Following Jake’s tale of his journey, Auntie Rayne and Elana stepped into the kitchen to prepare lunch. It was originally meant to be a small meal, one that could hold them over and also replenish Jake's energy since he hadn't eaten anything large in a few days. His meager meals were meant to give him enough energy to walk from one resting point to the next. This gave him just enough caloric fuel to sustain his trip. There wasn’t anything enjoyable tasting or satisfying in any of those rations. After hearing that, his Auntie decided to put more effort into the menu. A real meal was being prepared for him, and his Auntie planned to give him a small feast to enjoy.

While the ladies cooked, Jake tended to his equipment. He emptied his rucksack and spread all the contents out to take inventory of what he had. He did this both to reorganize the pack and shed some extra weight where he could. Unfortunately, doing that wasn't easy. He already packed light. Any lighter and he might break into necessities.

“What’s all this?” Having been shooed away for the moment, Elana decided to peek over Jake’s shoulder. Her eyes glazed over the plethora of seemingly random items, as if trying to figure out why he carried the things he did.

"Travel gear, weapons, extra clothes, and some leftover food. I almost ran out, actually. Two more days and I would’ve been in trouble.” Jake organized his items to differentiate tools from weapons from clothing items. He then grouped like items that complimented one another, such as a fire starting kit, a water cleaning kit, and a small food preparation set. He pushed both the water cleaning and fire starting kits off to the side. He also had the remaining rations, his old village clothes, and the flares he’d accidentally kept with him out of the village. Now that he could use his magic comfortably, there was no need for most of those items. He would replace the rations with fresh food as well, so he piled up the food into one cloth wrap while keeping the other wraps separate.

Finding himself lacking extras, Jake made a note to get additional socks and a second set of clothes that actually suited his needs. He hadn’t received his order from Ewana’s seamstress due to the timing of the Maedra attack, leaving him almost unprepared for his trip back. He would have to find his clothes elsewhere. There were a few places within the village he could go, but waiting for them would mean spending more time in one place. Extra time he didn’t originally plan for. That wasn’t a terrible thing but it would delay him a few days depending on the order time. He would also need a blacksmith to replace his weapon repair kit. His whetstone had seen lots of use and the leather repair kit was getting thin on thread and needles.

Elana sat quietly off to his side, watching curiously as Jake meticulously sifted through his gear. She didn’t disturb him or ask petty questions about everything. Instead she quietly watched as he inspected one item after another. He judged the quality and condition of everything he carried, set down what was still useful near his pack, put what needed to be replaced on his right and placed what was to be discarded off to his left. Only when Jake reached for his blades did she finally open her mouth.

“Pretty…” she muttered as he drew one of his elven blades. The silver blade with its radiating light blue edge was certainly a sight to see. Hulgrok’s repairs brought back much of its lost luster while adding a touch of dwarven extravagance to the handle. It was a mutt of a weapon but that was what truly made it beautiful.

“Yes, it is.” Jake noticed his reflection in the flat side of the weapon, his eyes dull compared to the last time he’d seen them. Without a word, he twisted it and inspected the edge. He hadn’t used the weapon since leaving the Ravine but he also hadn’t repaired it since he’d left Ewana. The edge had been resilient and hardly required attention since he took careful care of it but that didn’t mean he could be lazy with its upkeep.

No chips were present. No unusual bows or bends. No cracks, cuts, or splinters. The edge was clean, so Jake decided a basic washing was enough. He cleaned the blade with a ball of water and then used a heated breeze to whisk away the excess. Mana was then pushed through it, testing the weapon's internal synapses to ensure it was still alive and capable of channeling mana.

“Did you get these in the Ravine?” Elana reached towards one of his blades, her tiny hand nearly brushing the hilt before Jake’s own fingers grabbed her wrist.

“Don’t touch.” He warned her briefly before gently nudging her hand away from his equipment. It wasn’t out of spite or disdain for her nor an odd sense of pride for the weapons. “I don’t want your hands getting dirty.” But it was the burden of the blades and what they meant that made him unwilling to let her hand be stained by them. The weapons were impure and filthy, crafted for violence and death. They’d been covered by the blood and rot of the Maedra and countless other foes that Delmuth may have fought against. They performed their jobs dutifully at the selfish request of their wielders. Jake did not want Elana’s tender hand contaminated by such filth.

Elana, on the other hand, didn’t see that. To her they were just sharp objects made for stabbing and cutting. She huffed at him and crossed her arms, annoyed. “Dirty? What kind of nonsense are you sprouting now?” Her eyes rolled in her head as she watched him check the other sword of the pair.

