The days passed quickly as Autumn drew to an end. The Winter Quarter was approaching, and with it came colder days and several more months of preparation before the trials.
From gruelling body conditioning with Burnad to Markos's applied combat training, the Starless had no choice but to adapt.
The transformation from kids of different backgrounds to disciplined young fighters was inevitable. It was something that the Church expected.
"You will see Starless from different countries in Chimera participating in the trials," Instructor Lillia said. "It is a chance for each of you to showcase your talents. The better you do, the lower your ranked position."
She paused. "You are all competing to meet the cut-off mark," she continued. "If you wish to gain your first star and be trusted as Synchrite, you will do your best."
There was a stern expression on her face when she said this, but it completely disappeared as a hand shot into the air.
"Yes?"
"What rank did you come, Instructor?"
Lillia paused for a second, her lips curving into a smile. She cocked her head in thought.
"Out of all the Starless that participated…" She closed her eyes. "I came second."
Awe burst from the class, and she broke into laughter at the cheers.
"But that time was different compared to your generation," she said. "Who knows how well I would have done now."
The words sounded like modest talk to Ester. She had always seemed so composed, with a warm, friendly smile. But she remembered the two Flo beasts she had seen with her on the first day, and the talk of her even having a third one. Ester couldn't help but shudder.
In the distance, the strike of a bell on a tower could be heard, a signal for all the Starless that it was time for lunch.
"Okay, okay! Before you all go…" Lillia raised her hands in front of her. "Please, please take your training seriously because I don't want any of you to fail..."
Ester wished Lillia hadn't glanced at her when she said this.
They hurried out of the lecture theatre towards the dining hall, older students littering the hallway.
"Hah… not only is Instructor Lillia smart and pretty…" Saphy sighed. "She's also super strong."
Ester let out a smirk.
"Have you seen her fight before?"
Saphy narrowed her eyes.
"No...but everyone's heard of her." Saphy turned to the others. "...Right?"
They all nodded.
Kris studied Ester. "...You haven't?"
Ester felt a lump forming at the back of her throat.
"...We never saw Synchrites in the countryside," she said. "...And my father forbade me from learning about them."
It seemed like an eternity before Kris slowly nodded.
"Oh..."
As they reached the dining hall door, they passed a few older students who were loitering in the hallway. One red-headed boy did a double take before swarming Arthur like he was some sort of celebrity.
"Wait… you're the Phoenix Avatar, right?" one said excitedly.
Arthur could barely manage shy nods as they all surrounded him, arms over his shoulder and pats on the back.
"Uh, y-yeah…" He managed.
"Tch, can we just leave him?" Ezekiel scowled.
"That's not nice." Kris frowned.
Ezekiel rolled his eyes as they watched Arthur's silent plea for help.
Ester was still uncomfortable being around Arthur. She couldn't help it. Even though she knew he wasn't a bad person, it was his appearance that made her uncomfortable.
He looked too perfect.
Combined with how earnest he was, she couldn't do it. She needed a distraction.
"...Lillia said she came second during the trials…" She turned to the others. "Who came first?"
Ezekiel and Saphy just shrugged. Kris frowned for a moment.
"...I think it was-"
Before he could finish what he was saying, one of the Starred students said something that sent a shiver down her spine.
"Yeah… The person who killed the Arcon candidate is here."
Ezekiel whipped his head up from his hands, his eyes narrowing in sharp confusion.
Ester could barely breathe.
"Uh…" Arthur mumbled, resisting the urge to turn around. "Are you serious?"
The Starred student shrugged.
"Well, that's what's being said," he replied. "But...judging by the timing…" He put a finger to his chin. "It has to be a Starless, right?"
"So it's just a rumour?" Ezekiel interrupted, his arms folded.
The Starred student looked at him, a confused expression crossing his face before he cleared his throat.
"I guess...but that wouldn't really make sense," he said. "Why would a rumour such as that go around if there wasn't a bit of validity in it?"
