The walk back to Silvermere was much quieter than their journey into the northern forest.
The Crystal Petals were safely packed away, the Grey Tiger was long gone, and Luciana’s heart had finally stopped racing.
Mostly.
She walked beside Raizen, occasionally glancing at the forest behind them.
“I still can’t believe that tiger appeared during a flower collection quest.”
Raizen looked ahead.
“It wasn’t part of the quest.”
“I know.”
Luciana sighed.
“That’s what makes it worse.”
Raizen gave a faint smile.
They continued along the road.
For a while, neither spoke.
Then Luciana suddenly looked at him.
“Raizen.”
“Yes?”
“Do you want to team up with me?”
Raizen slowed slightly.
Luciana kept walking for another step before realizing he had stopped.
She turned around.
“What?”
“You said you prefer traveling alone.”
“I do.”
Raizen waited.
Luciana scratched her cheek.
“But…”
She looked at him.
“Traveling with you isn’t too bad.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Is that a compliment?”
“Don’t get excited.”
“I wasn’t.”
“You look like you’re getting excited.”
“I always look like this.”
Luciana stared at his completely calm expression.
“…True.”
She laughed.
Then she continued walking.
“I mean, you’re useful.”
“Useful?”
“You noticed the tiger before I did.”
“You almost got eaten.”
“I didn’t get eaten.”
“Because you moved.”
“Exactly.”
Luciana smiled proudly.
“So we’re a good team.”
Raizen looked at her.
She seemed completely serious.
That made something warm settle quietly in his chest.
He had spent a thousand years waiting for another chance to walk beside her.
And now she was the one asking him.
Not because she remembered their past.
Not because of some forgotten promise.
Simply because she enjoyed his company.
Raizen nodded.
“I don’t mind.”
Luciana’s face brightened.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Then it’s settled.”
She held out her hand.
Raizen looked at it.
Luciana blinked.
“What?”
“You’re supposed to shake hands.”
“I know.”
He took her hand.
A simple handshake.
Nothing more.
Yet Luciana felt that same strange warmth in her chest again.
She ignored it.
“So we’re teammates now.”
“For now.”
Luciana narrowed her eyes.
“For now?”
“We’ll see how long you can tolerate me.”
She laughed.
“I think I’ll survive.”
They continued toward Silvermere.
After a moment, Luciana suddenly said,
“Oh.”
Raizen looked at her.
“We need a team name.”
“No.”
Luciana stopped.
“Why not?”
“We don’t need one.”
“But every proper team needs a name.”
“We’re two people completing collection quests.”
“That sounds boring.”
“It is accurate.”
Luciana thought seriously.
“How about…”
She started listing names.
“The Silver Adventurers?”
“No.”
“The Crystal Hunters?”
“No.”
“The Flower Duo?”
“No.”
“The Wild—”
“No.”
“You haven’t even heard the whole name!”
“I don’t need to.”
Luciana laughed.
“Fine.”
She folded her arms.
“I’ll think about it later.”
Raizen nodded.
“That sounds safer.”
“Hey.”
They continued walking.
By late afternoon, the gates of Silvermere finally came into view.
Luciana looked at the city with a satisfied smile.
Another quest completed.
Another place explored.
Another adventure survived.
And now…
She had a teammate.
At least for the moment.
They went straight to the Adventurer Guild.
Clara was at the information counter when they arrived.
She looked up.
“Back already?”
Luciana placed the quest notice and the collection pouch on the counter.
“Fifteen Crystal Petals.”
Clara checked each one carefully.
“All intact.”
She smiled.
“Excellent work.”
She reached beneath the counter and placed their reward on the table.
“Fifty silver coins.”
Luciana immediately looked at Raizen.
“Twenty-five each.”
“Yes.”
Clara divided the reward between them.
Luciana took her share and smiled.
Her collection of earnings was slowly growing.
She was beginning to understand how people made a living through adventuring.
Not every day would bring a huge reward.
But if she kept working, saving, and choosing quests carefully…
She could travel farther.
See more places.
Maybe one day she could even afford some of the things she had only admired in Silvermere’s shops.
Luciana tied the pouch securely to her belt.
Then she looked at Raizen.
“So…”
He glanced at her.
“Night market?”
Raizen paused.
“You want to eat again?”
Luciana looked offended.
“That’s a strange way to describe it.”
“What would you call it?”
“A celebration.”
“For completing a flower collection?”
“Yes.”
She nodded firmly.
“Fifty silver coins deserve food.”
Raizen considered arguing.
He decided against it.
“Fine.”
Luciana smiled.
“Good choice.”
They left the guild together and headed toward the night market.
As evening settled over Silvermere, the streets became brighter.
Lanterns floated above the market stalls, magical lights shimmered between buildings, and the smell of freshly cooked food filled the air.
Luciana immediately slowed down.
Her attention went everywhere at once.
“Look.”
She pointed toward one stall.
“What’s that?”
Raizen looked.
“Something grilled.”
“That wasn’t helpful.”
“You asked what it was.”
“I asked because I want to know what’s inside.”
The vendor smiled when they approached and explained the dish.
Luciana listened carefully.
Then she ordered one.
Raizen watched as she took the first bite.
Her eyes widened.
“Oh.”
He waited.
Luciana looked at him.
“This is really good.”
Raizen nodded.
“You say that about everything.”
“Not everything.”
She took another bite.
“Only the good things.”
They continued through the market, trying different foods and looking at stalls along the way.
Luciana bought a small sweet shaped like a flower.
Raizen didn’t ask why.
She simply wanted it.
Eventually, they found a quieter place near the edge of the market and sat down with their food.
Luciana leaned back comfortably.
“This is nice.”
Raizen looked at her.
“Yes.”
She looked around at the lights and busy streets.
Then at the person sitting beside her.
For some reason, the evening felt different from the last time she had visited the night market alone.
She had enjoyed that night.
But this was different too.
Not better.
Not worse.
Just…
different.
Luciana smiled.
“I’m glad you’re back.”
Raizen looked at her.
“So am I.”
She took another bite of her food.
Then suddenly remembered something.
“Oh!
We still need a team name.”
Raizen sighed quietly.
Luciana grinned.
“I haven’t forgotten.”
“I was hoping you had.”
“Too late.”
She began thinking again.
Raizen simply watched her.
Whatever name she eventually chose, he suspected it would probably be ridiculous.
And strangely…
he didn’t mind.
For now, walking beside Luciana was enough.