CHAPTER 86: TWO DAYS, TOO MUCH

They both found themselves outside the academy, the heavy dungeon air replaced by the cool breath of night. Together, they walked side by side along the moonlit city streets, the world hushed around them. Above, the sky stretched endlessly—stars glimmering like fragments of forgotten dreams—while the cobblestones beneath their feet echoed faintly with every step. The moonlight blanketed the slumbering city in silver, brushing across rooftops and the shuttered signs of late-night shops.

"Why did you want to go on a walk with me?" Marcus asked, his hands tucked into his pockets, eyes glancing over the closed storefronts and the occasional flicker of a lamplight spirit drifting in the distance.

"I just wanted to thank you, really..." Cynthia replied, her voice light as she playfully hopped across the uneven cobblestones, her hands clasped behind her back like a child on a spring stroll.

"You helped me push through the trials at the dungeon’s start... when I would’ve faltered alone."

"And because of you... I made it to the place where my ancestor was waiting."

"You gave me the chance to awaken a power most people wouldn’t even dare to dream of..."

"Oh please, I did nothing to deserve it." Marcus scoffed, flicking his hair with practiced drama, his lips curving into a lopsided, almost teasing smile.

"You really are an odd one, aren’t you?" she said, smiling faintly as she tilted her head back, basking in the silver glow of the moonlight like a flower opening under starlight.

"I’m sure you could tell, but I’m fairly shy and introverted... I barely interact with the other students, as you’ve probably noticed..." she admitted softly, her tone vulnerable despite her serene expression.

Marcus raised an eyebrow, a flicker of confusion crossing his face as he recalled her earlier confidence—the way she’d take action during the Forest of Trials, unflinching and sharp.

"You were the opposite when you were with me," he said slowly, eyes narrowing. "You seemed like the leader type. You took action without hesitation."

Cynthia paused, then gently leaned her head against his shoulder. Her steps slowed to match his, and together they continued through the silent streets, the night wrapping around them like a velvet curtain.

"Well... I don’t really know why, but I can only be that confident when I’m with you..."

Her voice was soft, wistful—like a breeze carrying secrets through the trees.

"Funny, right? It’s only been two days since we met, and here I am, acting like I’m completely head over heels."

A gentle chime rang in Marcus’s mind—familiar and mechanical.

[New Information Unlocked]

Cynthia [Affection: Caring +40] Increased

Current Emotion: Loving

Compatibility: 68%

Marcus reached out instinctively, brushing a hand through her hair with surprising tenderness. She didn’t flinch—instead, her fingers idly joined his, brushing through her own hair as they walked, fingers occasionally grazing.

"Well, teenagers are teenagers after all..." he murmured.

’That’s right... I’m a teenager now...’

’Didn’t really get to be one before...’

’Guess the combination of a horrible childhood and new hormones from this body are really doing a number on me...’

"Thinking of something...?" Cynthia asked gently, turning her gaze to him, the reflected moonlight dancing in her ocean-colored eyes.

"Just about the past... and a ton of stupid choices I’ve made since arriving here." He chuckled, half-hearted but honest.

"Well... I agree with that," she said, smiling mischievously. "But you’re definitely more reliable than most..."

Marcus smiled in return, eyes softening as they continued to stroll in rhythm. His steps were relaxed, but something thoughtful lingered in his gaze.

’While I remember some details about this world, I don’t remember all of it.’

’I don’t have a photo-perfect memory, after all.’

’I’m basically just living normally... but with a system that helps me become more powerful.’

’In a way, it’s kind of perfect. A second life, with just enough knowledge to survive... but not enough to ruin the experience.’

’No need to stress over future events I barely recall. And even the ones I do remember... I still need reminders to know what actually caused them.’

He caught himself drifting again and shook his head, glancing up toward the pale moon overhead as if it might hold answers.

"I forgot to ask," he said, breaking the silence, "but where are we walking to, anyway?"

He gestured ahead to the city’s central square, its fountain dormant, water stilled under the touch of midnight.

"I don’t know, really." Cynthia laughed, shrugging. "We’re pretty much just going straight..."

Marcus tilted his head, a curious look forming. "Professor Oswald mentioned something about you becoming a commoner before. Is that right?"

"Well... we are," she said, then added quickly, "but not really the poor type. More like... just a normal rich commoner family."

"And that alone causes quite a stir for nobles who think we don’t deserve our status..."

She glanced sideways, smirking. "But of course, with recent discovery, it turns out I’m a descendant of an actual myth. Tyr himself!"

Marcus let out a short laugh at her proud declaration, the corners of his mouth twitching with amusement.

As she spoke, a memory stirred—distant, tinged with adrenaline. He remembered what he used to do at night when he wasn’t bound by missions. Back before this new world, when he was still an assassin with no bounties to claim, he’d slip out under the cloak of darkness, weaving through cities like a ghost, causing just enough mischief to feel alive again.

Tonight... the air felt similar.

And with Trearch mentioning they wouldn’t be home until tomorrow, it seemed like fate had handed him a golden opportunity.

Marcus glanced over at Cynthia, his eyes gleaming under the moonlight.

A wind shifted, carrying the scent of something distant—smoke, maybe, or magic.

Marcus’s eyes narrowed slightly, a familiar itch crawling across his skin.

"Hey, Cynthia..." he said, a mischievous smirk playing across his lips. "How do you feel about breaking a few rules tonight?"

Cynthia raised an eyebrow, her grin growing. "What kind of rules are we talking about?"

Marcus shrugged. "You’ll know when we’re sprinting from a patrol guard."