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Gently and carefully, Shirou lowered Riveria from his embrace. His left hand, which had been supporting her back, and his right hand, tucked beneath her knees, slowly moved downward until Riveria stood firmly on the ground again. The two of them locked eyes for a moment, silent, accompanied only by their slightly heavy breaths and the whisper of the wind still faithfully carrying the remnants of the morning.
"Thank you," Riveria murmured softly, her voice nearly swallowed by the air. She quickly bowed her head slightly and began brushing off the grass stains clinging to the hem of her white shorts, then smoothed out the small wrinkles in her soft blue top, now slightly rumpled from flying and falling.
Shirou watched her, then clasped his hands behind his head. "So... how was it?" he asked lightly. "Your first time flying. What did you think?"
Riveria looked up, her face radiant, her eyes shining with fervor. "Incredible! It felt like—like the world had grown small beneath my feet. I could see everything... But it wasn't just that. It felt free, light, and peaceful. Honestly, I never imagined how thrilling this experience would be."
Shirou tilted his head. "You really seemed to enjoy every second of it."
Riveria smiled, then asked curiously, "What about you? You've flown before, right? I mean... before coming into this world. You mentioned riding an 'airplane'?"
Shirou nodded slowly. "Yeah... when I was little, my adoptive father, Kiritsugu, took me on a trip. We flew from one city to another. But..." He chuckled softly. "It was nothing like what you just experienced."
"How was it different?" Riveria asked, resting one hand on her hip, intrigued.
"Well," Shirou began to explain, "when you ride an airplane in my world, you sit inside a closed cabin with dozens, even hundreds, of other passengers. There's no wind brushing against your face, no peering out the window to feel the height directly like you did just now. The windows are small, and everything is controlled by the pilot, not by us."
Riveria listened intently, her eyes focused. "So... you just sat still in a seat?"
Shirou nodded. "Yeah. And you have to stay seated, wear a seatbelt, and can't just stand up whenever you want. Flight attendants hand out food and remind you to stay calm during the flight. It's more like... riding a giant flying horse-drawn carriage."
"Hoh..." Riveria nodded slowly, as if imagining everything Shirou had described. "Sounds practical... but also boring."
"Hmm, depends on who's sitting next to you," Shirou replied, glancing at Riveria briefly. "And unlike you, there were no giant rainbow balloons carrying me freely through the sky like earlier."
Riveria grinned widely. "Maybe that's what made this experience so precious. It felt... unique."
Shirou gazed at the sky, where the large balloons from earlier were now far out of sight. "Yeah... and I think today's experience will be a memory we won't forget."
Riveria didn't respond. She simply stared at Shirou for a few seconds, then nodded slowly, tucking the memory away in her heart, which was quietly beating faster than usual.
Riveria then shifted her gaze to the still-tranquil morning sky, watching the giant colorful balloons drifting farther away, carried by the wind, slowly separating from one another. She raised her hand, shielding her eyes slightly from the rising sun, and said lightly, "Don't forget, Shirou. Those balloons... You should turn them back into prana before they get stuck somewhere unwanted."
"Oh, right," Shirou replied quickly, his eyes following the same direction. He raised one hand and called back the prana from the objects. In an instant, the balloons that had been floating freely in the sky faded one by one—red, orange, blue, green—all dissolving into soft light and disappearing, as if they had never existed.
"Good thing," Riveria said with a small sigh of relief. "Like I said earlier, if they ended up stuck on someone's roof, it would've caused a commotion."
Shirou nodded. "You're right... Besides, imagine if that purple balloon had landed on the Freya Familia's headquarters." He pretended to shudder in horror.
Riveria giggled, covering her mouth with her hand to stifle her laughter. "You... but yeah, they might've thought their base was under attack."
"Let's head back to the manor," Shirou said once the moment had settled. "We've had enough flying and chasing around for one morning."
Riveria glanced toward the manor, which was no longer far away. "No need to rush. Let's just walk—it's close, right?"
