| ARC IV | Chapter 8: The Next Steps

 After a relatively long and relaxing journey, they arrived in Lea Nor. Though they'd just crossed the border, seeing a different landscape was refreshing. And unlike how things are in Lesich, there were large mountains and jungles rather than flat plains and forests.

 "Whoa…" Noel uttered as he took in the view.

 Chely was standing beside him, and seeing his reaction, she giggled a little. (How cute…) she thought as she leaned on the railing.

 "I sort of have the urge to jump down…" Noel suddenly stated.

 Chely wasn't that surprised, she felt the same way after all, and being able to freely use magic and fly, it certainly wasn't any issues with it.

 "Do… you want to have a closer look?" Chely inquired.

 "Huh… can I? Hmm, are there any dangerous beasts in this region?"

 (…I don't think there are? Maybe B-4 at most?) she thought and smiled, "I don't think so?" Chely replied with a soft smile.

 "Really?" Noel sceptically asked. "Hmm, then it shouldn't be an issue…."

 "My, my?" Chely teasingly uttered. "Of course, there are no issues with me around…."

 Hearing this, Noel scratched his cheek a little, feeling awkward. (…she was so clingy last night, and now she's all calm and able to say all that? Am I the only one that still feels a little embarrassed?) 

 "...I was thinking of inviting Al, you know… I wanted to have a little chat."

 "Lil Al?" Chely asked with a pout. "I don't have any issues with that… but… I thought you were inviting me out…" she then said, seeming a little sad.

 Noel chuckled a little, "I promise to cook you something later," he said. "I mean… I just wanted to have a somewhat important talk with Al, so… y'know? Boys talk?"

 "...you better keep your word," Chely replied and softly smiled.

 "I will," Noel said while he reached out to hold her hand gently.

 In response, Chely blushed while gazing into his eyes, "....!" and noticed that Noel blushed as she did.

 And as the two of them had a casual exchange, the others came out to see the gorgeous view as well. One of them is Noel's roommate, Daniel. He approached the two with a troubled expression, asking, "Am I interrupting?" with a calm tone.

 ""No…"" the two of them replied while hastily releasing their grasp of the other's arm.

 "I see. Well, then, I'll get straight to the point. Noel. Oscar wants to chat with you briefly. Mind if you come back to our room for a moment?"

 Noel glanced at Chely, and she just lightly nodded, "I don't mind. You can do as you please…" she said.

 "Thanks," Noel replied with a gentle smile. (She's sulking a little… well, I'll just have to pamper her later.) 

 still…

 Noel felt a little reluctant since he and Oscar weren't the best of friends. (What does he want…?) he pondered.

 "Again, Sorry for interrupting your alone time," Daniel awkwardly apologised as he noticed Noel's change of demeanour.

 "No, it wasn't like that," Noel denied, and Chely also did a follow-up, saying, "We were just having a casual chat. And you needn't mind it much."

 "Ahaha…" Daniel dryly laughed, thinking, (Right… you were being all 'sweet' to one another. I had to wait for an opportunity to cut in.) 

 "Anyhow… he has something to discuss. It's regarding Miu."

 "..." Noel went quiet with a hint of disdain. "This again…? Listen… no matter how often he asks. I won't disclose anything about her, and I've already told him not to approach her."

 Daniel nodded in understanding, "Of course," he replied. "I usually wouldn't accept a favour like this either, but he seemed sincere about wanting to make it up to her, you know? For being such a jerk in his approach."

 Noel was surprised and crossed his arms, "What? What's that supposed to mean?"

 "He said he'd reflected on his actions and realised he was a jerk. And now, he wants to make up to her but doesn't know how, and since you're her childhood friend, he thought you may be able to help…. Well, that and maybe something else as well."

 "Hmpf. He should've just come here and told that to me himself."

 "I said as much, but he didn't want to accidentally make a scene—which was oddly sensible coming from him. But yeah… I can tell him if you're not willing."

 "Sigh, it's fine~, I'll just have a quick chat, and I was thinking of heading back anyways."

 "If you say so…" Daniel said. He glanced at Chely, giving her a slight bow, "I will be on my way then…."

 Not let out a confused, "Huh?" and grabbed Daniel's wrist. With a strained smile, Daniel turned to him and said, "Sorry, Noel, you'll have to go alone. I'm just here to tell you."

