Chapter 29 “ Outing or Capital” part 3
A new day dawned at the academy.
Alber and Nox waited outside the main gate for the girls.
Unlike usual school days, there were no classes today. Some students wandered off to visit the town, while others stayed behind to enjoy club activities or library
Alber glanced at Nox and asked, a little nervously,
“Do I look better? I hope she didn't nag on me ”
He was dressed in casual clothes, neat but relaxed, a stark contrast to Nox, who still wore the standard green uniform and stopwatch on his waist of Moonveil Arcane.
Nox didn’t answer immediately, studying Alber with his usual calm expression.
“You look… fine, on the first you don't need to overdo” he said finally, his voice flat but not unkind.
Alber huffed softly.
“Fine? That’s all I get? After wasting night”
Nox tilted his head.
“Clothes won’t change how the girls notice you. ”
“Just don’t trip over your own ego, and you’re fine.”
Alber groaned, running a hand through his hair,
“Geez, you’re impossible you are jealous I'm popular in girl ”
Nox smile and say
“Oh sisbell is coming ”
Alber trun with fear and turn back
“ don't scare me like that please aren't you supposed to be my team we both are men cover me okay ”
Nox simply smirked, his eyes scanning the courtyard.
“Relax. They’ll be here soon it's not a sisbell saw you flirt with other”
The two stood in quiet anticipation, waiting for Scarlet, Sisbell, and Liora to appear.
Soon, Sisbell and Scarlet appeared at the academy gate.
Sisbell wore a bright orange outfit that made her look cheerful and lively.
Scarlet, on the other hand, wore a white and green dress that somehow made her look elegant and noticeable.
Nox’s eyes immediately landed on Scarlet.‘ Sly fox… she really knows how to get other attention,’ he thought
Scarlet noticed him staring and frowned.
“What are you looking at?” she asked, her voice half-annoyed, half-curious.
Nox turned his gaze elsewhere, pretending to check the surroundings.
“Where’s Liora?” he asked casually.
Sisbell leaned toward Alber and whispered,
“Hey, idiot… you didn’t tell him Liora isn’t coming because of her club.”
Alber’s face went red, and he quickly looked away.
“I… I forgot,” he muttered.
Nox nodded slowly.
“I see.”
“ Well, let’s not waste time. We need to come back before it gets late.”
Scarlet’s smile faded slightly, and she clutched the edge of her dress.
“Liora again… am I really not attractive or something? ”she muttered to herself.
As she walked forward, she accidentally bumped into Nox’s back.
Before she could stumble, Nox grabbed her hand to steady her.
“This dress… it’s pretty,” he said, looking at her. “but by any chance Are you uncomfortable in it? So we wait more for you to go and change”
Scarlet’s cheeks flushed lightly.
“Ahh… no I'm fine”
“ And… sorry, I didn’t look where I was going,” she said quietly.
Nox simply nodded, letting go of her hand but keeping a watchful eye.
“Just… be careful next time,” he said in his calm, slightly teasing tone.
Scarlet glanced at him, a mix of embarrassment and curiosity in her eyes, while Sisbell rolled her eyes from the side,
Alber groaned silently, realizing today was going to be just as chaotic as any day with this group.
A few hours later, they all arrived at the bustling capital market.
Alber and Sisbell ran ahead, their faces lighting up like children in a candy store.
They laughed and pointed at everything—bright fabrics, shiny trinkets, and sweet-smelling treats At twenty, it was rare to see them this excited, and even Nox found it… slightly amusing.
Meanwhile, Scarlet and Nox walked side by side, a more composed pair compared to the two hyperactive ones.
Scarlet glanced at him and frowned.
“Why are you still wearing your uniform?” she asked, crossing her arms.
Nox glanced down at his crisp green Moonveil Arcane uniform, adjusting the sleeve slightly.
“It’s comfortable,and i don't have better clothes to match with you all” he said plainly, eyes scanning the market.
Scarlet’s glare intensified.
“Ahh… what’s with that look? It's not that we Care about the things we are friends with you ” she muttered, clearly annoyed
that he could act so nonchalant while she had dressed up.
‘She really likes to say that we are friends i clearly dug my own garve to just patch with her ’he thought
Nox just shrugged lightly, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“Better than sweating in fancy clothes, and i like this uniform” he said.
Scarlet huffed and looked away, muttering under her breath.
‘Why does he always act like he’s completely unaffected?’she thought
Sisbell squealed in excitement nearby, tugging Alber toward a stall selling colorful scarves.
“Look! They have the exact orange shade I wanted!” she said, spinning around happily.
Alber grinned and picked one up.
“You’re right, it’s perfect! Let’s get two,” he said, tossing one over his shoulder to Nox, who was quietly observing the crowd.
Nox caught the scarf effortlessly but didn’t say a word.
Scarlet noticed the exchange and let out a small sigh, though a faint blush colored her cheeks.
The market buzzed with activity around them, colorful stalls and lively merchants creating a chaotic symphony.
