Thanks

I looked at my bloodstained hands, still clutching the stone knife. The feeling of reality hit me like a blow. I had murdered a man, ended his life. A shudder ran down my spine as I realized the consequences of my actions. But then Shinoa snapped me out of my dark thoughts with a slap. "Don't torment yourself with it, even if you think you've done something wrong. This man would have died one way or another; you only shortened his suffering," she said with a weak smile. Her words tried to comfort me and alleviate my guilt.

"But what about you? You've also killed someone," I replied, my voice trembling with fear and self-doubt. I could see the lifeless body of the slave trader, and it was hard to shake off the feeling of guilt.

Shinoa looked at the slave trader's corpse and shrugged. "Alive, he would have enslaved or killed more people. I only prevented that from happening. Besides, there are no soldiers around here. Even if there were, they would have understood that this man had done wrong to his slaves and had tried to attack you."

Her words made me reflect. It was a world where violence and injustice seemed to be pervasive. Shinoa had justified her actions as a form of self-defense or even as an act of protecting others. But could I see my deed in the same light? Was I merely a tool of fate that may have only accelerated the inevitable?

When I woke up the next day, I still felt the exhaustion from yesterday. The memories of what had happened weighed heavily on me. I decided to dispose of the blood-red water in the bucket to avoid constantly being reminded of it. "I hope there's not much to do today," I murmured to myself. "I wished for a quieter and less burdensome task." But I knew that I couldn't always shape the day the way I hoped.

I put on my pants and tried to focus on using my magic to change my appearance back to that of a human. To my disappointment, it didn't work. My exhaustion prevented me from using my powers properly. It was frustrating, but I couldn't force it. I decided to cover my horns with a hat. It was better not to draw unnecessary attention to myself. I buttoned up my shirt and put on my shoes to get ready for the day.

After completing my preparations, I left my accommodation and headed to "Mother's Shop" to pick up my clothes. There, I hoped that the day's tasks would distract me and help me temporarily push aside the distressing thoughts. I had to learn to cope with my feelings and the consequences of my actions. It was a challenge, but I knew I wasn't alone in this, and it would take time and support to bear this burden.

"There you are!" the shopkeeper said as I entered the store. I nodded politely and looked around. The boxer shorts they were selling looked a bit different from the usual ones, slightly looser. Curiously, I asked, "A quick question, how much does this cost?"

The shopkeeper snapped his fingers, and one of the boxer shorts flew over to me. "You get three of these for free if you buy something worth 2 Dragonians or more," he offered enticingly. His offer sounded tempting, and I briefly considered if I could find something else useful.

Finally, I spotted a bracelet with a piece of wood with some carvings on it. I liked it, and it seemed to meet the value requirements for the offer. I decided to go for it and handed it to the shopkeeper. He added three gray boxer shorts to the shopping bag and said kindly, "Thank you for your purchase."

I thanked him as well and left the store. It felt good to own something new, even though my mind was still weighed down by the events of yesterday. Perhaps the bracelet would serve as a reminder that not everything in my life had to be defined by violence and dark situations. I hoped that I could slowly but surely find a new normal.

Shinoa, who happened to be walking down the street, spotted me as I exited the store. She immediately ran over and put me in a headlock. Her unexpected appearance made me laugh. "Here you are!" she exclaimed cheerfully.

"Training? Today?" I asked, somewhat surprised, and looked at her curiously. I was still preoccupied with yesterday's events and hadn't expected her to invite me to train right now.

Shinoa looked determinedly at the blue sky and then nodded. It seemed like she wouldn't accept any excuses. I could tell she wanted to pull me out of my brooding, and that training would do us both good.

A small smile spread across my face. "Alright, I'm in," I replied, feeling my mood slowly lifting. Training would help clear my head and refocus on other things.

As I held the wooden scythe in my hands, I immediately felt that it was significantly heavier than last time. "Did you add weights to the wood?" I asked Shinoa curiously. She smiled and gave a thumbs-up. "You're supposed to build muscles while swinging the scythe," she explained and hurled a stone in my direction. I barely dodged it and exclaimed, "What was that for?" But Shinoa had her reasons and held another stone in her hand. "Hit five of those in a row, and the training for today will be done," she said with a determined tone. I slumped my shoulders and sighed. "You can't be serious," I frustratedly replied. In response, a stone flew past me.

Determined, I picked up the scythe again and tried to hit the stones. The thought of baseball couldn't escape my mind. After hitting one of the stones, I cheered, "Homerun!" Shinoa looked at me in confusion since she wasn't familiar with baseball.

I focused on the next stone. This time, I narrowly missed it, and the stone hit me painfully in the stomach.

