Morning at the academy felt calm as always.
Sunlight streamed through the dining hall windows, illuminating the long tables where students gathered.
Kael sat quietly, chewing his food at a slow pace.
His gaze was distant.
His mind clearly wasn't on the meal.
The upcoming exam…
What would it be like?
"Kael."
Irieth's voice pulled him back.
He glanced at her.
"Eat properly," she said flatly, though there was a hint of concern in her tone.
Kael gave a faint smile. "Yeah… I was just thinking about the exam."
Irieth took a sip of her drink before replying.
"Whatever it is… it'll give us experience. Before we're actually sent to the frontlines."
Kael nodded.
"Hmm… I'm kind of curious about Lints. Haven't seen him around much. Didn't he rank in the top three during the magic exam?"
"Lints?" Irieth repeated.
"Yeah."
She thought for a moment. "I heard he was summoned to the royal capital before the exam. The king asked him to treat General Bouttier at the border."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Treat? What happened?"
"A curse."
Kael paused mid-bite.
"So he specializes in curses?"
Irieth nodded slightly. "His family does. But… Lints is different."
"Different how?"
"He's considered a rare talent."
Kael nodded slowly.
Interesting…
Before he could think further—
Irieth looked at him.
"By the way… where did you go last night?"
Kael answered casually. "Just went out to buy some things."
Irieth narrowed her eyes.
"You're lying."
Kael paused.
"Your eyes moved just now," she added.
Kael chuckled lightly. "You can tell that?"
She didn't answer.
She just stared at him.
"…Alright," Kael sighed. "Actually—"
And he told her everything.
The forest.
The orc king.
The minotaur.
And the mysterious man.
Irieth listened in silence.
But gradually—
Her expression shifted.
She frowned.
"…Why didn't you take me with you?" she said softly.
Kael blinked.
Irieth turned her face away.
"You went with Lancer instead…"
There was a faint hint of jealousy in her voice.
Before Kael could respond—
"Heh!"
Someone suddenly cut in.
Leinhardt pulled out a chair and dropped into it carelessly.
"You're cruel, Kael! Not inviting your dear friend here?"
He grinned.
"If I was there, that mysterious guy and that minotaur would've been finished instantly!"
Smack!
Rose hit the back of his head without hesitation.
"If you were there, you'd be lying on the ground from fear."
"Ow! That hurts!" Leinhardt complained.
"Who says I'm a coward? I'm brave!"
Perona snorted from the side.
"Brave? Yesterday you ran away just from seeing your fiancée."
"That's different!" Leinhardt protested quickly.
He pointed at them dramatically.
"She's a monster!"
A brief silence—
Then laughter broke out across the table.
Even Kael let out a small chuckle.
The atmosphere lightened instantly.
Leon, who had just arrived, finally spoke.
"If we're talking about the exam… I don't think it'll be that simple."
Everyone grew slightly more serious.
"Why?" Leinhardt asked.
Leon crossed his arms.
"Before sending us to the frontlines, they usually test us in conditions close to the real thing."
"Meaning?" Lancer asked as he joined them.
"We might be sent into dangerous zones… or given unpredictable missions."
Leinhardt sighed dramatically. "Sounds like a pain."
"That's because you're weak," Rose replied bluntly.
"Hey! Don't underestimate me!"
Perona laughed. "Let's hope you don't faint during the exam."
Kael stayed silent.
But in his mind—
This exam…
…won't be ordinary.
"…Either way," Kael said finally, "we just need to be ready."
Irieth glanced at him and nodded.
"Yeah."
The bell rang.
Their conversation came to an end.
"It's starting," Leon said, standing up.
One by one, they left their seats.
The relaxed mood slowly faded.
A new day.
And maybe—
The beginning of something bigger.
Classes passed without anything unusual.
But once they ended—
Irieth approached Kael immediately.
"Kael."
He looked up from his books. "Hm?"
She stood in front of him, eyes fixed.
"I want to do what you did yesterday."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "You mean… go to the forest?"
She nodded without hesitation.
Kael sighed. "Come on… that wasn't exactly a good thing. Sneaking out, lying about shopping, just to hunt monsters."
