The days that followed passed with a surprising sense of normalcy, as though the storm that had shaken Luca's world had quietly receded, leaving behind a calm that felt almost unfamiliar. Nothing outwardly dramatic occurred, no sudden crises or unexpected disruptions, and yet beneath that surface, subtle changes continued to unfold.

Each morning, Luca could be found on the training grounds, his presence steady and focused as he pushed himself through increasingly refined routines. The difference in his movements was unmistakable now; where once there had been effort, there was now fluidity, where there had been resistance, there was now control. His twin sabers cut through the air with sharper precision, each motion more grounded, more deliberate, as though his body and mana had finally aligned into a single, seamless rhythm.

At times, Aiden and Kyle joined him, and what began as simple sparring sessions often turned into extended bouts of training, with Luca guiding them, correcting their stance, pushing them just beyond their limits while maintaining an ease that did not go unnoticed. Though they complained—often loudly—about his "unfair" progress, neither of them could deny that his presence pushed them to improve faster than before.

The rest of the day followed its usual structure.

Lectures came and went, though Luca's attention toward them remained… inconsistent at best. More often than not, he found himself drifting into light drowsiness, his head tilting slightly as his focus slipped, only to be abruptly pulled back by a sharp call from the front of the classroom. Seraphina, though maintaining her composed demeanor, had developed a subtle yet precise way of calling him out at just the right moment, her gaze lingering on him just long enough to make it clear she had noticed.

Eric, sitting beside him, took far more direct measures, nudging him repeatedly with thinly veiled annoyance whenever he appeared too comfortable ignoring the lecture altogether.

Despite that—

The days passed.

Smoothly.

And most notably—

The strange condition that had once plagued him did not return.

There were no sudden surges of discomfort, no black smoke, no loss of control. It was as though whatever had happened had either stabilized… or was simply waiting.

Luca chose not to dwell on it.

Not for now.

And before long—

The weekend arrived.

The academy atmosphere shifted slightly, the structured routine easing into something more relaxed as students prepared to spend their free time as they pleased.

Luca stood in his dorm room, already dressed, adjusting his sleeves slightly as he prepared to head out. Today, instead of his usual academy uniform, he wore a more casual outfit—a fitted dark shirt paired with a light, open jacket that fell neatly along his frame, along with simple yet well-tailored trousers that allowed ease of movement without sacrificing appearance. The overall look was effortless, yet refined, a subtle contrast to his usual disciplined attire.

A faint smile rested on his face.

As he stepped out of his room and began descending the stairs, that smile did not fade.

I'm… relieved.

The thought came naturally.

Everything… has finally settled down.

There were still unanswered questions, still uncertainties lingering beneath the surface, but for the first time in a while, they did not weigh on him as heavily as before.

He stepped out onto the academy grounds, the morning sun already bright, casting a lively warmth across the pathways as students moved about more freely than usual. Some greeted him as he passed, and he responded in kind, offering casual "good mornings" with an ease that felt genuine.

Though—

Not everyone reacted the same way.

Some paused.

Some stared a moment longer than usual.

Whispers still existed.

But Luca paid them little attention.

He continued walking.

Steady.

Unbothered.

Until he reached the academy gates.

And just as he stepped beyond them—

A familiar voice reached his ears.

"You're early."

Luca turned at the sound of that familiar voice, the faint smile already resting on his lips widening slightly as his gaze settled upon her.

Aurelia stood a few steps away, the morning light catching softly in her wild red hair, which she had left untied today, allowing it to fall freely over her shoulders. Instead of her usual training attire, she wore something far more relaxed—a fitted white blouse with the sleeves rolled lightly at the wrists, paired with dark high-waisted trousers that accentuated her athletic frame without restricting movement. A light jacket hung loosely over her shoulders, and though her posture remained confident as always, there was something softer about her presence today, something less guarded.

Her violet eyes met his.

Sharp as ever.

Yet not cold.

Luca let out a small breath, almost unconsciously.

"Aurelia…"

Her lips curved faintly, though the expression carried a teasing edge as she crossed her arms lightly.

