Zei's Pov
A strange chill ran down my spine as Kristen gazed at me with an unsettling, knowing smile.
"Go ahead, Zeilona," Alina muttered, her voice bright with anticipation. "Try it on,"
"Y-yeah," My voice wavered as I picked up the small spherical device. It was an artificial eyeball, its iris gleaming in a blue light.
"It's a bionic eye," Alina explained from the side.
"This one will restore your eyesight and even enhance it to some degree." Kristen explained, "Simply bring it close to your eye and insert it, it will be painless for the most part."
I hesitated for a moment, then did as he said. It hurt a little and made me flinch, but the pain was bearable."
"Now…. slowly open your eyes," He instructed
"I obeyed. The world, which was blurred before, came back into focus. My vision was back."
"H-how is this possible?" I whispered, my heartbeat racing.
"How do you feel?" Rayne asked, watching me closely.
"It feels…Strange," I admitted
"It will take time to get used to it, but you should be fine," Kristen assured
My gaze drifted to the other object in the case. A silver mask, its surface etched with intricate runes as it shimmered faintly in the light. "What about the mask?"
"Oh, that?" Kristen replied casually, "Just consider this a gift from Lylia. It can conceal your presence and hide your scars, though you can leave it if you'd rather not."
"Can I have it then?" Alina asked instantly
He gave her a sidelong glance. "You already have your cane made personally by Lylia, don't you? It's not good to be greedy."
I picked up the mask. It felt cold against my fingers, the runes humming against my skin."Its beautiful"
Before I could reply, he snapped his fingers, "Now then, time for the last gift".
"There is more?" I blinked.
"Just something I happened to pick up in Verulia," He muttered with a smirk. In a flash, a spear and a sword materialised in his hand, the weapons we had retrieved before
They looked flawless and in much better condition than before.
"Go ahead and try it," he urged
I picked up the black spear, while Rayne unsheathed his sword.
The moment my fingers ran across its blade, warmth pulsed through me as crimson runes flared to life and flames erupted on its blade, but this time they were much more tame.
"Whoa, " Alina exclaimed in awe, the burning flames reflecting in her golden eyes.
I turned my head to glance at Rayne, he unsheathed his sword, and in an instant, the warmth faded into a biting chill. A faint smile touched his lips before he sheathed the sword.
"Since Asher had already inscribed the base runes onto them, Lylia simply repaired and enhanced them, "
"These weapons are far beyond the standard fare suited for beginners. Treat them well. And don't lose them again."
"Understood"
Kristen dusted his hands off lightly. "Now then, it seems like everything is done, I should be heading out."
"You're leaving already?" Alina asked with a saddened face.
"I would love to spend some more time, little one, but I already promised Lylia I'd be returning before dinner. And there's a lot of work waiting for me."
"It seems like there is nothing I can do then," Alina sighed
"We are truly grateful for everything you did for us," I said quietly.
We chatted for some time before Kristen eventually left.
"Aren't you going to return as well, Alina?" Rayne asked.
"Ah, indeed it's quite late. I should get back before nightfall. I had a wonderful time today."
"Same here, it was really fun spending time together."
"We can still meet some other time again, right?"
"Of course we can," I said, aside from Rayne, she was the first Friend I had made here.
"Then how about we go shopping this week?" She muttered, her eyes sparkling with excitement
"Sure, let's do that. I don't have any plans anyway," I murmured. Smiling at her with enthusiasm.
"I don't have any plans either," Rayne uttered from the side
"Then it's decided," She grinned
"I would be delighted too," I chuckled. She truly looked like a child.
With that, Alina left our house, leaving the two of us alone.
Rayne's POV
The rest of the day went by peacefully, as we prepared dinner and chatted while eating. In the evening, Asher returned from his venture, and I gave him the letter Alina entrusted to me.
"So Alina is going to join The Military academy, too, huh?" He chuckled, a hint of pride in his voice. "Time sure flies."
"She also wanted to ask if you'd train her, since Sir Gerald is out of town."
"There seems to be an emergency at the eastern borders," Asher murmured. "I'll talk with her once she comes here again. For now, you both should go and rest, it's already pretty late."
I headed towards my room, setting the sword carefully on the table. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I drifted into the world of dreams.
"I have been waiting for you."
A voice echoed behind me. I opened my eyes to find myself in a strange, endless place.
It was where I met Azier for the first time.