of her head. Her demeanor was impatient and energetic as she waited for me. "Come on!" I called out slightly annoyed, directing my gaze at her. My hand reached for the doorknob, and with a soft noise, I opened the door completely. Before me stood Nia, her eyes full of determination and focus. Her gaze seemed to convey that there was no time for delays. "Change into something rainproof. We're going shopping now," she commanded with a tone that brooked no argument. Her words h*t me like a cold gust of wind, emphasizing the immediacy of her intentions. Without waiting for a response, I nodded silently and stepped back to make way for her.

The door slowly slid shut as I turned around and hurriedly walked into my room. My thoughts swirled like the raindrops as I quickly changed. The red dress I originally wore was replaced by a more practical choice. A water-resistant coat replaced my ordinary jacket, and I pulled it tightly over my shoulders. The hood cast a shadow over my face as I prepared for the unpredictable weather.

The sky outside had shown its whims, and dark clouds had moved in threatening formation over the landscape, casting their shadows on the world below. The rain poured down as if the sky itself had opened its floodgates. The drops struck everything in a continuous rhythm, creating a silvery veil that blurred the surroundings. The paths, usually bustling with the hurried steps of people and other beings, now lay deserted, covered in a gleaming film of rainwater. The pavement glistened in the fading rays of light that made their way through the thick clouds. The ground seemed eager to absorb the rain, as if it craved this refreshing touch.

As we both walked through the wet street, I felt the cool water slowly seeping through my clothes. My steps were cautious, avoiding the puddles that formed like tempting traps on our way. The raindrops mingled with the tears of the sky, and I could almost feel the cleansing they brought. Amidst the rain, I noticed the striking patterns of the raincoats worn by some passersby. Knitted raindrops adorned the sleeves of these coats, while palm-sized buttons were attached to the hoods, as if they possessed the character of waterproof amulets. These creative details brought a touch of liveliness to the gray scenery.

I walked alongside Nia, who hid her face in her hood, and noticed that she had lowered her tail. The raindrops beaded on her hood, shining, while she walked with a lowered gaze. A gentle hesitation was present in her posture, as if the rain was impacting her not only physically but also emotionally. "Don't you like the rain?" I asked her finally, my words slightly raised over the sound of falling water. I perked up my ears to hear her response, while striving to give our steps a steady rhythm.

Her answer came softly, almost swallowed by the raindrops. "Yes, I don't like it when it's so wet." Her voice carried a nuance of discomfort, and I could understand how the excessive rain affected her mood. As she pulled me by the sleeve, just as I was about to bump into someone, I smiled at her and said, "thank you."

Finally, we reached a street lined with an improvised canopy of cloths stretched from one building to another. This makeshift shelter provided some protection from the persistent rain, and the ground underneath remained surprisingly dry. The scene under the canopy was lively and diverse: Some vendors offered their goods, laughing and joking with each other, while others had heated arguments, their voices rising above the rain. "What do we need to buy here?" I asked, looking around to figure out what exactly we were supposed to find in this lively market. Nia decided to take off her hood and rummaged in her bag until she pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. Her fingers traced over the written words as she studied the shopping list.

"Four Netro clubs, twenty-three bottles of Unrez – we should find those here – and nineteen small Uppu cubes," she counted the items we needed to get at this market. Her words were carried by the damp air, and I listened attentively, trying to memorize the exotic-sounding names of the products.

I couldn't help but let out a resigned sigh. "I have no idea what all this looks like," I confessed, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the unfamiliar names of the goods. Nia stared at me with an open mouth, an expression of astonishment on her face. "You can't be serious," she exclaimed incredulously. She shook her head, evidently flabbergasted by my uncertainty. "Well

, never mind. Just look at the signs and read what's written there. You'll figure out what is what." Her tone oscillated between amusement and impatience, as if she couldn't believe that someone didn't know the basic principles of shopping. I couldn't help but muster a slightly embarrassed grin.

With an eager gaze, I wandered between the stalls, searching for the wooden signs on which, hopefully, the sought-after products were noted. The rain continued to fall on the makeshift roof above us, but I paid no attention. Eventually, my eyes fell on a sign with the letters "U-P-P-U" followed by a strange combination of symbols. "U... uppu, ha, found uppu cubes," I mumbled as I recognized the word on Nia's list. I approached the stand bearing the sign and looked at the colorful variety of small cubes displayed there. They had vibrant colors and seemed to be made from different materials. Some glittered in the rain's light, while others were matte and simple.

Turning to the seller, I asked cautiously, "How much does one Uppu cube cost?" The words felt awkward in my mouth as I didn't know the currency unit he would use.

The seller kindly accepted my ignorance of the local prices and advised me, "Better buy twenty Uppu cubes. These cost exactly 2 Dragonies." His voice sounded rough but friendly. Dark blue strands of hair peeked out from his headscarf, and his brown pants ended just above the knee. I nodded and took two golden coins from my pants, handed them to him, and in return, he gave me a small fabric bag with the Uppu cubes. I took out one of the cubes and felt its grainy texture. Driven by curiosity, I squeezed it, watching fascinated as it flattened. When I released the pressure, it immediately regained its cubic shape.

This little wonder fascinated me, and I couldn't resist displaying a broad smile on my face. "This is truly amazing," I said to Nia as I returned to her and showed her the Uppu cubes. "These things are incredible." Nia furrowed her brow and looked at me inquisitively. "Have you never held Uppu cubes before?" My smile vanished instantly, and I tightly clutched the Uppu cube in my hand. "No, uh, I haven't." She patted me on the shoulder, determined to teach me more. "I'll explain later. It's fascinating how Unrez becomes extremely hot when vigorously shaken and then turns into ice when mixed with Uppu cubes." I looked at her curiously. "But how do you digest that? Doesn't it cause stomach problems?" I asked, concerned.

Nia shook her head. "It's safe for cooking. These two substances usually don't mix in your stomach." Her response eased my concerns.

After completing our shopping, I carried the bottles of Unrez packed in two wooden crates. I made sure not to sway too much to avoid the dangerous heating of the bottles. The calming scent of wet grass and wood surrounded me, providing a sense of relaxation. However, visibility was impaired by the heavy rain, and I could hardly see anything.

Nia walked ahead of me, vigilant to prevent me from bumping into anyone, while I focused on not slipping on the slippery ground. Her commitment to my safety was evident, and I appreciated her care in this unfamiliar environment.

Finally, we reached the tavern, our destination. Shinoa took the shopping from me without visible effort. I stood rooted in place, amazed that she didn't even flinch. As I took off my jacket and hung it on the coat rack, Mirajane approached me and lifted me without saying a word. Confused and surprised, I stammered, "Huh? Wait, did I do something wrong?" Mirajane seemed to effortlessly carry me away, and I couldn't figure out exactly what was happening.

Mirajane carried me into the kitchen, where Asia was cutting a fish with blue-red scales and a horn on its forehead. "Brought him here," Mirajane said, setting me down on the floor.

Confused and worried, I looked around hastily. Did I do something wrong? If so, what? Anxiously, I watched the chef cut the fish and finally dared to ask, "Um, Chef, did I do something wrong?" Asia stopped cutting and fetched a glass of red liquid. "Do you know what this is?" I shook my head, and my heart began to beat faster.

She sighed and said, "So, you have no idea about the ingredients and drinks." I involuntarily flinched as she handed me the glass and ordered me to drink it. The liquid smelled sweet, and I took a sip, only to find that it was extremely sour. My face contorted in surprise and discomfort.

Asia took the glass from my hand and gave me a green leaf. "Chew on this." I did as she said, and the leaf suddenly turned sweet in my mouth. "What was that?" I asked her. She gave me an Uppu cube. "Put this in your mouth." Although I was still waiting for an answer to my question, I obeyed and put the Uppu cube in my mouth. It melted like a marshmallow, sticking to my palate, but suddenly, it tasted like chicken.

Asia calmly explained, "What you drank is called Triar Tear. It's a pretty cheap booze, but if you chew on an Afera leaf afterward, your saliva turns sweet, and the Uppu cube becomes sticky and tastes like Uhrea."

