Half a month slipped past like mist at dawn, harsh yet full, all training. Under Xinuo’s relentless tempering, my progress shot up like shoots after warm rain.

Bit by bit, by last week I could craft my own ordinary sword techniques, lines cut into wet clay. That became the hinge; my grasp kept sharpening day by day. I won’t claim mastery, but the blade’s almost in hand.

One regret sticks like a pebble in the shoe: I’ve created too few techniques, and in battle they don’t flow like water. Still, growth settles like dew; I trust time to smooth it.

...

Today I rose early, cooked breakfast, and let anticipation curl like steam over rice—wondering what Xinuo would teach next. Yesterday she said I’d trained my ordinary sword techniques to a solid seven out of ten, lacking only sparring against peers. Time for the next stage.

“Xinuo, what will you teach me today? Sword Aura?”

I cleared the dishes and sprinted back to my room, hope bright as morning sun. She answered with a cool breeze of surprise. “It’s Sword Aura, yes. But I plan to give you, Servant, a day off.”

“Why?” The feeling was a tight string; these days I prefer the forge’s heat to idle play.

“Servant, you need a buffer to settle what you’ve learned, like clay set under shade. And your time on the Central Continent runs short—just over a month left. So spend more time with your sister and the others. Once you leave, you won’t be back to the Mizumi Clan for a while.”

Rarely does Xinuo speak so much beyond training. She’s right; I’ve been impatient. My strength still sits on shifting sand. So per Xinuo’s words—today is for adjustment, for packing down what I’ve learned, and for playing with Littlesky and Serenemoon.

“Really?! Brother’s going to play with me all day?”

Littlesky burst in like a bird through a paper window, clearly catching Xinuo’s words.

“Not ‘me,’ but ‘us’—how could you forget your sister?” Serenemoon followed, a soft smile like moonlight on water.

“Mm. You two should enjoy yourselves today,” Xinuo nodded, her calm like a still pond.

“And you, Xinuo?” My thought flicked like a sparrow—she wouldn’t just hole up with her books, would she?

Xinuo glanced out the window, gaze like an ancient cedar waking. “I’m going to stroll the Central Continent, see what’s changed over the centuries I slept.”

“Whoa! Sister Xinuo, are you planning to tour the whole Central Continent?”

Littlesky blinked, surprise fluttering like a ribbon.

“We’ll see.” Her voice fell, then she vanished like a candle blown out—no trace, no warning.

“She left so fast!” The words slipped out, a leaf in a quick stream. So, where do we play? A rare holiday can’t be wasted indoors.

“Littlesky, Serenemoon, anywhere you want to go?” My mind skimmed maps like swallows over fields, and found no perch.

“Mm… I seldom travel far, so I’m not familiar with the Central Continent. I’ll go where Brother goes. Serenemoon?”

Looks like Littlesky’s the same—no particular place in mind.

“In that case, how about we take a proper trip?” Serenemoon smiled, light as tea steam, warm and inviting.

“A trip? Serenemoon, do you have someplace good in mind?” We both looked at her with hopeful eyes, sure that her easy life hid many gentle secrets.

“I do~ This is the blooming season for Moon Rosa, especially these two days. How about bringing good dishes and going to see the flowers?” Her tone rang like chimes; the idea was sweet as fruit.

Flower viewing, huh? That’s a fine thought indeed.

Moon Rosa grows only in the Lunar Forest, in pale blue and soft white. The blossoms are vivid; their scent floats like early spring wind. At late spring’s peak bloom, the beauty dazzles like stars poured over a lake.

One problem remains—a thorn under the thumb. The Lunar Forest sits far from the Mizumi Clan’s estate, almost a fifth of the Central Continent away. How do we get there? A trip is fine, but that’s a long road.

I only remember going there a few times as a child, always with Qianji Sister. Back then, her strength was already solid as a mountain, and carrying me there and back was no trouble.

“Serenemoon, the Lunar Forest is supposed to be far! How do we go?” Littlesky voiced the worry like a small bell.

“Easy. Your sister has Divine Realm-level strength. This little thing is light as a feather~” Serenemoon straightened, chest proud and posture sure, wearing a look that said, leave it to me. Then she turned to me. “Emperor, you prep lunch. Flower viewing with a picnic sounds perfect.”

