Float c's feet lightly touched the cliff's edge, her blue robes fluttering like a butterfly's wings. She landed gracefully, tilting her head to study int a.
Seeing him, she paused. Though only hours had passed, something about him felt different…
When their eyes met in the cool mountain breeze, she pinpointed it: confidence. The spark that had defined the young prodigy three years ago was back.
Drawn to his faint, resolute smile, float c's cheeks dimpled. "Brother int a, you don't seem to need cheering up anymore."
"Humiliation's a good teacher," int a said with a shrug, his lips curving.
"She'll regret it," float c said firmly, her tone certain, like a compiler's verdict.
Int a smiled faintly, adjusting his robes and walking toward her.
Up close, he noticed how much she'd grown. No longer the tiny girl trailing him, she was nearly his height, her delicate features radiant yet refined. The memory of her as a clingy child, cheeks puffed as she followed him, made him chuckle.
He reached out, playfully pinching her cheek. "You've grown, float c, but you still remember when I fell from a tree grabbing bit-fruit for you, all bruised up."
Caught off guard by his gesture, float c froze, her bright eyes meeting his clear, unguarded ones. A soft warmth bloomed in her chest. Since his fall three years ago, he'd built walls around himself, pushing even her away despite her efforts to stay close.
"He's back…" she thought, a smile tugging at her lips. "But he still sees me as that little tag-along. Such a blockhead." She pouted, then chided herself for wanting more.
"Float c, these three years… don't blame me," int a said, scratching his head awkwardly. "I was a mess, but you stuck by me. I'm grateful."
Her smile widened, the sting of those years dissolving in his clumsy apology.
"Ahem… float c, how many gold bits do you have?" he asked, his face reddening slightly.
In the village, only his father and float c were truly close to him. After the hall's humiliation, he couldn't face asking his father for money, so float c was his only option.
"Gold bits?" Her large eyes blinked, surprised. "Brother int a needs money?"
"Yeah… I need to buy some things. I'm a bit short," he admitted, his cheeks flushing. Asking a girl for money was a first, and it stung his pride.
Seeing the usually composed int a so flustered, float c giggled, covering her mouth. "I've got about a thousand gold bits. Enough? If not…" Her hand, hidden behind her back, flicked, and a violet-gold card appeared between her fingers, shimmering with five colored bands.
A Five-Band Violet-Gold Card, a mark of prestige in the Code Continent, required at least Code Spirit rank or a powerful faction's backing.
"Enough, enough!" Int a nodded eagerly, resisting the urge to pinch her cheek again.
"I'll pay you back, I swear," he said, patting his chest.
"Who cares about that?" float c muttered, tucking the card away swiftly.
"Come on, it's getting late. Tomorrow, I'll take you to Stack City's market," int a said, waving her along as he bounded down the cliff path, his mood lighter.
Float c watched his renewed energy, smiling softly. "Nal an, should I hate you or thank you?" she murmured.
Morning light streamed through int a's window, warming his cross-legged form on the bed. He exhaled a misty breath, faint binary energy swirling into his core, strengthening his channels.
His eyes snapped open, a silver glint fading. He stretched, a grin spreading. "That feeling… three years, and it's back. The rush of growing stronger."
He hopped off the bed, stretching his stiff limbs and swapping his robes. Float c's voice called from outside, light and melodic. "Brother int a, still asleep?"
"She's early," he chuckled, shaking his head. He rummaged through a chest, pulling out a small box. Opening it, a golden glow spilled out, making him squint.
"My entire savings," he sighed, shaking his head.
Stepping outside, he whistled playfully at float c. She wore a fitted green robe, its soft hue accentuating her elegance. Tight trousers hugged her slender legs, her youthful vitality radiant yet tempered by her serene grace.
"Here's what you need," she said, handing him a black card—a standard storage card, capped at five thousand gold bits.
Int a took it, teasing, "Dressed up so nicely, got a date with someone else?"
"Oh, yes, Brother int a's first invitation in three years! I had to look my best," she replied, her eyes curving into crescents as she laughed.
He shook his head, grinning, and they bantered as they left the village. Passing villagers stared, surprised to see int a and float c so at ease. Float c, the village's brightest star, was warm but distant, her faint smile a barrier few crossed.
Ignoring their looks, int a led her into Stack City, their pace leisurely as they wandered the bustling streets.
Stack City, a major hub in the Byte Empire, teemed with life despite the midday heat. Crowds surged, and int a spotted a few non-human coders—byte-sized sprites and hulking stack golems.
With int a by her side, float c's usual reserve melted. She darted between stalls, her laughter lightening the sweltering air, pulling a bemused int a along.
When she tired, int a guided her to a nearby alchemy shop. Spending over nine hundred gold bits, he bought three twenty-year-old Purple Bit Herbs and two five-year-old Bone-Cleansing Sprouts—low-level materials, easily purchased. Higher-grade ones would require scavenging or auctions.
Watching his savings dwindle, int a grimaced. "Money rules the Code Continent," he muttered.
With the herbs secured, only the Level-1 Organic Core remained.
(To be continued)