Lara Point of View

  "You mean I just need to put my mana in here? You're not using gasoline or anything?" I asked, eyeing the sleek motorcycle in front of me. The metallic sheen of its futuristic design reflected the bright lights of the bustling marketplace, making it look like something out of a dream.

  The woman selling it raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Gasoline? What are you talking about? This runs on mana."

  Mana. Right. I tried not to look too out of place, but the idea still threw me off. "Well, all I know is that things like gasoline make machines like these work," I admitted, crossing my arms.

  She let out a small chuckle. "Trust me, if you want an electricity-powered vehicle, you'll need to be an elementalist to even buy one. Everything here operates on mana," she explained, gesturing toward the crystal embedded in the side of the bike. The swirling energy inside pulsed softly, like a heartbeat.

  "Do you need to buy one?" Lian asked, tilting her head as she glanced between me and the motorcycle.

  "Yeah! Sister, this thing goes 'broom broom,' right?" Julian piped up, tugging excitedly at Lian's sleeve. Her big, curious eyes practically sparkled as she stared at the vehicle.

  Lian smiled down at her little sister. "Yeah, Julian. It definitely goes 'broom broom.'"

  I exhaled slowly and shifted my focus back to the bike. The idea of riding something powered by my own mana was... strange. But also kind of thrilling. "So, how do I put my mana into it? Is there a special technique or something?"

  The woman’s lips curled into a knowing grin. "It's simple. Just channel your mana into this crystal here," she said, tapping the compartment where the mana crystal was securely housed. "Once it's charged, you're good to go."

  I nodded, taking in the details. "And how long does it last?"

  "With a solid charge, a few hours at least. Just keep an eye on the levels and recharge whenever you can. The best part about mana-powered vehicles? You can tap into the natural flow of energy around you," she added, her voice carrying the pride of someone who truly believed in what she was selling.

  I stared at the crystal, feeling the faint hum of power within it. This was nothing like the fuel-powered machines I was used to. Here, the energy came from me. My own mana.

  I wasn’t sure whether that excited or terrified me.

  Third Point of View

  A Few Moments Later

  Lara stood in front of the ornate mirror in her hotel room, her fingers brushing through the newly dyed yellow locks that framed her face. The radiant black long dress she wore, sleeveless and sleek, hugged her form in a way that felt both glamorous and out of place. She glanced at her reflection, uncertainty flickering in her emerald eyes.

  "Well, I miss this yellow hair—but this dress feels awkward," she muttered to herself, her voice barely above a whisper.

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  For a moment, she allowed herself to reflect. Despite being in the body of a twenty-year-old, she couldn't shake the feeling of age that clung to her—a weight of experience, heartbreak, and decisions that seemed to echo from a life long past. Am I truly an old woman at heart? she wondered, the thought lingering in her mind like a shadow. She had chosen this disguise as a precaution, wanting to keep herself and her companions hidden from those who might wish them harm.

  Just as she adjusted the intricate fabric of her dress, a knock echoed through the room. Her heart raced as she approached the door, anticipation and nerves intertwining in her chest. She took a deep breath, steadied herself, and opened the door.

  As the door swung open, the expressions on Thailon and Caelum's faces shifted from casual camaraderie to sheer shock. Their eyes widened, mouths parting slightly as they took in the sight of her transformation. The old image of Lara—the one defined by her struggles, her weariness, and her history no their history—seemed to wash over them in waves.

  Thailon's brows furrowed as he took a step back, grappling with the blend of recognition and disbelief. "Lara?" he breathed, the name escaping his lips like a prayer.

  Caelum stood frozen, his expression shifting from surprise to an overwhelming sense of nostalgia. He remembered the times they had fought side by side, the struggles they had endured together, and now, this vibrant new image of Lara stood before them, dazzling yet unrecognizable.

  For a heartbeat, the room was silent, filled only with the sound of their breathing. Lara felt her pulse quicken under their gaze, a mixture of vulnerability and defiance swirling within her. The dress, the hair, the disguise—it was all meant to hide her true self, yet here they were, staring as if she had conjured some lost part of their shared past.

  "Wow," Caelum finally managed to say, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You look... incredible."

  Lara's heart swelled at their reactions, but beneath the surface, an uneasy tension remained. She was no longer the Lara they once knew, and she wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad one. "I thought it was time for a change child," she said, forcing a lightness into her tone, even as the weight of her past lingered like a ghost.

  Lara Point of View

  "You're kidding me?" I blurted out, staring at Thailon like he'd just told me the sky was green. My voice dripped with disbelief as I took in the absolute monstrosity of a car beside him. It wasn’t just extravagant—it was ridiculous. Sleek, flashy, and bright red, the thing had doors that opened upwards like a bird mid-takeoff. It practically screamed, Look at me! I'm fabulous!

  Thailon, in his human form, looked completely unfazed. With short hair and striking blue eyes, he could have passed for some dashing hero straight out of a fantasy novel—if heroes went around buying cars that belonged in a billionaire’s toy collection.

  "And just how much did this cost you?" I asked, crossing my arms, trying to keep a straight face. The corners of my lips twitched, threatening to betray my amusement.

  "Cost is nothing for me!" he declared, his grin stretching wide, absolutely pleased with himself.

  I raised an eyebrow. "You're literally proud of that?"

  Before he could respond, Caelum let out a snort from where he was casually leaning against the car. Dressed in an almost too pristine white suit, he was a sharp contrast to his usual rugged self. His black hair had been styled just enough to look effortless, and his golden eyes—now disguised as brown—were accentuated by a smudge of eyeliner, creating the illusion of a beauty mark beneath one eye. He looked like a suave secret agent... or like he was trying a little too hard.

  "Isn't it ridiculous?" Caelum muttered, shaking his head.

  "Ridiculous?" I echoed, giving the car another once-over. "This thing looks like it could outshine a dragon. Are we going on a joyride or prepping for a heist?"

  Thailon scoffed, rolling his eyes like I was the one being unreasonable. "It's a flying car! You can't just drive it like a normal one. That’s the whole point!"

  I blinked. "Flying car?"

  "Yes, flying," he repeated, as if I was the idiot in this situation.

  I let out a slow breath, my sarcasm practically dripping. "Right, because nothing says ‘undercover mission’ like showing up in this."

  Caelum let out another snort. "Glad we’re on the same page."