The sun had barely risen when Alex arrived at the training field, yawning as he adjusted his slightly worn cloak. EMI was already there, supervising the area enthusiastically, but it was Aria who caught his attention. She stood in the center, holding a different rune in her hands, one that glowed with a faint crimson shimmer.
"Good morning, Alex," Aria said with a radiant smile. "Today we'll try something more exciting."
Alex raised an eyebrow, looking at her warily.
"'Exciting' means something might actually blow up this time?"
Aria let out a soft giggle, a special glint in her eyes.
"Maybe. But it'll be worth it. This rune contains an attack technique, though the exact effect is a little… unknown."
Alex sighed, already accustomed to the insistence of the two girls.
"Great. If I become a walking crater, I hope EMI feels guilty."
"Hey!" protested EMI from the side, crossing her arms. "This is for your own good, remember?"
Aria extended the rune toward Alex, her fingers brushing his gently as she placed it in his palm.
"Close your eyes and concentrate on the rune's energy," she said in a softer tone, her gaze fixed on him.
Alex, slightly uncomfortable with the closeness, obeyed. The warmth of the rune spread through his palm, but this time he didn't just feel the energy; it was as if he could also feel Aria's presence beside him, closer than he expected.
Suddenly, a flash of red light burst from the rune, forming a floating sphere of energy above his hand. Alex opened his eyes in surprise, staring at the phenomenon.
"Seriously… it worked?" he murmured, disbelief in his voice.
Aria gave a little jump of joy and, without thinking, threw her arms around his neck.
"You did it! I knew you could."
Alex blinked, startled by the sudden contact.
"Uh… thanks, I guess."
Aria didn't pull away immediately. She rested her forehead lightly against his chest for a moment before slowly stepping back, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"Sorry, I got a little carried away…" she said with a shy smile, though her eyes sparkled with happiness.
From a distance, EMI watched the scene, her stomach churning with a mix of emotions she couldn't explain. It was the first time she had felt like this, and she wasn't sure if it was because of Aria, because of Alex… or because of something deeper.
"Well done, Alex!" interrupted EMI, quickly approaching with a forced smile. "Now you have two techniques: support and attack."
"So I guess this means even more intense training is in store for me, huh?" said Alex, trying to regain his usual indifferent tone.
"Exactly," replied EMI, giving him a pat on the back. "Get ready, next up is working on your physical strength."
---
Later that same day
After a day of rigorous training, Aria approached Alex once more, holding a crystalline blue rune that radiated a calming energy.
"This one is different," she explained softly. "It's not an offensive or defensive spell, but it will help expand your mana reserves. It's small, but enough to make magic easier for you."
Alex took the rune and examined it.
"What should I do?"
"Just hold the rune," said Aria as she positioned herself behind him, coming close enough to guide him. She took his hands delicately, placing them over the rune.
"Is it… necessary to be this close?" asked Alex, slightly uncomfortable.
Aria rested her chin on his shoulder, whispering in his ear:
"Yes. Because if you do it wrong, I don't want you to get hurt."
Alex sighed, but didn't pull away. As he felt the energy from the rune flow through him, he was also acutely aware of Aria's warmth. When the process ended, she didn't step back immediately, letting the moment linger.
"You did well," she said finally, in a warm tone.
Alex turned his head slightly to look at her, finding her eyes just centimeters from his.
"Thanks, I guess. Though this is still… a lot."
Aria smiled, taking a step back, though her eyes still held a glimmer of affection.
"Nothing is too much when it comes to taking care of you."
EMI, who had been watching from a distance, clenched her fists. She didn't know why, but seeing them so close made her feel… strange, as if something in her chest was out of place. Forcing the thoughts aside, she quickly approached.
"Perfect!" she said with forced cheer. "Now you have three techniques. Let's keep training!"
Alex continued to look at the runes he now possessed, feeling that, though he wouldn't say it aloud, something inside him had begun to change. Meanwhile, Aria and EMI exchanged glances, each fully aware of the other's presence in Alex's life… though their feelings couldn't be more different.