Chapter 21: A Well-Deserved Break

A/N: Time to take a little break from the fighting...

It was a quiet day at the Coral Peacocks base. Lars sat on the couch, lost in thought, his hands resting on his knees as his mind replayed the events of the past week. It had been quite a few days, around 5, since his faceoff with Lord Kivn. The dungeon mission had left a mark on him, the weight of everything they had encountered still fresh in his thoughts. His face was set in a contemplative frown as he gazed down at his hands, as if seeking answers in the creases of his palms.

"I can't believe all of that happened in just a week," Sharya's familiar voice broke through his reverie. She plopped down on the couch beside him, her energy a stark contrast to Lars' more subdued mood.

"Hey, Sharya," Lars greeted her with a faint smile. "I see your outfit has changed."

Sharya groaned in exaggerated frustration, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, went to visit my parents after you delivered the report to Captain Nozel and Dorothy. They said my look was too simple, so… voilà! New outfit."

Her new attire was quite different from her usual style. She was now wearing a sleek black turtleneck tunic under her signature white jacket. The jacket had been altered slightly to give her a more commanding presence. Her boots were shinier, with polished silver buckles, and she wore navy-blue leggings that added a touch of elegance to her usually more casual appearance.

Lars raised an eyebrow, looking her up and down. "It suits you, though. Looks good."

Sharya shrugged with a grin. "I'm still not sure if it's 'me,' but thanks! Anyway, we've got a few days off now, so where do you wanna go today?"

Lars opened his mouth to respond, but Sharya cut him off before he could say anything.

"Miss me with that weak shit," she said, beaming with her signature cheeky grin. "You're coming with me, like it or not!"

Lars could only blink in surprise, sweatdropping as he processed her relentless enthusiasm. How can she say that so cheerfully? he thought, a small sigh escaping him as he resigned himself to his fate.

...

"Remind me again what we're doing in Kikka?" Lars asked as they walked through the bustling streets of the town. His Coral Peacocks robe flared out behind him as his boots clacked on the cobblestone. Despite the sunny skies and cheerful atmosphere of the town, he was still a little disgruntled by how quickly Sharya had dragged him along.

"I need to pick up some supplies," Sharya replied, turning to face him with a mischievous smile. "And... I'm meeting a friend."

Lars furrowed his brow. "And why am I here again?"

"Simple." She flashed him a sweet, almost innocent smile that instantly set off his alarms. "You're my bag carrier."

"Wait—what?!" Lars stared at her in disbelief.

"Bag. Carrier." Sharya repeated, her smile only growing wider.

Lars sighed in defeat. He could argue, but what was the point? Sharya had already made up her mind. Besides, he could see how much fun she was having, bouncing around the market, chatting with shopkeepers, and surveying items like they were treasures. She was in her element. He didn't want to be the one to ruin that, especially after everything that had happened recently.

And so, Lars resigned himself to his role as a glorified pack mule, following Sharya through the bustling streets of Kikka, laden with bags of various odds and ends she had decided to purchase. As they passed a flower vendor, a small smile crossed Lars' face. Sharya's carefree attitude was infectious, and despite the annoyance, he found himself enjoying the day more than he had expected.

...

It wasn't long before they made their way toward a small café nestled near the centre of town. Sharya was practically bouncing with excitement, which made Lars even more curious about this "friend" she was about to meet.

"Here we are!" she announced, standing at the entrance with her hands on her hips. "Now, be on your best behaviour, Lars. Don't embarrass me in front of my friend."

"Me? Embarrass you? You're the one dragging me around like your servant…" Lars muttered under his breath, but followed her inside without further complaint.

As they entered the café, a tall figure rose from one of the tables. Lars immediately noticed the distinct green robe of the Green Mantis squad and felt a small pang of surprise.

"Hey, you finally made it!" the figure said, grinning as he walked up to greet them.

Sharya waved enthusiastically. "Lars, this is Quinn! Quinn, meet Lars. He's a member of my squad. A pretty good one, if I do say so myself."

Lars blinked as he took in the sight of the Green Mantis member. Quinn was a lean man with sharp features and piercing green eyes. His dark hair was tied back into a short ponytail, and his Green Mantis robe hung loosely around him, giving him a laid-back appearance. His presence, though casual, carried a certain confidence that made it clear he was no rookie.

"Nice to meet you, Lars," Quinn said, offering a hand.

Lars hesitated for a moment before shaking it. "Nice to meet you too. So, you're with the Green Mantis?"

"Yep," Quinn replied, sitting back down at his table. "Sharya and I go way back. I used to train with her before we joined our respective squads."

Lars raised an eyebrow, casting a glance at Sharya. "Oh? She's never mentioned you before."

Sharya snorted and waved him off. "I don't have to tell you everything, Lars. Besides, we've both been busy with our own stuff."

Quinn chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "She's always been like that. Never one to share too much about herself unless she has to."

Lars couldn't help but smirk at that, his gaze shifting between the two. "Sounds about right."

"So, what's the plan for today?" Quinn asked, leaning forward with interest. "Just catching up, or do you two have something else in mind?"

