XI: Patience is an essential baking ingredient.

The next day, Gress took it upon himself to oversee the creation of elaborate costumes, ensuring each guild member looked their absolute best. He organized additional rehearsals for the bards, refining their music to perfection, and collaborated with the House of Versare to polish their performance. Drawing from his personal vault, he even procured extra props for the float, transforming it into a dazzling spectacle guaranteed to leave a lasting impression.

Despite his initial doubts, Gress thrived in his role as leader. The guild members, inspired by his determination, worked tirelessly to bring his vision to life. It was the first time in years they had seen him take charge since Exousia was founded.

As the day of the parade approached, Gress couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. He had taken a risk, defied Serys and Rieze's expectations, and poured his heart and soul into making their entry unforgettable.

"Wow, Gress. I'll admit, I'm impressed," Serys said, sipping tea as she watched the dress rehearsals from the sidelines. Her recovery had left her with a relaxed glow that matched her tone.

"I didn't think you had it in you," Rieze added, smirking.

"Someone had to step up around here," Gress replied, arms crossed, wearing a smug grin.

The adventurers moved across the field in perfectly synchronized formations, their costumes a striking blend of Exousia's signature black and red. Gress clapped his hands in time with their steps, counting down as they shifted into coordinated poses.

"I appreciate this. I know you never meant to fall sick, but it set everything in place. He's never worked this hard in his life… Who knew a prince had it in him?" Heena whispered to Serys between bites of her favorite strawberry dessert.

"Well, it was worth it. I guess I returned the favor?" Serys mused.

"A deal is a deal," Heena responded.

"And what are you two ladies conspiring about?" Gress asked, raising a curious brow. "Get back to your places!"

~~

Once fully recovered, Serys returned to her bakery to find an eagerly awaited shipment: crates filled with wind and ice clusters. These magical components were widely used by crafters and artisans to create everything from tools to enchanted wares. While basic clusters were abundant in natural formations like mines, caves, and mountain peaks, more refined types required advanced cultivation techniques. Crystals and shards—labor-intensive and mana-draining to produce—were far more expensive, making clusters the economical choice.

Serys, however, had found unique ways to combine their properties. Her freezing room relied on a blend of wind and ice clusters to circulate cool air, with fire and water crystals added sparingly to regulate the temperature. Her oven worked similarly, using fire and wind crystals for heat while water and earth clusters stabilized and controlled it. This ingenuity had become the backbone of her bakery's operations, and now it would play a role in their parade centerpiece.

With the festival fast approaching, Serys turned her focus to crafting a showstopping centerpiece for their float—a creation that would not only promote her bakery but also showcase the guild's creativity. The arrival of the most important ingredient had just made everything possible.

She and Gress had brainstormed the concept weeks ago during a quiet afternoon in the bakery.

"It has to stop people in their tracks," Rieze had said, leaning back in his chair.

"You're not just representing your bakery but also the guild's talents," Gress had added. "It must be edible, stunning, and fit the summer festival theme."

"Something vibrant and refreshing," Serys mused, resting her chin in her hand.

Their planning session was interrupted when Iona walked past, holding what appeared to be a chunk of ice stuck to a spoon.

"That looks… interesting," Gress said, intrigued.

"It's just my tea," Iona explained with a sheepish smile. "I left it in the freezing room to cool, but I got busy and forgot about it. Now it's frozen solid."

"Mind if I try?" Gress asked, flashing a grin no one could refuse.

"Be my guest. I'm not eating that."

He took the spoon and began licking the frozen tea like a popsicle. His expression brightened. "This is amazing! It reminds me of the flavored snow Rieze's mother made for us during the winter solstice."

Serys broke off a piece with a knife, tasting it thoughtfully. The tea had a honeyed sweetness with a citrus twist.

"I didn't know you liked your tea sweet and sour, Iona," Serys said.

"I don't like rock-hard food, though. It's Gress's now," Iona quipped.

An idea struck Serys like lightning. Across the table, Gress's green eyes lit up with similar inspiration.

"I think we're on the same page," he said, grinning.

"Oh? If I ask you to join me in the kitchen, would you know what we're making?" Serys teased.

"When it comes to eating, I'm your man—uh, your elf," Gress said, puffing out his chest.

Rieze leaned in, looking lost. "What exactly is going on?"

"They're thinking of making some kind of iced dessert," Iona replied, rolling her eyes.

The following days were a whirlwind of experimentation. Serys combined fruits, teas, and syrups with varying ratios of ice and wind clusters, creating an array of frozen confections. Gress became her eager taste tester, while customers were treated to samples in exchange for feedback. The process was exhausting, and her relentless testing took its toll. The constant shifts between her freezing room and the oven left her drained, leading to her illness. But in the end, her efforts—and everyone else's—paid off. The guild felt confident their parade entry would be a triumph.

On the evening before the parade, the guild gathered outside to admire the float—a breathtaking amalgamation of their collective work.

"Whatever happens, I'm proud of us," Rieze said, taking in the sight.

"You better be! I think I spent half my coffer on this," Gress muttered, looking a little pale at the thought.

"We told you not to go overboard," Serys teased, patting his shoulder. "But for what it's worth, this will be the best entry in our guild's history."

Every member, from seasoned veterans to newcomers, had contributed to the float's creation—crafting decorations, sewing costumes, perfecting their music. Whether or not they won the crowd's favor, they had already achieved something special together.

"That's it, everyone," Rieze called out, his voice steady yet warm. "Let's all get a decent sleep. Tomorrow is the challenge we've been working for, and I want you all well-rested and ready."

A ripple of agreement spread through the guild. Their faces glowed with anticipation and shared excitement as they exchanged cheerful goodnights before heading to their quarters. The air buzzed with the promise of the day to come.