Chapter 41 - The Double-Date (2)

The next day arrived.

Luca stood near the training field, arms crossed, waiting for just the right moment. Aurelia was early—waiting for his answer. She greeted him with her trademark fire and asked what he had to say.

When he explained the date idea, her eyes lit up at first—until he added that Lilliane and Aiden would be tagging along.

There was a short pause.

"...I see," she said flatly.

Her voice didn’t show it much, but Luca could swear her smile dipped just slightly. "So it’s not just the two of us."

"Uh... yeah. Lilliane wanted some help, and Aiden was free, so I thought it’d be less awkward if we all went together." He scratched the back of his head. "Kind of like a friendly group outing."

Aurelia looked at him for a moment, then sighed with a shrug. "Fine. Just don’t forget that

you

owe me a real date later."

Luca laughed nervously. "Noted."

Days passed in a blur.

And then—

The morning arrived.

Luca stood in front of his mirror, for once not in academy uniform, but in comfortable, earth-toned casuals. A t-shirt, belted pants, and leather boots. The kind of clothes that looked plain enough to blend into a crowd, but sharp enough to make a good impression.

He took a moment to adjust his collar, brushing his hair back before staring at himself.

It’s been a long time since I wore anything like this...

His reflection stared back—different from the version of himself who arrived in this world.

Not just in clothes.

In resolve.

But beneath that, a new worry twisted in his gut. His mind wandered back to the real reason for today’s outing.

The hidden piece.

A special item—sealed on a mountain just outside the academy grounds. One he stumbled upon by accident during his only full exploration playthrough.

If he were playing as Aiden, it wouldn’t matter.

That item was useless for the Hero archetype.

But for him—

For Luca, —it was

vital.

I only found it once. Never visited it again because it had no real use to the main team.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

The issue is getting them there without suspicion. It’s not exactly on the regular sightseeing path...

He glanced at the clock.

No point overthinking it. Let’s just come up with something along the way.

With a deep breath and one last look at himself, Luca stepped away from the mirror and toward the door.

Time to set the plan in motion.

Luca arrived at the designated meeting spot—a stone path just outside the academy gates where carriages and hiking trails split into the city below or the mountains beyond.

He was early.

But not for long.

Footsteps echoed lightly on the stone, and the next to appear was Aiden.

Casual clothes looked good on him—clean-cut navy t-shirt, a thin silver pendant glinting at his neck, and rolled-up sleeves that somehow made him look both approachable and... annoyingly handsome.

"Hey," Aiden said with a small wave.

"Hello," Luca replied.

A brief silence hung in the air like mist.

Neither of them was particularly chatty to begin with, and now that they were face-to-face with no immediate crisis, the gap between them was... awkward.

Eventually, Aiden broke it. "So... what’s the plan for today?"

Luca blinked. "Uh... what do you mean?"

Aiden shrugged casually. "Lilliane told me it was your idea. So I figured you’ve got some activities in mind."

Luca froze for a moment, then forced a chuckle. "Ahahaha... right. Of course she did."

Why would she say that?

he wondered, mentally throwing his hands up.

But actually... this works out perfectly. If everyone’s expecting me to lead, I can steer us straight to the hidden piece.

Just as he opened his mouth to respond—

"Sorry we’re late!"

Two voices rang out in sync.

Lilliane and Aurelia had arrived.

And the moment Luca turned to see them, his brain stopped functioning for half a second.

Lilliane wore a pastel skirt and a soft white top, her hair tied in neat twin braids. She looked flustered, cheeks already pink as she gave Aiden a quick wave and looked away just as fast.

But next to her—

Aurelia.

Red hair tied in a loose side ponytail, her amethyst eyes practically glowing with mischief. Her outfit was as explosive as her personality: a bold cropped t-shirt that exposed her toned midriff and a pair of skin-tight black leather pants that hugged every curve like they were made just for her.

She walked with confidence—and purpose—each step like it was meant for the stage.

She stopped right in front of Luca, who was still very much trying (and failing) not to stare.

A slow smirk tugged at her lips.

"Like what you see, fiancé?"

Luca’s mouth opened. Nothing came out.

He coughed into his hand, looking anywhere but at her abs. "Y-you’re certainly dressed for... the weather."

Aurelia chuckled, clearly satisfied with his reaction.

Behind her, Lilliane whispered something to herself and gave her skirt a tiny tug, clearly regretting her choice to not be more daring.