Ezekiel couldn't respond. There was silence when he said this before another Starred student tapped him on the shoulder, signalling him to enter the dining hall as well.
"Anyway, I was told this yesterday… I'm not sure how many Starless know about this, but heads up!"
The Starless watched as they headed into the dining hall. Muffled chatter from the other students could be heard, yet the only thing that was on their minds was what he had said. However, not all for the same reason.
Ezekiel just sighed, placing his hands over his head as he headed to the door. Kris followed him, discussing what had just been said, yet Ester couldn't bring her quivering legs to move. What will they do if they find out it was her? She felt an indescribable amount of sadness well up inside her.
"Ester, can you come with me for a second?" Saphy said loudly.
She felt a pull on her arm as Saphy guided her away from the others. She saw the nod Arthur gave them as he ran to catch up with Ezekiel and Kris. She saw them turn around as Arthur waved his hands, trying to convey an excuse as to where they were going.
"Oh, Ester…" Saphy wrapped her arms around Ester's head, as Ester couldn't help but heave silently. "You're okay..."
She wasn't. She didn't feel like it. A couple of seconds passed as Ester allowed herself to fall apart in Saphy's arms. Her purple pullover was warm and embracing. It took all her strength and a shaky breath to pull herself from Saphy's hold.
"Thank you…" She managed.
Saphy shook her head before pausing. A smile formed on her face.
"I guess I'm just used to it now." She chuckled.
Ester felt like she was trying to make her laugh, but all it did was make her more aware of how much Saphy had been there for her.
She took another deep breath.
"I'm fine now... I was just surprised."
"Surprised...? You looked like you were about to collapse on the floor."
Ester couldn't help but wince.
"B-but no one knows it was you, or what you look like." She blurted.
"But they will." Ester replied instantly. "If someone could start this rumour then what else do they..."
Ester froze. Just how many people knew about her?
Saphy looked at her for a moment before gently squeezing her hand.
"If anything happens, the instructors will fight for you... I will fight for you."
Ester's chest tightened. She couldn't meet her eyes.
Ester felt her heart sink further when she said this. She felt as though there was nothing she could offer Saphy in return. They stayed in silence until a boy carrying a heavy cardboard box came along, muttering as he did so. A familiar pair of big-framed glasses came into view as he passed them.
"Cosmo?"
He stopped abruptly, almost cartoonishly, turning to find Ester and Saphy staring at him. His eyes widened, a smile forming before he noticed their expressions.
"...What's wrong?"
"Nothing.." Ester wiped her face. "Just not feeling well…" She turned her attention to the box he was holding. "What's that?"
"Oh! Just some new books for the library." He grinned, smelling the box. "You interested?"
Ester let out a weary smile.
"Are they any good?"
Cosmo looked appalled at the question.
"I'll have you know that that is the joy of reading."
He steadied the box. "Come to the library when you're feeling better." He paused. "And thanks…for cheering me on." He fixed his glasses.
"You were so strong...it's surprising," Saphy said looking him up and down.
Cosmo closed his eyes at the remark, like it was a blow.
"Yeah...I know…" He sighed. "My brother's convinced that I'm some kind of fighting genius, but I'd rather read." He paused. "I wish he understood that…"
"You did seem quite capable when you fought against the other third years," Saphy remarked.
"Oh, thank you." He cocked his head. "Truth is… Nathaniel's too hard-headed to think of strategies, and Eli didn't think he needed any… so compared to them… I guess I had to use my head a little."
He shook his head.
"Okay, I need to get back to the library," he said. "I hope to see you both soon!"
They waved him goodbye as he tried not to smack into other students.
"He's funny," Saphy said.
Ester smiled as she watched him leave.
Just then, Saphy's stomach rumbled. Loudly. Embarrassingly.
"...Hungry?" Ester smirked.
Saphy nodded quickly.
Whilst Ezekiel and Kris bickered and Saphy and Arthur laughed at their own jokes, Ester was quieter than usual, making sure no one could see through her. See how terrified she was.
