CHAPTER 147 – MAGE OF FLOWERS

LYSANDER FARADEISS

It is often said that when you are having fun with someone special, time seems to fly by unnoticed. This sentiment rang true as Hiraya led me to the top of a cliff. From this vantage point, we were treated to a breathtaking view of the vast, blue ocean shimmering under the sunlight, with the golden hues of the setting sun painting the horizon. The sky was a battleground where light and darkness vied for dominance. Stars began to twinkle faintly in the growing twilight, while closer to the horizon, the sun bathed the clouds and sea in a warm, orange glow.

A powerful breeze swept over us, causing Hiraya's long, golden hair to dance and her sundress to billow around her. I quickly grabbed her hat to keep it from being carried away by the wind.

"This spot is the closest place to the sky here in Yggdra," Hiraya said softly, her voice barely audible over the wind. "It's far removed from the hustle and bustle of the Guardian's Haven, and free from the war and tension between kingdoms and races. Here, you can savor the special moments, the scenery, the people, and the harmony, without any disturbances."

The beautiful elf closed her eyes and smiled, her face serene as she felt the sweet breeze of the moment.

"In this place, time stands still. There is only the sweet breeze, the dazzling sunset, the glittering ocean, the peaceful skies... and me. Everything is the same and peaceful for the whole universe."

Suddenly, a meteor shower began to streak across the sky, visible against the darkening backdrop.

"How beautiful," I muttered, captivated by the sight.

Hiraya opened her eyes and stepped forward until she stood at the very edge of the cliff. "I always brought my friend Adelyn here," she began, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "This is where we found solace, a sanctuary where no one would interrupt us. It was the only place where we could be ourselves, free and unencumbered. Even though Adelyn is no longer with us, I hold this special place dearly with all my heart."

I noticed tears welling up in her eyes as she placed a hand on her chest, the weight of her memories heavy upon her.

"Hiraya..." I whispered, my voice soft with concern.

"I had a nightmare," she continued, her tone distant. "In that dream, I saw the entire planet engulfed in flames. A dragon rose from the ashes, holding a sapling with great care. Then, as the nightmare faded, the flames dispersed and disappeared, ushering in a new age of eternal peace."

My eyes widened in shock at her revelation. Though it might just be a dream, I couldn't dismiss the ominous possibilities it suggested.

"Hiraya, is that... a prophecy? Have you activated your Oracle powers?" I asked, my voice trembling with uncertainty.

Hiraya shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "I don't know. I still don't understand what that nightmare means, but there is one thing I do know. With you and everyone else by my side, we can face whatever comes our way. After all, we are the saviors of the world, right?"

I nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "That's right."

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Hiraya wiped away the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. "I'm sorry for making things gloomy and bleak. Let's get back to the main thing I wanted to tell you."

"Wait, that wasn't it?" I tilted my head in confusion.

Hiraya took a deep breath, then clapped her hands and smiled brightly. "I've decided."

"Decided what?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

Hiraya took a step forward, her cheeks flushed with a deep red. She was now standing so close that I could feel the warmth of her breath against my skin.

"Hiraya?" I stammered, my heart pounding in my chest.

With a straight face, she dropped a bombshell out of the blue. "I really love you, Lysander."

"Huh? Huuuuh?!" My entire face turned as red as a strawberry, every drop of blood in my body seeming to rush to my cheeks.

"I really love you, Lysander," Hiraya repeated, her tone serious and unwavering. "How do you feel about me?"

"Hold on! Wait! Are you— But— Is this— How did we— like what—" I stammered incoherently, unable to form a complete sentence. My brain was in shambles, my thoughts short-circuiting in a whirlwind of confusion.

"I've made up my mind to tell you my true feelings, so now it's your turn," Hiraya said, her tone demanding yet strangely endearing. There was an intensity in her eyes that made her a little intimidating, but not in a bad way.

"Fuck!" I cried out in frustration.

I had a plan to confess my feelings after our date was over, but Hiraya had beaten me to it, throwing all my careful preparations into disarray. Now, with my plans in ruins, I was left floundering, my thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind.

"Fuck?" Hiraya pouted, crossing her arms below her ample bosom. "You're going to swear after a girl confesses her love to you?"

"W-Wait, that's not what I meant! I was just surprised, that's all!" I stammered, nervously trying to calm her down with a shaky smile.

"Fuck you too then!" Hiraya exclaimed. "Fuck you! Fuck you! I wanna fuck you!"

"Stop picking a fight! I wanted to be the first to confess!" I cried out in frustration.

Suddenly, Hiraya stopped her childish tantrum and gasped, her eyes widening in realization.

"Oh... You were thinking the same thing as me?" Hiraya tilted her head, her voice softening.

"I was. I've had a crush on you ever since magic high. Even in the previous timeline, I always had this strange feeling in my heart, even when we were enemies. But when you revived me using the goddess' heart, I knew you were always the one," I confessed, my voice steady and sincere.

"Ah..." Hiraya gasped, covering her mouth with her hands.

An awkward silence fell between us, heavy with unspoken words. It was broken only when Hiraya forced a laugh, her face stiff and uncertain.

"Ahahaha... I-I forgive you then. It's all good. Just... forget that I ever said anything. You can say it first now... Ahahaha..." Hiraya stammered, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red.

Seeing her now acting awkward, I regained some of my confidence. I smiled and conjured a wooden staff with a red orb from my hand.

"I was saving this spell for my confession." Channeling my mana into the staff, I tapped its tip on the ground. "Merlin's Garden."

As soon as the tip of my staff touched the ground, a ripple spread outward, transforming the area around us. Silver flowers began to bloom, their delicate petals unfurling to create a sea of white blossoms.

"Are these... Éclair Damour?" Hiraya asked, her eyes wide with wonder.

I nodded with a smile. "It was hard to replicate and replace the flowers with Éclair Damour using the unmodified Merlin's Garden spell, but I did it."

A powerful breeze from the ocean blew some of the silver petals into the air, creating a gentle shower of flowers around us. With the sunset on the horizon, the meteor shower, and the rain of white petals, Hiraya looked more divine and graceful than ever. I couldn't help but fall even deeper in love with her.

I stepped forward, captivated by her shimmering golden eyes. Our hearts skipped a beat as I gently took her hand. The synchronized rhythm of our heartbeats felt like they were about to explode.

My throat was dry, and the words seemed stuck at the back of my tongue. I forced myself to swallow, and finally, my true feelings emerged.

"I... I really love you, Hiraya. Will you be my girlfriend?"

"Y-Yesh... I-I love you too, Lysander," Hiraya shyly replied.

Seeing her nervous like this was a rare sight, and I wanted to soothe her. I leaned in closer, our faces inches apart, and pressed my lips to hers in our first sweet kiss. The world around us seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us in that perfect moment.