Chapter 4 - Back To Misthaven part 2

However, in the middle of the night, Asher was awakened by a hauntingly beautiful voice. He followed the melody outside and discovered Alexia singing under the moonlight, a glimpse of vulnerability in her eyes that he had not seen before.

She sat alone outside, beneath the shimmering moon, singing a beautiful romantic song that carried her heart's longing and pain.

Tears welled in her eyes, reflecting the depth of her emotions. Unbeknownst to her, Asher stood at the door, listening quietly, captivated by every word and note that flowed from her lips. When their gazes met, he quickly turned away, pretending he hadn't heard anything.

Alexia noticed him and beckoned, "Hey, come here."

Anxiously, Asher replied, "I haven't listened to anything, don't worry."

Ignoring his protest, she insisted, "So what if you had? Come here and sit down."

Reluctantly, Asher approached and took a seat.

Curious, Asher asked, "Why are you here at this time of night?"

Beneath the soft glow of the moon, Alexia hesitated for a moment before answering, "I couldn't sleep, so I decided to come here. When I can't sleep, I sing to pass the time."

A genuine smile graced Asher's face as he replied, "That's a great way to pass the time. Oh, I forgot to tell you, you have a very good voice. I couldn't take my eyes and ears off you."

A warm blush crept across Alexia's cheeks as she asked, "Thank you, but what are you doing here?"

He gently replied, his voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability, "I heard your voice, so I woke up."

Feeling a bit guilty, Alexia said, "Sorry if I disturbed you."

Asher's calm demeanor reassured her, "No, no, it's totally fine. I'm not sure if it's a good idea to tell you, but never mind."

Intrigued, she insisted, "Tell me."

With a mixture of emotions flickering in his eyes, Asher softly said, "Nothing."

Asher then got up and returned to his room, leaving Alexia lost in thought about what he wanted to share with her.

**The Next Morning**

When Asher and Henry woke up, they found Alexia was not at home. After some time, she returned with both good and bad news.

Henry replied, "Tell us the bad news first."

Alexia sadly revealed, "The bad news is that the magic festival is starting tomorrow, so we don't have much time for training."

Asher exclaimed, "Tomorrow?"

"Yes, tomorrow." Alexia replied

Henry asked for the good news, and Alexia delivered it, "The good news is that Asher has been enlisted for the magic festival, and I told them that your magic belongs to stage 5. Is that okay?"

Henry replied, "Yeah, you did great."

Excitedly, Asher asked about the match schedule, and Alexia provided the details. She cautioned him about his first match against the rock magic user, a second-time participant with unknown abilities. Asher assured her that he would use his flames cautiously.

Later that day, Asher trained diligently while Alexia ventured into the jungle to collect firewood. Every time she caught sight of Asher, her mind wandered, pondering what he wanted to tell her.

"Murmuring to herself, "Does he like me? Does he want to say that he loves me? Maybe he wants to share something with me, or maybe something else. Ah, damn! Go to hell, Asher. Why didn't you tell me?"

After dinner, Asher shared his plan with Henry, and as a result, Henry decided to turn in early due to exhaustion. As Henry went to sleep, Alexia exchanged a few words with him before he left.

"I am going to sleep early today because I am so tired and sleepy." Henry said

"Okay."

However, as Asher silently left the room without saying anything, Alexia felt the tension build. Overcome with curiosity and emotions, she followed after him.

As she stepped out of the room, Asher immediately grabbed her hand, turned her around, and pinned her against the wall. Their bodies were close, and their breaths mingled in the charged atmosphere.

Asher stared intently into her eyes, and she found herself speechless, her heart racing. Asher's heart matched the pace of her heartbeat. Then, in a tender gesture, he kissed her on the cheek, leaving her stunned and unable to ask him anything.

As the sun rose on the following day, the opening ceremony commenced on the vast grounds outside Frost Holm, known as the Arena of Death. The sky erupted with a spectacular display of fireworks, painting the horizon in vibrant colours.

Approximately 60 participants gathered for the festival, eagerly awaiting the start of the ceremony. However, Asher and his companions, Henry and Alexia, found themselves arriving late, already missing the beginning of the grand event.

Fighting against time, Asher hurriedly made his way to the arena, while Henry and Alexia managed to secure seats. Upon entering the arena, Asher was immediately struck by the heavy presence of the warriors around him.

Each participant emanated a unique magical pressure, determined by their magic stage, showcasing their power to the world. But for Asher, still inexperienced and uncertain in controlling his newfound magic, managing his own pressure was a challenge.

As Asher approached the area where the warriors were gathered, those with magic below stage 5 visibly struggled, their knees buckling under the immense magical pressure he unintentionally exuded. Confused by the reaction of those around him, Asher couldn't grasp the extent of his own strength.

After the awe-inspiring opening ceremony, the first match kicked off with a battle between a wind magic user and a water magic user. Alexia and Henry reunited with Asher, offering words of encouragement and advice.

Henry inquired, "How are you feeling?"

Asher replied, "I am okay."

Henry praised him, "Good. Stay calm and observe. Take your time, and you'll find opportunities to outmanoeuvre your opponents. Don't panic, no matter how tough it gets."

Nervously, Asher added, "I'm feeling a bit nervous."

Henry reassured him with calmness, "It's normal to feel that way, especially in your first tournament."

Blushing slightly, Alexia chimed in, "Best of luck to you! And don't hesitate to use your magic to its fullest. This is your chance to shine."

"Thank you for the best wishes," Asher gratefully replied.

As the matches progressed, the wind user emerged victorious in the first match, followed by the conclusion of the third match. Finally, the time came for the battle between Asher and Maggot, a formidable rock magic user...

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