Tale of a Hedonistic wizard
Chapter 96 - 96: I didn't know

And Jaegar, his battle-scarred frame immersed in the tranquil depths, savored the sensations that rippled across his skin. The lagoon's magic seemed to penetrate even the deepest recesses of his wearied form, igniting a subtle vitality within him. As he reclined in the water, he stared at the night sky.

There was a veil of mist that permeated the layer, covering them and making them invisible in the mist.

Minutes could have been hours, and yet the stillness of the moment allowed for reflection.

As the morning sun began to pierce through the dissipating mist, a new day unfolded over the tranquil lake. Ivar's departure was as silent as his presence had been, leaving behind only the lingering echoes of his aura.

On his noble wolf, he vanished into the horizon without a word or glance back, leaving Jaegar to wonder about his motives.

With Ivar's absence, the stillness of the morning was amplified, allowing the lake's ethereal qualities to be more pronounced.

Jaegar continued to linger in the soothing waters, allowing the embrace of the lagoon to envelop his senses. The sun's ascent cast a golden hue across the serene waters, illuminating the mist in a dance of light and shadow.

Eventually, as the morning continued its gentle march, Jaegar emerged from the waters, the lagoon's magic having worked its restorative effects on his being. He stepped onto the shore, his skin glistening in the sunlight. his hair was wet with droplets of water. Jaegar took a deep breath, feeling rejuvenated after his time in the lagoon.

As he ran his fingers through his damp hair, a sense of tranquility washed over him.

Unknown to him, that woman had also come out of the water and noticed him. Her eyes stayed on him for a brief moment before she moved on.

Then he began to don his clothes, taking in the breathtaking vista that lay before him.

Then he noticed the woman engaged in the process of dressing herself a couple of meters away from him. As their eyes met, an unexpected smile graced her lips, a fleeting expression.

Jaegar's eyes lingered on her, appreciating her striking appearance amidst the natural beauty of the surroundings.

With each article of clothing that Jaegar donned, he turned his back to her.

Finishing his dressing, he turned to find her standing behind him, her gaze unwavering.

Startled by her proximity, Jaegar's words tumbled forth, "Damn! When did you get here?" His surprise was evident, and his voice betrayed a hint of sheepishness.

Her demeanour was unyielding as she responded, her voice carrying a blissful timbre. "You didn't notice?"

Jaegar approached her, a sense of both fascination and caution mingling in his gaze. "No," he admitted, his eyes studying her in an attempt to understand the woman who had suddenly become an integral part of his morning solitude.

Unperturbed by the distance that separated them, she seemed to hold her ground with an air of confidence, her features partially obscured by the shadow of her tunic's hood. With a slight shift in her tone, she inquired, "Where did your friend go?" Her question was straightforward, her eyes searching for any trace of insight.

Jaegar's reply came without hesitation, "I don't know, and he isn't my friend." The words carried a hint of detachment.

"You fought well," she complimented out of the blue.

Jaegar's response was modest, brushing off the commendation with, "Well, I only helped a little."

Curiosity had been gnawing at Jaegar's thoughts since he first laid eyes on her. As the sun's rays gently caressed the landscape around them, he finally voiced the question that had lingered in his mind: "Who are you?"

"Wait, you don't know me. I was standing right on the platform where you arrived last." Her response carried a blend of surprise and amusement.

Jaegar's brows furrowed in confusion, the puzzle pieces slowly aligning. "So, you're from one of the academies? How come you're carrying a sword?" His query was laced with genuine intrigue as he tried to reconcile her appearance with the norms he had observed.

Her response was accompanied by a scoff, the dismissal evident in her tone, "What, shouldn't we use one if we want to?" Her disregard for conventional expectations reflected a certain independence that intrigued Jaegar even further.

As he scratched his head, a sheepish grin played at the corners of Jaegar's lips. "You can. I just didn't know that academies allowed one to use it."

"And I didn't notice you on the platform."

With a playful glint in her eyes, she remarked, "Yeah, I saw your entrance. You seemed quite occupied." The lighthearted banter between them carried a hint of openness, a shared recognition of the unpredictability of their first encounter.

Jaegar's curiosity extended to the presence of others, "Did anyone else come here?"

She confirmed his suspicion, "Yes, but no one would stay here this long." Her words carried a sense of finality as if the gravity of the place could only be endured for a finite period.

With a sense of departure in the air, she indicated their eventual parting, "That said, I will take my leave. If fate allows, we will meet again." Her words held an air of mystery, leaving a lingering sense of anticipation in their wake. With that, she turned and started to walk away, her figure gradually becoming a silhouette against the backdrop of the isle's breathtaking landscape.

For some reason, he sensed that this woman wasn't who she really was. And the way she held the sword, she definitely an expert.

Left to his thoughts, Jaegar watched her retreating form before eventually deciding to move as well. As he began to leave the shores of the dragon's lagoon, he decided to deal with her if he met her again.

The competition was set to span five days, a challenge of survival and strategy where the one who amassed the highest count of kills would emerge victorious. The prospect of the upcoming days filled with trials and uncertainties loomed ahead, mingling with the echoes of an encounter that had left its mark upon the fabric of this mysterious isle.