Shin nodded, unable to take his eyes off the dazzling scene. For a brief moment, he forgot his sore muscles, his training, and the struggles he'd faced. All he could feel was the wonder of the moment and the warmth of Fiona standing beside him.

As the sun dipped lower into the horizon, the soft hues of twilight painted the sky. “Shall we keep going?” Fiona asked gently, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Yeah, let’s go!” Shin replied, his voice filled with excitement.

They strolled together, eventually reaching the kingdom’s bustling main street. Merchants lined both sides, selling a variety of goods trinkets, food, and handmade crafts. The once plain street was now decorated with festive lanterns, their glow reflected in the smiling faces of people passing by. Overhead, wires held banners adorned with a lone wolf emblem and an “X” symbol behind it.

“That’s the same logo as the armor those generals wore,” Shin thought, recalling his earlier days in the kingdom when he first met the generals and other prominent figures.

As they continued walking, they arrived at a lively avenue filled with colorful stalls, mini-games, and small rides. The air buzzed with cheerful laughter and the sounds of children running around with glowing toys.

“Wow! I didn’t expect them to have all this,” Shin thought, his eyes darting around to take in every corner of the bustling street.

“Hey, Shin! Let’s try that one!” Fiona exclaimed, grabbing his hand tightly and pulling him toward a nearby stall.

“What’s this?” Shin asked curiously as they stopped in front of a brightly lit sign that read, "GOLEM STRENGTH TEST!"

“Look at the rules!” Fiona said, pointing at the sign with enthusiasm. “You just have to hit the golem’s head as hard as you can to get the highest score.”

“Wanna test your strength here?” Fiona encouraged, her playful smile lighting up her face.

“Of course!” Shin said confidently.

They approached the merchant running the game. He was a middle-aged man with a sly grin, eyeing Shin’s slim build. “It’s five bronze per try,” the merchant explained.

“Great! Here you go,” Fiona said, handing over the coins.

The merchant smirked as he took the money, thinking, “This kid’s so skinny. I’ll probably make a fortune from him missing the top score.”

Shin stepped up to the contraption, which had a box-like base topped with a golem’s head. Above it was a metal pole with numbered points indicating the strength of the strike. At the very top sat a bell, waiting to be rung.

“This reminds me of those carnival games I saw in movies,” Shin thought, gripping the wooden hammer firmly.

He adjusted his stance, recalling the swing techniques he’d observed from Lloyd during training. “Maybe I can mimic a small piece of his technique,” Shin thought as he bent his back and built up momentum.

With a deep breath, Shin swung the hammer in a wide arc and slammed it down with all his strength. The sound of the impact echoed loudly, and the golem’s head shot up, striking the bell at the very top with a resounding ding!

“Holy crap! It worked!” Shin thought, his eyes lighting up in disbelief.

“I did it!” Shin shouted, grinning from ear to ear.

“Wow! That’s amazing, Shin!” Fiona cheered, clapping her hands. Her smile was as bright as the lanterns hanging above.

“Heh, now I can finally get that teddy bear,” Fiona thought, her eyes sparkling as she pointed to the prize she wanted.

“So, what prize do you want?” Shin asked, still catching his breath.

“That one, please!” Fiona said, pointing to a large, fluffy teddy bear.

The merchant’s smug grin melted into a forced smile as he reluctantly handed over the bear. “H-here you go. Wow, kid, you’re a student at the academy, huh?” the merchant asked, trying to mask his frustration.

“Yeah, but don’t worry I didn’t use any techniques,” Shin replied casually.

“Well, technically, I only used a small part of Lloyd’s swing technique,” Shin thought to himself.

“I see. Well, good job, kid. Nice meeting you!” the merchant said, forcing a bright tone, though inside, he was cursing himself for underestimating Shin.

With the bear in hand, Shin and Fiona continued exploring the street. They tried out various games, from “Bowling Head” to “Smashing Fist” and “Iron Wrestling.” Laughter and playful banter filled the air as the two enjoyed the festival to the fullest.

For the first time in a long while, Shin felt at peace not as a warrior or a survivor, but simply as a young man making memories with someone he cared about.

