CHAPTER 53: ENJOYING PEACEFUL LIFE (2)

After a relaxing stroll in the garden, they moved to the nearby clothing district. The boutique they entered was elegant and clearly served nobles.

Elara immediately began picking dresses—pink, white, blue, frilled, ribboned, lace-trimmed, simple, extravagant... She tried them all.

"Brother James! How is this one?" She moved cutely around with a pink dress.

"It’s cute."

"And this one?"

"Still cute."

"And THIS one?"

"Elara, my little princess... Everything looks cute on you." James pinched her cheek with a smile.

She smiled proudly before grabbing Ignis’ hand. "Big Sister Ignis! Try this one!"

The dress she held up was crimson with golden embroidery, clearly matching Ignis’ fiery aura.

Ignis blinked, slightly hesitant. "This... is a bit flashy."

"It fits you!" Elara insisted.

Ignis eventually sighed and entered the changing room. When she stepped out, James actually paused.

The dress hugged her figure perfectly, accentuating her long legs and sharp features. Her crimson eyes glowed faintly against the warm colors.

"It looks good." James raised his eyebrows, clearly not expecting that it would look this good on her.

Ignis lowered her gaze slightly, a faint red reaching her cheeks. "If you say so."

Elara also selected outfits for her mom, Aunt Astrid, and Uncle Edmund’s wife, piling them up with excitement.

By the time they left the shop, James had purchased enough clothes to fill half a storage room.

Elara walked proudly at the center of the group, holding Ignis’ hand while Bubbles floated happily behind her.

Leaving the clothing district with far too many bags for one afternoon, the group made their way toward another famous attraction of Valentis City—the Magical Aquarium: The Sirenarium.

The enormous dome came into view like a shimmering bubble rising from the ground. Dozens of layered enchantments glowed faintly across its surface, rotating like constellations.

The moment they stepped through the arcane entrance, Elara’s jaw dropped open.

"It’s... HUGE!"

The interior was a circular hall of enchanted glass, each panel offering a window into an underwater world. Schools of rainbow-colored fish darted by, glowing manta rays glided like drifting clouds, and deep-sea kelp swayed despite there being no current.

Elara glued her face to the glass.

"BROTHER JAMES, LOOK!! They sparkle! They’re sparkling!!"

Her breath fogged the glass as she pressed her small hands against it, practically vibrating with excitement.

James smiled bitterly. "You’re going to leave fingerprints everywhere."

"I don’t care!! Look at them!" Elara pointed frantically.

Ignis watched her with a faint smile. "She’s full of energy again."

Nyxrael stood behind, silent as ever, though even he looked up with curiosity at a giant whale swimming lazily above them.

At one tank, Elara stopped moving entirely.

Inside, a tiny silver-blue fish hovered, staring directly at her with beady black eyes.

Elara slowly raised a finger.

The fish followed the movement.

She screamed in excitement so loudly that Ignis flinched.

"It’s following me!!!"

"Brother! It’s following me!! Look, look!!"

The fish mimicked her every movement, swaying side to side as she giggled uncontrollably.

She beckoned Ignis. "Big Sister Ignis! Come try!!"

Ignis stepped forward and pointed at the fish.

The fish stared at her for a second... Then swam away.

Elara burst out laughing with both hands on her stomach. "Pfft—HAHAHAHA!! Sister Ignis, it ignored you!!"

Ignis’ eye twitched a little bit.

James raised a brow. "Elara..."

She stuck out her tongue and kept laughing.

Ignis’ smile turned dangerously thin as she looked at the small fish.

A faint heat shimmered around her fingers—so faint only James and Nyxrael noticed it.

James quickly pulled Elara behind him. "Don’t burn the aquarium because a fish didn’t like you."

Ignis looked away. "I wasn’t going to burn anything."

"You were absolutely going to burn something," James deadpanned, shaking his head helplessly.

Elara hugged Bubbles, giggling without remorse.

They continued exploring, watching a giant crystal turtle resting calmly and observing swordfish that cut through water like flames. After half an hour of wandering through glowing underwater tunnels and enchanted displays, they finally left the Sirenarium with Elara still talking about the little fish that "clearly loved her the most."

On the way back toward the Azure Crest Pavilion, they passed a large gathering.

A circular arena stood at the center of the plaza, surrounded by hundreds of spectators. Vendors shouted, people cheered, and the heat in the air was unmistakably from the fire mana emanating from the arena.

Elara stopped in her tracks.

"Huh? A duel?"

James looked over. "Seems like it."

"Really? Can we watch? Please? Pretty please??" Elara tugged his sleeve cutely with sparkling eyes.

"Alright. Let’s take a look." He smiled faintly and patted her head.

The crowd parted slightly the moment they saw the Steelheart insignia on James’ cloak, as they feared them with the recent accidents in Lycranor City.

Inside the arena, two knights stood facing each other with a resolute expression, ready to fight at any time.

The noisy chatter around the plaza intensified the moment their names were announced.

"The next duel is Helius Arkayne of the Crimson Sail Mercenaries vs. Draxton Veil of the Ember Fang Guild!"

The atmosphere instantly exploded with excitement.

Even James raised an eyebrow slightly. "These two are somewhat famous."

Ignis nodded faintly. "Their mana isn’t weak for Peak Gold Rank."

Elara pressed her hands against the railing, her eyes sparkling in anticipation. "Brother, they’re both of fire attributes!"

"Yes." James patted her head lightly. "Watch closely."

The arena judge raised his hand high.

"Begin!"

The moment the word echoed across the plaza, a violent surge of fire erupted from the center of the arena.

Draxton moved first with a powerful stomp.

BOOM!

A burst of explosive fire shot from beneath his boots, propelling his massive figure forward. He swung his sword that was completely enveloped in red flames, swinging it downward with destructive force as he used his (Magma Strike) skill.

Helius’ expression didn’t change. His body moved swiftly, and a trail of thin flames danced along the edge of his weapon as he used his (Flame Step) skill.

Draxton’s flaming slash ripped through the air, missing Helius by a hair.

BOOM!

The impact hit the reinforced arena floor, sending sparks and embers spraying into the air.