[Flashback – Long Ago]
"Ridan!!"
He winced and briefly turned his head, but he didn't stop walking. The long stone corridor echoed with Syaria's footsteps—quick, light, and kind of annoying.
"Ugh... what now?" he groaned.
His robes fluttered behind him, and dust rose with each step. Under one arm, he carried a thick spellbook, and his other hand was faintly glowing from leftover magic.
By then, everyone knew that Ridan was the strongest wizard.
But even he... couldn't stop Syaria.
She caught up and practically bounced beside him. Her long silver hair flowed like a veil in the breeze. "Come on! We're a couple now, right?"
"Yeah, so?" Ridan answered without looking at her, sounding as bored as ever.
"So why do you think couples don't need to hold hands when they walk together!?"
Ridan paused.
Then, he turned fully to face her, raising one eyebrow. "Because I need this hand to cast spells. Or burn things. Or toss people off cliffs."