Asia explained the ingredients and their combinations in the tavern for a while. She told me that Triar Tear, combined with a red Aunea root, could help with stomachaches but was very spicy. Or that the juice of a Pounlou bulb mixed with Inseu spice when you wanted to sweeten something spicy. She also revealed that a scale from the Xired fish inside also contained meat and was very nutritious. There were so many interesting and strange combinations and flavors to discover, and I listened attentively to remember all this information.

As the first guests arrived, I entered my room and changed. I had chosen a simple yet festive outfit appropriate for my service in the tavern. My heart pounded with excitement because I knew that this evening would be particularly busy.

After changing, I returned to the tavern, where the first guests were already seated at the tables. The murmur and cheerful laughter filled the room, and the scent of delicious food and drinks hung in the air. I took some empty plates and went to the kitchen to fill them.

While carrying the plates to the kitchen, I couldn't help but marvel at the guests. It always surprised me how many beings were willing to come here just to drink and celebrate. The tavern seemed to be a place of escape and pleasure for many, and I was part of it, quenching their thirst and supporting their festive mood.

After delivering the empty plates to the kitchen and about to go back, I was called by the chef with a whistle. I approached her and asked, "What's going on?" She handed me a heavy knife, surprisingly heavier than I expected. With a concerned look, I asked, "What am I supposed to do with this?" The chef explained, "Cut the Xired fish, remove the scales and bones. We have a large order for tonight, and we need to make sure it's prepared in advance." I nodded, took the heavy knife firmly in my hand, and started working.

I went to the cutting board where the Xired fish lay, its blue-red scales shimmering in the kitchen light. Right next to me was a bucket of clear water, which I readily used to prepare the fish. As I gently dipped the fish into the water, I could feel the refreshing coolness, starting to peel off the scales. The process was tedious, but I knew it was important to remove the scales thoroughly to expose the tender flesh underneath. As I focused on my work, I noticed that Asia briefly watched before turning and leaving. It was a busy kitchen, and everyone had their own tasks.

After removing the scales, I placed the fish back on the cutting board and delicately cut its belly open. With skillful hands, I removed the internal organs and separated the head from the body. Then, I split the fish in half to make it easier to remove the bones. Glancing at the wall, I noticed a sieve hanging on a hook. I took it down and dipped it into the water bucket to fish out the scraped scales. Using a fork, I tried to open the scales carefully, and when successful, I saw the juicy red flesh underneath. I placed the opened scales on a plate, ready to use them later.

At that moment, Shinoa, who was passing by, noticed what I was doing. She opened a drawer and took out a kind of clamp with an oval container at the end. The wooden handle of the clamp had small notches. She explained, "Put a handful of scales into the small container and then squeeze the handle tightly." I took the clamp in my hand and started collecting the scales.

I carefully took the shimmering scales in my hand and placed them carefully in the oval container. With a determined grip, I squeezed the lid of the container tightly, and a loud cracking sound pierced the air, followed by a cascade of more cracking noises. When I turned the container upside down and emptied the scales onto the plate, it was clear that they

had all opened. Their shiny, iridescent surfaces glittered in the soft light of the room.

I began sorting the opened scales on the plate and repeated this process four times until all scales were open. Meanwhile, I patiently waited for Asia, who was preparing the fresh fish meat. She retrieved it from a small, well-hidden box and produced a red stone. With a skilled flick of her hand, she snapped briefly, and a small flame flickered on her right index finger. With extreme precision, she held the stone over the flame and then under a metallic platform. A gentle vibration passed through the air as she shook her right hand, extinguishing the flame. The metallic platform slowly began to glow red, and Asia placed the pan carefully on it. A loud hiss broke the silence as the fish meat instantly made contact with the hot surface.

In the midst of this activity, I heard a familiar voice. "Little one, you go take the orders." It was Asia addressing me. I nodded obediently, put on the black apron, which housed a pen and a small notepad in my apron pocket. With determination, I entered the dining area, opening the door and walking through.

"Two humans, four elves, three lizard people, and twelve adventurers, each consisting of four humans and three half-humans. And the last five are..." My counting and speculating were abruptly interrupted as a hand suddenly touched my shoulder.

"What are you doing?" a curious voice sounded behind me. I startled and turned around. "Oh, it's you, Shinoa." I breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm counting the guests and trying to guess what they might order. For example, the cat people might prefer Xired fish." She looked over at the guests.

Shinoa furrowed her brow and looked at the assembled guests. "What are cat people?" she asked, confused. I looked at her just as puzzled. "Huh?"

I briefly considered how I could best explain to Shinoa what cat people were. "Do you know what cats are?" I asked gently. She shook her head, and I realized my explanation had to be a bit more complicated. "Well, cats are animals that often move and behave like humans, but they have fur and whiskers on their faces. Cat people are like a mix between humans and these animals. They have human traits but also some cat features, like ears or tails."

Shinoa still seemed confused, but before she could ask more questions, our conversation was abruptly interrupted by one of the elves, who loudly called, "Service!" A soft sigh escaped me, and I turned to Shinoa. "I'll talk to you later, okay?" She nodded sadly, and her dog-like ears drooped slightly.

I returned to my service duties and took care of the guests until the sun finally set. When the last guests left the establishment, I went to the kitchen. "You can stop for today, little one," the chef said kindly. I nodded wearily and made my way to my room. Once there, I took off my shoes and collapsed onto my bed without changing. "Am I done?" I mumbled tiredly and closed my eyes.

However, I was suddenly awakened from my nap by loud knocking on my door. "Why knock when there are no locks here anyway?" I thought irritably and rose with difficulty to open the door. There stood Shinoa with a book in her hand and a wide grin on her face. "Today, I'm going to teach you," she announced enthusiastically. I sighed and shook my head. "No need," I explained and tried to close the door again. But before it could close, I heard scratching at the door. "Are you a cat?" I looked at Shinoa in confusion. "You said something strange today too. What is a cat?" I let Shinoa into my room and sat on my bed. She seemed to notice my usual clothing that I had been wearing for the past few days and asked, "Don't you have sleepwear?"

I shook my head and replied, "Haven't gotten around to it, and I don't know where to bathe here."

Shinoa pulled out a chair and sat on it. "Down the street and then to the left, there's a bathhouse that the workers here can use for free, and you can also wash your clothes there," she explained helpfully. I nodded gratefully and sank onto my bed. The day's efforts had made me tired, and a loud yawn escaped my throat. "So, why are you here?" I asked, stretching out on my bed as my eyelids grew heavy.

Shinoa placed the book she had brought on the table. "I just wanted to know what a cat is," she said calmly. I smiled faintly despite my fatigue. "Well, a cat is a pet in our homeland. They often have pretty fur and are cute animals. But I can't describe them better." With these words, I closed my eyes and let exhaustion pull me into a deep sleep while Shinoa lingered in the room, pondering my response to her question.

After sleeping for a few hours, I was awakened by a pleasant whistling. Sleepily, I looked at the windowsill where Shinoa sat, gazing at the clear night sky. Her eyes seemed filled with deep emotion, and I felt like she could burst into tears at any moment.

My curiosity overcame my sleep, and I couldn't help but ask, "What are you whistling? It sounds kind of sad." I wanted to understand what was going on in her mind and if I could help.

Shinoa slowly turned her gaze away from the stars and smiled weakly. "It's the lullaby of the Allqiu," she replied softly. Her smile was gentle, but deep sadness reflected in her eyes.

I got up from my bed, stretched, and went to the table in my room. There was a book with a blue cover illuminated by the soft moonlight. I took the book and sat on my bed, ready to flip through it and learn more about the history of the dragons and the lullaby. As I flipped through the book in the dark, I noticed that it was difficult to make out the text. I sighed lightly and expressed my thoughts, "It's pretty hard to read in the dark."

Shinoa snapped her fingers, and suddenly a small flame appeared above her finger. She lit the candle on my table and carefully placed it on the windowsill. The warm, flickering light of the candle illuminated the room, creating a cozy atmosphere. "Better?" she asked with a friendly smile. I nodded gratefully and began reading the book.