"So," she said, tilting her head just a fraction, "are you ready to give me my compensation?"

Luca did not hesitate.

He nodded.

A quiet, genuine smile forming as he answered, "Of course."

That was all she needed.

Aurelia smiled as well—this time without restraint—and turned, motioning lightly for him to follow as the two of them began walking together, leaving the academy gates behind as they made their way into the city.

The city greeted them with life.

Warm, vibrant, and full of motion, the streets were already bustling with activity as vendors called out to passing crowds, the scent of food drifting through the air, mingling with the sounds of laughter and conversation. The atmosphere was lively, yet comfortable, a place where people moved without urgency, enjoying the day as it came.

Aurelia walked slightly ahead at first, her steps confident, though every now and then she glanced back at Luca, as if making sure he was keeping up.

"You better not be planning something boring," she said casually, though her tone carried a hint of challenge.

Luca raised a brow.

"And what exactly would you consider not boring?"

She turned fully this time, walking backward for a few steps, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied him.

"Something that doesn't make me regret asking for compensation," she replied.

Luca chuckled lightly.

"I'll do my best to meet your standards."

"Hmph," she responded, though the faint smile at the corner of her lips betrayed her satisfaction.

They stopped first at a small street stall, one known for its skewered meats grilled over open flame. The aroma alone was enough to draw anyone in, and Aurelia wasted no time stepping forward, already placing an order before Luca could say anything.

"You're paying," she said casually over her shoulder.

Luca sighed softly.

"Of course I am."

She accepted the skewer once it was handed over, taking a bite without hesitation, her eyes closing briefly as she hummed in approval.

"…Not bad," she muttered.

Luca took one as well, though his attention lingered more on her reaction than the food itself.

"You came all this way just for food?" he asked.

Aurelia shot him a glance.

"You're the one compensating me," she said. "I decide what that includes."

He raised both hands slightly in surrender.

"Fair enough."

From there, the day unfolded naturally.

They wandered through crowded streets and quieter alleys alike, stopping occasionally at small shops where Aurelia would pick up random trinkets, inspecting them with a surprising level of interest before either buying them—or dismissing them entirely.

At one point, she paused at a stall selling handcrafted accessories, picking up a simple bracelet and turning it in her fingers.

"This would look better on you than me," she said casually, holding it up.

Luca blinked.

"…You're saying I should wear it?"

"I'm saying you should pay for it," she replied without missing a beat.

He laughed.

"Of course."

Later, they found themselves at an open training square where people casually tested their skills, the atmosphere relaxed yet competitive.

Aurelia stepped forward immediately.

"Don't tell me you're going to refuse," she said, already twirling a practice spear that she had borrowed.

Luca smirked slightly.

"I wouldn't dare."

The spar was lighthearted, yet filled with sharp exchanges, their movements fluid, familiar, and filled with unspoken understanding. Though Luca's strength had clearly increased, he held back just enough to keep the match balanced, allowing the rhythm of their sparring to remain enjoyable rather than overwhelming.

At one point, Aurelia stopped mid-motion, narrowing her eyes slightly.

"…You've definitely gotten stronger," she muttered.

Luca shrugged lightly.

"Maybe."

"Don't 'maybe' me," she said, though there was no real irritation in her tone.

As the day stretched into evening, the energy of the city began to soften, the golden hues of sunset slowly taking over the sky. Without much discussion, they made their way toward the outskirts, climbing a gentle path that led to a quiet hill overlooking the city.

By the time they reached the top—

The sun was already descending.

The horizon burned in shades of orange and crimson, the light reflecting softly across the landscape below, casting everything in a warm, fleeting glow.

They sat down.

Side by side.

Neither speaking at first.

The silence this time was not heavy.

It was comfortable.

Aurelia rested her arms lightly over her knees, her gaze fixed on the horizon.

"…Not a bad day," she said after a while.

Luca glanced at her.

"Just not bad?"

She shot him a sideways look.

"Don't get ahead of yourself."

He smiled faintly.

"Understood."

The wind moved gently around them, carrying with it the quiet end of the day.

As Aurelia asked…"Do you…. remember this place?"