Meanwhile, Aiden offered a polite nod to both girls and said, "You both look nice."

Lilliane nearly melted on the spot.

Luca, however, was already recalculating today’s plan in his head.

Alright... let’s get through this ’date’ thing smoothly, make sure Lilliane gets her chance, and most importantly—

He glanced up toward the barely visible silhouette of the mountain ridge in the distance.

—get that hidden piece.

The Arcadia City nestled below the academy was charming in its own way. Cobblestone streets, aromatic stalls, small cafés, and flower carts lined the roads like something out of a storybook.

The double date began... with confusion.

"Let’s start with something light," Luca suggested, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. "Maybe... snacks?"

Stop 1: Spicy Meat Skewers

Aurelia immediately dragged Luca to the meat stalls.

He tried to suggest something soft, easy—like pastries.

"Pastries are for old people. This is fuel for warriors," she declared, ordering the spiciest skewers on the menu.

Luca took one bite and nearly saw God.

"Oh my god—it’s lava—my tongue is dead—"

Aurelia, meanwhile, was munching casually. "Weakling."

Then she grabbed a second one, waved it in front of him and said, "Open your mouth."

"W-What?"

"I said open."

He obeyed.

She shoved it in like feeding a rebellious puppy, and grinned.

Luca, dying internally, heard giggles from Lilliane who stood nearby with Aiden, looking completely flustered.

"I think they’re flirting," she muttered.

"They’re arguing," Aiden said.

"...Same thing," Lilliane added quietly.

Stop 2: Boutique District

They passed a shop labeled

"Velvet Chains."

Aurelia stopped in front of it. "Let’s go in."

"Do I have to?" Luca asked warily.

"You’ll survive. It’s just fashion."

"It sounds like a dominatrix’s lair—"

Before he could escape, she pulled him in.

Five minutes later, Aurelia held up a deep red jacket with gold threading. "Try this."

"I already have a jacket."

"This one hugs your shoulders better," she said, eyeing him like a hawk. "You’ve been working out, haven’t you?"

"I—I mean, a little—"

She stepped close, brushing imaginary dust off his collar.

"You should wear clothes that show you off more. No point hiding when you’re mine."

Luca’s face went crimson.

"C-Can we go back to the skewers?"

She leaned in and whispered, "You’re cute when flustered."

Stop 3: Lakefront Plaza

The four sat on a low stone wall facing the peaceful lake. Swan boats floated gently over the surface.

Aurelia kicked off her boots and dipped her toes in the water. "I like this town."

"It’s... calm," Luca replied.

"Don’t act so surprised. I can be peaceful too."

"Your idea of peaceful is punching someone with good intentions."

She smirked. "You’re lucky I like you."

He tried to reply, but Aurelia’s head casually rested on his shoulder.

Luca froze like a deer in headlights. Slowly, gently, he tilted his head against hers.

"...This is weird," he muttered.

"Because it’s your first date?"

"How do you know that?"

Although it’s my 1st date combining both of my lives, it doesn’t feel bad actually.

She chuckled.

"Get used to it, fiancé."

Meanwhile...

Lilliane was trying to mimic Aurelia’s boldness.

She’d gotten Aiden a drink.

Sat beside him instead of opposite.

Tried to smile—though it looked more like a nervous grimace.

"You’re doing great," Luca mouthed from across the way.

"Shut up," she mouthed back, red as a tomato.

Aiden glanced between them and blinked. "Did I miss something?"

"Nope," Luca said quickly. "Hey! I just remembered—there’s this mountain trail behind the academy. Great view of the sunset. Why don’t we go there?"

Aurelia raised a brow. "You mean Lover’s Point?"

"Wh—what?! No! I mean—yes! But it’s also called ’Cloudtrail Ridge,’ right?"

Lilliane stiffened. "L-Lover’s?"

"I—it’s not like I’m suggesting we confess our feelings on top of the mountain! It’s just scenic!"

Aiden chuckled under his breath. "Sure. Let’s go."

"...Huh?" Luca blinked.

"I like quiet places," Aiden shrugged.

"Me too," Lilliane said almost instantly.

"Then it’s decided," Aurelia said with a stretch. "Lead the way, my brave, awkward little fiancé."

Luca took the lead, heart pounding.

Almost there. The hidden piece lies just beyond the peak.

But part of him wondered...

Was this really just about the hidden piece anymore?