Chapter 239 Make A Wish
At the game stalls, Linsley's competitive streak came out.
They approached a booth with rows of colorful plushies, the challenge being to knock over pyramids of metal cans with a ball.
Lucy watched as Linsley inspected the setup, his strategist instincts kicking in.
"You're taking this a little too seriously," she teased, holding the large fox plush he had already won for her at another stall.
"Perfection requires effort," he replied, narrowing his eyes as he calculated the trajectory.
Without using his gift, he landed a perfect throw, sending the cans clattering to the floor.
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The stall owner handed him a large, plush phoenix, which he immediately gave to Lucy.
"You're unfairly good at this," she said, her cheeks flushing as she accepted the prize.
"Perks of having Real Fantasy and a sharp aim," he said with a wink. "But honestly, seeing you smile like that? Totally worth it."
…
Continuing their date in the Amusement Park, Linsley and Lucy strolled past a sprawling hedge maze, its towering walls alive with the soft rustling of leaves in the evening breeze.
Lucy's curiosity was piqued immediately. She stopped in her tracks and tilted her head, her golden eyes sparkling. "What's that?"
Linsley smirked knowingly. "A challenge," he said, his tone playful. "Think you're up for it?"
Lucy crossed her arms with a raised brow. "Only if you're going with me."
"Of course," he replied, gesturing for her to follow. "Let's see if we can conquer this thing together."
The entrance loomed before them, adorned with glowing ivy that seemed to pulse faintly with life.
As soon as they stepped inside, Linsley subtly activated his Real Fantasy gift. A ripple of white flux spread through the maze, and the entire atmosphere transformed.
The neatly trimmed hedges now sparkled with luminescent flowers in shades of blue, gold, and violet. The paths twisted and shifted slightly as if alive, though the changes were subtle enough to be enchanting rather than disorienting.
Tiny, shimmering creatures made of light began to flit through the air like miniature fireflies. One of them darted close to Lucy, hovering near her hand.
She extended a finger toward it, and it landed lightly, its warmth tingling against her skin.
"It's beautiful," she said, her voice filled with awe. "You've really outdone yourself this time."
Linsley grinned, walking beside her as more of the light creatures appeared, playfully guiding them through the twisting paths. "Anything to make it memorable," he said, watching her delight with quiet satisfaction.
As they ventured deeper into the maze, it grew increasingly magical.
The hedges formed archways overhead, their branches entwined with glowing flowers that rained petals down on them.
A soft mist rolled across the ground, carrying the faint scent of lavender. The air itself seemed to hum with a serene energy.
When they finally reached the center, Lucy gasped audibly. The clearing had been transformed into a fantastical garden.
A crystalline fountain stood at its heart, the water cascading in sparkling rivulets that reflected the twinkling light from above.
Around the fountain, the ground was covered with glowing moss, and strange, otherworldly flowers bloomed in vibrant hues.
"Linsley…" Lucy's voice was soft, almost breathless. "How did you even think of this?"
"Call it a little creativity," he said, stepping closer to her. "You deserve moments like these."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
She knelt by the fountain, dipping her fingers into the cool, shimmering water. The droplets clung to her skin like tiny diamonds.
She looked up at Linsley, her golden eyes shining. "Thank you," she said simply, her gratitude radiating from her.
They lingered there for a while, surrounded by the enchanting beauty of the maze, before eventually retracing their steps back to the park.
…
As the evening deepened, they arrived at one of the park's most popular attractions: a sprawling, gothic-style haunted mansion.
Its towering spires loomed against the darkening sky, and the sound of creaking doors and faint ghostly moans drifted from within.
Lucy eyed the mansion warily. "Are you sure about this?" she asked.
"Don't tell me you're scared," Linsley teased, his smirk returning. "After all, you've fought Outer Gods."
"Outer Gods don't usually hide behind cobwebs and make eerie noises," Lucy retorted, crossing her arms. "Fine, let's go. But if this turns into a disaster, I'm blaming you."
With that, they stepped inside.
The interior was dimly lit, with flickering candles casting long, dancing shadows on the walls. The air was thick with an eerie chill, and a faint whispering sound seemed to follow them as they walked.
