Talent Awakening: Draconic Overlord Of The Apocalypse - Chapter 391

Chapter 391: More Than Just Ice Cream
Alister found himself wandering past a small ice cream stall. The scent of freshly made cones and the sight of colorful flavors on display made him pause for a moment.

Without much thought, he walked up to the vendor and ordered two cones—one vanilla for himself and one chocolate for Cinder.

Turning back, he found Cinder waiting a few steps away, looking curiously at him. When he approached and held out the chocolate ice cream, he spoke casually.

“Here. I got you chocolate.”

Cinder’s eyes widened slightly before she broke into a bright smile. “Alister… you didn’t have to,” she said softly, taking the ice cream from him.

Alister shrugged. “I did. You love chocolate.”

Her smile deepened as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her silver locks catching the warm glow of the amusement park lights. She took a small lick of the ice cream, her expression lighting up with satisfaction.

“Thanks, Alister,” she said warmly.

They continued walking together, passing by various attractions—the flashing lights of carnival games, the excited screams from roller coasters, and the laughter of families and friends enjoying their time.

Cinder occasionally glanced at Alister’s calm expression, her lips curving slightly as a soft blush dusted her cheeks. She took another lick of her ice cream, savoring the taste, her mind momentarily at ease.

Then, Alister suddenly spoke. “Are you okay?”

Cinder blinked, pulling herself out of her thoughts. “What do you mean?” she asked, tilting her head.

Alister looked ahead as he replied, “Back during our fight with those humans today… you were yelling about your family.” He turned his gaze to her.

“I just wanted to know if you’re alright after all that… and if being here, surrounded by humans, makes you angry.”

Cinder came to a stop, her fingers tightening slightly around the ice cream cone. She looked around at the sights before her—the towering Ferris wheel, the flashing neon signs, the children tugging their parents toward rides.

The air was filled with laughter and excitement, completely different from the battlefield earlier that day.

She let out a slow sigh. “Oh…” she murmured.

Alister waited patiently as she gathered her thoughts.

Finally, she spoke again. “I’d be lying if I said I was completely okay.”

“But… I understand that the humans then aren’t the same as the ones now.” She took another glance at the people around her, watching them enjoy their time without a care in the world.

“I know I can’t be angry at all of them just because of something a group of bad humans did.”

She let out a small chuckle, looking down at her ice cream. “Besides, these ones make chocolate, and they laugh, and they have fun.” Her expression softened.

“I think if my family were still alive… they’d like it here.”

Suddenly, Alister started laughing.

Cinder looked up at him in confusion. “What? What’s so funny?”

Alister shook his head, a rare, genuine smile playing on his lips. “Nothing, sorry… You just… sounded so different saying that.” He met her gaze with a warm smile. “But it’s a good thing.”

“I’m happy you’re happy.”

Cinder felt her face heat up at his words. She quickly looked away, licking her ice cream to hide the flustered expression creeping onto her face.

“T-Thanks,” she muttered.

Alister chuckled again, taking another bite of his own ice cream.

As they continued walking, Alister glanced around at the different rides. “So, which one should we get on?”

“The Ferris wheel? The roller coaster? Maybe—”

Before he could finish, Cinder suddenly tugged on his sleeve.

“Alister,” she said softly.

He turned to her, only to see her holding up an empty cone, her eyes wide with a cute look of expectation.

“I want more chocolate.”

Alister blinked. “Wait… you finished it already?”

Cinder blushed, looking away. “I-I’m sorry… It was just so sweet, I didn’t even realize when I ate it all…”

Alister stared at her for a moment before a chuckle escaped him.

“Finishing an entire ice cream in less than a minute?” He shook his head, grinning.

“Seems I’ll have to make the next one a little bigger.”

She looked away, feeling embarrassed.

As Alister laughed, Cinder suddenly noticed a small smudge of vanilla ice cream on his cheek. She tilted her head slightly before saying,

“Hold still.”

Alister paused mid-laugh, looking at her in confusion. “What?”

Cinder reached out, her finger gently scooping the bit of ice cream from his cheek. Before Alister could react, she brought her finger to her lips and licked it.

“Hmm…”

“This flavor isn’t that bad, though I still prefer chocolate.”

For a second, everything seemed quiet.

Then, as she glanced up at Alister, she saw the completely stunned expression on his face. His usually composed expression was gone; instead, his eyes were slightly widened in shock, his mouth slightly open.

Realizing what she had just done, Cinder’s face turned bright red.

“I-I… I’m sorry! I wasn’t thinking!” she stammered, stepping back.

Alister blinked, then let out another small chuckle, shaking his head. “It’s fine,” he said, his voice warm. “You don’t have to worry about it.”

Cinder still looked flustered, but she managed a small nod. She quickly looked away, pretending to focus on something else while Alister simply smiled, amused by her reaction.

