The bell rang, signaling lunch. Students spilled out of the classrooms in a rush, chatter and laughter echoing through the corridors. Elior stretched, trying to shake off the lingering exhaustion from the morning's spell practice. His limbs still felt heavy, but the sharp ache had dulled.
Kael's black eyes caught him immediately. He stepped closer, voice low but firm.
"You don't have to move," Kael said, dark and insistent. "I'll bring lunch to you. Sit. Rest."
Elior shook his head, brushing a strand of silver hair from his face. "I… I'm alright. I can walk to the cafeteria. Really."
Kael didn't move, didn't relent. His gaze was intense, almost unnerving. "You just finished Aetherial Binding. Even if you think you're fine, you're not. You need rest. I'll bring lunch."
Elior straightened, stubborn. "I'm fine. I can manage. I don't need—"
"You will rest," Kael cut him off, voice low, almost dangerous, yet threaded with something unspoken—care, possession, insistence. "I said I'll bring it. End of discussion."
Elior blinked, caught off guard by the weight behind Kael's words. There was no room for argument, yet it wasn't cold—it was… protective. He hesitated, his voice softer now.
"…Alright. But just for a bit," he said, giving in slightly.
Kael's lips curved, not quite a smile, but a shadow of satisfaction. "Good. I'll be back quickly. Don't try anything reckless."
Elior watched him leave, chest tightening unexpectedly. There was a sense of comfort in Kael's insistence, but also the silent warning that Kael didn't like being ignored.
The corridor suddenly felt emptier, the weight of Kael's gaze still lingering like a phantom. Elior shook his head, muttering under his breath:
"Always… so stubborn."
"..."
The classroom was quiet. Sunlight poured in through the tall windows, brushing across Elior's resting form. His silver hair caught the light, his chest rising and falling slowly, still heavy from the exhausting morning practice of Aetherial Binding.
A soft knock on the desk made him stir slightly.
"Elior," a calm, deliberate voice said. "Your parents sent lunch today."
Elior blinked at him, confused. "My… parents? Sent lunch?"
"Yes," Aevrin replied smoothly, lips curved in a polite, serene smile. Nothing betrayed the truth.
As Elior hesitated, still processing, Aevrin's mind drifted back to that morning—to every careful, obsessive detail. He had risen before dawn, slipping quietly into the kitchen of Elior's home. Each ingredient had been chosen with precision: fresh, rare, high-quality. Nothing ordinary. Nothing careless. Every spice measured, every portion weighed. Every dish designed to preserve the aroma, the flavor, the warmth, until this exact moment.
He had prepared the trays with meticulous care, arranging each component so that nothing could shift, nothing could lose its shape or freshness. The lids were secure, the containers perfectly clean, the colors vibrant, the textures inviting. Every bite crafted to nourish Elior, to strengthen his fragile frame. He must eat. He must grow. He must… be mine.
Aevrin's satisfaction was quiet but deep, like a shadow lingering in a room. He had deliberately whispered that it came from Elior's parents, knowing the lie would make him accept it without hesitation. He doesn't need to know. He must only feel cared for, strengthened, protected…
Even now, watching from the side of the desk, Aevrin felt the careful control of his obsession. He imagined Elior tasting each dish—the way the flavors would bloom, the way he would grow stronger, unaware of the effort behind it. Every detail mattered. Every second of preparation mattered. Every choice mattered… because Elior deserved perfection.
And in that perfection, Aevrin found a quiet, possessive satisfaction, unseen, yet absolute.
"..."
Kael stepped into the classroom, two neatly packed lunch boxes in hand, the scent of fresh, rich food wafting faintly around him. His black eyes scanned the room and immediately froze—Elior's desk already held lunch, arranged with care, every detail immaculate.
Kael's jaw tightened. Aevrin.
He set his own boxes beside Elior deliberately, but his glare flickered toward the other boy.
Elior looked up, noticing Kael's tense expression. "Kael… it's alright," he said softly, gesturing toward the opened lunch boxes. "This… was sent by my parents from home."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "Your parents? You said they didn't care much about you… yet now lunch?" His tone was sharp, skeptical.
Elior sighed, brushing a lock of silver hair from his forehead. "I… don't know. They suddenly decided to send it. I suppose… I should be grateful." His lips curved slightly, softening. "I have to eat it anyway… and enjoy it, thankfully."
