The lamps were lit as we walked back into the plaza.
It was close to the end of the year, it was only about two weeks away.
The city was more subdued now, the cold and the traces of snow left in snowdrifts kept people inside.
Luckily, we had some very quality coats, hats, and gloves to keep us toasty and warm.
My boots crunched into the icy melt underfoot, helping me keep my footing.
They were a lot more worn now than when Mrs.
Barriere first presented them to me.
But they still kept my feet warm, and steady.
They kept out the water from the snow as we walked towards the plaza.
I let out a puff of air that crystalized into fog, I looked up at the dark sky, the last of the daylight fading as the sun set.
It’s been getting dark earlier and earlier… It was only five!
We were here in the plaza early to help make dinner with the Jolly Fools.
We found them prepping the ingredients.
Jax spotted us.
“Ah, perfect.
Can one of you peel potatoes, and the other stir the pot?” “I can get potatoes.” I didn’t relish stirring for so long.
It was tiring.
“Then I’ve got the pot.” Rey didn’t complain about the strenuous task at all.
We broke off to our respective areas.
Jax was seasoning and cutting the meat, getting ready to grill it, Peter was cutting up potatoes and vegetables with me, and Louis was boiling the potatoes to soften them up before mashing them.
The small pot Rey was stirring was actually stock that was gradually becoming sauce for the grilled meat.
The area was lit with lanterns, and the fire kept the area decently warm.
At least my fingers didn’t freeze off as I peeled the potatoes, handing them over to Peter.
Peter grunted.
“What did the two of you get up to today?” “We hunted slimes.
Only two today though… around both the forest and the meadow dungeon.
But I caught three rabbits.
After that, we trained for two hours, and then came back to help you.” I handed a potato off.
He grunted.
“Yeah, slime hunting is lean in this city.
The people of the Third District hunt them regularly, and there are a lot of beginning adventurers.
As for us, Jax and I brought Louis to the mining dungeon for the first time.
He nearly wet himself when he saw a goblin.
He still has a long way to go…” “Right.
You guys are helping Louis rise through the ranks, aren’t you?” I had heard about it from the others in passing.
Peter nodded.
“The kid is the son of a prominent necromancer here in the city.
Louis wants to take after him, so we’re getting paid to show him the ropes.
He needs to make it to at least C-rank to make it as a necromancer.
Er, I suppose in mage terms that would be around tier seven or eight.” Wow.
I looked up at Louis, impressed.
Knowing that many spells… Honestly, I was still working out the kinks to my telekinesis spell.
Just knowing three spells was too much for me right now.
“I hope I can get that strong one day.
How many tiers would the other ranks be?” Peter considered before answering.
“Well, B-rank would be ten to fifteen, depending on the specialization, or lack thereof.
A-rank would be sixteen to nineteen.
And twenty of course, is archmage territory.
S-rank adventurers.
I’ve never met anyone that powerful myself, but I’m sure you’ve heard the stories.” Of course.
Legends about S-rank heroes were some of the most popular stories around.
“There are two S-ranks in the country right now, right?” He nodded.
“Yep.
Aliana the Saintess.
And Ark the Illusionist.
They both live in the First District, close to the castle.
Have you two been to the First District yet?” “No… we’ve been too busy.” Hunting slimes and training.
He hummed.
“Well, the Darkest Night Festival is just two days from now.
Even the guild closes down for that holiday.
We’re planning on taking the day off and heading to the festival in the First District.
You and Rey should consider it too.” “There’s… a festival?
For the Darkest Night?” I had known it was coming up, but I hadn’t heard about the festival.
He nodded.
“It’ll be a sight to behold, that’s for sure.
You and Rey deserve a break like the rest of us.
You should enjoy the holiday.
Go out and act like kids for a change.” It was a good idea.
Rey and I could use a break from working and training every day.
“You said it’s two days from now?
In the First District?” He smiled.
“Come on Rey!” I excitedly tugged at him as we traveled up the street.
We were nearing the first district, as evidenced by stalls and crowds of people all heading the same direction.
The sun was bright, just coming over the top of buildings, and the streets gathered more and more decorations the closer we got to the castle.
Motifs of stars and the moon.
Rey laughed as he clasped my hand tightly, following me.
“I’m coming!
What do you want to do first!?” When I told him about the festival, he had gotten just as excited as me.
Today, we woke up and got ready early not to hunt, but to make the most of the daylight and enjoy the festival until night fell.
“Let’s get breakfast from a cart!
Oh, and then we can play some games?” I kept swinging my head around, trying to take everything in at once.
Amazing… The people, the decorations, even music!
People laughing and dancing, celebrating the holiday.
Rey and I followed our noses to a soup stall, and slurped up the warm, spicy broth.
Rey coughed as he gave the bowl back.
“So spicy…” I giggled, taking his hand.
“What, can’t take the heat?” “Of course I can!
Do you want to drink two more?” Nah, instead, I looked around and spotted a makeshift stage down the street.
Rey and I gravitated there just in time to see a magician begin his performance.
He wore a theatrical purple suit, complete with a top hat and cape.
An ornate cane in his hands spun, animated.
It was black, with a smooth ball of crystal on top.
Or more likely it was just glass.
His stage presence was amplified by the fact his face was hidden behind a white persona mask.
It only hid the upper half of his face, with two dark slits for eyes, and it was completely featureless.
He raised his cane and welcomed the crowd gathering around the stage.
“Watch carefully ladies and gentlemen!” He showed us his white gloved hands were empty.