“Nonsense or not, hands off.” Of all the petty things to fuss about, Jake picked one of the least understood. Elana trained to be a Guardsman and fully prepared herself to protect the village. However, the peaceful nature of the desert around them meant she was never forced to raise her weapon. The lack of resources and the proactive efforts of the village’s Hunting Parties kept the Dunebeasts at a safe distance. It wasn’t her fault and Jake was thankful for it. Part of him wondered if she would be different if that were not the case.

“Fine, you brute.” Elana huffed at him again and returned to quiet, her eyes taking in his view as he worked through his blades.

Jake finished checking his elven blades before moving on to his spellblade, the two extra swords, and finally, he inspected the knives on his back. Elana must not have noticed them before as she stared at the small holsters on his back. Though surprised, she elected not to say anything. She must have been confused or concerned that he refused to be unarmed. However, whatever answer she came to on her own was enough to sate her mouth.

By the time Jake finished, his Auntie had finished preparing lunch. As expected, it was a larger meal than usual but most of the food was given to Jake to eat. Slabs of grilled and flavored meat, a bowl of mixed fruits and chopped vegetables, a bowl of soup with thin noodles and chunks of fatty meat, and several warmed buns with a honey glaze over them. Auntie Rayne passed Jake ample food to fill his belly and Elana ensured he had plenty to drink. Together, they enjoyed their first meal in a long time. There were plenty of giggles and laughter from the ladies as they shared with him the news of the village since he’d been gone.

Jake didn't find much of note. Every month, the Rites of Passage ceremonies continued with plenty of new couples as the children aged. The caravans continued to bring fresh items and trade seemed to be bustling near the port. Something about the recent war in a neighboring country having increased the number of passing merchants. There were some concerns about the war spilling over the border to the east. However, with the village being so far removed from it all, Jake doubted the war would reach them. He would interfere beforehand if he had to.

The Elders were aging and Elder Yawa’s days were numbered. Auntie refused to believe the rumors. Until she saw a body or proof, she was tough to convince. Elana, on the other hand, swore by it and joked about the possibility of the Elder croaking in the next few months. She gobbled up the rumors with innocent and gullible eyes which made even Jake smile. She had always been that way and it made her adorable.

Of all the things Jake was interested in, it was Elana's ceremony. It seemed it was an event people were still talking about as she had put on quite the show during it. Elana scoffed, annoyed by Jake's Auntie. Apparently Elana hadn’t danced. She’d gone through the motions for the first portion of the ceremony but then sat down on the side, unwilling to participate in the Marital Dance. A tradition-breaking moment that caused a stir.

Even so, she received plenty of gifts and requests for marriage from several of the new men and even men from outside the village, all of which she declined. She was originally told she had two years left to choose before Jake left. However, it seemed the Elders had other plans and shoehorned her into the ceremony against her will. When they then attempted to force her into marriage, Elana chose the time to reveal her magic. It was feeble and weak. However, she had enough latent ability to coerce the Elders into giving her the title of Magi. This then meant she could openly decide who to marry. And her available suitors could only be other Magi or men with physical prowess. Few of which were available at the time.

With Jake also being labeled as a village Magi, she’d declared him as her husband. Being the boy’s benefactor, Auntie Rayne seconded the motion and without Jake even being present, his marital status was settled for him. All according to plan, apparently.

“The men around here are boring, ugly, and selfish. When they look at me, all they see are hips and tits.” She rolled her eyes, hard, as she explained herself. She stuffed a thin cut of meat into her mouth. After chewing briefly, she continued to rant. “They’re all cowards.”

“Chew then talk.” Jake pointed out an unladylike sight only to receive a harsh glare from her. Having to relive that memory stirred up some angry emotions in her, it seemed.

Elana jabbed her fork in his face, swallowing the meat before opening her mouth. “It’s your fault I had to go through that, you know. If you had been an honest little boy and done as you were told, I would’ve been able to dance! But no, you had to run off like a brat.”

Jake swatted at her hand. “A brat?! I’m not about to sit on my ass my entire life. There's more out there to enjoy than this boring plot of sand.”

“Hah! And that’s what annoys me about you.” Elana’s eyebrows knit tight as she leaned toward him, ready for a fight. “Your head is so far up in the clouds that even if I tried to shove my foot up your ass to fix you, I wouldn’t reach it.”

“Good. Maybe instead of wasting your time trying to kick me you should put some actual effort into learning how to be a real woman.” Jake leaned away from her and scowled, his nose scrunched as if he was looking at an insect.

Elana’s eyebrows twitched. “Alright. Now we’re fighting.” She set down her fork and moved her cushion back.

