Path of the Unmentioned: The Missing Piece

Kyle's stomach growled loudly as he trailed behind Seraphina and Aurelia through the crowded mall.

He didn't even try to hide it.

The scent of food coming from the nearby court hit him like a wave, fresh bread, bubbling cheese, sizzling meat.

It made his mouth water instantly.

"I'm hungry," he said. A bit louder than he meant to. "Let's eat first."

Aurelia glanced at her sleek wristwatch. "We don't have all day."

"I could murder a pepperoni right now," Seraphina added.

Her eyes already locked on a neon-lit pizza place just ahead. "Come on. That place looks perfect."

Kyle didn't argue. His feet practically dragged him toward the smell of dough and garlic.

They slid into a booth near the window. The red vinyl seat gave a loud squeak under Kyle as he sank into it with relief.

Across from him. Seraphina leaned her elbows on the table like a kid on a field trip.

Aurelia sat straight-backed and composed. Brushing invisible lint from her dress.

A teenage waiter shuffled over with tomato sauce on his apron and a notepad in hand. He looked half asleep.

"Special today's the four-meat monster with extra cheese," he mumbled.

"I'll take that," Kyle said without even glancing at the menu.

Aurelia raised an eyebrow. "Of course you will."

"I'll have the margherita," she told the waiter. "Fresh basil. Light on the oil."

Seraphina flipped her menu around and pointed. "That one. The Inferno."

The waiter blinked. "That's… the one with triple chili peppers."

"I know," Seraphina replied with a grin. "Can't wait."

As the waiter left. Kyle leaned back and looked toward the open kitchen.

He watched the cooks toss dough high into the air, spinning it with practiced flicks of the wrist.

Others were piling toppings on pizzas at lightning speed. Sliding them into huge brick ovens with long paddles.

Flames glowed inside. It was almost hypnotic.

When the food finally arrived, Kyle's eyes widened.

His pizza was massive.

Layers of meat, gooey cheese, and just the right amount of burnt crust on the edges. Grease shimmered under the overhead lights.

Aurelia's pizza looked tiny in comparison. Neat slices, fresh mozzarella, and a single basil leaf per piece.

Seraphina's, though… hers was steaming. Glowing red with chili flakes and oil.

Kyle squinted at it. "You sure that's edible?"

Seraphina took a huge bite without hesitation. "Mmm. Perfect."

He stared. "Are you trying to kill your taste buds?"

Seraphina smirked, wiping a smear of chili oil from her lip. "What's the matter, Kyle dear? Scared of a little heat?"

"Not scared," he muttered. "Just not insane."

Aurelia was already cutting her slice with a knife and fork. "You two are actual barbarians."

The meal continued with the usual bickering. Kyle devoured his pizza like he hadn't eaten in days.

At one point. Seraphina offered him a bite of hers just to mess with him.

He took it.

Big mistake.

His entire mouth lit on fire.

Kyle coughed. Face turning bright red as he grabbed the nearest glass of water and chugged it down.

Seraphina laughed so hard she nearly fell out of the booth. "Lightweight!"

"I hate you," Kyle said, fanning his mouth.

Aurelia didn't even look up from her plate. "Told you."

After they finished eating and paid the bill. Aurelia handed over a sleek black card like it meant nothing.

She stood up, brushing her skirt smooth. "Alright. Now that you're fed, it's time for the real task."

Kyle blinked. "What real task?"

"Shopping," she said.

Kyle groaned.

Seraphina grabbed his arm before he could escape. "You're our fashion consultant now. Try to act useful."

He was dragged, quite literally, into the women's clothing section.

The place was a maze. Rows of racks, shelves piled with shoes, walls covered in handbags and accessories.

Soft music played overhead, and the air smelled like a mix of floral perfume and expensive leather.

Aurelia immediately headed for the formal section.

She ran her fingers over a sleek black cocktail dress with a thoughtful look. "What do you think, Kyle?"

He squinted at it. "…It's black?"

Seraphina snorted behind him.

Aurelia sighed. "You're hopeless."

Meanwhile. Seraphina was having the time of her life. She had already pulled out a red off-shoulder dress that left little to the imagination.

"Too much?" she asked. Holding it against herself and tilting her head.

Kyle's face burned. Before he could say anything. Aurelia answered sharply, "Yes."

What followed was two full hours of Kyle sitting on a soft bench outside the changing rooms while the girls showed off outfit after outfit.

"Too plain."

"Too bright."

"Too tight."

"Too… short," Kyle said weakly as Seraphina came out in a leather skirt and crop top combo that made him choke on air.

"Too small," Aurelia declared.

