The sky over Pantheon was peaceful, with serene hues of golden light raining down over the city's majestic skyline. The echo of cars driving around, and pedestrians walking around was also notable.

Albedo had planned to train today, but since it was a Saturday, and he had important business to do over the coming week, he decided to take a break and have some fun with Gwen.

Pretty much ever since he began attending the Academy, he had much less time to spend with her, and although he knew she didn't hold anything against him, Albedo was more than emotionally aware enough to understand how that could affect her.

So, for once, Albedo had no plans to train, strategize or hunt down anything. With a month long break before the Academy reopened, he had enough time to squeeze in a single rest day with his sister.

Now, he was standing outside of their villa, his platinum blonde hair shimmering in the morning glow while he wore a relatively casual outfit, black pants, white top, with a sleek long obsidian coat.

He checked his watch, wondering what was taking her so long, but finally the door creaked open.

Gwen skipped out first, wearing a mint green dress with lace frills and a silver ribbon tied around her waist. Her emerald eyes sparkled, and her hair had been braided into twin tails, each adorned with a tiny butterfly clip that fluttered softly with mana.

The moment Gwen appeared, Albedo's expression softened, and he offered a smile as she twirled in her dress.

"You look great," he said plainly, and sincerely.

Gwen beamed, "I know! Diona helped me get ready,"

Right on cue, the door opened again and out stepped Diona Vale.

She looked hesitant at first, standing in the doorway with her fingers curled against her skirt. Her honey-brown hair had been brushed to a delicate shine and tied into a low side ponytail that rested against her shoulder, a tiny white ribbon nestled in her hair.

She wore a modest cream blouse tucked into a light caramel skirt, along with white flats that shimmered subtly with protective mana threads woven through the seams.

"…You too," he said after a beat, nodding approvingly,"You both look good."

Diona blushed, waving her hands slightly. "Ah...I-It's nothing, really. Gwen just insisted I wear something nicer."

Gwen puffed her cheeks, "You always wear the same clothes at home! This is our big day off! You need to look like it."

"I, alright, alright," Diona laughed softly, "Only for today."

Albedo glanced at the rising sun, then offered a hand to Gwen. "Let's not waste any more time."

Gwen eagerly took his hand, and Diona quietly followed, clasping her own hands in front of her as they began to walk down the villa steps toward the main mana rail station.

They quickly boarded the Mana-Rail, their location? Pantheon's Shopping District, a place of grandeur, even for those who lived in the city.

The entire district was probably larger than most towns back on Earth. Walkways connected to various malls, and mana powered rails ran overhead, carrying sleek boxes filled with cargo to be delivered to various stores.

Holographic displays floated mid-air, advertising everything from spell-reactive dresses to pastries that changed flavor based on the customer's mana affinity.

"This place is huge!" Diona said, looking all around eagerly.

Albedo led them toward the central promenade, a wide path paved with shimmering stardust tiles. Street performers danced in gravity-defying arcs, playing flutes that conjured visual illusions of mythical beasts, while enchanted fountains sprayed arcs of water that turned into fish before splashing down again.

"Woah, are all the public performances like this?" Diona asked and looked to Albedo, but it was Gwen who reponded.

"Yep, I remember the last time Albedo brought me here for shopping. That time, there was a Tamer who had 5 different pets, and all of them were doing tricks. It was so cool. One of them even created a dome of darkness like a horror house, one kid pissed his pants it was so funny."

Diona laughed at that that story, and Gwen grabbed both her and Albedo's hand, "Cmon, time to spend this dork's money."

Albedo chuckled under his breath, "Lead the way then, Miss Tour Guide."

They walked around for a while, finally arriving at a high-end boutique. An extravagant, floating shop that hovered ten meters above the ground. Customers accessed it via a mana elevator that formed a translucent platform beneath their feet.

Once they entered, they were greeted by walls that pulsed with soft rainbow hues, and mannequins made of light rotated slowly to show off dresses and suits that could adapt to temperature, lighting, and even mood.

An attendant golem bowed as they entered, and a warm voice echoed through the chamber.

"Welcome, distinguished guests! May our silks reflect your souls."