“Wha-!” Without hesitating, Elana lunged across the table and pounced on him. Jake barely had time to release his own fork and move away from the table before he was pinned down on the rug behind him. “You-!” He tried to grunt out a word but her hand suddenly clamped over his mouth as she clawed at him. Jake bucked his hips and snatched the arm coming towards him. With a tug, Jake pulled her shoulder down towards him and twisted his hips. Her weight shifted on top of him as he tossed her, the two of them rolling away from the table as Jake reversed their positions.

She landed in the sand, flat on her back, the air filling briefly with a puff of sand. Her legs locked around his waist. He kept control of one arm and protected his face with the other. He was careful not to squeeze or tug too hard as her bronze skin writhed beneath him. She contorted her body and pivoted her hips to slip a knee beneath him. Utilizing her flexibility as a weapon, she drove her knee into his pelvis to get his weight off her. Yet, before her knee made contact, Jake sprawled his feet back and sank his weight onto her.

Elana huffed and grunted, her leg stuck between them and one of her arms trapped over her own face. Jake quickly wrapped it around her. He pinned her hand in the sand with his own and trapped her beneath him with his weight.

“See? You might be pretty but this is why you won’t find a good man.” Jake grunted in frustration and continued to hold her tight.

The woman beneath him didn’t give up, squirming and wiggling as she tried to get loose. Her leg eventually slid free but Jake closed the gap. He used his own hips to trap hers to the sand and spread his knees, digging them in tight against her thighs to keep her legs from moving freely. She clawed at his side with one hand but the arm still trapped across her face wasn’t getting free. Jake grabbed hold of her waist, his arm flexing as he kept her from squirting off to the side, an action she was desperately trying to do.

“You know…” Auntie Rayne finally spoke up once the two became locked. “If you want to make me a grandchild, I can arrange plenty of alone time this evening.”

The pair froze, staring into one another’s eyes for a moment. Jake, recognizing their closeness, suddenly noticed the alluring scents radiating from Elana’s skin. He could feel her body heat. He could feel the soft and supple nature of her skin. He could even feel her breath on his cheek from how close their faces were. A flood of his senses made his head spin as his manly instincts filled his mind with irrationality.

He jerked up onto his knees, releasing her from his grip while simultaneously freeing her from his burdensome weight. Free from the pin, Elana didn’t hesitate. Her hips twisted and she kicked him in the thigh. His leg snapped back and her hand snatched his shirt. Off balance, Jake flailed as she forced him face first into the sand. She was on him before he could recover, her legs twisting around his waist as she pushed her weight against his back, pinning him beneath her. Her feet hooked between his thighs, pulling them apart and forcing him helplessly to the ground.

“I didn’t tap.” She whispered into his ear, the plush of her chest squeezing against his back as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Tired, Jake lay beneath her, his eyes dead as he stared at the table. He lay there without resistance as she put him into a loose headlock, done with the fight as she clung to him like some monkey. “Why are you like this?” He grumbled.

“How else am I going to get skinship out of you?” She retorted, smacking his head as she withdrew her feet from his thighs, releasing him from her leg lock. She didn’t get off him, though, and remained seated on his lower back. “You’re always so quick to run. If I don’t tackle you or fight with you, you’ll never touch me.”

The boy paused for a moment, turning his head to look up at the woman. Finding somewhere safe to settle his eyes was difficult. The Magi robes didn’t help as they only accentuated her figure and exposed plenty of skin. This was far too much for Jake to handle at such a close distance. Despite being called Magi Robes, the attire was more like a dress than a robe. One more befitting of a belly dancer than a respected magic user in the village. But, with how curvy and alluring Elana was, it certainly suited her well.

The top portion of the outfit was a cross-pattern top composed of two straps of white fabric, tied together behind her neck and around her waist. Only her breasts were covered by the dress’s top, revealing her shoulders, arms, back, and a deep neckline. The bottom of the straps were held firmly in place by a thin silvery sash that concealed much of her lower belly. The sash was tied neatly to her right hip, the excess dangling only a few inches. This was to show that it had been made specifically for her waistline. Beneath the sash, a flat skirt dangled down to cover her lower body. A task it clearly struggled to do. The thin, silky fabric barely reached her knees. The two vents along her thighs were held open by the bronze plush concealed beneath. With her sitting down on Jake, there was more skin exposed than covered.

The robes accentuated her feminine features and it was obvious to see why she was so sought after. She was above average in the chest department. Her waist was wide and sturdy, appropriate for a woman in her prime. Her legs were supple, shapely, and toned from regular physical activity. Intelligence, magic ability, and personality aside, Elana was a quality mare. Jake would never deny her beauty, but he also couldn't put aside the rest of her. She wasn’t gentle nor easy to deal with and her personality conflicted with his own. She was comfortable in the village and sought a quiet, peaceful life with plenty of children at her heels. She also sought a husband to spend time with regularly.

