activa-t Chapter 597 132.5 - Picking up clothes ?
Chapter 597 132.5 - Picking up clothes ?
Chapter 597 132.5 - Picking up clothes ?
After they finished their meal, Maya stood from the table, a graceful yet casual movement as she glanced around one last time before turning her attention back to Astron.
"Well, that was quite the start to our day," she said with a smile. "Now that we're done here, how about we explore the city a bit before heading to the tailor?"
Astron gave a small nod in response, adjusting his posture as he stood up as well. "Sounds fine to me," he said, his voice calm as always.
Maya's eyes sparkled with excitement, clearly looking forward to the day. "Great. I've got a few places in mind. There are some interesting spots I think you'd appreciate—bookstores, rare artifact shops, even a hidden tea garden that's been around for centuries. We'll have enough time to wander until noon before heading to the tailor for the measurements and clothing. What do you think?"
Astron looked at her with his usual composed expression, though he could see how much thought she had put into this. "I'm fine with it. Lead the way."
Maya smiled warmly, feeling a sense of satisfaction at his response. As they stepped out of the restaurant and into the bustling streets of Ardmont City, she took the lead, pointing out different landmarks and occasionally stopping to share tidbits of the city's history.
The city was alive with energy—people bustling about, street vendors calling out to passersby, and the smell of fresh pastries and roasted chestnuts lingering in the air. The towering buildings and intricate architectural designs reflected both modern and traditional influences, blending seamlessly into the lush greenery that adorned the streets and plazas.
As they walked, Maya would occasionally glance at Astron, observing how he took in his surroundings. He wasn't one for outward reactions, but she could tell by the way his eyes scanned everything that he was absorbing every detail, processing it all in his quiet, meticulous way.
"This part of the city is always busy," Maya commented as they passed through one of the central markets.
"Do you come to the city often? Considering the location of the mansion, that didn't seem to be the case to me," Astron asked, his voice calm as his eyes scanned the vibrant market around them.
Maya smiled, nodding as she took in the familiar sights of Ardmont City. "Well, while I spent most of my time training at the mansion, when I was younger, I would often take the airship and wander around the city," she explained. "It's something of a personal gift that I made sure to use well. I'd explore different parts of the city—some places you can't easily reach by foot—and I always enjoyed learning about the history here."
Astron, though typically unfazed by such revelations, could only shake his head inwardly. Maya's casual use of such luxuries, like the personal airship, was something he had come to expect. In her world, these things were normal and he had long since stopped being surprised by the ease with which she wielded her family's wealth.
As they continued through the bustling streets, Maya led him on a winding tour of the city's more historical and cultural spots. They passed by ancient buildings adorned with intricate carvings, their stone walls still standing strong despite the passage of time. She pointed out key landmarks, including statues commemorating past rulers and plazas where pivotal events in the city's history had taken place.
"Ardmont City is one of the oldest in the Federation," Maya explained, her voice carrying a tone of pride as she gestured toward the grand architecture. "It's been overseen by the same family for centuries, which is my family, and you can see their influence everywhere—from the layout of the city to the preservation of historical sites."
Maya nodded, her eyes focused on the mural as if she could see the events unfolding before her. "Exactly. Valerion wasn't born into nobility, nor was he someone who had any particular status before the Convergence. He was a man of the people, a common soldier in the Arenthian army. But when the day of the Nexus Convergence arrived—when mana flooded our world and altered everything we knew—his latent talents bloomed."
The energy in her voice made it clear how much respect she had for Valerion, even though their family had never directly been part of his lineage.
"He was the first human to ascend as a hero," she continued, "and it wasn't just because of his newfound strength. He was a visionary. He saw what others could not—the need to unite in the face of the extinction."
Astron listened quietly as Maya continued to speak about Valerion, her voice filled with admiration for the legendary hero. But as her words trailed off, he remained silent, his thoughts drifting to the well-known history that every child in their world was taught. The story of Valerion, the great unifier of humanity, the first Awakened, was a lesson engraved in the minds of all who grew up in the Federation. It was a story of strength, leadership, and overcoming insurmountable odds.
And yet, for Astron, there was always a sense of detachment when it came to Valerion.
'Yes, Valerion was a hero,' he thought, 'but there were others, ones whose stories didn't make it into the history books. Though since he was the strongest, that is how the world works.' He had remembered the plot of the game and how the future would be unfolding.
'It is the same as that guy.' His mind wandered to that certain figure.
Certain naïve bastard who held the fate of the world in his own hands.
Valerian was the strongest human that this world had ever seen up to this point. Even the developers had admitted in the cards that they had created that Valerion's potential was rivaled by only one person.
A blue-haired guy.
As they walked, Maya glanced at Astron, noticing his silence. "You know, sometimes I wonder if people will still talk about him centuries from now with the same reverence." She smiled, though there was a thoughtful look in her eyes. "It makes me think about how history shapes our perception of strength."
Astron gave a small nod, his expression still calm. "History remembers what it chooses to remember. Power, however, is fleeting. What matters is what you do with it while you have it."
Maya blinked, slightly taken aback by the depth of his statement, but then she smiled, understanding the truth behind his words. "Spoken like someone who has already seen much more than most."
Astron's gaze shifted slightly, but he said nothing more.
They walked in companionable silence for a few moments before Maya straightened, as if shaking off the weight of their earlier conversation. "Well, I think that's enough history for today. It's time to focus on the present." She smiled brightly, her mood lightening. "Let's head to the tailor and get you properly fitted."
Astron nodded, allowing the transition in conversation. "Lead the way."