Chapter 29: Deep Talks With Rosalind

The water of the lake was still, glimmering under the pale moonlight as Rosalind and Alaric continued to linger within it, their bodies entwined in an intimacy neither of them could have anticipated.

Rosalind’s breath was heavy, her chest rising and falling against Alaric’s smaller frame as she leaned into him, relishing the feeling of his warmth even amidst the coolness of the water.

She had never felt so conflicted, so… consumed.

But here she was, letting herself sink deeper into this moment with a boy who was far younger than her, yet seemed to wield an inexplicable power over her body and soul.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The world around them seemed distant, and Rosalind couldn’t tell if the heat she felt inside her was from Alaric’s touch or something deeper, more primal.

Her body, despite being soaked in the lake’s cool water, felt as though it was on fire.

Every inch of her skin was alive with sensation, and the air between them seemed thick with unspoken words, unsatisfied desires.

Eventually, she shifted slightly in his embrace, her lips brushing against his forehead before she let out a shaky breath.

“We should… probably get out of the water,” she murmured, her voice low and almost reluctant, as though leaving the lake meant breaking the spell that had enveloped them.

Alaric smiled softly at her suggestion, his arms still loosely wrapped around her waist. “You’re probably right,” he agreed, though his voice betrayed no urgency.

He seemed just as content to stay there, savoring the closeness between them for a little longer.

But slowly, he began to release her, letting his fingers trail down her sides as they both moved toward the shore.

Once they reached the shore, the cool night air hit them immediately, making Rosalind shiver. She glanced down at her body, noticing how the water clung to her curves, making her clothes stick to her skin in a way that left very little to the imagination.

Her once-flowing shirt and pants now hugged every inch of her body tightly, emphasizing the curves of her hips, her full chest, and the elegant lines of her legs.

Her clothes now felt like a second skin, accentuating her form.

Alaric, for his part, couldn’t help but stare. His eyes roamed over Rosalind’s body, taking in every detail as the moonlight made the droplets of water on her skin shimmer like stars.

He had never seen her like this, and though he had touched her in ways he never expected tonight, seeing her this way—drenched, her clothes clinging to her like a second skin—stirred something deep within him.

Rosalind noticed his gaze and felt a heat rise to her cheeks, despite the cold air. She tried to shake off the feeling, laughing softly as she bent down to pick up her clothes that lay discarded on the shore.

“You’re staring, Alaric,” she teased, though her voice lacked the usual playfulness. It was softer, more vulnerable.

“Can you blame me?” he replied smoothly, his eyes flicking back up to meet hers. “You look… incredible.”

Rosalind’s heart skipped a beat at his words, a flutter of emotions stirring within her. She hadn’t expected this boy, this junior of hers, to affect her so deeply. But here she was, her body reacting to his every word, his every glance.

She shook her head, trying to regain her composure as she slipped into her clothes, though the wet fabric clung even tighter to her now.

Once dressed, she sat down next to him, her fingers nervously playing with the hem of her shirt as she felt his gaze still lingering on her.

“What are you thinking?” she asked softly, unable to resist her curiosity.

Alaric tilted his head, his eyes never leaving hers.

“I’m thinking about what will happen when you grow up,” he said simply, his voice tinged with something far more mature than his years suggested.

“If you can make me feel this way now… I can only imagine how many people will fall for you when you’re older.”

Rosalind’s breath caught in her throat. His words were so direct, so sincere, and yet they hit her with a force she hadn’t anticipated.

“You think so?” she whispered, more to herself than to him. She had never thought of herself in that way before, but now, with Alaric staring at her like that, she couldn’t help but wonder.

“You’ll have women lining up for you, Alaric,” she said suddenly, her voice gaining a bit of its usual playful edge. “The way you handled me tonight… I’m sure of it.”

Alaric chuckled softly, his hand reaching out to touch hers. His fingers were warm, and the simple act of holding her hand felt intimate in a way that surprised her.

