Two days after Aviza was defeated.
Inside the Aliza family manor, where Djeeta and the others were resting, Djeeta could be seen walking around the halls, clearly looking for someone.
"Katalina, did you see Rei?"
"Rei? I don't think I've seen him since last night."
"Oh… alright. Thank you."
Another dead end.
She had already made sure Rei hadn't left the manor. None of the guards outside—who had been standing watch for hours—had seen him go out.
"Lyria can't sense him either, so he's definitely not in this dimension…" she muttered to herself.
"But the question is… where did he open the gateway to the Zero Dimension?"
With no other choice, Djeeta decided to start opening every door in the manor, hoping to find the hidden gateway.
She walked around for quite a while, opening one door after another, then closing them again.
The maids and butlers began to look at her strangely as she kept doing it, clearly confused by her behavior—but Djeeta didn't stop.
After a while, she finally found the gateway in the basement, where they kept all the wine.
A thin slice in reality floated quietly in the air, clearly connected to the Zero Dimension.
"Finally… Reeeiiii!"
Without hesitation, she stepped right into it.
The moment she entered, a strong surge of energy filled the space around her. Not far from the gateway, a familiar blade could be seen floating in the air, with Rei standing nearby, watching it closely.
Sensing someone's presence, Rei turned around.
He saw Djeeta standing there—but something was off. Her expression was clearly angry.
"Djeeta? What's wrong? Why are you making that face?" Rei asked, genuinely confused. He couldn't remember doing anything to upset her today.
"It's you, mister!" Djeeta said as she walked straight toward him.
"Instead of taking a break, you already came back here since yesterday! You just keep doing this stuff instead of hanging out with us—or even with me!"
"I'm almost done here. Can you wait a short moment while I finish this adjustment?"
"No, mister. I know you—when you say that, it means anywhere between now and twenty-four hours later!" Djeeta said immediately as she walked up to him and grabbed his left arm, dragging him toward the exit of the dimension.
"Wait, really? No, I'm serious this time. I'm almost done—just let me finish it quickly!"
"Nope. This is the first time we're here in Valtz Duchy with nothing to do, so this is our chance!" Djeeta said with a bright smile.
What she said was true. The first time they came here, they didn't have the freedom to look around because of Io's teacher problem. And now the second time it's Aliza's uncle that making problem.
Now, with all the trouble finally gone, they had plenty of free time before returning to Ravi Island.
And the last time she truly walked together with Rei—just the two of them—had been a long time ago.
She wasn't going to waste this chance.
"Now let's go. There are a lot of things we can check out on this island," Djeeta said as she continued dragging him out of the basement.
"Alright, alright, I understand," Rei replied.
At first, Djeeta didn't want to waste any time. She wanted to start their date right away.
But before they could even leave the mansion, Lyria, Katalina, Vyrn, Jessica— even Therese—suddenly blocked their path.
"Hey, hey! You two want to go on a date wearing that?" Vyrn said with a smug grin. "No, no. You need to prepare properly first."
Before either of them could protest, Lyria and Katalina moved in perfect coordination.
Lyria grabbed Rei's arm and dragged him away, while Katalina did the same to Djeeta. The rest of the group watched the scene with warm, knowing smiles.
It wasn't until an hour later that Rei was finally released—Lyria stepping back only after she was fully satisfied.
Rei's face was already handsome enough, so all Lyria really needed to do was choose clothes that matched him—and suited the climate of Valtz Duchy.
Valtz Duchy was known for the scorching heat slumbering beneath the land. Due to the intense temperatures underground, rivers of lava flowed endlessly around the island, never cooling or hardening.
Thanks to the advanced technology developed there, most of the heat was controlled before it reached the city. Even so, the air outside was still noticeably hot.
Because of that, Lyria made sure Rei's outfit was light, breathable, and suitable for walking around under the sun.
Once she was done, Rei was told to wait outside the mansion.
Djeeta would be joining him soon...
Rei stood outside the mansion, waiting quietly as the warm air of Valtz Duchy brushed against his skin.
He glanced down at himself, momentarily surprised.