Scarlet glanced at Nox again, still annoyed but a little curious about how he managed to remain so calm amidst the crowd.
Sisbell and Alber moved from stall to stall, comparing prices and laughing over small things.
They looked completely carefree, almost forgetting their noble status.
Nox watched them for a moment, then spoke quietly.
“Did they forget they’re Duke heirs?”
Scarlet glanced at him.
“Is that a problem? To enjoy Tomorrow we all go to the test so i think it's alright don't you think” she asked calmly.
Nox replied without thinking.
“What about you?”
She froze for half a second.
“I’m enjoying it too,” Scarlet said, turning her face away.
Nox looked at her, then spoke in a playful tone.
“Really? I thought you were sticking close to me because there’s a high chance you’ll get lost.”
Before he could say anything else—
Thump!!
Scarlet lightly punched his chest.
“If you say one more word,” she said with a dangerous smile,
“I’ll make sure you don’t survive until graduation.”
Nox stiffened. ‘Scary… she really doesn't want anyone to find her weakness’he thought.
He quickly looked away and spotted a fountain nearby. With a sudden decision, he reached out and held her hand.
Scarlet’s eyes widened.
“W-What are you doing? Suddenly”
Nox pointed toward the fountain, his expression calm.
“Let’s sit there. Let Alber and Sisbell enjoy their date.”
She stared at him.
“It’s not a date.”
“I know, but let's give Both of them alone time” Nox replied flatly, already moving forward and gently pulling her along.
Scarlet hesitated, then followed, her heart beating faster for reasons she refused to acknowledge.
They both sat on the edge of the fountain, far from Alber and Sisbell, who were still busy laughing and shopping.
Nox glanced at Scarlet.
“Are you not going to buy anything?”
Scarlet shrugged.
“I don’t think so… What about you? Aren’t you going to buy anything?”
That hit Nox like an arrow to the chest.
“I… barely have money to buy anything, soon i am bankrupt for your information” he admitted quietly.
Scarlet’s eyes flicked to a nearby stall selling stick food. Without a word, she got up and walked over.
“Excuse me, please, two,” she said to the old shopkeeper.
“Oh! My, you’re a pretty lady with your boyfriend! I make it hot and fresh, just wait a few minutes, please” the old lady exclaimed.
The lady of the stall leaned over and whispered to the scarlet, “The boy is good-looking, grey hair and eyes you both look good couple”
Scarlet shot a quick glance at Nox. He looked confused.
‘Grey hair? His hair was black… maybe the lady’s eyes were failing because of distance’she thought.
“Excuse me, lady, can I have two more? And we aren't couple ” Scarlet asked politely.
“Of course, my dear, and sorry to say that but believe this old lady you both look good” the lady nodded, handing over the sticks in paper bag without suspicion.
Scarlet returned to Nox and handed him one.
Nox stared at her, eyebrows raised.
“Is it your habit to buy without asking?”
She smirked.
“Shut up and eat,” she said, giggling as she told him what had happened.
Nox coughed into his fist, trying to hide his nervousness
“Well… I think her eyes might have a problem. ”
“Let’s go meet Alber and Sisbell and share with them,” he said, getting up and offering his hand.
Scarlet took it without hesitation, and they walked back toward their friends, both smiling quietly at the little moment between them.
Scarlet stared at Sisbell and Alber, both of them holding bags full of purchases.
“You two wasted so much money,” she said sharply.
Sisbell puffed her cheeks.
“It’s not a waste!”
Alber nodded at the same time.
“Yes. Elder people always say we should enjoy our youth.”
Scarlet raised her voice.
“Enjoy your youth doesn’t mean buying everything you see!”
On the other side, Nox stood quietly, chewing his food and watching the scene.
‘ what she told me is… Because of the curse. Weak souls can’t fully recognize my appearance i need to be careful’
‘I should take a Moon Pill soon… but my stock is low i want to use it for emergencies’he thought
Scarlet turned toward him.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?”
Nox coughed lightly.
“Unlike you, I don’t act like a mother.”
He glanced at Alber and Sisbell.
“And why are we acting like their parents? They’re using their own money.”
Alber and Sisbell nodded together.
“Exactly.”
Scarlet froze.
‘Parents…?Huh? Why parents?’she thought
Her thoughts tangled, and her mind short-circuited for a moment. Her face turned red.
Nox walked over to check the items in Alber and Sisbell’s bags.
He frowned.
“…Why did you both buy the same color toothbrush?”
Sisbell and Alber froze.
Then—
They both turned red at the same time.
“What are you talking about?!” Sisbell shouted
“It’s normal!” Alber snapped back.
“You copied me!”
“No, you copied me!”
Their argument exploded instantly.
Scarlet sighed and covered her face.
“These two…seriously”
Nox stepped back, calmly eating again.
“At least they’re energetic, like kid don't you think scarlet mother” he said quietly.
“SHUT UP!!!”
The market noise swallowed their bickering, and the strange but warm outing continued.
Sisbell
Scarlet el valorios