 Daniel wasn't really interested in the matter as he just wanted to relax or practise magic. (…I wonder if Saint Amethely is with Alum…. There are things I want to ask, but she's always with him…) Thinking along those lines, Daniel sighed.

 "Why the heavy sigh…?" Noel inquired, sighing as well. Actually… he knew why Daniel heaved a sigh. Oscar can be a little….

 "Hm? Ah… sorry, but don't mind it much. I just thought of something unrelated. Well then, I'll be on my way," Daniel said, shaking off Noel's hand. 'Again…' he uttered slightly as Noel waved goodbye.

 And as Daniel went on his merry way, Chely, who'd been quiet, gently grabbed Noel's hand. "Do you have a bad relationship with Oscar?" Chely hesitantly inquired.

 Noel felt a little reluctant to reply. (Oscar was a phenomenal student and athlete back then, but… as he got rejected by Miu, he sort of changed…. I even considered him a good friend until then, but… I don't think we can go back to what we once had….)

 "—Noel?" Chely asked again. She was worried about him since he'd been making a difficult expression ever since.

 Snapping out of it, Noel reassured her, "Ah… no, nothing, I was just in deep thought. And well… Oscar and I used to be friends… rather, can I just explain to you later?"

 "...okay," Chely meekly replied. She gazed at him with a soft expression, 'But… before you go…' she uttered while hugging him, expressing her affection, saying, "I like you. I really like you."

 Noel was flabbergasted at how cute his girlfriend was, but at the same time, his heart throbbed—luckily or… unfortunately, Chely always wore light armour beneath her clothes, so she wasn't able to feel the beats of his heart. But neither was he able to feel hers.

 And snapping out of it, he gently placed his arms around her, embracing her, saying, "I like you too, a lot… actually."

 "Ehh~hehee~" Chely shyly giggled. "L-love?" she asked while stuttering.

 Noel couldn't see her face, but he could sense his cheek becoming warmer and warmer. He turned his head just a little and kissed her forehead.

 "...!?"

 Chely had been caught off guard. She didn't expect him to kiss her, as it was the first time. And now… she was just speechless. (Wh-what!? He kissed me!? All of a sudden, just like that!? N-Noel! Coward! It wasn't even on the lips! B-but… I'd probably faint were that the case… and I feel a little dizzy.) 

 "Uhh, Noel… unfair…."

 "...what is?"

 Chely hugged him, making a 'chu~' sound. As payback, she'd kissed him on the neck, making him even more flustered than he already was.

 "Ch-Chely…?" he nervously inquired.

 Chely pulled herself away and looked Noel in the eyes. She had a sheepish expression, fidgeting while biting her lip.

 "...I like you, I really do. But… I-I wanted to say, 'love,'. However… i-it's embarrassing. I wanted you to say it first… can… you…?"

 Hearing this, Noel couldn't help but fall more deeply in love. It was all a new experience to him, and he'd always had a type—that was someone like Chely. But… he had never had a girlfriend before. Though… he couldn't blame it on Miu as he was the one to suggest the notion. Not only that, he'd avoid girls in general because he didn't want to hurt them by giving them false hope.

 But…. 

 When he met Chely for the first time, he always thought how pretty she was and had difficulty since she lived rent-free in his mind. Not only that. She had little to no interest in him—that was until her sister became infatuated with his best friend.

 (Of course… I felt frustrated at the time. And despite her appearance matching my preference, we didn't get along…. 

 However… 

 As I got to know her better. I thought she was cute… 

 The way she was infatuated with her little sister. 

 The contrast in her demeanour. 

 She's strict but gentle—wait, who am I kidding? She's a demon when it comes to sparring…. 

 A-anyways… 

 Wait… how did she even come to like me…? 

 Was it my charisma? Uhh… I'm fairly confident, but I doubt that's it. After all, Chely is a tough one. A little hotheaded, a little dishonest, and a little—no… she's very childish…. 

 We have all this talk about love and stuff, and I gave it some more thought. Sure… I love her, but is that temporary? I'd say I'm committed, but I do waver a little… 

 Do our values align? I know that some do… but… is that enough? 

 After all, I want it to make a little sense… at least, I wouldn't want it to be completely and utterly reliant on hormones and chemicals…. 

 It's hard to say. 

 We've only known each other for two months. And we've just recently started to date. 

