That was pretty intense just now. In the end, Ur won. As expected of Fairy Tail's strongest female mage."
Lucy's eyes sparkled with admiration.
Then she nudged Alyan's shoulder teasingly.
"And you, the grand prize, just ran away like that. Is that really okay?"
"What grand prize? That's rude."
Alyan rubbed his growling stomach.
"They all went back to soak in the hot springs again. Besides, I'm starving."
The two walked side by side along the stone-paved street.
Lucy's eyes suddenly lit up.
"I know a really popular restaurant nearby. The food is amazing. Want to go?"
"Really?!"
Alyan instantly became excited.
"That's great! Let's go right now!"
"Hahaha!"
Lucy doubled over laughing.
"Alyan, your resistance to good food is still completely nonexistent."
Then she smiled mischievously.
"But honestly, it's kind of adorable."
"Alright, alright. Let's hurry before I starve to death."
Alyan looked slightly embarrassed.
"Okay, okay."
Lucy reached out and grabbed his hand.
"Let's go."
Her cheeks reddened as she pulled him forward, unable to meet his eyes.
Alyan blinked in surprise before smiling softly.
When did this girl become so bold?
The atmosphere between them was sweet and comfortable.
Unfortunately—
An unwelcome voice shattered the moment.
"Hey there, little miss. Want to come hang out with us?"
Two men stepped in front of them.
One was dressed like a street punk.
The other looked like he'd spent far too much time abusing questionable substances, his head constantly swaying back and forth.
"Come on, little lady."
The swaying man reached toward Lucy's arm.
"Let's have some fun."
The punk laughed excitedly.
Neither of them spared Alyan so much as a glance.
Alyan's expression darkened instantly.
These idiots were acting as though he didn't exist.
Flirting with his woman right in front of him?
Were they tired of seeing tomorrow's sunrise?
His voice turned ice-cold.
"Then dance for me."
The two thugs froze.
Only then did they finally look at the silver-haired young man they had mistaken for some harmless pretty boy.
"Gravity Magic—"
"Gravity Impact."
Alyan couldn't even be bothered to hit them with his fists.
That would only dirty his hands.
Compressed gravity exploded outward.
The two men were launched straight into the sky like cannonballs.
Their screams echoed throughout the night.
"Wow..."
Lucy shaded her eyes and looked upward.
"They're flying really high."
"Let's go eat."
Alyan couldn't care less whether they survived the landing.
Judging by their behavior, they were clearly repeat offenders.
"Right!"
Lucy smiled brightly.
Without hesitation, she grabbed Alyan's hand again and happily led him toward the restaurant.
Some time later—
Bang!
Bang!
Two impacts sounded from far away.
The two men lay sprawled on the ground like puddles of mud.
Surprisingly, they were still breathing.
Unfortunately, scum tended to be remarkably resilient.
A short while later, Loki happened to pass by.
Looking at the half-dead pair, he wore a baffled expression.
After searching the area and finding nobody responsible, he finally nodded solemnly.
"Thank you for nature's generosity."
Then his body suddenly stiffened.
Pain crossed his face.
He clutched his chest.
His figure flickered slightly.
"Damn..."
His expression became complicated.
"My time is running out."
"Karen..."
"Wait for me."
"I'll be with you soon."
Meanwhile...
Inside the restaurant.
"See? I told you the food here was amazing."
Lucy looked extremely proud.
"It really is."
Alyan nodded in satisfaction.
Then he glanced toward the owner and sighed.
"The owner is a little strange, though."
The restaurant door slid open.
Both of them turned around.
Loki walked inside.
His complexion looked terrible.
"Loki?"
Lucy frowned.
"Are you okay? You look really pale."
"Ah?!"
Loki jumped.
When he noticed it was Lucy—and Alyan beside her—he visibly relaxed.
"I'm fine."
"I just haven't eaten all day."
"I'm starving to death."
He waved toward the counter.
"Boss! One extra-large ramen!"
Alyan put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth.
"No matter when, where, or what job you're doing, you must eat properly."
"A mage who doesn't eat properly isn't a good mage."
Lucy and Loki simultaneously stared at him.
Speechless.
When it came to food, Alyan had clearly reached a realm beyond mortal understanding.
Night gradually fell.
The sky glittered with stars.
"Wow!"
Lucy looked upward excitedly.
"The stars are beautiful tonight."
Then she pointed at the sky.
"Alyan! Look!"
"A shooting star!"
"I wonder where it'll land."
Loki stared upward as well.
A trace of loneliness appeared on his face.
"Alyan... Lucy..."
"Do you know how sad it is for a star that can never return to the sky?"
The two exchanged glances.
Something felt strange about Loki tonight.
Very strange.
But neither could quite put their finger on it.
Seeing their expressions, Loki simply smiled and shook his head.
"It's nothing."
"I'm just trying out a new pickup line."
"Hahaha."
Then he stood up.
"See you two later."
"And head back soon."
They watched him leave.
Afterward, Alyan and Lucy returned to the inn.
Along the way, both continued thinking about the strange sense of unease surrounding Loki.
But neither discovered the answer.
"Yo, you're back."
The moment Alyan entered his room, he found Ur sitting by the window drinking beneath the moonlight.
"Did you have fun with Lucy?"
"Yeah."
Alyan nodded.
"We had great food."
"The owner was weird, but the cooking was excellent."
"We should bring Ultear and the others tomorrow."
He grabbed a fresh set of clothes.
"I'm going for another soak."
Then he glanced at Ur.
"And don't drink too much."
"Wait."
Ur stood up.
"Let's go together."
"Huh?"
Alyan blinked.
"Didn't you already spend half the day in the hot springs?"
"Aren't you worried about passing out?"
Ur leaned closer.
Her lips nearly touched his ear.
"I know a special hot spring."
Alyan's pupils contracted.
He coughed lightly.
"I think you make an excellent point."
"Since we're staying at a hot spring inn, it would be a waste not to enjoy the hot springs properly."
Ur burst into laughter at his completely transparent excuse.
Then she picked up her own change of clothes and dragged him out the door.
An hour and a half later.
Both returned looking refreshed.
Very refreshed.
Though Ur's steps seemed just slightly unnatural.
Each carried a glass of mixed fruit juice.
They sat down comfortably and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere.
Then—
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Someone pounded frantically on the door.
Alyan and Ur exchanged confused looks.
"ALYAN!"
"UR!"
"Are you in there?!"
"Hurry up and open the door!"
Erza's voice rang out from outside.