"That's going to leave a bruise," Shinoa remarked dryly. But I didn't give up, stood upright again, and refocused.

After several attempts, I hit another stone and jubilantly celebrated. My concentration now shifted to the third stone, which flew even faster than the previous ones. Undeterred, I prepared to hit it. However, I underestimated its speed, and the stone left a dent in the wooden blade of the scythe. I shuddered to think what would have happened if the stone had struck me instead.

Shinoa praised me and encouraged me to hit the next stone. I was ready and tried to prepare for the throw. When the stone flew in my direction, I had little time to react. I quickly stepped back to increase the distance and raised the scythe. As the stone touched the scythe, it shattered into many small pieces, and the scythe itself broke into several wooden fragments. Some of the stone splinters hit me, but I ignored the pain.

"I hit all the stones!" I exclaimed proudly. Shinoa was impressed, but she had another surprise in store. An iron scythe flew towards me and stuck into the ground beside me. "Now repeat the same process with this scythe," she instructed.

I tried to pull the scythe from the ground, but it was incredibly heavy. My arms felt like they were about to tear at any moment. "I-it's heavy!" I groaned with effort. Shinoa laughed at me and mocked my reaction. "Hahaha, I can't believe it. He finds it heavy," she teased.

Despite the itching in my fingers to pick up a stone and throw it in her direction, I controlled myself and focused on the further training. I knew I had a long way to go to improve my skills and become stronger.

After gradually getting used to the weight of the scythe and swinging it around a bit, the little maid, who had been sitting next to Shinoa enjoying her drink from a white-and-blue porcelain cup the whole time, made the grass grow again. Shinoa advised me to start by cutting the grass to get used to it. After that, I should do some muscle-building and endurance exercises before swinging the scythe again until the sun set. I glanced at the sky and saw that the sun hadn't even reached its zenith yet. "I'm going to die," I muttered slightly despondently.

Shinoa went into the house and returned shortly with two wooden mugs. "If you're thirsty, help yourself," she said kindly. Gratefully, I nodded and swung the scythe once again. After several hours of cutting and sweating, I felt the urge to take off my cap to let some fresh air onto my sweaty forehead. It was uncomfortable to wear a cap while swinging the scythe and with sweat pouring down. But I resisted the urge and focused on the task.

After cutting all the grass, I went to Shinoa, panting, to have a drink. She noticed my dilemma with the cap and got up. "Stand still for a moment," she said and approached me.

As Shinoa touched my back and whispered the word "CinderellaSilentis," I felt something change within my body. Surprised, I touched my hair and noticed that it had returned to its original brown color. It was as if a spell had been cast on me that changed my appearance.

Confused, I ran my hand to my forehead and realized that the horns were gone. It felt good not to have them on my head anymore.

"Thank you, Shinoa," I said with a smile and took the mug by the handle to drink from it. "It tastes slightly bitter-salty, what is it?" Shinoa also took a sip from her mug and replied, "It's called Pesula." I finished the drink and placed the mug on the ground before returning to the scythe that lay there. To my surprise, it suddenly felt much lighter than before.

"Hey, Shinoa, why is the scythe suddenly so light?" I asked, bewildered. Shinoa got up and was suddenly right in front of me without me noticing her movement. It was as if she had always been there, without making a sound or movement. "Quite simply, the drink you had is actually meant to strengthen the body faster, but only if you train properly," she explained. "Normally, it would take you two to four days to partially swing the scythe with one hand. Pesula, on the other hand, accelerates this process immensely, and since it has no side effects, it's even sold decently – everyone has access to it."

She took the scythe from my hand and struck it into the ground. "Now you're going to do this until the moons are high up there, just three breaks, no more," she said, handing me the scythe back before immediately striking it into the ground herself. I followed her instructions and worked hard to master the scythe.

When the moons began to rise, I took another break and talked to Shinoa, who was getting a massage from the little maid while eating something. I took a deep breath and mentally prepared for the rest of the training day. When the moons finally reached their zenith, I collapsed exhausted on the ground and gazed at the starry sky. After a while, I went to Shinoa, who was taking a foot bath with the maid while eating. "What was that?" she asked with a mouthful. "What?" I replied as I took off my shoes and socks. "Ugh! Does that stink?" Shinoa said, holding her nose. She extended her palm toward my feet, and suddenly, something blue glowed in her hand. "Th...that's not funny," I stammered as the light grew brighter. "Cleanse those stinky feet!" she ordered, and a blue-green stream of water hit my legs and shoes.

