A Challenge in the Classroom
Amaya Green's eyes rested on Kai Dawnsworn, approval dancing in her green eyes even as anger still seethed beneath her calm demeanor.
"I didn't think you'd be so familiar with this," she acknowledged, her tone a measured blend of surprise and censure.
"Naturally," Kai Dawnsworn said with his characteristic smoothness, his golden eyes level with hers. "I am a Blade-Seer."
Suddenly, a young man in close proximity choked harshly on his water, splattering droplets all over the desk as he hacked furiously. A dozen sets of eyes cut to Kai Dawnsworn in shock.
Can anyone be that brazen? murmurings went around the classroom.
Kai Dawnsworn was already notorious at Greenhold Academy. Not only had he openly insulted Senior Sister Amaya, now he brazenly declared himself a Blade-Seer. Was this some last-ditch effort to get attention?
Most of them remembered his three years at the academy: still mired on the Nexus Plane of Awakening, his weak body giving no indication of breaking through into the Growth Plane. How could this boy, so feeble and unformed, have the temerity to term himself a Blade-Seer? How could he be so completely shameless?
Amaya's breast heaved slightly, the motion barely perceptible but commanding. She glared at him with fresh anger.
Because you say you are a Blade-Seer," she told him, voice cutting as a blade, "then you should have a spirit in your War Soul Palace. Call it forth. Show that your words are not mere words."
"My War Soul Spirit is deep in hibernation," Kai Dawnsworn said offhand, as if he were talking about the weather. "It is also the reason why I dozed off in class."
"Kai Dawnsworn!" Amaya's voice rang like tempered steel. Her gaze drilled into him with the accuracy of a master swordsman. "Three years ago, when you came to the academy at age twelve, I watched the entrance talent inspection as an outer sect disciple. Your understanding of Mana was the best I had ever seen, even surprising the senior masters. But after three years of their tutelage, you are still stuck in the Nexus Plane with no progress toward the Growth Plane.".
You've wasted your days lounging around, skipping lessons, and now you have the audacity to be a Blade-Seer, getting a free pass for sleeping in class?!"
The room descended into silence so profound it felt like it was crushing on everyone's ears. Pupils remained transfixed, suspended between shock and amazement, observing Amaya's only occasional outburst of rage.
During these three years—Spring Quarter Examinations, Fall Quarter Examinations—you've systematically dropped out of testing, sitting last in the academy. Kai Dawnsworn… don't you feel ashamed?
Kai Dawnsworn's golden eyes shifted to her, drinking in the strength of her words. Three years had flown by in an instant, but the unrest in his War Soul Palace never wavered. Normally, Amaya, goddess to so many, held the frosty reserve of a towering beauty. But now… she had been keeping a watchful eye on him all these years, since that initial entrance inspection.
The air was thick with tension. Amaya looked at him carefully, observing his good looks—strong jaw, chiseled cheekbones, eyes dark and bright as a night sky filled with stars. Only the weakness of his body suggested he was young; within a few years, he'd become a powerful force to be reckoned with.
A slight twinge of pity stirred in her heart as she caught the flash of sorrow behind his bravado. Her wrath eased, a notch.
"There's still a month to go before this year's Fall Quarter Examinations," she went on, voice controlled but firm. "If you fail—or quit again—no one will intervene on your behalf to save you from expulsion. The academy won't let you stay. Do you get it?"
The class buzzed among themselves. Would this be the day Kai Dawnsworn was expelled at last? Expulsion at Greenhold Academy was almost unheard of; it would be history.
If he leaves, I leave," said a steady voice from the rear. Boomer, who was sitting in the corner, remained still but his black eyes sparkled with loyalty and rebellion. Envy, admiration, and worry crossed the faces of the other students.
"The academy has already made the determination that Boomer does not have to take next year's Spring Quarter Examinations," Amaya replied, voice stern. "He can go for growth at the academy's Battle House, among the Society of Knights, or in one of the Spell Craft schools. His way does not have to be connected to yours. You will only slow him down."
Kai Dawnsworn's lips curled into a light, cynical smile. "Slow him down?"
"Shut up," Boomer shot back, glaring daggers at her.
"Sit down," Kai Dawnsworn said lightly, not even turning to face him. Obediently, Boomer returned to his seat, the fight leaving his eyes as if Kai Dawnsworn's word carried absolute weight.
"I've decided…" Kai Dawnsworn said with a mischievous glint in his golden eyes, his smile both challenging and playful. "…I am officially participating in this year's Fall Quarter Examinations."
In the background, Boomer's eyes were twinkling. At last, after three years, Kai Dawnsworn appeared to be serious about taking things seriously.
All his life, Boomer had seen the phenomenal ability of the people around him. He was aware that the boy's metal-sensing ability was of the highest order, and that he possessed unparalleled abilities in martial arts as well. Although a mere outer sect disciple, his mastery over the Nexus Plane was already superior to most lecturers. Even then, who could really comprehend Kai Dawnsworn?
"Your body is weak," Amaya said, voice low but biting. "And you're still stranded in the Nexus Plane. How do you plan on passing the Fall Quarter Examinations?"
"And what if I do pass?" Kai Dawnsworn replied, confidence in his voice as if the idea of failure was absurd.
"If you pass," Amaya replied, green eyes closing to a slitted line, "I will allow you one wish. Anything that you want, I will not deny.
An odd glow flitted in his golden eyes as they wandered over her irresistible figure, slipping—unbeknownst—to where he shouldn't.
"You shameless asshole! Where do you think you're looking?!" a chorus of outraged students broke out, all of them fuming at his temerity.
Amaya, sensing the drifting of his eyes, saw the final strand of pity break. Her loveliness turned to a blade of indignation as she showed her teeth in contained anger.undefined"Anything you desire!" she said, her words both challenge and vow, hanging the classroom on the precipice of expectation.