"Here are a few terms I don't understand," I said to Shinoa, who was about to fall asleep. She sat beside me and asked, "And which ones would those be?" I searched for the right words. It might be a bit embarrassing that I don't understand this, I thought. "Allqiu, you mentioned that before, right? Or Rundo, Truzer, Lerp. I don't understand them," I explained. Shinoa yawned lightly and replied, "Those are the respective races. I come from the Allqiu, and Nia is from the Lerp. The boss is from the Wontes. Actually, it's basic knowledge." I scratched my head, feeling a bit unsure. I never learned this, I thought further. Well, I do come from a different world, after all.

I saw Shinoa starting to sway and eventually falling asleep. I stood up, gently covered her with a blanket, and made sure she was comfortable. Then I sat on the wooden chair and delved back into my book. When I finally finished the book, I rubbed my tired eyes.

"The part where the protagonist finds out his companions are already dead was really interesting," I murmured quietly to myself. I placed the book on the windowsill and stood up slowly. A walk seemed just right now to clear my head, I thought as I put on my shoes.

With every step I took outside, I breathed in the fresh air and enjoyed the silence of the night. The clear sky was adorned with stars, and the moons shone brightly.

I headed towards the bathhouse Shinoa had told me about. When I finally stood in front of it, I saw a house with a yellow wooden roof and freshly painted exterior walls. I opened the door and saw a young man about my age standing behind the wooden counter. He was in the process of drying his black-blond hair. The young man noticed me and greeted me politely.

"Uh... Shinoa told me that tavern staff can use the bathhouse for free, is that true?" I asked uncertainly. The young man nodded kindly and said, "Yes, that's correct. I just need your name." I replied, "Zero." The young man noted down my name and pointed to the door to his right.

"That's the men's area. Towels and soap are available for you. If you want to wash your clothes, just put them in the red basket. Replacement clothes will be provided for you, and you can pick up your own clothes tonight." I nodded gratefully and went into the men's area. There, I undressed and grabbed

a towel lying on a shelf. I quickly wrapped it around my waist to cover myself. Carefully, I placed my clothes in the red basket I had noticed before. As I put the clothes in the basket, I suddenly heard a tinkling sound.

I approached the glass door, framed in an ornate wooden frame and adorned with a floral pattern. As I pushed the door aside, accompanied by a soft rattling, I closed it behind me and stepped into the pool. "Ah, how long has it been since I could take a warm bath," I thought, slowly sinking into the warm water. The warmth enveloped my body, and it felt like it was loosening every tension.

I submerged my face in the pleasantly warm water and then stared at the ceiling of the bathhouse. "It's strange that I don't have to use the bathroom here. My body openings exist in this world too. Well, it's pointless to dwell on that," I thought as I enjoyed the relaxing bath.

Suddenly, my eyes fell on a wooden door on the bathhouse wall. Curiously, I stepped out of the pool and opened the door. Behind it was a wooden room bathed in warm light. The floor was made of smooth stone, and there were small holes in the ceiling that captured the light. On the wall was some kind of lever.

I entered the room and pushed the lever to the left. Suddenly, I heard a rushing sound, and cold water flowed from the holes in the ceiling. Startled, I screamed as the cold water hit my body, completely drenching me.

I adjusted the lever to the center, and the cold water stopped flowing. I took a deep breath to recover from the sudden shock that the icy water had caused. "Who comes up with the idea of making the water so cold!?" I yelled to myself as I slowly warmed up again.

I left the room while the cold water continued to trickle on the floor. Carefully, I closed the wooden door behind me and returned to the warm water of the pool. Here, I could slowly relax again after the cold shock subsided. I let myself glide into the water and enjoyed the soothing warmth surrounding my body.

The sliding door of the bathhouse opened again, and when I looked there, I saw the young man from the counter. He greeted me with a smile and observed, "You're still here." I nodded, and I couldn't help but notice that he was much more muscular than me and had numerous scars on his body. He noticed my gaze and explained, "I got these scars during the selection process for the Hero title." I flinched slightly as he noticed I had been studying him.

I took the opportunity to ask a question, "Do you know when the next selection process is?" He also got into the pool and replied, "No, it always happens differently, and only when the old Hero passes away. Otherwise, there would be too many Heroes." I stared into the water and noticed that my reflection was slowly changing. Suddenly, I stood up and said, "I have to go, I forgot something." The young man nodded and said, "Until next time."

I hurried to the red basket where I had placed my clothes before and found replacement clothes there. Using the towel next to the basket, I quickly dried myself and put on the provided clothing. The green shirt was a bit larger but comfortable to wear. The wide brown fabric pants, cinched with a rope around my waist and open on the sides up to the knee, gave me a certain freedom of movement. Instead of shoes, I wore rope sandals with a wooden sole, which still felt somewhat unfamiliar.

I felt my body gradually warming up, and my vision began to blur. With the last of my strength, I left the bathhouse and tried to get to my room as quickly as possible. Every step became heavier, and my muscles felt weak.

Finally, I reached my room, but my strength left me, and I collapsed from exhaustion. The world around me darkened, and I lost consciousness as I lay on the floor of my room.

I was awakened by Shinoa, who looked at me with a concerned expression. "What's wrong?" I asked her, noticing that I was lying on the bed. "I forgot to lift the spell, and you had an enormous mana drain," she explained to me. As I touched my forehead, I noticed the horns on my head. "So, I transformed back again," I mumbled. Shinoa nodded, and I got up, stretched, and said, "Oh well." Shinoa went to the door and informed me, "We'll train again this noon." Then she left the room. I sighed and stood up from the bed, taking a hat that might have been placed on the table by Shinoa and putting it on.

I entered the kitchen and saw Mirajane talking to a little boy. I walked towards them and listened to their conversation. "Even if Asia allows you to enter the kitchen, you shouldn't play with the knife so recklessly," Mirajane said concerned to the boy. The boy smiled and nodded, but it seemed he hadn't quite understood what she meant.

I chuckled and said to Mirajane, "I think he didn't quite get it." Mirajane sighed lightly and commented, "What can you do? He's still a child." I looked at the boy named Ades, whose red eyes were noticeable. Suddenly, he tugged at Mirajane's skirt and pointed at me. "Who is this anyway?" he asked curiously. "Who is this? He looks weird."

I looked at the child with a slightly puzzled look. "Zero, this is Ades, Pristella's little brother. Ades, this is Zero, our newcomer," I explained as I bent down and extended my hand to the boy. "Nice to meet you." The boy grabbed my hand and shook it. Mirajane also seemed curious about my clothes, and I explained, "Replacement clothing. I'll pick up my own clothes later; they're being washed right now."

Pristella entered the kitchen with a smile and was warmly welcomed by her brother. As I tried to pass by her, she held me by the shoulder and asked where I was going. I tried to free myself from her grip, but I couldn't. "Training," I replied shortly. Pristella wanted to know where I would be training, but I couldn't give her a precise answer.

I tried to signal Mirajane with my eyes to help me, but she looked away. Eventually, I explained to Pristella, "At a garden belonging to a friend of Shinoa." Pristella let go of me and realized, "Ah, at Rei's."

I looked at Pristella questioningly and asked, "Rei? Who's that?" Pristella explained that Rei was the owner of the villa where I would be training and that he was currently in the neighboring country. I nodded, bid my farewells, and headed to the villa.

There, I found Shinoa in the middle of a meadow, dressed in unusual clothing. She wore semi-transparent blue pants that were wide, a pink short pant underneath, a lilac bra-like top, and a gold hip scarf. Her hair was braided, and she wore two small bells on her left ankle.

Curiously, I asked, "What kind of clothing is this?" Shinoa explained, "

Dance attire, for tonight." I inquired further, "Is something special happening today?" Shinoa nodded and said, "Today, there's a parade, and at the end, there will be dancing and drinking. We're joining at the end and still have to work until the parade is finished."

I examined Shinoa's clothing and asked, "And why are you wearing the clothing already?" She placed her hand on my shoulder and said with a touch of nostalgia, "I have a déjà vu." Then her ears drooped, and she added, "I can't group dance at all."

