The night was deep.

The moonlight flickered faintly.

In the empty sky, a strong wind seemed to sweep through, rustling the trees of the white Holy City.

Inside the banquet hall, brass chandeliers illuminated the grand hall brightly, even causing the tiles to shimmer faintly.

Xu Xi glanced at the nobles exchanging toasts and laughter.

Shaking his head, he chose a quiet corner to sit alone.

He disliked noise.

He only wanted to wait for the return of the Hero, curious about what she intended to do.

"It feels like... my back is starting to sweat."

"Is it too hot?"

Xu Xi pondered, quietly observing the lavishly dressed figures engaged in lively discussions across the banquet hall, while soothing, cheerful music flowed in the background.

Some had begun to dance.

Young men and women, their eyes alight with the excitement of newfound affection, twirled across the floor after just a single glance.

"May I..."

"W-what am I doing here?"

"This is strange..."

A noblewoman in elegant attire approached Xu Xi, intending to invite him, but after taking only a few steps, she turned away in confusion.

Subtly, Xu Xi felt another sharp sting in his back.

He seemed to have become invisible—though seated in the hall, no one disturbed him, especially not the young, radiant women.

"Great Sorcerer, I've returned."

About six or seven minutes later, the Hero finally reappeared.

Her figure materialized soundlessly beside Xu Xi, bypassing the entrance entirely.

"Have you finished your business, Servia?"

"Yes, Great Sorcerer."

The girl stood with her hands behind her back, leaning slightly forward as she faced the seated Xu Xi, her smile dazzlingly bright.

Xu Xi was curious.

What had his Hero gone off to do?

But Servia didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, she raised a finger to her lips, tilting her head slightly.

"It's a secret, Great Sorcerer."

"A secret?"

"Mhm. I’ll reveal the answer soon. But before that—"

Warm as the sun.

Radiant as a gem.

The golden-haired girl took a deep breath, her fingers lightly pressing against her chest as if steeling herself.

Finally, mustering her courage, she made a bold request under Xu Xi’s surprised gaze:

"Great Sorcerer... would you dance with me?"

Her flushed cheeks betrayed pure, innocent shyness—yet also held a glimmer of anticipation.

This was a side of Servia Xu Xi had never seen before: her face as red as autumn’s ripest apple.

Beautiful. Breathtaking.

Xu Xi paused for a moment before his eyes softened, a gentle smile forming. "Of course, Servia."

Amid the glow of lanterns and the height of festivities, Xu Xi reached out to accept the Hero’s invitation.

"Wait, Great Sorcerer!"

"Let me make this more proper!"

Servia hastily waved her hands, taking another deep breath.

Her heart raced.

Her breaths came quick.

Steadying herself, she lightly pinched the edges of her skirt, curtsying gracefully with her back to the dazzling hall lights, facing Xu Xi:

"Honorable Great Sorcerer... may I have this dance?"

Her emerald-green eyes blinked.

Lively. Hopeful.

"Of course, fair Lady Servia," Xu Xi replied, extending his hand to clasp her soft fingers.

Now, he thought he understood.

Why his Hero had chosen this banquet. Behind her fearless demeanor lay a girl’s delicate thoughtfulness.

They didn’t join the crowded center of the hall.

This unique dance unfolded in the quiet corner—hands intertwined, steps clumsy, a dance far from elegant.

Xu Xi was no dancer.

He’d never had reason to practice.

His movements were stiff.

"Servia, you should’ve told me earlier. I could’ve at least practiced."

"It’s alright, Great Sorcerer."

"Truthfully... I’m not very good either."

Servia, raised in nobility, trained in elite etiquette—could she really be unskilled in dance?

Xu Xi doubted it.

But soon, Servia proved her words true with her performance.

"W-wait, Great Sorcerer!"

"I’m so sorry—I stepped on you!"

"Ah! I’m falling—!"

Servia lost her balance.

Mid-dance, she swayed backward, only for Xu Xi to swiftly pull her back into his arms.

"Thank goodness you’re here, Great Sorcerer..."

Servia frowned, distressed by her own clumsiness.

"Servia, take it slow. No need to rush."

Xu Xi’s reassurance worked. The girl steadied herself, gradually matching the music’s rhythm, moving in sync with him.

Step.

Turn.

Glide.

Imperfect motions led to occasional bumps, and more than once, Servia stumbled straight into Xu Xi’s embrace.

After much fumbling, $2y the time the music looped a third time, the dance was finally complete.

"I never thought dancing could be so exhausting."

Xu Xi wiped beads of sweat from his brow.

He could still manage.

Yet Servia—who had once stormed the Demon King’s castle in a single night—now seemed far more drained, barely able to stand without leaning against Xu Xi’s shoulder.

"Servia, is this enough?"

Xu Xi fetched a towel, drying their sweat.

"...There’s one more thing."

"Great Sorcerer, do you remember the secret I mentioned?"

"I think it’s time to show you," Servia said, pulling Xu Xi toward a small balcony on the outskirts.

The banquet hall was too crowded.

Too lively.

She didn’t want to reveal her mystery in such a place.

Up the steps.

Through the corridor.

They arrived at a secluded platform.

No one else was here—just a stone railing enclosing a tiny space beneath the starry sky, overlooking distant city lights.

A cool breeze swirled in the air, $2efreshing, soothing Xu Xi’s fatigue.

He watched as moonlight bathed the golden-haired girl before him, highlighting her hesitant shyness and the boldness of her parted lips.

"Great Sorcerer."

"Will you accept this?"

Under the hazy night sky, $2ervia unveiled her treasure.

A small, polished emerald, encased within a hollow locket—well-preserved, unremarkable yet precious.

Softly, she explained its origin:

A childhood "treasure" found by a little girl who dreamed of becoming a Hero.

She had cherished it all her youth.

Now, $2he wished to give it to Xu Xi.

"Servia... are you sure?" Xu Xi hesitated.

"Yes," Servia smiled. "I’ve already found something far more precious, Great Sorcerer."

A childhood dream.

A lonely self.

A fragile fantasy.

All intangible thoughts condensed within a tiny gemstone.

Retrieved by the brave warrior Servia.

She extended it toward Xu Xi's left ring finger.

With a resonant hum, a ring materialized on its own, merging seamlessly with the small emerald—an eternal vow, indivisible.

"Ah, right, one more thing."

"Great Sorcerer, look~~~"

As if suddenly remembering, Servia stretched out her left hand, fingers shimmering with a faint glow. There, she wore a ring—the spatial ring Xu Xi had gifted her in the sorcerer's realm.

Now, the warrior adjusted its position.

From her left index finger to her left ring finger.

Just like Xu Xi's.

"Indeed, the ring you gave me, Great Sorcerer, belongs best in this place."