Amon rubbed the back of his neck, still feeling a faint tremble in his legs from the talk with Queen Celestia.

As he walked through the corridor, he saw Selena standing at a balcony made along the path, to enjoy the view of the city.

Amon smiled and walked toward her.

Selena sensed someone approaching and turned. Seeing Amon, she looked at him with cold eyes, her arms folded, staring sharply. A thin crease formed between her brows. Half worry, half annoyance.

"You really don't know how to stay put, do you?" she sighed.

Amon smiled awkwardly. "Hehe… but I'm fine, Senior. I didn't die, right?"

"That's not something to joke about." She flicked his forehead lightly. "Next time you plan to do something reckless, don't. And don't tell anyone what you saw there."

"Yes ma'am." Amon saluted dramatically, making her exhale a helpless laugh.

"Oh your mother also said same thing to me."

They talked a bit more, mostly Selena scolding and Amon pretending to listen properly. Eventually her tone softened.

When she heard that her mother was merely lying about punishing him, she didn't look surprised. As if she already anticipated it. Amon felt wrong.

His Senior should have told him beforehand. But no, she actually made him more terrified by her comments.

"We leave for the academy this evening. I have already taken care of things for which I had come." she said. "So until then… why don't we explore the city? I'm sure you want to look around."

Amon's eyes lit up instantly. "Really? Yes! Yes I want to! I mean… yeah, sure. That sounds nice… by the way, what business did you have? Was it not anything to do with Queen Celestia?"

Selena shook her head, amused. "No, it was not. I had just came here to take some things. Now we can go."

Soon, they left the palace. A sleek black car. Different from the one they had come in, waited for them and a servant drove them toward the Imperial Capital streets.

The city was bright and alive, the sky clear blue, the warm sun shining on white-stone buildings, golden lamps and banners flowing gently in the morning breeze.

It was around eleven o'clock in the morning and the streets were busy. Merchants calling out, kids running, adventurers chatting loudly.

The car stopped near the main boulevard — a grand street filled with restaurants, magic shops, music stalls, and charming stone pathways shaded by tall mana-infused trees.

"We'll walk from here," Selena said.

Amon jumped out first, stretching his arms with excitement. "Yes! Time to explore!"

Selena stepped out too, her silver hair shimmering under sunlight, her calm presence drawing glances from passersby.

"Don't run off," she warned lightly.

"I won't," Amon replied — already looking around everywhere like a crazy man.

They started walking side by side.

A street performer played a glowing crystal violin, children chased floating mana bubbles, vendors sold enchanted snacks, and the smell of fresh bread and sweet fruit filled the air.

The city. Despite being noisy, oddly felt peaceful.

Amon's eyes sparkled. "Senior, Senior! Can we try that food stall? And that magic trinket shop? And—"

Selena chuckled softly. "We will. One by one."

Their day in the Imperial Capital had just begun. Peaceful, warm, and full of life.

Amon couldn't help but smile.

After last night's terror, this felt like a blessing.

And for now, he just wanted to enjoy every second of it.

Amon walked beside Selena, hands in his pockets, eyes darting around like an excited village kid seeing a city for the first time.

"So many food stalls…" he whispered, staring at skewers grilling over open flames.

His stomach growled loudly.

Selena looked at him and laughed softly.

"You just ate at the palace."

Amon pouted at her comment. He didn't want to hear that from her.

'She herself was a big foodie and calling me like that!' Amon thought.

"Yeah but… palace food is different. Too fancy. This… this feels real."

Amon pointed at the stall. "That meat looks holy."

Selena shook her head. "You are hopeless." Despite trying to act normal, she also wanted to try it.

She walked over and bought four skewers. Amon blinked.

"For me?"

"No," she said dryly, and handed them to him anyway. "I just enjoy feeding starving puppies."

Amon took the skewer dramatically.

"I am honored. Woof."

Selena blinked. Her expressionless face tried not to laugh and failed. Her stoic face crumbled.

Selena ate her two skewers very quickly, while Amon ate slowly.

They walked again. A soft breeze brushed past them, carrying the scent of flowers from a nearby garden.

The busy streets slowly grew quieter as they reached the riverside. Water gently rippled, reflecting the orange evening sky.

Amon leaned on the railing. "The city is huge… and beautiful. Hard to believe I'm really here."

Out of all the cities Amon had visited till now, this was by far the biggest one. Even bigger than Elarith. Not only that, the people living here were all well-settled. Even a normal vegetable shopkeeper earned well here.

Selena stood beside him, her long hair swaying with the wind, red eyes looking over the city.

"This city… there was a time when this city could swallow you… if you didn't become strong."

Then a rare smile appeared on her face. "But now it has become something beautiful.

It's not perfect and can't say anyone can survive here. But better than before. Even most poor people here can get two times food easily."

Amon turned to her. "Well… it's all thanks to Her Majesty. Your mother."

Selena looked at him for a moment. His black eyes, his small smile, the fire inside him. She relaxed a little.

"You really are reckless."

Amon shrugged. "Maybe. But… you believe in me, right?"

Silence.

Then she gently tapped his forehead with a finger.

"Don't make me regret it."

Amon smirked. "Don't worry. I'll become strong enough to protect you too."

Selena blinked, slightly startled. "…Protect me?"

"Yeah," he said casually. "You helped me a lot. So someday, I want to be someone who can help you back."

Selena didn't know why, but she felt warm. For a moment, her heart beat faster. She smiled, small.

"…Idiot."

Her voice was softer than usual. And for a moment, she stood a little closer. Just enough that their shoulders nearly touched.

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