I thought for a moment and suggested, "Shall I teach you a bit?" Shinoa looked at me with shining eyes and asked, "Would you do that?" I raised my thumb and said, "As a thank you for the training, even though we haven't trained much yet."

Shortly after, a small maid brought the same clothing as Shinoa, only in green, and a bracelet with bells on a thin chain. I changed inside the house, and although it was quite airy, I kept my hat on. "Shall we begin?" I asked Shinoa, and she nodded approvingly.

I took Shinoa's hand and prepared to dance the waltz with her. I explained the movements and said, 'We're doing the waltz now, Shinoa. Remember, three steps per beat!'

We started slowly with the basic step. Step left, step right, then step together. Shinoa tried to follow my instructions, but she stumbled over her own feet several times and occasionally forgot the sequence. I tried to reassure her, saying, 'Don't worry, you're doing great!"

Nevertheless, she often looked down at her feet, even though I told her several times to keep her gaze up. 'Look into my eyes, Shinoa, not at the ground,' I encouraged her.

We continued dancing to the rhythm set by the maid's clapping, and after a few attempts, Shinoa gradually became more confident. Her steps became more elegant, and she began to master the turns better.

After three hours, however, she had internalized the movements. "Very good, Shinoa. Now, let's do something faster," I suggested. She nodded, and this time, we put on the thin black shoes the maid had brought. "This time, we use the bells." Shinoa tapped her left toe on the ground, and the tinkling of the bells could be heard. Then she took my hand, and I placed mine on her shoulder as we together took three steps forward. When we made a turn, she almost stumbled, but I held her firmly to prevent her from falling. We continued practicing until Shinoa mastered the movements more confidently, and dancing with the bells became more consistent.

The sun slowly descended towards the horizon, and the sky colored in warm orange tones as Shinoa and I changed our clothes upon returning. A gentle evening breeze carried the scent of freshly baked bread and savory roast from the nearby tavern. With our fresh outfits, we headed to the tavern, ready to enjoy the evening.

As we entered the tavern, Asia stood at the counter with crossed arms and a stern look. In her unmistakable commanding tone, she ordered us, "You two, straight to the bathhouse." We nodded obediently and left the tavern towards the bathhouse.

The young man I had met the previous evening at the bathhouse greeted us with a friendly smile, holding a book in his hands. We went separate ways: I entered the men's area, while Shinoa went to the women's area.

In the warm water of the bathhouse, I slowly sank and felt the tension of the day slipping away from my shoulders. However, despite the soothing warmth, I couldn't forget my unfamiliar appearance as a half-demon. "I hope no one comes in," I muttered to myself, relaxing and letting thoughts of the hero and the challenges this world brought fade away.

My thoughts were interrupted by a few loose strands of hair hanging in my face. I brushed them aside and took a deep breath as I enjoyed the warm water. But the uncertainty about my appearance lingered.

After leaving the warm water of the bathhouse, I returned to the changing area. There, I grabbed one of the towels next to the red box and dried myself thoroughly. The warm water had invigorated my skin, and drying off left a pleasant feeling.

In the red box where I had deposited my clothes during the previous visit, I found my things again. The black shirt, loose and comfortable on my skin, and the brown pants, feeling lighter than my previous clothing, caught my attention. My shoes looked like new and complemented the outfit perfectly. I placed the replacement clothes back in the basket, and the familiar jingling sound echoed once more.

I left the bathhouse and leaned against the wall, gazing at the clear night sky. In the distance, I could hear the wild drumming and cheerful laughter. "The parade seems to have already started," I murmured to myself, listening to the festive sounds.

The door next to me opened, and Shinoa stepped out. Her long, open hair gleamed in the light of the glowing stones, giving her an enchanting look. My heart raced as I saw her like that, and I forced myself to collect my thoughts. A gentle smile played on my lips as I looked at her. "Shall we?" I asked.

Shinoa nodded approvingly, and together we headed towards the tavern. As we walked under the sparkling starry sky, I couldn't help but ask her about her performance time. "Oh, by the way, when do you have to perform?" I inquired, looking up at the night sky. Shinoa turned her gaze to the majestic white tower that stretched impressively into the sky. "In about an hour, but it's voluntary," she replied, clapping her hands, which made me slightly flinch.

"W-what's wrong?" I stammered nervously. She smiled broadly and playfully slapped my shoulder. "Be my dance partner." I looked at her skeptically. "Why should I? There will be many people there." With another slap on my shoulder, she encouraged me, "Don't be a bore, just go with it. A little change won't hurt you." My reluctant acquiescence was rewarded with a thumbs up. Without further ado, she took my hand and pulled me resolutely behind her.

Upon arriving at the tavern, she instructed me to wait in front of her room. As I stood there, boredom overcame me. "What do I do now?" I thought out loud. My eyes searched around to make sure no one was nearby. Then I opted for a spontaneous handstand in front of her door. "Kneel before the handstand king, you lowly peasants," I joked to myself. Unfortunately, I lost my balance and landed ungracefully on my back. "Ouch," I commented monotonously and sat cross-legged. "I'm bored." After a short pause, I began tapping my finger on the wooden floor until the monotonous sound turned into an unintentional rhythm. "What are you doing?" Shinoa asked me curiously. "Whoa! Don't scare me like that," I replied, slightly blushing at my clumsy actions.

Shinoa handed me a semi-transparent black shirt, cropped and made of fine silk. She also gave me loose dark blue pants that were tied with a cord, and thin black shoes. "Put this on," she said with a certain emphasis. A questioning expression appeared on my face as I examined the shirt more closely. "Huh?" I exclaimed incredulously. "Put it on," she repeated, this time with a pronounced determination that slightly forced me to give in. I nodded reluctantly and went into my room to take off my old shirt.

As I put on the semi-transparent, cropped black shirt, I noticed that it slightly glittered in the pale light from outside. A moment of uncertainty came over me as the shirt didn't cover my stomach, but ultimately, I decided to push aside the embarrassment and said to myself, "What the heck?" Then I took off my shoes and removed my pants.

After donning the glittering ensemble, I was surprised to find that the pant legs only reached just above my knees. A slight frown crossed my face, but I decided to simply accept the unconventional fashion. The thin, glittering garment and the light shoes made me feel like stepping into a world of elegance.

I stepped out of the room and saw Shinoa in similarly glittering attire, though her top had an additional, slightly thicker layer. "Stick your right leg out," she instructed me. Done and done. As I stretched out my leg, she skillfully bent down and tied a red rope around my ankle, to which two small golden bells were attached. When she straightened up, she handed me another band with small bells. "Can you tie this for me?" she asked. I nodded in agreement and knelt down to tie the band around her right ankle, making sure it wasn't too tight.

Her smile reflected in my eyes as I stood up. "What's going on?" I asked while rising. "Nothing," she claimed and turned around. Together we went to the stairs. "I hope it won't be too crowded," I muttered softly to myself. She didn't quite hear my words and asked. I shook my head.

We left the tavern and let ourselves be surrounded by the glowing lights, rising music, and growing laughter. Among the crowd of various humanoid beings, a fascinating parade in the air unveiled before us. Various objects floated through the sky, a fire-spewing dragon glided majestically over our heads, and the warm air it emitted was pleasant.

A sword of ice pierced the flame-wrapped dragon, and it shattered, turning into water. The water above our heads formed into a

water sphere and eventually into a thin ice surface. Piece by piece, this icy surface took on the contours of a city. An astonished "Wow" escaped my lips.

In the middle of this icy city, the skeleton of a dragon stood, with five people on it. The person in the middle held a sword towards the sky. Suddenly, the five people and the dragon skeleton merged, and slowly, a tower rose from the merged mass.

I stared with an open mouth at the fascinating structure that formed in the air before my eyes, turning into a perfect sphere before exploding with an impressive spectacle. Delicate snowflakes began falling on the spectators like an enchanting winter rain, their filigree crystals sparkling in the light. The atmosphere was magical, and I couldn't resist reaching out to feel some of the floating snowflakes on my skin.

"Come on, let's move on," Shinoa said with a slight smile, urging me to continue. I nodded enthusiastically and followed her through the crowd that had gathered under the gentle snowfall. The streets opened up before us, and as we entered the bustling main street, a breathtaking scene unfolded.

