Link: Lately... rumors have been spreading about Razin and Verina... that they're in love. People have been trying to ruin their reputation by saying all kinds of things about them.
Everyone was surprised. What does he want to talk about?
Finn: So what?
Link: All of these rumors are false!
Everyone laughed at what he said, because they were convinced those rumors were true.
Teacher: Silence, everyone. Let's hear what he has to say.
Student: Then... how do you know?
Link hesitated for a moment.
Link: The truth is... I was the one who started the rumor...
Everyone's face showed pure shock. Some believed him, some didn't.
Finn: How can it be false? We saw them hugging with our own eyes!
Razin stood up, angered.
Razin (shouting): That has nothing to do with it! Do you think every time someone hugs someone else, it means they're in some dirty romantic relationship? That hug was my mistake... I wasn't used to interacting with people yet. It was a wrong, emotional decision I made in the moment. But it had nothing to do with romance.
Verina took his hand gently and pulled him back to his seat.
Verina: Calm down.
Everyone was stunned by Razin's outburst. They had never seen him angry before.
The only one who understood the reason behind it was Verina.
Teacher: Quiet down, all of you. Go on, Link.
Link: I just wanted to apologize to them... I ruined their reputation. Especially Verina, who belongs to the ruling family... I didn't know... I just want to say I'm sorry to both of them and hope everyone understands the rumors were false.
Some students were shocked to learn Verina was from the Alethiar family, though some already knew.
Verina: Seems like most of them don't know you're from Alethiar too...
Razin: I don't care. I don't really feel like I'm part of it anyway.
The students began to shift their perspective.
Students murmuring: Really? So it was all a lie? They weren't being indecent? Why did I even believe that someone from the ruling family would do that? I don't know...
Link: So... I apologize... and I'm willing to accept any punishment that Razin and Verina decide.
Teacher: Verina? What's your view?
Verina stood to speak.
Verina: Sir... I don't see any benefit in punishment at this point... since he confessed himself. But I won't forgive him for damaging my reputation.
Students: Amazing... Even though he wronged her, she's not punishing him. She must be kind... We misjudged her... Why did we even believe him? She's incredible.
Teacher: Razin, would you like to say anything?
Razin's mind was elsewhere entirely. He wasn't even thinking about the situation.
Razin: ...No.
Teacher: Alright then... Link, return to your seat. Let's begin.
Verina looked at Razin with frustration.
Verina: ...Razin... why are you so lost in thought about this?
Razin didn't answer.
Verina: I hate seeing you like this... I really don't like it... We'll talk after the session.
Razin: You don't need to worry about me... It's my problem. I should fix it myself.
Verina: Razin... you're afraid to say the whole truth... You only say pieces of what's in your mind. I know this has to do with me too. You're thinking about you... and about me too. That makes it my business.
Verina (thinking): That's it... I've had enough. When the teacher asks about our progress, I won't hide anything anymore. I know this will stir things up in his mind even more... but I'll talk to him after and scold him if I have to. Enough. I'm done with Razin like this. I'll bring him back to his true self.
Time passed during the lecture. It was time for the teacher to ask the students about their core activation progress.
A week had passed since the technique lecture.
Seven children had completed the first step so far: Verina, Tark, and five others.
Teacher: What about you, Verina? Have you made any progress?
Verina: Actually... I've completed all three initial steps.
Razin had his head buried on the table, but when he heard Verina, he lifted it, shocked.
All the students were stunned. Praise and admiration for Verina filled the room.
Teacher: Really?... That's incredible, Verina. Three steps in just one week?
Verina: Yes. All that remains is to adapt to the core artery... Then... I'll be ready to activate my core.
Teacher: Well done, Verina. That's amazing. You're among the top three fastest in the school's history when it comes to core activation speed. Unfortunately, our "star" isn't one of them.
Razin heard that and was filled with regret and frustration. It was written all over his face.
Verina looked at him and saw that expression.
Verina: Sir... I think Razin's slow progress isn't due to a lack of intelligence or talent... I believe there are external factors distracting him. Based on my analysis... Razin is, even now, still truly our "star."
Razin was stunned by her words. Though they cheered him up, he couldn't help but wonder: Why is she trying to protect my image?
Teacher: Really? Why do you think that?
Verina: I can tell from his behavior. Something's clouding his mind.
Teacher: Maybe you're right... I still trust Razin. I see him as talented and truly special. I never once felt he lacked intelligence... That makes more sense now.
Razin was baffled. What is Verina doing?... Why is everyone so determined to say I'm special? I'm the one who failed... I don't deserve all these excuses... Why is Verina so kind to me?
Teacher: So Razin... Any progress?
Razin: ...No.
Teacher: Alright then... That's fine. You still have time.
Teacher: To end today's session... since Verina is close to activating her core, tomorrow we'll be discussing the activation procedures and what to expect. Work hard, students!
Everyone left. As Verina and Razin walked together...
The other students surrounded Verina, showering her with praise and admiration.
Razin: Looks like Verina became famous today... Everyone's praising her... Just her.
Verina: Razin!
Razin: Huh?
Verina: Follow me. I'm going to scold you until you die, you idiot!
Razin (following): Alright...
Verina was a bit disappointed, thinking: He didn't even say, 'I'm not an idiot...'
Tark: Hey... Looks like things went well for you. The rumor seems to be completely over now.
Verina: Yeah, it does.
Tark: Razin, you've been pretty quiet lately.
Razin: ...Yeah.
Verina: Would you give us a moment alone, Tark? I want to tell him a secret.
Tark: Sure, no problem. See you later.
As they walked, they saw Link walking alone.
Verina: Honestly... I thought he'd be more stubborn and annoying... but he confessed quickly. Doesn't seem as bad as I thought.
