Renji is smart enough to understand that being bed-ridden wouldn't help his cause. He's being careful and taking Maya's advice. That doesn't mean he isn't pushing his limits. He is. The soreness is ever-present, and the pain is louder than his thoughts. But he's not doing it to the point of breaking.
Day two, still nothing but drops. His arms tremble from holding his stance too long.
Day three, the drops turn into a thin stream, barely enough to rinse his hands. But it's something.
Day five, his vision blurs mid-focus. He vomits from the strain. Maya watches in silence, proud but worried.
Day seven, the stream is just a little stronger and bigger. He smiles for the first time all week.
He keeps going at it, balancing training with his studies. Maya is with him as often as she can. She trusts him, but doesn't want to risk him going too far.
Day in and day out, Renji keeps grinding. Not a single day goes by without him honing his skills, despite Maya's advice to catch a break.
The progress is very slow, but apparent enough to keep him going.
It's true that Renji might be blessed, but he also has a characteristic that separates him from his peers, which is his perseverance. Not many choose to train as hard as he does.
He's on a mission.
[Four Months Later]
Another semester went by as Renji kept going, and also kept it a secret to fulfill Maya's request. What he didn't know is that eyes were locked on him at all times. He could sometimes feel it. A piercing gaze from a distance. The wind blowing just a little different. He never seen or heard anyone, but he felt something there. He kept it in his thoughts.
He improved a lot. The spells he used to cast with a chant, he can now cast without a word. He finally reached that level. Still a long way to go, but he can now leave chants as a thing of the past.
Today is his birthday and he's turning seventeen.
Maya arrives quietly at the academy's entrance just after classes end. She's not alone. She brought a small group of Renji's closest friends: Rena, Ryou, Gudo and Lia. They all look a little nervous, but determined.
Maya holds a simple but elegant box wrapped in plain brown paper and tied with a string. Nothing flashy, just thoughtful.
She finds Renji sitting alone on the bench near the training grounds, eyes tired but focused as always.
"Happy birthday, Renji." Maya says softly.
Renji blinks, caught off guard.
"You knew?" he asks, almost suspicious.
"I have access to your record." Maya replies with a small smirk. "It's not that hard to find out."
She gestures to the friends behind her, who quietly step forward with shy smiles and small gifts. Nothing extravagant, maybe a rare book on magic theory, a handcrafted charm for protection, and some homemade pastries.
"We thought you might like a break from training." Maya adds. "Even if just for today."
Renji's tough exterior softens a bit. He looks at the gifts, then at the faces of the people who made an effort for him, people who actually care.
He still won't say much, but the quiet gratitude in his eyes says enough.
Rena sits down and bumps into him.
"So what do you wanna do today?"
Renji thinks.
"I don't know. I haven't celebrated my birthday in years. What do people do nowadays?"
"We could, you know, walk around townnn, eat some good food, play some stupid games, and stuff like that."
"Do I have a choice?"
"No."
"Figures. Alright, take me wherever."
They head out of the academy gates together, the afternoon sun warm but not oppressive. The group moves through the lively streets of Almenio town, the hum of market chatter and distant music filling the air.
Gudo, usually quieter, cracks a small smile as he nudges Renji.
"First stop: food. I know a place that has the best fried dumplings. Bet you'll forget all about training for a minute."
Renji follows without protest.
At the small stall, the group crowds around, grabbing dumplings and steaming bowls of soup. Maya watches Renji closely, seeing the slight ease in his posture as he munches quietly.
Afterward, Rena drags everyone toward a brightly decorated arcade filled with old-school magical games and challenges. The group splits up to try their luck.
Renji surprises them all by effortlessly winning a simple reflex challenge, earning a silly glowing badge. He pockets it with a rare, amused grin.
Later, Maya leads them to a quiet park where soft grass stretches beneath blossoming trees. They sit, sharing stories and letting the calm settle over them.
Gudo tosses a small pebble at Renji, teasing. "Happy birthday, man. You earned this break."
Renji's eyes flick to Maya's for a moment, gratitude and something deeper swirling in the silence between them.
Rena stretches her arms. "Ooo, there's a bookstore nearby I've been dying to check out. Come with?"
"I'm in." Lia chimes.
Gudo shrugs. "I'm tired of sitting. I'll tag along."
Ryou looks to Renji. "You coming?"
Renji glances at Maya, then back at the group. "Nah. I'll stay here a bit."
Rena raises a brow but doesn't press. "Suit yourself. Try not to brood too hard while we're gone."
The four head off, chatting as they disappear around the corner.
Maya stays seated under the blossom tree, petals drifting down like slow rain.
Renji sits back down beside her.
Silence.
It's the kind of quiet that doesn't feel empty.
Just charged.
Renji locks his eyes on Maya.
Maya gets confused.
"What? There's something on my face?"
Renji gets closer and keeps staring.
"Okay, weirdo. What's going on?"
The time stops.
In the heat of the moment, Renji leans in. Closer and closer. He tries to kiss Maya.
She's stunned for a moment, but then...
She pushes him away.
"What's gotten into you?!"