Azrean and Sumi lay slumped against the wall of the training room, both breathing hard. Sweat clung to their skin, their training clothes damp and sticking uncomfortably. Their small chests rose and fell quickly as they tried to recover.
"This body gets tired way too fast," Sumi muttered, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand.
Azrean dragged his sleeve across his face and let out a slow breath.
"Yeah... but at least we've got the basics of magic down now."
Sumi gave a tired but satisfied smile and nodded.
"Yeah look."
She raised her hand and made a small motion near her forehead. In the next moment, a crown-shaped structure formed above her head—sharp and jagged, made entirely of pure white lightning. It crackled softly, thin arcs of electricity dancing along its edges, casting a faint glow around her face.
Azrean stared at it for a second, confused.
"What's the use of that?"
Sumi grinned proudly. "It makes me look cool."
She snapped her fingers. The lightning crown instantly froze over, turning into a delicate structure of ice. A second later, it shattered into tiny sparkling fragments that faded away before touching the ground.
She let out a long sigh and adjusted her posture, sitting properly.
Azrean lifted his hand. A small sphere of water formed above his palm, followed by a small flame right beside it. The two hovered, spinning slowly in a neat circle. He brought them closer until they merged, turning into a thin stream of steam that drifted upward.
Sumi watched closely.
"Doesn't it drain you, doing multiple stacking like that?"
Azrean shrugged. "Not really."
Sumi puffed her cheeks a little.
"Maybe it's because I still don't fully get double-stacking. Every time I try it, I feel exhausted."
Azrean smirked. "Skill issue."
Sumi's face tightened immediately. Without warning, she flicked her hand. A small bolt of lightning shot straight at him.
Azrean raised his hand lazily. A chunk of compacted earth formed in front of him, absorbing the attack completely before crumbling into dust.
Sumi didn't stop there. She rushed forward.
"Take this!"
Her fist drove straight into his stomach. Azrean dropped to his knees instantly, clutching his gut as the air left his lungs.
Sumi dusted her hands off. Then she tilted her head, looking down at him.
"Hey, Azrean... do you remember that person from history? The one with two magic aptitudes?"
Azrean slowly looked up, still wincing.
"Yeah, his name was... something like Makoso."
Sumi's eyes narrowed as she thought.
"Doesn't that sound kinda Japanese?"
Azrean gave a weak shrug.
"How would I know?"
Sumi frowned and raised her voice slightly.
"Weren't you Japanese? I was Chinese and even I know more about your country than you do."
Azrean pushed himself up slowly, rubbing his stomach.
"I don't remember much. I spent most of my life stuck in a hospital bed. Didn't really learn much about anything or anyone."
Sumi froze for a second. Her expression shifted, and she looked away.
"...Sorry."
Azrean gave a small, easy smile. "It's fine."
He paused, thinking for a moment.
"But yeah the name does sound a bit Japanese."
Sumi crossed her arms, thinking more seriously now.
"I think that person must have been from Earth too. He also had two magic aptitudes, just like me."
Azrean nodded slowly.
"Yeah, maybe he got reincarnated here before us. With his knowledge from games or stories, he must have advanced the magic of this world a lot."
Sumi nodded in agreement.
"Yeah and we're also from Earth, but we still need someone to teach us everything. That guy must've been insanely strong."
Azrean leaned back and lay flat on the floor again.
"Maybe. But even then, it said he couldn't defeat the Demon King. It was the hero back then who sealed the Demon King inside the Gate of void."
Sumi nodded.
"Yeah, the hero sure was amazing."
Then she lightly kicked his leg.
"Hey. Don't fall asleep." She nudged him again.
"It's time for sword training."
Azrean rolled slightly, dodging her kicks while still lying down.
"Alright, alright."
After a moment they walked down the long hallway side by side, their footsteps echoing faintly against the polished floor.
"I wonder what sword training is going to be like," Sumi said, swinging her arms as she walked. "Do you think Sir Jaek will just make us swing swords again and again? Or will he teach us something cool right away?"
Azrean shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"It'll probably start with the basics. Stance, balance, or how to hold a sword properly."
Sumi nodded, stretching her arms a little.
"I hope it's really hard. I don't want it to be boring. I want to become a great swordsman." She rubbed her arm lightly. "My arms still hurt from the magic training but I'll manage."
A few butlers passed by them in the corridor, bowing deeply. Azrean and Sumi both nodded back politely, their expressions relaxed.
As they turned into another hallway, the sound of quick footsteps came rushing toward them from behind. They both looked back.
A young maid came running toward them, slightly out of breath. She looked like a teenager with light brown hair tied neatly into a ponytail. Her uniform was crisp and clean, the silver lining catching the light as she moved.
She stopped right in front of them, breathing lightly, holding a small glass container with a lid. Azrean and Sumi blinked in surprise.
"Oh, hey... Keme," Sumi said.
Keme looked down at them with a bright, slightly nervous smile. A soft blush spread across her cheeks, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Lady Sumi! I finally made the mango ice cream you told me about!"
Sumi's eyes lit up instantly. "Wait—really?!"
Keme nodded quickly and lifted the lid. Inside was a smooth, creamy scoop of pale golden mango ice cream, topped with thin slices of fresh mango and a glossy drizzle of syrup that glistened under the light.
She carefully handed it over. Sumi took it with both hands, smiling widely. She scooped a small bite and tasted it. Her eyes closed right away.
"It's really good," she said, her voice soft and full of satisfaction. "The mango flavor is so strong and sweet. Just how I like it."
Keme's blush deepened, her face lighting up with happiness.
"I practiced a lot to get it right!"
Sumi stepped forward without hesitation and wrapped her arms around her in a quick hug.
"Thank you!"
Keme froze completely, her whole face turning red.
"I-I'm really happy... that you like it!"
Sumi pulled back and turned to Azrean, holding the glass toward him.
"Do you want some?"
Azrean made a slight face and shook his head.
"No thanks. I told you already, I don't like ice cream."
Sumi shrugged casually. "Your loss."
She quickly finished the rest, then looked back at Keme with a soft smile.
"I hope you'll make more of this. I'll really like it."
Keme took the empty glass, her hand tightening into a small fist full of determination.
"Yes! I will!"
Then she turned to Azrean, her expression turning a little hesitant.
"Sorry, Lord Azrean I still haven't figured out how to make the curry you talked about."
Azrean smiled gently and shook his head.
"You don't have to. I only mentioned it because Sumi was asking you about ice cream."
But Keme shook her head firmly.
"No! I'll make it. If I can make what Lady Sumi wanted, then I can definitely make the curry too."
She bowed quickly.
"I'll get back to work now."
Before either of them could say anything else, she turned and hurried off down the hallway. Sumi watched her go, her expression soft.
"She's really hardworking."
Azrean nodded.
"Yeah, and she's a normal one too. She doesn't have a strong presence like the others. She's really sweet."
Sumi turned forward again and started walking.
"Let's go. We'll be late if we keep standing here."
Azrean followed after her without another word.