“Yes, yes! I’ve never tried a picnic. Brother, hurry!” Littlesky’s joy popped like a firecracker; new things always snare her curiosity like butterflies.

“Alright. While I cook, Littlesky and Serenemoon, get ready to leave.” I ruffled her cute head—soft as moss—and smiled. A picnic… it’s been years. Before ten, Qianji Sister took me across half the Central Continent like wind through reeds. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her. When will she return?

“No problem! Leave it to me and Serenemoon!”

“I’m really looking forward to Emperor’s cooking~ Could you add some snacks?”

“Of course I’ll make snacks. No time to waste; I’ll head to the kitchen.”

I slipped out, thoughts circling Serenemoon’s reliability like hawks. I’ve never seen her fight, but Xinuo said she’s Divine Realm-level. That should be solid.

Thinking of Serenemoon, I reached the kitchen quick as a stride in sunlight. A glance at the table’s fresh, varied ingredients, and my plan set like ink drying.

...

...

A little past eleven, I packed all the dishes and drinks into a neat bamboo basket, smooth as river cane. I carried it back to the room, where Littlesky and Serenemoon were already waiting, loaded with bags like travelers at dawn.

“We’re only going for a day. We don’t need that many things.” Spare clothes and toiletries peeked out of their packs like the edges of clouds. Were they planning to stay several days in the Lunar Forest?

“We do! It’s rare to travel far. We should linger.” Littlesky answered like it was obvious, eyes bright as dew.

“But my holiday is only one day...” The sigh felt like a dim lantern. If I could, I’d stay longer too. But Xinuo’s leave is short.

“Ah, Emperor, you’re so silly~” Serenemoon gently pinched my cheek, soft as peach skin. “Xinuo Miss never said you must train near the estate. And the Lunar Forest’s scenery is so good—she might let you live there, who knows.”

“Serenemoon’s right! With Sister Xinuo’s personality, that could happen.” Littlesky chimed in, agreement like a pair of bells.

“Is that so? Then fine. Since it’s a rare chance, I’ll bring some clothes too.” Their words flowed like a favorable wind. Maybe Xinuo will fall for the Lunar Forest; maybe not. Either way, rest first. Save spirit for Sword Aura training tomorrow.

“Hehe, I knew Brother would agree to stay a few days. So—”

She flashed an adorable smile, unzipped her backpack, and—huh? Wait. Something felt off.

“I already packed Brother’s clothes!”

“Littlesky, why are there several maid outfits in your bag?” Most of the pile was frills and black-and-white. Male clothes? Barely one set.

“Of course they’re for Brother. What’s wrong with that?”

“Emperor, you’re wearing a maid outfit right now. Why complain at this point?” Littlesky and Serenemoon looked baffled, like I’d scolded a fish for swimming. They hadn’t expected me to mind the maid uniforms.

Habit’s a sneaky thing, like ivy around a pillar. Somewhere along the way, I stopped noticing I’d been wearing maid outfits these last few days. It’s not just training too hard; I’ve… gotten used to it.

“…I suddenly feel like crying.” The thought stung like smoke in the eyes.

“Don’t be sad, Brother.” Littlesky rose on tiptoe, tried to pat my head, couldn’t reach, and settled for my cheek—warm as milk. “Girl clothes suit you. Don’t overthink it. Treat them like normal clothes.”

“That makes me feel like I’m losing something important as a man.” The protest was a thin blade, half joking, half true.

“Emperor, really. Stop fussing and let things flow. Besides, Xinuo Miss gave you a day off. Doesn’t that mean you can wear men’s clothes today?” Serenemoon finally said the line my heart longed for.

“Thank you, Serenemoon!!” If I won’t have many chances later, then now. I grabbed a set from the closet and dashed into the changing room.

Minutes trickled by like sand.

“Whew—men’s clothes really feel right.” My mood opened like a window to wind. I lifted the bamboo basket packed with food, took Littlesky’s backpack for her, and turned. “Serenemoon, Littlesky, we’re ready. When do we leave?”

“Do we even need to ask? Right now! Emperor, Littlesky, hold me tight.”

We obeyed, arms around Serenemoon, warmth and scent rising like a gentle spring. I felt a blush ripple, shy as a young leaf.

“Then—Area Transfer!”

A strange light flickered across Serenemoon’s beautiful golden eyes, quick as lightning under silk. Darkness folded over my vision like a curtain, then lifted—revealing we were no longer in our room.