As the lively night carried on, the streets bustling with laughter and chatter, Shin and Fiona wandered through the crowd, their energy waning after hours of playing games.

“Hey, Shin, I’m starving. Want to grab some food from the vendors?” Fiona asked, her stomach growling loudly.

Shin chuckled at the sound. “Sure, I’ll eat whatever you’re eating!” he replied cheerfully.

“Alright, follow me!” Fiona commanded with a grin, taking the lead.

As Shin followed her through the busy street, his eyes wandered upward. “Wow… they have fireworks here, too,” he murmured to himself. The sky was a mesmerizing blend of azure and deep indigo, illuminated by bursts of unique fireworks that painted the heavens with colors unlike anything from his old world.

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When Fiona returned, she held two sticks of grilled meat in one hand and a pair of drinks in the other. “Here, take one,” she said, handing Shin a skewer.

“Ah, thanks!” Shin said as he grabbed his share.

They continued to stroll through the vibrant streets, savoring the savory taste of the meat while the fireworks lit up the night. The warmth of the food and the company made the moment feel comforting amidst the chaos of the festival.

As they wandered further, they came across a massive tent, its bright red and white stripes standing out against the darkening sky. The entrance was adorned with lights and banners, and the sound of drums and laughter spilled out from within.

“Hey, look! It’s a circus! Wanna check it out?” Fiona asked excitedly, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Shin paused, taking in the sight of the towering tent. “Sure, I guess,” he replied with a shrug, though curiosity flickered in his voice. “I’ve never been to a circus before.”

With that, they approached the ticket booth and purchased two tickets. After a short wait in line, they stepped inside, greeted by the warm glow of lanterns and the smell of popcorn and sweets. They found seats near the middle of the tent, where they had a perfect view of the stage.

The murmurs of the crowd quieted as the lights dimmed, and a booming voice filled the tent.

Shin and Fiona exchanged excited glances as the show began, the stage coming alive with performers, acrobats, and dazzling displays of skill and wonder. For a moment, the weight of the world seemed to melt away, replaced by the magic of the moment.

As the lights dimmed, a booming voice echoed across the tent. "Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! Prepare to be amazed, dazzled, and thrilled! Welcome to the Grand Lunar Circus!"

The crowd erupted into cheers as the first act began.

A group of acrobats dressed in shimmering blue leaped onto the stage, flipping and tumbling effortlessly through the air. They formed human towers, balancing on each other’s shoulders as they performed gravity-defying stunts. Fiona gasped, her hands clapping together in awe. "How do they do that?!"

Shin smirked, leaning in. "Magic, maybe?"

Fiona nudged him playfully. "Don’t ruin it!"

Next came a fire dancer, twirling blazing batons as she spun in hypnotic circles. The flames reflected in Fiona’s eyes as she watched, mesmerized. At one point, the performer hurled a flaming hoop into the air and jumped through it flawlessly, earning a round of thunderous applause.

"That’s incredible," Shin whispered, his voice low with genuine admiration.

As the fire dancer exited, the lights dimmed again, and the sound of drums echoed throughout the tent. A troupe of clowns burst onto the stage, performing comical antics that had the audience roaring with laughter. One particularly cheeky clown threw a pie, which narrowly missed Shin's head and landed on another clown. Fiona burst into laughter, holding her sides as tears of amusement streamed down her face.

"That was close!" Shin chuckled, shaking his head with a grin.

The next act was quieter but no less enchanting. A lone performer in a long flowing robe stepped onto the stage, carrying a wooden chest. She opened it, releasing dozens of glowing butterflies into the air. The insects sparkled like miniature stars as they danced around the tent, weaving through the audience. One landed briefly on Fiona’s hand before flying away. She gasped in delight.

"It feels so real!" she exclaimed.

"It might actually be real," Shin said, watching one butterfly settle on his shoulder.

Finally, the grand finale arrived. The ringmaster stepped forward, his booming voice capturing everyone’s attention. "And now, for our last act of the night, prepare yourselves for the celestial aerial dance!"

Two performers were lifted high into the air by invisible threads of magic, their movements elegant and synchronized. They twirled and spun, ribbons of light trailing behind them, creating a dazzling spectacle. The crowd was silent, completely captivated by the breathtaking performance.