She didn’t mind a boring life. To her, it just meant more time with the people she loved. Jake liked that motherly side of her. Yet it was the overbearing nature that he found insufferable. Jake found it easier to avoid getting hitched with her. He considered her an older sister from how she constantly doted on him and toyed with him. As a wife, she would stifle his desire for adventure.

“Have you ever considered why I might be so hesitant?” Jake pulled his eyes away and planted his hands in the sand, signaling that he wanted to get up.

She didn’t move. Instead, her knees widened as she sank her weight onto him. “Is it because you’re a wimp?”

Jake flopped into the sand again and groaned. “Please get off me.”

“Say it.” She flicked his ear.

Jake flinched from the hit. “Say what?”

“You know what I want to hear.” She teased him, flicking the tip of her finger at his ear again.

“I give?” He cupped his ear to keep her from flicking it. Undeterred, she flicked at the other one.

“No. I want to hear it.” Ever the playful cat, Elana prodded at him for something she only wanted to hear from him. But, she had never defined for him what it was, making it impossible for him to know what she was talking about. He could ponder a few guesses, but he wasn’t about to play the foolish guessing game that would quickly earn him trouble.

Before he caved to her incessant nudging, Auntie Rayne clapped her hands loudly. “Enough, you two. Be lovebirds together after the meal. Now come and finish eating. I have work to return to. And you have afternoon training, Elana.” She spoke her orders, ending their play.

Elana groaned and got off Jake’s back, finally allowing him to get off the ground. He brushed himself off before returning to the table to finish his meal. Elana plopped down at his side, her cushion conveniently shifted to butt up against his. Her presence was suffocating.

“I hate that training. It’s useless.” Elana voiced her obvious contempt for Magi training, likely due to its difficulty. For as long as Jake knew her, she either didn't possess enough control over her magic to use it or just recently discovered her ability. The latter was unlikely, as all children were tested for magic when young. Which meant Elana’s magic strength was far too low to be useful in the village and something recently changed that.

Jake stopped eating as that thought crossed his mind, gaining the women's attention. “Elana. Did you start practicing magic recently or something?” Jake looked at her, staring at her body as he looked for any markings. None.

“Uh, sort of. When I found out you had magic, I decided to be more serious about it. So I started practicing at night." She gripped her skirt and turned her head away. “It was one more way to get you to marry me, so of course I would try it."

Jake pressed his lips together, staring down at her belly. His piercing eyes must have made her uncomfortable as the woman wrapped her arms around herself and gave him an odd look. He ignored her twisted expression and quickly finished his bowl of soup, slurping down the broth and chugging the remaining contents.

“I’m finished, Auntie. We’ll clean up. You go back to work.” Jake collected the plates and bowls, stacking them all in the middle of the table. “Elana, grab that water bucket and bring it here. I’m training you.”

“What?” Both women recoiled and blinked as Jake suddenly spurred into action. They were miffed by his sudden activity, confused by what made him so suddenly interested in helping Elana.

Jake ignored their dumbfounded looks and snatched up the plates in one stack, the bowls in a second. He rose smoothly to his feet and carried everything into the kitchen simultaneously. Swiftly and efficiently, Jake began cleaning the plates and utensils, handling the chore without complaint. Though surprised by his sudden vigor, his Auntie did as requested and got to her feet. She collected what she needed to return to work and kissed Jake on the cheek.

“Enjoy your afternoon, Lyaha. Will you be here for dinner?” She paused to ask her question, to which Jake nodded.

He flashed her a wide grin, happy to give her some good news for once. “Yes Auntie. I’ll be here for a while. Dinner would be amazing.”

As expected, Auntie Rayne’s lips curled into a broad smile and her eyes lit up with joy. She gave him another kiss on the cheek before also giving one to Elana. She found her sandals, adjusted her clothing to protect herself from the sun, and slipped out of the tent. Thus, Elana and Jake were left alone. Elana waited anxiously at the table, having retrieved the water bucket, and watched Jake’s back as he finished the dishes. He used magic to assist him, which was quite amazing for her to see. The way he used water to clean the plates and then blasts of air to dry them off in an instant was mesmerizing. It was obvious how skilled he was with the tool from his speed, comfort, and efficiency.

Unfortunately, she knew she would never be at that level.

“Alright.” But while Elana thought negatively about her magic ability, Jake only thought of the possibilities. Though his gift was unnatural and a far cry from Elana's latent abilities, he knew quite a few tricks that would help her grow. Depending on her mana source’s strength, there were lots of options available to take. So long as she dedicated herself to the basics, she could command water to do her bidding. Well, as much as she’d ever need as a village magi and a mother. There would be no need for her to use it in combat so Jake only needed to teach her enough to be comfortable with it.