Kael's gaze darkened, a storm lurking behind the calm mask he always wore.
Aevrin stood quietly beside the desk, keeping his smile gentle and polite. Yet inside, his chest fluttered with warmth—a quiet, radiant satisfaction. He's eating it. He's really eating it… and he likes it. I did this for him… and it worked. Just to see him happy, even for a moment… it's everything.
Elior picked up one of the boxes Kael had brought. "You know, Kael… I don't want your food to go to waste. Aevrin… if you don't mind, you can eat it too."
Aevrin's smile widened subtly, almost glowing. "Of course," he said lightly, sliding the box closer to himself. His heart felt like it might burst—not from greed or ambition, but from a pure, consuming joy. This… this is more than just lunch. Seeing him smile like that… it's like touching something divine. I'll keep doing this. Always.
The three of them ate in silence at first, the soft clinking of utensils the only sound. Kael, sitting closest to Elior, maintained his posture rigid, irritation simmering under his controlled exterior. Aevrin's calm presence beside him was a quiet, unspoken challenge.
Elior took a careful bite of the homemade food, eyes lighting up. "This… this is really good. Really, really good," he said, genuine delight in his voice.
Aevrin's smile remained composed outwardly, but inside, it felt like fireworks, a warmth so complete it was almost dizzying. Every ingredient, every careful touch… it was all worth this moment. His happiness is mine to see, mine to protect.
If he smiles, it will be because of me. Only me.
His praise belongs to my hands alone.
I won't let another person claim the joy, that should come from me.
Kael, however, stiffened at the praise, jealousy tightening around his chest. He's happy because of that food… no, I'll do better. I'll bring meals from the finest chef, make him notice me… make him feel this way…
Unknowingly, both Kael and Aevrin were now engaged in a silent, potent rivalry: a contest of care and attention, each trying to leave a mark on Elior's heart.
And Elior, completely innocent to the undercurrent of tension, simply enjoyed the meal, smiling, savoring every bite, blissfully unaware of the storm quietly building around him.
"..."
The afternoon class began with a new instructor, a stern mage with steel-gray eyes who wasted no time.
"Today," he announced, "we move to dual practice. Choose a partner. Your compatibility will decide your score."
Immediately, the room stirred with excitement and dread.
Aevrin turned at once, stepping toward Elior's desk with a bright, purposeful smile."Elior, be my partner—"
But before the words even finished, Elior's gaze had already drifted to the side.
To Kael.
The smallest, softest glance.
Kael's dark eyes met his, calm and absolute. "He's with me," Kael said immediately.
Aevrin blinked, offended. "I wasn't talking to you, Kael."
"You don't need to," Kael replied coolly. "The answer is no."
Aevrin's brow twitched. "Why are you answering for him? Elior has a mouth. He can speak."
Elior stiffened.
Kael didn't even look away from Aevrin, voice dropping a notch. "He already answered. With his eyes."
Aevrin scoffed. "Oh, so now you read minds?"
"No. Just Elior," Kael said, calm but lethal.
The air rippled with tension.
Elior tried to speak—"I didn't say—"But both boys were already stepping closer, a silent territorial war sparking between them.
"You can't just decide everything for him," Aevrin hissed quietly."And you can't pretend he chose you," Kael shot back.
They were smiling, but it was the kind of smile that promised homicide.
Half the class had stopped pretending not to watch.
Before Elior could get trapped between them, the instructor's voice sliced through the chaos:
"Kael. Aevrin."
Both boys turned sharply.
"You two will be partnering together."
The silence that followed was beautifully catastrophic.
Elior blinked.Aevrin froze.Kael's jaw tightened so hard a vein actually appeared.
"You—what?" Aevrin asked, voice breaking slightly.
The instructor didn't even look up from his clipboard."You're both top scorers and clearly… energetic. This will balance the class. Elior will pair with Ardin. He matches his affinity level."
Elior looked between them helplessly as Ardin waved politely from across the room.
Aevrin's expression collapsed into horror and silent rage.
Kael's eye twitched, a single fraction, as if questioning every life choice.
Both spoke at the same time:
"You're pairing me with him?!"
The instructor lifted a brow. "Is there a problem?"
Aevrin forced a smile so tight it might crack."No, Instructor. I am… thrilled."
Kael's voice dropped to a dark mutter."This is a nightmare."