Sharya grinned, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Oh, we'll see. We're on a day off, so we've got plenty of time to kill."

Oh god…here we go again… Lars thought, slightly scared by these two.

…

They were in the Black Market of Kikka, a shady place, to say the least. The narrow alleyways were crowded with makeshift stalls, their canopies draped in tattered cloth, offering goods that clearly weren't acquired through legitimate means. Vendors lurked behind tables cluttered with curious, illicit items, their eyes darting suspiciously as if expecting to be raided at any moment. Lars felt an uneasy chill as he looked around—this place practically oozed with a mixture of mystery and danger.

Mertens…Mertens…

He swore he heard someone faintly whispering his name, like a breeze brushing past his ear. Lars turned, his eyes scanning the crowd, but there was no one looking at him directly. His fingers flexed, gripping the strap of Sharya's bag tightly as his discomfort grew.

"Onwards, Quinn and bag-carrier!"

Sharya's chipper voice broke through his thoughts, snapping him out of the creeping unease. Lars blinked, realising his two companions were already a good distance ahead, weaving through the market with an excited energy he didn't quite share. Quinn, the Green Mantis squad member, looked a bit more cautious but still followed Sharya's lead.

Lars, however, couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. He hesitated for a moment, a frown creasing his brow, but the last thing he wanted was to be left behind in this shady place. With a deep breath, he hurried to catch up, dodging past people and trying to ignore the ominous whispers that still seemed to echo in the back of his mind.

Just as he was picking up the pace, his shoulder slammed into someone, and before he knew it, Sharya's bag of supplies burst open, its contents spilling into the air. He cursed under his breath. Of course, this would happen to him.

But before any of the items could hit the ground, time itself seemed to freeze. The items were trapped in a blue orb that seemed to have runes in a ring around it.

"Time Magic: Chrono Stasis."

The voice was calm, collected, and carried a weight that immediately commanded attention. Lars looked up, and his breath caught in his throat as his eyes locked onto the figure standing before him. It was a man with a kind yet imposing aura, dressed in the unmistakable garb of someone far above the petty dealings of the Black Market.

It was Julius Novachrono, the Wizard King himself.

Lars felt his heart skip a beat as he stared in awe at the man who had saved their supplies from scattering all over the dirty ground. Each item hung suspended in midair, glowing faintly with the magic holding them in place.

"Ah, sorry about that!" Julius said with a lighthearted chuckle, casually waving his hand to let the frozen items return to Sharya's bag in neat order. "I didn't mean to startle you."

Lars blinked, completely dumbfounded. "W-Wizard King…?"

Julius smiled warmly, his eyes twinkling with genuine interest. "I wasn't expecting to see you here, Lars Mertens," he said, almost as if he had been looking for him. "Though the Black Market isn't quite the place I'd imagine finding a Magic Knight."

Sharya, now catching up after realising Lars had stopped, skidded to a halt. Her usually cheeky grin froze, replaced by wide-eyed surprise. "Wait, is that—?"

Quinn had already halted beside them, his arms crossed as if he'd expected this to happen. "What is the Wizard King doing here of all places?" he muttered, his sharp gaze narrowing at Julius.

Julius tilted his head, amusement playing on his lips. "I'm just here out of curiosity," he replied as if his presence in the Black Market was no big deal at all. "Places like these are fascinating, don't you think? So much to see, so many stories hidden beneath the surface."

Lars, still trying to process the situation, could barely get words out. "Uh…yes, sir, but…aren't you…?"

"Aren't I supposed to be more concerned with other matters?" Julius finished the question for him, his smile never fading. "You'd be surprised how much you can learn from the most unexpected places, Lars. The world is full of surprises."

"So what are you talking to me for, Wizard King sir?" Lars said hastily. "There's probably a lot more you could learn from others than me…"

The Wizard King, not seeming to hear that last part, was deep in thought. "Ah yes," he said, finally remembering what he had meant to ask Lars. "You, Russell Vance, Sharya Hansen, and Lilian Fraser are invited to the War Merits Conferment Ceremony, in one week's time, to commemorate your achievements in the dungeon. Each of you earned 5 stars from your dungeon mission, and you and Sharya earned an extra 3 and 2 stars respectively from your exploits against that troublesome Puppet Master fellow, so you two will be celebrated at the ceremony."

Lars nodded, taking in all the information that the Wizard King had told him. Wait, he thought. Sharya Hansen?

"I'll expect to see you there!" the Wizard King smiled, before seemingly disappearing. In reality, he had just stopped time for a moment, and walked out of the Black Market. The items that were frozen in Chrono Stasis began to fall again, but Lars used his latent telekinetic power to stop them from falling and smashing. He held up a bottle, asking Sharya, "A bottle of wine? Really?"

"It's for Lilian's birthday," Sharya retorted playfully. "Russell said he quote unquote needed to drown his sorrows."

Lars sweatdropped. "Oh lord."

"Anyways, let's go to the place where I originally wanted to go!" Sharya smiled.

"I have a better idea," Lars said. "Let's go ho-"

He immediately withered under the fiery gazes of his two companions, and resigned himself to their will.

