-195- Water and Shade

"Hello, Aunt Mary asked me to give this to you."

"No, it's fine."

"Thank you very much for your kindness."

Handing the package to the bakery owner, Taliya unexpectedly received pastries from the short boss.

It was a pastry made from red dates and glutinous rice.

On the way back, Taliya joyfully ate the pastry.

She loved the food in Zaun.

Exquisite and delicious, especially these sweet pastries, were not as expensive as she imagined.

Working in the weaving shop, Taliya, after deducting the cost of staying at the inn and daily food expenses from her monthly salary, still had a lot of money left. This money would be enough to buy dozens of these delicious pastries.

And her weaving skills were at the bottom of the tribe. Those skilled weavers in the tribe, if they came to Zaun, could surely earn a lot of money.

But Taliya didn't plan to go back immediately.

Until she could completely control her magic, Taliya wouldn't go back. She knew how dangerous her abilities were.

And the outside world was also very dangerous. Zaun might look beautiful now, but who could be sure of the actual situation?

Before going to Noxus, Taliya even thought Noxus was a good country, but what was the actual situation?

Inexperienced as she was, not long after leaving the tribe, she was fooled by the praises of Noxian people. They promised to take care of her, find a powerful mage to teach her how to control magic, but they lied.

And that detestable officer.

Because she refused to use the sand and stones from the sea to overturn a ship, he threw her into the sea.

That was the first time Taliya felt despair.

Before learning about her abilities, Taliya had never experienced despair. She was just afraid, afraid that her parents would reject her because of her abilities.

But the actual situation was different. After they knew the truth, they hugged her tightly and told her not to discard the Great Weaver's gift.

To pursue this inborn ability.

Therefore, the deceived Taliya is now cautious.

The outside world. It's too terrifying!

On the way back to the inn, Taliya walked in the alley, fantasizing about everything in the future.

She first had to earn a lot of money in Zaun, and then, with that money, she would travel around the world.

She wanted to find someone who could teach her magic. Once she learned how to control magic, Taliya would immediately return to Shurima.

Although the outside world was also exciting, for Taliya, the most beautiful scenery was in Shurima.

Shurima————

The enthusiasm of the people cannot be buried by the yellow sand.

Poverty cannot crush the weavers' backbone.

The people of Shurima use their own strength to resist the harsh environment and find their own way of survival.

Of course, she loved that.

"Ow!"

Until Taliya bumped into something, and then, she woke up from her daydream.

Holding her forehead, Taliya looked at a "high wall" in front of her.

It was a man with black hair, extending his hand towards her.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

Taliya quickly apologized, shrinking back.

In an instant, Taliya remembered her time in Noxus.

Those demons would punish people mercilessly.

"Don't be afraid, I just wanted to help you up."

"Oh, thank you."

Thinking she might have angered him and was about to be hit, Taliya quickly stood up on her own.

She didn't take his hand.

She wouldn't trust strangers without reason again!

"I'm truly sorry, sir. I really didn't mean to."

Taking a step back timidly, Taliya apologized again.

"You don't need to apologize, Taliya."

"!"

"Do you... do you know me?" Taliya looked at the young man in front of her in surprise, shocked, and then said, "Are you one of Mr. Thal's workers from the merchant ship?"

"Thal" shook his head, saying, "I'm not acquainted with Mr. Thal. My name is Linwin, and I'm a... merchant?"

Linwin thought about many identities for a moment.

A councilor, Taliya probably wouldn't understand. A chef, not his primary job.

So, he used an identity he had used in Shurima.

A traveling merchant.

"Sorry, I don't seem to know you?" Taliya tried hard to recall.

She squeezed her little face hard, filled with confusion.

After careful consideration, Taliya confirmed that she hadn't seen him before.

"You don't know me?"

Linwin was puzzled. It was interesting; wasn't his name well-known in Zaun?

Even though Taliya had just arrived from Shurima, according to the conversation in the tavern with Thal and others, Taliya had been in Zaun for almost a week. A week. And she didn't know who he was?

Linwin looked at Taliya with a wry smile.

He always thought he was quite famous.

"I... I'm going back now."

Taliya bowed to Linwin, then lowered her head and was about to run past him.

"I wish you water and shade, Taliya."

"!"

After just two steps, Taliya quickly turned around, her almond-colored pupils full of shock. She opened her mouth and muttered, "Are you... are you also from Shurima?"

Wish you water and shade.

This is a blessing known only to the people of Shurima!

It's the best blessing!

In the hot desert land, water is life, and shade is happiness.

Giving you water and shade, there is no better blessing than this!

And now, in Zaun, Taliya heard this blessing.

"No, I'm not from Shurima."

"Wait a minute, how do you know?" Taliya, who had abandoned her previous caution and timidity, approached Linwin, squinting at him.