Razin: Maybe...
Verina: Come on, follow me.
They arrived at a quiet bench in a more peaceful area of the school.
Verina: Razin... do you know why you're behind on activating your core? Why it isn't working? You idiot.
Razin (dejected): ...I don't know... Maybe I'm just not smart enough.
Verina (jokingly smacks his head): Idiot. No. You're smart. I don't think anyone in our class is smarter than you. You're underestimating yourself.
Razin: Is this some kind of compliment to cheer me up? It won't work.
Verina (hits him again): Stop being so gloomy, you idiot... I won't compliment you if you don't deserve it. Clearly, you don't understand me yet.
Verina: The problem isn't your talent either...
Razin: Then what is it?
Verina: What do you think of me?
Razin: What? That's a weird question.
Verina (hits him): Answer. Idiot.
Razin: ...You're amazing. The best in class. Everyone likes you.
Verina (smiling): Thank you... And that's exactly the reason you're falling behind.
Razin: Huh? What do you mean?
Verina: ...Razin... I noticed it, but you didn't. The problem... is me.
Razin: What? No... You're not a problem for me at all.
Verina: It's not what you think.
Verina: What's holding you back is your mind being clouded... You keep comparing your progress to mine. You think I'm better than you. That's why you can't move forward.
Razin (shocked): B-but...
Verina: You didn't notice it yourself, so I decided to tell you...
Razin: But... isn't comparing yourself to others normal? Why is it a problem?
Verina: ...Listen to me, Razin. There's nothing wrong with comparison or competition... if it's healthy and friendly. But your thinking isn't like that... You get upset inside because I'm ahead. You turn it into a race between us and force yourself to surpass me.
Razin (stunned): But... I don't hate you! I think you're amazing. I'm not angry that you're better than me...
Verina: That's just what you tell yourself on the outside... But the truth is, inside... you're jealous. Jealous of how I'm ahead of you... jealous of the praise I get. That's what's clouding you.
Razin was starting to lose control…
Inhale… exhale… inhale… exhale… inhale… exhale…
Razin: N-No… I'm not like th-this… No—I'm not like this!
Inhale… exhale… inhale… exhale…
Razin: Why…?
Verina: Calm down!
Razin drifted into his thoughts… into himself.
He saw his own mind… his memories…
And ahead of him, he saw Verina walking in front of him, leading.
Verina: Razin! Let me finish what I was saying!
He snapped out of his trance.
Razin started to cry.
Razin: T-Talk…
Verina: You've started crying… I'm sorry… but you didn't let me finish.
Verina: …That way of thinking isn't wrong in itself. Everyone feels jealousy from time to time. Everyone likes to imagine they're in some kind of competition… Even I felt jealous of you when I learned about your beat.
She placed her hand gently on his shoulder.
Verina: That's not a flaw. Jealousy is a part of being human. You don't have to be so perfect that you never feel it.
Verina: Razin… look at me.
Razin looked up at her.
Verina smiled.
Verina: Breathe… alright? No more tears, please.
Razin wiped his face.
Verina: I'm sorry… I had to speak harshly to get to my point. Forgive me.
Verina: What I wanted to tell you is… jealousy isn't the problem. The problem is when it controls you instead of the other way around. Right now, it's controlling you from the inside, Razin. But I don't blame you… everyone around you keeps saying you're the most talented student in the academy's history… That's an enormous pressure. What happened to you… it wasn't your fault.
Razin: So… I just need to control my jealousy of you… and not let it control me? That's what's been holding me back? That jealousy is the one in control?
Verina: Yes… but I want you to know something, so you don't start thinking you're less than others… or that something's wrong with you. Jealousy is normal.
Razin: What is it?
Verina: I… get jealous of you… because you're the best.
Razin's eyes widened. He felt a little embarrassed.
He didn't know what to say.
Razin: Th-Thank you… r-really…
Verina: But that doesn't change the fact that you're also an idiot.
Razin: Thank you so much, Verina… I don't know how to repay you… your words and your advice really helped… even if you were a bit harsh. Thank you.
Verina smiled.
Verina: You don't have to thank me, idiot. All I wanted was to see you smile again… I missed your usual self.
Verina: I also wanted to tell you one more thing… about the whole core activation thing.
Razin… the speed of activating your core artery isn't something worth making a competition out of. It doesn't matter who activates it first. What matters… is that you activate it at all.
Razin: Really? Why? Doesn't activating it faster mean you're smarter and more talented?
Verina smacked him on the head.
Razin: Ow!
Verina: Idiot. There are a lot of factors involved… like your study method, your luck… and even your mental comfort. So the speed of activation isn't a real measure.
You seem to love competing… so if you really want to beat me at something, then crush me in techniques after we activate our cores. How about that? I'm willing to accept that challenge between us after the activation.
Razin: I'm not an idiot! …But yeah… I think you're right.
Just don't say "crush you" — I don't want to crush you. But..i want to win against you
Verina gave him a wide smile.
She thought to herself: Looks like… he's back to normal. That's the Razin I know.
A tear slid down Verina's cheek as she smiled.
Razin: Verina… you're crying!
Verina: Y-Yeah… I guess I am.
Thank God… I hated seeing you so depressed and quiet… That's all…
Razin smiled: …I think this is the first time I've ever seen you cry.
—He smiled—
Razin: After all… looks like you're just a normal kid like me!
Verina wiped her tear.
Verina: Thank you… really.
Razin: I should be the one thanking you.
You've helped me so many times since we met… I don't even know how to repay you.
Verina: No need. Just seeing you like this is enough for me.
Verina: Promise me you'll put in the effort to overcome this, okay?
Razin smiled: Yes, teacher!
Verina (smiling): You're not so bad…! Idiot.