"Agreed," Shirou said. He turned to the blue bicycle he had parked nearby and raised a hand. In an instant, the bicycle faded, returning to prana particles that drifted slowly into the air. He also dissipated the bicycle Riveria had used earlier, still parked near the forge.
Now, only the damp grass and the soft morning sunlight dancing around them remained.
Walking side by side, Riveria and Shirou strolled leisurely along the small path leading back to Twilight Manor. No more balloons, no more bicycles—just the light sound of their footsteps.
As they peacefully walked back to Twilight Manor, the quiet morning allowed Shirou's thoughts to wander slightly. Their steps were in sync, and though they didn't speak for a few seconds, the atmosphere between them remained warm and familiar.
Shirou finally broke the silence, his voice calm but curious. "Riveria... I've heard that Elves usually dislike being touched by other races." His eyes remained fixed ahead, but his mind recalled Syr's words about Ryuu—an Elf who avoided physical contact with anyone except herself and, inexplicably, Shirou. That thought now mingled with the warm memory of his hands supporting Riveria earlier.
Riveria nodded slowly, her expression calm. "That's true. Especially among the more traditional ones... like those who remain in the Royal Alf Forest and refuse to mingle with the outside world. Many of them look down on other races—humans, dwarves, even other demi-humans."
Shirou glanced at her hesitantly, then mustered the courage to ask, "So... what makes you different, Riveria?"
His heartbeat quickened slightly. The moment he had held Riveria after her fall replayed in his mind. The fact that she hadn't rejected his touch... felt meaningful. As if—perhaps—he was an exception. Someone whom Riveria allowed to come closer.
Riveria smiled faintly. "I wasn't much different in the past. When I left the Elven forest with Aina... I carried many prejudices with me."
"Hah?" Shirou stared at her, stunned. Riveria? The calm and wise one? It was hard to believe. The woman who always exuded dignity and maturity... had once been arrogant?
Seeing his expression, Riveria chuckled in amusement. "You can't imagine it, can you?" She turned to him, a mischievous smile gracing her usually serious face. "When Loki and Finn came to recruit me, I often argued with Finn. I even looked down on his race—Pallums—because of their small stature."
Shirou furrowed his brows. "And now, you two... are very close."
Riveria nodded slowly. "Time changes many things. Back then, I was fixated on the stereotypes taught in the forest—about racial honor and the purity of lineage. But after getting to know Finn... and Gareth..."
She continued, "You know how opposite Elves and Dwarves are, right?"
Shirou nodded. "Yeah... Elves are known for their grace and deliberation. Dwarves are more... blunt and straightforward."
Riveria laughed softly as the morning breeze brushed through her green hair. "Exactly. The first time I visited Gareth's village, I nearly angered every miner there with my... overly harsh comments."
Shirou smirked. "But now, the three of you are the leaders of the Loki Familia. You seem incredibly solid."
"Because we learned to understand each other," Riveria said gently. "Back then, I only saw Finn's small stature or Gareth's rough demeanor. Now, I see their courage, their sincerity. If I once hesitated to touch them, now I wouldn't hesitate to embrace them... because they're my dearest friends."
Shirou gazed at her in admiration, not because of the story of her stubborn past, but because of how Riveria had changed. And beneath that change lay a maturity that made her strong not just as a mage... but as a person.
And maybe... that's why she doesn't mind my touch, Shirou thought.
It didn't take long before they arrived back in front of Twilight Manor. The sun had risen higher, signaling that the once-silent morning was gradually giving way to activity. Warm light bathed the manor's ornate facade, and from behind the windows, faint footsteps and voices of Familia members waking up could be heard.
Shirou stopped at the entrance, glancing sideways at the now-clear sky. He placed a hand on his hip and exhaled. "Seems like we spent too much time flying and wandering around. So... let's skip magecraft training for today."
Riveria, who had just halted her steps, was momentarily stunned. Her eyes blinked slowly as she realized how quickly time had passed. Ah... and I was looking forward to that magecraft training...
