Kapitel 95: Taking a Break

Alex stepped into Sherry's research lab, a mix of aged parchment and the faint hum of machinery filling the air. The space was unmistakably hers—books and scrolls piled in precarious towers, magical instruments scattered about, their subtle energy weaving through the chaos like a lifeline.

At the heart of it all stood Sherry, her pink twin pigtails slightly messy, only adding to her charm. Her oversized lab coat dwarfed her petite frame, and the faint flush on her cheek made her appear even more delicate.

Sherry was seated at her desk, partially hidden behind a mountain of books. She was deep in concentration, a stray strand of hair slipping free from her braid and brushing against her cheek. The desk was an organized mess, every inch of it a testament to her relentless work.

Alex rapped softly on the doorframe, the gentle sound startling her.

"Ah! W-who is—oh, Alex!" Sherry's voice carried a mix of surprise and delight. She sprang up so quickly that an inkwell wobbled precariously on the edge of her desk.

"Careful!" Alex laughed, stepping in to steady her.

Sherry flustered, brushing her hands over her coat as though that would fix the scattered papers and mess around her. "S-sorry! I didn't know you'd be visiting today." She avoided his gaze, her fingers instinctively rearranging a nearby stack of books. "I've been... really busy."

Alex gave her a reassuring smile. "No need to apologize. I wanted to check in and see how you're doing. It's been a while since we've talked."

Sherry hesitated, her hands fiddling with the edge of her coat. "I mean, there's research, the student council, and..." Her voice faltered, a faint shadow crossing her expression. "...trying to find anything about my parents."

Sherry was a member of the student council, an exclusive group at the academy. Each year, a few students from each year were selected to join, making it a highly coveted position.

Membership brought significant influence within the academy, but it also came with a heavy workload and additional responsibilities.

The last words hung in the air for a moment, heavier than either of them wanted to acknowledge. Alex's expression softened, his teasing replaced by quiet understanding.

Sherry quickly shook her head, brushing the topic aside as if to keep it from unraveling her composure. "Oh, h-how are you? It's been a while since I saw you." She adjusted her glasses nervously, changing the subject.

"I got stuck with something that ended up taking longer than expected." Alex admitted. Then, with a playful grin, he leaned closer. "Did you miss me?"

Sherry's face turned a brighter shade of pink. "N-not really." she stammered, waving her hands like she could physically dispel her embarrassment.

Suddenly, Aurora's voice chimed in Alex's mind, playful and teasing. "Aw, isn't she just the cutest? Like a shy little bunny."

"Aurora, stop." Alex retorted internally, fighting to keep his face neutral.

Sherry blinked, tilting her head in confusion. "Did you say something?"

Alex cleared his throat, trying to sound casual. "Uh, no! Anyway, I wanted to tell you about something."

Sherry tilted her head slightly, her curious gaze fixed on him as he began recounting his recent adventures. He kept the details brief, focusing mostly on the completion of the Opal Village quest. As he spoke, her eyes grew wide with admiration, her attention unwavering.

"That's amazing, Alex." she said softly, her voice laced with genuine awe. "You've been doing so much..."

Alex smiled but quickly shifted gears. "Yeah, but that's not the main reason I came to see you." he said, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a small envelope and handed it to her.

Sherry blinked, her slender fingers brushing against his as she accepted it. "What's this?"

"Ticket to Solara City." Alex explained, his tone light. "It's a great spot for shopping, sightseeing, and just... taking a break. I figured you might want to come along. I need to stock up on gear and pick up a new skinning knife anyway, and, well, I could use some company."

Alex received two tickets for a trip to Solara City from the Adventurer's Guild as a reward for completing the Opal Village quest.

Initially, the reward was meant to be some discount coupons. However, since no one had taken the quest for a long time, the guild decided to increase the reward to make it more enticing.

Sherry's cheeks flushed a brilliant shade of red. "Y-you mean... with you? Just the two of us?"

"Well, yeah." Alex replied, scratching the back of his head, his casual tone betraying a hint of nervousness. "Unless you don't want to—"

"N-no! I mean, I'd love to go!" she blurted out, her words tumbling over each other. Realizing her outburst, she clapped a hand over her mouth, her embarrassment palpable. "I-I mean, it sounds nice. A change of pace would be... good."

In Alex's mind, Aurora's voice chimed in with a sly chuckle. "Smooth, Alex. She totally thinks you're asking her out on a date."

Alex resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

Sherry glanced away, clutching the envelope tightly in her hands. "Thank you, Alex. I've been cooped up here for so long... It'll be nice to get some fresh air."

"Great," Alex said, his grin widening. "We'll make it a fun trip."

As their conversation continued, discussing potential plans for their trip and what to expect in Solara City, Sherry's usual nervousness seemed to melt away. For the first time in a long while, she felt a genuine sense of excitement building within her.

And though Alex didn't realize it, the simple gesture of inviting her along meant far more to Sherry than he could ever know.

Watching her eyes light up with enthusiasm as they planned their trip, Alex felt a warm, brotherly affection settle in his chest.

He saw Sherry as the little sister he never had, a figure that reminded him of someone from his past—a person he felt compelled to protect and care for, especially after everything she had endured.

The stress and loneliness that weighed on her were evident, even if she rarely spoke of them.

That's why Alex had decided to bring her along.

He had an extra ticket for the trip to Solara City, and knowing how much Sherry had been working herself to the bone, he wanted to offer her a much-needed break. The invitation wasn't meant to be anything grand, just a chance for her to unwind and step away from the pressure of her daily routine.

After their time in Solara City, Alex intended to assist Sherry with her ongoing search for her parents.

During their vacation, they planned to visit the location where her parents had last vanished, hoping that a clue, a trace, anything might surface to give them some answers.

The system had issued a Special Quest related to the disappearance, and Alex was also intrigued by the mystery surrounding the key, which seemed tied to it all.

Nothing particularly eventful happened at the academy after that. Classes continued as usual, and the days seemed to blend into one another, each passing without distinction.

Then, the long-awaited vacation finally arrived. Alex and Sherry packed their bags and set off for Solara City, eager for the break. It was a much-needed escape, and both were looking forward to the change of pace.

But this trip wasn't just about relaxation. Afterward, they would head to the place where Sherry's parents had disappeared, hoping to find a clue or lead that could bring them closer to the truth.

Alex couldn't shake the feeling that things weren't going to be easy. Sherry, too, would be taking one step closer to uncovering the mystery of her parents, no matter what that truth might be.