The Extra's Rise

Time at the Tower of Magic had settled into something oddly pleasant.

There were no life-threatening battles, no surprise assassination attempts, and no ancient evils clawing at the edges of reality. Instead, each day brought disciplined training, long hours of research, and the occasional headache-inducing lecture from Charlotte about why thinking too much could sometimes be a bad thing. It was a strange kind of peace—a rare, almost suspicious quiet that made me wonder if I wasn't missing something important.

One evening, as the sky beyond the Tower's curved windows glowed with Avalon's neon skyline, I found myself sitting in the lounge with Rose as Cecilia was still training. The air was cool and filled with a gentle hum of mana energy that vibrated softly through the floor. Rose had been unusually quiet, her usual calm demeanor even more pronounced, as if she were weighing a decision in the silence of her mind. Finally, unable to hold back my curiosity any longer, I turned to her and asked, "Why are you here, anyway?"

She met my gaze with her characteristic auburn eyes, which were thoughtful and deep. "For you," she replied, flatly and without a trace of hesitation.

I blinked, momentarily taken aback by her directness. Well, that was… direct. I had expected a rehearsed explanation or a half-hearted remark about duty and training. Instead, she had given me an answer that left no room for misinterpretation.

Rose exhaled slowly, shifting in her seat so that her long red hair cascaded more freely over her shoulder. With her hands resting lightly on her lap, she continued, "I came to the Tower because I knew you'd be here. Not just for training—though, yes, that was part of it—but because I wanted to spend time with you." She tilted her head slightly, studying my reaction with a mix of vulnerability and determination. "Does that bother you?"

I shook my head, smiling. "No. Just… surprised."

She nodded, as if that was exactly what she expected. Then, after a brief pause that stretched between us like a delicate promise, she added, "Then let's go on a date."

I blinked again, trying to process the sudden turn in the conversation. "You're not wasting time, are you?"

A small, warm smile played on her lips. "Should I?" she teased.

With a smile, I replied, "Alright. Let's go on a date."

Avalon City was alive with its usual hum of activity as we stepped out of the Tower.

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Rose looked every bit the part of someone at ease in this vibrant tapestry of city life. Dressed in a dark red blouse paired with sleek black pants, she exuded an effortless grace. Gone was her training gear; instead, she had opted for something more casual yet undeniably refined. She had left her hair down, and the long, fiery strands caught the soft glow of the city lights, making her seem almost luminescent in the night.

I, in turn, had traded my usual combat-worn clothes for a fitted black shirt and dark slacks—a simple ensemble that managed to be both practical and presentable.

"So," I said, glancing at her as we walked, "what's the plan?"

She smirked, the challenge sparkling in her eyes. "I thought you'd plan it."

I raised an eyebrow. "You asked me out, so shouldn't you be the one planning?"

"Maybe," she admitted with a playful shrug. "But I wanted to see where you'd take me."

Challenge accepted.

After a few minutes of wandering the lit-up streets, I led her to a quiet part of the city where the pace slowed. We ended up at a small, tucked-away tea house that overlooked one of Avalon's elevated gardens. The tea house wasn't fancy by traditional standards—it boasted a charming, almost rustic atmosphere. Hanging lanterns cast a warm, inviting glow over polished wooden tables, and soft instrumental music played in the background. The air was fragrant with the aroma of roasted herbs and citrus, mingled with a subtle hint of the electric tang from the mana-infused soil of the floating garden below.

Rose's eyes widened as she took in the surroundings. "You knew I liked tea?" she remarked, a note of genuine pleasure in her voice.

"I pay attention," I replied with a smirk.

She hummed in approval as we stepped inside. The tea house was sparsely populated, with a few patrons scattered about, most of them absorbed in holo-scrolls or quietly conversing over steaming cups. The ambiance was calm—a stark contrast to the hectic energy of Avalon's main districts.

We settled into a corner table by a large window that offered an uninterrupted view of the garden below, where delicate plants and softly glowing orbs floated in the air. Soon after, a server approached us. She was a young woman whose tattoos shimmered faintly with each graceful movement, and her notepad glowed softly as she took our orders.

"Welcome," she said politely. "What can I get you two?"

