Tender pillows, a soft blanket, everything felt unbearably gentle, as if the morning itself had conspired to pamper me senseless. My body, despite the pleasure of sleep, protested against this overly perfect bliss. Gradually opening my eyes, I noticed the curtains were tightly drawn. And... wait. This was Blake's room.
Scattered fragments of the previous night began to surface in my memory.
"Damn, what have I done?" I scolded myself silently.Though, if I'm being honest, it was as if some unknown force had seized control of me, a feverish thrill I was powerless to resist. But Blake... he didn't push me away.
"Bi..." His voice echoed in my head, from yesterday, warm and gentle. A slight shiver ran across my skin. He had spoken that name with such aching softness, with such intimate reverence. Just once, but there was something personal, something deep in it.
Why does my traitorous memory refuse to restore everything? What was between us before my amnesia? Why is he silent? Or is it because I don't ask directly?
I looked around and peeked under the blanket. I was completely naked. A heavy silence filled the space. Quickly jumping to the wardrobe, I grabbed the first shirt of Blake's I could find, pulled it on, and headed to the bathroom. But my things were no longer there.
"Damn..." I muttered with frustration.
Passing by his room on the way to the guest room, I noticed that the armor was gone. Had he left again? A thin drop of disappointment crept into my consciousness. I immediately pushed it away.
I slightly opened the door to the guest room. Still silence. He was nowhere to be found.
I hurried back to my room, locked the door, and quickly began to get dressed, trying to tame my hair somehow, messy after the events of last night. It turned out to be almost impossible; it still stuck out in all directions.
While digging through my things at the dresser, I accidentally glanced out the window. Outside, I saw Lily. She was sitting alone by the shore, her head resting on her knees.
Did something happen? I need to go down to her.
Leaving the room and going down the stairs, I, as usual, didn't meet a soul. Only the coolness of the stone walls accompanied me downward. But already on the first floor, muffled shouts and exclamations reached my ears.
I slightly opened the door leading to the training yard and froze. Before me spread a scene full of movement and energy. Soldiers stood everywhere: some shirtless, some in armor, some in simple training clothes. They were lined up around the perimeter, watching a sparring match in the center attentively.
I focused my gaze and saw Blake. He was moving in a circle, carefully studying his opponent, just as massive and muscular. Both were dressed only in pants. Their tanned bodies were covered in sand, sweat, and traces of struggle. Apparently, they had already thrown each other to the ground more than once.
My breath caught. Slim, perfectly trained bodies, like the embodiment of strength and beauty. It seemed the gods themselves had breathed grace into them. Even the tension on their faces, even the frowns looked like something elevated, almost divine.
But why were they practicing hand-to-hand combat if both knew magic? I clearly noticed the silvery glow in their palms. So magic was being used after all.
At one point, while Blake continued circling his opponent, he caught my gaze. Our eyes met, and he instantly lost concentration. That was enough. The opponent lunged forward, grabbed his leg, and threw him to the ground.
I gasped and covered my mouth with my hands to stifle a frightened cry. Blake's body crashed onto the sand with a thud, and the sound of the fall drowned out all the shouts on the field.
I stood on my toes to try to see what would happen next, despite the backs of the gathered spectators. Blake locked his opponent in a hold around the neck, not allowing him to move freely. I felt the ground vibrate beneath my feet. A wind rose behind his back. That wind definitely came from Blake.
The crowd erupted in exclamations. Some shouted Blake's name, others shouted Gort. Apparently, that was his opponent's name. He tried to break free, but Blake's grip was like steel. Unshakable, merciless, it squeezed his neck with such force that nothing seemed able to break it.
In helplessness, the opponent released his hold, focusing on freeing himself from Blake's grasp. But Blake remained unyielding. Despite all his efforts and even the intensifying silvery glow in the opponent's palms, he could not break free. Soon he cried out.
The crowd roared. The man writhed, clung, tried to break free, but it was all in vain. Blake confidently held him in a lock as if it cost him no effort at all. In the end, the opponent tapped the ground three times in frustration, and Blake released him.
The sparring ended. I exhaled and at that moment remembered that I had been heading to the river, to Lily. Passing along the edge of the training yard, I briefly caught Blake's gaze on me. Then I walked through the gates.
Lily was sitting in the same place I had seen her from the window. I approached carefully, trying not to make any sudden movements and to speak in a calm voice.
