At that moment, Abigail naturally woke up, and the first thing she did upon opening her eyes was call out.
"Leon, why does my mouth taste sweet? It’s like there’s a hint of pumpkin."
"Maybe you’re just hungry," Leon replied, glancing back at her. "How’s your body feeling? Any discomfort anywhere?"
"No, I feel great. I’m full of energy, and my head’s clear." Abigail swung her legs off the bed, landed on the floor, and after stretching a little, gave her answer.
"That’s good." Leon let out a breath of relief and was about to tell Abigail to head back.
But Abigail noticed something on her left index finger. "Huh? When did this ring get here?"
"Uh… you don’t know?" Leon asked, puzzled. Didn’t Rasmodius say that as soon as Abigail woke up, she would know how to transform it?
"I don’t… wait? I think I do."
Abigail had started to say she didn’t know, but as soon as her fingers brushed the ring, she changed her answer.
Leon then saw Abigail’s right hand touch the ring, and in the blink of an eye, it transformed into its true form—a Galaxy Dagger—which she gripped firmly in her hand.
"Wow, that’s convenient!" Abigail excitedly switched the Galaxy Dagger back into a ring and then back into a dagger, playing with it like it was a brand-new toy.
Leon, meanwhile, just watched, his expression torn between admiration and concern.
Because every time Abigail got the dagger, she couldn’t resist swinging it a couple of times—and right next to him was his single bed.
Leon knew exactly how sharp Galaxy Weapons were. If she accidentally sliced through his bedsheets, sleeping tonight would be a real problem.
Fortunately, although Abigail liked to play around, she was careful. She always avoided the furniture in Leon’s small cabin, so no real damage was done.
"Did you make this?" Once the novelty wore off, Abigail switched the Galaxy Dagger back into a ring and asked.
"No, a friend of mine made it. You were unconscious before, and I was worried, so I asked him to check on you. He also made this for you." Leon didn’t tell Abigail about Rasmodius.
Just as Rasmodius had said—if Abigail wanted to live as an ordinary person, it was better she didn’t know about these things.
If she ever changed her mind, that would be Rasmodius’s concern, not his.
"I see. Leon, you’re acting suspicious. I feel like I know you well, but the more I’m around you, the more mysterious you seem. First, there’s that female magician you know, and then the sand dragon fossil that could still roar. How much are you hiding from me?"
As she spoke, Abigail circled Leon as if trying to uncover his secrets.
Leon rolled his eyes. "I don’t know that witch, and I told you the roar of the Sand Dragon was just your imagination."
"Do you think I believe that?" Abigail shot him a sideways look. "I just didn’t press you because I didn’t want to cause trouble."
"Anyway, it’s getting late. You should head back," Leon said, checking his watch and trying to steer the conversation away.
"But I bought so many things. What if I can’t carry them all back on my own?" Abigail complained, going along with his change of subject.
"Was I the one who forced you to buy them?" Leon asked dryly.
"I guess I’ll just have to take them in batches. That means I’ll have to come by more often." Abigail narrowed her eyes. "You don’t mind me visiting often, do you?"
"Fine, I’ll take you back." Leon sighed.
"Hehe, great! And you can visit my house too. Ages ago you said you’d come meet my mom, but you never did." Abigail’s face lit up as she teased him.
"If I suddenly show up, your parents won’t be prepared. I don’t want to trouble them," Leon said.
"It’s fine. Before I left this morning, I already told my mom I’d invite you for dinner tonight. She’s probably finished preparing everything by now. No trouble at all."
"Aren’t you worried I might refuse?" Leon asked.
"Will you?" Abigail countered.
"A free dinner? Why not?" Leon went along with it.
In truth, he was curious to meet Caroline—not because he had any designs on her, but because he wanted to try the tea she grew.
He really couldn’t get used to coffee, but tea was different. Ever since he quit smoking, it had become one of his few pleasures.
"Haha! I knew it. Let’s go!" Abigail jumped up, grabbed Leon’s arm, and headed for the door.
Outside the cabin, Leon pulled out his bicycle, intending to ride there, but Abigail stopped him.
"It’s only a half-hour walk. Let’s just go on foot."
"But a bike’s faster. Walking will waste time," Leon pointed out.
"I feel like I’ve taken a bucket of energy tonic. If I don’t walk it off, I’ll go crazy," Abigail explained.
"Alright, we’ll do it your way." Leon thought about how he was the reason Abigail was in this state—taking her to see the Sand Dragon—and agreed.
To him, the difference between walking and cycling was just time. He wasn’t the newbie he had been when he first came to Stardew Valley. Even a half-hour sprint wouldn’t leave him breathless now.
"Yay!" Abigail clapped her hands in excitement.
Seeing her like this, Leon decided it really was best to let her burn off some energy. Otherwise, Caroline and Pierre might think he had given her something suspicious.
But walking probably wouldn’t be enough, so Leon suggested, "Let’s run there instead. Running’s the best way to burn off energy and calm down. What do you think?"
"Sure! Let’s make it a race. Whoever gets to my house first can make the loser agree to one condition. How about it?"
"First tell me what you plan to make me do," Leon said cautiously.
"Obviously, I want you to help me beat Prairie King’s Big Adventure. I don’t want Sophia’s high score above mine forever," Abigail said, frowning.
"Your competitive streak is way too strong," Leon muttered.
"So, do you agree or not?" Abigail pressed.
"Fine. But don’t cry if you lose."
"Hmph, you should be thinking about how we’ll break Sophia’s record together." Abigail said that—and then darted off without warning, leaving Leon shaking his head.
Starting that fast meant she’d never run long-distance before. Victory was as good as his.
Now… what should I make her do when I win?
With that thought, Leon started running after her.
In the setting sun, their shadows stretched long, but the gap between them kept shrinking.
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