“I don’t know about that,” he said with a warm smile, his thumb brushing lightly over her skin. “But I’m happy that tonight went the way it did.”

Rosalind smiled back at him, her heart softening.

“Me too,” she admitted honestly, squeezing his hand gently. The night had been unexpected, but she couldn’t deny that she had enjoyed every second of it.

As the night air began to cool even further, Rosalind thought about using a spell to dry their clothes.

She lifted her hand, ready to cast a subtle incantation, but before she could, Alaric’s hand gently closed around her wrist, stopping her.

“Don’t,” he said softly, his eyes meeting hers again. “Let’s stay like this. I want to go for a walk.”

Rosalind hesitated for a moment, but then she nodded, lowering her hand. “Alright,” she agreed. “A walk sounds nice.”

The two of them walked side by side along the shore of the lake, their clothes still damp and clinging to their bodies. Alaric couldn’t help but admire Rosalind’s figure as they walked—the way her wet clothes accentuated every curve, the way her hips swayed slightly with each step. She was beautiful, and he couldn’t tear his eyes away.

Rosalind, on the other hand, felt Alaric’s gaze on her, but she didn’t mind. In fact, it made her feel… appreciated.

There was something thrilling about knowing that he was watching her, about the way his eyes lingered on her as they walked.

“How’s your final year going?” Alaric asked suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them.

Rosalind glanced over at him, surprised by the sudden seriousness of his question. “It’s going well,” she replied, her voice thoughtful. “It’s been intense, but I’ve learned a lot over the years.”

“With your skills, what are you expecting to do after graduation?” he asked, his tone genuine.

Rosalind smiled softly. “Well, over the past eight years, I’ve mastered more than fifteen different styles of magic,” she began, her voice gaining a hint of pride as she spoke.

“There’s Flow Magic, which involves channeling energy smoothly, and Pulse Magic, which is more about bursts of power. Whisper Casting is for quiet, subtle spells—very useful for stealth. Gesture Magic, as the name suggests, relies heavily on hand movements, and Harmonic Magic works best when combined with others, creating resonance between multiple casters.”

She continued, her voice becoming more excited as she spoke. “Then there’s Mental Projection, where you can cast spells through sheer willpower, without moving a muscle. Artistic Casting is more creative, almost like painting with magic, while Silent Magic requires no incantations at all, just pure focus. Martial Magic is a mix of combat and magic, great for close quarters fighting, and Empathetic Magic is… well, it connects with emotions. That one’s tricky, but very powerful.”

Alaric listened intently as she listed off the various styles, nodding in understanding. She wasn’t finished, though. “There are also the elemental magics — flame, ice, wind, and so on. Then there are non-magical subjects, like Alchemy, Geography, Regulations of Magic, History of the Thirteen Kingdoms, and the Beast Catalogue… so much to learn, really. But it’s worth it.”

Alaric blinked, impressed by the breadth of her knowledge. “I only know one style of magic,” he admitted with a sheepish grin. “I thought I was doing well, but compared to you…”

Rosalind laughed softly, shaking her head. “Don’t worry about it. You’re incredibly talented, Alaric. You’ll learn all of this quickly, at least the magic part. Geography and history, though…” She made a face. “Those subjects are tedious.”

Alaric smiled at her words, feeling a bit more reassured. “Actually, I kind of like those subjects. I especially want to read the history of all thirteen kingdoms and also learn more about the beasts and also the entire geography of the continents of the world.”

Rosalind raised an eyebrow. “You like these kinds of subjects besides being talented in magic? You really are full of surprises.”

They continued their walk, the night growing quieter around them. Eventually, Rosalind glanced at him. “After graduation, I’m planning to join a guild.”

“Do you know which one yet?” Alaric asked, curious.

