✿✿✿
One morning, while I was getting ready to head to the common dining hall for eighth-years, a loud voice echoed through the hallway and snapped me out of my thoughts. It announced an event held once a year at the academy. One that allowed seventh, eighth, and ninth-year students (the latter before their graduation summons) to take on a mission to assess their aptitude and possibly graduate before the official training year ended.
—This is a direct announcement from the Council of Masters,— the messenger continued. —As of today, the Honorary Trial has been approved. All eighth-year students wishing to participate must gather in the ceremonial courtyard within the hour.
A nearby conversation caught my attention:
—Wasn't this supposed to happen later? —someone asked with a worried tone.
Apparently, I wasn't the only one surprised. But that only made me more curious. And even if I didn't say it out loud, I was already set on joining.
—Perfect! I can't let this chance slip! —I whispered, clenching my fists.
—Keia, you seem excited about this. Already decided to go? —a familiar voice said behind me.
—Yes, Cal! This is my shot... —I replied with a grin.
Cal's one of my oldest friends. We used to play together as kids, along with Soly and Vick.
—Though you already knew that, you idiot! —I added, elbowing him playfully.
Cal just laughed, like it was all part of some script we'd done a thousand times. Being around him was easy. Simple. Like breathing.
But that day, though I didn't know it yet, wasn't going to be like the others.
An hour and fifteen minutes later, in the middle of our prep training for the Trial, I met him.
Or rather... them.
The chatter of both younger and older trainees, the sun beating down on our skin, and that tension in the air... And then, those two presences in front and beside me.
One explosive and arrogant.
The other... impossible to ignore.
—I can't wait to show everyone what a great master I'm going to be! Let them see! —a confident voice rang out. I'd never heard such arrogance from someone our age...
I turned to see who it was. He didn't look especially strong or bright enough to back up that kind of talk. But there was something in his tone—something that clashed directly with my nature—that made me respond.
—That'll only mean something if you come out victorious from this trial, —I said, raising an eyebrow and looking at him over my shoulder.
—What do you mean? —he shot back, eyeing me from head to toe like he was analyzing me... or like he was about to devour me.
—I'm a mountain compared to most here,— he added with a cocky grin. —This test will be a piece of cake if I face them...
That made my Lysae boil. This guy... He has no idea how vast Eloterra is or the weight the Valaryon clan carries to speak so lightly.
—You don't seem like you've got what it takes. It's not all about size and muscles, big guy... —I shot back with a confident smile.
—Oh yeah? —he answered, narrowing his eyes like he thought being slightly taller made him intimidating. —Well, maybe... but I probably have more than you, don't I?
I was stunned by such stupidity. All I could think was, Better let this one go... Seems like there's nothing but air in that head.
But in the middle of our heated word exchange, a timid voice muttered beside me...
—S-she's... so beautiful...— the other boy whispered. It sounded more like he was talking to himself; I almost missed it entirely.
—W-what's your name?— he asked, still dazed.
—Uh? Keia... —I replied, a bit confused by how he was staring at me. It was like he'd seen a ghost...
Wait. Is there a ghost next to me?
But I didn't get time to think it through or say anything else: the Grandmaster's voice seized everyone's attention.
From that first encounter, our eyes met more times than I'd like to admit.
And even though I tried to ignore him, something about that idiot... started to get my attention.
It wasn't until we trained together that I truly noticed it.
There, between punches, sweat, and silence, I discovered that Yeroy didn't just know how to talk big... He knew how to fight.
When we met that morning, before the sun had fully risen, I couldn't help but ask, "So, do you always train at dawn?" As expected, his arrogance was still intact, and that attitude of his hadn't changed... but that exchange of blows made me feel closer to him, like we'd done this before. Like our bodies understood each other better than words ever could.
After Master Kerl interrupted us, I couldn't stop glancing at him. The teacher must have noticed, because he dropped a bomb that nearly made Lysae pour from my eyes out of sheer embarrassment.