“First, let me see what you have.” Jake returned to the table and knelt down on his cushion beside Elana. He would need to check her mana capacity first.

“See? See what?” She blinked, her head tilting out of confusion as she looked at him strangely.

Then, right in front of her, Jake triggered his Sensory magic. His eyes began to glow a soft blue, reflecting the color of mana pulsing through them as his vision shifted in front of him. Elana’s outline appeared before him, her body glowing beneath his gaze. Elana flinched, naturally leaning away from him as he narrowed his eyes on her chest. Jake found her mana source in a second, which led him to the rest of her mana flow. It wasn’t particularly strong as it didn’t glow powerfully or pulse in any extraordinary way. Compared to the Maedra’s and Dragonkin's, it was plain.

“Jake? Your eyes?” Unease must have overtaken her, as Jake’s leering blue eyes were much different from what she was used to. The sudden change in color, the sudden glow, the sudden attention to her body. It felt wrong.

Jake didn’t mind her concerns, waving them off as he deactivated the spell and dispersed his mana. “Just a side effect of the magic. It’s fine.”

Elana didn’t bite. She frowned and fixed her posture, sitting on her heels as she sighed. “What else about you has changed?” She muttered, her eyes tracing over him. “I kept quiet because of Auntie but… you’re different now, Jake.”

Jake met her eyes, staring into them as she searched his face for any other changes she might need to know about. “What did you expect, Elana?” Jake sighed and fell backwards, sitting flat on the rug instead of the cushion. He leaned back on one of his hands and made himself comfortable. “After six months in that pit, anyone would come out different.” He grimaced and looked away from her. “I just did what I could to survive. It was all I could do to make sure I made it back home."

Elana shifted on her cushion, her hands fumbling with her skirt hem. “Did you ever think about the village?”

Jake nodded. “Not a lot but I did dream about it often. I started to forget how the sand felt towards the end, though. I forgot how hot the sun could get. I forgot the sounds of music we play when we party. I forgot a lot of voices I thought I’d memorized. I forgot a lot of faces and names.” His voice trailed off as he tried to recall all of the things he wondered about while in the Ravine. All the things he dreamt of about home, only for those things to fade away as he lost more and more details.

Elana lowered her head, her hair falling over her shoulders as she stared at the floor. “Did you almost forget about me? Your Auntie?"

While Jake played the fool, he wasn’t stupid. Her change in demeanor was clear and he quickly picked up on it. Thankfully, there was no need to lie. “No,” he said bluntly. He smiled and sat up, scooching in closer so he could reach out with his arm and touch her. His finger brushed over her face, pushing her hair back to reveal the pretty complexion underneath. “I was always thinking about you two. I worried a lot that you two might fret about me. If I was being truthful, I only came home for the both of you. Otherwise, I don’t think I’d ever have come back.”

Elana peered up at him from beneath her bangs, staring at that friendly smile. She nodded sheepishly and mumbled something too quiet for him.

“What?” he asked.

“-again…” she mumbled.

“...Louder.” He huffed.

“Do that again.” Her eyes shifted away from him, her cheeks flushed with color.

Jake’s brow furrowed as he spotted the cute expression. He laughed and then brushed his hand over her face again, pushing the strands of hair behind her ear. He then rubbed his fingers slowly over her head and down her neck. “You really are like a cat, aren’t you?”

Elana’s cheeks puffed and she pawed at his hand. “Don’t tease me, jerk.”

“Don’t make it so easy, then.” Jake laughed again and pulled his hand away. It didn't take long before she reached out and grabbed onto it, her fingers gripping it tightly.

“I love you, Jake.” She said softly. Words spoken just barely loud enough for both of them.

Jake felt his jaw loosen and his lips curled into a soft smile. However, another face suddenly flashed to the front of his mind. A similar gentle voice. A similar soft touch. A similar soft smile…

Yae’s face and her pleasant smile appeared just behind his eyes, causing his lips to press together. His heart throbbed with pain and he found himself unable to answer the woman directly in front of him. Though she gripped his hand, her fingers interlaced with his own, he found it difficult to return the squeeze. His fingers gripped hers and he held her hand, but something was missing.

“I know, Elana.” He failed to return the words, his emotions reeling as his mind spun. Elana must have noticed something, as she turned to look at him. He refused to look at her this time and his hand pulled away. “Let’s teach you some mana control, yeah? You have a good foundation. With some effort, you can become one of the better Magi here in the village.”

Jake quickly changed the subject back to the matter at hand, refocusing their attention on Elana’s magic ability. She had a lot to learn, but, like Jake, not much time to make it into something useful. He would need to cut out the fat and focus on the basics. He could teach her to cultivate and likely get her to cast a Water Ball spell in a few days. It would be up to her and her determination however. Jake couldn’t force her to put in the effort. He couldn’t cultivate her mana for her. It would be up to her to ask the questions, seek the answers, and grow. All he could do was guide her along.

