Chapter 223: Return and Shopping

Space stretched.

Then folded back into place.

Two figures stepped out of the distortion and into the dark expanse near Orimund.

The twin red suns burned quietly in the distance.

The planet below turned as if nothing had happened.

Zane exhaled lightly.

“We’re finally back.”

Eirenyssa hovered beside him, posture straight despite everything that had happened.

“Yes, my lord.”

For a moment she simply looked at the planet, as if confirming it was truly still there. Then she turned back toward him.

“My lord, we should return to the academy quickly. They must be—”

Zane raised a hand.

“Yeah, we will.”

He paused mid-sentence and glanced down at himself.

His white shirt was torn through in several places, edges burned and ripped from the earlier battle. There were faint scorch marks, a few dried streaks of blood that hadn’t fully vanished, and one sleeve barely hanging on by threads.

He looked at Eirenyssa.

Her off-white dress, though mostly intact, was far too divine in design. Even after cleaning itself of battle grime, the fabric still carried a faint golden sheen and patterns that no mortal tailor would ever produce.

Zane sighed.

“…Wait.”

Eirenyssa blinked.

“My lord?”

He gestured vaguely at both of them.

“First, we fix our appearance. I’m not going back there looking like a beggar who just walked out of a battlefield.”

He tugged lightly at the torn edge of his shirt for emphasis.

“And you,” he added, pointing at her, “your clothes don’t exactly scream ’normal mortal professor’s assistant.’ You look like you descended from a holy painting.”

Eirenyssa glanced down at herself, then back at him, slightly embarrassed.

“…I suppose that is true.”

Zane nodded once, already thinking ahead.

“So before we head to the academy, we’re getting you a change of clothes too. Something that lets you blend in. No glowing fabrics, no divine aura-friendly designs. Just… normal.”

He looked toward the planet below.

“There’s a city near academy city. We’ll stop there first.”

Eirenyssa gave a small nod.

“As you wish, my lord.”

Zane extended a hand.

Space folded quietly around them, and the two vanished again—this time not toward war or gods, but toward something far more ordinary.

Clothes shopping.

.

.

.

They appeared again—this time in a quiet forest.

Tall trees stretched overhead, sunlight filtering through thick leaves. A light breeze moved through the branches, carrying the scent of damp earth and moss. After the chaos of the god realm, the stillness felt almost unreal.

Zane glanced around once, satisfied.

“Alright,” he said casually. “For you, we’ll have to shop here. The outfits from my island are… a bit too high-level. You wouldn’t be able to wear them normally.”

He waved a hand dismissively. “I’ll have something custom-made later. Until then, we find you proper clothes.”

Eirenyssa nodded quietly. “Yes, my lord.”

Zane then looked down at himself.

“…And as for me.”

He reached up and pulled off the torn white T-shirt.

Eirenyssa froze.

“M-my lord—!”

She immediately turned away, one hand flying to her face, cheeks turning bright red. “Y-you should warn me first…!”

Zane blinked once, confused for half a second, then just shrugged. His build was lean but sharply defined, the kind of body carved from constant battle rather than display. He didn’t think much of it.

From his technowatch, Eira’s holographic voice popped out with a low whistle.

“Woah, boss. Sudden fanservice.”

Zane gave the watch a flat look and tapped it off.

“—wait wait, boss, I was kidding—”

Silence.

He reached into his dimensional bag and pulled out fresh clothes. With a few efficient movements, he changed, tossing the ruined shirt aside.

He held it out toward Eirenyssa. “Here. Discard it or something.”

Still facing away, she took it stiffly without turning. “…Yes.”

She had accidentally tried to sneak a glance mid-turn. Her face went even redder.

A few seconds passed.

“…You can turn around now,” Zane said.

She did—slowly. And somehow turned even redder.

Zane now stood fully changed.

He wore a fitted black long-sleeve shirt made from a dense mana-woven fabric that looked simple at first glance but sat perfectly along his frame. The material hugged without clinging, durable enough to handle raw energy bursts yet flexible enough for movement.

His pants were loose dark-gray cargo trousers, the kind built for function rather than show. Deep side pockets rested along the thighs.The ends were tucked cleanly into sturdy boots.

Over the shirt sat a dark blue zip-up hoodie, thick but flexible, threaded faintly with mana. It looked like something a traveler or instructor might wear rather than a god-killer. The zipper ran down the front for easy removal, and Faint marks along the fabric hinted that the hoodie had seen more than casual wear.

On his feet were ankle-high combat boots made of rugged brown leather, scuffed but solid. The soles looked built for traction on stone floors or rough terrain, and the heels carried subtle mana channels—barely visible unless one looked closely.

Around his waist sat a thick leather belt with a iron buckle. And small dimensional bag hung from it. Around his neck, mostly hidden beneath the collar, rested a simple silver chain with a small matte pendant shaped like the letter Z.

