Chương 93: A Day Outside the Academy

After lunch, the group left the Eternal Academy. For the first time in several days, they weren't dressed for combat. Harley, however, insisted on bringing her pink hammer "just in case." The day was cloudy but pleasant. They walked aimlessly through the main streets of the capital, stopping every now and then at food stalls. Rina and Marina were the most excited, trying colorful sweets and savory snacks.

Astrid ate a concerning amount of roasted meat, while Sylvara frequently stopped to look at the flowers being sold. Joker walked at the front of the group, hands in his pockets and with a calmer pace than usual. Harley stayed by his side. A little farther back, Astrid and Rina talked quietly. Marina and Sylvara walked together, and Kuroe stayed a bit more apart, observing everything in silence, as usual. At one point, the group stopped in a square with a large fountain in the center.

Some children were playing around it, and the contrast with the test days was so great that it almost felt unreal. Joker sat on the edge of the fountain and stretched his legs. Harley sat beside him, resting her shoulder against his. Astrid remained standing, watching the people with a calmer expression than usual. Rina sat on the ground, slowly wagging her tails. Marina and Sylvara stayed nearby, while Kuroe sat a little farther away, her back against a tree, carefully observing the movement in the square.

After a few minutes of silence, Sylvara spoke, almost to herself: — It's strange… after everything we've been through, seeing people living normally. As if nothing had happened. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Lirien nodded. — Yeah. It feels like the world keeps turning, even when we're fighting to survive. Marina looked at Joker and Harley and commented: — You two are quieter than usual today. Joker shrugged. — I'm tired. For real. Yesterday…

releasing the seal… messed with my head more than I expected. Harley agreed, looking at her own hammer. — Me too. I'm feeling things more… intensely. I don't know how to explain it properly. Astrid, who had been listening, spoke after a while: — Then… don't do that again so soon. If we need to, we'll think of another way. Together. Joker looked at her and nodded. — … Understood. Kuroe, who until then had been silent, finally spoke in a low voice: — The seal isn't just a power limiter. It also keeps the mind more…

stable. The more we release it, the harder it becomes to go back to normal. Especially you two. The group fell quiet for a few seconds. Joker looked at Kuroe, surprised that she had commented on something so directly. She simply held his gaze for a moment, then looked away again toward the square. Harley broke the silence after a while, changing the subject: — Want to eat something else? I saw a stall selling stuffed bread with something that was glowing. I want to try it. The group decided to keep walking.

They passed by a few more stalls and bought things to eat. Joker and Harley always stayed at the front or in the middle, but now Astrid and Rina also walked closer to them. Sylvara observed everything in silence, while Lirien and Marina talked about lighter things. Kuroe stayed a little farther behind, but she was still part of the group, simply watching and listening. When the sun began to set, they decided to return to the academy. On the way back, Joker and Harley walked a little behind the rest of the group.

Harley's expression was more serious than usual. — You know… — she said quietly, only for Joker to hear. — I don't know how long we'll be able to keep going like this. Releasing the seal little by little, controlling it… One day we're going to have to release it for real. And when that happens… Joker stayed silent for a few seconds, looking ahead. — When that happens… we'll deal with it together. Like always. Harley looked at him sideways and gave a small, tired but sincere smile. — Together. Deal.

They continued walking in silence, while the rest of the group walked a little ahead. For a few hours, they managed to pretend they were just a group of tired young people strolling through the capital. Even though they knew it wouldn't last much longer. End of Chapter 93 (continues in Chapter 94)