Irieth pouted.
"But you went with Lancer."
Kael paused… then smiled faintly.
"What? You don't want to lose to Lancer?" he teased.
Irieth looked away slightly.
"…It just feels strange."
"Strange?"
"You seem close to him."
Kael blinked.
"He's a guy… but I still feel uncomfortable."
Kael shivered.
"Irieth, where is your mind going?" he laughed. "There's no way I like him. He's a guy."
She remained pouting.
"I'm still annoyed."
Kael smiled and gently took her hand.
"Then let's spar today instead."
His smile was easy, relaxed.
Irieth hesitated.
Clearly tempted.
But—
She shook her head.
"No. I still want to fight monsters."
Kael sighed again. "Not now. Let's do it next week."
She stared at him for a moment.
"…Hmph. Mean."
Kael chuckled. "Heh."
Silence lingered briefly.
Then—
"…Fine. Next week. But just the two of us."
Kael nodded. "Deal."
She seemed calmer now.
Kael gently pulled her hand.
"Come to my room."
Irieth frowned. "Why?"
Kael smiled faintly.
"I've got something for you."
(Kael's Room)
His room was simple.
Clean. Organized. Minimal.
Irieth stood near the door, glancing around.
"You're always neat."
Kael didn't respond, walking to his desk instead.
He opened his bag.
And took something out.
A small dark crystal.
The orc king's core.
Irieth immediately recognized it.
"…That?"
Kael stepped closer and held it out.
"I got it yesterday."
She didn't take it right away.
"…It's valuable."
"I know."
"Then why—"
"Because it suits you better."
She fell silent.
Kael continued casually.
"Your abilities lean toward magic and healing. This will help your control."
Irieth stared at the crystal.
Then at him.
"…Are you sure?"
Kael nodded without hesitation.
"Think of it as an investment… for my future wife."
Irieth looked away slightly.
"…You're always like this."
"Like what?"
"Doing whatever you want."
Kael chuckled. "If you don't want it, then—"
Before he finished—
She grabbed it.
"…I never said I didn't."
Kael smiled.
Silence followed.
"…Thank you," she said softly.
Kael leaned back in his chair.
"So… next week?"
She nodded.
"…Just the two of us."
"Just the two of us."
Outside, the sun began to set.
And inside that room—
A small promise was made.
Silence lingered.
"…How is it?" Kael asked.
"Dense… stable," Irieth replied.
"It is from an orc king."
She glanced at him. "You say that so casually."
Kael shrugged. "Overthinking it just makes it heavier."
She studied him.
"…You've changed."
"Have I?"
"A little."
Kael smiled faintly.
"…Maybe."
Another silence.
Then—
"…Kael."
"Yeah?"
"…Thank you."
He smiled.
Their eyes met.
Neither looked away.
Then—
The distance between them disappeared.
A brief kiss.
Soft.
Simple.
When they pulled back—
"…That's the second one," she murmured.
Kael smirked. "You're counting?"
She didn't answer.
But her cheeks were slightly red.
(Flashback)
At the edge of the town—
Kael held the core.
Lancer glanced at it. "Selling it?"
"No."
"Using it?"
"…Giving it to Irieth."
Lancer raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"
"That's an orc king core," Leon added.
"I know."
Lancer snorted. "You're really down bad."
Leon smiled slightly. "…Then don't hold back."
Kael looked at them.
"In return… ask for anything."
Lancer grinned. "Now that sounds interesting."
"If something happens, help cover for it," Leon said.
"Deal."
Lancer crossed his arms. "Then I want a real fight. No holding back."
Kael chuckled. "That's all?"
"I want to see your true strength."
"…Alright."
Leon paused.
"…When we reach the frontlines… if I ask for help, don't hesitate."
Kael smiled.
"Deal."
(Back to Present)
"…They helped too," Kael said.
Irieth looked at him. "What do you mean?"
"It wasn't just me."
He stood up.
"So don't waste it."
Irieth held the core tighter.
"…I won't. I'll carry it with me."
Kael smiled.
Outside, the sky darkened.
What seemed like an ordinary day—
Was already setting something bigger in motion.