He was wearing a light-colored, open-collared shirt made from thin, breathable fabric that didn't cling to his body. The sleeves were rolled just past his forearms, casual but deliberate, exposing toned arms without looking forced. The fabric flowed naturally with every movement, clearly designed to keep heat from building up.
A fitted vest rested over the shirt—lightweight and sleeveless, adding structure to his silhouette without trapping warmth. The cut emphasized his shoulders and waist just enough to sharpen his figure, turning something practical into something undeniably attractive.
His trousers were similarly well thought out: dark, but made from flexible, airy material that allowed easy movement. They sat comfortably at his waist, paired with simple boots designed for long walks rather than combat—stylish, but clearly meant for a day spent strolling through the city.
Even the smallest details stood out.
The stitching along the edges was delicate and precise, subtle patterns woven into the fabric that caught the light when he moved. Nothing flashy, nothing excessive—just enough elegance to make it clear that care had gone into every thread.
Rei adjusted the collar slightly, feeling how comfortable it was against his skin.
…Too comfortable.
He let out a quiet breath, a faint smile forming as realization settled in.
"Lyria really went all out for these clothes…" he murmured softly.
"When did she even have the time to make this?"
Then, while he was busy admiring the clothes Lyria had made for him, Rei heard footsteps approaching from behind.
"Sorry, did you wait for long, Rei?" Djeeta's voice came from behind him.
"No, I just arrived here…" He stopped in the middle of his sentence the moment he turned around.
Because Djeeta looked completely different from usual..
Djeeta stood there, her usual outfit nowhere to be seen.
She was wearing a light, sleeveless outfit made for the heat of Valtz Duchy—soft fabric that clung just enough to outline her figure without being restrictive. The top fit neatly around her torso, emphasizing her waist and chest in a natural, elegant way rather than anything flashy. A short jacket was draped over her shoulders, left open, giving her a casual yet refined look.
Her lower half was dressed in fitted shorts with a layered cloth skirt attached at the sides, allowing freedom of movement while still keeping a feminine silhouette. The fabric swayed slightly every time she moved, catching the light just enough to draw the eye.
Her hair was tied into a high ponytail, keeping her neck and shoulders exposed—perfect for the heat. A few loose strands framed her face, softening her expression and making her blue eyes stand out even more.
For a moment, Rei didn't say anything.
He just looked at her.
Djeeta tilted her head slightly, noticing his silence. "W-What? Is something wrong…?"
Rei blinked, finally snapping out of it. "No," he said honestly, a small smile forming on his lips. "Nothing's wrong."
His gaze lingered for a second longer than usual before he added, "You look… really beautiful."
Djeeta froze.
Then her face immediately started turning red. "W-Why are you saying that so casually?!"
Rei chuckled softly, clearly amused by her reaction. "I'm just stating the truth."
She looked away, trying—and failing—to hide her embarrassment, her ponytail swaying as she moved.
"…Then let's go already," she muttered, reaching out and lightly grabbing his sleeve. "Before you keep staring."
Rei allowed himself to be pulled along, still smiling to himself.
With that, the two of them finally stepped out of the mansion together and into the streets of the Valtz Duchy.
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The city was lively—but not quite the same as it should have been.
They walked side by side, their fingers brushing at first before naturally intertwining. Neither of them commented on it. It just felt right.
The Valtz Duchy's factories stretched endlessly around them—massive structures of steel and stone, with pipes releasing steam and golems moving in orderly patterns. Some workshops were already active again, sparks flying as smiths repaired weapons and armor damaged during the chaos.
Djeeta stopped more than once, watching artisans work.
"Even after everything that happened… they're already rebuilding," she said softly.
"They don't really have a choice," Rei replied. "This city lives on production. If it stops for too long, everything else suffers."
They passed by a weapons forge where unfinished blades lay lined up, waiting for materials that hadn't arrived yet. In another place, half-completed golems stood motionless, their cores missing.
Despite Rei repairing buildings and infrastructure, the damage ran deeper.
Resources were gone. Supply routes had been destroyed. Many materials needed time to be restocked.
"There's not much open," Djeeta noted, looking around.