Elior tried not to laugh as both boys marched to the center of the room—two storms shoved into one bottle—while Ardin politely approached him with an encouraging smile.
And the class whispered:
"Those two are going to explode."
"..."
When Kael and Aevrin stood opposite each other, a silent tension crackled through the room.
They bowed politely.
They smiled politely.
They radiated "I want to destroy you" politely.
The instructor clapped once.
"Begin!"
Phase 1 — The Beautiful Cooperation (Fake)
Aevrin moved first, golden mana bursting from his palms like sunlight falling through glass.
Kael followed instantly with sharp, clean shadows curling like ribbons.
The blend looked artistic.
Elegant.
Perfect.
To the onlookers, it was breathtaking.
To Kael and Aevrin?
Aevrin (still smiling):
"Your shadow rune is crooked. Are you tired already?"
Kael's expression didn't change.
"It's crooked because I adjusted it to compensate for your weak casting."
Aevrin's spell pulsed dangerously.
"Oh? Should I make it stronger? I wouldn't want you to get overwhelmed."
Kael sweetly replied,
"No, please. I don't want to have to carry you like last time."
They circled each other, steps light, rhythmic. Their movements so clean it looked rehearsed.
The rest of the class whispered:
"Wow…"
"They're like dual masters!"
"Are they… flirting??"
Kael and Aevrin both twitched but maintained angelic smiles.
Phase 2 — The Cooperative Attack (Secret Sabotage)
Aevrin raised a spiral of golden glyphs.
Kael extended a shield woven from shadow.
They looked beautifully coordinated.
While whispering threats:
Aevrin:
"Your shield is too thin. Are you trying to die?"
Kael:
"Oh, don't worry. If I die, I'll make sure I haunt you."
Aevrin fired a controlled burst of light toward Kael's shield.
Kael deflected it so smoothly it seemed pre-arranged.
But the truth?
Kael muttered,
"Too weak. Was that an attack or a sneeze?"
Aevrin's eye twitched.
He increased power.
Kael increased power.
Within seconds, they were basically trying to overpower each other while pretending to cooperate.
The instructor nodded proudly.
"Marvelous synergy!"
Behind the glowing shield, Aevrin hissed,
"Lower your aura. You're pushing my spell backward."
Kael murmured,
"Get stronger then."
Phase 3 — The Dance of Death (But Everyone Thinks It's Pretty)
Their movements grew faster—circling, stepping, spinning—like a deadly waltz.
Kael sent a wave of shadows Aevrin had to dodge.
But Aevrin turned the dodge into a graceful spin and countered with a light arrow.
The class gasped in awe.
"They're dancing—!"
They absolutely were not dancing.
Aevrin whispered,
"You almost singed my hair."
Kael whispered back,
"Next time I'll aim better."
Aevrin's golden spell whirled inches from Kael's cheek.
Kael's shadows passed just above Aevrin's shoulders.
From the outside: "Wow, so close! Amazing precision!"
Inside reality: "Try me one more time, bastard."
They lunged, spun, redirected, collided—beautiful coordination hiding pure rivalry.
Phase 4 — The Final Joint Spell (Mutually Assured Destruction)
Aevrin: "Should we finish this?"
Kael: "Try and keep up."
They raised their hands simultaneously—
Gold and shadow spiraling together into a glowing orb between them.
The orb pulsed.
Then expanded.
Then condensed with a low hum.
The class held their breath.
Kael whispered,
"You're shaking."
Aevrin whispered,
"That's your imagination."
"Is it?"
"Shut up."
Then—
BOOM—!!
A shockwave burst outward, controlled perfectly to avoid harming anyone, dissolving into sparks.
The class erupted into applause.
Aftermath — Hell Smiles
The professor clapped enthusiastically.
"Exceptional! Absolutely exceptional! Kael, Aevrin — your compatibility is outstanding."
Both froze.
Kael: "Compatible?"
Aevrin: "With him?"
But together, with robotic politeness:
"Yes, Professor. Practicing with him was… enlightening."
More whispers spread through the class:
"They're totally partners."
"The chemistry is insane."
"They're made for each other."
Both internally screamed.
Kael thought: I would rather explode.
Aevrin thought: Over my dead body.
But their smiles stayed perfectly elegant.
"..."
— by Aurea;"Some spells are forged with mana.Others are forged in the silent war between two people who refuse to lose."