At the entrance of the main academy building, just before the reception desk, Silvia and Sara waited patiently for Kayle. Both girls sat quietly, their eyes drifting again and again toward the necklaces on each other's necks. The jewels shimmered faintly, catching the pale morning light, a silent reminder of the boy who tied their fates together.
Sara was the first to break the silence.
"Don't you think Kayle's behavior yesterday felt… out of character?"
Silvia's lips curved slightly, though her eyes stayed serious.
"Yeah. It was the first time he acted that way. He's never the type to take the initiative, especially something so bold. I still remember him as the quiet boy who hardly spoke—but to hug both of us like that? I never imagined it. And before that…" she paused, recalling the image with vivid clarity. "When we approached him, his smile didn't match his eyes. He looked… sad, as if he'd lost something. Or was about to lose it."
"You noticed that too?" Sara asked softly, a trace of relief in her voice.
"You saw it?" Silvia leaned closer.
"Yeah. I thought maybe I was imagining things since we were a little far away, but… now that you say it, I'm sure. He was sad about something."
Silvia sighed, folding her arms.
"Even if we asked him, he wouldn't tell us. Kayle's the kind of guy who carries his own burdens."
"So you're just going to let him be like that?" Sara pressed.
"Absolutely not." Silvia's voice hardened, her eyes flashing with conviction. "He's not just my childhood friend—he's my love. My lover who risked his life three times for me. I can't always be the one relying on him. If he's sad, if he's in pain, if he's drowning in sorrow, then I'll make him rely on me too. He may have the strongest will in the world, But yesterday, I saw that even he can be sad about something. So as his lover, I won't let him bear the burden of anything alone."
"I can say it's my first time agreeing with you," Sara said. "Just as you don't want him to be sad and take all the responsibility, I, too, don't want him to sacrifice himself for his friends. Because I, too, love him more than anything else in this world."
"Oh," Silvia said, a sly smile on her face. "Look who's talking about love. I still remember your face when Kayle talked to you, and you ran away like a little squirrel. Hahahahha."
"That was in the past," Sara said, her eyes blazing. "Now I'm not afraid to say it out loud. You may be his childhood friend and know him better than me, but I swear I'm not going to lose to you."
"But you've already lost to me once." Silvia teased with a mischievous smile.
"In what way?" Sara demanded.
"I've already kissed Kayle." Silvia answered proudly.
"So what? I've kissed him too." Sara said.
"Not on the cheek." Silvia smiled.
Sara froze, eyes narrowing. "Then where—"
"Here." Silvia touched her lips, her smile sly and victorious.
Sara's eyes widened, her whole face heating up. She exploded."What?! How?! When did you kiss him?! Where did you kiss him?! Silvia, stop kidding me, this is too much!" She grabbed Silvia's shoulders and shook her.
"Hahahaha!" Silvia laughed until tears formed in her eyes."It's up to you whether you believe me or not, but what I'm saying is the truth. You can ask Kayle yourself."
Sara realized Silvia wasn't joking. Her expression changed. The strong Sara was on the verge of tears. She turned her back and started to leave.
"I don't want to talk to you." Sara said her eyes filled with tears.
But as she turned to leave, Silvia caught her hand.
"Now what do you want? To make fun of me more?" Sara asked, her eyes filled with tears.
"No…" Silvia's tone softened, a gentle smile on her lips. "I just want to thank you."
Sara blinked. "Thank me? For being your entertainment?" she snapped bitterly.
"No. For taking care of Kayle. And for taking care of me."Silvia's voice trembled with sincerity. "I heard from James what happened while I was unconscious. You stood with Kayle and didn't leave him for a second. When he left to save me, you were ready to go after him, and you were the one who nursed me while I was unconscious."
Silvia took a deep breath and said sincerely."I want to thank you for that, Sara."
Sara just stared at Silvia, who was genuinely thanking her. Even though they argued, they didn't hate each other.
Silvia continued, her gaze unwavering.
"Sara, you know our first meeting wasn't that good, After that, I always kept an eye on you, always afraid you would do the same thing again. Although Kayle had forgiven you, I couldn't. I thought Kayle was soft-hearted, so he wouldn't mind it. After what I went through in Oklo village, I couldn't trust people so easily anymore. Still…"
Silvia took a deep breath. "You never once tried to harm him again. After three and a half years together, I realized—you didn't want to hurt him. You just wanted to be accepted by him. And despite all my doubts, I saw it. The way you looked at him… was the same way I look at him. You love him as much as I do."
Sara's eyes widened. She never thought she would hear such words from Silvia's mouth.
"I'm sorry, Sara—for doubting you all this time," Silvia whispered.
Sara quickly wiped her tears and looked away. "You're making me feel cringe, Silvia."
