Darkness swirled within Aslan’s eyelids, and a deeply submerged consciousness slowly surfaced.
As the dizziness and sense of elevation upon waking subsided, Aslan opened their eyes.
As the muscles that had stiffened in the squatting position began to loosen, Aslan saw beyond the swirling darkness in their eyelids—a vivid red light.
No, on closer inspection, it was a violet-blue light.
The two violet-blue lights seemed to shine faintly. Even with only one remaining field of vision, the kindness they conveyed was unmistakable.
When their eyes met, the owner of those violet-blue eyes smiled warmly.
“Aslan, good morning! Isn’t it a great morning?”
The greeting ended there, but the expression and intent behind it suggested more. It felt like a question: isn’t seeing me a good morning?
Aslan thought this must have been the girl’s intention as they brushed their bangs aside and replied,
“Good morning, Phey.”
A voice heavy with sleep. Naturally so, considering Aslan had meditated motionlessly for four hours.
The elf girl squatted in front of Aslan and let out what seemed like a satisfied smile. She clearly enjoyed that deep tone.
“…Were you here just to give me your morning greeting?”
With an enigmatic smile and her chin resting on her hand, the elf girl tilted her head at Aslan’s question. The disheveled crimson hair flowing down her cheek made her appear unusually mature for a moment.
“Hmm, actually no. Lumel and Lewena asked me to let them know when Aslan woke up. They promised snacks.”
The girl smiled, pulling the corners of her mouth upward—an uncharacteristically mature expression mingled with her usual playfulness; it was quintessentially Phey.
“But since they didn’t specify who to tell first or whether to come immediately, I decided Phey would take Aslan’s morning greeting.”
A truly elfin smile. Aslan chuckled softly.
“You’re sneaky.”
“But Phey is cute, so it’s okay.”
“That’s true.”
Phey, ever confident in her cuteness excusing most things, then fumbled with something she pulled out—a leather pouch.
It was a waterskin, filled with water judging by the sloshing sound audible through the thick leather. Holding it out to Aslan, Phey said,
“Since Aslan’s voice sounds so cool now, you should wet your throat before it gets too hoarse.”
“It’s not that dramatic, just a little rough.”
“Anyway!”
The elf girl seemed ready to throw a tantrum, tapping her foot impatiently. Aslan smiled faintly and took the waterskin.
After drinking, Aslan’s throat feeling somewhat relieved, they headed not towards a tree trunk but towards the campfire where Lumel was stirring a pot.
Carrying Phey on his shoulder, Aslan approached Lumel, who greeted him with a wide smile while continuing to stir the pot.
As Aslan lightly waved and stopped in front of the campfire, Lumel’s vibrant voice reached his ears.
“Good morning, Aslan.”
“Yes, good morning. Did you sleep well last night?”
Aslan asked, gently placing Phey down from his shoulder. Phey descended with an almost wistful look, like a puppy being set down.
As Phey sat near the campfire with light steps, Lumel glanced at her curiously before picking up two bowls.
“Yes, thanks to Aslan standing guard, I slept peacefully. But… shouldn’t you rest more? You barely slept…”
The woman ladled the contents of the pot into wooden bowls using a wooden spoon, filling Aslan’s portion generously while looking at him with concern, as if pouring her worries along with the stew.
To the woman’s question, it was Phey who answered.
“Aslan regenerates fully after such short rests. Phey knows well because she’s seen it many times. So, no need to worry.”
At Phey’s words, Lumel looked at Aslan, who nodded gently with a soft smile.
“Phey is right. This is how I usually am, so there’s no need to worry about me.”
“That’s fortunate…”
Lumel murmured, offering the bowl. Aslan accepted it and looked at its contents.
It was a stew, whiter than red, containing fish and some unique root vegetables.
Noticing Aslan’s gaze lingering on the bowl, Lumel twirled her braided hair around her finger and spoke.
“I figured you’d be hungry when you woke up, so I started cooking the stew. Since it’s my own work this time… Aslan will surely enjoy it.”
“My own work.” Aslan couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly at these words. Given his lack of taste, he could hardly appreciate the effort put into it.
But he could still say it tasted good. With a hint of anticipation, Aslan sipped the stew, only able to feel the warm heat and the flaky texture unique to fish.
“Delicious as always. It warms my stomach and lifts my mood.”
Thus, Aslan responded to Lumel, who awaited his reaction, doing his best.
But realizing instantly that “delicious” wasn’t coming, Lumel’s face fell in disappointment. She hadn’t yet noticed that Aslan lacked taste.
Realizing this, Aslan attempted to correct himself, but Lumel beat him to it with a sigh and a determined expression.
“Next time, I’ll make it even better. Something Aslan will want to eat every day.”
There was definitely another intention behind those words.
Noticing Aslan’s awkward expression, Lumel blushed and covered her nose with her braid while smiling sheepishly.
Phey alternated her gaze between Lumel and Aslan before thrusting her bowl toward Lumel.
“Phey wants more. Don’t argue, just give it.”
