From Trash to Lord of Thunder: The Rise of the Cursed Extra-Chapter 45: Where Is She?

Charles trailed Nora through the forest, his tunic still damp from the rain, boots caked with mud.

The tension from the lightning strike and his impromptu blackmail hung in the air, but Nora seemed determined to ignore it.

"Come on, Rian, don’t lag behind," she said without looking back, striding confidently toward a path leading to a nearby river.

Charles frowned, wondering what she was up to.

’Where’s she taking me now?’ he thought, adjusting the bandages on his hands, which no longer hurt thanks to the lightning, though he still had to play it cool.

When they reached the river, Charles stopped, eyeing the clear water flowing over rocks.

The sound was soothing, but he didn’t get why they were there.

Nora, without a word, sat on a flat rock by the bank and started removing her boots.

Her black socks came off next, revealing small, well-kept feet with short nails and smooth skin, a stark contrast to the muddy ground.

Each movement was precise, like she’d done this ritual countless times.

Charles raised an eyebrow, confused.

"What are we doing here?" he asked, crossing his arms.

Nora glanced at him, a calm smile on her face.

"Sit," she said, pointing to the rock beside her.

Charles blinked, still standing.

"For what?" he asked, his tone mixing curiosity and suspicion.

Nora rolled her eyes, dipping her feet in the water.

"Ugh, Rian! You gonna question everything I say?" she said, a touch impatient. "Just sit, I don’t bite."

Charles sighed, eyeing the muddy ground.

"Not thrilled about getting my clothes dirtier," he muttered, but sat reluctantly on the rock, keeping a safe distance. Mud clung to his tunic, and he grumbled under his breath.

Nora pointed at his boots.

"Take those off," she said, her tone more command than suggestion. "And put your feet in the water."

Charles stared like she’d asked him to sprout wings.

"What? You want me to soak my feet?" he asked, laughing in disbelief. "What’s the point when we’re already drenched from the rain?"

Nora raised an eyebrow, her expression half-amused, half-scolding.

"If being wet bothers you so much, why didn’t you ask me to dry you off?" she said, crossing her arms. "I’ve got wind skills, you know. Could’ve had you dry in a second."

Charles opened his mouth to retort but came up empty.

He sighed again, more resigned than annoyed, and started pulling off his boots.

His soaked, worn socks followed.

When he dipped his feet in the water, a cold jolt shot up his legs, making him flinch.

"Shit, it’s freezing!" he said, grimacing.

Nora laughed, splashing water with her toes.

"You’ll get used to it," she said lightly. "So, how’s it feel?"

Charles frowned, swirling his feet in the water.

"It’s... weird," he said, shrugging. "Cold, uncomfortable, and I don’t see the point."

Nora let out a loud laugh, throwing her head back.

"That was my reaction the first time!" she said, eyes sparkling with amusement. "It’s like the water’s judging you for being there, right?"

Charles looked at her, surprised by her enthusiasm.

"So why put me through this torture?" he asked, his tone half-complaint, half-curious. "If you knew it was weird, why drag me into it?"

Nora leaned back on the rock, propping herself on her elbows.

"Wanted to see what’d happen if I made someone else do it," she said, a mischievous smile forming. "Now that I’ve pulled it off, I can die happy."

Charles blinked, processing her words.

"Seriously?" he said, laughing despite the chill in his feet. "You’re a pretty simple girl, huh? This all it takes to make you content?"

Nora shrugged, gazing at the river.

"That’s what they say," she replied, her tone more thoughtful now. "I don’t ask for much. A river, some peace, and I’m good."

Charles watched her for a moment, noting how the water reflected light off her feet.

’She’s more chill than she seems,’ he thought, scratching his neck.

"Who taught you this?" he asked, out of pure curiosity. "The whole feet-in-the-river-like-it’s-a-big-adventure thing?"

Nora smiled, but a hint of nostalgia crept into her expression.

"A friend," she said, staring at the water. "A girl... weird, to put it mildly."

Charles raised an eyebrow, amused.

"Weird?" he repeated. "That cool to say about her?"

Nora laughed, shaking her head.

"When you meet her, you’ll see ’weird’ is an understatement," she said, a playful glint in her eyes. "It’s like she lives in her own world."

Charles tilted his head, grinning.

"From where I’m sitting, you’re pretty weird too," he said, his tone teasing.

Nora, who’d been lounging, shot upright, pointing at him.

"Hey, no way!" she said, indignant but playful. "I reject that label! That title’s hers alone, got it?"

Charles cracked up, caught off guard by how serious she sounded.

"Wow, defensive much?" he said, raising his hands in surrender. "But for real, what’s this special girl’s name?"

Nora sighed, looking back at the river.

"Kaira," she said, a trace of sadness in her voice. "Her name’s... Kaira."

Charles frowned, catching her tone.

’Sounds like she’s talking about someone who died...’ he thought, a knot forming in his stomach.

Nervous, he tried asking carefully.

"Uh... so what... happened with Kaira?" he said, scratching his neck. "Wanna... talk about it?"

Nora stared at him, utterly confused.

"What?" she said, blinking. "You think she’s dead?"

Charles froze, cheeks burning.

"Wait, no!" he said, waving his hands. "It’s just... you said it with this face, I dunno, like it was sad. I thought something happened!"

Nora burst out laughing, covering her mouth.

"You’re such an idiot!" she said between giggles. "Kaira’s not dead. We just... went different ways, that’s all."

Charles sighed, relieved but still embarrassed.

"Shit, you scared me," he muttered, running a hand through his wet hair. "So what happened? Did Kaira leave the clan or something?"

Nora shook her head, gazing at the water.

"Not exactly," she said. "She’s still out there, wandering around the clan, training to get stronger. Always been like that, obsessed with improving. But she doesn’t like staying in one place."

Charles nodded, intrigued.

"And why don’t you do the same?" he asked, curious. "You’re Master-rank, right? You could be training like a maniac, like her."

Nora glanced at him for a moment, then looked toward the trees, as if checking no one was eavesdropping.

"Being Master-rank has its perks..." she said, voice lower. "If you meet the minimum duels and missions quota, you can live comfortably. Fewer obligations than other ranks. I’m... fine where I am."

Charles blinked, a grin spreading.

’Hold up,’ he thought.

"So you’re not weird?" he said, teasing. "You’re a professional slacker!"

Nora whipped around, eyes wide.

"Hey, that’s not fair!" she said, jabbing a finger at him. "I’m not a slacker! I just... optimize my time, you know?"

Charles laughed, throwing his head back.

"Yeah, optimizing your time napping in trees!" he said, accusatory. "Admit it, Nora, you’ve got a PhD in loafing."

Nora growled, splashing him with water.

"Shut up, Rian!" she said, but couldn’t help laughing. "Not everyone wants to be fighting all the time like you. Some of us prefer... I dunno, enjoying life."