Silvia's jaw dropped. "That's your reply to an apology?"
"What else am I supposed to say when you suddenly dump all that on me?" Sara muttered, but her lips curved faintly.
"Ugh, now I regret opening my heart. Do you know It took me all the courage in the world to say this… Gosh, you aristocrats never care about other people feelings," Silvia grumbled.
Sara scratched her head awkwardly. "Well… I'm sorry too."
Silvia turned to Sara, who had just apologized.
"I, too, made mistakes in the past." Sara said. "I was jealous of your talent, and without thinking twice, I attacked you and Kayle. I was also very pissed seeing you with Kayle all the time." Sara accepted it all.
"What you said was true" she continued ."I also wanted to be accepted by Kayle, always by his side, to smile with him, to feed him, to care for him, to dance with him, to share happiness with him, and to rely on him like you. But I couldn't do it like you. So I tried to make him mine with my beauty, but I was a fool to do something so absurd." Sara explained.
"I, too, want to thank you. Thanks to you, I could understand that everything can't be earned by beauty and status. I used to look down on people, thinking no one could surpass me. Being born the youngest daughter of the Vaviniya clan, praised by everyone, people were used to follow me 24/7, always praising my talent and beauty. I thought the world revolved around me. But when I met you and Kayle, I faced the truth of how big this world is. You, a commoner, beat me, the youngest daughter of the Vaviniya clan. That's when I understood that being born into a noble clan wasn't everything. What matters is your own effort and talent. When Kayle nearly died two years ago while saving you, you went into brutal training with Professor Olivia just to become strong enough to protect your loved ones. Even though you started late compared to others, but that spark in your eyes lit a fire in me, too, to get stronger, stronger than anyone else, so I could stand with you and Kayle equally." Sara said with her heart full of sincerity.
"So, Silvia, please don't be sorry. You also helped me a lot," Her voice steadied.
For a long moment, the two girls were silent, gazing at each other with raw honesty neither had shown before.
"God, you just bombarded me with so many things that I don't know what to say," Silvia muttered, scratching her cheek.
"Now you know how I felt five minutes ago," Sara smirked.
They both stared at each other—then burst into laughter. "Hahahaha!"
"Gosh, this is so creepy," Silvia said, giggling.
"I'm also feeling cringe," Sara laughed.
After a while, Silvia said, "Hey, Sara, you know Kayle told me to be friends with you. That time, I didn't want to accept you, but now, if you want, can we be friends?"
Sara looked at her, surprised. "Only friends?" she asked.
"You read my mind," Silvia said. "Just like me, you also love that idiot, so why don't we both take care of him together? He's the kind of person who always keeps things to himself and doesn't like to worry his friends. So what do you say? Do you want to take care of that idiot with me?"
"You're seriously not talking like the Silvia I know," Sara said, a playful smile on her face. "But this Silvia is great too.. I like it..... Two love rivals joining hands.".
"You aren't my rival," Silvia said.
"Why do you say that?" Sara asked curiously.
"Because that idiot of mine looks at you the same way he looks at me," Silvia said a smirk on her face.
Sara froze, her cheeks instantly turning crimson. Silvia smirked.
"Oh, look at you, blushing all over." She poked Sara's cheek. "But remember—I'll always be first."
Sara smiled through her blush. "I don't care. As long as he looks at me like that."
Just like that, Silvia and Sara resolved their rivalry, laughing together and vowing to always take care of their beloved Kayle.
Behind a pillar, Aeon stood, having listened to their entire conversation. A genuine smile spread across his face.
"I'm glad that they both made up and became friends," he thought. "I knew they were both mature, but I didn't know Silvia would take the initiative to confront Sara. I wish they would always smile like that."
But then, his expression darkened. His heart clenched. His expression turned to sorrow. "Silvia, Sara, I also wish to live with you both, but fate won't allow it. I will eventually leave this world, leaving you both alone forever."
His vision blurred as tears spilled down his cheeks. "I wish... I wish I could stay with you both, or at least take you with me, but our fates are not aligned. Just as I've left so many precious bonds behind, I'll have to leave you both behind as well. So, Silvia, Sara, please forgive me. Your idiot Kayle won't be able to be with you both."
Tears streamed from his eyes as he stood there in the shadows.
Aeon sat on the ground, trembling. His hands shook as he covered his face, trying to stifle the tears running down his cheeks. His chest rose and fell unevenly as he gasped for breath.
The past surged into him like a flood he could not dam. Memories clawed at his mind—the faces of companions, masters, and friends he had left behind in different worlds.
"Master Yllria…" Aeon whispered.
A vision surfaced: a tall elf woman with iris-colored hair and light pink eyes, a mystical staff in her grasp, her beauty radiant enough to be remembered for a millennium.
