After finishing a series of tasks, Elliris truly wanted to have a good relax.
The entertainment in this medieval western fantasy world was still too scarce; she missed the neon lights and nightlife of her previous modern life. Besides, she was surrounded by young girls, and the rowdy places in this world were mostly unsuitable for children. Such places were off-limits to beautiful young girls.
To find a place to visit, she had Sophia scout ahead. The Lake of Heaven near the summit of the Peak of Phantoms was an excellent tourist spot highly recommended by the explorers of Sindar Town. To be honest, Elliris did not want to climb a mountain, but she agreed under Sophia’s strong pleading. After all, traveling to find beautiful scenery could also cleanse the soul and cultivate one’s character.
***
Finally, the day of departure arrived. Sophia was well-prepared, having brought cold-resistant and heat-resistant cloaks, a cold-resistant tent, climbing axes, a magic compass, lighting crystals, and climbing ropes—everything was ready. Meanwhile, Elliris and Nino prepared a large amount of ingredients and desserts, even bringing seasonings and a grill.
The three of them set off early in the morning, but with two gasping weaklings, Sophia could not go as fast as she wanted. To speed things up, she carried the equipment and supplies in both hands, carrying a tired Elliris on her back for a while, and then carrying a tired Nino for another stretch. She was practically a superhuman!
By noon, the three finally reached the Lake of Heaven.
On a flat area below the summit of the Peak of Phantoms sat the Lake of Heaven, looking as if the drifting clouds and shattered golden sunlight of the sky had all sunk into it, like the sky had fallen into the heart of the lake. Many unknown dew-covered water plants grew along the shore. When a gentle breeze blew, the petals of the plants shook off fine fluorescent light. When the light hit the water, it rippled away, instantly turning into translucent scales of light. It was truly a breathtaking scene. There were also folk legends saying that the Lake of Heaven was as calm as a mirror and could reflect the soul form of its visitors.
This part felt a bit like the urban legends from Elliris’s modern society. Elliris approached the water and tried to let it reflect her soul form. Previously, when Nino and Sophia came over, nothing unusual happened. Driven by curiosity, she had to try it now.
For a brief moment, she saw two white spirits, seemingly a man and a woman holding hands. Soon after, it turned into a female spirit the same height as herself. That was her soul form.
??
‘Well, as expected, I’m still in this situation…’ Elliris thought. ‘No wonder Brother Ai Lei’s consciousness still pops up from time to time… Is this reflection that only appears for me trying to explain something?’
Nino naturally did not notice, but this subtle detail caught Sophia’s attention. As her childhood friend from her previous life who had transmigrated here along with Elliris, Sophia naturally understood what was going on with Elliris’s soul form. With the corners of her mouth curling up, Sophia looked at Elliris with an expression that seemed to say: “I, Sophia, already understand everything~”
Elliris put her index finger to her lips, making a “shhh” gesture toward Sophia, who nodded with a light, graceful smile.
“Let’s go, Nino. Those folk legends are all fake after all. Didn’t you two try it too? Nothing happened,” Elliris said to Nino, trying to change the subject.
Nino eventually noticed Elliris gesturing to Sophia and the two of them smiling at each other, but she did not know the meaning behind it. Little Nino, do you have many questions?
‘As expected, the relationship between Sister Elliris and Sister Sophia is something I can’t reach…’ Feeling like an outsider, Nino was unwilling to give up. Her heart cheered herself on. ‘No!’ Nino thought. ‘After Sister Sophia leaves in a while, I have to be more proactive. Yes!’
Win!
***
It was already noon, so the three quickly began preparing lunch. Since they brought a grill, they were naturally going to have a picnic. They took out various ingredients, set up the grill, and prepared for the BBQ!
Sophia spent a long time setting up, and then everyone began their self-service barbecue. The charcoal fire was burning bright, with red flames dancing amidst fine grey ash. Meat skewers on the grill sizzled with oil, and occasionally grease would drip into the coals, kicking up sparks and releasing a charred aroma.
Sprinkling cumin and crushed peppers made the fragrance even stronger. Elliris shook her head dismissively because she saw Sophia holding her right hand high, elbow bent, rubbing the seasonings together in that memetic soul-sprinkling move. However, the quality of the food was undeniable. After all, Sophia was a genuine little chef.
‘I really want time to stop here. I want more happy times like this…’ Elliris thought. ‘Setting aside all destiny and mission, we are just ordinary girls, nothing more.’
While they were eating well, it did not take long for Nino to develop some mischievous ideas. Seeing Sophia munching away and enjoying the delicious food, she suddenly ran over, snatched all the skewers from Sophia’s hand, and bolted.
“Well now, Little Nino, you’ve certainly gained some skills lately. You dare to bully me?” Sophia did not get angry but spoke with a playful tone as she chased after Nino.
“Haha! Come and catch me, Sister Sophia! If you don’t, I’ll finish all your grilled meat!” Nino intentionally sped up her eating, making Sophia a bit anxious.
Sophia and Nino then began a game of cat and mouse around a discarded fence. Later, as they chased each other, they dragged Elliris into it. The battle turned into Elliris spreading her arms to protect Nino, blocking Sophia.
An eagle catching chicks? Elliris played along with a dark expression. She felt like a young mother playing with two daughters who refused to grow up.
—
After the three finished lunch and cleaned up, Nino suggested washing up in the Lake of Heaven since everyone had sweated a lot from climbing the mountain all morning. After the three girls nodded in agreement, Nino went to wash first.
Now was the private time for the Omnia sisters sitting in the shade of a tree. The two resting in the shade were shielded from the direct noon sun, preventing sunburn on their faces. The sunlight falling on the girls felt warm and cozy.
Sophia was still keeping the news of her upcoming long journey a secret from Elliris; she likely would not return to the First Continent for two or three years. Taking advantage of their time alone, Sophia became increasingly bold, knowing her time was limited.
“I really want to have Elliris all to myself… Is it okay if I don’t continue being childhood friends…? Shall we end the childhood friend relationship and take a step further?” Sophia whispered softly near Elliris’s ear.
Sophia and Elliris sat back-to-back, and then Sophia leaned her weight back against Elliris, pressing Elliris’s chest almost against her bent legs.
Elliris lowered her head bashfully and muttered, “Isn’t the childhood friend relationship fine… Is it really okay for girls to be like that?”
“Do you know why I always rub your face, Ellie? Sometimes your personality is like a stupid loli.” Sophia turned around, poking Elliris’s cheek with her finger, and said with a smile.
“Cough, ack! Say that again! Who are you calling a stupid loli?!” At the mention of that word, Elliris flared up in anger.
“Haven’t you felt it yourself yet? My, Ellie is still as dense as in our previous life~” Sophia’s nose wrinkled slightly as she giggled.
“I—Even if I’ve turned into a girl, my heart is still that of a man, dammit!”
Elliris began her sophistry again, but no matter how she argued, she could not hide the fact that her cheeks were flushed crimson.
‘What on earth is happening…’ Elliris thought. ‘Every time I bring up this topic with this person, my mood becomes strange, like this…’
“Ellie, whether you are a boy or a girl, you know my answer.” Sophia stopped smiling and spoke with a calm gaze.
Sophia whispered that sentence bashfully, and even just by reading her lips, Elliris understood what she meant.