I also placed my feet into the warm footbath, feeling the pleasant warmth relaxing my tired muscles. All the strain I had felt earlier seemed to dissolve in bliss. Shinoa continued to gaze at the night sky, and I, too, enjoyed this peaceful moment.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and Nia appeared behind us. "Shinoa, did you forget that Zero still needs to learn?" she said, sounding slightly snippy. Shinoa looked at Nia as if she didn't care and replied, "Can't that wait until tomorrow? We're just relaxing here."

Confused and surprised, I watched as Nia approached Shinoa and with a simple snap of her fingers, rapidly cooled the air around us. Within seconds, the warm footbath turned into icy cold water, and I quickly pulled my feet out of the icy element. "W-wait, N-N-Nia," Shinoa stammered, clearly trying to defuse the situation. She raised her hands in surrender. "So, what do you say?" Nia asked with a mocking smile, effortlessly controlling the cold.

Shinoa's expression appeared tense, and I felt that some kind of power struggle was unfolding between the two of them. I was confused and not entirely sure what was happening.

"That's enough, Nia," I said calmly, hoping to defuse the situation. "We just wanted to relax and enjoy the evening. There's no need to create conflicts here." Nia glanced at me for a moment, then her expression softened slightly. "You're right," she eventually replied, gradually releasing the cold.

I followed Nia through the narrow alleyways back to the tavern, with my wet shoes and socks sticking uncomfortably to my feet with each step. The fresh night air was cool and refreshing, and I could smell the scent of steaming food from the surrounding street vendors. The sparse lighting from the street lamps cast gentle shadows on the cobblestones and historic buildings.

As we walked slowly, I couldn't help but look up at the sky. The city was quiet at this time. Most shops had already closed, the shutters of the houses were down, and only lively activity could be heard from the taverns here and there. The gentle click of our shoes on the cobblestone and the muffled laughter of the night owls accompanied us on our way.

The street lamps cast warm light on the cobblestone road, creating a cozy ambiance. The shadows of the houses danced in the light's glow, giving the scene a certain magic. As we continued on our leisurely journey, I could hardly get enough of the picturesque scenery that unfolded before us.

With every step, I felt the tension and thoughts of the events of the past few days gradually dissipating. The quiet and beauty of the night had a calming effect on me. Every step on the cobblestone seemed soft and gentle, as if I were walking through a dream.

Nia and I continued our way gently, our steps in harmony with the quiet melody of the night. We crossed narrow, winding streets, whose cobblestones were shaped by centuries of life and stories. Along the way, we encountered a colorful mix of people and beings exploring the city at this late hour. Some were human, while others bore unmistakable features of non-human races – their presence added an additional fascination to the scene.

The light stones cast their light on our paths, giving a friendly touch to the darkness. The shadows of the surrounding buildings danced in the light's glow, as if they were telling their own stories. The whisper of the wind and the subdued murmurs of the passersby formed a gentle symphony that underscored the city's nocturnal charm.

As we continued to move forward, I became aware of how deeply I was immersing myself in this special atmosphere. The darkness had an almost magical aura, diverting me from the difficulties of the past few days. It enveloped me like a protective blanket, and for a moment, I could forget my own thoughts.

Each step I took felt like a step into another world, a world of peace and tranquility. The city seemed to awaken differently at night, revealing its hidden facets. Chance encounters with other night owls, be they human or non-human, added an extra depth to this nocturnal odyssey.

While following Nia, we lost ourselves in our own thoughts as the nocturnal surroundings came to life around us. It was a moment of escape from reality, a moment of pause and enjoyment. The darkness and the gentle illumination created a unique atmosphere that made me momentarily forget the weight of my own past.

And so, we continued to stroll through the narrow alleyways, accompanied by the occasional sounds and encounters of the nocturnal city.

Back in the cozy tavern, my attention was immediately drawn to a lively scene. Various mixed beings of all kinds were celebrating with great enthusiasm: they toasted, laughed heartily, and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the night. The loud clinking of glasses and the cheerful chatter filled the room with infectious energy.

As we returned to the tavern, a vibrant picture unfolded before me. The tavern was filled with a diverse mixture of people and non-human beings who had gathered in a cheerful mood. Laughter, conversations, and the clinking of glasses filled the room as guests celebrated and enjoyed the night. The scent of delicious food and drinks lingered in the air, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the atmosphere.

"Is something special happening tonight?" I asked Nia as I observed the colorful scene. She leaned slightly against me, as if trying to absorb the joyful energy of the tavern. "In a few days, an ordinary citizen will be elevated to the status of a Saint, or in other words, a Hero," I replied, trying to suppress my rising excitement. The idea of being named a Hero ignited a burning ambition within me.

