Chapter 35- Have Fun (Part 1)
*BANG*
Rize launched another powerful punch that pushed Venera several steps back. His raw strength had increased severalfold as the years went by and as his training intensified. His physical ability was far beyond his age, even for a normal human.
Rize, however, wasn't simply strong; he was also incredibly fast. Geralt wanted him to be a killing machine, ready to effectively deal with any problem on the spot without any mistakes. That was why he was sent to the forest, why he sparred and trained like a maniac every single day of his life without a break.
He learned everything there is to learn about the art of fighting, and now that he was at that age, he was simply honing that power to another level.
What Rize didn't even realize was that his eyes had shifted during that spar. From the usually bored albeit curious look to a far more sinister one. The look he would have when fighting for his life in that forest against its abominations. The look of a lethal killer that has no mercy. The look of the monster Geralt had created.
'Hm?' Venera's eyes turned colder when she noticed that. She could tell that the casual spar was turning into something more serious. Rize was getting too much into it.
However, even then, she didn't call for the fight to stop. Instead, she took a step forward as she faced him. She was no quitter or coward. She was certainly not going to let him defeat her or admit defeat. Her ambitions were far bigger than this; she could not let it happen.
*BOOOM*
Rize's fist barely missed Venera as she tilted her head before she punched Rize in the side when she saw the opening. However, the boy was barely affected by the hit as he launched his other hand, grabbing her arm as he twisted it and pulled her in.
'He's fast!' Her eyes widened as she realized what he was trying to do. Instantly, she flipped her body as she launched a swinging elbow to his face. At the same time, Rize used his now free left hand as he aimed a punch at Venera's face.
*Swish*
Their attacks only stopped at the very last second, merely inches away from contact as they stared at each other.
"Hah… Hah… Hah…"
"Hah… Hah… Hah…"
They were breathing heavily, their eyes wide and dilated from the sheer adrenaline. Even though their faces were merely inches away from each other, they didn't move for a moment, trying to comprehend what just happened.
Rize's sharp, killer eyes slowly regained clarity as he realized what he just did. Instantly, he released Venera.
"I'm sorry…" He said with a confused look. 'I really got a bit too into it there. What if I actually punched her in the face? That would be horrible.'
"Don't… Worry about it. I'm sorry too." Venera said. 'What happened there? It felt like we both entered a different state of mind…'
Venera had never experienced something like that before. It was oddly satisfying and intense, but… still very odd.
"We've gone a bit too far, didn't we?" Rize asked.
"Yeah, I would say so. But…" Venera looked at him. "You have really grown so much stronger, Rize."
"You too… I'm really amazed."
"..."
The awkward silence submerged the place again as the two tried to understand what to do next.
"Hm…" Venera looked at him for a second as an idea popped into her head. An idea she hadn't even thought about earlier. Her eyes widened slightly before she pursed her lips. 'This might truly be the way… I have no other possibility. Rize might be exactly what I need at the moment.'
"Say, Rize," Venera said.
"Yes?"
"Are you free tomorrow morning?" She asked.
"Mmm, yes, of course… I'm now at your service. Wherever you want me to go, I will go." He said.
"..." She squinted her eyes as she walked to him.
Rize expected her to ask him something important, or do a hard task. His body tensed and his eyes widened, ready to hear his first ever mission.
"Say. How about we go to the amusement park?" She asked.
"..." Rize was stunned for a second. "The amusement park?"
***
*Next Morning*
Rize stood at the gates of the palace, waiting patiently with a confused look on his face.
'She said we are going to the amusement park, but why?' Rize frowned. 'This was definitely not a part of the story, and even if it is, it was not mentioned, if I remember correctly. Is this… maybe… a date?'
Just thinking about that, Rize felt a chill run down his spine. He was unable to sleep properly last night, thinking about the implications of what Venera said. He was terrified that it was indeed a date and that Venera had already started to like him.
'Why am I even scared that the prettiest girl in the world and the princess of the strongest nation in the world would fall in love with a nobody like me?' He shook his head as he yawned.
"Surely not… right?"
"Surely not what?"
"Agh!" Rize jumped in his place as he heard a voice speak behind him. Looking back, it was Venera. She was clad in jeans and a hoodie that covered her head.
"Can you please not jump scare me every time you come to me?"
"Haha, what? You were so deep in thought that you didn't even notice me walking to you. I even called for you a few times from afar. What were you thinking so deeply about?" She asked.
"... Uh, n-nothing…" Rize looked away. "So, you told me to wear a hoodie too so we stay under the radar, right?"
"Exactly. It would be a lot easier to move like this. We two stand out too much. Anyway, we don't have time to waste… Let's go."
With that, the two walked out of the Palace on foot. Venera didn't want to take the car because it would make them stand out.
"Yeah. So, ummm, Venera?" Rize asked.
"Yeah?"
"Why… Why are we going to the amusement park?" He asked.
"Why not?" She asked. "Do you hate the amusement park?"
"What? No, I'm just…"
"Well, then there is no problem. Come on, we are going to take a taxi." She said as she called for a taxi coming their way. Getting inside, she told the driver the destination.
'She really wants us to go on a date! Yup, this is done for! I'm so screwed!!!' Rize fought the urge to grab his head and panic. Instead, he sank into his bed and tried to remain calm. 'Or, or, maybe she just wanted to go to the amusement park and just needed someone to tag along with her to not feel lonely. Yes! Yes! That must be it!'
Realizing that possibility, Rize suddenly gained hope again. He nodded his head and looked at Venera. She seemed quite spirited that day… Even her face had a faint smile on it, something she rarely does.
Her eyes were sparkling as if she were a kid going to her favorite place. That look stunned Rize before all his worry vanished out the window. All he could imagine was the excitement Venera had going there.
'Sigh, I should stop overthinking things… And have fun for the first damn time in my life.' He thought to himself.