 What is love…? 

 …great, I'm overthinking things, but… Chely and I have good chemistry—sure, hormones are involved, but I do like her as a person, and we're somewhat similar, and I enjoy my time with her. 

 Isn't that enough? Stupid brain? 

 Even someone as logical as Al threw out some of his cells. He's madly in love with Amethely, and unlike me… he doesn't seem to question his feelings for her. Not once has he mentioned anything about psychology, and… AGGGH! It's driving me crazy—I am thinking too deeply about it! 

 I like her. 

 I love her. 

 That's all I need to know!) 

 Noel took a deep breath. He gazed into Chely's eyes. And she could tell that he was being serious. He wasn't blushing, and he wasn't angsty. He straight up told her, "I love you."

 Hearing this made her very happy. She smiled, saying, "I love you too," before jumping into his embrace. "Noel… k-kiss?" Chely nervously requested.

 Noel didn't say anything. Their faces were already close, and he just leaned in—until their lips naturally touched.

 (Her lips are super soft, and… I feel happy. It's a little nerve-wracking, but… it's just a shallow touch, and they're just pressed together, sort of…. What are we…? Middle school kids? 

 Well… we're both inexperienced, and… that's enough for now. I'm happy with it. It's a little peck, but… I don't want to take it further than this. At least for now…) 

 As their lips parted, they'd gaze into the other's eyes. Chely happily leaned on his shoulder and casually rested her head there as they hugged.

 "Noel… thank you."

 Noel chuckled a little, asking, "Why are you thanking me?"

 "For… the kiss?" Chely puzzledly replied.

 "What's that supposed to mean~?" Noel teasingly asked. "Hmm~ but if you want to thank me…."

 "K-kyaa~,"

 —Suddenly, Noel let go and held her by the waist, lifted her up, and carried her in his arms. It was a princess carry, and Chely was perplexed by his sudden set of actions.

 "N-Noel? It's a bit… embarrassing," Chely said while covering her face. But as she peeked through the gaps, she could see Noel grin.

 "We'll go on a date right now!" he expressed with a cheerful smile as he jumped off the ship with her.

 "B-but… didn't you plan to have a chat with Oscar and spend some time with Al?" Chely inquired as they descended down the valleys.

 "Ahaha," Noel laughed. "Well, I changed my mind. I mean… we confessed to one another again. This time, it was romantic, and we even shared a kiss! Of course, I want to spend time with you, especially when the mood is still sweet and you have this astonishingly innocent and cute expression!"

 "....."

 (It's so unfair… it's as if he isn't nervous. But… I feel relieved at the same time. After all, we've been quite awkward around one another—not knowing which direction to take things. I-I'm falling for him even more…)

 …

  …..

 …

 Ever since I was a child, I was told that I was gifted. The world around me was warm and gentle. But… that was the early days of my childhood.

 One day, it was discovered that I was talented when using my magic, and I was even a fast learner of the sword.

 Everyone around me praised me: my father and my mother. And… my sister. They're my proud family.

 Father would always comfort me and take me out to hunt in the forest with the guards, saying, "Don't tell Mama, okay?"

 "Mmm! Elly won't!"

 We hunted together, and he'd praise me for my proficiency with the blade. It's one of my most fond memories….

 "Elly, you're so talented," Papa said as he gently patted my head. "You've already surpassed me, and you're only eight…."

 I shook my head, "No, papa is the best!" I exclaimed.

 But… those words didn't reach as he softly smiled, gazing into the distance.

 "You know? My sweet, sweet Elly? Papa loves you. One day, you'll be a great Hero."

 "...Hero? But… I want to be a scientist like Papa…."

 "Hahaha, you're so sweet, Elly," Papa would gently say. The guards were also looking at us with gentle and warm gazes.

 "Papa wanted to be a swordsman once. But… he had no talent for it. But… what he did have a talent for was to study and conduct research. And that's where he met Mama, isn't that great?"

 "Mmm!"

 "...A Sage has taken an interest in you. This is an opportunity. What do you want to do, Chely?"

 And… ever since, he hasn't called me Elly the same way he used to. And so… I was taken in by Sage Milena. She was sweet and taught me the magic I know.

 But… her whereabouts are currently unknown, and the last time I saw her was when she dropped me off in the Great Forest Of Lidande, where I was trained by a Blademaster.