"Yeah," Rei said. "They'll need time."
Still, they made the most of it.
A few street vendors had reopened, selling whatever they could manage. Djeeta happily dragged Rei over to one of them, insisting they try the local food. They shared skewers, bread filled with spiced meat, and sweet drinks meant to cool the body in the heat.
They wandered aimlessly after that—watching golems being tested, peeking into half-open shops, and listening to townspeople talk about rebuilding, about restocking, about how things would get better.
Even with the city not fully restored, the atmosphere felt… peaceful.
At some point, they found themselves standing on a higher platform overlooking part of the city. Rei leaned against the railing, and Djeeta stood beside him, shoulder to shoulder.
"It's quieter than I expected," she said.
Rei glanced at her. "You disappointed?"
She shook her head. "No. I think… I like it like this."
She squeezed his hand gently.
"Just walking around. No fighting. No running. Just us."
Rei smiled, looking out at the city bathed in warm light.
"Yeah," he said softly. "Me too."
For now, that was enough.
Still, Rei couldn't help but feel bad.
This was supposed to be a long-awaited date for the two of them, yet there wasn't much they could do because of the situation. The city was still recovering, and even walking around felt limited rather than free.
As they looking around at the scenery from there, Rei began thinking seriously about how he could make this date better for her.
Valtz Duchy, however, wasn't exactly a good place for romance. The nearest proper destination would be the Port Breeze Archipelago, but that was still quite far away. There were a few small islands nearby, yet he wasn't sure whether any of them would be suitable for a date either.
Running out of options, his thoughts drifted toward something far more extreme.
What if he created his own island?
With the help of the primal beasts residing within him, it wasn't completely impossible. He knew that the tetra elements, combined with light and dark in perfect harmony, were necessary to keep an island floating. Even the slightest imbalance between the tetra elements and light or dark would cause the island to fall—just like what had happened with Sandalphon in the past.
"Maybe… I could replace it with a core that constantly radiates the required elements to stabilize it better…"
The words slipped out unconsciously as Rei murmured to himself, already piecing the plan together in his mind.
"Did you just say something dangerous just now?" Djeeta said, staring at him suspiciously after catching that unsettling murmur.
"Huh? No, I didn't say anything," Rei immediately denied it. If Djeeta found out he was casually thinking about creating a floating island, she would definitely be angry at him.
Djeeta continued to stare at him for a few more seconds before letting out a soft sigh. Then, without warning, she smoothly slipped her right arm around his left arm, hugging it close as she leaned against him.
"You know… I don't really care much about where we're having our date," she said calmly. "Even if it's during a fight, I'd still like it. What matters to me is that we're doing it together."
She lifted her head slightly, her expression honest and warm.
"You know me, right? I don't care about formality. As long as we're having fun, anywhere is fine if it's with you."
Djeeta was always that kind of person—too straightforward, just like how she would jump in to rescue someone or protect others without hesitation, even when she didn't need to get involved.
Her journey as a skyfarer wasn't only about finding her father. It was also about enjoying the adventure alongside everyone she traveled with.
No matter how many obstacles appeared in their path, she believed that as long as they were together, they could overcome anything.
It hadn't even been a year since their adventure began, yet they had already met so many people and experienced countless events along the way.
"And days like this…" Djeeta added softly, a gentle and pure smile forming on her face, "when it's just us, it feels so peaceful. I really love it."
"So you better not try anything weird, mister," she said with a small laugh as she lightly pinched his arm.
"I know, I understand, my lady," Rei replied calmly.
"Fufufu."
After that, they continued enjoying the scenery in front of them. They had been walking around for hours now, and the sun was already starting to sink toward the horizon.
The warm orange light slowly spread across the city, reflecting off metal buildings. Even with parts of the city still recovering, the view was strangely beautiful.
Rei's gaze remained fixed on the sky. He watched the sun closely, as if waiting for a specific moment. After a short while, his expression softened.
Now is fine.
"By the way," Rei suddenly said, turning to her, "there's something I want to give you."
"Something?" Djeeta tilted her head in confusion. "Did you buy me something? I don't remember seeing you buy anything."