“Okay.” Her excitement wasn't quite as strong anymore, her tone different than before. Jake knew why but avoided it.

The scars from the Ravine were still fresh. Too fresh.

“Sorry, Elana.” He apologized to her in his head, mentally bowing and asking for her forgiveness for his foolery. But he wasn’t about to respond half-heartedly. No, she was far too good a woman for that. If he gave her anything, he wanted it to be the best he could offer. She deserved nothing less than that. As long as Yae’s ghost haunted him, he knew he couldn't provide that for her.

“I’m just another pathetic man, I guess.” Jake let out a sigh suddenly and felt his shoulders sag. Elana noticed and stared at him.

“Oh, sorry.” Jake quickly fixed his face and adjusted his posture, taking a simple position for cultivation. “First, mimic me and take a seat. We’re going to start at the beginning; cultivation.”

It took several hours of teaching and helping Elana understand the basics of magic. He started by teaching her about cultivation, how it could strengthen and nurture her mana flow. Then, as she struggled to grasp her flow, he informed her of what magic was, and how mana worked. He shared with her tricks to feel her mana flow, and coached her through the initial connection. Once she could feel it and sense her flow, he walked her through how to cultivate it. The process was painfully slow and Jake could see the toll it took on her. In mere minutes of dedicated focus, she sweated and struggled to keep her breathing consistent.

They took frequent breaks and Jake provided ample water for her to drink. They found a towel for her to wipe off her sweat in between sessions and she snacked a few times when her stomach pleaded for nourishment. Jake used the time to cultivate as well, improving his own flow and further developing his mana capacity. Elana found it discouraging to see how far ahead he was and was jealous of how easy he made it look. To keep her from giving up, Jake shared how it hadn’t always been that way. As he spoke to her, he shared how much he had struggled and sweated trying to control the feral mana flow he had tamed.

Jake had spent several months cultivating. His mastery of the fundamentals gave him the flexibility to cast his magic almost instinctively. Repetition, perseverance, and discipline earned him achievements. If Elana wanted to be on the same level, she too would need to put an ample amount of time into her efforts. She questioned his timeline, finding it strange that he’d put months into cultivating but only spent six months in the Ravine.

It was then that he remembered when she arrived at the tent. She hadn’t heard about the Library. He had described that to his Auntie before Elana snuck into the tent, so she wasn’t informed of the time disparity. While six months had passed in real time, for Jake it had been much longer.

He considered sharing the information with her and thought about bringing her into the loop with the Library as well. However, he chose not to. Not because of the rule to never share the Library's existence but because he knew how discouraged she might become. The existence of the Library and Jake’s ability to enter such a place put him on an entirely different field of play compared to normal mages. His pass to enter the Library meant that no matter how much Elana tried, no matter how much she studied or cultivated, Jake would always have an edge over her.

Thus, he lied. “I spent many nights cultivating late. On days I wasn’t fighting, I practiced magic. It was tiring and I had a hard time with it. However, once I understood magic and could feel my mana flow naturally, it became easier and easier.”

Such information didn’t make the pill easier to swallow, however. It just told Elana that she had a long, difficult road ahead of her if she wanted to be a true Magi, and not one just in name. Her mana flow wasn’t anything special either so Jake knew she was going to have to work twice as much for it to develop. He could help her and stimulate her mana flow, but she would lose control if he did. A mana explosion was the last thing he wanted for the woman he held dear.

So, Jake continued to coax her along. He guided her through the steps of cultivation and gave her plenty of time to grasp them. She was a fast learner and picked up quickly what was necessary to gain control over her flow. It wasn’t wild like Jake’s had been so she had him beat on that front. But it wasn’t malleable. Her mana was raw and would require plenty of nurturing to become strong enough to support the spells she would be asked to cast. For now, Jake had her focus on cultivating it. No spells would be taught until she had enough capacity to support several of them. As she was now, she was barely capable of casting two Water Ball spells.

Night fell quickly and Auntie Rayne returned to the pair still sitting at the table. Dinner was prepared and Elana excused herself afterwards to bathe and sleep. Jake waited until she was gone to head to the bathhouse himself. He cleansed himself of the filth from his travels, scrubbed off all the grime of his trip, and then let himself soak in the heated water of the open bath. It was late and only a few others were present, most of them older men and merchants. But they were all in the bath by the time Jake entered. When he finally sat down in the water, the other men got out one by one.

