Shrouded Seascape

Noting Lily's smile coupled with her silence, Maya let out a wistful sigh. "I don't know what kind of guy you like, but I know for sure that he's definitely a lucky one."

Her eyes then drifted to the brown vial hanging from Lily's neck. "You're always wearing that. Is it a gift from a special him?"

Lily's pale fingers curled around the bottle and held it tightly to her chest. With a hint of longing in her eyes, she answered, "No, it's a gift from a female friend."

The vial had been a parting gift from Linda. She said that it contained a potion Lily could drink whenever she missed them. But now, there wasn't much left within the bottle.

"A female friend?" Maya reiterated. Her voice then went a notch higher and attracted the attention of several nearby diners. "So you're like Governor Elizabeth? You like women too?!"

"What nonsense are you spouting! I'm going to ignore you if you continue this," Lily retorted. Her cheeks were tainted with a soft pink hue as she bowed her head down and focused on finishing the food on her plate.

"Alright, alright. I'll stop. Do you want to catch a movie together tonight? I heard that the Blue Whale Theater has a new production."

Lily considered the proposition for a brief moment before shaking her head. "Better not. My mom will worry if I get home too late. Why don't you go with your boyfriend?"

Picking up the white napkin, Maya wiped her mouth with a corner before she answered, "He's the one pursuing me, so I don't see any need to waste money to keep our relationship going. If you're not going, then I'll head home as well and study. Graduation is around the corner anyway."

After finishing the desserts served by the waiter, the two girls exited the Red Claw Bistro. At a circular intersection, they bade farewell to each other and headed their separate ways.

Standing at a bustling crossroad, Lily intertwined her fingers and stretched her arms high above her head. She then slowly wandered down the street and quietly took in the ever-evolving sights of Hope Island.

As she strolled, she eventually arrived at a crowded alley. Both sides of the road were lined with makeshift stalls, their strange wares sprawled across the ground in an eclectic display.

The narrow strip of road left in the center was packed with people eagerly browsing and bartering for goods, leaving barely any room to navigate.

This was Blackfoot Alley, the largest flea market on Hope Island.

Initially, this was just a small marketplace where islanders gathered to sell their unwanted secondhand items. Over time, it had since grown into a chaotic bazaar filled with all manner of strange and unusual goods.

There had been many stories about this place, including one where a buyer stumbled upon a priceless treasure and struck it rich overnight.

However, those with a keen eye for the trade knew better. The marketplace was mostly filled with counterfeit junk, specially catered to ensnare dreamers and fools. It even led to the rise of an entire industry that created these sham goods behind the scenes.

"Looking for a relic? Living relics, certified genuine! Straight from the Colossal Hole Fortress itself!"

"This weapon was once wielded by the Governor of Hope Island! Sir, if you don't buy it now, you'll regret it forever!"

"No, 4,000 is way too low! This is an underwater treasure map from the Explorers Association. There aren't even any explorers these days, so items like this are only going to go up in value. It's an investment, sir. It's as good as earning more money daily once you bring it home!"

The cacophony of noises in the surroundings barely bothered Lily. Whenever she set foot in Blackfoot Alley, she felt a deep sense of peace settling over her.

This was the very same place Charles had taken her to before her death. The place where they had their first date.

With her hands clasped behind her back, Lily walked ever so slowly as she quietly enjoyed the afternoon that seemed to almost mirror the one from years ago.

With each step, memories came to her mind. Walking these familiar streets always brought a strange wish to her heart.

How great would it be if she could return to that particular afternoon? Even if she knew that she would die the following day.

Despite her slow pace, she was closing the gap with the run-down wall in the distance. Eventually, she reached the wall that marked the end of the path.

Gathering her emotions together, Lily swiftly spun on her heel. Her steps grew lighter as she briskly walked home.

"Mommy, I'm back!" Lily announced as she pushed open the door.

"Welcome home, dear," Olivia greeted with a smile as she approached her daughter for a quick cheek-to-cheek greeting.

Lily's younger sister welcomed Lily by hugging her lower limb. Lily scooped the little girl up effortlessly and twirled her in a joyful circle before placing the latter down. She then sprinted up the wooden stairs to her room.

Lily had styled her room to exude a cozy and inviting ambiance. Sitting at her desk, she lifted her right hand and gently extended her index finger.

A small, radiant sun emerged from the crack beneath her fingernail. Using its light, Lily began to review the knowledge she had learned in school earlier in the day.

Truth to be told, Lily wasn't particularly gifted when it came to academics. However, years of dangerous exploration had instilled in her something that made up for this shortcoming: a firm resolve.

If she couldn't grasp something on the first try, she would try a second time. If she still couldn't the second time, then she would try the third. She believed that through perseverance, she would eventually understand it.

Finals were just around the corner and Lily had confidence that she would attain an impressive result.

The little sun shone brightly until late into the night before finally extinguishing.

The next morning, Lily descended the wooden staircase in her pajamas to join her family for breakfast.

Today's breakfast was toast with crispy bacon and the signature bananas of Hope Island. The family of four enjoyed their meal as they chatted about the latest happenings on the island.

Aside from holidays, this morning routine was one of the few moments Lily could share with her family each day. Having experienced the loss of such moments before, she now cherished them deeply.

Dr. Oliver picked up his cup of freshly brewed coffee and took a sip before turning his attention to his eldest daughter. "Lily, I heard from one of my patients that the academy's graduation is coming up soon."

"Yeah," Lily confirmed with a nod. Pausing to swallow her mouthful of food, she then continued, "It's in two weeks. After the exams, we'll officially graduate."

"There are still exams? But the knowledge you're studying isn't something anyone's been taught before, is it? Who's setting the questions?"

"They're dividing us into two groups, and we'll be creating the exam questions for each other."

Dr. Oliver nodded in understanding. "Time sure flies. A blink of an eye, and you're close to graduating already. What did you learn over such a long period of studying?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Oh, I learned so many things! Things from many different fields too! Maybe due to my past experience calculating trajectories, I've really grown to love math. Daddy, you wouldn't believe it, but everything in the world can be expressed through mathematics!

"However, the most meaningful thing I've gained is learning to connect with people my age. It has helped me to normalize my thinking. I feel that that's my biggest takeaway."

Dr. Oliver exchanged gazes with his wife before he asked another question. "Lily, have you thought about what you want to do in the future?"

The energy and excitement from Lily seemed to cease instantly as she froze in her spot. She blinked, clearly unsure how she should respond.

Seated next to Lily, Olivia reached up and gently held the former's hand in her. With a tender gaze, she said, "Take your time, sweetheart. Whatever path you choose, we'll support your decision."