'What a refreshing night.'

Once again, the archwizard was reminded of the reason periods of rest were needed. Now, the following day's morning, after sending off Yu Chen, she felt a whole lot better.

And so it was time for some more brainstorming.

The concern at the moment was undoubtedly shortcuts—not necessarily 'shortcuts' in a traditional way, but more about methods to power up quickly. While the prospects of getting her second heart to be as potent as her first were there, it would take too long for that to be sufficiently done.

Clearly, it was better to spearhead other areas, especially now that the vision had expanded greatly due to the jewel on her chest. With such immense raw power that Kierra possessed, a good portion of magical theories would be rendered useless since she had, in many senses, broken the human limit.

But what area should she focus on?

She had long reached the ceiling in almost every aspect, be it efficiency, incarnation shortening, or spell knowledge. For now, it was something that she needed to figure out.

'Maybe a walk would help.'

Thinking so, the archwizard put on her usual disguise and exited the tower. Upon stepping out of the main building itself, a bustling sight greeted her.

A considerable area surrounding the cloud-splitting tower also legally belonged to the 'Crimson Tower' as a whole—it was a miniature production town down here.

Kierra turned away and headed to the little park behind the tower. It was built for stress relief, yet people rarely went there because they had no time to rest in the first place.

''Hm?''

So, it was rather easy to spot a certain white-headed woman roaming around the blue lake. While her figure might have seemed insignificant, there was an exquisite air to her that drew the eye in.

For Kierra, it was always the lotus attached to Tian Yun's hair that captivated her.

''Yun.''

''Nn? Kierra!''

Seeing her lover, the sect master ran over with a wagging tail, cuddly hugging Kierra to her heart's content. Similar to many in the same harem, Tian Yun was not the one to shy over expressing affection, and Kierra herself loved that.

''Out for a walk?''

''Mhm. I needed some new ideas.''

''I see... ngh? This scent... did you sleep with my disciple?''

''...Is it that obvious?''

Tian Yun, who had just sniffed out the familiar scent, giggled at Kierra's reaction.

''That girl likes her perfume a lot, after all.''

''I see.''

''By the way, you look amazing in casual wear—''

As they continued on the walking trail, talks flowed out naturally. It was a total contrast to when they had just met, awkward and stiff. In this regard, one could say Kierra was like that with pretty much anyone. She seemed like such a scary person upon first impression, yet the more one got to know her, the more comfortable the dynamic became.

''Um... Kierra. Can I have a bit of your time?''

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Tian Yun had now become so comfortable with the archwizard that she felt she could ask for favors regularly. Like a needy dog wanting its owner's attention, she always voiced her requests with great sweetness.

Of course, Kierra loved it.

''What do you need me for?'' She replied, posing a soft smile.

''I was wondering if you could take me around the city a bit... you know. Miss Diamante is amazing, too, but I rather want it to be you.''

Inherently weak to spoiled, pretty women, the archwizard nodded at the speed of light. There was nothing too urgent at the moment, anyway.

And so, the two headed out to the town, walking aimlessly amidst the countless people.

More than being amazed by the modern, robust cityscape, Tian Yun was happy she got to be on a date with her beloved. She tightly hugged Kierra's arm, keeping the corners of her mouth high.

'What a crazy creature.'

(• ω•) つ

Kierra thought as she stroked the woman's head. If Diamante was a hyperactive golden retriever, then Tian Yun could be another golden retriever... but calmer.

She loved both. How could she not?

''Where do you want to go first?''

''Nn... maybe a tea house? I've always been curious about what they have in this world.''

''Sure.''

The place Kierra took Tian Yun to was an antique-looking shop somewhere near an alley. Beyond the opened slide door, old wooden shelves sat in rows, and buried between those was an elderly man resting on a swing, busying himself with the newspaper in his hands.

''Oh, this is where they sell the good stuff! So you do know about tea, after all!''

''Not really. It's just a coincidence.''

Indeed, Tian Yun was savvy in this business, while Kierra wasn't. She truly discovered this shop by accident some decades ago. Upon entering the building, a distinct fragrance hit both women.

''Welcome~!''

The shop owner turned off the television, which was a dated model, and greeted the two.

''Good-looking lasses, huh? What brings you both here?''

''Owner, can I take a look at all of the tea here?!''

''Hoh, all of them?''

''Mhm!''

As expected, only Tian Yun was capable of holding the conversation. Kierra, without much to do, only observed her little lover on the side. Aside from her easygoing personality, the archwizard also greatly enjoyed Tian Yun's animated expressions. They added so much life to the person herself that it was hard not to enjoy them.

Time seemed to accelerate as Kierra watched the White Lotus bloom, shocked, laughed, and puzzled.

Eventually, Tian Yun settled on buying an exotic tea imported from overseas. Holding the can toward Kierra, she proudly puffed out her chest.

''Heheh, look at what I brought! I'm sure you'll like it, too!''

'Ah...'

At that moment, like a genuine flower blossoming, Tian Yun radiated an endearing aura with her bright smile, sending Kierra's heart fluttering.

Graceful crescent eyes.

Faint dimples growing on the slightly plump cheeks.

Adorable bodily gestures.

Kierra decided she loved all of them. So, she reached out and kissed the woman's forehead heartily.

''K-Kierra...?''

''Shall we keep going?''

Confused yet unable to oppose her heart, Tian Yun nodded meekly and followed her lover.

The impromptu date lasted from early morning all the way to late afternoon, witnessing the couple breezing through the city, just having some simple, ordinary fun together.

At their last stop, the amusement park, where the sky was painted a soft orange.

The two sat on a bench together, watching the sun go down.

''You know, Kierra.''

''Hm?''

''I know I say this a lot... but I'm truly thankful that you have saved my life back then. Without your mercy... I wouldn't have been able to enjoy so much, and I wouldn't have you.''

''I see.''

Not wanting to disturb the mood, Kierra only replied affirmatively to Tian Yun's words. She knew better than to start a dispute over something like this.

Eventually, when all the talks went out, silence returned.

The two held hands, one leaning into the other's shoulder. It was merely a peaceful moment... but perhaps because of the ongoing circumstances, it felt more precious than ever.

In this emotionally tainted twilight, everything seemed to move more precariously, from the slowing clouds to the tired people.

''Nina, Vivi...!''

''Big bro.''

''You're back, big brother.''

Some two benches away, a boy came running to his two sisters, nesting several loaves of bread in his arms. Based on their appearance alone, one could infer many things. For example, perhaps they weren't too well-off.

''Ah, was that the boy who sold cotton candy we saw earlier?'' Tian Yun exclaimed.

''Yes.''

Kierra's gaze lingered on them a bit. They reminded her of the kids that were together with her five hundred years ago.

But then, Tian Yun suddenly spoke up again,

''Did you know this, Kierra? There's this one saying—

In the grovel, none could match lotuses' gorgeousness.

Close to mud, yet unburdened by its fetor.

It means that even if they—people like that boy—lived in terrible, terrible conditions, they would never forsake their good natures or become tainted by evil thoughts.''

''...''

''You told me your past, right? I think...''

Gently, Tian Yun took off the lotus on her hair and put it on Kierra's.

''...that you are just as graceful and beautiful as those lotuses, too.''

Bearing a merry smile resembling a blooming flower.