Destroyer of Ice and Fire

“Authentic Tears of the Forest Goddess, twenty silver coins.”

“Alright, I'll buy it.”

Early morning, inside an antique store inside Eichemalar. Rinloran watched the shop owner fetch a red garnet bottle. He put his hand inside the pocket of his school uniform, then his face suddenly turned awkward.

He said he was buying it, but he didn't have his wallet on him. He had to have forgotten it inside his room.

“You don't have your wallet? I'll lend you some first,” a somewhat shy voice came to his ears just then.

“Nikita?”

Only after looking back did Rinloran realize Nikita had come inside somewhen.

He hesitated for a fraction of a second, then nodded. “Alright, I'll pay you back when we return to the athlete village.”

After Nikita paid for him, the two of them walked out of this antique store, both a little taciturn.

Nikita was different from the other Agate Lake girls Sophia called crazy and deranged, devoid of the style of a demure lady. She'd always been...