The afternoon sun hung high in the sky, casting long shadows over the orphanage as the scent of freshly cooked food filled the air.
Inside, Werf and Jil sat at the wooden table, their bodies sore from training, but their spirits high. Tomorrow, they would turn six—a milestone they had been waiting for.
Hild set down three steaming bowls of stew, the rich aroma of meat and herbs making their stomachs rumble. Fenr, curled up beneath the table, sniffed the air expectantly.
"Eat up," Hild said, sitting across from them. "You'll need the energy for tonight."
Jil eagerly grabbed her spoon and dug in. "What's happening tonight?" she asked between mouthfuls.
Hild smirked, sipping from her bowl. "You two have trained hard. If everything goes well, you might break into the Mid Nervous System stage."
Werf, though equally as hungry, slowed his eating. "So tonight's medicinal bath is important?"
Hild nodded. "Very. I'll be heading out soon to hunt for the ingredients."
Werf and Jil exchanged a determined look before finishing their meal. After cleaning up, Hild grabbed her hunting gear and headed toward the door. "I'll be back before sundown. Don't slack off while I'm gone."
They watched her leave, then turned to each other with excitement. "We should get everything ready," Werf said. "We'll need to buy ingredients for dinner."
Jil nodded eagerly, and with Fenr trotting beside them, they set off for the market.
The city streets were alive with activity. Merchants shouted their wares, children ran past carrying fresh-baked pastries, and the scent of roasted meats and spiced cider lingered in the air. Werf and Jil navigated through the bustling crowd, discussing their impending breakthrough.
"If we really reach the Mid Nervous System stage tonight, things are gonna feel even crazier than last time," Jil said, bouncing on her feet with excitement.
Werf nodded, adjusting the cloth headband wrapped around his forehead. "Yeah, Hild said the world slows down when adrenaline kicks in. That means we'll react faster, see things clearer."
Jil grinned. "I can't wait!"
As they stopped at the vegetable stall, Jil's eyes drifted to Werf's headband. She reached out and tugged at the fabric lightly, noticing how frayed the edges had become. "Your headband's already getting worn out," she said.
Werf glanced at it. "Yeah, guess training with Hild is rough."
Jil hesitated before asking, "Do we have enough money for me to get one too?"
Werf pulled out their coin pouch and counted the savings. Thanks to the extra copper coins Hild always gave them for shopping, they had managed to save up four silver coins over the past months.
"We have more than enough," Werf said, grinning. "Let's go get you one."
Jil's face lit up, and they made their way to the familiar fabric stall. The merchant, a kind old man with a thick white beard, greeted them warmly.
"What can I get you two today?"
Jil scanned the neatly folded fabrics before pointing at a soft pink headband. "That one!"
Werf then glanced at Fenr, whose ears perked up curiously. Smirking, he pointed at a white headband. "And one for him too."
The merchant chuckled. "Matching headbands, eh? That'll be twenty copper for both."
Werf handed over the coins, and Jil excitedly tied her new headband around her forehead. "How do I look?"
Werf smirked. "Like you're ready to win every fight."
Fenr woofed as Jil secured his headband around his fluffy neck. He shook his body, then pranced proudly through the market with his new accessory.
Laughing, the three made their way back to the orphanage, the excitement of the night ahead buzzing between them.