As Alister leaned in slightly, his voice took on a teasing tone. “Also…”

Cinder, still flustered from her earlier action, blinked at him. “Yes…?”

Alister smirked. “You know… you’re supposed to eat the cone too. It’s a biscuit.”

Cinder’s eyes widened in surprise. She stared down at the cone in her hand, tilting it slightly as if evaluating its worth.

“Really?”

“Really,” Alister confirmed, his smirk growing.

Without hesitating, Cinder took a bite of the cone, crunching into it. Her eyes immediately lit up, the crispy texture and lingering taste of chocolate surprising her.

“This is good!” she exclaimed before quickly finishing off the rest in a few bites.

Alister chuckled. “Glad you liked it. But next time, try to savor it more, okay?”

Cinder gave a sheepish nod, rubbing the back of her neck. “Okay…”

Alister shook his head, still amused. “Alright, wait here. I’ll go get another one for you.”

Cinder’s face brightened at that. “Really?!”

He sighed with a small smile. “Yes, really. Just… don’t finish it in under a minute this time.”

Cinder giggled. “I’ll try!”

As Alister walked back toward the ice cream stall, Cinder clasped her hands behind her back, rocking slightly on her heels as she watched him go, a small, content smile on her lips.

Alister returned moments later, handing Cinder a noticeably larger chocolate ice cream cone.

“Here,” he said, smirking slightly. “This one should last you more than a minute.”

Cinder’s eyes sparkled as she accepted it. “Thank you, Alister!”

“Just try to savor it this time,” he teased.

She nodded enthusiastically, Alister chuckled, shaking his head, before his gaze wandered across the amusement park.

His eyes landed on a claw machine—one of those glass-encased arcade games where a mechanical claw attempted to grab prizes.

Without a word he finished his ice cream in moments, then walked over and studied the controls. Cinder followed, watching curiously while nibbling at her ice cream.

“What is this?” she asked, tilting her head.

“It’s machine people usually use to collect souvenirs to remember days like this one,” Alister said, inserting a coun. The machine lit up, and the claw came to life.

He maneuvered it carefully, positioning it over a stuffed toy.

The claw descended, gripped weakly, and immediately lost its hold.

“Seems it’s harder than it looks,” Alister said with a look of curiosity.

Cinder giggled. “Well… Can’t you try again?”

Alister cracked his knuckles, inserting another coin. “Indeed I can.”

This time, he focused more, adjusting the claw’s position slightly. He pressed the button, and the claw dropped down, gripping a small red dragon-shaped plushie. The claw wobbled, but the plush stayed in its grasp until it reached the prize chute.

A soft thud sounded as the plushie landed inside.

Alister reached in, pulling out the small, adorable dragon plush before turning and offering it to Cinder.

“Here,” he said simply.

Cinder blinked in surprise, staring at the plush in his hands.

“You won this… for me?” she asked, hesitant.

Alister arched an eyebrow. “Obviously.”

Cinder reached out slowly, taking the plushie in her hands. She studied its cute little wings, the soft material, and the way it fit perfectly in her grip.

For a moment, she didn’t say anything.

Then, she hugged the plushie against her chest, a rare but genuine smile gracing her lips.

“Thank you, Alister,” she said softly.

Alister shrugged as if it were nothing, but he glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, taking in the way she held onto it so gently.

As they continued walking, Cinder’s gaze wandered around the amusement park. She noticed people all around—holding hands, leaning close, some even sneaking kisses under the glow of the lights.

Her eyes flickered toward Alister.

Her grip on the plush tightened, her lips pressing together for a brief moment.

Her chest felt strange—warm, happy and uneasy all at once.

Alister, completely unaware of her inner turmoil, suddenly spoke.

“We should check out the roller coaster next,” he suggested, looking ahead at the towering ride in the distance. The sound of excited screams filled the air.

Cinder hesitated for just a second before responding. “O-Okay,” she said.

But before they could move, she took a small step closer to him.

Her face turned slightly away, her silver hair catching the soft lights of the park. Then, with a visible gulp, she slowly reached out her hand toward him, her plushy pressed against her body in the hand that held her ice cream.

“Um… Alister,” she murmured.

He turned to look at her, noticing how she was deliberately avoiding his gaze.

“Yeah?”

Her fingers curled slightly before she forced herself to speak.

“Would it… be okay if we held hands?” she asked, her voice quieter than usual.

Alister blinked.

Cinder felt her face heating up more and more with every second of silence that followed.

She immediately regretted asking.

“Never mind! Forget I said any—”

Before she could pull her hand back, Alister grabbed it.

His grip was firm but warm.

Cinder froze, her breath catching in her throat.

Alister looked forward again, completely casual about it. “Alright. Let’s go.”