Along the entire street, stands stretched, filled with a wealth of delicious food and other tempting offerings. The aromas of fried delicacies and sweet temptations filled the air, awakening my senses.

As I was already on my way to one of the tempting stands, Shinoa suddenly reached for my hand and stopped me. "I'm hungry," I confessed, saliva practically pooling in my mouth. But Shinoa waved it off and said with a similar suffering, "Not now." Saliva ran down her mouth just like mine, and we both wiped our mouths, reluctantly resisting the call of the food. "You're hungry too!" I accused her, but she shook her head and pulled me along, despite the agonizing temptation.

Hunger intensified, and I could hardly imagine how we would continue to resist. The temptation peaked as we passed a stand offering delicious-looking bread with juicy meat, crisp salad, and a tempting brown and white sauce. My stomach growled loudly, and I stopped abruptly, my eyes greedily fixed on the food. Shinoa noticed my inner struggle and looked at me sympathetically.

When I had almost let out an original Neanderthal sound with my tempting desire for the fragrant dish, Shinoa hesitated for a moment before giving in. Skillfully, she took the money from her pocket and handed it to the stall owner, who prepared the delicious meal for us. "This will be shared, understood?" she warned me with a serious tone as she handed me the food.

I nodded eagerly, my eyes still fixed on the fragrant bread with meat, crisp salad, and the irresistible sauce. The first bite was like an explosion on my tongue. The flavors harmonized, and the texture of the bread, the juiciness of the meat, and the freshness of the salad merged into a true delight. Despite the shared portion, it seemed as if I had personally entered the culinary heaven.

We continued our way until we finally reached an empty square. "Good, no one's here," Shinoa thought aloud, and I looked at her confused. Without further words, she went to the center of the square and stretched her hand in my direction. "I request this dance," she said, and I felt a slight blush spreading on my face.

As I moved decisively towards Shinoa, I felt the warmth of her hand in mine. Her smooth movement as she placed her hand on my hip gave our dance a natural elegance. My other hand found its place on her shoulder, and so we began to move in the gentle rhythm. Our bodies turned in a harmonious circle, accompanied by the melodic sound of the small bells on our ankles, setting a magical rhythm. Passersby stopped to watch as the music of the approaching parade filled the air. The square around us gradually filled with diverse beings, curious to approach and observe our spontaneous dancing. Some of the onlookers, who had initially just watched, were caught up in the rhythm of our movements and began to dance along to the music.

As the parade music intensified, we adjusted our movements. With each accelerating beat, we spun faster in circles, our steps became more synchronized and elegant. The bells on our ankles filled the air with a chiming dance, creating a magical atmosphere. When the music finally slowed down, so did our dance movements, each step executed carefully and gracefully.

The square continued to fill with beings gathering to admire this unexpected dance. The magic of the moment, enveloped in festive lights and the musical accompaniment of the parade, created an unreal atmosphere.

After what felt like an hour, we concluded our dance, and the crowd applauded enthusiastically. I wiped the sweat from my forehead and lowered my gaze to the ground. When I looked up again, I spotted Shinoa, grinning broadly at the crowd and politely bowing. I followed her example as my heart pulsed in my ears.

The applause was deafening, and I felt the exhaustion permeate my body. The sweat on my forehead revealed the effort the dance had demanded. As I looked at the applauding crowd, I realized that the pressure and attention were overwhelming.

Shinoa noticed my forced smile and took my arm to guide me through the crowd. Confused, I followed her as she led me into a side alley. "What's wrong?" I asked. "Don't talk, come with me," she said firmly. In the secluded alley, she said, "I'll get something to drink, wait here." I nodded in agreement, but in that moment, the pressure inside me began to intensify.

Leaning against the wall, I tried to suppress the emerging nausea. My head seemed to throb as if it were about to burst. Despite the effort, I could hardly breathe. Shinoa had just disappeared when the urge to vomit overwhelmed me. I bent over and started retching. The stress and tension discharged in this unpleasant moment. My head felt heavy, but I forced myself to stand upright until Shinoa returned with the drinks.

"What did you eat that made it look like this?" Shinoa asked, suddenly standing behind me. I jolted and tried to hide the signs of my discomfort. "Ahhh!" I exclaimed as she held two green glasses in her hands and handed one to me. I accepted it gratefully and opened it.

Taking a hearty sip, I felt the sweet yet delicious taste spread in my mouth. The headache and the disgusting taste of vomit gradually disappeared. I closed my eyes briefly and took a deep breath as the refreshing drink took effect.

"Thanks," I finally said to Shinoa, my voice still a bit weak. She smiled understandingly and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Sometimes it just gets too much, right? But hey, now you're feeling better." Her words were encouraging, and I was grateful for her care. We stood for a moment in the side alley, while the sounds of the parade and the joyful atmosphere of the crowd echoed in the distance.

I took a deep breath and clapped my hands. "I'm ready to go!" I announced, and Shinoa applauded. Together we left the side alley and looked at the various stalls on the festival grounds. "What's there to eat?" I asked, and my eyes fell on a creature about the size of a hand. It had four scissor-like legs and two claws that resembled snake heads with horns. The back shell had several dents and shimmered lightly. The enticing smell drew me irresistibly, and I headed to the stall without hesitation.

The seller looked at me confused and then glanced at Shinoa, who just shrugged. "Do you want this?" she asked me. I nodded enthusiastically, and Shinoa paid the seller before handing me the food. "Watch out for the Trapn's legs, they're pretty sharp," she warned me. We strolled through the crowd, eventually finding a bench to sit down.

I nodded and started to carefully peel the back shell off the Trapn's body. Meanwhile, Shinoa delicately handled the sharp scissor-like legs, tearing them off and biting into them with relish. The taste of the meat fascinated me. The juicy flesh hidden behind the back shell tasted so good that it seemed to melt on my tongue. "Delicious, where do you catch these?" I asked Shinoa, who was just swallowing a piece of meat.

"As far as I know, in the east, in the village just before a black forest," she replied. I simply nodded and took another bite. The street festival around us pulsated with life. Beings of various species strolled through the streets, laughter and music filled the air. We sat on the bench, humming softly to the music, while enjoying the Trapn.

"Hot!" I exclaimed as I tried to eat the meat from the scissor-like legs. The spiciness of the meat spread on my tongue, and my face turned slightly red. "I told you it's spicy," Shinoa reminded me with an amused smile. As the spiciness subsided, I slowly bit into the meat again, and the sharp aroma faintly spread on my tongue.

A slight burning sensation remained, but the taste was too tempting to resist. We continued our meal, immersing ourselves in the lively atmosphere of the street festival. The music, the laughter of the people, the lights, and the exotic smells created a unique backdrop as we continued our culinary exploration.

We headed towards the tower, illuminated by flying light stones and revolving around it. On the way back along the street, we noticed a large dragon seemingly made of ice flying towards us. Instinctively, I prepared for defense, but about three meters before reaching us, it transformed into snow, covering me completely. "C-c-c-cold," I stuttered as I tried to shake off the icy snow.

Shinoa burst into loud laughter, holding her stomach. "Why didn't you just dodge?" she asked amused, while I slowly freed myself from the snow. The cold penetrated my skin, and I rubbed my arms to warm up. "If I had known, I might have tried!" I replied with a mischievous smile.

Shaking off the snow, I approached Shinoa. "So, where to now?" I asked her. She looked up and snapped her fingers, as if she had remembered something. "To the garden!" she said with a loud and joyful voice. Suddenly, she hugged me. "Huh, what's going on?" I asked, my face turning red. "Don't bite your tongue," she warned me and whispered, "Ventosus." A strong gust of wind lifted us off the ground, and I saw the city from above. We landed on a rooftop, and Shinoa let go of me while she looked around.

I looked around and was impressed by the breathtaking view of the city. The wind swept through my hair, and I could see the festive atmosphere of the street festival below us. "Wow, this is incredible," I whispered in awe, as Shinoa stood beside me with a satisfied smile on her face.