Noticing the subtle shift in Riveria's expression, Shirou immediately picked up on it. He tilted his head, his tone slightly concerned. "Are you disappointed? Not satisfied?"
Riveria blinked, then looked at him with an amused smile. "You really like using that word, don't you... 'satisfied.'"
Shirou raised an eyebrow, confused. "Hah?"
Riveria only chuckled softly, giving him a meaningful glance. "Don't worry, Shirou. You've already satisfied me today."
Shirou's eyes widened briefly before his face instantly turned red, and he averted his gaze. "A-Ahem... in that case, I'll head to the kitchen first to cook breakfast," he said hurriedly, then turned and quickly stepped inside the manor.
Riveria remained standing where she was, watching Shirou's retreating back disappear behind the door. The morning breeze blew softly, and for a moment, she simply stood there, savoring the lingering warmth in the air.
"Haaah..." She let out a long sigh, a faint smile on her lips. Seems like... this morning was more than enough, even without magecraft training.
Riveria stepped into the manor, the heavy wooden door closing softly behind her. The air inside was warm and cozy, filled with the scent of toasted bread and the light sounds of footsteps from the lower floors. She climbed the stairs to the fourth floor, where her room was located, one step at a time, letting her thoughts wander.
There's so much I didn't say earlier... she mused silently.
Since staying at Aina's house a few days ago, too many things had settled in her mind. The tree-shaped rune on her back—a mysterious symbol she and Aina had finally deciphered together. It turned out the rune was inherited by High Elves, something they had only just learned. She wanted to ask Shirou to teach her more... how to open magic circuits for others, while also requesting permission to teach Magecraft to Aina, the friend she trusted wholeheartedly.
And—more than all those technical reasons—she wanted an excuse to spend more time alone with Shirou. Just the two of them. Like this morning.
But I guess... my turn is over, her heart whispered faintly.
She reached the fourth floor. The hallway was still quiet, with only the soft light from the windows illuminating the paintings on the walls. With slow steps, she opened her room's door and entered. The door clicked shut softly behind her.
She walked to the wardrobe, opened it gently, and selected a change of clothes. Her fingers brushed against the soft fabric of a pair of neutral black pants. She pulled them out, stared at them for a moment, and then placed them on the bed.
While I was up there, he must already be in the kitchen now... and Lefiya is probably standing beside him, she thought with a quiet sigh.
She could easily picture it: Lefiya enthusiastically helping chop vegetables, occasionally stealing glances at Shirou, giggling softly when Shirou corrected her stirring technique. Light, warm moments—ones that were no longer hers to enjoy.
Riveria didn't feel jealous... or at least, she tried not to.
She stood still for a moment, watching the sunlight streaming through her window, dancing on the wooden floor. Then, slowly, she began changing—swapping her white shorts for more modest pants, adjusting herself for the day's activities.
But deep in her heart, she knew the little adventure with Shirou earlier would remain something special. Something... she hoped would happen again someday.
***
Earlier, at dawn.
While the sky was still wrapped in a soft blue hue and a thin mist lingered between the alleys of Orario's buildings, another member of the Loki Familia was busy carrying out her own secret routine.
Aiz Wallenstein.
With light, agile steps, Aiz walked through the quiet corridors of Twilight Manor. Her eyes darted left and right, ensuring no one was awake and watching. Once certain the coast was clear, she slipped past the main door and stepped outside without a sound.
Her body was clad in lightweight combat armor, the kind she usually wore when exploring the Dungeon. She carried no heavy bags or equipment—just a small belt and her sword sheath neatly strapped to her waist. Unlike other adventurers who would prepare extensively, Aiz knew her goal for this morning well: training.
But not training for herself.
Aiz headed to a secluded corner of Orario's outer wall—a place hidden enough from prying eyes where she could freely practice... with someone.
Bell Cranel.
The white-haired youth from the Hestia Familia, who had now become her student, in secret.
