Chapter 66: The Inn

“Your potion, Anna, has grown even more formidable, hasn’t it?”

“Indeed, it’s my proudly refined version,” Anna replied, a hint of pride in her voice. “Not only does it take effect instantly, but one can also transform into anyone they desire at will. However, its duration is considerably shorter in comparison.”

“It feels like it could be used for some truly interesting things.”

“Junior, no lewd thoughts allowed!”

“I didn’t say I’d use it for lewd things! Can’t I transform into someone else to do good deeds anonymously?”

Anna chuckled softly. “Oh, I’ll just pretend you would, Junior.”

****

As dusk began to settle, the street grew increasingly bustling.

After a day’s labor, and with little entertainment available in this era, most people ventured out of their homes. They sought to enjoy the rare tranquility and vibrancy of the lower district’s main thoroughfare.

From the nearby riverside, a cacophony of voices and children’s screams drifted over, suggesting some event was unfolding.

This was the most serene and beautiful time of day, and the hour Ewan anticipated most.

He continued to pore over the guidebook, quickly identifying any other noteworthy places to visit.

Even if Anna didn’t consider this a date, Ewan longed to see her smiling beneath the sunset, her hair gently stirred by the river breeze, her face blooming like a flower.

Such a sight would undoubtedly be beautiful.

Yet, precisely at this moment, Anna suddenly bid him farewell.

“Well then, this is where our day ends.”

Ewan’s hand, flipping through the guidebook, froze. He looked up, bewildered. “Now?”

“Surely it’s still early.”

“It’s not early at all, Junior.”

Anna playfully twirled a strand of her hair, her smile light. “I’ve had more than enough fun, and now I have a few private matters to attend to.”

‘She barely even had any fun,’ Ewan sighed inwardly.

This date, which he had unilaterally declared, had been fraught with misfortune from the very beginning.

He had envisioned a day filled with sunshine, flowers, a romantic lunch or dinner, a captivating sunset, a night adorned with stars, and, under the cloak of night, a maiden blushing shyly as she suggested they share a hotel room since the academy gates would be closed…

He mentally crossed out that last part, feeling it was an impossibility with Anna. If anyone were to blush in her presence, it would only be him.

But of all the things Ewan had hoped for, truly, not a single one had come to pass, save for the passable weather.

Instead, the day had been a whirlwind of twisted events, dramatic confrontations, sudden confessions, and the fleeting killing intent of a young woman.

‘This is truly maddening. Could anything be worse?’

“It doesn’t have to be so urgent, does it?”

Harboring a final sliver of hope, Ewan suggested, “The guidebook mentions a special spring not far from here. It says that if you approach it with sincerity, you can see your future true love in its reflection. It sounds interesting. Won’t you give it a try, Anna?”

“True love?”

Anna’s gaze drifted, landing somewhere unknown. “Forgive me, but I’ve never really believed in such things.”

Her voice, too, seemed to be carried away by the wind, ethereal and distant.

Ewan felt a sudden blur, unable to discern whether Anna’s disbelief was directed at the gimmicky spring or at the very words ‘true love’ themselves.

“Then I’ll be going, Junior. I’ll see you at the academy.”

Anna smiled softly, bidding him a gentle farewell.

As the evening breeze began to stir, she turned, her skirt swaying, and disappeared into the ceaseless flow of people.

Watching her retreating figure, Ewan instinctively opened his mouth, but no words of retention escaped his lips.

“Goodbye, Anna.”

In the end, only an empty farewell was uttered, torn apart by the wind and lost amidst the rising twilight.

****

“Ugh, honestly!”

After Anna left, Ewan ruffled his hair in frustration. He tore the guidebook, now slightly crumpled after only a day’s use, and tossed it into a rubbish bin.

“In the end, I still couldn’t repay Anna.”

He sat on a long bench meant for travelers, gazing up at the gradually darkening sky.

His original intention had been to buy or do something for Anna. Indeed, this was never truly meant to be a date.

Treating it as such was, at most, merely his own petty, scoundrel’s heart at play.

Yet, in the end, all he had accomplished was making Anna witness a few laughable farces. He had achieved nothing more.

Instead, Anna’s figure seemed to recede further into a mist, becoming even more indistinct.

“Anna, what exactly are you thinking?”

Amidst Ewan’s murmur, fireworks soared, like countless stars gathering before bursting forth.

The crowd nearby erupted in cheers, marveling at the fleeting brilliance.

Ewan’s figure, in contrast, appeared somewhat solitary.

“Meow—”

Suddenly, a cat’s meow broke the silence.

Ewan turned. The creamy white kitten Anna had rescued earlier that day had returned, rubbing against Ewan’s hand and meowing softly.

Ewan instinctively picked it up, scratching its chin.

The kitten quickly tilted its head back, eyes narrowed, emitting a comfortable purr.

“You really are a silly little cat.”

Watching the kitten’s foolish demeanor, Ewan couldn’t help but let out an exasperated laugh. “You didn’t come when Anna was here, but now that she’s gone, you’re all over me.”

“At this rate, you’ll die of stupidity!”

****

After watching the fireworks alone, petting the cat alone, and politely declining the advances of an older woman on the street, the sky had grown truly dark. Ewan no longer considered returning to the academy.

He found what appeared to be a rather luxurious inn and requested a room with a private bath.

“I’m terribly sorry, but we only have one couple’s suite left,” the receptionist, a young woman, said apologetically. “There’s an event in the street recently, so we have many visitors. All other rooms are fully booked.”

“Is that so?”

Ewan pondered for a moment, then decided to take the room.

In a place like the lower district, if even a luxurious inn was fully booked, then other ordinary inns were likely overflowing as well.

Although staying alone in a couple’s suite after a failed date felt profoundly desolate, Ewan was utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally, after everything he had experienced. He simply couldn’t afford to be particular.

“Here is your key, sir.”

The receptionist presented the key respectfully with both hands.

“Thank you.”

Ewan smiled as he accepted the key, noting that the inn’s service was quite good. Without a second thought, he offered a small tip, as was customary, before being led to his room by another attendant.

****

After Ewan departed, the receptionist, who had maintained a perfect professional smile, suddenly let her expression fall. She glanced to the side, her face etched with terror.

“Is… is that enough?”

“Yes, that will do.”

A dark figure spoke from the shadows.

Beside the dark figure, the innkeeper’s form seemed to be curled up in a corner, trembling uncontrollably.

“You may resume normal operations.”

The dark figure patted the innkeeper’s shoulder, speaking softly. “But remember, do not disturb me.”

“W-w-w!”

The innkeeper nodded vigorously, his eyes vowing that no matter what sounds he heard, he would not approach that room by even a single step.

“Excellent.”

The dark figure smiled in satisfaction, then turned and departed, humming a tune with light steps.

In the figure’s hand, a spare room key danced nimbly between slender, pale fingertips.

Just like her heart, brimming with excitement and exhilaration.