"Master… it's been a hundred years since I left your world, yet your face remains carved into my soul. You were more than a teacher—you were family. I still remember that night, before I returned to my world. I couldn't bring myself to say a word… so I left you only a letter. I still regret that silence." Aeon thought a faint smile on his face.
Another face followed. A broad-shouldered man, golden-haired, blue eyes, a crimson bow in his hands, his presence carrying the aura of a hero.
"Brother Railo…" Aeon murmured.
"You were the finest archer I've ever known, your skill surpassing even the elves themselves. You taught me the bow—turned me into a marksman. Together we saved your world, yet when the time came, I left without saying goodbye. I hope your life has been kind since then, brother." Aeon eyes bright lightly.
Next came a stout figure, a mountain of muscle and beard. A dwarf, red-bearded, hammer sparks lighting up his forge.
"Dwalrik Runehand," Aeon breathed.
"the best blacksmith in dwarf history. You made so many legendary weapons in your life that no one could surpass them. Your weapons made a great contribution to the wars and earned you the title, 'The Monarch of Steel.' You also taught me everything about blacksmithing and even made me the Epic Grade Katana, Seishi, which means 'Life and Death.' It was the greatest weapon I had in my life. I hope you're living a better life." Aeon looked at his hands.
Another shadow surfaced—dark, silent, deadly. A man clad in assassin's garb, black hair, eyes like the abyss itself.
"Ying Sha…" Aeon whispered.
"The legendary assassin of Murim. You were the one who created the Dark Shadow Arts, a martial art that makes you one with the shadows. The shadow steps I use are part of that. I was lucky enough to become your sole disciple and learned the Dark Shadow Arts from you. I became the greatest assassin after you. And later, with the help of Lana, I merged darkness with the Dark Shadow Arts and evolved it into something you couldn't have even imagined."
Finally, he remembered Lana, a beautiful woman with light-blue hair and golden eyes, who looked like a shining ocean.
"Hmph, Lana, I still remember you," Aeon thought with a smile. "The best light and dark element researcher. You were a loser mage at the start but also very stubborn. Your stubbornness to find the attributes of light and dark elements led you to become a top-tier magic element researcher. You truly went from zero to hero. When you found that my familiarity with the dark attribute was higher than anyone's, you wanted to take me to your lab for research. What a horrible accident that was. I still miss your stubborn, never-give-up attitude. You must be doing great without me, my friend."
"You were all my masters," Aeon thought, a wave of gratitude washing over him. "You taught me your skills and made me who I am now. Without your help, I wouldn't have made it this far. Thank you, my masters. And if I ever get the chance, I wish we could meet again."
He stood up, created a waterball in his palm, and washed his face. He then left to find Silvia and sara.
Silvia and Sara were at the corridor, laughing with each other. Their shoulders brushed lightly as if no rivalry had ever existed between them.
He came smilingly and stood before them.
"Whoa, am I dreaming? It's my first time seeing you two not arguing but laughing," Kayle said, a mischievous tone in his voice. "Did the sun rise from the west?"
Silvia and Sara looked at each other and smiled.
"Are you saying we're not allowed to laugh?" Silvia tilted her chin. "Or do you prefer us wasting our time arguing, so you can quietly steal the top spot from us?"
Sara folded her arms, joining in. "Now that she mentions it… I remember. Every time we argued, you glued yourself to a book. It all makes sense—it was your little scheme all along."
Kayle blinked, then groaned. "Wha—? No! It wasn't like that! I just meant—it's nice to see you two happy together…" His voice cracked in desperation.
"Hmph. Excuses." Silvia huffed.
"Always excuses." Sara smirked.
Kayle slumped, defeated, his spirit visibly sinking. The girls watched him flail, then exchanged a quick nod. Their act had gone far enough.
They stepped forward and took his hands, warmth pressing into his skin.
"You idiot, even though you're so clever, how can you be so clumsy when you're with us?" Silvia said softly.
"Yeah," Sara added. "The intelligent Kayle, whose cleverness knows no bounds, can be defeated so easily. I didn't know that."
Kayle looked at them both, then in a sudden motion, wrapped an arm around each of their waists, pulling them close.
"Did you really think I'd fall for your act?" His eyes gleamed with amusement. "Silvia. Sara. I know you both too well."
Their breath hitched.
"Kayle, are you forgetting that we are Seventh and Sixth Circle Mages?" they both said.
Kayle leaned closer. "So what? Are you going to bully me? You know we're still inside the main building. What if a passing professor sees us?"
"Are you threatening us?" Sara asked.
"How can I threaten two of the Six Flowers of the Empire? It's just that I also enjoy messing with you two," Kayle said, his face full of amusement.