I followed Shinoa across the rooftops, with the bright, bustling parade below us and the dark evening

sky above us. Our path took us from roof to roof, observing the lively atmosphere of the city beneath us. I whistled a bit as Shinoa walked ahead of me. Eventually, we reached a roof adorned with many flowers. "So beautiful," I murmured in admiration. "Glad to hear that," Shinoa said as she began to take off her shoes. I did the same and entered the garden, feeling the soft ground tickle my feet.

The flowers in all the colors of the rainbow adorned the roof, and the scent of fresh greenery and blossoms filled the air. I looked around, impressed by the magic of this unexpected place. Shinoa smiled at me and started to dance among the flowers. "Come on, join in!" she called out cheerfully. I couldn't resist the joyful laughter and joined her, twirling through the flower-filled garden on the rooftop, accompanied by the gentle rustling of the wind and the laughter of the distant parade.

When I was back in my room, I could still hear the cheerful laughter of the guests in the tavern. I closed my eyes, and after a while, I fell into a deep sleep. But in the morning, I was abruptly awakened by Nia, who placed an ice-cold lump on my neck. I startled and pulled the icy lump out of my shirt, shivering. "That was cold," I mumbled dazedly, examining the icy lump in my hands.

Nia stood before me, holding a red book in her hand. "Today, you're in for it," she announced. I got up from the bed and threw the icy lump out of the window. "What do you mean by 'in for it'?" Nia formed an ice scythe with her magic. "Magic and weapon training," she explained. I looked at the blue sky and clapped my hands. "I probably won't be able to sleep anymore today," I said with a certain enthusiasm.

Arriving at the training ground, my eyes fell on a red scythe stuck in the ground. "Where's Shinoa?" I asked Nia, looking around. "She has to clean today, she'll come a bit later," explained Nia, rolling up her sleeves.

I approached the scythe and pulled it out of the ground. "This one is a bit lighter," I mumbled, realizing it felt different than expected. Nia instructed me to channel some magic into the scythe. Confused, I looked at her. "How do I do that?" She sighed and came closer. "Imagine using the magic in the form of the scythe," she explained. Then she took the scythe from me. A cold gust of wind emanated from the scythe, the handle was covered with an icy layer, and the blade enlarged, now sporting fangs instead of a smooth edge. In the middle, several red dots appeared, resembling eyes. It was as if the scythe had come to life, pulsating with magic.

I stood motionless as Nia took a few steps back and swung the scythe. The grass in front of me transformed into icicles through her magic, and I felt the cold eat into my limbs, causing me to shiver. "Don't move now," she instructed, and I nodded obediently.

She swung the scythe faster, and in a fascinating sight, the red dots on the blade turned pitch black. The fangs extended due to the speed, resembling whips. The whipping strikes h*t the ground multiple times, and the impacted area instantly froze. I could literally feel the icy cold hissing through the air and penetrating deep into the earth.

As I watched, I thought about how terrifyingly painful it must be to be hit by such an attack. Nia returned the scythe to me, and the ice that had covered the blade a moment ago turned into water as soon as I touched it. Only the coldness on the handle remained, and I flinched briefly.

"Okay, now try channeling some magic just into your palms and then distribute it over the handle to the blade," Nia instructed. I closed my eyes and concentrated. I felt something tingling in my palms, took a deep breath, and suddenly the handle of the scythe felt like leather. I opened my eyes, and the blade turned red-black, small notches forming at the lower handle. I could hardly believe my luck and smiled broadly.

"Well done," praised Nia, and I grinned like someone who had just found their first friend. With a proud feeling, I took a few steps back and swung the scythe. The frozen grass around me began to crack, and the ground beneath my feet dried up.

"Huh, what, why is this happening?" I asked confusedly. Nia looked at the ground. "You drew the water from the ground," she explained. I stared at the scythe in my hands and murmured, "Drew the water?"

"Try swinging the scythe a bit faster now," said Nia as she went to the veranda and sat on the steps. I followed her advice and swung the scythe with full force. With a single blow, the ground dried up, and red spots appeared on the ground. Curiously, I approached one of the red spots and noticed it was a red puddle. "Red water, how strange," I murmured as I bent down to examine it more closely.

As I approached, I smelled the iron-like scent. Carefully, I touched the puddle with my fingertip and was surprised when something seemed to shoot out. I jumped back and stared in fascination at a completely dark red dagger emerging from the red water.

Stunned, I looked at the dagger. "What is this?" I asked as I cautiously took the dagger in my hand. Nia approached to take a look at the find. "This is no ordinary dagger," she said thoughtfully. "This is blood magic. See those dark red circles on the blade? That's the sign of blood magic."

I examined the blade more closely and noticed that it was neither solid nor liquid, and the blood stuck to my hands. "Disgusting," I muttered as I felt the unusual consistency of the blood. I placed the blade back on the ground and wiped my hands on the dried-up soil to get rid of the blood.

Unnoticed, the little maid approached us and looked over my shoulder. "What are you doing?" she asked curiously. Both Shinoa and I let out a short but loud scream, surprised by her sudden presence. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," the maid quickly apologized and took a step back. She glanced at the dark red dagger on the ground.

"Tüdelü maderü!" Shinoa said as she entered through the door and saw the damaged grass. "What happened here?" she asked curiously. I looked at the scythe, which had returned to its original form. "I was practicing, and I dried out the lawn," I apologized to her.

"That can be fixed quickly," Shinoa said and told Nia to create a thick layer of ice over the ground. I grabbed the scythe, and we went to the veranda not to get in Nia's way. "Lovigil," she said, and a very thick ice sheet covered the ground. Shinoa snapped her fingers, and a hand-sized flame flickered over her hand. When she held the flame towards the ice sheet

, it grew larger with a single str*ke and melted the ice sheet. The water moistened the ground, washing away the blood, and the dagger was swept away by the water, turning back into blood.

As the ground became completely wet, the little maid went to the desolate lawn and snapped her fingers. The grass began to grow again, and the lawn slowly recovered from the effects of my exercise.

The little maid went back to the veranda, while Shinoa and I stood on the lawn. She stepped a few meters away from me. "Attack," she said with a serious look. "Where's your scythe?" I asked Shinoa. She shrugged. "Don't need it, attack now."

I swung the scythe and attacked her. Shinoa sprinted towards me, holding the scythe by the handle. I tried to hit her with a kick, but she snapped at my leg, pulled me towards her, and punched me in the face. A sharp pain shot through my face, and I tried to ignore the pain. Then I realized that she had let go of the scythe. I pulled the blade towards me and tried to hit her, but she was no longer behind me. I felt myself covered by a shadow. I let go of the scythe and jumped back as Shinoa landed on the ground. I sprinted towards her, preparing to strike, but suddenly, a tremendous pain shot through my abdomen. I looked down and realized that Shinoa's leg had struck my stomach. The pain robbed me of breath, and I collapsed, unable to continue the fight. Shinoa had skillfully outmaneuvered me and incapacitated me with a precise hit.

As the pain subsided, I stood up again on the grass. "I want to fight again," I said determinedly. Shinoa nodded and got ready for another round. "If you manage to make me use my scythe, there will be another break," she challenged. I swallowed and nodded.

I picked up the scythe again and prepared myself. Shinoa stood casually in front of me, and I held the scythe with both hands. I sprinted towards her, feeling Shinoa clench her right hand into a fist. Before she could strike, I used the blade to cover myself. I turned the scythe so that the blade faced her and swung it in her direction. She dropped to the ground and tried to kick my legs. I attempted to jump upward to protect myself, but she kicked upward, causing me to lose balance. With my arms protecting me, I rolled to the side and saw Shinoa trying to kick me.

I stood back up and tried to approach her, but she picked up the scythe and threw it to me. "Try using the scythe," she challenged. I caught the scythe, and I could feel the coldness of the metal through my hands.

Shinoa whistled, and I looked at her in confusion. An ice arrow flew narrowly past my head, and I looked at Nia in surprise. "Now it gets more challenging," I said with a strained smile. "Nia, you're not allowed to attack, only me," Shinoa instructed, stretching as she spoke.