Rose glanced briefly at the menu before turning her gaze back to me. "You pick," she said, her tone laced with playful confidence.

I considered our options and decided on a fireberry blend—a rich, slightly spicy tea that I knew was a favorite among those who appreciated subtle warmth in a cup. Rose raised an eyebrow at my choice but didn't protest.

As we waited for our drinks, the conversation naturally deepened. Rose leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand, and asked softly, "So, why did you agree to this date?"

I met her inquisitive gaze. "Because I wanted to," I replied simply, the words carrying more meaning in the soft, intimate light of the tea house.

She studied me for a moment, then smiled—a genuine, tender smile that warmed my heart. "Good answer," she said, and for a moment, the noise of Avalon outside seemed to fade away.

Our tea arrived in elegant ceramic cups adorned with swirling patterns that danced in the light. Rose took a careful sip, her eyes widening in appreciation. "This is good," she admitted, her voice soft with contentment.

I grinned. "Told you."

As we sipped our tea, conversation drifted to topics both mundane and magical. We discussed the challenges of training at the Tower, the eccentricities of our instructors, and the ever-present pressures of magical advancement. Rose recounted stories of her childhood with quiet humor, revealing bits of her past that painted a picture of a determined, sometimes rebellious spirit who had always strived to be more than what was expected. I shared my own experiences—the small, often overlooked moments that had shaped my understanding of magic and life. In these shared moments, the space between us seemed to shrink, until it was as if we were the only two people in the world.

The candlelight flickered gently over Rose's face, softening her usual stoic expression into something warmer, more inviting. Her crimson eyes, usually so guarded and calculating, now held an unmistakable glimmer of tenderness. "Arthur," she murmured, setting her cup down with deliberate care.

I leaned in slightly. "Yeah?"

She hesitated, her eyes searching mine for a fraction of a heartbeat before she leaned forward and kissed me. It was soft at first, a gentle brush of lips that gradually deepened as we both surrendered to the moment. The kiss was warm and steady—a quiet declaration of something unspoken and deeply felt. For a brief moment, the chaotic energy of magic, training, and responsibility melted away, leaving only the simple truth of two souls connecting in the heart of Avalon City.

When she finally pulled away, a faint blush dusted her cheeks, and her eyes twinkled with a mixture of shyness and resolve. "Was that okay?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I smiled, a genuine, unburdened smile. "Yeah. More than okay."

She let out a soft laugh, then smirked. "Good. Because I don't plan on stopping at just one."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "I figured."

Outside, as we stepped back onto the bustling street, the neon glow of Avalon continued its relentless pulse. But for that fleeting moment, nothing else mattered—only the warmth we'd shared, and the promise of something more.

The date stretched out like a perfect evening dream. We strolled along riverwalks where water glowed with an internal, magical luminescence, stopped at street vendors selling enchanted trinkets, and shared stories over cups of coffee at a late-night diner that looked like it had been plucked from another era. Every step, every smile, and every touch felt significant—each one a quiet reaffirmation of the bond that was forming between us.

As the night deepened, we found ourselves atop a small hill overlooking Avalon's glittering skyline. The city below shimmered like a vast tapestry of lights, the distant hum of airships and the soft murmur of conversation creating a gentle lullaby in the background. We sat side by side on a bench, our shoulders brushing as we admired the view. The cool night air carried the faint scent of jasmine and rain, wrapping around us like a silken promise.

Rose turned to me, her eyes reflecting the myriad lights of the city. "I'm glad we did this," she said softly. "I'm really glad I'm here with you."

I reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "Me too, Rose. It feels… right."

She leaned in closer, her breath warm against my cheek. "Arthur," she whispered, "thank you for not being afraid. For letting me be who I am."

There was a long pause as the silence between us grew comfortable, filled with the unspoken hopes of the future. Finally, drawn by an irresistible impulse, I reached for her hand. In that moment, beneath the vast, starry sky of Avalon City, everything felt possible.

Then, as if the world itself had given us permission, Rose tilted her head and pressed her lips to mine once more. This kiss was deeper, more assured, and carried with it the full weight of our shared evening—the joys, the uncertainties, and the unspoken dreams of what might come. It was a kiss that sealed the night as something extraordinary, a moment suspended between the magic of Avalon and the certainty of our hearts.