Lia really surprised him.... But she also shocked!!

"It's taking a while, isn't it, Lia?" Aether asked, his tone filled with a mix of curiosity and slight impatience.

Though he was blindfolded, his other senses were heightened. The distant murmur of people and the tantalizing aroma of street food drifted through the air, painting a vivid picture of a bustling, lively place.

It was clear they weren't anywhere near the academy.

Lia turned to him, a playful smile dancing on her lips. Instead of answering his question directly, she asked, "Tell me something... I'm your friend, right?"

Aether's brow furrowed in confusion at the sudden shift in the conversation, "Of course, you are, Lia," he replied, sincerity evident in his voice, "Why would you even need to ask something like that?" His confusion deepened, and he couldn't help but wonder what had prompted this unexpected question.