Ais slowly loosened her grip on Akira, her slender fingers trembling slightly as they slipped away from the warmth of his hand.
Taking a hesitant step, she gently tapped her toes against the ground, testing the surface beneath her feet. The sensation of something solid reassured her, and after confirming it wasn't an illusion, a long sigh of relief escaped her lips.
A radiant smile finally bloomed on Ais's face—light, pure, and as refreshing as the dawn breaking through the clouds.
With the initial fear melting away, her curiosity took over like a flickering flame catching in dry wood.
She began to explore this strange, magical sphere of wind—Akira's storm ball—filled with wonder in her golden eyes.
With light, almost weightless steps, Ais circled the perimeter of the sphere, tracing its translucent wall of swirling wind and mana.
Her delicate fingers occasionally reached out, touching the boundary where wind spun like silk, gentle yet fierce, a protective cocoon that shimmered with mystic energy.
Outside, the scenery unfolded like a grand painting on an endless canvas. The sky stretched in all directions, painted in hues of soft blue and streaks of gold from the late afternoon sun.
The whistling wind around them sang like a passionate symphony, playing the majestic music of nature itself—a melody that resonated with both power and freedom.
Ais stood still for a moment, awestruck by the beauty that surrounded her. Her golden eyes shimmered with excitement, her heart thumping with an emotion she rarely felt—exhilaration.
Turning back toward Akira, her voice rang out with innocent joy, "Akira is so strong! I want to be able to do this too!"
Her admiration was clear in her tone, filled with awe and yearning.
Hearing Ais's hopeful declaration, Akira didn't hesitate even for a heartbeat. He nodded firmly, a gentle yet confident smile tugging at his lips.
His voice carried a rare softness, yet brimmed with assurance. "Yes, Ais. You can definitely do it. If it's you, I have no doubt."
However, as his words settled in the air, Akira's tone subtly shifted. The playful warmth faded slightly, replaced by a note of seriousness that made Ais straighten up.
"But remember, flying this high without proper control is dangerous. It's not something to try on your own just yet. It'll make Riveria and everyone else worry."
Ais nodded solemnly, her expression softening as she absorbed his concern. "Yes, I'll listen to Akira."
To her, Akira had become someone incomparable—someone stronger than any adventurer she'd ever admired, someone who had walked straight into her world like a star falling from the heavens. Someone who didn't just protect her, but made her feel like she could fly.
Somewhere deep in her heart, that soft haze that once lingered around her emotions had lifted. The confusion and burden she didn't even realize she'd carried seemed to fade away under the clear sky.
She glanced sideways at Akira and quietly thought to herself, 'Akira… will you become my hero?'
Akira's voice brought her back to the present. "Listen, Ais. If you want to practice, you should try staying in the air just a little longer each time. Like when you glide or leap during battle—this time, you'll just keep going a little further."
"I understand!" Ais responded brightly, her cheeks lifting in a genuine smile that could melt the hardest stone.
After carefully explaining the principles and safety of flying, Akira took her hand once more.
Then, with the grace of two birds soaring across the open sky, the two darted like nimble fighter jets. Their bodies twisted and turned mid-air with remarkable precision, performing daring maneuvers and intricate flight paths.
"Hahahaha—!"
Their shared laughter echoed across the vast expanse of sky, untouched by the world below.
As the sun began to dip, painting the sky in a soft amber glow, the two slowly descended to an altitude of around 3,000 meters. The warm tones of dusk cloaked them, casting their figures in an ethereal light.
"Ais," Akira said with a mischievous glint in his eyes, "Do you want to try my favorite sky game now?"
"Akira will protect me, right?" Ais's voice was soft, almost like a whisper caught by the wind.
Without missing a beat, Akira chuckled lightly and nodded, "Of course I will."
"Then I want to try it!" She declared, full of anticipation.
"Alright… here it comes."
As he spoke, the swirling storm ball that had kept them aloft vanished in an instant, dissolving into particles of wind and magic power. Only Akira's magic power remained, shielding them from the forceful air pressure.
Suddenly, gravity claimed them.
Their bodies plummeted downward like shooting stars, slicing through the sky as they free-fell toward Orario.
Though Ais had an inkling of what to expect, the sudden drop still jolted her heart, and a flicker of fear flashed across her face.
But when she looked at Akira—smiling calmly and holding her hand tightly—that fear quickly turned into a wild excitement.
Together, they burst into laughter, pure and unrestrained. Their voices danced through the air, young and joyful like children flying through a dream.
Akira held Ais's delicate hand firmly, and the two twisted midair with ease. Like agile birds, they adjusted their flight pattern as they descended.
Silver breezes swirled around them, shimmering like enchanted ribbons. They cushioned the fall, creating a mystical layer of wind that sparkled with hidden power.
The enchanted breeze slowed their descent, and they finally landed softly in the courtyard of the Loki Familia's castle, their feet touching the ground as gently as falling leaves.
As soon as Ais's boots hit solid earth, she let go of Akira's hand and immediately grabbed his arm again, pulling him along like a gust of wind. She dashed forward with lively energy, dragging him through the familiar halls.
Her cheeks, flushed from the adrenaline, glowed with a rosy hue. Her soft features were lit with joy, making her look like a ripe apple freshly picked from the tree—sweet, tender, and brimming with life.
In that moment, even her usual calm and reserved demeanor seemed to shift, as though something deep inside had been awakened.
"Riveria! We're back!" Ais announced at the top of her lungs, her voice carrying through the castle corridors.
She pushed open the heavy double doors with unexpected strength and darted inside, heading toward the office where the trio often gathered.
Akira, still being dragged along, glanced around awkwardly at the curious stares from the Familia members nearby. They looked at him with a mix of surprise and amusement.
Smiling awkwardly, Akira scratched his head and offered a polite greeting, "Good evening, everyone."
Then, with a slightly embarrassed chuckle, he added, "Sorry to bother you."
Just as the atmosphere settled, a loud BANG! echoed from the office.
The door burst open violently, nearly flying off its hinges from the force behind it. A small figure darted into the room like lightning—Ais, of course—dragging behind her what appeared to be a floating object suspended by magic.
Without hesitation, Ais launched herself into Riveria's arms, the older elf barely having time to brace herself.
"Riveria! Riveria! I have so many things to tell you today—!" Ais cried out, burying her head into the elf's warm, comforting embrace.
Meanwhile, Akira, now free from Ais's grip, gently floated down near the window as if he weighed nothing at all.
Casually, he raised his hand and muttered a light chant. A stream of crystalline water materialized midair, floating toward him.
He calmly washed his hands, the water swirling gracefully around his fingertips. Then, with a flick of his wrist, the stream of water seemed to understand his unspoken will and flew out the window on its own.
Turning casually, Akira sauntered toward the sofa, plopped down like he owned the place, and picked up a juicy fruit from the table.
As he took a bite, he grinned and asked, "Hey, we're back. Is dinner ready yet?"
His uninhibited, relaxed behavior made Finn, who had been observing the whole time, chuckle with amusement.
He leaned back and said with a smile, "Dinner's being prepared. You can head over in just a little while."
Riveria, still holding Ais in her arms, gently smiled down at the girl before turning her gaze toward Akira.
With a look of mixed surprise and exasperation, she sighed softly and said, "So, it turns out you're the kind of child who gets completely unruly once you've warmed up to people."
(End of Chapter)
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