My hand instinctively clenched into a fist, and I could feel my muscles tensing. The opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the heroes I admired was an incredible chance that I didn't want to miss. A sense of determination surged through me as I focused on the thought of improving myself and seizing this opportunity.

Nia leaned in closer to me, looking directly into my eyes. A soft sigh escaped her lips, as if she could understand the challenges and ambitions rising within me. "So, how does one become a Hero?" I asked her curiously, keeping my gaze on the lively crowd. Nia took a deep breath before beginning her explanation. "There will be a large gathering of monsters, and in this battle, someone will rise to become a Hero," she began. "This person will receive the blessings of the heroes and bear a stigma on their hand." The idea of receiving the blessings of the heroes and bearing a stigma filled me with a mixture of awe and nervousness.

"So, I guess I have to get even better after all," I whispered softly as my thoughts settled like gentle waves. A approving smile played on Nia's lips as she gently brushed aside a lock of her hair. "Yes, Zero, your skills must continue to unfold in order to shine in this upcoming battle. The rivalry may be intense, but if you succeed, you could truly ascend as a radiant hero." Her words enveloped me like a warm embrace, adding even more strength to my resolve.

As I stood in the tavern, soaking in the joyful atmosphere around me, I felt a new drive stirring within me. The idea of being named a Hero and bringing about change in the world was like a fire burning within me.

The rain continued to drip relentlessly on the wooden shutters, the rhythmic patter almost resembling someone gently tending to plants. Each drop left small trails on the glass, forming irregular patterns. The gentle sound of rain was almost like a soothing lullaby, slowly lulling me into a deep slumber.

But suddenly, as if a thunderclap had shattered my dreams, there came a violent pounding on my door. My heart skipped a beat as I was abruptly yanked from my peaceful sleep. With a hurried exclamation, I lost my balance, as I had been sleeping at the edge of the bed, and found myself unexpectedly on the floor. My tired thoughts became clear from the sudden activity in my head, and I shook my head slightly to dispel the confusion.

As I rubbed my sore head, I slowly got up and shuffled towards the door.The raindrops had left a slight chill in the air as I grabbed the handle of my room's door. With a gentle creak, I opened the door, and there stood Nia, wrapped in her brown leather jacket, the hood with cat-like ears perched on top of her head. Her demeanor was impatient and energetic as she was already waiting for me.

"Yeah, come on!" I called out somewhat annoyed as I focused my gaze on her. My hand reached for the door handle, and with a soft sound, I fully opened the door. Nia stood before me, her eyes filled with determination and focus. Her look seemed to convey that she had no time for delays.

"Get changed and grab something rainproof. We're going shopping now," she commanded with a tone that brooked no argument. Her words hit me like a cold gust of wind, emphasizing the immediacy of her intentions. Without waiting for a response, I nodded silently and took a step back to make room for her.

The door slowly closed behind her as I turned and hurriedly went into my room. My thoughts swirled like the raindrops as I quickly changed. The red dress I had originally been wearing was replaced with a more practical choice. A water-repellent coat replaced my usual jacket, and I pulled it snugly over my shoulders. The hood cast a shadow over my face as I prepared for the unpredictable weather.

Outside, the sky had shown its temper, with dark clouds forming a menacing formation over the landscape, casting their shadows on the world below. Rain poured down as if the heavens themselves had opened their floodgates. The drops fell in a continuous rhythm on everything in their path, causing the surroundings to blur in a silvery veil.

The streets, usually bustling with the hurried steps of people, now lay deserted, covered in a shiny film of rainwater. The cobblestones glistened in the diminishing rays of light breaking through the thick clouds. The ground seemed to greedily soak up the rain, as if it longed for this refreshing touch.

As we both walked through the wet street, I could feel the cool water slowly seeping through my clothing. My steps were cautious, so as not to slip on the puddles that formed like enticing traps on our path. The raindrops mingled with the tears of the sky, and I could practically feel the cleansing they brought.

Amidst the rain, I noticed the distinctive patterns on the raincoats worn by some pedestrians. Knitted raindrops adorned the sleeves of these coats, while large buttons were attached to the hoods as if they possessed the character of waterproof amulets. These creative details brought a touch of liveliness to the gray scenery.

I walked alongside Nia, who hid her face in her hood, and noticed that she had lowered her tail. The raindrops beaded on her hood, glistening as she walked with her head down. There was a subtle hesitation in her posture, as if the rain was not only affecting her physically but also emotionally.

"Don't you like the rain?" I finally asked her, my words rising slightly above the sound of the falling water. I perked my ears to hear her response as I tried to maintain a steady rhythm in our steps.

