Promise of a Date (2)

Although Shui could only see Lisa as excited, she was also hiding her anxiety. Due to his fight and his budding connections with the elders, Shui's popularity had skyrocketed. Although no one had approached him yet, based on what she was hearing it wouldn't be long before she had some intense competition.

'That's why I have get an advantage now while I still can.'

Clyde had also started training more recently, so Lisa didn't have to worry about him as much and could focus on getting Shui to like her.

"Since you haven't been here long, I thought I should give you a little tour."

"Oh, thanks."

As he indeed lacked knowledge about the city, Shui was grateful for Lisa's offer. Though she wanted to show off how close they were, it would be troublesome if such news reached Clyde's ears before she sealed the deal so she led him through a discreet path to leave the manor. Once they were outside, she slightly retreated from his arm but held his hand instead. Shui could tell what she was planning, but he figured he could indulge her at this level.

Silver City could be split into five sections, where four sections surrounded the central section. There was one section for each of the three top average-level forces, one section for the weaker forces and common people, and the central section for the mayoral clan. Storm Sky Manor was in the northwestern section, Trius, and had the most combat-related facilities. Although blacksmiths gathered in the southwestern section, Latius, where the Lava Stream Sect held sway, spells, cultivation methods and fighting competitions were mainly seen in Trius. Lisa usually went to the southeastern section, Prima, where Maiden Academy was, but she figured Shui would be more interested in the stores in Trius.

Though Shui had access to seemingly never-ending knowledge held by the Site of Gathering Wisdom, there were times when he wanted to know something but he didn't know what it was until he saw it. At times like those visiting the stores selling various spells, cultivation methods and arcane techniques could be beneficial in providing the crucial hint. As he still wasn't sure about how to manifest his flame through the Four Elements Technique, he planned to visit again to find some clues.

During their leisurely tour, there were a few times when merchants and other folk referred to Lisa as Lady or Young Lady. A part of Shui wondered if this was a setup, but he still showed interest and asked her about it.

"Oh, it's nothing special, my family just has some influence in the city. You see, a few of our ancestors have held important positions in Maiden Academy and the city's administration so we've built up our prestige over time. I was also supposed to join Maiden Academy but it just didn't fit me."

"I see. Are you still on good terms with your family."

"For the most part. My mother can nag a bit but I know she's just worried about me."

"That's nice."

"What about you? How's your family?"

"They're dead, mostly."

"Oh..."

Lisa knew that she had just stepped on a landmine so her pupils shifted franticly as she tried to come up with a good response.

"You don't have to worry, I've already made peace with it in a sense."

Even with his assurance, Lisa didn't completely seem okay, but that fact escaped him until he noticed that she had stopped talking.

"Lisa?"

"Ah, yes?"

"Are you okay?"

"O-of course. I was just thinking about something. Let's go."

Lisa tried to return to her previous cheerful self, but in her daze she had ended up bringing Shui near the border between Trius and Latius. Though it was called a border, there was nothing physically separating the two areas, but for cultivators, the border was a place to memorize due to the relationship between Storm Sky Manor and the Lava Stream Sect. If Lisa had noticed earlier she would have quickly turned around, but it was too late as a group of Lava Stream Sect disciples in their blazing red outfits had spotted them.

"Oi, what are you manor rats doing here?"

Lisa grimaced when she heard that voice, but she turned to face the group in hope of finding a peaceful resolution so that the date could continue.

"Sorry, we must have made a wrong turn. We'll leave now."

Shui saw no need to be afraid of the group, but he also figured that it was fine to avoid trouble so he followed Lisa's lead. Unfortunately, the group wasn't satisfied with simply chasing them out.

"Wait! Even if it was an accident, since you crossed into our side, don't you think you should pay the price?"

With those words, Lisa knew that her attempt had failed.

'Damn it! And after I tried so hard to make everything go well...'

Shui wasn't sure what Lisa was thinking when he saw her expression turn grim, but now that it had come to this he chose to make a move. He gently squeezed her hand to get Lisa's attention and then lightly poked her cheek.

"Don't worry. I promised you a date, so I won't let anyone ruin it."

In response to the devilishly charming face that came close and the soft touch on her cheek, Lisa blushed so hard that even the tip of ears seemed red, and nodded meekly.

"Okay."

"Oi! Are you making fun of us?"

The Lava Stream Sect group consisted of both men and women, but they all felt annoyed by the display of affection before them. One of them even went as far as to shoot a fire spell to separate the two. Shui deflected the fireball with a reflection barrier so the spell returned to the group. A single normal barrier was enough to defend against it, but it still didn't look good to have their attack sent back at them. Fights between cultivators were strictly banned in the public areas of the city, but at this point the group simply resolved to have their elders clean up the mess they would make.

Shui noticed their rising resolve and positioned himself in front of Lisa.

"Stay next to me."

"Yes."

Lisa was almost at the late Soul Realm while only two members of the opposing group had slightly higher cultivations so she could surely contribute to the battle, but Shui planned on handling this by himself and since she knew of his strength, Lisa was glad to be the protected princess.

The Lava Stream Sect disciples couldn't understand why Shui, who seemed to have the lower cultivation, was the one taking the lead, but it pissed them off even more. After spending a short period coming up with a plan, they quickly surrounded the two to block off their escape routes and prevent any outside interference. A different pair would be feeling the pressure by now, but Shui was aloof while Lisa kept her eyes on him with a starstruck expression.

'Damn it! I'll definitely make them regret making fun of us!'