Since first noticing Bell's remarkable growth in strength, Aiz had grown curious. She couldn't leave the mystery alone, and so she began training Bell. At first, it was just a session or two, nothing more than light sparring. But over time, Aiz came to enjoy her role as a teacher and took pride in her only student.
Somehow... that Rabbit grows so fast, Aiz thought as she continued down the still-quiet streets of the city.
However, she did all of this in secret. She imagined how Finn, Riveria, and Gareth would feel about their combat techniques being shared. Aiz doubted they'd be happy about their hard-earned skills leaking to a member of another Familia, especially one as small and new as the Hestia Familia.
And so, every dawn, Aiz sneaked out like a thief. Training Bell far from prying eyes. Without official permission. Just the two of them.
In her slightly absent-minded head and her nearly always expressionless face, Aiz secretly harbored pride. It's been months... and they still don't know. I'm pretty good at hiding it...
But in reality, unbeknownst to her, her three seniors—Finn, Riveria, and Gareth—had long known about Aiz's dawn routine. They simply... turned a blind eye. No reprimands, no teasing. An implicit permission born of understanding.
They knew Aiz. They knew she rarely showed interest in things outside of combat, and if she did, it must mean something. Perhaps not just for Bell but for Aiz's own growth.
And so, this morning was no different—while Shirou and Riveria were busy with bicycles and colorful balloons, Aiz had already set off with her sword sheath in the silence beneath Orario's towering stone walls.
Aiz arrived first at their usual training spot, a hidden corner atop Orario's outer wall where few people passed. The morning dew still clung to the wall, and the faint chirping of birds could be heard in the distance. The cold air brushed against her pale cheeks, but Aiz barely reacted. She simply stood still for a moment, staring at the empty space before her, then exhaled softly.
Her footsteps were silent as she stepped onto the tile in front of her. "Fuu..." Aiz sighed quietly, releasing a breath as she unstrapped her sword sheath from her waist.
While waiting for Bell, who should arrive soon, Aiz passed the time with practice. She gripped her sheath, then swung it through the air like an actual weapon. Swish! The air split from the speed and precision of her motion.
Movement after movement flowed seamlessly, forming a disciplined sequence of techniques. Even with just a sheath, Aiz maintained the same form and attack patterns as if wielding a live blade. She moved gracefully, almost as if dancing, yet with a hidden lethality in every step.
As she performed a horizontal slash, a thought crossed her mind.
Why have I never asked Shirou to make me a blunt training weapon?
She recalled a moment when Shirou, without hesitation and with a focused gaze, projected a long, blunt nodachi just to help her evade Tsubame Gaeshi. That hadn't been ordinary training. At that time, Aiz had truly challenged herself. And Shirou, as usual, had responded seriously and attentively.
Aiz's typically expressionless face softened slightly, a small smile flickering across her lips for just a moment.
Shirou...
The name resonated warmly in her heart. Not just because of his combat skills. Not just because he had saved her life multiple times. But more than that, somehow, Shirou had slowly filled an emptiness within her that she hadn't even realized existed.
'Her hero.' That title had long been silently bestowed upon Shirou in her mind. Even before she realized it, the young man had become a symbol of admiration in her thoughts.
And now, after spending so much time together... another word surfaced in her mind.
Love.
Aiz closed her eyes briefly, recalling a conversation on Daedalus Street with Tione, Tiona, and the other girls. When they spoke of feelings, of strange flutters in their stomachs, of smiles that appeared without reason, it was then that Aiz realized what she felt for Shirou wasn't just admiration.
"I... love him, don't I...?" she murmured softly, her cheeks tinged with the faintest blush despite her composed expression.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps rustled through the bushes.
"Sorry, Aiz! I'm a little late!" Bell called out, panting.
Aiz turned quickly, her expression instantly reverting to its usual cool demeanor. But behind her golden eyes, hidden warmth lingered. She nodded, then took her stance.
Yet in her heart, she held a new resolve for this morning.
Then today, I'll train Bell harder... so I can return sooner... to fight and learn from him.