Part-255

  As the afternoon wore on and the sun began to set, James couldn’t help but wonder what other ges y ahead for him. He was stronger now, yes, but the path forward seemed more uain than ever. Would his rength be enough for what was i? And what role, if any, would people like Mili or even Toya py in his future?

  Only time would tell.

  ---

  The evening sky was a cascade of purples and es as James left Mili’s house, the sun dipping behind the distant skyline. His mind was still swirling with thoughts from their study session—Mili’s suddeion about love, her iious ughter, and the lingering warmth of her teasing. He chuckled softly, shaking his head as he shoved his hands into his pockets and started the familiar walk home.

  The quiet streets of the neighborhood gave him a sense of fort, the hum of the distant city blending with the rhythm of his footsteps. But as he turhe er, a figure caught his attention.

  Lemon.

  The man stood there, arms hanging loosely at his sides, his eyes log onto James. Both were now about the same height—Lemon had always been tall, but with James’ ret growth spurt, they were nearly eye-to-eye, a ge that uled James for reasons he couldn’t quite pce. Despite the shared height, Lemon still carried that air of menace, a coiled energy waiting to strike. The faint mplight cast sharp shadows on his face, making him look maunt than usual.

  James stiffened instinctively, his mind already preparing for a potential frontation. His sword wasn't with him—it was stored safely bae—but even without it, he could still defend himself if need be. Lemon had always been uable, and James didn’t trust him for a sed. He slowed his pace, watg carefully for any sudden movements.

  But to his surprise, Lemon didn’t lu him or even seem ied in a fight. Instead, he walked past James without a sed gnce, spitting on the pavement as he muttered to himself, "God knows whose face I saw this m. I’m having such a bad day."

  James blinked, momentarily caught off guard by Lemon’s plete ck of i. He turned his head slightly, watg the man walk away, his broad shoulders slouched, his steps zy but deliberate. There was no aggression in his posture, no tricks, no threats. It was almost… normal.

  “Still, he gives me a bad feeling,” James thought, his eyes narrowing. “It’s like the calm before the storm. He’s definitely plotting something.” He shook his head, trying to push aside the gnawing sense of unease. Lemon wasn’t someone you could take lightly, and James knew better than to lower his guard, even if the man seemed harmless at the moment.

  As Lemon disappeared dowreet, James sighed and tinued walking, his thoughts now split between Lemon’s strange behavior and the weight of his own growing responsibilities. The dungeon, his swordsmanship, the whole charade with Toya—everything seemed to be piling up.