—Keia, it's odd seeing you like this. Is this boy that interesting to you? —said that dumb bald professor.
—W-what are you saying, Master?! —I shot back at that bald-headed jerk... Please bury me now!
After that, we rejoined the others and nothing special happened between us. But the next day, I ran into him again...
I'd never seen this guy before and suddenly he's everywhere. It's like the clan is small, but it's almost as big as the capital city of Valeria...
We didn't talk until that evening. I was tired from training and carrying a basket of bread I'd bought at the market. My hands and feet trembled from exhaustion, and that's when I bumped into him... BAM!
The basket slipped from my hands on impact—it felt like hitting a wall. But he quickly caught the basket and grabbed me by the waist. That was... impressive. Then:
—You should watch where you're going... With those big jade eyes, you should be able to see just fine even in low light,— he said while steadying me.
—S-shut up. You were the one distracted... —I replied, like something was caught in my throat.
Then my legs gave out completely, and I collapsed to the ground.
—Are you okay? —he asked, looking surprised but smiling. —It's kind of ironic seeing a strong monster like you drop to the floor without strength...
When I saw that smile, I realized he wasn't always arrogant. He could be kind too.
—How can you say that with such a sweet smile? Calling a lady a monster... I should smash your face in one punch,— I replied, feeling my cheeks heat up.
He burst out laughing at what I said. His laughter was so genuine and contagious, I couldn't help but laugh too. Just as I suspected... he was kind.
—You can't stand? I can help with that,— he said with a warm smile.
—No, it's fine... I just need to rest a bit—
Just as I was finishing, he cut me off with his usual impulsiveness.
—Come on! Don't be shy! I'm not gonna charge you for that! —he exclaimed as he grabbed my arm to help me up.
But instead of just helping me stand, he spun around and hoisted me onto his back like it was nothing. He held me with one hand and the basket in the other. How much energy does this guy have?!
—Hey! I didn't ask you to carry me! Put me down! —I said, trying to squirm.
But I didn't have the strength... and he was pretty strong.
—Relax, jade-eyes. There's nothing wrong with helping you. Besides, take it as an apology for how I treated you yesterday. I thought I messed up, so... I wanted to say sorry.
That... that was sweet. Too sweet. I felt his words stir something deep in my Semillum, warming my chest. His back felt like a wall... but a warm, gentle one!
We didn't say another word until we got to my house.
—Wait... How do you know where I live? —I asked, surprised.
—What? Didn't you notice I live over there? —he said, pointing at a house just three doors down.
Wait... WHAT?! We live that close?
I didn't answer. My face flushed with embarrassment. I couldn't help but cover it with my hands. And suddenly...
—Can you walk now or should I drop you off in bed? —he asked with a cheeky grin.
This guy...
—T-thanks... You didn't have to do all this... —I muttered, pouting.
—Don't mention it! If you ever want to train again, just say so. We can practice and get stronger together,— he said, walking away, waving with that smile that... ugh!
When I walked into my house, my face was burning. The embarrassment and out-of-control pounding of my Semillum made no sense. I... I trained for years to keep it under control...
—What's wrong, Keia? Why do you look like a tomato? —my mom asked when she saw me.
—N-nothing... Here, the bread I bought, —I said, handing her the basket as I dashed to my room.
What is happening to me? This isn't normal... But he was so kind. And really cute today. How can he switch attitudes like that just with me? I thought as I flopped face-first onto the bed.
The warmth lingered, like his words had left a small fire burning in my chest. I tried to slow my breathing, close my eyes, cool my face... impossible.
His voice echoed: "We can get stronger together."
That idiot... how did he get in my head so fast?
I squeezed my pillow tightly. Rolled over, face hidden in my hands.
—No way... —I whispered. —I'm so screwed!
And that's how the day ended. Me, a mess of emotions, Semillum completely out of control, and a heart that didn't know if it wanted to train again... or just see him one more time.