"Lily, are you alright?" I asked quietly.
The girl lifted her head from her knees but didn't turn around.
"Yes."
I couldn't tell from her voice whether that was true or not.
"Why are you here alone? Where are the others?" I tried to speak gently, without pressure. Lily wasn't the type to open up easily.
"They're still at the academy," again with no emotion.
I slowly approached and sat down next to her.
"Is something bothering you?" I asked casually, almost routinely, already preparing myself mentally for her to refuse to talk.
"No," she said shortly, without taking her eyes off the river.
"Maybe you don't like me, or maybe you don't really trust me... but I'm always here to listen and support you," I said as softly as I could and also stared out at the river in front of me.
"I failed the exam," Lily finally admitted, and there was real sadness in her voice. "Or rather, during the evaluation exam, they confirmed that my magic won't develop beyond one element and one ability."
She formed a small fireball in her palm, barely visible, and threw it into the water.
"My magic will remain just a small, basic fireball."
After saying that, she once again buried her forehead in her knees, pressing them tightly against herself.
"But even that fireball is already strong," I tried to encourage her. "Not everyone is gifted with even this level of magic. I've felt your fire. Even a small fireball can be very powerful."
"You don't understand," Lily looked up at me with tear-filled eyes. "I wanted to become stronger. I wanted to protect my village. The dark forces always attacked us, hunting for prey for the dark lords. They killed my parents, and then, possessing their bodies, moved on to others."
She exhaled, trembling.
"I wanted strength so I could become someone's shield. But now... now I'm not even fit to stand watch at the gate."
Deep down, I understood her. I myself had nothing, even though everyone placed their hopes on me. Helplessness in such an environment was truly crushing.
"Don't underestimate yourself just because your magic is limited. Some people don't have even that. You're already stronger than those who have no magic at all. You can already protect... Unlike me..."
I picked up a small stone and threw it into the river, watching mesmerized as the ripples spread from the point where it hit the water.
"But you're a Guardian, you already"
"I can't protect," I interrupted her. "I can heal, yes. Cleanse, yes."
I merely play the role of a Guardian, but in truth...
"I can't protect anyone who truly needs it. I can't do anything. Only someone like you is capable of standing against danger."
Lily was looking at me, studying me. Or maybe processing what I had said.
"And it's not just about your strength but also your intent. I'm sure that as long as you don't give up, as long as you train and study, you'll be able to become a protector. Great magic isn't always necessary..."
"She's right," came a cold male voice.
I turned sharply. Blake.
"In addition to magical power, you need to understand strategy, military skills, and many other things they teach you at the academy. So don't give up too soon. You're just at the beginning of your path."
Lily turned to him and immediately jumped to her feet. Her face no longer showed sadness, only delight. A genuine, childlike smile lit up her features. I flinched at the surprise, but fortunately, Blake had already put on a shirt over his dirty body.
"Mr. Blake," she said in a trembling voice, straightening up and placing her hands at her sides with a short forward nod, as if saluting a superior.
"Now now, we're not at a military assembly," he patted her on the shoulder.
Even in a moment like this, he remained kind and attentive to the child, though his voice and expression still held their usual cold restraint.
"I'm so glad to see you. I read about your last mission to the enemy side. It was so exciting," her eyes sparkled.
And I sat silently beside them, once again feeling like an observer. I didn't know anything about the mission or even about the academy.
"Yes, it wasn't easy," he said. Then he slowly approached, took her hands, and brought them together in front of her as if locking them in invisible chains.
"Watch. Try to use magic," he said calmly.
Lily's hands lit up with a silvery glow, but it immediately went out. She tried again, but the same thing happened.
"I can't... You're holding my hands," she said after another failed attempt.
"We're used to casting spells with our hands because it's the easiest way to release magic. But originally, it is born inside us, in the very heart," Blake said calmly.
He didn't let go of her hands. In the area of his chest, the crystal lit up with silver, and in that same moment, the wind rose around me. It wrapped around my body, lifting me into the air. I screamed in fear, and Blake immediately set me down.
"But I'm just Blessed by a crystal," Lily whispered sadly. The sadness returned to her voice.
"That doesn't matter," Blake knelt beside her. "It doesn't matter whether your magical crystal appeared by nature's will or with the help of other mages. It's already a part of you. And only you decide what your magic will become."
