Half a day passed as they explored various shops, enjoyed a fruit salad by the fountain, and watched the bustling city folk go about their day. Later, they strolled through a garden, an elegant space funded by Lord Henrik to enhance the town's beauty.
Logan truly appreciated Henrik's suggestions; not only did each location feature excellent food and captivating sights, but some, like the garden, offered peaceful seclusion. These quiet moments gave Logan a chance to talk more freely with Rubina.
"It's great to just have some time for us again, right?" Logan said as they sat near a cluster of flowering bushes. The blooms, protected by magic, thrived despite the ice and snow outside.
"Yes, I do miss the brief time we spent together back in Elris," Rubina replied, her gaze fixed on the setting sun. A faint melancholy crossed her face as she realized the day was nearing its end. "It's also nice not to be drowning in work. I hope Leonard has settled in and found more people to help him."
"True. I gave him enough money to hire any help he might need. Then again, he's a workaholic—a genius, really. I've never seen someone use water magic on ink to speed up their work," Logan mused, recalling the impressive efficiency his advisor had demonstrated.
"Yes… so, Logan, what do you really think about us? Do you believe it will work out?" Rubina finally voiced the question that had been on her mind all day. Her hesitation was evident, but the weight of her words lingered in the air.
"I guess you know about me and Lisa, huh? I did give her an ultimatum, but I can't keep you girls waiting forever either. So, I'll say this… I'll do my best to make you happy, if you can just wait a little longer for the answer to that question."
Logan moved closer to Rubina, hoping the cool evening air could serve as an excuse to lessen the space between them. He couldn't help but feel like a fool—she had waited so long for him, only to be asked to wait even more.
Taking a deep breath, Logan slipped his arm around her shoulder, gently pulling her closer.
"You know… everything about this power is strange, Ruby. I know I've made you wait, but you should also know how I feel. Then again, it's getting harder to keep holding back, knowing how you all feel."
Rubina felt the tension in his arm as it pulled her even closer. She hadn't yet kissed Logan as a true couple might, and as he leaned in, she found herself uncertain about what to do when he closed the remaining distance and kissed her.
Closing her eyes, Rubina decided to go with the flow this time. Logan, on the other hand, had a bit more experience and quickly noticed the tension in her body begin to ease.
Not wanting to overwhelm her, he kept the kiss simple yet lingering, savoring every second. But slowly, he found himself ensnared by her sweet allure—something he had forgotten to account for.
Her recent second evolution had brought with it a special power, one she had never dared to use, having never had a true companion before.
Logan's body felt like it was on fire. The sensation was invigorating, like being healed and experiencing a sugar rush all at once. Realizing the kiss was escalating into something he might not be able to control—especially with others nearby—he pulled back.
"Ruby, please warn me before your power activates. I was seconds away from tearing off your clothes in public!" Logan said, his voice strained as he worked to steady his breathing.
Rubina, suddenly remembering her power, facepalmed in embarrassment. She had never used it before and had completely forgotten about it.
"Sorry, Logan, I forgot… you should clearly know why. But thanks for not going crazy," Rubina said, coughing lightly to mask her embarrassment.
"There's no problem. I forgot too… Now, how about we take our time heading back? My heart's still racing," Logan admitted, glancing at his trembling hands. Feeling too exhilarated, he decided to channel Zephyr's magic, summoning a gentle breeze around him to calm himself.
"There, that's better. Let's go, Ruby." Logan stood and extended a hand to help her up.
As they walked, they placed their hands on each other's waists, the space between them mere millimeters, Logan enjoying the warmed Rubina radiated in the cold spring night.
They tried to prolong their date, walking slowly to savor every moment, but their time together sadly came to an end as they reached the door of Lord Henrik's estate. Logan knocked, and a maid promptly opened the door, allowing both youths to step inside.
Rubina was the first to head back to her room, while Logan decided to pay a visit to the city's lord. He had brought along a few gifts as tokens of gratitude for Henrik's assistance, including some crystals specially chosen to help the count grow stronger. Based on Henrik's hair and aura, it wasn't difficult to deduce that he was an earth mage, so selecting an appropriate crystal was a simple task.
"Thanks, Henrik. Everything went perfectly. If you ever need anything in the future, please don't hesitate to ask," Logan said with a warm smile, taking a seat opposite the lord, who was sipping tea to warm himself after a long day of paperwork.
"There's no need for thanks. It's wonderful that even a hero can enjoy himself in a small city like mine," Henrik replied, setting his teacup down. "That said, I do hope you'll continue to help us grow. If there's anything you can do to support our development, please let me know. I would be more than willing to split the rewards handsomely."
"I do have a few plans to expand some merchandise. Do speak with my assistant, though—it's primarily meant for nobles, but I wouldn't mind if you could set up a few arcades so the commoners can enjoy it as well," Logan said, keeping his explanation vague.
He didn't want to delve into the intricacies of video games and arcades without first consulting Marie to confirm they'd have enough supplies for the project. For now, he decided to leave the details for later discussion.