Chapter 182: More Than Just a Meal
The streets of Valon were calm, painted in the golden light of early afternoon. Shops were alive with the sounds of casual conversation, and the scent of grilled meat drifted through the warm summer air.
Noel and Selene walked side by side, keeping a steady pace. The silence between them wasn’t awkward—just natural. Still, it was Selene who spoke first.
"...You walk slower than I expected."
Noel glanced at her, slightly surprised she initiated conversation at all. "Maybe I’m just enjoying the sun."
Selene looked ahead. "It’s too hot."
Noel smirked. "Didn’t think someone who manipulates gravity and ice would mind the heat."
"...I don’t. It’s just annoying."
’Makes sense coming where she is from.’
They turned down a quieter street near the western market, and Selene stopped in front of a modest building with a polished wooden sign: The Ember Griddle. Through the clean crystal windows, the warm interior could be seen—oak tables, leather chairs, and small magical lanterns hovering gently above each table.
Selene opened the door and stepped in without hesitation. Noel followed.
Inside, the air was cooler, the sound of sizzling meat and soft conversation mixing in the background. The place was clean, well-lit, and clearly catered to those with decent coin.