"You're just jealous it fits me better," Seraphina shot back at Aurelia, smirking.

She struck a pose, and Kyle suddenly found the ceiling very interesting.

As they tried on more outfits. The pile of clothes to purchase grew higher and higher.

Kyle was just glad he didn't have to carry them. Thank the gods for storage rings.

Without them. He would've been buried under bags.

Eventually. Aurelia narrowed her options down to ten elegant dresses.

Seraphina had Fifteen.

They reached the counter, and the cashier stared at the pile like it was about to fall on her.

She rang up the total with wide eyes. It was enough to make most people faint.

Aurelia calmly handed over a platinum card without blinking.

As they exited the store. Kyle spotted a familiar face across the wide hallway of the mall.

Daniel Hearth. A fellow student from Solvayne Academy.

Daniel stood near a sunglasses display, pretending to admire a pair. But his eyes kept drifting toward Seraphina.

Kyle narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Someone's popular today," he muttered under his breath.

Seraphina glanced over, following his line of sight.

She smirked when she noticed Daniel quickly look away. Suddenly very interested in the price tag on a pair of aviators.

"Jealous?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Kyle snorted. "Of Daniel? Please. That guy once set his own hair on fire during a potion exam."

Aurelia pulled out her mana band to check the time. "We should head back. Kyle still needs to—"

"No," Kyle said firmly, cutting her off. "Whatever it is, no. I have reached my shopping limit."

"But your hair looks so much better now," Seraphina teased. Ruffling his freshly styled locks.

Kyle swatted her hand away, frowning. "I'm going to the electronics section. Alone. You two can go stare at shoes or something."

As he walked off. He heard Aurelia whisper, "He's learning."

Seraphina laughed behind him.

———

The electronics store was cool and quiet. A peaceful escape from the chaos outside.

Blue-glowing shelves lined the walls. Filled with the latest mana-tech gadgets.

Kyle wandered between them, stopping at a display of communication crystals that pulsed gently with light.

He checked out a few projection orbs. Tested the hologram quality with a tap, and even eyed a sleek new VR combat visor.

It looked amazing. But the price tag made him wince.

He was leaning over a row of enchanted headphones when a store employee approached. She wore a neat uniform and had a friendly smile.

"Those come with built-in noise-canceling runes," she explained. "Great for blocking out noisy roommates."

Kyle nodded. "Sounds useful. Just browsing, though."

As he turned to leave. He nearly walked straight into a petite girl balancing three boxes in her arms.

She stumbled slightly but caught herself.

"Oh! You're Kyle Valemont, right? From first year?" she said quickly. Her name tag read Emily, and her eyes were wide with recognition.

"I'm also from Solvayne. Second year."

Kyle rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah… that's me."

Before the conversation could go further. A familiar voice interrupted.

"There you are," Seraphina said, walking up beside him with a casual swing in her step.

Aurelia stood just behind her, arms crossed.

Emily looked from Kyle to her two stunning professors at his side. Her eyes widened a little more.

"I'll, um… let you get back to your… friends." She quickly turned and hurried off. Nearly dropping her boxes in the process.

Seraphina tilted her head. "Making more admirers?"

Kyle groaned. "Shut up."

Aurelia smiled and held out a small black bag. "We got you something. For putting up with us today."

Kyle raised an eyebrow but took the bag.

Inside was a sleek. Mana-powered watch with a dark silver band.

The face displayed the time, lunar phases, and even a tiny charm that showed weather predictions in animated symbols.

It was simple, practical, and far too nice.

"You didn't have to," he said, blinking at the gift.

"Of course we did," Seraphina said, brushing it off like it was nothing.

Kyle hesitated for a second. Then reached into his own storage ring. "Well… I got you two something too."

He pulled out two small boxes and handed them over. Each one held a bracelet. Delicate silver chains enchanted.

One has teardrop-shaped moonstone that shifted from pale blue to violet depending on how the light hit it.

The other was braided band of rose pink and black that resembled intertwining flames.

"Thanks for today," Kyle said, trying to sound casual.

Aurelia blinked. Caught off guard. "You bought us gifts?"

Seraphina opened hers and smiled faintly. "Not bad, Kyle. Not bad at all."

They left the mall together. The sky outside washed in soft orange and gold as the sun dipped toward the horizon.

The parking lot glowed under the sunset. Cars casting long shadows across the ground.

Kyle walked between the two girls, watch on his wrist, a half-smile on his face.

"Same time next week?" Seraphina joked as they reached the cars.

Kyle groaned loudly. "Never again."

But the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth told a different story.

———

Author's Note: Please let me know if you don't like this kind of chapters.

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