Eventually, he was alone. The silent air of the bath finally let him realize where he was. The lack of stone, the clarity of the air. The clear night sky overhead. The lack of pressure on his mind from the constant need to use his Sensory magic. It was truly relaxing, and Jake let the tension across his body and mind slip away. He let out a heavy sigh and closed his eyes, easing into the low

“Look at what we’ve got here…”

“Ah, my peace…” Jake’s eyes cracked open and he stared listlessly at the distant sky, his face void of emotion. He figured no reaction would be appropriate, as reacting would give her more reason to play with him. Thus, he acted like he hadn’t heard anything.

The light footsteps neared where he sat in the water until they were directly behind him. From the angle he sat, Jake couldn’t see the individual. Yet her presence disturbed him further.

“Ignoring me now?” She asked, first from a safe distance. “How about now?” Then, her voice was suddenly a whisper injected directly into his ear.

Jake immediately felt a shiver run down his spine and let out a hot breath, fighting the urge to scramble away like a child. He turned his head, his eyes meeting a pair of light brown orbs looking back at him. “This is the men’s side, Elana.”

She smiled and giggled. “At night it becomes mixed so families can bathe together.” The answer was quickly given and Elana stood up, removing the towel she had wrapped herself in. Jake’s eyes filled with the view of caramel flesh, her bare skin glistening in the moonlight. She was prepared for this. She had already bathed, cleaned up, and performed quite the skin care routine. There wasn’t an imperfection to be found.

Jake rolled his head forward and forced himself to stop staring as she climbed into the bath beside him. He grumbled and turned his head away, still trying not to be immature with his leering but she took every opportunity to make it difficult. She sat not just beside him but so close that their bodies touched. She pushed his arm out of the way, coaxing him to wrap it around her so she could lean into him. She even pressed her leg obnoxiously tight to his. Not an inch of breathing room was left.

“You can look, you know.” She muttered, her hand pawing playfully at his side.

Jake flinched from the touch and looked down at her, intent on swatting at her hand. Instead, he paused. Her face was close enough that they breathed the same air. Not even the steam from the bath could conceal the faint gloss on her thin lips.

“I was told a gentleman doesn’t stare.” Jake quickly turned his head forward, slouching against the bath wall. He closed his eyes, relaxing in the water's heat.

As the tension melted from his muscles, he felt the loitering hand on his side wander. Thin and curious fingers smoothed over his skin, caressing his stomach, chest, and neck as he struggled to relax. “A gentleman also doesn’t leave a lady embarrassed."

“And who’s fault is that?” Jake rumbled and finally opened his eyes again. He looked over at Elana, staring at her face as she grinned back at him.

“Quit being so childish, Jake. You’ll never make a woman happy like that.” She giggled and leaned against him. The plush of her chest squeezed against his side and he felt the water temperature skyrocket. “Oh my…” She mumbled, her attention drawn to his silhouette beneath the water level.

“Quit.” Now it was his turn to be embarrassed.

“Innocent little me isn’t doing anything wrong.” She teased, her voice taking a playful tone.

Having had enough, Jake reached over and flicked at her nose. “Just enjoy the bath, would you?” Unwilling to let his quiet relaxation be disturbed, Jake put an end to her foolery. His assertion finally got her to stop and the woman puffed out her cheeks.

“You bore.” She pouted and turned away, slouching and pushing her back against him.

Jake ignored her rebuttal but took it as a sign that she wouldn’t taunt him anymore for the time being. To sate her obvious desire for skinship, he used the arm wrapped around her to gently massage her shoulder, upper back, and neck. They sat in silence for quite a while like that, the pair letting the water soothe their bodies while enjoying the night view together.

“You’ve changed quite a bit, Jake.” Elana finally spoke again, her voice soft as she leaned her head against his shoulder. “Did you meet someone in the Ravine?”

He didn’t conceal his emotions well. He never did. She must have noticed his demeanor change earlier. “I did.” Not wanting to lie, he answered in earnest. Elana hummed softly.

“Tell me about her?” She shifted, raising a leg from the water to inspect her foot. Her skin shimmered in the light, drawing his eyes along the supple curve of her leg from foot to mid thigh almost naturally.

Jake considered denying her but felt there was a reason for her asking. He had nothing to hide anyway, so there was no need to conceal his relationship with Yae. “Her name was Yae. A dainty and delicate thing. Shorter than me by quite a bit. An oryx but she was very pretty. She wasn’t very assertive like you but she was just as fiery when she was passionate about something. She was the first person I saw when I opened my eyes after being separated from Chul, and she didn’t leave my side since. Figuratively of course. She never stepped into the tunnels to fight with me and didn't run around training. However, she always waited for me when I returned or when I went to their home at night.”

Elana listened quietly, giggling softly for some reason. “She sounds like a cute girl. What, did you feel like you had to protect her?” Elana tilted her head to the left and slouched so her head rested against his chest. It allowed her to look up at him. It also gave Jake quite a view until the waterline concealed the rest.

