Chapter 42 VOL II: The Trip to Calma(9) The Luminous Festival (3)

Chapter 42 VOL II: The Trip to Calma(9) The Luminous Festival (3)
VOL II: The Trip to Calma

The Luminous Festival (3)

The crowd gasped. No one had imagined that Kyla would drop into the mouth of an electric eel!

My hand flew to my mouth.

I hope she's not hurt.

Her mother, who was sitting beside me, touched my hand gently and gave me a smile.

"Don't worry. She's done worse. She'll be fine."

"Okay," I replied.

I really hoped so.

Suddenly, the eel began to move uncomfortably, twisting and turning violently.

Then, with an unexpected motion, the eel shot Kyla out. Before she could fall into its mouth again, it transformed into a bunny with a poof of pink smoke.

The crowd went wild. Cheers erupted from every corner.

I was impressed. She was so good.

"That's a magic eel. In order to get it to change its form, you must go inside its mouth and retrieve a special key hidden in its belly.

Only then can it transform."

I smiled widely.

Kyla was amazing. She was so brave and daring.

Suddenly, a memory crept into my mind.

I saw our younger selves, Kyla and I, running through the forest, laughing as we raced between the trees.

As we ran, we came to a halt near a cliff. Down below was a very large river.

After smiling at each other, we both jumped down, our smiles evident on our faces.

While we were still in the air, the river below rippled, and out came a giant eel, similar to the one here now, except this one was grey while the one before me was blue.

It opened its mouth wide, and Kyla dropped inside without hesitation.

I suspended myself in the air with my levitation magic as I waited for Kyla to come out.

After a few seconds, the eel threw her out, and before she could fall into the water, I caught her.

She showed me the key in her hand, and we grinned.

The eel then transformed into a small fish.

We cheered as I carried her away.

The memory ended, and I couldn't help myself from standing and cheering.

The crowd did the same.

In one corner of the crowd, I spotted a man wearing a black and silver mask, staring at me as he clapped.

I broke eye contact and focused on Kyla and Mr. Klein.

They performed more tremendous acts after the opening performance.

Walking through fire, balancing on their hands across slippery ground, and juggling while riding a bicycle on a thin rope high in the air.

\---

After the performance, I briefly went to check on Raja.

He had come to the festival too, but he was in the animal section.

"Hey, boy. Are you enjoying yourself?" I asked, rubbing his head.

He growled happily.

I was glad that some of my memories were coming back. It felt good seeing Kyla and me as children.

As I walked back to the festival, I saw that everyone was already dancing.

Slow, sensual music was being played while masked figures filled the dance floor.

I leaned against the edge of the doorway, smiling.

I'd better enjoy this moment before I leave tomorrow.

"Good evening, miss."

I turned to see the same masked man who had been staring at me earlier.

"Hello," I said.

"Sorry to disturb you, but I couldn't help but notice you standing here by yourself. Are you here alone, miss?"

He spoke smoothly and calmly.

"I am. But I chose to be."

"Well, miss, I'm alone, and I didn't choose to be."

He stepped closer, his dark eyes sharpening.

Something about that gaze felt oddly familiar.

"Would you dance with me, my lady? Please?"

He held out his hand.

I stared at it for some time, long enough for him to get tired and lower it, but he didn't. Instead, he smiled.

I didn't want to dance. But the way he asked, the way he was so patient, made me consider his request.

"Just one dance," I said, taking his hand.

He clasped it gently.

"Of course, my lady."

We joined the others on the dance floor.

His firm hand gripped my waist and drew me close.

I placed one hand around his shoulder while my other hand remained clasped in his.

We began to dance, swaying to every beat of the song.

Whenever I looked away at the other dancers and then back at him, he was always looking at me.

He never took his eyes off me.

There was just something familiar about him.

I couldn't put my finger on it, but I was certain.

"You seem distracted, my lady. Is something troubling you?"

he asked as he twirled me around.

"Indeed, there is," I said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"What troubles you, my lady?"

"Have we met before?"