This action puzzled Linwin.

In his eyes, the previously quail-like Taliya had now. turned into a sparrow?

Calling Taliya a little sparrow was quite accurate.

You know, sparrows are bold, lively, curious, and have their own little domineering side.

Sparrows are not timid cowards.

"Yes, you can't be from Shurima; your skin is too fair. You don't seem like someone exposed to sunlight regularly."

Light brown skin, like Taliya's current skin color, is typical for the locals in Shurima.

And him...

Taliya observed Linwin for a moment.

Then, Taliya looked into his eyes, those black eyes filled with surprise.

Oh.

Oh! 

I'm having an episode again!

Taliya immediately clasped her hands together, expressing remorse. "I'm sorry, forgive my rudeness."

Linwin immediately chuckled.

Indeed, little sparrow, even if you pretend to be a quail, you'll always show your true colors.

But why did Taliya act that way earlier?

Linwin thought about it, and then it clicked.

She had been deceived by Noxians, thrown into the sea by a Noxian officer; this experience made Taliya wary.

Most of the natives in Shurima can't swim; Kai'Sa is a typical example of someone who can't.

So, being thrown into the sea, Taliya must have been terrified.

And it was this experience that made her understand the cruelty of the world.

"I wish you water and shade, I... I'm leaving!"

Taliya gave Linwin another bow.

This was the second time Taliya bowed to Linwin.

Then, turning around, the little sparrow was about to run.

"I spent a few years in Shurima; I understand Shurima."

Taliya didn't stop.

Those Noxians did the same to her before!

"I know your name, and I know where you come from."

Nonsense!

I come from Shurima!

Taliya continued running forward, covering her ears with her hands.

I won't listen, won't listen.

She won't trust strangers again!

From behind, Linwin saw Taliya's actions and smiled.

Taliya. She really is a character he likes very much.

He loves the personality of the little sparrow and the story.

Let's put it this way, how many champion can riot continuously write three extra stories about, and two of them are long?

Not many!

Therefore, Linwin is very happy.

This is the first champion he likes after Kai'Sa, not truly engaged but with a good understanding of the background and a favorable impression.

This world is real.

Powder and Vi also have their darker sides.

In an environment like Zaun, Powder and Vi can't be good guys. Linwin knew this early on, so he wouldn't blindly develop a favorable impression toward a champion.

But little sparrow is an exception.

Taliya covered her ears and ran forward, intending to run out of the alley.

Linwin walked slowly behind her, hands behind his back, and raised his voice:

"Taliya, you come from a nomadic tribe. Your tribe has been worshipping a deity called the Great Weaver for hundreds of years."

Taliya's footsteps slowed.

He... he even knows this!

He said he had been to Shurima, so did he learn all this from Dad?

Taliya stopped.

Behind her, the man named Linwin spoke again:

"You wield earth magic; you're a powerful mage."

"I can help you, Taliya."

Taliya, who had just felt joy, fell silent.

This sentence... she's too familiar with it.

The Noxians deceived her like this.

You have powerful magical talent; the mighty Noxus can help you.

But when Taliya arrived in Noxus, no one could teach her!

Their magic was evil and strange!

Turning around...

Taliya was stunned.

In front of her was a man flying high in the sky, hands behind his back, looking down at her.

Taliya raised her head, her mouth wide open.

"You... you can fly?!"

"It's simple, Taliya. I use wind magic."

Linwin raised his hand, and then Taliya shook her hands up and down, then knelt down.

But Taliya's knees didn't touch the stone floor, but instead touched the soft air.

"I can teach you how to use magic, Taliya."

Lifting Taliya to his height, Linwin said confidently.

As for the wind element...

Linwin smirked to himself, shook his head.

He suddenly thought of a wanderer who mastered the art of the sword.

This educational task should have been done by him; he was the one who awakened Taliya's abilities.

But he also plays with wind, and he is also a master of the sword.

Well, sorry Yasuo.

When we meet in the future, I'll definitely help you clear your name!

I'll even help you fight your brother!

"I... you."

The little sparrow's mouth hung wide open.

He... he really knows magic!

"This..."

Taliya, seeing Linwin effortlessly manipulating the wind, was too excited to articulate her words.

She found someone who can teach her magic!

"Please teach me how to use magic." Taliya knelt on the air, loudly addressing Linwin in front of her.

She wants to control her abilities, and then, she wants to return to Shurima.

"Of course, Taliya. I came here for that."

Taliya: ...

Great Weaver, this must be your blessing!

At this moment, Taliya thought of the tribe's deity, the Great Weaver.

This encounter, intricately woven into the tapestry of life, must be the Great Weaver's influence!

Wish you.. water and shade...