Her response came softly, almost drowned by the raindrops. "Yes, I don't like it when it's this wet." Her voice carried a hint of discomfort, and I could understand how the excessive rain was affecting her mood. When she tugged on my sleeve just as I was about to bump into someone, I smiled at her and said, "Thank you."

Finally, we reached a street lined with a sort of makeshift roof made of tarps stretched between buildings. This makeshift canopy offered some protection from the ongoing rain, and the ground beneath it remained surprisingly dry. The scene under the tarp was lively and diverse: some vendors were hawking their wares, laughing and joking with each other, while others were engaged in heated arguments, their voices rising above the rain.

"What do we need to buy here?" I asked as I looked around to figure out what exactly we were supposed to find in this bustling market. Nia decided to remove her hood and rummaged in her pocket until she pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. Her fingers glided over the written words as she studied the shopping list.

"Four Netro legs, twenty-three bottles of Unrez – we should find those here – and nineteen small Uppu cubes," she listed the items we needed to get at this market. Her words were carried by the damp air, and I listened attentively, trying to memorize the exotic-sounding names of the products.

I couldn't help but let out a resigned sigh. "I have no idea what all of this looks like," I confessed, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the unfamiliar names of the goods. Nia stared at me with an open mouth, a look of astonishment on her face.

"You can't be serious," she exclaimed incredulously, shaking her head, clearly taken aback by my uncertainty. "Well, fine. Just look at the signs and read what's written there. You'll figure out what's what." Her tone fluctuated between amusement and impatience, as if she couldn't believe someone didn't know the basic principles of shopping.

I couldn't help but crack a slightly embarrassed grin.

With eager eyes, I roamed between the stalls, looking for the wooden signs that hopefully displayed the sought-after products. The rain relentlessly pelted the improvised roof above us, but I didn't let it distract me. Finally, my eyes fell on a sign with the letters "U-P-P-U," followed by a strange combination of characters.

"U... uppu, ha, uppu cubes found," I murmured as I recognized the word on Nia's list. I approached the stall that displayed the sign and gazed at the colorful variety of small cubes showcased there. They had vivid colors and appeared to be made from different materials. Some glittered in the rain's light, while others were matte and simple.

I turned to the vendor and asked cautiously, "How much is one Uppu cube?" The words felt awkward in my mouth because I didn't know the currency unit he would use.

The vendor kindly accepted my ignorance of the local prices and advised me, "Better buy twenty Uppu cubes. These cost exactly 2 Dragonians." His voice sounded rough but still friendly. Dark blue strands of hair peeked out from under his headscarf, and his brown trousers ended just above the knee.

I nodded and retrieved two golden coins from my pocket, handing them to him in exchange for a small fabric bag filled with the Uppu cubes. I pulled one of the cubes out and felt its grainy texture. Driven by curiosity, I squeezed it, watching in fascination as it flattened out. When I released the pressure, it immediately returned to its cubical shape.

This small wonder captivated me, and I couldn't help but display a broad smile on my face. "This is truly amazing," I said to Nia as I returned to her and showed her the Uppu cubes. "These things are incredible."

Nia furrowed her brow and looked at me questioningly. "You've never had Uppu cubes before?" My smile immediately disappeared, and I held the Uppu cube tightly in my hand. "No, um, I never did."

She patted me on the shoulder and seemed determined to teach me more about it. "I'll explain it to you later. It's fascinating how the Unrez becomes extremely hot when vigorously shaken and then turns into ice when mixed with Uppu cubes." I looked at her curiously. "But how do you digest that? Doesn't it cause stomach problems?" I asked with concern.

Nia shook her head. "It's perfectly safe for cooking. These two substances don't normally mix in your stomach." Her answer alleviated my concerns.

After we had completed our shopping, I carried the bottles of Unrez packed in two wooden crates. I made sure not to sway too much to avoid the dangerous heating of the bottles. The comforting scent of wet grass and wood surrounded me, giving me a sense of inner relaxation. However, visibility was impaired by the heavy rain, and I could barely see anything.

Nia walked ahead of me, keeping a watchful eye to ensure I didn't collide with anyone, while I focused on not slipping on the slippery ground. Her commitment to my safety was evident, and I greatly appreciated her care in this unfamiliar environment.

Finally, we reached the tavern, our destination. Shinoa took the groceries from me effortlessly. I stood rooted to the spot, surprised that she didn't even flinch. As I removed my jacket and hung it on the coat rack, Mirajane approached me and lifted me without saying a word. Confused and surprised, I stammered, "Huh? Wait, did I do something wrong?" Mirajane seemed to carry me effortlessly, and I couldn't figure out exactly what was happening.