…

"So Quinn," Lars said, levitating Sharya's items by his side with telekinesis. "What magic do you use?"

Quinn, as if he had been waiting for this question, took out a pair of glasses, pushing them up his nose. "My magic?" he said.

"Marble Magic: Spin Ratio!" A gyrating white marble appeared on his fingertips, spinning intensely. "This is my magic! It allows me to create and manipulate items out of marble. It's basic, but it's very effective if used properly."

"It's probably quite powerful as well!" Lars said, grinning. "Ah, what I would give to have a quick battle if I wasn't tired from being woman's pack mule."

"I heard that!" Sharya yelled, giving Lars a knock on the head.

"I'm not against hitting girls!" Lars yelled back. "I've been doing it to my sister for a long time!"

"So that's why you have no class!"

"Says the person whose parents said their clothes were too simple! Who even are your parents, anyway?"

Sharya looked down. "Not telling," she replied in a pouting voice.

Quinn, realising how quickly the situation could escalate, as he knew that the Hansens were a sensitive topic for Sharya, interjected hastily, pointing towards a tent with flashing light. "Let's go gambling!" he said, grabbing both of their collars.

The pains of wearing a turtleneck… Lars thought.

…TWO HOURS LATER…

The three Magic Knights, victorious in their casino adventure, emerged from the dim, chaotic atmosphere of the Black Market's hidden gambling den. Lars, Sharya, and Quinn walked out into the alley, each carrying a large, weighty bag filled with cold, hard cash. It wasn't just the money that made their smiles wide—it was the thrill of winning, of testing their skills and instincts. For Lars and Sharya, it was their first taste of high-stakes gambling, and they had revelled in it.

They placed the bags down on the ground, Lars quickly casting his Infinite Thought Shield, surrounding the bags with a shimmering, invisible barrier to keep opportunistic thieves from doing a "pick and go" on their winnings.

"Look at all of our winnings!" Quinn cheered, flopping down onto his bag with childlike glee. "You fellas are amazing at this! You really carried me back there."

Sharya, perched on her own bag like a queen on her throne, let out a satisfied sigh. "Money…" she sighed blissfully. Then, as if a thought struck her, her expression shifted, more serious now. "Hey, Quinn."

Quinn, still basking in his own little victory, turned his head toward her with a raised eyebrow. "Yeah?"

"You should take my winnings." Sharya's voice was firm, and there was no trace of the playful sarcasm she usually wore like a second skin.

Quinn sat up straight, blinking in surprise. "Wait, what? No, no, Sharya, I can't—"

Sharya waved a dismissive hand. "I know about your mother's health. Hospitals cost a ton of money, and you need this more than I do. Seriously. Take it."

"I—Sharya, I can't just—"

"Take it." Sharya's eyes narrowed, her finger suddenly pressed against Quinn's lips to silence him. "This isn't up for debate."

There was a long pause. Quinn's lip quivered slightly, his normally cool exterior cracking. Then, out of nowhere, his eyes welled up with tears. "Th-thank you… thank you so much, Sharya!" he sobbed, completely breaking down as he threw his arms around her. "You… you don't know how much this means to me."

Sharya, slightly taken aback at first by his sudden outburst of emotion, chuckled warmly and wrapped her arms around him, giving him a firm, reassuring hug. "You're a good guy, Quinn. It's nothing."

Lars, watching from the side, couldn't help but smile at the heartwarming exchange. He leaned against the nearby wall, crossing his arms, a soft grin spreading across his face. Sharya's bold, brash attitude was something that he had come to expect, but seeing this caring side of her—this depth of compassion beneath her confident swagger—made him appreciate her even more.

Still, Lars had his own thoughts. He glanced down at his own bag of winnings. It was tempting—easy money, a rare windfall. But he knew deep down he couldn't keep it all for himself. Not when there were people in the squad, and outside of it, who needed it more. Maybe this moment with Sharya and Quinn was just the start of something larger.

Sharya broke the hug, wiping Quinn's eyes with the sleeve of her jacket, her grin returning to its usual mischievous state. "Alright, enough of this sappy stuff. We've got cash, we've got time, and we're free from duties for a bit. So… what's next?"

Quinn, still sniffling, managed a smile through his tears. "We could, uh… hit up that weapons shop you mentioned?"

"Or we could find a bar," Lars suggested with a raised eyebrow. "Preferably one that won't try to scam us like the last one."

Sharya grinned. "Now that sounds like a plan. Drinks on me tonight!"

As the three of them started walking away from the alley, the weight of their earlier worries felt lighter. They had made it through the chaotic black market, won more than just money, and found something a bit more meaningful in the process: each other's friendship. For Lars, it felt like, for once, the clouds of doubt in his mind were clearing, even if just for a day.

As they headed toward their next destination, Lars glanced around the bustling streets of Kikka's black market, the whispers of the city's chaos still lingering in the back of his mind. But now, they felt quieter. Less pressing.

A/N: Ideally I said this earlier, but please, PLEASE, give me your thoughts on the first arc and this chapter. Your criticism helps me to improve!