"Of course not," Rei replied. "No one sells this in this city."
He paused for a second, then added calmly, "Even if you roam the entire Sky Realm, you won't find this anywhere."
That finally caught her attention.
"Huh? Then what is it?"
Rei didn't answer right away. Instead, he gently took her hand, his grip warm and steady, and guided her a few steps forward.
The sunset light wrapped around them, the sky slowly changing color—gold, orange, then soft crimson.
Rei slowly loosened his grip on her hand. For a brief moment, golden light shimmered faintly between his fingers, as if something was being gently called forth.
Then it appeared.
A single flower bloomed in his palm.
It was entirely gold—not painted, not metallic, but naturally golden, as if the color itself was alive. The petals were thin and delicate, layered in a way that caught the fading sunlight and reflected it back in warm, soft glimmers. Each movement of the air made it glow faintly, like it didn't fully belong to this world.
The flower felt… quiet. Beautiful in a way that made words feel insufficient.
Djeeta's breath caught.
"…What… is that?"
Her eyes widened, fixed on the flower. Even after everything she had seen—Primal Beasts, impossible weapons, Rei casually bending reality—this left her speechless.
"It's beautiful…" she whispered.
Rei watched her reaction closely, a small smile forming on his lips.
"I got it on Tarvi Island," he said softly. "From the dragon there. It only blooms once every few decades."
He paused, then added more quietly,
"I kept it… because when I first saw it, I thought of you."
Djeeta turned to him sharply, her face immediately flushing.
"Y-you can't just say something like that so calmly…"
Yet she didn't look away. Her gaze softened instead, filled with warmth and something unmistakably tender.
Rei lifted the flower slightly. "May I?"
She hesitated for half a second—then nodded.
Carefully, gently, Rei reached up and tucked the golden flower behind her left ear. Against her blonde hair, the gold stood out brilliantly, as if it had always belonged there.
For a moment, he simply looked at her.
"…It suits you," he said honestly.
Djeeta raised a hand to touch it, her fingers trembling just a little. When she realized it was really there, her smile grew—soft, genuine, brighter than the sunset behind them.
"…I'll treasure it," she said quietly. "Always."
She leaned closer to him, their shoulders touching again, the golden flower catching the last light of the day as the city below slowly sank into evening.
And for that moment, nothing else mattered.
The sun was already dipping low, painting the sky in layers of amber, crimson, and soft violet. The heat of Valtz Duchy faded with the light, replaced by a gentle breeze that carried the distant hum of the city below. Against that glow, the golden flower by Djeeta's ear reflected the sunset, its petals shimmering as if holding a piece of the sky within them.
Rei lifted his hand, hesitating for just a heartbeat, before gently brushing a strand of hair away from her face. His fingers lingered near her cheek.
"Djeeta…" he said quietly.
She looked up at him, brown eyes catching the same colors as the sky. There was no teasing now, no jokes—just sincerity. She didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned in, closing the distance between them.
The world seemed to slow.
Rei bent down slightly, and Djeeta rose onto her toes without thinking. Their foreheads touched first, breaths mingling, the moment stretching just long enough to feel real.
Then their lips met.
It was soft at first—gentle, careful—like they were both making sure this moment truly belonged to them. The kiss deepened naturally, not rushed, not desperate, just warm and full of quiet affection.
Behind her ear, the golden flower caught the last rays of the sun, glowing brighter than ever, framing the kiss like a blessing from another world.
When they finally pulled back, their faces were close, noses almost touching. Djeeta's cheeks were flushed, her smile small but unmistakably happy.
"…This," she said softly, "is already the best date I could ask for."
Rei smiled back, resting his forehead against hers as the sun disappeared beyond the horizon—leaving only the afterglow, and the warmth they shared.
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A/N: Sorry for the no update for days I've been busy with holiday with my family you know new year stuff like that, also i want to write the 12 Generals story again just like last year and this year gonna be Andira but i still didn't do anything with Anila after she joined...
So i don't know if i wait until the story reach that Anila part or just write the Andira story tell me what you think.
Anyway for the last one Happy New Year~