Vol4 Chapter 5 Clothing Store

The clothing store was far more extravagant than Amos had imagined. Rows of formal wear filled the spacious interior—suits, dresses, coats, robes, and accessories neatly arranged by occasion and style. Amos strolled between the displays with Elena at his side, glancing at one suit, then another, and another. Nothing felt right. Too flashy. Too formal. Too overdone. Then he stopped, eyes catching on a display at the back. Two formal outfits stood side by side: a deep black suit with subtle silver embroidery along the collar and sleeves, and beside it, a matching women’s dress. The designs weren’t identical, but their patterns clearly complemented each other.

Amos stared.

"Oh, That's a nice one."

Elena looked at the display.

"Yes."

Amos walked closer.

He examined the suit, noting its clean cut, restrained decorations, and dark colors—exactly his style. Then his gaze shifted to the matching dress, eyes flicking between the two as a thought crossed his mind.

He turned toward Elena.

"Do you want to pair with me?"

Elena looked at him.

"These."

He pointed toward the matching outfits.

"For the masquerade."

Elena looked at the two outfits again.

Then at Amos.

"You want matching clothes?"

"Not exactly matching."

"Complementary."

Elena stared at him.

"That is still matching."

"It's different."

"How?"

"Trust me, there is."

He looked back at the display.

"It just sounds right."

Elena was silent for a moment.

Then she nodded.

"Very well."

Amos smiled faintly.

"I knew you would."

The shop attendant, who had been watching them from a polite distance, immediately approached.

"Would you like to try them on?"

"Yes."

Amos looked at Elena.

"Let's make sure they fit."

They headed to the fitting rooms, Amos grabbing the black suit and Elena picking up the matching dress. A few minutes later, Amos emerged first, adjusting the jacket cuffs as he glanced down at himself. The suit fit better than expected—cleanly cut shoulders, sleeves ending perfectly, and just a touch of silver embroidery that added style without overdoing it. He turned slightly toward the mirror, taking it all in.

"...Not bad."

The attendant smiled.

"It suits you very well, sir."

Amos nodded.

"I agree."

He adjusted his collar.

Then Elena stepped out.

Amos turned and paused, noticing how the dress matched the suit perfectly. It shared the same dark tones and silver accents, but its design was elegantly simple than overly ornate. Elena stood before the mirror, checking the fit, while Amos glanced at their reflection, seeing how the colors complemented each other almost exactly.

"Yeah."

Elena glanced at him.

"Is something wrong?"

"No."

Amos shook his head.

"It looks good."

"Your suit?"

"Both."

Elena looked at their reflections.

"Then we will take them."

The attendant approached with a measuring ribbon.

"Before we finalize the purchase, may I take your measurements? We can make minor adjustments so the garments fit perfectly."

Amos nodded.

"Go ahead."

The fitting took longer than Amos expected.

His sleeves needed a slight adjustment, and the jacket’s waist was taken in just a bit. The trousers got a minor tweak to the length. Amos stood patiently as the attendant worked, while Elena’s dress also needed a few fixes. He glanced at her as the attendant checked the hem.

"How long does this usually take?"

"These adjustments can be completed within a few days."

"Perfect."

Once the measurements were finished, the attendant brought out the masks.

Amos immediately noticed the display of masks—animals, birds, flowers, mythical creatures, and abstract designs. He strolled along until he stopped, picking up a black crow mask and examining it closely. Then he reached for another, an owl. He glanced between the crow, the owl, and finally at Elena.

"Which one do you want?"

Elena looked at the masks.

"That one."

Amos raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Yes."

He looked at the crow again.

It suited her.

He nodded.

"Then I'll take the owl."

Amos held the owl mask up against his face.

The owl’s features were sharp yet refined, accented by delicate silver details around its eyes. It would complement his suit perfectly. He gave a firm nod.

"This one."

Elena picked up the crow mask.

Amos glanced at hers.

The attendant approached.

"Would you like these as well?"

"Yes."

Amos handed over the owl mask.

"And the crow."

The attendant carefully wrapped both.

Amos then looked toward the suits.

"So the outfits will be ready before next Friday?"

"Certainly."

"Good."

The attendant gave him the final price.

Amos paid without hesitation.

Elena glanced at him.

"You paid for mine as well."

"Yes."

"You didn't have to."

"I asked you to pair with me."

Amos shrugged.

"It would be strange to make you pay for it."

The attendant handed Amos the receipt and the neatly packaged masks.

***

They left the clothing store and headed back toward the academy. Amos held the package with their masks, while the shop took care of altering their outfits for the masquerade. For a time, they walked in silence, until Amos cast a sideways glance at Elena.

"Are you going to watch the duel?"

Elena looked at him.

"My duel with that guy."

"I know."

Amos adjusted the package in his hand.

"You'll be there, right?"

"If you want me to."

"I asked first."

"Then yes."

Amos nodded.

"Are you worried about me?"

Elena didn't even hesitate.

"No."

Amos stopped walking.

"...That was fast."

"You will win."

Her answer was so immediate and so certain that Amos stared at her.

"You're that confident?"

"Yes."

There wasn’t the slightest hint of uncertainty in her voice. Amos studied her for a few moments, expecting at least some sign of concern—maybe even a warning.

Maybe even a, Be careful.

Instead, Elena had simply declared that he would win as though she were stating the weather.

Amos smiled slightly.

"Alright."

He resumed walking.

"If you're that confident..."

He glanced at her.

"I'll promise you something."

"What?"

"I'll finish it quickly."

Elena looked at him.

"You don't have to."

"I know."

Amos shrugged.

"But if you're going to sit there and watch, I might as well make sure you don't have to waste your afternoon."

Elena was quiet.

Then she spoke.

"Young Master."

"Hm?"

"Don't underestimate him."

Amos raised an eyebrow.

"After telling me I was going to win?"

"I am confident you will."

She paused.

"But Lord Caelan is still one of the top students among the third years."

Amos's expression became slightly more serious.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"He doesn't look like it."

"That's different."

Elena continued walking.

"He is talented."

"...I honestly thought he was just an idiot."

"He is both."

Amos looked at her.

Elena's expression remained perfectly calm.

"Talented and annoying."

"That's a dangerous combination."

"Sometimes."

Amos nodded thoughtfully.

"So he's actually strong."

"Quite."

"How strong?"

"Among the strongest students in his year."

Amos looked ahead.

That shifted things a bit.

He’d agreed to the duel thinking it would be nothing more than an annoying distraction.

Still, he figured he should show the man enough respect to avoid embarrassing him more than necessary.

Amos glanced at Elena again.

"You really aren't worried?"

"No."

"Not even a little?"

"No."

"Why?"

Elena looked at him.

"Because I know you."

Amos paused.

That answer was unexpectedly simple.

She continued.

"You won't lose."

Amos smiled.

"...Then I'll keep my promise."

"What promise?"

"To end it quickly."

Elena nodded.

They continued toward the academy.

After a few moments, Amos looked down at the package in his hand.

Then he looked at Elena.

"By the way."

"Yes?"

"If I finish the duel quickly, can we get something to eat afterward?"

Elena stared at him.

"I fight better when I have something to look forward to."

Elena sighed softly.

"Very well."

"Nice."