40: Forest Date

Chapter 40: Forest date

**Entering the Forest:**

Under the canopy of ancient trees, Synoh led Captain Elara through the dense forest towards the ominous tunnel entrance. The moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.

**Captain Elara:** (teasingly) So, Synoh, about earlier... this is really a date, isn't it? (blushes)

**Synoh:** (nervously chuckling) Yeah, I guess it is. It's actually my first date. (laughs nervously)

Captain Elara seized the opportunity to tease him further.

**Captain Elara:** So, you've never been on a date with another woman before? That's surprising.

**Synoh:** (blushing slightly) Well, who wouldn't be nervous when they're on a date with a beautiful girl like you?

**Captain Elara:** (blushing and smiling) You're too kind, Synoh. You're the one who suggested this was a date, so you must take responsibility for making me blush like this. (flirtatiously)

**Synoh:** (blushing deeper) I will. Um, by the way, have you been on many dates before?

**Captain Elara:** (reflectively) Actually, I have. There was a guy from the academy where I studied. He always confessed his feelings to me, but at that time, I was fully focused on becoming a knight, so I didn't really have time for romance. Eventually, I agreed to go on a date with him just once because he really wanted it. It was kind of fun, but afterwards, he told me he only asked me out to win a bet with his friend. It hurt me quite a bit, and after that, I pretty much forgot about love.

**Synoh:** (sympathetically) That's... really not cool.

**Captain Elara:** (dismissively) Oh, don't worry about it. I've moved past that now.

**Synoh:** (smiling) Yeah, so this is your second date then. A forest date. (chuckles)

**Captain Elara:** (laughing) And it's your first date ever! (laughs along with Synoh)

As they continued through the forest, their conversation shifted to reminiscing about their academy days.

**Captain Elara:** (proudly) You know, Synoh, you really turned things around back then. From being bullied to proving everyone wrong... It's like something out of a cliché story.

**Synoh:** (grinning) Yeah, well, sometimes clichés are based on real life, right? And you, becoming a healer capable of using basic magic from every element... That's quite the plot twist.

**Captain Elara:** (smiling warmly) Thank you. It took a lot of hard work, but it was worth it.

Their laughter and conversation echoed through the quiet forest as they walked, drawing closer to the entrance of the tunnel where mysteries awaited.