"Wait, so you're telling me you signed up to become an adventurer today, picked 'mage' as your class, and you've never used magic before!?" Lie exclaimed.
Rion had explained his situation while they waited for their food, which had now arrived. He had ordered steak tacos, while Lie had opted for chicken Alfredo pasta. He'd invited her out for but one reason.
"Yeah, well… I know it sounds ridiculous, but you know that tree out in the field?" Rion asked.
"Yes," Lie replied.
"I woke up under it today with no memories of anything that happened before today. I don't know if I was sleeping under there and an acorn knocked me in the head or something, but all I had when I came to was this crappy wand—which I'm pretty sure is just a stick at this point—and an weirdly enough an overwhelming urge to go on an adventure."
Lie took a bite of her food, chewed, swallowed, and then finally responded. "Woahhh… that's weird."
"Right?"
Rion lifted one of his tacos, took a bite, and nodded in approval. Not bad.
They continued to eat in while making up theories behind his memory loss. Lie referenced plenty of books that Rion had never heard of in his life but he listened to her all the same. Once they were nearly finished with their food, Lie spoke up again.
"Wait. What if you've already gone through a Magical Awakening and just don't remember? Heck, maybe you were one of the rare ones born with the ability magic!"
Rion finished the last of his tacos and looked up at her. "I guess that's possible… but how would I even find something like that out?"
Lie twirled the last of her noodles around her fork, ate them, then wiped her mouth. A slight blush crept onto her cheeks. "Well… I can check for you. Not whether you gained it at birth or through a Awakening but I can tell if you have it."
"Really!? Can you do it now?" Rion leaned in excitedly.
"N-Now? Yeah, I guess… but the process is kinda embarrassing," Lie muttered.
Rion shook his head. "Nah, I don't mind if you don't!"
"Ehhh…" Lie glanced around the tavern, hesitating. But when her eyes landed back on Rion's eager expression, she simply shrugged.
"Alright, It's the least I can do since you're treating me to dinner. First, let's move these plates aside."
Once the table was cleared, Lie leaned in. "Now, press your forehead against mine."
"Right!"
Rion leaned forward, and their foreheads touched.
"Next, give me your right hand."
"Yup."
Rion offered his right hand, and their fingers interlocked.
He couldn't help but laugh. "Haha! You weren't kidding—this is embarrassing. Weirdly intimate."
"Right!?" Lie agreed.
"Now, the last step… I have to place my right hand on your chest, okay? From here on out, don't move and stay quiet."
"Got it," Rion said, trying to keep still.
"Okay, here I go."
Lie closed her eyes and began the process.
(And thus Rion's adventure continues…)