The campus sky was deep violet when Ronan returned to the courtyard. The moon hung low, casting silver over the stone paths. He liked it here—after hours, when most students were asleep, and the world felt paused.
But tonight, he wasn't alone.
Lyra stood under the tree near the old fountain, arms folded, wooden training swords at her feet.
"You came," she said simply.
"You said you wanted to spar," Ronan replied.
"I said I wanted to know why you're hiding your strength. Sparring is just the method."
He raised an eyebrow. "And what if I say no?"
She tossed a sword at him. "Then I'll assume you're scared."
Ronan caught it. "That's dirty."
She smiled slightly. "I'm not nice."
---
They stood in silence for a few seconds. The wind rustled the trees as they faced off.
She struck first—swift and precise. Ronan blocked, feet sliding back slightly. He didn't fight aggressively. He absorbed, read, waited.
Lyra moved like a dancer trained in blades—measured but fluid.
But something felt... off. Her movements were tight, like she was hiding pain.
After ten exchanges, she pulled back, breathing heavier than she should have been.
Ronan stepped forward. "You're favoring your left side."
She didn't deny it. "Old injury."
"You're hiding something too," he said.
She exhaled and lowered her weapon. "I suppose that's fair."
---
They sat on the fountain's edge. Silence stretched between them for a while before Lyra spoke again.
"When I awakened, I didn't get a system like you."
Ronan stiffened slightly. "…You know?"
She nodded. "I don't know what kind. But no ordinary student moves like you do. Not at level one."
He stayed quiet.
She continued, "Mine wasn't a system. It was a curse."
Ronan looked at her.
Lyra turned her hand palm-up. A soft black mist flickered from her fingertips. "Darkflow. My family locked me up when it first awakened. Said it would consume me."
Ronan watched quietly.
"I trained myself to suppress it. To act normal. But it's always there. Just like your blast—only mine whispers instead of burns."
---
They sat for a moment, two secrets under one moon.
"You asked why I hide it," Ronan finally said. "Because the moment people know, they try to own it. Fear it. Or worse—define you by it."
Lyra looked at him. "Exactly."
---
The system screen suddenly flickered in his vision:
> *Emotional Sync Detected.*
> "Stable Connection" bonus triggered.
> Blast Flow unlocked.
His chest pulsed—this time not from force, but calm.
> *New Trait: Blast Flow*
> Smooth energy channeling through motion.
> Power output increases during balanced mental states.
He took a breath. Something inside him had just… opened.
Not violently. But softly. Like a quiet flame.
---
Lyra stood. "We're alike in one way."
"How?"
"We're not trying to be the strongest. Just free."
She walked off, her shadow stretching behind her.
And Ronan realized… that night, under silver light and secrets, something more than power had sparked.
Something far more dangerous:
*Connection.*
---