Fine threads of rain fell soundlessly from the leaden sky, veiling the whole town in a misty haze.
The request location was Oak Town in the kingdom's northeast. It was a ways off, but by train or a magi-car they'd get there in under half a day.
Only—
"Are we… walking there?"
Once they'd left town, Aurel looked over the carpet of green grass and the dense forest rising in the distance, and couldn't help asking.
Even if not the train, at least a carriage… you can rent one of those, right?
"Since it's your first time out on a job, you should really experience the journey properly…"
As if to dodge a drifting sheet of drizzle, Levy edged closer to him and explained unhurriedly.
"If we take a train, sure we'd arrive by afternoon, but that totally kills the travel vibe!"
Her tone flipped as she muttered the complaint.
And a drive-off-bandits job like this? With Aurel's strength, it would take minutes.
Head out in the morning, back by evening—how is that any different from not going?
"I see…"
Aurel nodded, enlightened.
This woman had tossed the job to the back of her mind and was thinking only about the trip ahead.
Not that he minded—if the third quest meant what he thought, he should be able to finish it tonight.
…
The rain soon faded. Bright sunlight poured through the thinning mist and scattered across the glassy, blue lake nearby.
By now it was afternoon. Thanks to his Sun magic, Aurel didn't feel the slightest fatigue. Levy, however, was another story.
A bookish girl at heart, she was panting after six straight hours on foot.
She bent over, her cute face flushed from exertion. Sweat pasted a few blue strands to her fair cheeks.
"I… I can't… Let's rest a bit, okay?"
Feeling her legs go wobbly, Levy clung to his arm and pleaded pitifully.
She suddenly regretted her bright idea from this morning.
What part of this is a light, sweet trip? She was just asking for punishment!
"…"
Seeing her so adorably bedraggled, Aurel fought the upward tug at the corner of his mouth and looked toward the lake.
He remembered he had a fishing quest to do.
"Let's stop here for today. The view's not bad, too."
"Okay—"
Levy drew out the syllable as she leaned into him, answering weakly.
They'd covered not even half the distance; they'd need another full day to reach Oak Town.
Right… better rent a carriage tomorrow.
She decided silently.
"Do-ra…"
Sensing they'd stopped, little Dora poked its head out of the travel pack, rubbing sleepy eyes.
Seeing it awake, Aurel pinched his chin and asked it to use the Shrink Light to pop into the guild and bring back a table and chairs.
"Do-ra, do-ra," little Dora nodded.
Then, to Levy's astonishment, it pulled out the Anywhere Door, opened it, and hopped through.
But its figure didn't appear out the other side…
"Is that a magic tool too?"
"Nope, that one's a science tool," Aurel said softly, toweling her damp hair. "Specifically, it can go anywhere in the world."
"Amazing—so basically an incredibly powerful spatial magic!"
Science existed in this world as well, so Levy caught on quickly, yet she still found it hard to believe.
How could a bunch of metal components form a tool with powers like that?
While she stood stunned, Aurel opened the travel pack and sorted through the contents.
Just as expected: only one tent.
At this point, her thoughts were an open book.
"Ah, that is—"
Catching his pensive look, Levy guiltily averted her eyes and let out a dry laugh.
"Sorry… I forgot the other tent…"
"I see. Looks like I'm sleeping outside tonight."
At her expression, Aurel sighed.
"W-wait. Actually… if we squeeze a little, it's possible."
She blurted it out on instinct, pink rising on her cheeks. She lowered her head bit by bit, her voice growing softer until it was barely there.
Why do I feel like I've gone from hunter to prey?
Still… a shy Levy-san is really cute.
Watching the bashful girl before him, Aurel took a slow breath and leaned in.
"…"
Realizing what was coming, Levy pressed both hands to her chest and gently closed her eyes. Her cherry-colored lips parted the slightest bit, a faint breath escaping.
"Mmh—"
With that soft sound, her heartbeat quickened. Heat raced through her body; the mind that was always so clear went blissfully blank, even a touch dizzy.
All she could do was meet him halfway.
They'd already done this once, but she still couldn't help slipping into it.
Opening hazy eyes, Levy steadied her growing breath and, with an utterly green and clumsy earnestness, responded to him.
"How does it feel…?"
A silvery thread broke in the air between them. Arms looped around his neck, her amber eyes held his face as she asked in a whisper.
"Very cute."
Aurel smiled and brushed the mussed strands at her temple back behind her ear.
"You know that's not what I meant…" Levy narrowed her eyes and muttered in mild protest. "And why are you so good at this?!"
"Don't overthink it. You stole my first kiss."
"…"
Even if that was true, saying it outright somehow felt very wrong.
(End of Chapter)
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