The evening arrived with the sky transforming into layers of gold, rose, and deep amber. The sun hung low over the water, painting everything it touched with warmth that seemed to seep into the sand itself.

The earlier chaos had mellowed into comfortable contentment, and people scattered across the beach in small clusters,

Reinhard sat on the sand, legs stretched out, white jacket discarded beside him. Brunhilde settled gracefully next to him, azure dress arranged carefully.

She held his right hand between both of hers, fingers tracing the black glove that hid his Beast Symbols. Her touch was gentle but purposeful, mapping the patterns beneath the fabric.

"Your Fire Rune," she began, her voice carrying that patient teaching quality. "You've been using it to simply set things on fire, but you can do far more with it, like shaping it and coating it."

"I can already shape it? I thought I would need to be at your level to do that." Reinhard says with a blink.

"My level makes it easier, but truthfully. The rune responds to its wielder's intention and the powers from the magic fueling it." Brunhilde says with a faint smile.

Reinhard watched her fingers move, felt the warmth of her touch even through the fabric. Around them, the others had given them space as they understood this was important.

"Try visualization," Brunhilde continued as her eyes met his. "Don't just summon flames. Picture exactly what shape you want it to take before the rune activates. A blade, a shield, and even a spiral. The greatest benefit of Runes is one's imagination and how creative they can be."

Her hand moved to his left. "Lightning is similar but different. While Fire spreads and consumes, Lightning seeks the path of least resistance. In simple terms, it wants to connect and move through its target." She traced a jagged line across his palm. "You can guide that seeking. Make yourself the starting point and choose the destination. Or reverse it by becoming the ground that draws the strike to you."

Reinhard flexed his fingers, feeling the potential energy in his symbols. The explanation made something click into place; he'd been thinking of his runes as simple on-off switches when they were actually instruments requiring finesse.

Sunset gilded Brunhilde's features as she traced invisible patterns across his palm. "Wind is both freedom and constraint," she said. "Unlike the others, it exists only in how it affects the world around it." Her fingertips skimmed his skin like a gentle current. "Master it as spirals to deflect, walls to redirect, or compressed force that shatters."

She shifted her attention to his final mark. "The Stunning Rune works differently. Not external like the elements, but it strikes both on a person's skin and through their body." Her hands encircled his wrist. "You've been hurling it as words, right?"

Reinhard nodded.

"Reverse your approach." Her grip firmed, demonstrative. "Charge yourself first, then transfer the effect through contact. Your body remains immune because it originates within you." Her eyes held his. "It's similar to the Lightning Rune but a bit simpler."

Reinhard felt the runes words swirling over his palm, and then he tapped a leaf moving through the air. And then he watched it freeze before falling down to the ground in a straight line without swaying.

"Good! Now just practice more with the Runes. But be careful of your magic, as these do take a lot more creativity; the more creative you become based on the shapes." Brunhilde cautioned, her thumbs making slow circles on his pulse.

They sat in comfortable silence after that, hands still connected, watching the sun sink lower.

"You seem happier now, freer and a burden." Brunhilde says softly.

"I am… It's odd… Is this how you felt at that time? After the dream?" Reinhard asked as he glanced down at the sand.

"I did, and still do." Brunhilde says, making Reinhard blink, and she continues. "Being your sword and shield has made me pretty happy."

"Are you sure? Ever since you followed me… You had to deal with countless threats ranging from sieges of humanoid roots, the Source of Curses, and a terrifying Saint."

"Hahaha, those were fun times." Reinhard's lip twitched, and then she continued. "But I also got to experience what a Bonfire event was, helped free Eastern Hesod, saw that beautiful golden light, and many stunning sights…"

Brunhilde tilted her head with a faint smile. "I got to further learn more about the medical field from Celestia, got the chance to go on a beach trip with others, something I always wanted… And I was able to have so much fun with people who actually wanted me here."

Reinhard trembled before smiling faintly as he squeezed her hand. "And you will do even more things with us."

"Of course, I promise to stay with you forever."

"Good… I want to go to more festivals and other fun things with you and the others." Reinhard then looks to the sky.

The sky deepened from gold to crimson to purple, and then stars began emerging, glittering and shining their light over the entire beach.

A sharp crack drew their attention down the beach.

Scáth had acquired several watermelons from somewhere and lined them up on a flat rock. Her purple hair whipped as she drew back, then struck with her open palm. The watermelon exploded, red flesh and green rind fragmenting outward.

Her wine-colored eyes shone with satisfaction.

"Combat practice or dinner prep?" Roana called out dryly.

"Both!" Scáth laughed, striking another.

This one split cleanly in half, the red interior glistening.

She made quick work of the remaining melons, then began distributing pieces. Hands reached out, accepting the sweet fruit with juice running down chins and dripping onto sand.

Klein's entire face was quickly sticky, his grin massive between bites. Anna and Anasha compared their pieces, debating which was bigger. Marie ate hers elegantly despite the mess, somehow maintaining grace.

Night fully arrived.

The first stars became hundreds, then thousands, with a beautiful spiral stretching overhead like spilled paint. The ocean had transformed from blue to black, reflecting starlight in shifting patterns.

Irene appeared, carrying a large bag, and Resa was helping her.

They set it down with a heavy thump that made sand puff up.

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