I prepared myself and ran towards Shinoa. Suddenly, I felt something cold on my neck and quickly dodged to the side. An ice arrow now stuck in the ground. I continued running and turned quickly to deflect the next incoming ice arrow. The small ice splinters flew through the air, and I swung the scythe towards Shinoa's torso. Shinoa jumped backward, and I smiled as I ducked, and the ice arrow flew in her direction. I extended my arm and tried to catch her. I got closer, feeling the coldness of the magic surrounding me when suddenly something cold flew in my direction. "Damn..." A blunt ice arrow hit the back of my head, and pain shot through my head. "You're not paying attention," Shinoa scolded me and kicked my chin. Then I lost consciousness and sank into darkness.

We trained until sunset, and eventually, I managed to attack Shinoa from behind. She had to summon her scythe to deflect the incoming ice arrow, and the blade of my scythe was inches away from her throat. "Finally, I did it," I gasped exhausted and sank to my knees from fatigue. My entire body was covered in dirt, my nose was bleeding, I had several wounds on my body, and every muscle ached.

The maid approached me and handed me a black shirt and black pants, saying, "The bath is behind the second door on the left on the first floor. Please take a bath shortly before dinner and change your clothes." I thanked her and went to the bathroom. The wooden floor looked freshly polished, the bathroom was made of smooth white stone and extended up to the waist. The warm bathwater was already drawn, and a black basket with soap was placed on the side. "These rich people always have good bathrooms; one could almost be jealous," I thought. I undressed and stepped into the bath. "Feels good," I sighed, letting out a long breath of relief. After an hour, I left the bath and dried myself off. "Even the towels are better than those at the bathhouse," I commented. I put on the clothes and returned to the veranda.

"Well done, now it's time for dinner," Nia said, while she drank something. I smiled wearily and nodded. The exertion of training was evident in my entire body, but I also felt a certain satisfaction with the progress I had made. We went into the house.

As we sat at the wooden table, I looked around and noticed the many weapons and horns hanging on the walls. I absentmindedly touched my forehead. "Is something wrong?" Nia asked concerned. I shook my head. "All good," I mumbled, trying to focus on the food and ignore the pain in my forehead. It was probably just the exhaustion and the effort of training that were bothering me. I forced myself not to dwell on it and concentrated on relaxing my tired muscles and having something to eat.

Back on the grass, Nia stood with two ice daggers. "Are you ready?" she asked me, pointing the right dagger towards me. I nodded and grabbed the scythe stuck in the ground. When she was ready, I sprinted towards her, swinging the scythe towards her torso. I let go of the scythe and continued my attack, trying to hit her with a punch to the face while she blocked the scythe.

Suddenly, Nia pointed her index finger at me. My instinct warned me just in time, and I jumped quickly to the side before an ice needle could hit me. Nia rushed towards me, trying to hit me with the ice dagger. I attempted to grab her wrist, but a punch with her other fist hit me in the ribs, preventing me from blocking her attack. The blunt handle struck my head. The blow left me momentarily disoriented, and I tried to collect myself.

In the next attempt to get closer to Nia, I saw her muttering something. Quickly, I jumped backward, realizing an ice wall separated me from Nia. Determinedly, I approached the ice wall, touched it, and let mana flow into it. With this energy, I created an exact replica of her ice daggers.

In the corner of my eye, I saw Nia coming from the side and threw the dagger. She tried to block the attack with her own dagger, but suddenly, the knife shattered, and the replica turned into ice powder, blocking her view. Her surprised expression did not escape me. I seized the opportunity and landed a hit in her stomach. The hit was successful, and I gained the upper hand.

"Ha, won!" I shouted in relief and went to the veranda to sit on the steps. Nia applauded. "Where did you learn ice magic?" she asked curiously. I hesitated for a moment. "Nowhere, it's an ability that allows me to reshape things," I explained. She thought for a moment. "That's the worst kind of cheating. You can create a weapon or anything else from any material."

I denied it. "Only things about the size of a hand can be reshaped. That's why I couldn't use the entire ice wall. Even I have my limits." Shinoa sat next to me. "Limits are meant to be overcome," she said with a mocking smile. A shiver ran down my spine as she mentioned that. It scares me. "I'm completely done," I confessed.

Shinoa patted

my back. "Laziness is never good," she said and pushed me onto the grass. "Enchant the scythe now." I took the scythe and infused it with mana. The scythe took on a red blade and had a leather grip. "Oi, a blood blade, apparently summoned subconsciously, that's why the ground looked like that," she said excitedly. Then she snapped her fingers, and her scythe with the handle made of many skulls suddenly appeared.

"Wait a moment, this takes a bit," she said. I nodded as she tapped against the blade, and a long but beautiful sound echoed. A blue mist surrounded her scythe, and from the skulls, several laughs and claps resounded. A shiver ran down my spine. "Is that creepy," I whispered to Nia.

Shinoa put her index finger to her lips, indicating to be quiet. Now it's getting fun; I looked around, but no one said anything. Suddenly, Shinoa shouted, "Alright, done!" I turned my gaze towards her. Her scythe was blue, and the blade was not visible. The skulls on her handle had red eyes and chattered their teeth.

I took my fighting stance while Nia went back into the house. Shinoa held her grip tightly but made no attempt to attack me. Suddenly, I felt a breeze. "Damn! Jump backward and shape a blade of grass into a needle!" I jumped back and saw a small hole in the ground, right where I had stood before. "Do you want to kill me?" I exclaimed. Shinoa shook her head. "Would have just shattered the scythe."

I took a blade of grass and shaped a needle out of it. "Hey, what happens now?" I felt another breeze. This time, I jumped to the side and saw the ground turning into a hole again. I ran towards Shinoa and swung my scythe. The ground became dry again. Suddenly, a metallic sound echoed. I couldn't move suddenly, and I immediately lost consciousness.

I woke up from my fainting spell in an unfamiliar room. "A new blanket, a new room," I said with a hint of humor. I pulled away the blanket and looked around. The room was beautifully decorated. Blue garlands hung at the windows, and on the windowsill were two flowers. One of the flowers looked brown and dimly glowed in the center, while the other was pink and slowly turned into red. Little balloons were painted on their blue flower pots. A chandelier hung from the ceiling, its semi-transparent red stones casting a warm red glow over the room.

The bed in the middle of the room looked barely used. The wooden planks had notches here and there, as if they had been cut by a sharp blade. It was a strangely cozy room, but I couldn't figure out how I had ended up here. I stood up and went to the door to see if I could find any answers.

The door creaked softly as I opened it, revealing a long corridor that seemed to lead into darkness. When I turned around, I noticed that the once beautiful room I had come from had now turned into a red space. An eerie feeling of fear came over me as I realized the sudden and disturbing transformation. "What is this messed-up stuff," I muttered quietly, unable to comprehend the situation. I hesitated for a moment before turning around again and spotting a black door towering in front of me.

With trembling hands, I pushed down the handle and opened the door. Behind it stretched a vast, lush green meadow. In the middle of this meadow stood an imposing tree, its leaves rustling in the gentle breeze. A swing was attached to one of its sturdy branches, swinging slowly back and forth. A strange feeling of calmness enveloped me, and cautiously, I stepped through the door.

But as soon as I set foot on the grass, everything around me turned black. The sudden and unexplained transformations of this environment deeply unsettled me. The feeling of uncertainty gnawed at me, and I was worried about what might happen next in this mysterious place. The darkness swallowed everything, and I was alone with my thoughts and fears, waiting for the mysterious world around me to change once again.

I looked up into the darkness, an impenetrable veil that engulfed the surroundings. A sigh escaped my throat as I walked through the darkness, my senses numbed by the fear that clung to me like an icy grip. It felt as if I were drowning in an endless ocean, my screams echoing into nothingness, unheard and unanswered.

I continued putting one foot in front of the other, with no destination, no respite, as fear left me with no choice. Although it diminished over time, it lingered, a constant throb in my heart. With each step I took, I could hear a faint splashing. It was as if I were walking over an underground stream, its water shimmering in the dark. My hands sought refuge in the pockets of my jeans as I continued, undeterred.

