The semifinalists have one hour to prepare while the committee sets up the arena. Most of the spectators disperse during the break, especially since it is already lunchtime.
Vichel leaves the contestants' room and immediately greeted by Jacelin's cheerful voice.
"Vicheeelll!"
Hug!
The blonde-haired girl is pulled into a tight hug by her friend.
"Congratulations on making it to the semifinals!"
"Thanks, Jacelin …."
"This blue hair ribbon must be your lucky charm, Vichel."
Her words are suddenly cut off by Zeff's teasing remark, "I'd be offended if someone said that to me."
He happens to be passing through the same exit as Vichel.
"Zeff??" Jacelin greets him, though her tone is more questioning his earlier words.
"She made it to the semifinals because of her own effort, not because that ribbon beat her opponents."
Jacelin's face twists in mild annoyance.
"This is a girl's world, don't ruin it with your stiff logic. But congrats, you made it to the semifinals too." She pats Zeff on the shoulder like an old friend.
"There's no need to congratulate me for something that was bound to happen."
"Aagh!" Jacelin instantly pulls at both sides of Zeff's cheeks in frustration, stretching his mouth into a strange shape. "Can't you tone down that arrogance of yours?"
Zeff winces in pain. "Enough, Jacelin …."
Vichel is forced to cut off Jacelin and Zeff's banter as her stomach begins to growl. "How about we grab lunch first? I'm starving."
"Of course! That's why I came here. Come on, Zeff, let's eat together."
Jacelin beams with enthusiasm, but Zeff shakes his head.
"Sorry, I already have plans. Another time."
He gives a small wave and walks away. Jacelin calls after him, "Hey, at least introduce yourself to my friend Vichel!"
Zeff turns back while still walking, "Later—after I defeat Tseryo Lavrel, we'll definitely meet in the final." His words come with a faint smile before he continues on his way.
Vichel is left stunned.
Meanwhile, Jacelin starts grumbling again, "Ugh, always ridiculously overconfident. But like I said, Zeff is waaay better than Tseryo."
"Sorry, I don't really get what your standard of 'better' is supposed to mean."
"Just like that."
Jacelin and Vichel, walking together across the courtyard, catch someone's attention from the wide window of a second-floor room.
Tseryo Lavrel sits in quiet astonishment, his deep gaze fixed on the scene before him. His eyes settle more on Vichel, who chats brightly with Jacelin. The two girls seem to be sharing something joyful.
A servant enters and sets a dish on the table before him.
"Young master, here is your meal."
"Thank you, Mila."
Tseryo's thoughts shift for a moment. Yet before taking his first bite, his eyes wander back to the window once more.
.
The academy café is bustling with visitors that afternoon. Vichel and Jacelin take a spot by the window, sitting across from each other. Food and drinks are already laid out on their table. The lively atmosphere of the café does nothing to disturb the flow of their conversation.
"Handsome guy?" Jacelin is quite taken aback by the topic suddenly brought up by Vichel. Even more so because Vichel's face shows a hint of shyness as she speaks.
"I-I don't know how to explain it. That was the first time I met him, and my heart started beating in such a strange way. Maybe it was his face, or his eyes that looked so beautiful. I felt so awkward yet happy when he came closer to return my ribbon."
Vichel struggles to describe the impression from her first meeting with Liam. But aside from Liam's golden eyes, there is one more thing that leaves the strongest mark on her.
"And he also… smells so good. Like a flower's fragrance I've never breathed in before. I really like his scent."
Vichel's face turns slightly flushed as she recalls Liam, his presence lingering in her memory along with that captivating fragrance.
A very amusing sight for Jacelin. Her eyes light up, and a wide smile spreads across her face.
"Vichel, are you in love at first sight?"
Vichel reacts awkwardly, almost flustered, "L-love?? I-is that what this is…?"
Jacelin grows even more enthusiastic as she asks, "Did you two get a chance to introduce yourselves?"
"No … he seemed in a hurry to leave, even using an air-jump technique."
"Woah, isn't that a technique only a select few can perform? Is he also a student? Or maybe a senior working at the academy?"
Vichel tries to recall, "If I remember correctly… at that time, he was only wearing a neat suit. I thought he was just a civilian who came to watch the match."
"There's no way an ordinary civilian could pull off an air-jump technique," Jacelin objects. "He must be a former battlemage student from this academy, which means he's your senior, Vichel."
Vichel's face flushes again. "M-my senior…."
Jacelin teases even more, "Older men really do have a special kind of charm."
"Then, then, just how handsome is he in your eyes? Is he more handsome than Tseryo Lavrel?"
Now it's Vichel's turn to blink in surprise. "So Tseryo's face really counts as a standard of handsomeness?"
Jacelin suddenly realizes she has blurted out her true thoughts about Tseryo. "I-I was just repeating public opinion. A lot of girls say Tseryo is handsome, b-but to me he's just ordinary." She tries to cover it up awkwardly.
The innocent Vichel nods in understanding, not finding her friend's behavior strange.
"I've never felt my heart race when I met Tseryo," Vichel admits honestly.
Jacelin quickly agrees, "See? Tseryo is nothing special in our eyes. That means the guy you met is even more handsome than Tseryo!"
Vichel lets out a sigh with a dim gaze, "If he really is my senior, then we won't meet again. We'll soon graduate and leave the academy. He must already be working somewhere."
Vichel feels disappointed, believing she won't have another chance to meet the mysterious man who made her heart race at first sight. Her gaze sinks lower, dim with regret.
"I should have asked his name back then …."
Jacelin understands the dilemma her friend is facing. She pauses for a moment, trying to arrange the right words.
"Vichel, you know? For four years in this academy you've never been interested in anyone, right? Even though there are plenty of handsome guys here. Like Sir Bernice Thaolz! He's the most charming, knightly gentleman in my version of perfection!!" Jacelin's voice rises excitedly as she mentions that name.
Vichel doesn't really mind. "Yeah, you really are a huge fan of Sir Bernice Thaolz."
"But in your eyes, he's just ordinary too, right?"
"Yeah …."
"And today, out of nowhere, you met a stranger who instantly made you fall in love at first sight."
Jacelin's eyes sparkle again, brimming with excitement at her own guess, "Vichel, isn't it like you've been brought together with the soulmate destined for you?"
Vichel flinches, never having considered that possibility.
"Even if you're apart now, someday fate will surely bring the two of you together again."
.
Liam mounts the sturdy black horse he has just bought, while Cedric does the same with his chosen gray steed.
Before tugging the reins to begin their journey, Liam turns back for a moment, gazing toward the distant place no longer within sight—Verlyn Academy.
"Vichella Arleith, a student from Karsh."
Liam still remembered every captivating moment he had with that girl, and he kept wondering why he felt that way about Vichel. Yet they came from different kingdoms. Now, Liam had to set out on his journey back to Argoust.
"I hope there will be a chance to meet her again someday."