Chapter 110: A Date... Sort Of
At a bustling shopping mall, the vibrant display of clothing created a kaleidoscope of colors. Rows upon rows of garments, ranging from sleek modern outfits to traditional attire, were meticulously arranged on stands and racks.
The air was filled with a buzz of activity as shoppers moved from one stand to another, their arms laden with options.
Some held up outfits against their bodies, turning toward nearby mirrors with contemplative expressions, silently debating whether the attire suited them.
Amid the lively crowd, two young figures stood out—a young man and a young woman, Max and Alice.
Alice's eyes sparkled with excitement as she flitted from rack to rack, her fingers brushing against fabrics and occasionally holding up a dress to show Max. Her cheerful demeanor was infectious as she chattered about colors and styles.
Max, on the other hand, followed behind with a resigned but amused look, occasionally giving a nod or a shrug when she sought his opinion.
"I say, you've already bought three of them, isn't that enough?" Max asked after some hesitation.
Alice glared at him. "What do you mean enough? I haven't even started yet."
"More?" Max forced a warm smile and said, "Continue… continue."
Alice sweetly smiled as she continued to look through her clothes.
'Damn, we've been at this for two hours straight, and she's only chosen three outfits.' Max thought crying, though no tears came out.
After buying another three sets of clothes for her, Alice nodded in satisfaction and turned to him. "Do you want to buy something?" she asked.
Max wondered and nodded. "I'll buy some casual clothes."
"Alright." Alice clapped her hands, nodding. "I know a great place. Let's go." She held Max's hand as she led him through the crowd.
Max was dragged to a new area in the shopping region, where many casual clothes for men and kids of his age were displayed on racks and mannequins.
"I like this one and this one." Max chose two pieces he found interesting upon entering. One was a full black shirt, and the other was a dark red shirt with a white t-shirt underneath. Both were loose-fitting.
Alice stared blankly at Max.
"What?" Max asked, feeling the weight of her gaze.
"How come you chose your clothes so fast?" Alice asked, her arms on her waist.
Max shrugged, flashing a smirk. "It's because no matter what clothes I wear, I know I'll always look great."
Alice pouted and said, "Fine. Just buy what you like."
Max's shoulders drooped as he noticed her making faces, wondering if he had said something wrong.
Then, suddenly, it hit him, and he kind of understood.
"How about you choose clothes for me?" Max asked.
Alice turned to him, her eyes sparkling. "Really?"
Max, seeing her expression, smiled confidently. "Of course. I'd love to wear clothes chosen by you."
Alice nodded her head heavily as if agreeing with Max. "Then let me see some nice clothes for you."
She flitted from one rack to another, her excitement gradually shifting to mild frustration. Each piece she picked up seemed to fall short of her expectations. The outer sections, middle aisles, and even the exclusive core displays—all were thoroughly inspected, yet none seemed to catch her eye.
Max watched her with a mix of amusement and curiosity as she moved toward a quieter corner of the store, determined to find the perfect outfit.
However non caught her attention.
Just as she was about to sigh in defeat, her gaze landed on a set of clothing that instantly lit up her face.
Hanging neatly on a pristine rack was a traditional-style blue shirt.
Alice reached out, her fingers brushing against the soft material, and a smile bloomed on her face. "This… this is perfect!" she exclaimed, holding it up for Max to see.
Max raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Looks like the search wasn't in vain after all."
After checking out, they left the mall and headed back to the Ember Heart Hall to eat something.
As they ate their meals, Max wondered if he should ask her about any doctors but decided against it in the end.
'She might overreact, knowing her,' Max thought, and decided to check on a doctor on his own.
Moreover, he didn't think anything serious had happened to him because, if it had, he wouldn't be doing so well and feeling so refreshed.
As they ate, they talked about many things, but Max noticed that Alice strangely didn't say anything about her flames or the dungeon break. Max didn't ask her about those topics either.
After a healthy meal, they were both full.
Alice set her fork down, her smile soft but resolute. "I can't contact you for this month, Max. I'll be focusing entirely on my preparation to level up to Apprentice Rank."
Max paused mid-bite, caught off guard by her sudden declaration. "Why the sudden rush? Did something happen?"
Alice leaned back in her chair, her smile brightening as she explained. "Do you remember the Guild Summit I mentioned before? It's been rescheduled because of last week's incident. The new date is next month."
Max nodded slowly as he recalled the topic. "Oh, right. I forgot about that. What's different about this summit?"
Alice's tone turned serious but retained a hint of excitement. "This time, the first day is reserved for the leaders of the five top guilds to hold a private meeting. But the second day? That's when it gets interesting. Geniuses at the Apprentice Rank and Adept Rank will be welcomed to participate."
Her eyes sparkled as she leaned forward slightly. "And, there's going to be a chance to comprehend an aura."
Max's expression shifted, his interest piqued. "An aura?" His voice carried a mix of surprise and eagerness. He had been attempting to increase his mastery over his auras for months without success.
Alice nodded enthusiastically. "Yes. The ancestors of the five major guilds had discovered an ancient structure—a temple, actually. We call it the Temple of Divine. Only those from the five major guilds are granted access, and it's considered one of their greatest treasures."
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She smiled as she continued, her excitement infectious. "In the temple, people can either comprehend a new aura or deepen the mastery of one they've already cultivated. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most."
Max leaned back in his chair, a small grin forming. "That's incredible. I've been meaning to improve my aura mastery for a while now. This might just be the push I need."
Alice nodded, her expression both determined and supportive. "Exactly. But to make the most of it, I need to focus. No distractions for the next month, Max. Not even from you."
Max smirked. "Don't worry. Train in peace. I won't disturb you."
Alice laughed softly, the sound warm and genuine. "It's only a month. Just don't get into too much trouble."
"I make no promises," Max teased, raising his hands.
Following their talk, they parted ways.
Max headed straight to his house, his mind occupied with various thoughts.
Sitting in his bed, his hand on his chin as he made his plans. 'Tomorrow morning, I will head out to meet the Thorne Family first,' he decided as he entered the dimension of time.