He spoke calmly, looking her straight in the eyes.
"The test is just a way to understand your current capabilities, to determine what load you can handle and in what position you'll be most effective. Your training course depends on that. But there will always be tests. Even when you enter service, you'll have to go through them again and again."
He paused briefly.
"But that doesn't mean the test result defines how you should use your magic. It only shows your current level. And how it develops depends entirely on you."
"But the masters said I'd remain with only these abilities... That there would be no progress," Lily lowered her gaze.
"The masters usually rely on data and practice. That doesn't mean you can't change your future. It might be difficult. Nearly impossible. But you can always improve yourself. It all depends on you."
Lily looked at him in fascination.
"Now close your eyes and try to summon fire, but without using your hands," Blake said calmly.
Lily obediently followed his instructions. I could see a silvery light flicker in her chest area, dim at first, barely glowing, but with each attempt, it became brighter and more stable.
And suddenly, steam began to rise from Lily. Her skin turned red, almost purplish. Blake immediately let go of her hands and stepped back slightly.
"Well done," he praised her, rubbing his palms together.
"Lily, you almost became fire yourself," I breathed in amazement, watching her skin gradually return to its normal shade. Before that, she still managed to shoot me her usual, slightly irritated glance.
"Did I really manage to heat up my body?" she looked at Blake in disbelief.
"Yes," he confirmed, showing her his reddened palms as proof. "So don't let the test results crush you. Train. Push. Bleed for your magic. That's the only way it grows. Only by trying again and again will you become stronger. The magic we possess doesn't come to us overnight. It sleeps deep inside, in our crystal, and we must awaken it. If we don't train and practice, it will remain dormant."
"So, I can even become an Ascended?" Lily asked cautiously.
"Possibly. I can't say for sure. It all depends on your effort," Blake made it clear without giving false hope. Any power she ever gains will be the result of her own effort. Even if he promised it, it wouldn't mean it would happen by itself. A mage's magic is his own personal labor.
"Alright. I'll try again," Lily said and sat down on the grass. She clasped her hands together and closed her eyes.
Blake, without interfering, stepped aside and came over to me.
"Are you alright?" he whispered.
"Me? Yes," I replied, slightly surprised. The question seemed strange. It was obvious I was fine. "Did something happen?"
Blake stepped closer and gave a sly smile. And then, like thunder on a clear day, memories of the previous night rushed into my head. I, under the influence of stimulants, had made him cool me down. He did everything I asked, obediently, almost gently. And he didn't even try to cross the line.
My face flushed. I was sure I had turned red to my ears. A soft chuckle escaped his lips.
I looked at Lily. The girl was completely immersed in the process. The light in her chest flickered and dimmed again. She paid no attention to us whatsoever.
Blake leaned closer to my ear and whispered,
"Forgot so quickly? That stings a little, you know..."
I looked into his eyes and blushed even more. He was clearly enjoying the moment. And, I won't lie, it was nice. Last night, he really did cool the heat inside me.
Had he become gentler toward me? Or had something changed?
He carefully brushed aside my tousled hair, then trailed his fingers down my cheek with aching tenderness.
"Mr. Blake, aren't you being a bit too close with my future wife?" came the mischievous voice of Kai.
I looked out from behind Blake's back and saw Kai and Lian walking toward us. But before I could properly look at them, something nearby began to burn. I stepped away from the heat and saw that Lily had concentrated a large sphere of fire in front of her. She wasn't using her hands.
The flame was dense and bright. The sphere flared up, and Lily sent it streaming straight into the river.
Everyone froze in surprise. That magic no longer looked like a child's, neither in power nor in scale.
"Wow, Lily! How did you learn that?" Lian exclaimed, jumping out from behind Kai and helping her up from the ground.
"Mr. Blake taught me," she looked joyfully at the High Mage.
"No, I only gave you a hint. But don't overdo it. Burnout or overexertion is also harmful to the body. Sometimes, after complete mana depletion, recovery can take several weeks. And in some cases, you have to relearn magic all over again. So be careful. That's why the academy doesn't pressure you," Blake came over, ruffled her hair, and turned to Kai.
"Your future wife?" he asked with a slight irony.
"Yes. You probably don't know yet, but when I grow up, I'm going to marry Bian," Kai made a serious face and crossed his arms over his chest.