Diona looked around, eyes wide as bolts of floating fabric drifted around them like lazy fireflies.

Gwen, naturally immediately ran around, looking for a dress that fit her well.

"Anything catch your eye?" Albedo asked her after a while, but she was still hesitating, there was just too many options.

"That one!" Finally, she said after a while, she held up a deep navy dress woven with constellations that twinkled when held to the light.

"Albedo! Look! It has stars!"

He nodded, "Try it on."

As Gwen rushed to the fitting chamber, Albedo turned to Diona. "You too. Pick something."

She hesitated, "You don't have to…"

"It's fine" he interrupted gently, "If you really feel bad, you can stick Lucian with the cheque." Albedo said, and Diona chuckled, walking off to find a dress of her own.

Eventually, Diona returned with a modest sky-blue dress that flowed like water and shimmered subtly whenever she turned.

Gwen came out in her dress at the same time, and both twirled.

Albedo nodded. "We'll take them."

The golem packed the dresses in glowing, levitating gift-boxes which Albedo placed in his storage ring and they left.

Then, they went to the Taste Bazaar, an entire plaza filled with food carts, each cart specializing in cuisine from a different region of the empire and beyond.

They sat at a balcony table that overlooked the cascading mana-falls of the city, with Gwen devouring a sundae that literally sparkled when she giggled. Each spoonful released tiny bursts of musical notes that danced around her head like fireflies.

Albedo drank a dark roast mana-coffee with a hint of crushed embers, rich, smoky, and slightly spicy, and ate a pie made with the beef of a Horned Fire Pig, which tasted delicious.

Diona nursed a soft lavender tea that misted gently in her cup, the scent calming and fragrant.

"This place is…soo cool," she whispered.

Albedo leaned back, letting the moment breathe as he enjoyed the coffee and his meal.

"Have you really never come here?" Gwen asked Diona as she ate, and Diona shook her head no.

"As an orphan, I could never afford anything here, so why even come here," Diona said.

"Well now, Albedo's got you covered, I've never seen this guy run out of money," Gwen said and everyone laughed as they finished their meal before heading off.

Next stop was the Arcane Bazaar. A dense network of magical accessory stalls and enchanting kiosks, where sellers hawked jewelry that could glow, float, or ward off curses.

Gwen picked out a charm bracelet with seven tiny stars, each one symbolizing a day of the week, "This is pretty cool,"

Albedo picked up a small golden brooch shaped like a angel wing and quietly pinned it to Diona's shoulder.

"…Albedo?"

"It suits you." He said. Angels were the most powerful servants of the Goddess of Light, and as the Future Saintess, no piece of jewelry would suit Diona better.

She stared at the brooch for a long moment, her cheeks a little red, before nodding. "Thank you."

They passed booths with pocket-sized familiars, spell-scroll bookmarks, and even mana-infused plush animals. Gwen got one shaped like a baby dragon that blew soft smoke rings when squeezed.

Next up they went to the Ethereal Garden, one of the biggest attractions in all of Pantheon.

Located near the top of the Shopping District, the garden was a floating island suspended by runic anchors, full of softly glowing trees, flowers that hummed, and pathways made of transparent quartz.

Floating mana-lanterns drifted lazily above them as the three walked in silence, bags floating behind them via levitation runes.

Diona's hand brushed against a flower that opened in response to her touch, releasing a warm pulse of golden light.

"It likes you," Gwen whispered, wide-eyed.

Diona chuckle, "Maybe… maybe it senses something."

Albedo's gaze lingered on her for a moment. He wondered if that flower could sense the Divine Energy lingering in Diona.

The trio continued strolling through the garden, seeing other people also there, some on dates, and some with their family just like him.

Albedo, hands in his coat pockets, walked between them in silence, just enjoying the peace. No battles or surprise attacks. Just a day he was able to spend with Gwen after months of non stop training and Academy.

But then a voice rang out behind him, a little nervous,

"Albedo?"

All three of their steps paused as they turned and Albedo saw her,

Standing under an arch of glowing moon-lilies was Morgana

She was dressed in a form-fitting onyx outfit embroidered with silver thread, obsidian eyes gleaming beneath her long jet-black hair.

"Can we talk?"