The sound of broken glass echoed endlessly in the pure white training room with no sign of exit, sky or ground. Mirrors appeared here and there, reflecting on each other before breaking into pieces. Two figures were fighting between them, slithering between the sharp shards of glass to near perfection.
It was without doubt not the first time, as the two people were avoiding and parrying each of their attacks. One of them was a black-haired young woman wearing a pair of black pants, black boots, and an off-shoulder black sweater. In her right hand was a transparent sword, reflecting her impassive, dark eyes. Clenching her sword, she swung it, and two mirrors appeared before her.
On the other hand, a young, handsome, grey-haired man in black leather pants, black boots, and a grey shirt charged. In both of his hands were two short swords that appeared to be one-of-a-kind in the world he was in. When he noticed two mirrors in front of him, he tossed one of his swords and thrust with the other. The first mirror broke, and the second followed right after. With a smile, he continued with his thrust, but no one was there.
Behind him, a mirror formed, and from it, the black-haired woman came out and swung her sword. It should have been the defeat of the grey-haired man, but he expected something like that. With a snap of his fingers, the sword he had thrown came back to his free hand, and he swung it behind him without turning around.
The two swords clashed, and a state of stalemate persisted for ten seconds before a cracking sound rang. The woman's glass sword started to crack and soon exploded into pieces. She jumped back, but her back collided with a mirror.
The grey-haired man stomped the ground and punched out. Mary crossed her arms above her body to shield herself, but nothing happened. When she lowered her hands, she saw a grin on the face of the person she trusted the most in the world.
"I won Mary."
....
"I won Mary."
I grinned to Mary with my fist reached out.
There was no way I was going to harm her.
The dozen of summoned mirrors surrounding her cracked and vanished into shards of glass.
"..."
Mary lowered her head.
Was she disappointed?
I lowered my hand above her head.
"Nyr?"
Mary looked up when she felt my hand on her head.
"You don't have to feel disappointed, Mary."
I smiled and stroked her head.
"We are progressing together, remember?"
Like Cleenah said, my contracted spirit…no Mary was progressing along with me. The stronger I become, the stronger Mary will be.
"Um."
Mary nodded at me with a little smile.
I snapped my fingers, and the white place reverted back to the training room of my academy, which was a giant room with dull gray walls. It had the feature of changing scenery, which was really nice.
I let out a big yawn and plopped down onto the ground, my back resting against the wall. Mary sat down next to me and wrapped her arms around her knees. It had been a long month, but I was starting to get used to the academy life. I turned to Mary and asked her a question that had been on my mind for a while.
"It's been a month, Mary. Are you happy here at the academy? Be honest with me."
Mary hesitated for a moment, but then she nodded her head.
"I am happy here," she said softly.
I looked at her with a hint of surprise. Mary has always been the type to crave adventure and excitement. I couldn't help but wonder if she was truly happy with the monotony of our daily routine.
"Don't you miss being a normal student, attending classes, and going to school?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Mary shook her head.
"No…I am happy."
I smiled, relieved to hear that Mary was content with our new life. It may not be the same as the one we had before, but it was still an adventure in its own way.
I knew her feelings before. Her dream was to study at the Royal Eden Academy. It wasn't like I didn't want it, but I couldn't. I am not strong enough to enable Mary to attend class with me. Her mere presence in this world was draining a lot of my mana.
[<Don't worry. One day, she will truly be able to live with you.>]
What was that weird way of saying things…?
Mary shook her head and nodded to me again.
"I am happy… as long as I am with you."
Not gonna lie, when Mary told me that, my heart skipped a beat.
"You...know I will misunderstand that as a confession one day," I joked, trying to lighten up the mood.
Mary blushed and looked away, feeling embarrassed.
"I will do anything for you... You just have to ask."
"..."
Her hair was stuck to her face, and her pale skin shone because we had just fought. Her white neck was visible...
Any normal man would have tried something on her.
I smiled and poked Mary's forehead.
"Um?"
Mary touched her forehead in confusion.
"Take a look at your hair. How many times do I have to remind you to tie your hair? Girls would kill for your glossy hair, you know?"
I made Mary turn around and take out a ribbon I had purchased on one of my free days.
[<You bought it with your aunt's money as usual.>]
Cleenah's words caused my smile to twitch.
It was true that last month I asked for a lot of Aunt Belle's money, but I used my own money to buy the ribbon for Mary. I used the remaining money I had earned in the Enigma Dungeon and bought a white ribbon.
Gathering Mary's black hair together, I tied them with the white ribbon, which contrasted beautifully with Mary's dark hair. Since I was an expert at tying her because of Ephera, I easily made a girly knot.
"I know, Mary. You're always there for me. But for now, let's enjoy our time here in the academy and focus on our training," I said, patting Mary's head, feeling grateful for Mary's loyalty.
Mary smiled, feeling content with my words, and she vanished in her dimension. She felt that I was exhausted of my mana.
[<Such a nice bond. I'm jealous.>]
Cleenah said.
"What? Do you want me to tie your hair with a ribbon as well?"
[<I'm not talking about that bond!>]
Scanning my academy card, I left the room and then the building.
It was late at night, and tomorrow I was starting early in the morning.
Why do they always set classes in the morning?
Wouldn't it be better for everyone if it was in the afternoon?
[<It would be only for lazy guys like you.>]
[Time is money.]
I'm tired.
I swiped my hand, and a blue screen appeared in front of me.
Let's see my one month of hard work.
===
[Edward Amael Falkrona] [16]
[3rd Ascension]
[Charm: 25]
[Affection Points: 230]
[Falkrona Bloodline~2st Wing~]
[Vysindra's Oath~2st Ring~]
[Spirit Lord~2st Anima's Core~]
[???]
===
I unlocked the second wing of my bloodline ability, the second ring of the Anathemas fire, and obtained a new anima's core. In other words, I became really strong. No one could beat me except the main cast.
My movements became fast, and my senses became sharper, as expected from my family's bloodline. One of the strongest in the world.
I felt slightly ashamed that my sister, Elona, could already use her third wing but I was soon going to catch up with her. I really made the right choice by entering the academy. I hesitated at first because it would bring me a lot of trouble, but I'm glad to be here.
The cold wind of the night chilled me slightly, but it was refreshing after a good, intense workout.
"Sigh…"
One month flew fast and serious events were going to start from now on. Honestly, I didn't reach the strength I wanted to reach to be prepared to face any kind of danger, but it was useless to cry over spilled milk. I just have to adapt myself for future events. Milleia and Jayden were there to help me anyway. It was strange, but I felt a sense of relief knowing these two guys were with me. Probably because they were the main characters and had the least chance of dying.
I scanned my card again and entered the dormitory.
"H-Hello, Lord Edward!"
"G-Good night Lord Edward!"
Two girls who were sitting on the sofa in the reception hall noticed me and spoke. They were behaving strangely.
"Good night?"
I said with a raised brow, trying to figure what was up with them. They were not the only who showed such reactions when I passed by them.
""Kyaaa!""
They averted their gaze and squealed.
"..."
I tilted my head slightly.
Wait!
Could it be that I'm popular?!
These reactions are the typical ones of enamored girls!
[No.]
[<Dream on.>]
Could you just shut up for a minute?!
I argued with Jarvia and Cleenah, who were just like bullies, and took the elevator.
"Hm?"
When I reached my room, I saw a piece of paper on the ground, right in front of my door.
"
A love letter?"
[<You are too full of yourself.>]
'I'm just guessing!'
I cursed Cleenah and opened the folded paper.
"!"
I froze upon reading the contents.
|I know you, Nyrel Loyster.|