Rosalind nodded. “I’ve been looking into it. Our kingdom, Eloriath, has a lot of guilds to choose from. Then there are neighboring kingdoms—Valareth, with its strict magic laws, and Thalon, which is more lenient. Each kingdom has its own policies on magic, but there are a few top guilds in each one. I’ve been eyeing the Silver Raven Guild. It’s one of the most respected guilds in Eloriath and has strong ties with neighboring kingdoms. They’re known for their versatile approach to magic and have a solid reputation for helping mages like me transition into broader roles in the magical community.”

She paused, then added with a grin, “Plus, they pay well.”

Alaric chuckled. “That sounds like a solid plan. Do they specialize in a particular type of magic?”

“They do a bit of everything, which is part of why I like them,” Rosalind replied, her eyes shining with enthusiasm.

“They focus on practical applications of magic—combat, defense, healing, and even some arcane research. I’d have the opportunity to use all the skills I’ve learned here and continue growing as a mage. And, well…” she gave Alaric a teasing smile, “they do missions that involve a lot of travel, which is something I’ve always wanted.”

Alaric nodded, impressed. “That sounds perfect for you. Traveling the world, using your magic in new ways, meeting new people…”

“Exactly,” Rosalind said with a gleam in her eyes. “But no matter how busy I get, I’ll still come to visit you. I promise.”

Alaric smiled warmly at her words.

“I’d like that,” he said softly, his hand moving around her waist as they walked.

The contact was gentle, almost innocent, but there was an undeniable warmth between them, a connection that had deepened throughout the night.

“I’d be happy to see you, no matter where life takes you.”

Rosalind looked at him, her heart fluttering slightly at the sincerity in his voice.

For a brief moment, she wondered how much this young boy would change in the years to come—how his power, charm, and the depth of his gaze might draw people to him in ways even he couldn’t yet fully comprehend.

As they walked in silence for a few moments, Rosalind couldn’t help but glance down at Alaric, feeling a sense of warmth swell within her.

She knew that this connection they shared wasn’t something that would disappear overnight. It was strange, the way they had come together tonight, but it felt… natural.

They eventually reached a small grove at the edge of the lake, and Rosalind stopped, taking a deep breath as she turned to face him.

“Alaric,” she began, her tone slightly more serious now, “there’s something I’ve been thinking about. After tonight… I can’t help but wonder what your future will look like.”

Alaric tilted his head, curiosity dancing in his eyes. “What do you mean?”

“I mean… your potential,” Rosalind said, her voice softening as she searched for the right words.

“You’re still so young, but you’ve already accomplished so much. You’ve learned to control magic in ways most students struggle with for years. And… there’s something about you that draws people in, even me.”

She smiled faintly, the memory of their time in the lake still fresh in her mind.

Alaric didn’t say anything for a moment, but his gaze held hers, intense and unwavering. “You’ve helped me see more of what I’m capable of,” he said quietly, his hand still resting on her waist. “You’ve opened my eyes, Rosalind, in more ways than one.”

Rosalind smiled at his words, her heart feeling lighter despite the weight of the conversation. “You’re going to be incredible, Alaric. I know it. And… I hope, wherever your path takes you, we’ll still be close.”

Alaric’s expression softened as he nodded. “We will be. I’ll make sure of it.”

They stood there for a moment longer, the silence between them filled with understanding.

Then, with a deep breath, Rosalind broke the moment by stepping back slightly. “I should probably dry off before I catch a cold,” she said with a small laugh, lifting her hand again to cast a drying spell.

But before she could utter the incantation, Alaric caught her hand once more, stopping her. “Not yet,” he said, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Let’s stay like this a little longer.”

Rosalind raised an eyebrow, but she smiled nonetheless. “Fine, have it your way. But don’t blame me if we both end up sneezing by the end of the night.”

Alaric chuckled and they continued walking through the grove, the dampness of their clothes becoming more tolerable as their bodies adjusted to the cool night air.

The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting soft, silver shadows across the path ahead of them. The sound of their footsteps and the gentle rustling of leaves filled the air.

“So… how does it feel being in your final year as you are about to graduate? Is it exciting or scary?”