Then with a sudden flick of his wrist, they were full of flowers!
I gasped at the magic.
Someone nearby snorted.
“Illusion magic.” The magician grinned as if he’d been waiting for that very comment.
“Illusion?
Not at all!” With another flick, the flowers were tossed into the air, above the crowd.
Then they exploded!
Even more flowers rained down.
Rey caught one and fingered it, his breath catching.
“It’s real…” The awe in his voice conveyed his wonder.
He looked up at me.
And turned a little red as he held the small daisy out to me.
Awwww.
I took it and held it to my nose, taking a deep breath.
It really was a real daisy.
I tucked it above my ear, and we turned back to the magician.
He made doves fly out of nowhere, pulled a rabbit out of his hat.
And he made sure an audience member always touched the animals or objects, to prove they were real.
“And now ladies and gentlemen!
For my finest trick yet!” He motioned forward, and an assistant wheeled out a large wardrobe.
He opened it up to reveal it was empty.
“I shall make one of you, my dear audience, disappear!
And reappear of course.” That got a smattering of laughter, and a few people held up their hands, volunteering.
He scanned the crowd, passing over Rey and I’s hands, and picked a young woman near the back.
She stepped forward and introduced herself before stepping into the wardrobe.
He closed the doors, and he and his assistant spun the wardrobe around.
Finally, he tapped it before opening it up and… Wow!
She was gone!
She was really gone!
A few people gasped, but he was quick to reassure the audience.
“And now, as promised, I shall make her reappear once again!” He tapped the wardrobe, and another spin later the audience member was stumbling out, completely unharmed.
She exclaimed that it was as if not time had passed at all and returned to the audience.
The magician gave us an over-the-top bow.
“Now my fine friends, I’m afraid that the end of my show for now!
Come back in the afternoon to catch the second one!” He drew back, beyond the purple curtain of the makeshift stage.
I turned to Rey, unable to believe what I just saw.
“Rey, he never used any mana at all!
How did he do all that without using magic…” Rey chuckled taking my hand.
“Maybe if we see him again, we can ask him.
I really liked that flower trick…” We dispersed back into the festival with the rest of the crowd, a theater troupe taking over the stage.
Instead, we went and played some games until lunch.
I managed to win a bunny doll, which was put in my bag.
Rey struck out on the games, especially since I put my foot down on how much money he was spending on basically nothing.
He was grumpy about that, but quickly dragged me to some shop stalls instead.
“Here!
This lady is selling jewelry!” He stopped in front of an old woman’s stall, pretty gems glittering up at us.
The old lady smiled.
“You have a fine eye young man.
Are you shopping for the lady?” What?
But I already had my bunny doll.
But he still nodded, intensely focused on the necklaces.
“Yeah, um, but we have a budget.
What can we get for five silvers?” She frowned and rubbed her chin, her eyes turning down to survey her wares.
“Five silver huh?
Well, something small then.
You seem drawn to the necklaces… ah.” Her hand deftly hovered over the jewelry and dipped down.
She picked up a thin chain of silver with a pendant on the end.
“Now, the chain is just painted silver.
But the charm on the real deal.
And it would go wonderful with your eyes dear.
What do you think?” She held it out, and I got a better look at the charm.
Wait.
Was that a heart?
It was a heart.
Rey was already reaching for his money pouch.
“We’ll take it!
How much?” “Weeell, normally this is five silvers.
But for a pair of cute kids like you, I’ll knock it down to four.” Rey got out the money and held it out to her.
Once the exchange took place, Rey turned towards me.
“Here Kat.
I’ll put it on for you.” Was the reason he tried so hard at the games because he wanted to win me a gift?
I smiled, feeling my cheeks warm up.
Rey could be so sweet sometimes… I turned around, and he put the small silver necklace around my neck.
I felt the little heart charm and turned back to him.
“Thanks Rey.
I’ll treasure it.” Now it was his turn to blush.
“Uh, no problem.” Now I wish I had something to… ah!
I opened up my bag and pulled out the bunny doll I won.
I held it out to him.
“Here.
You gave me a gift, so it’s only right I give you one too.” “Oh.
Um… thanks Kat.” He took the bunny doll with reluctance.
I narrowed my eyes at him.
“If you don’t want it because it’s a doll, I can just keep it.” He pulled it closer to him, suddenly protective.
“No, I want to keep it!
I’ll treasure it too.” Heh.
Good.
The old lady chortled.
“Such a sweet scene.
It’ll be night soon, so I have to start packing up.
But you two, do you know the legend about the church?” Huh?
We turned back and I shook my head.
“What legend?” She pointed to the church.
It was a tall steeple, only a few blocks away.
“That’s the Armanio Church.
It’s even older than the castle.
Legend says, if a young couple leaves a flower in front of the statue of the Goddess of Love, Elesia, she’ll grant them her blessing.
Normally, the church isn’t open to us normal folks, but today is a special day.
The main temple is open to everyone.
And I see the young lady has a flower perfect for the occasion.” O-Oh.
I brushed my hand back and touched the daisy behind my ear.
Rey grabbed my hand.
“Thanks of ton lady!
Kat, come on!
We have to get to the temple before they close for the day!” He dragged me along, and I waved to the vendor who waved back with a kindly smile on her face.
The sun was just beginning to dip down, and the crowds began to thin out as people were returning home in anticipation for the Darkest Night.
Meanwhile, our feet pounded the pavement, trying to reach the church in time.