Each bite she took, she forced down, careful not to throw up.
Markos's lesson started the same. They were all given the option to work on something during the lesson, provided they show proof of what they had done. Ezekiel, Geire, and Arthur were on the training targets whilst Kris had joined Ester with weapon mastery alongside Markos. Saphy had decided she was much more comfortable manipulating Flo in the environment rather than her own body, occasionally seeking Lillia's help along with some other Starless.
Markos went around the Starless who were training with him, offering tips and instructions on how each of them should improve their weapon of choice.
Kris had taken up two pairs of wooden swords, and even though he was new to it, he was a pretty quick learner. It came as a surprise to Ester.
Markos gave them all permission to practice swinging their weapons. From feints to thrusts to slashes, they continued this for what felt like ages.
For everyone, except for Ester.
She was so absorbed in the practice that she didn't hear Kris calling her name.
Swing. Rest. Swing. Again.
Her movements were becoming more deliberate with every repetition. She practiced the same swing over and over, shifting into a thrust before resetting her stance again.
"Ester?" Kris waved his hand.
Ester swung again, barely noticing him. She stepped forward and thrust again, her wooden rapier cutting cleanly through the air.
"Seriously...?"
They did this until the lesson came to an end.
"Is...something bothering you, Ester?" Kris asked, studying her. "You've had this serious expression all afternoon."
Ester tried her best to feign ignorance.
"O-Oh..um.." she stammered. "I...just want to improve my skills...for the trials."
It wasn't a complete lie, yet Kris just gave a slow nod in response as he fished another candied stick out of nowhere.
"Ah…"
The last lesson of the day was completed and the Starless were free to go to the bathhouses immediately or wait until later in the evening. Saphy thought that was what Ester needed, dragging her with her along as she heard Ezekiel on her side boasting to them about how well he did on the targets, pointless conversations.
She felt like all of this was just temporary.
Even with Saphy with her, it just made her feel more pathetic with herself. What if something happened to Saphy for defending her? Would she forgive herself?
She held back tears throughout the bathing, unwilling to allow more of herself to be seen.
When they got back to their dorm, Saphy was drying her hair, humming under the darkening sky.
Ester got changed into her issued casual attire as she stared out of the window, the moon slightly visible now.
"...What song is that?" Ester tried.
"A song my older sister used to sing to me." She smiled. "About a Geneevan woman who faced adversity head on."
She pumped her fist when she said this in an imitating way.
"...Or that's what she told me."
There was a wistful look in her eyes when she said this and Ester felt a knot tie in her chest.
"Anyway… Are you coming to the recreation room?" Saphy's eyes lit up again. "This time, I'll beat Zeek at those board games."
Ester forced a smile.
"I will, I just need to…" She looked around. "Get another book from the library."
Saphy tilted her head at her, rolling her eyes.
"Ugh."
She stood up to leave before squeezing Ester's hands, thinking of something to say, but just ending up with a strained smile.
She turned around to leave, stopping after a few steps before turning back.
"...Or should I come with you..?"
Ester sighed.
"Go!" she said, smirking.
After a few moments of Saphy leaving the room, Ester got up and opened the drawer where the necklace that man had given her was. She stared at the green gem on it for a while before taking a deep breath and closing the drawer again. She left the room, the door shutting with a click.
The HoS library was busy with Starred students whispering and chattering as they read and studied together, some impressing others with their Flo manipulation.
She spotted Cosmo at the desk, his head down as he scribbled something on paper.
"Um…"
Cosmo jerked his head up, his usual cartoonish, wide-eyed grin reappearing on his face.
"Oh, good evening, Ester!" He cocked his head. "What's up? How are you feeling? Better? Or do you need something? I can-"
"I'm fine, I'm fine… Thank you." Her voice was light. "...I was wondering if you could, um… help me."
His eyes narrowed.
"With what?"
"Can you teach me how to fight?"