Silvia and Sara held his hands and got close to him. "Do you think we're afraid of that? Let it be known that Kayle is ours!" Silvia declared.
"Oh, Headmaster," Kayle said.
Silvia and Sara didn't turn around. "You're using the same tactic as last night, Kayle. Do you think we'll fall for it?" Sara said.
"Silvia, Sara, let go of my hands," Kayle pleaded.
"Why? Weren't you the one who grabbed our waists?" Silvia asked. "Where did your manhood go?"
"I'm telling you, we'll be in big trouble! Just turn around!" Kayle said desperately.
"Nope. It's fun to see how a predator turns into the prey, isn't it, Silvia?" Sara said.
"Ahem, ahem," a voice said from behind.Silvia and Sara turned around.
Standing behind them was Elizabeth.
"Headmaster!" they shouted in unison, their faces flaring red.
Their earlier boldness crumbled instantly. The shame burned their ears as Elizabeth's calm eyes lingered on them.
Silvia and Sara froze like statues, their faces turning crimson. Elizabeth had seen everything. The realization hit them like a thunderbolt, and the shame spreading through them was unbearable.
They replayed their earlier words in their minds, and the embarrassment doubled, no—tripled.
"I wish I could crawl into Phoenix flames and never come out again," Silvia thought, burying her face in her hands. Her fiery pride had abandoned her.
"I should have listened to Kayle and just let him go that time. But no, I had to play smart! Now the headmaster heard everything. Someone, please—let a tsunami sweep me away right now," Sara thought, her condition no better than Silvia's.
Aeon, meanwhile, could barely contain his grin." Look at them—acting like fierce tigresses just moments ago, and now reduced to kittens caught stealing milk. His eyes sparkled with mischief. I sensed Elizabeth approaching long before, so I decided to play along. And they fell for it beautifully. Honestly, I couldn't have scripted this better."
The amusement radiating from Aeon's face made the girls' ears burn even hotter. If there had been a hole nearby, both Silvia and Sara would've dived headfirst into it without hesitation.
"Children," Elizabeth said, her tone firm yet not unkind. "I know you're young and full of energy, but as seniors of the academy, but carry yourselves with dignity within these walls."
"Yes, Headmaster," they chorused like chastised students.
Satisfied, Elizabeth nodded and left the corridor.
The moment she vanished, Silvia and Sara turned to Kayle, their eyes blazing with suppressed fury.
SLAM! SLAM!
They stomped on his foot.
"Ouch! Are you two crazy?! Why are you hitting me?! Didn't I warn you that the Headmaster was there?" Kayle shouted.
"Hmph. It's all because of you that the Headmaster saw us like that," Silvia said.
"Because of you, we lost our dignity as seniors!" Sara scolded him.
"But it wasn't my fault!" Kayle said, still rubbing his foot.
"Always making excuses," they both said.
Kayle stood up and grabbed their hands. "Okay, I'm sorry. Please forgive me, just this once." He made a cute, pleading face, but they didn't reply.
"How about we go to a restaurant?" Kayle said. "Think of it as my treat for what I did."
"Who wants to go with you?" Silvia said. "I can go with Sara and the others."
"I also don't need to go to some clumsy restaurant with you," Sara said
.
"But I already made a reservation at Armino Restaurant," Kayle said, a sly smile on his face. "Their mixed-fruit pie is famous throughout the capital, and even aristocrats from other regions come there just for the pie. And we can't forget their juicy grilled steak that melts in your mouth."
"Heh. Armino Restaurant is one of the biggest restaurants in the Empire," Aeon thought. "Their food and desserts are the best in the capital, and they even supply them to the royal family. People have to make reservations days in advance. I made a reservation last month to celebrate the New Year with them. And my God, these two are super foodies."
"Armino's fruit pie," Silvia thought, drool escaping her mouth. "The pie is said to have 20 different flavors. I've wanted to try it every year but couldn't get a reservation because the restaurant is so expensive."
"The juicy grilled steak," Sara thought, drooling as well. "I remember the last time I went to Armino, they ran out of steak. This is my chance."
"Well, it's a shame you guys don't want to come with me," Kayle said. "I think I should give these reservation tokens to James and Nana. At least they would enjoy a good date."
"No!" they both shouted.
"Well, you went through so much trouble to make a reservation, so I'll accompany you," Silvia said maintaining her solid attitude. "And since you're genuinely sorry, I'll forgive you."
"I'm also making it clear that I'm not going because of some steak," Sara said. "It's just that you're genuinely sorry, so I should forgive you."
"Sure, sure, I understand. So, shall we go?" Kayle said, trying to hold back a laugh.
"Yes!" they both said.
"Okay, go get ready, then meet me at the academy's main entrance," Kayle said.
"We'll be there in ten minutes!" they both said and ran to their dorms.