“No, not quite. I felt comfortable with her. Like no matter what happened, somehow things would turn out alright.” He sighed and stared down towards the water, imagining her face. “I always believed that so long as I returned to her, I would be fine. That everything would be fine. She was always there to reassure me when I had my doubts and was willing to argue and fight whenever I got ahead of myself. When my new strength got to my head, she yelled at me for it. She never shied away from her feelings and was quite bull headed about it all, but she wasn’t oppressive and never forced anything. She was patient with me, waited for me to meet her along the way, and gave me plenty of affection when I was ready for it.”

“Oh? So? Does that mean you did it?” She smiled pervertedly as she rubbed his thigh.

Jake huffed and shook his head. “No, you dunce. We kissed, held hands, and embraced, but that was all.” He ignored her hand that invaded his space on his leg and looked towards the sky. “She wasn’t that type of girl. With her, I felt I would be comfortable going through all of those steps at a slow pace. And I always felt like I had the time to do so. Until I didn’t.”

Elana stared at him, motionless as her eyes searched his face. He concealed the pain in his chest quite well but she was no fool. His words alone told her enough.

“You loved her, yeah?" she asked.

He nodded. “I did.”

“More than me?” she asked.

He paused, only for a moment. “...No. I don’t think so.”

“Oh?” Elana’s eyebrows rose and she suddenly found herself intrigued.

Jake didn’t understand it either, but something felt different about Yae. He loved her. He wanted to be with her and always wanted her with him. He could see himself starting a family with her, loving her for years, and treating her kindly throughout. However, something within him always yearned to return home. He always wanted to return to his Auntie, and Elana. His heart yearned for Elana and he frequently dreamed about her, even when Yae was close to him. No matter how much he fell further in love with Yae, his heart still cried for just one more moment with Elana. It made him feel terrible.

“So you love me too, then?” she asked.

Jake finally found himself able to give her a proper answer, now that he understood the rift in his heart. He finally put the pieces of his heart together and realized why being with Elana felt so calming and reassuring. He also understood why he was already able to properly grieve over the loss of Yae.

"Yeah," he answered.

“Good.” Elana twisted over and climbed up his chest. One of her hands pressed against his sternum, holding him in place. The other cupped his cheek, directing his head and keeping him from looking away. Her lips pressed into his, lingered, and stole his breath for what felt like an eternity. Jake planted a hand on her side, gripping her skin as they kissed. He didn’t fight her and let her have her fill. When she was satisfied, her lips pulled away and they exchanged a heated exhale of breath. “Don’t make me wait, boy.”

With that, Elana climbed out of the bath and wrapped her towel around her body. She left the bathhouse without another word and without looking back at him, her feet quickly carrying her out of sight. Jake was left behind, his body on fire and his mind a fuzzy mess. It wasn’t long before he was compelled to get out, lest he overheat.

“Damned women.” He huffed, stepping out of the water to dry himself off. He left the bath to the clothing area and put on a thin skirt he’d purchased to replace the one he’d ruined in the Ravine. He didn’t wear a shirt, embracing the chilled air of the night as he stepped out into the village. It was still lively since the caravan was around and people were outside drinking, eating, and enjoying the festive air that always came with the Trading week. He passed by it all, pausing only to return a few smiles and waves to those who called out to him. However, he did as told and promptly returned to his Auntie’s tent.

It was dark inside. There was no tea, no candles to light the room, no auntie to welcome him back or talk his ear off. He was greeted only by a familiar pair of sandals beside the entrance. Jake brushed his feet free of sand and then went to the far side of the tent, hanging up his towel to dry. He hadn’t seen her anywhere in the main tent so there was only one other place left to look.

Jake stepped through the partition into the sleeping area. Elana looked up at him from his bed space, sitting comfortably along the cushions. She was dressed in only a tiny silk top and a matching sheer skirt. Both covered barely a sliver of her beauty. A few candles were lit but they hardly provided light beyond the entryway.

The boy huffed and released the knot holding the curtain, closing the flap for privacy.

“What was that huff for?” She muttered, her ears sharp as ever.

“Nothing,” Jake rolled his eyes, using the darkness to conceal the motion as he neared his already occupied bed.

She lifted up a leg and planted it on his thigh, stopping him in his tracks. “You just rolled your eyes, didn’t you?”

“Woman, what do you-”

Not wanting to hear him any more, she put a finger to her lips. Jake's lips sealed shut as he obeyed and he let his stiff shoulders relax. Then, the foot tugged on the fabric holding his skirt tied to his waist, pulling apart the knot and stripping him bare.

"Come here."

From that moment on, all Jake could remember was the touch of her skin.