A strange silence hung between them. Kirine’s brow furrowed as she scrambled to recall more details, her fingers unconsciously brushing against the edge of the desk.
She said we were the same age, so…
“She’s 20. Or maybe 28,” Kirine added, the words sounding less certain as they left her lips.
Cecil blinked at her, her expression unreadable. “What about her appearance?”
“She’s beautiful,” Kirine said immediately.
“Not beautiful or handsome.” Cecil waved a hand dismissively. “Details—like pale skin and brown hair. Anything specific like that?”
Kirine straightened, nodding. “She has silver hair. Very pale skin, too.”
“Anything else?”
“She seems to be of noble birth, but…” Kirine trailed off, the weight of her incomplete information sinking in. Even she had to admit it wasn’t much to go on.
Aria’s name wasn’t even her real one. All Kirine truly knew was that she was a strikingly beautiful woman with silver hair.
Cecil sighed but gave her a reassuring nod. “Got it. I’ll start looking for someone who matches that description. If you remember anything else, let me know right away.”
“Thank you. Please do your best,” Kirine said earnestly.
Cecil gave her a small, confident smile as she turned to leave.
With a quiet hope that Cecil would succeed, Kirine headed to the artifact crafting workshop, the thought of Aria lingering at the back of her mind.
***
That day started off as ordinary as any other. After dropping Sasha off at the education center, Kirine and Ares prepared to part ways.
“Ares,” Kirine called, her voice pulling him back as he started to turn away.
He turned to find her holding something out to him—a bracelet with thin cords strung around a small gemstone at its center.
“Here. Take this,” she said, her tone casual but firm.
Ares accepted the bracelet, examining it with a curious frown. “What is it?”
“A defensive artifact,” Kirine explained, crossing her arms.
“It looks different from before,” he remarked, turning it over in his hands.
“Well,” she began, a hint of pride creeping into her voice, “I figured the old one was inconvenient to carry, so I redesigned it into a bracelet. I mean, who has time to pull out a staff and aim it in an emergency?”
“Fair point,” Ares admitted, slipping the bracelet over his wrist to test its fit.
“So,” Kirine continued, her tone brightening, “I made it wearable. You just look at your opponent, say the activation phrase, and it triggers.”
“Not bad,” he murmured, raising an eyebrow. Her serious tone caught him off guard—he had half-expected her to be selling the artifact’s practicality as a profit venture.
“For those who might habitually say things like ‘get lost,’” she added with a faint smile, “you wear it as usual. When danger arises, you press the gemstone, and then you say the activation phrase. Normally, the gemstone stays green. When you press it, it turns red. That’s when you know it’s ready to activate.”
Kirine gestured for him to try it, her expression prompting him with an encouraging nod.
Ares frowned slightly but followed her instructions. He pressed the gemstone lightly, and just as she described, the green stone turned a vivid red. He stared at it for a moment, intrigued. Then, out of curiosity, he pressed it again. This time, the gemstone returned to its original green hue.
“Well made,” he said, glancing up at her.
“It also has a tracking function,” Kirine said.
“So, when it’s red, I just say ‘get lost,’ and it works?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Nope. Your activation phrase is a bit more… unique,” Kirine replied, her tone teasing.
“What is it?” Ares asked, tilting his head slightly as her lips curled into a smirk.
Instead of answering, Kirine’s smirk deepened.
Ares frowned, confusion flickering across his face. “What?”
“Help me, darling,” she finally said, her voice laced with amusement.
“What?” Ares’s expression darkened instantly, his scowl sharp enough to cut.
His clear disdain was so comical that Kirine had to bite back a laugh.
“So, what’s the activation phrase?” he demanded again, his tone clipped.
Unable to contain herself any longer, Kirine burst out laughing. “I just told you.”
“What?”
“Help me, darling,” she repeated, grinning wide.
Ares blinked, his disbelief etched plainly across his face. A dry laugh escaped him as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “You can’t be serious.”
“Totally serious,” Kirine said with a matter-of-fact nod.
Ares groaned, feeling a headache brewing. “Why would you make the activation phrase something so ridiculous?”
“Because it’s fun,” Kirine said with a shrug, her tone far too casual for his liking.
“Fun? You think this is fun?”
“Of course!” she chimed, clearly delighted by his frustration. “So, try not to find yourself in a situation where you need to use it.”
“That’s never going to happen,” Ares muttered, his jaw tightening.
“Good. Works for me,” Kirine said, chuckling as she leaned back, thoroughly enjoying herself.
Ares sighed in exasperation, staring down at the bracelet on his wrist. He didn’t think he’d ever use it, but still…
“You’ve got terrible taste,” he grumbled.
“Hey, I’m giving you this one for free, you know,” Kirine countered, raising an eyebrow.
“This? Free?”
“If you don’t want it, give it back,” she said, feigning offense.
“Wow, taking it back now?” Ares clicked his tongue, his irritation evident. After a moment’s hesitation, he fastened the bracelet around his wrist.
“You always complain, but you still go along with it,” Kirine teased, her grin mischievous.
“Am I supposed to throw away something I’ve been given?” he retorted, lifting his wrist slightly to prove his point.
“Who said anything about throwing it away? You’re wearing it, aren’t you?”
Ares raised his arm, letting the pale cords of the bracelet catch the light. Surprisingly, the simple design suited his fair, sturdy wrist.
Must be his good skin, Kirine thought, finding herself momentarily distracted by how effortlessly it complemented him.
“Anyway, be careful,” she said, patting his shoulder lightly.
But before she could pull her hand away, Ares caught it, his gloved fingers firm but not harsh against hers.
Kirine froze, startled by the unexpected gesture.
“You said you were fine,” he said softly, his eyes searching hers.
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