The next morning, sunlight poured gently into the small house nestled on the mountainside. Golden rays passed through the windows, bathing the wooden floor in a soft warmth. The air was fresh, slightly chilly, yet calming.
Elara woke up earlier than usual. Her long hair, still a bit messy, flowed down as she quietly made her way to the kitchen. She decided to prepare something warm for breakfast. Her hands moved deftly—chopping, stirring, seasoning. The aroma of herbs and broth soon filled the air.
Before long, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from the hallway. Gorion appeared, yawning and rubbing his sleepy eyes. "Elara, let me cook. You should focus on today's training," he said, stretching his arms.
Elara turned and gave a small smile. "It's alright, Gorion. I've rested enough. Besides, cooking can be a form of training too, right?"
Gorion chuckled softly. "Well, I'll be waiting in the living room then. By the way, has Sylveras woken up?"
Elara shook her head. "Not yet. I haven't seen him since last night."
"Hmm… alright. I'll read while I wait," Gorion said, walking over to the old bookshelf in the living room and casually flipping through a book.
Meanwhile, the scent of Elara's cooking spread throughout the house. The fragrance of broth, vegetables, and spices was almost irresistible. A few moments later, rushed footsteps echoed in the hallway—Sylveras appeared with messy hair and half-closed eyes.
"Wow, that smells amazing! This must be Gorion's cooking, right?" he said, heading straight to the dining table.
Elara, who was finishing the table setup, suddenly went silent. Her expression turned sour.
Gorion raised an eyebrow. "Seems like you guessed wrong, young man."
Sylveras glanced at Elara, who said nothing, then grinned. "Come on, Elara! Last night you devoured Gorion's cooking so eagerly. You must be even more excited today!"
Elara's expression grew darker. She sat down without saying a word.
Sylveras took a bite and chewed happily. "If you can cook this well, you'll definitely make a great wife and mother."
Elara's face instantly flushed. "That's none of your business!"
"Of course it is," Sylveras replied casually. "As a travel companion, I have to know your hidden talents."
Elara scoffed and turned her head away. "If you choke again, I won't help you this time."
Gorion, who had been observing the exchange, laughed heartily. "Hahaha! You two are like children."
Sylveras pretended not to care and kept eating while mumbling nonsense. But sure enough, he soon started coughing violently. His face turned red, eyes bulged, and he thumped his chest with both hands.
"Ugh! Agh! Water! Where's the water?!"
Elara glanced at him from the corner of the table and calmly said, "Told you. Like a donkey falling into the same hole twice."
Gorion laughed even louder. "Haha! You're unbelievably stubborn, Sylveras!"
Sylveras finally grabbed the water jug and gulped it down. He placed it on the table, panting. "Wahhhh… You really didn't give me any water. You're cruel!"
"You're annoying," Elara shot back, arms crossed, though the faintest smile tugged at her lips.
After the meal ended and the mood settled, Gorion stood and looked at them both.
"Alright, now that you've eaten, go get ready. Meet me in the backyard. I've prepared your training for today."
"Got it!" they both responded almost in unison.
Gorion nodded and walked toward the back door, leaving Sylveras and Elara to exchange a glance before rising from their seats.
As they stepped out into the backyard, the morning sun had already warmed the grass, and the dew had begun to fade. A light breeze swept through the air, as if signaling that today would be the beginning of something more serious.