The overall look was casual. Practical. Almost mundane.

And yet, somehow, it fit him perfectly.

“Anyway,” he said, stretching lightly. “Let’s find you something to wear before heading back.”

Eirenyssa nodded, still slightly flustered. “Y-yes, my lord.”

They began walking through the forest, leaves crunching softly underfoot, the aftermath of their divine war already feeling strangely distant.

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.

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They soon reached the outer walls of the city not long after leaving the forest. Stone towers rose high above them, banners of Valdoria fluttering lazily in the wind. Merchants moved in and out through the gates, guards checking carts and travelers with routine boredom.

Zane slowed as they approached.

“Let’s just skip the gate process,” he said casually.

Eirenyssa blinked once but didn’t question it.

They walked straight toward the entrance.

The guards… didn’t react.

Didn’t look.

Didn’t notice.

To anyone else, it would have seemed like two ordinary figures passing through. To the guards, it was as if no one had entered at all.

Inside the city, the usual bustle continued—vendors shouting, carts rolling, the smell of baked bread and leather and metal filling the air. Zane stepped off to one side of the street and glanced around thoughtfully.

“I heard Ron mention a decent shop for clothes,” he said. “Outfitters… I think.”

They walked through a few streets before finding it.

A two-story building stood at the corner, wooden sign hanging above the door:

OUTFITTERS

Zane pushed the door open and stepped inside with Eirenyssa following quietly.

The interior smelled of fabric and polished wood. Racks of clothing lined the walls, bolts of cloth stacked neatly. Behind the counter stood a woman with a ponytail and faint fox-like features in her expression—sharp eyes, quick smile.

“Welcome, both of you,” she said warmly. “What can I do for you?”

Zane gestured lightly toward Eirenyssa.

“Well, show us outfits for her.”

The shopkeeper’s eyes shifted to Eirenyssa—and widened slightly looking at Eirenyssa’s beauty.

There was a brief pause. The woman’s professional smile returned, but there was unmistakable amazement behind it.

“I’ll pick the best outfit for her, sir,” she said quickly. “This way, madam.”

She guided Eirenyssa toward a changing area at the back.

Zane stayed near the front, leaning casually against a rack. He tapped his technowatch, switching it back on.

A small holographic interface flickered.

Eira’s voice resumed mid-sentence.

“—am kidding, boss. Eh? …Boss?”

She paused.

“…New outfit. Looks good, boss. Where are we?”

“Shopping,” Zane replied simply. “For Eirenyssa.”

“Oh. She’s having a civilian arc. Nice.”

From inside the changing area, the shopkeeper’s voice called out:

“Sir, where did the lady’s clothes get worn this much?”

Zane didn’t even hesitate.

“Well, you know. We’re both fighters. It happens. We’re heading home, so might as well wear something fresh. I had my change of clothes but she didn’t..so here we are.”

A short silence.

Then the shopkeeper laughed softly.

“Ah… that explains it. You’re lucky to be heading home in times like these.”

Zane tilted his head slightly, faintly confused by her tone, but before he could ask—

She stepped out from behind the curtain.

“Lady is ready. I’ve packed her previous clothes. Come on, madam… show him.”

Eirenyssa stepped out.

She now wore a sleeveless white tunic made from an airy, almost weightless fabric that draped softly without clinging. It reached her hips and moved gracefully when she walked. The high collar carried faint golden threading that shimmered subtly when the light shifted.

Below, wide-leg indigo palazzo pants flowed gently with each step, the material light but layered enough for movement. The hems held tiny hidden rune patterns stitched into the lining, invisible unless one looked closely.

Over the tunic sat a cropped gray bolero jacket, tailored close but comfortable. Soft velvet texture, asymmetrical buttoning, and faint mana-thread embroidery along the lapels gave it a refined but practical look.

At her ankles rested minimal bronze anklets, nearly silent as she moved. A thin gold bangle rested on her left wrist.

Her storm-gray hair fell freely now, and she stood there looking slightly down, clearly embarrassed to be on display.

Zane looked at her once.

“Looks good.”

That was all.

But Eirenyssa’s eyes brightened instantly.

Zane turned back to the counter.

“How much?”

The shopkeeper smiled.

“Twenty gold. But with a discount… seventeen.”

Zane nodded and reached into his dimensional bag, pulling out the coins without fuss. He placed them on the counter.

The shopkeeper paused.

“…A dimensional bag,” she muttered under her breath.

Zane didn’t comment.

“Come on,” he said lightly.

Eira’s hologram flickered.

“Looking good,” she told Eirenyssa.

“…Thank you,” Eirenyssa replied softly.

They stepped out of the shop and into the street again.

The door closed behind them.

The shopkeeper watched through the window as they walked away together.

“…What a lovely couple,” she murmured.

“I hope they don’t find themselves in trouble… not with things as tense as they are.”

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