Celeste stood motionless as the boys' figures disappeared down the path. The dust had barely settled when she heard soft footsteps behind her. She turned—and there was Lyra, her expression stunned, hurt, and confused.
"You…" Lyra's voice cracked. "Why did you have to do that?"
Her hands were clenched tightly at her sides, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I didn't ask you to speak for me! Now he'll hate me even more!"
Celeste's mouth opened slightly, but no words came out.
Lyra took another step forward, anger bleeding into her voice. "You don't understand, Celeste. You've never had a crush on someone who didn't even look your way—who treated you like air!"
Celeste flinched. Not from the words—but from how much they echoed her own pain.
Lyra paused, suddenly realizing what she'd just said. Her voice softened immediately. "I… I'm sorry. That was too much. I just—"
Celeste looked at her, and for the first time in a long while, there was gentleness in her voice.
"You're right. I shouldn't have interfered without asking."
Lyra blinked in surprise.
"But," Celeste continued, "you can win."
Lyra gave a sad smile. "Against Kael? You saw what he's capable of."
Celeste stepped forward, voice firmer now. "I know someone who can help you win. Someone who's trained harder than anyone else I know."
Lyra's eyes lit up with hope. "Really? Who?"
Celeste hesitated for a second, then said with a small smile, "She's not a student. But she's strong. If you trust me… she'll meet you tomorrow."
"Where?" Lyra asked, eyes gleaming now, hope blossoming.
"There's a small mountain near the institute's border. It's quiet. She'll be waiting there at sunrise."
Lyra didn't hesitate. "I'll be there."
---------------
The Next Morning
The sky was painted in soft hues of violet and orange as dawn crept over the mountains.
Lyra climbed the rocky trail toward the secluded plateau Celeste had described, heart thumping with anticipation.
As she reached the clearing, her eyes widened.
Standing there was a young woman bathed in the golden light of morning. Her long silver hair flowed behind her, and her eyes held the calm depth of the stars. She was beautiful—elegant, ethereal, and nothing like the Celeste she knew.
She wore dark training gear, simple and unadorned, but carried herself with the grace of someone who had been honed in battle.
"You're… my trainer?" Lyra asked, wide-eyed.
The girl nodded slowly. "You may call me Selene," Celeste said, using the name she had once been known by during her noble training days.
Lyra stared, stunned. "You look like… like someone from the great houses."
"I'm just a traveler now," Selene replied softly. "One who knows how to fight. That's all that matters."
Lyra quickly bowed. "Please, teach me. I'll do whatever it takes."
Selene walked closer, her voice steady. "Then your training begins now."
And so it did.
For the next few hours, the mountain air was filled with the sound of spell chants, footsteps, and shouts. Selene moved gracefully, demonstrating techniques, correcting Lyra's posture, and pushing her beyond her limits—yet always with a calm, patient voice.
And Lyra, to her own surprise, responded to it all.
There was something about Selene that inspired her—not just awe, but the desire to become strong on her own terms.
Not for Kael.
Not for love.
But for herself.
As the sun climbed higher, Lyra collapsed on the grass, panting. "You're… incredible…"
Selene handed her a canteen of water. "You're not bad yourself."
Lyra smiled, cheeks flushed.
And somewhere, watching from the shadows of her own mask, Celeste smiled too.
Because for the first time in years, she wasn't just surviving.
She was helping someone rise.