Chapter 398: The Festival of a Thousand Lights

Choosing between two jackets was taking Arthur longer than any training decision that week.

Vedas sat beside the dormitory window, watching Arthur hold a dark jacket against his shirt. "That one looks fine. So did the other one."

"The other one’s more comfortable," Arthur said, looking at his reflection. "But this one looks better, right?"

Eden hovered over his shoulder, examining the collar. "Wear that one! It makes you look like someone going somewhere special."

"I am going somewhere special." Arthur grinned and put it on. "Thanks, Eden."

Star bounced onto his shoulder, nearly dislodging the collar Eden had just straightened. Vedas caught the little slime before it slid down Arthur’s back.

"Remember, the purpose of tonight is to spend time with Mithra," Vedas said. "Not to inspect every unfamiliar Beast at the festival."

Arthur laughed. "I can do both. Mostly the first one."

"Mostly?" Eden asked suspiciously.

"Definitely the first one," Arthur corrected, making her giggle.

At the south gate, Sun and Athena were waiting with Kong and Athy.

"Look at you!" Sun announced. "The first-year champion is finally facing his most important challenge."

Athena closed her book. "Please don’t make him regret telling us."

Kong inspected Arthur’s empty hands. "Where’s the festival food?"

"I haven’t gone yet," Arthur replied.

"Then come back with some," Kong said earnestly.

Athy shook her head. "An inspiring contribution to the conversation."

Mithra appeared a moment later, wearing the pale dress she’d chosen the previous afternoon. A small ribbon held back part of her hair, and Melo floated beside her, looking extremely pleased with herself.

Arthur forgot about Sun’s teasing. "Mithra, you look beautiful."

Her cheeks warmed. "Thank you. You look really nice too."

"I told her the dress was perfect," Melo declared. "It only took half the afternoon to convince her."

"Melo!" Mithra protested, smiling despite herself.

A familiar voice came from behind them. "I agree. An excellent choice."

Steven approached from the Academy grounds, and Mithra turned toward him. "Father, please tell me you didn’t come here just to embarrass me," she pleaded.

"Of course not," Steven replied. "I was passing by. Though I admit I’m curious whether Arthur has prepared a training plan for the evening."

Arthur laughed. "No training tonight, Principal. I promised Mithra a proper date."

Steven looked pleased. "Good. Then I expect both of you to enjoy yourselves."

Mithra gave her father a grateful look, right until he added, "And Arthur, if she starts explaining the finer points of Melo’s illusions, remind her that she is allowed to have fun."

"Father!" Mithra exclaimed as everyone burst into laughter.

...

The festival began just beyond the Academy district. Lanterns floated above crowded streets, glowing flowers decorated the stalls, and ribbons of colored light reflected across a canal running through the market. The air smelled of roasted meat, sweet pastries, and warm spices.

Mithra slowed beside the first bridge. "It’s even prettier than the posters."

Arthur looked at the lights, then at her. "I’m glad we came."

"We only just arrived," she said, laughing.

Arthur grinned. "Then we’ve already made a good decision."

They bought grilled skewers from a cheerful vendor. Arthur chose something unfamiliar, took an enormous bite, and immediately reached for his drink.

Mithra covered her mouth. "Too spicy?"

"Not at all," Arthur managed, his eyes watering. "It’s just surprisingly enthusiastic."

Melo burst into laughter. "A mighty Gold Rank Tamer defeated by dinner!"

Mithra handed Arthur her cooler drink. "Here. You don’t have to impress me by suffering through a skewer."

Arthur accepted it gratefully. "That’s good to know. I was about to challenge the cook to a rematch."

They stopped to watch Tamers direct their Beasts through hoops of floating light. A tiny bird-shaped Beast traced sparkling patterns overhead, drawing cheers from the children.

Star bounced along with the applause. Mithra laughed and lifted the slime so it could see above the crowd.

"You like the show, don’t you?" she asked. Star stretched happily between her hands.

"Star makes it easy," Mithra replied. "And I like seeing how happy you are when your partners are happy."

Arthur’s smile softened. "That’s one of my favorite things about being a Beast Tamer."

...

Farther along the canal, a contest booth displayed small handmade ornaments beneath a painted sign. Players had to toss three wooden rings onto moving pegs. The prizes weren’t expensive, but one caught Arthur’s attention: a silver crescent surrounding a piece of blue glass that shimmered whenever it moved.

"That one’s pretty," Mithra said, following his gaze.

"It reminds me of you," Arthur replied. "I’m going to win it."

Mithra raised an eyebrow. "You’re taking a festival game seriously?"

Arthur shrugged. "There’s a prize at stake."

The vendor handed him three rings. Arthur watched the pegs slide back and forth, then tossed his first ring. It struck the edge and bounced away.