Linsley couldn't resist the urge to spice things up. With a subtle gesture, he activated his Real Fantasy gift, weaving threads of reality and illusion together.
The result was instantaneous. The flickering candlelight grew dimmer, and the shadows deepened, writhing as if alive.
The faint whispers turned into guttural moans and chilling laughter, and ghostly figures began to manifest in the corners of the room.
Lucy's eyes widened as a spectral figure drifted toward her, its hollow eyes glowing an eerie red.
"Linsley!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with alarm. "What did you do?"
"Just making it more immersive," he said, his tone far too casual for someone surrounded by apparitions. "You said you wanted a good scare."
Lucy didn't have time to argue as one of the ghosts lunged toward her.
Instinctively, her Angel of Redemption: Gabriel gift activated.
Her white, feathered wings unfurled behind her, glowing with divine light.
A radiant, golden beam of purification shot from her outstretched hand, striking the ghost and causing it to dissipate into nothingness.
The sudden burst of light filled the room, temporarily driving back the darkness.
Linsley burst into laughter, clutching his sides. "Hahaha! I didn't think you'd take it so seriously!"
Lucy shot him a glare, though her expression softened when she saw his amusement. "I can't believe you think this is funny. I almost purified the entire mansion!"
"That would've been something to see," Linsley said, still grinning. "But admit it—you're having fun."
Lucy huffed, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Fine, maybe a little. But you'd better dial it down before you give me a heart attack."
"Deal," he said, though he couldn't resist conjuring one last spectral figure to float harmlessly behind her.
When she noticed it, she let out a small shriek before glaring at him again. "Linsley!"
"Alright, alright," he said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Let's call it a night before you decide to use that purification light on me."
They exited the mansion, Lucy still half-glaring at him, though her laughter betrayed her amusement.
"You're insufferable," she muttered, though the lingering smile on her lips softened the words.
"I prefer the term 'charming,'" Linsley replied with a smirk.
The park lights twinkled around them, and the lingering thrill of the haunted mansion added a new layer of excitement to their evening.
The distant hum of music and chatter was softer here, the chaos of the crowd fading as they walked through quieter paths lined with glowing lanterns.
Lucy's gaze flickered forward as the scenery began to shift. The winding path before them was bathed in a gentle golden glow, dotted with rows of lanterns that floated upward into the night sky like drifting stars.
Her wings stilled, the residual tension from the haunted mansion ebbing away. "What is this place?"
"The Sky Lantern Garden," Linsley answered, his voice lower now, as if matching the serenity of their surroundings.
He guided her forward, his hand brushing against hers for a brief moment. "I thought we could use a change of pace."
They stepped deeper into the garden, where the air felt calmer, more intimate. Lanterns hovered just above the ground, pulsing faintly like heartbeats before drifting upward.
The further they walked, the quieter the world became—only the soft rustle of leaves and the distant, dreamy murmurs of other park-goers remained.
Lucy paused, her golden eyes reflecting the lanterns that floated lazily into the star-flecked sky.
"It's peaceful here." Her wings, no longer tense, relaxed fully, their feathers catching the soft glow.
Linsley smiled faintly, watching her take in the scene.
Without a word, he lifted his hand and let his Real Fantasy ripple through the space.
The glow of the lanterns deepened, and suddenly they moved with purpose, drifting lower to swirl gently around them like will-o'-the-wisps.
The soft lights circled Lucy, catching in her silver hair and around her wings, creating the illusion of a divine aura.
Lucy turned to him, her lips parted in surprise. "You just can't help but make things magical, can you?"
"Only when the moment calls for it," Linsley replied, grinning.
With a gesture, he conjured a single, enormous lantern that hovered between them.
Its surface gleamed with delicate patterns—constellations drawn in shimmering light that seemed to move and shift. It pulsed softly, like it was alive.
"Make a wish," he said, his tone quieter now, the playfulness replaced by something gentler.
Lucy hesitated, her gaze shifting between him and the glowing lantern. "Do wishes even matter?"
"They do if you believe in them," Linsley replied, his expression earnest. "Just try it."