“Argue? Such a thing…”
“Uh-huh?”
“No, I’ll serve you more…”
Embarrassed as she took the bowl, Lumel served more stew while Phey placed her hands on her hips, feigning annoyance. Meanwhile, Aslan stood up.
“If you don’t mind, Aslan… Could you call the others? It might burn if left too long…”
Lumel said this while serving Phey’s bowl.
Seeing no reason to refuse, Aslan nodded and stepped away from the steaming pot.
Among the scattered trees resembling oaks, Aslan found Ereta.
Wrapped in a blanket like a cloak, Ereta leaned against a tree, sleeping soundly despite the sunlight streaming down.
Ereta was weak in the mornings. Aslan’s lips twitched at the thought of Lewena, and Ereta stirred, opening her beautiful eyes.
“Asla-an…”
Her voice heavy with sleep. Ereta stretched her arm out from under the blanket and reached for Aslan, who embraced her as she snuggled closer.
Once enveloped in Aslan’s arms, Ereta rested her head on his chest and sniffed.
For a while, it seemed she was savoring his scent before lifting her head and whispering drowsily.
“A kiss too…”
“Not now.”
“Oh, it’s not a dream…”
Now seemingly awake, Ereta pouted and pressed her face against Aslan’s chest, behaving much like a pet waking up and following its master. Aslan found her endearing and chuckled softly before nudging her.
“Mmm…”
“We should get up soon. Lumel made stew. She said it might burn if we don’t come quickly.”
“No… I don’t want to… Usually, I don’t eat breakfast anyway… But Aslan wants to eat, doesn’t he?”
Her incomprehensible muttering made Aslan chuckle again as Ereta, still in his embrace, tried to burrow deeper into his warmth. Thankfully, the blanket dulled the sensation.
“Do you know where Angie is?”
Thinking it better to let someone weak in the mornings sleep rather than force-feed them, Aslan asked.
“Probably… with the veteran fighter…”
Her voice growing sleepier as she drifted off, she added a contented “goodbye.”
Aslan sighed softly, waited until Ereta seemed asleep, and leaned her against the tree, draping Steamfalos’ wing over her.
“Sleep well.”
Without responding, Ereta dozed off, and Aslan walked a bit further to find Angie.
True to Ereta’s word, Angie was with the veteran fighter.
“Yes, the power flows from the tips of your toes… through your body and erupts from your hands.”
“Like this…?”
“Hmm, no. Your ankles need more…”
Precisely, Angie was learning from the veteran fighter.
Watching Angie punch, stomp, step back, and kick under I’taar’s guidance, Aslan smiled approvingly.
Though the learning process wasn’t entirely smooth, the basics were steadily seeping into Angie’s movements.
Correcting bad habits, balancing strength distribution, and eliminating wasted energy. Watching this, Aslan leaned against a tree and recalled I’taar’s earlier request.
“Would it be alright if I taught that girl?”
Aslan had said Angie should decide, and I’taar had formally requested to teach her.
Angie judged for herself and accepted the offer, spending two days learning combat from I’taar.
Was it because she was weak toward kind people, or due to her desire to help Aslan, or perhaps her understanding of contributing to saving the world? It was unclear.
What mattered was that Angie had chosen this teaching. Watching the results gradually manifest in Angie, Aslan couldn’t help but feel satisfied.
When Angie’s precisely thrown punches scattered the finely laid leaves on the ground, Aslan watched for a while before approaching.
Sensing Aslan’s approach, I’taar removed his hand correcting Angie’s stance, and Angie turned to see Aslan, her sweat-soaked face lighting up in a broad smile.
“Aslan!”
Bounding over energetically without disturbing the ground or scattering leaves.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Yeah, I did. Did Angie sleep well? Am I learning well?”
Laughing nervously and scratching the back of her head, Angie responded. Unable to answer, I’taar stepped in.
“Angie is learning well. Don’t worry.”
The elder smiled kindly as Aslan returned the smile and asked,
“I wasn’t worried, but it’s interesting to hear. How is it going?”
I’taar blinked at the sudden question before smiling.
“There is certainly room for improvement.”
“Eh?”
The confused tone from Angie, expecting praise. I’taar glanced at her and added,
“Her understanding of combat itself is good. Knowing how to strike, how to respond… Her ability to connect situations with action is commendable. However, her understanding and use of her body isn’t exceptional.”
Hearing this, Angie visibly deflated, but I’taar placed a hand on her shoulder and continued,
“So even a little practice will significantly improve her skills.”
At this, Angie brightened up again.
“That’s right, Angie has learned a lot! Like… when you twist your waist while turning your feet, you can hit harder, right?”
“Oh, I didn’t know that.”
“And this too!”
The excited chatter of the girl and Aslan’s supportive responses.
I’taar watched them fondly for a while before patting the girl’s back.
“Angie, breakfast seems ready. Go wash up at the stream.”
“Ah, okay!”
As Angie ran toward the stream, I’tar gazed after her for a moment.