Sun would never let me hear the end of this, Arthur thought.

Mithra laughed at his expression. "You’re aiming where the peg is now. Watch the rhythm."

Arthur tried again, waiting for the moving peg to turn. His second ring landed cleanly, earning applause from a nearby child. He caught the third peg just as it passed the center.

"Winner!" the vendor announced, offering the prize board.

Arthur selected the crescent ornament and turned to Mithra. "Here. This one’s yours."

She blinked. "Arthur, you won it."

Arthur smiled. "I know. I wanted to give it to you. The colors reminded me of the way your illusions catch the light."

Mithra took the ornament carefully. "You noticed that?"

Arthur nodded. "Of course. I pay attention when you fight. And when you’re not fighting."

For once, Melo had no immediate joke. Mithra fastened the ornament to the strap of her small bag, where the blue glass caught the lantern light.

"I love it," she said quietly. "Thank you."

Arthur smiled. "You’re welcome."

Mithra glanced at the remaining prizes, then bought a tiny paper lantern charm from the neighboring stall and tied it to Arthur’s jacket zipper.

"There," she said. "Now you have something to remember tonight too."

Arthur examined the charm. "I was going to remember it anyway."

"I know," Mithra replied. "But I wanted to give you something."

They found a quiet bench overlooking the water and shared a packet of honey pastries. Mithra broke one in half, handing Arthur the larger piece before he could protest.

"You know, I was a little surprised you asked me out," she admitted. "You always seem to have another adventure waiting."

Arthur accepted the pastry. "I do like adventures. But I don’t want to get so busy chasing the next discovery that I forget the people I want to share it with."

Mithra glanced at the little charm on his jacket. "That’s a surprisingly thoughtful answer."

"I’ve had excellent teachers this week," Arthur said with a grin.

Mithra laughed. "Don’t tell my father that. He’ll take credit for your romantic skills."

They laughed together, and the last of Mithra’s nervousness disappeared.

...

As the sky darkened, people gathered beside the canal for the festival’s final lantern display. Melo spotted a group of Beast performers preparing farther down the bank and offered to take Star.

"We’ll be right over there," Melo said, her voice unusually gentle. "You two enjoy the view."

Star bounced onto a nearby railing and followed her. Arthur and Mithra remained beneath a tree strung with tiny golden lights.

Hundreds of lanterns rose over the water. Their reflections trembled across the canal until it looked as though a second sky had opened beneath the bridge.

Mithra rested her arms on the railing. "I thought today might feel awkward. We’ve spent so much time together, but never like this."

Arthur leaned beside her. "I was worried about that too. Then I figured I’d rather ask than keep wondering."

"I’m glad you did," Mithra said. "I don’t always want to be the girl you train with or the one who points out something you’ve missed."

Arthur turned toward her. "You’re my friend, Mithra. One of the people I trust most. And I like you. I wanted you to know that too."

She looked at him, her expression warm. "I like you too, Arthur. Quite a lot, actually."

He grinned. "That’s good news."

"Very good news," she agreed, laughing softly.

They started along the canal as the lanterns continued rising. Their hands brushed once, and Mithra glanced at him. Arthur offered his hand without hesitation.

"May I?" he asked.

Mithra slipped her fingers between his. "You may."

They walked beneath the lights, neither pretending the gesture was accidental. Mithra squeezed his hand, and Arthur returned it.

"Would you like to do this again?" Arthur asked.

"Absolutely," Mithra replied. "Though next time, I get to choose where we go."

Arthur chuckled. "Deal. Just warn me if the food’s spicy."

Mithra laughed, leaning a little closer as they walked. Behind them, Melo watched from a respectful distance with Star balanced on her head.

"Finally," Melo whispered. Star gave a delighted little bounce.

When Arthur and Mithra reached the Academy gate later that evening, they were still holding hands. Neither hurried to let go.

Vedas and Eden happened to be returning from the library. Eden spotted their joined hands and opened her mouth in excitement, but Vedas gently placed a finger against his lips.

"They look happy," Eden whispered, smiling.

"They do," Vedas agreed. "Let’s give them a moment."

At the entrance, Mithra glanced at the crescent ornament on her bag. "I’m keeping this forever, you know."

Arthur touched the little lantern charm on his jacket. "Then I’d better take good care of mine too."

Mithra squeezed his hand one last time. "Good night, Arthur. I had a wonderful time."

"Me too," Arthur said. "See you tomorrow."

She walked toward her dormitory with Melo beside her. Arthur watched her go until Star bounced against his cheek. He turned toward Vedas and Eden, who were pretending they hadn’t seen anything.

"So," Eden asked brightly, "how was your date?"

Arthur looked down at the charm, then back toward the path Mithra had taken. "Even better than I hoped."