As the show came to an end, the audience erupted into a standing ovation. Shin and Fiona stood alongside them, clapping loudly.

"That was amazing," Fiona said, her cheeks flushed with excitement as they walked out of the tent.

Shin glanced at her, a soft smile on his face. "I’m glad you enjoyed it."

Fiona turned to him, her eyes sparkling. "Thank you for bringing me here, Shin. Tonight feels… magical."

Shin rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a bit flustered. "It’s nothing. I’m just happy you had fun."

As they strolled through the festive streets, the sounds of the circus lingered in the air, creating a memory they would both cherish for years to come.

As the circus came to a close, Shin and Fiona made their way out of the vibrant tent, still buzzing with excitement from the performance. The night air felt cool against their skin as they walked through the bustling festival, the sounds of laughter and music fading in the distance.

They soon found themselves near a section of the festival where fireworks were being set up. The colorful displays of pyrotechnics were already arranged, waiting for the perfect moment to light up the sky.

"Hmm, there's a lot of fireworks here ready to go. Won't it be too much?" Shin thought to himself, scanning the area.

"It seems they're already setting up fire-crackers," Fiona observed, glancing around at the crates filled with explosives.

"Yeah, we should probably move before they go off," Shin suggested.

Fiona nodded in agreement, and the two began to walk away from the setup. But before they could leave, a large group of people suddenly rushed toward them, causing a chaotic stir. Shin and Fiona were separated in the frenzy, and in the blink of an eye, the air was filled with the deafening sounds of fireworks going off. The bright explosions filled the azure sky, sending plumes of smoke and fog into the air.

Shin's vision blurred from the smoke as the crowd stopped in their tracks, and he found himself searching for Fiona amidst the confusion. His heart raced, but then he spotted a familiar silhouette in the haze. Without hesitation, he reached out and grabbed the figure's hand, pulling it toward him.

Fiona's face collided with Shin’s chest as he caught her.

"Are you okay?" Shin asked, his voice filled with concern as he noticed her trembling from the noise.

Fiona's eyes were watery from the overwhelming sounds of the fireworks. "Y-yeah... I'm okay," she stammered, trying to hold back her tears.

Shin gently wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb. "Hold my hand, and let’s get out of here," he said softly.

Fiona nodded, gratefully taking his hand as they began to move through the smoky haze. They made their way to the main street, where the noise of the fireworks faded into the distance.

Once they reached the clearing, Fiona stopped.

"Shin, I need to go now. I have to visit Father Charles," she said, her voice a little quieter than usual.

"I see," Shin replied with a smile. "Say hi to Priest Charles for me."

Fiona smiled back, waving as she turned to leave. "I will. Take care, Shin."

Shin waved as Fiona walked off toward the church, and he watched her disappear into the crowd.

As she left, a thought crossed Shin’s mind. So this is what dates are like...

With a small chuckle to himself, Shin turned and started walking back toward the academy.

On his way, he noticed a group of women in cloaks walking briskly toward the second gate of the kingdom the entrance to the noble’s district. Shin couldn’t help but glance at them curiously, wondering what they were up to.

Suddenly, a girl bumped into him, knocking him off balance.

"Watch where you're going!" Shin said, annoyed as he landed on the ground.

"S-Sorry!" the girl stammered as she tried to stand up. She had long, blonde hair and glasses, but it was hard to miss the way her large chest stood out.

Shin observed her, thinking, She stutters a lot.

"Did you see a group of mages pass by?" the girl asked, her voice shaky.

"Yeah, they went that way, toward the second gate," Shin said as he stood up and dusted himself off.

"Thank you, Mister," the girl said with a deep bow, clearly grateful. She quickly got to her feet and hurried off, disappearing into the crowd.

Shin watched her for a moment, puzzled by the odd encounter. What a weird encounter, just like that day when I lost my pouch... he thought as he continued on his way.

After a while of walking through the quiet streets, Shin finally reached the entrance to the academy's secret passage.

"I guess it’s time to meet Sir Bajar," Shin murmured to himself as he entered the passage, his thoughts turning to the next challenge that awaited him.