 At the time, I had already been considered a Hero since the age of 12. I've killed beasts, but also… mortals.

 My hands are stained, but… it wasn't all bad.

 The innocent would remain innocent.

 I carry a heavy burden as a Hero. I learned to kill at an early age. And I still shudder to this day. Seeing that man's expression as his head was sliced off.

 By my blade. 

 I cried for days after that, and my Master would punish me for each tear.

 Honestly… it was the worst time of my life.

 He wasn't a very good man. He lived to kill, and I was always guarded around him. I know he wouldn't attack an innocent person. But… I always feared him since nothing seemed to quench his bloodlust.

 And in the end.

 I killed my own master.

 And it was then I realised why Sage Milena dropped me in his care. And his last words were, "Thank you… Milena."

 He never once had any intention of killing me despite having my limbs chopped off more times than I can count. Each stab wound was non-fatal as they were healed instantly.

 But… the pain of enduring all that… it was too much.

 In the end.

 I attacked him, trying to kill him, as I wasn't able to go through that pain ever again.

 But…

 He'd do the same thing and heal me. Until… I was able to best him by piercing his heart.

 I was used as an equivalent exchange. Both my masters wanted me to get stronger, but… their methods were extreme. One trained me to get strong, but in the end, it was for his selfish desire… whilst the other taught me the pain of betrayal.

 And since then. I've never trusted anybody outside of my family. Because… surely. My loved ones wouldn't lie to me.

 Right? 

 …..

 …

 And as I was reminiscing about the past, Noel poked me on the cheek. He had a gentle expression as he grilled the fish over our small little campfire.

 "You seem a little out of it," he said.

 I shook my head and leaned back on his shoulder. "I was just thinking… that becoming a Hero was rough…."

 He smiled and held my hand. And as he gently squeezed them, he said, "I bet… but being one must be as rough, right?"

 His inquiry made me hesitant for a moment, but… generally, that's the truth but the memories ingrained in my mind are nothing but a trauma….

 "...I'd say being a Hero is easier than becoming one…."

 "...well, seems like I have a long way…." he awkwardly said while scratching his cheek.

 I find it adorable how he's willing to take the responsibilities off my shoulders. But… I won't let him go through the same things I did to become a Hero….

 "What? I'm in charge of training you. You'll get there eventually!" I happily expressed while snuggling closer.

 "Ahaha, you're right! Take good care of me, Chely!"

 "G-geez!"

 …Who would've thought… I'm a naughty girl… I snuck out with my boyfriend, and we're camping out in the wild.

 Perhaps things moved a little fast… but I'm happy. My heart throbs nonstop, and I can't help but feel the urge to scream at the top of my lungs.

 But… I feel like we've also crossed a giant hurdle.

 Noel isn't afraid to touch me, and he'd affectionately kiss me too… I can feel my cheeks heat up just thinking about it. But… I never knew that a kiss could feel so good.

 "Noel…"

 "Hmm—"

 'Chu…'

 Noel looked at me and grinned, "You're so daring now…" he said as he playfully swung from side to side with me in his embrace.

 —I'm happy. Our relationship has come a long way today, and I feel comfortable. It's like I can show him all of me.

 Rather… I did, in a sense…. But so did he.

 "Hmpf, if we're talking about a daring one, you were super aggressive out of nowhere!" I exclaimed while launching back, and we both fell down lying.

 "Well… it wasn't out of nowhere~ something just kind of clicked in my mind~," Noel replied as he laughed it off. "...did you hate it?"

 "...why are you asking me that? Of course, I didn't, but… it was embarrassing at first…. You were bold…."

 I like this about him… no other person approached me the way he did. I had no experience in romance. And I didn't even have a single crush—until I met him.

 He often teased me—who does that to a Hero?

 And we naturally spent a lot of time together. I… gradually developed feelings for him, but we were still in our shells.

 At the time, I didn't know what to do, and it felt painful—that was until Papa and Mama told me it was fine to fall in love. Be infatuated. And… not shoulder everything.

 "...Noel, can we go to the hot spring again?"

 "Now…?"

 My heart was pounding, and my whole body became hot again, and—

 "You don't… want to…?" I meekly and sheepishly inquired with some tears in my eyes.

 ".....I want to! Let's go!"

 "Ehehe, you're so eager."

 And so… we went to bathe in the springs again.