Then, suddenly, a flash lit up in the distance, revealing the outline of a house for a fleeting moment. My heart began to beat faster, and I rushed towards it, breaking through the darkness. But my haste was my undoing. I tripped over something in the dark, fell to the ground, and briefly lost my breath. I immediately got back up and continued my journey, sprinting towards the source of light.

Eventually, I stood before a white door, hanging alone in the darkness. A spark of hope flickered within me. Perhaps this was the way out of this nightmarish place where I found myself stranded. Without hesitation, I opened the door and stepped over the threshold, hoping to finally escape the darkness.

The vast blue of the ocean enveloped me, and before I could grasp what was happening, I suddenly plunged into the water, letting out a short scream that echoed into nothingness as I descended into the depths. A cold shudder ran through my body as I sank into the impenetrable darkness of the sea. My lungs burned, and I fought my way upwards until I finally reached the water's surface.

"W-what kind of messed-up stuff is this!" I exclaimed, my voice filled with frustration and desperation. As I dared to look below, I realized that the water seemed bottomless, an unfathomable abyss surpassing any imagination. A feeling of weakness overcame me as I floated in the infinite darkness of the sea, my body seemingly weightless in the saltwater.

My gaze was drawn upwards, and for a moment, the darkness gave way to the brilliance of the ocean's surface, reflecting the endless expanse above. A feeling of vulnerability washed over me as I drifted in the boundless dark of the sea, my body seemingly weightless in the saltwater, suspended by an invisible force. The realization that the surroundings were nothing but seawater hit me like a sudden storm. It was a mundane realization, yet I felt distanced from any semblance of normalcy, as if trapped in a dream that was too real to be imagined. Reality seemed to dissolve in this peculiar place, the boundaries between dream and wakefulness blurred, and I couldn't comprehend how I had ended up here or what would happen next.

A sense of uncertainty and lostness permeated my thoughts as I drifted in the endless blue ocean. Around me, there was nothing but water as far as the eye could see. The silence was overwhelming, only broken by the gentle splashing of the waves. I felt like I was trapped in an infinite space of water, with no land or signs of life in sight.

In a desperate attempt to gain some control over my situation, I started to swim. I immersed my body in the water, my arms pulling me forward, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't sink. The water seemed to carry me, as if it were a living being, protecting me while simultaneously keeping me captive. As I continued to swim, I looked up at the sky and saw a peculiar sight. A red ring of light hovered above me, like a giant eye watching me. I stared at this inexplicable phenomenon, trying to find meaning in it, but it remained a mystery.

With no reference point, I swam on, driven by the hope that I would come across something – a piece of land, a boat, anything that could give me a clue about how to escape this strange situation. However, the ocean remained endless, the sky above me empty, and the red ring of light a distant, unattainable presence.

Exhausted and on the verge of tears, I continued my desperate swim until I spotted a faint glow in the distance. A lighthouse rose into the darkness, and a spark of hope ignited within me. Using the last reserves of my strength, I struggled against the draining waves to reach this saving place. When I finally reached the first steps of the lighthouse, I felt my legs give way, and I collapsed exhausted on the stairs. My breath was heavy and irregular.

"I want out," I whispered, sobbing to myself as I crouched on the cold steps. The words sounded lost and hopeless in the silence of the lighthouse. Yet, despite my exhaustion and fear, I had the will to keep going. I wiped away the tears from my eyes and forced myself to stand up. With shaky legs and a shattered spirit, I continued my ascent, step by step, until I reached the top of the lighthouse.

There, a green door opened before me. I felt a pang of uncertainty, but my curiosity outweighed my fear. With trembling hands, I turned the doorknob and entered the room beyond. Everything around me turned blindingly white, and I blinked to adjust to the bright light.

Confused and disoriented, I jumped out of bed and rushed to the door, my only way out of this mysterious situation. With trembling hands, I grasped the doorknob and turned it slowly. My heart pounded with excitement in my chest as I stepped through the door. To my surprise, however, nothing extraordinary happened. An overwhelming feeling of happiness washed over me, and I couldn't help but jump for joy. "Yay! Nothing's happening!" I exclaimed, feeling momentarily relieved of all the confusion and unexplained events.

Suddenly, I heard a loud clatter coming from the stairs. Shinoa and Asia stared at me in disbelief, obviously surprised by my reaction. Heat rushed to my face as I realized how strange my joy over the seemingly normal must have seemed. I smiled awkwardly, blushing, and mumbled an "Apology" before quickly retreating into my room and closing the door behind me.

"That was embarrassing," I whispered to myself as I looked at the table where the folded black clothes lay. My gaze shifted to my dirty clothes with visible holes here and there and then to the muddy shoes by the door. "Off to the laundry again today," I said to myself, sighing, as I took my messenger bag and placed the folded clothes inside. Then, I put on my dirty shoes and headed to the bathhouse.

There, I was greeted by a friendly young man. "Welcome," he said with a smile. I nodded gratefully and entered the men's section of the bathhouse. After stripping off my dirty clothes and placing them in the red laundry basket, I entered the bathing area and slowly sank into the warm water.

"That feels good!" I murmured to myself, feeling the warmth of the water relaxing my muscles. I stretched out comfortably and continued to sink into the water, trying to banish all thoughts of the strange events outside. The soothing sound of water surrounded me, and for a moment, I felt completely detached from the world, enveloped in the comforting warmth of the water.

After a relaxing hour in the warm water, I stepped out of the bath and put on the tight-fitting black clothes that I had brought in my messenger bag. They felt cool and smooth against my skin, emphasizing my silhouette. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn't help but wonder, "Is this uncomfortable? Does it have to fit so snugly?" I left the changing room and thanked the young man before stepping outside. The warm sun shone on my face, and I raised my hand to block the bright light a little.

Entering the tavern, a large hand grabbed my shoulder, and a cold sweat ran down my back. Please, let me not have messed up anything, I thought as I turned around and saw a man in a gray shirt. A broad sword was attached to his brown pants. I stammered hoarsely, "Y-yes?" and cleared my dry throat a bit.

"Zero Amane?" he asked. I nodded, glancing at the others who were busy cleaning the floor. The man handed me a note. "The first selection process is scheduled for noon today. Please come to the tower later." I nodded and tried to read the note. The man bid farewell, and Shinoa approached with a black scythe in hand.

"Seems like you got the invitation to participate. Just don't lose it, and the clothes really don't suit you," she remarked. I looked at my clothes, unable to prevent a tear from escaping. "I know, but my clothes are in the laundry. What are you planning to do with the scythe?" I asked her as she handed me the weapon.

"You'll need it, or do you want to show up there without a weapon?" she replied. I lifted the scythe a bit and felt its weight. "I can barely swing this," I said to her. "Well, you can do some muscle training during the fights," she suggested before heading to the kitchen.

I sighed and felt a poke on my back. Turning around, I saw Asia holding a leather bag. "Use the money to buy a jacket. It's supposed to rain today, and bring something to drink when you come back later," she said with a concerned look. I nodded gratefully and set off, ready for what lay ahead, even though I didn't exactly know what to expect during the selection process.

I entered "Mother's Shop" and bought a dark blue jacket, paying the seller twenty-three Dragoniens before leaving the store. Outside, I observed the

bustling activity of various races: some chatting, laughing, and eating, others running around, while still others worked hard or hung laundry. It was a mix of diversity and activity that enlivened the atmosphere.

I continued on my way until I stood before the Black Tower. Of the original thirteen red rings of light, only twelve remained. Three ground dragon carriages were parked in front of the tower entrance. "Guess I'm a bit early," I murmured to myself. At that moment, a slender woman with purple eyes and dark hair, dressed in a white shirt, approached me.

"Do you have the invitation?" she asked. I nodded and handed her the note. "How did you know I was participating in the selection process?" I asked curiously. "Quite simple, the clothes we provided gave it away," she explained, instructing me to board one of the dragon carriages.

"You'll be facing Ehan today. If you win, you'll advance to the next round. If a limb is severed, it will be healed later. If you die, your guardian will receive compensation," she clarified, laying out the rules. I handed her the scythe and got into the carriage. "These cushions are pretty soft," I remarked and sat down,