Chapter 100: A Moment of Respite and a New Wardrobe

Lia’s answer plunged Klein into a brief silence. She pushed aside the paper, a document that had already ignited a global transformation, and leaned deeply into the soft back of her chair. The intense concentration of the past several days had brought a long-forgotten wave of exhaustion.

From the laws of motion to calculus and the periodic table, from electricity generating magnetism to magnetism generating electricity, and finally to the confirmation of predicted elements, she had, at an unprecedented pace, poured decades of scientific breakthroughs into this era. Now, it was time to pause and allow the world to catch its breath. And for herself, to find a moment of peace.

“What are your plans now?” Klein asked, his voice breaking the stillness of the study.

“Rest,” Lia replied simply and directly. “Before I embark on unifying electricity and magnetism into a perfect theoretical framework, I’ve decided to stop thinking and become a complete idler.”

Klein offered no comment on her ambitious goal, merely accepting her decision with a calm nod.

“Very well.”

****

For a period thereafter, Lia embraced a rare leisure. She immersed herself in historical biographies of the Royal Capital and various travelogues.

Klein, for his part, spent most of his time in his own study, engrossed in unknown experiments. When he did emerge, it was only to quietly accompany Lia as she read, or to attend the occasional easy lecture at the Royal Academy alongside her. A comfortable tranquility settled between them.

This serenity was shattered one afternoon by Adèle.

“Lia! Let’s go out! If you stay here any longer, I swear you’ll sprout mushrooms!”

Adèle burst into the study like a gust of wind, grabbing Lia’s hand without preamble.

“Where to?” Lia asked, a hint of resignation in her voice.

“Shopping! New clothes!”

Adèle’s reasoning was irrefutable.

“Just look at you! You wear these same few plain robes every day! It absolutely doesn’t suit your current status! You’re a Special Honorary Master of the Mage Association! You are Lia Farrien, the one who changed the world with your own power!” She pulled Lia from her chair as she spoke, spinning her around.

“And…” Adèle leaned in, whispering, “I can’t help but feel your clothes have gotten a little tight lately?”

Lia looked down, examining her cuffs. They were indeed shorter than she remembered, revealing her smooth wrists. She rotated her shoulders, feeling a slight constraint she hadn’t noticed before.

‘Was this due to the feedback, then?’ she mused. ‘The pure energy that had been returned as a reward had not only reshaped her spiritual essence but had also silently transformed this frail body, freeing it from stunted growth and initiating a new phase of development.’

However, she didn’t feel much real sensation regarding her renewed growth, only finding it a bit troublesome.

“Come on, come on! Think of it as relaxing a bit!” Adèle insisted, dragging her out.

As they reached the doorway, they found Klein standing there, seemingly about to leave himself.

“Mentor? Are you going out too?” Adèle asked curiously.

Klein’s gaze swept between Lia and Adèle, finally settling on Lia.

“Yes, I’m heading to the Royal Academy.”

“Perfect! We can go together!” Adèle enthusiastically extended the invitation.

Klein did not refuse, silently falling in behind them.

The streets of the Royal Capital were as bustling as ever. Yet, unlike before, the air held less of the panic born of the unknown and more of a thirst and reverence for knowledge.

Passing mages, both young and old, would pause from a distance upon seeing Lia, performing a standard mage’s bow, their gestures filled with genuine respect.

Lia felt a touch of discomfort, reaching up to tug at the pointed hat Adèle had forcibly placed on her head before they left.

Adèle, however, puffed out her chest proudly, looking as though she shared in the glory.

Klein walked on Lia’s outer side, his figure shielding her from the probing stares of passersby.

Adèle soon led the trio to the Royal Capital’s most renowned establishment, the Laurel Branch High-End Apparel store.

The interior was elegantly decorated, with a dazzling array of beautiful mage robes and formal gowns. The faint, refined scent of expensive spices perfumed the air.

“Lia, look at this one!” Adèle exclaimed, picking up a pale purple tulle dress and holding it up against Lia. “This color would match your medal perfectly!”

Lia looked at the intricate lace and layered skirts, her aversion clearly written on her face.

“It’s too much trouble.”

“What about this one, then?” Adèle picked up a goose-yellow dress.

“It’s not practical for movement.”

“This one must be acceptable!”

“It’s too extravagant.”

Adèle sighed in exasperation, placing her hands on her hips. “Lia! You’re here to buy clothes, not to critique armor! What’s wrong with a girl wanting to look pretty?”

“I just don’t see the need,” Lia maintained.

The female shop assistant, observing the scene, quickly stepped forward to mediate. Her professional demeanor ensured she showed no hint of disdain despite Lia’s plain attire.

When her gaze fell upon Klein, who stood behind them, she immediately found a new target.

“Master, your companion seems a bit undecided. Perhaps you could choose something for her?”

Klein, startled by being addressed directly, paused. He scanned his surroundings, his brow furrowing slightly at the fabrics he considered overly garish.

His gaze eventually moved past the vibrant colors, settling on a dark blue long dress of extremely simple design in a corner. The dress had no superfluous embellishments, its cut was sharp, and simple magical patterns were subtly embroidered with silver thread only on the collar and cuffs.

“That one,” he said, raising a finger to point.

All three followed his gaze.

Adèle’s mouth opened slightly.

“Mentor, your taste… it’s truly as understated as you are.”

The shop assistant immediately took down the dress, introducing it with enthusiasm.

“Master truly has a discerning eye! This is from our chief designer’s ‘Serene Starlight’ collection. While simple in style, the fabric is the finest starlight silk, and the magic patterns can aid in calming the mind and offer slight magical protection.”

Lia looked at the dress; its deep blue, like the night sky, was indeed far more appealing than any of Adèle’s selections.

“Then this one,” she decided.

“Very well, please follow me. I’ll take your measurements,” the shop assistant said, leading Lia toward the fitting mirror in the inner room.

While waiting for her measurements, Lia caught a glimpse of the outside through the large dressing mirror.

Adèle was enthusiastically examining a display of sparkling accessories.

Klein stood still, quietly watching Lia in the mirror from a short distance.

The moment Lia’s gaze met his through the mirror, he seemed startled, abruptly averting his eyes and stiffly turning to the weapon display, pretending to study a purely decorative dagger.

A strange, inexplicable feeling flickered in Lia’s heart.

She quickly dismissed the sensation, attributing it to her own overactive imagination.

“Miss, your figure is developing beautifully,” the shop assistant praised while taking measurements. “Your bust line is lovely, and your waist is so slender.”

Lia’s attention was drawn back. She looked at her reflection in the mirror.

The young woman’s figure was slender and graceful, having shed some of its childishness, subtly beginning to take on the elegant form of a blossoming young lady.

She had indeed grown a little, without even realizing it.