"And what if I object?" Blake took the same stance as Kai.
"Then I must challenge you to a duel," Kai rubbed his nose and added, "You already have Adele. Why do you need Bian too?"
My heart clenched. What did he mean? He has Adele? A drumbeat pounded in my temples. I stared at Blake, hoping he'd turn around and explain something. But he paid it no attention at all and simply continued,
"You know everything. But unfortunately, Bian is now my personal Guardian. And she'll likely remain so until the end of my service."
His words stung. The thought that Adele was his wouldn't let go, it clawed at me with quiet fury.
"But Miss Adele already has a seal with you. Why do you need Bian too? You're too greedy. I like Bian, so I'll fight for her," Kai got into a battle stance.
"Alright. If I get wet even once, you win. But if you get wet, Bian stays with me for the rest of her days," Blake said. Neither of his hands lit up with silver light.
"One minute. I'm also claiming Bian's hand," Lian jumped in and took the same stance. "I'm joining the duel."
Suddenly, I noticed a man approaching us. It was the same one who had sparred with Blake. The boys' expressions changed. Their stances lost precision. Even silent Lily's eyes sparkled.
"Don't tell me that's General Gort..." Lian's jaw dropped, and his hands noticeably trembled.
I felt like I was the only one who didn't understand what was going on.
"What's this scuffle about?" the man's voice was deep and sharp. He wore a loose shirt over his dirty body. He seemed more massive than Blake, but not taller. "Mind if I join?"
At first glance, he looked stern, like a grim giant. But if you looked closer at his facial expressions, you could see traces of kindness flickering beneath the rough exterior. His short dark hair emphasized his severity.
"Is this about the lovely red-haired Bian?" Gort asked, tilting his head slightly in greeting.
"No, that's Mr. Blake's personal Guardian," Kai pointed at me.
Everyone turned to look at me at once. I became flustered, shifting from foot to foot, and awkwardly waved my hand in greeting. It came out clumsy and silly.
Gort scratched the back of his head and glanced at Blake. He also turned around, and his face was no longer smiling.
"I'm in," Gort said. "What are the rules?"
"Wait!" I blurted out. "Maybe you should ask me?"
Before his involvement, everything looked like a joke. But now the situation had become tense. I could feel it almost physically. Blake's palm lit up with silver, brighter than before.
He stepped toward me. The boys tried to stop him, but he didn't even pay attention to them.
"Don't worry. You'll stay with me. Just step aside and take Lily with you," he said firmly.
"You're not seriously going to fight the boys, are you?" I panicked at his calm tone.
"Just watch," Blake's silver eyes sparkled. He seemed to be enjoying the moment. But I could have sworn that just a minute ago there had been tension in his gaze. Either I didn't understand him at all, or he really was hiding something.
"And what about Adele?" slipped out of me.
"Exactly," Kai added.
Blake raised my face by the chin, making me look directly at him. Inside me, a seed of irritation flared, but his cold gaze quickly brought me back to my senses. His thumb slid across my lower lip, a gesture so intimate it stole my breath. I flinched, instinctively pulling back. We were surrounded by children.
"Just watch."
"How bold of you," Kai shouted, getting into a battle stance. His palms lit up.
"Very interesting," Gort murmured, not taking his eyes off me.
"One magic only," Blake clarified. He lowered his glowing hand and lifted water from the river, directing it in a stream toward the boys.
They immediately sprang into motion, moving across the field with incredible speed. Kai repeatedly threw water spheres at Blake and Gort, forcing Blake to shift his focus from the floating stream. Gort skillfully dodged, but his hands remained unlit. Was he waiting for the right moment?
Meanwhile, Lian was moving along the edge of the field. With each step, he left depressions behind him, guiding the water from the river closer to the center. The ground turned to mud, and he used that path to lead his opponents into a trap or at least push them toward the edge of the field.
I glanced at Lily. She was watching the fight in awe, captivated by the battle between the two men and the two boys. It was thrilling to watch how they combined magic and physical moves.
Kai's water spheres flew across the field, along with the streams of water Blake controlled. A few spheres even reached us — one grazed my hem.
Lian continued to tactically shape his path through the mud, trying to trap Gort or drive him out of the imaginary boundary of the clearing. Even though the boundaries weren't marked, judging by their movements, everyone understood exactly where they were.