The cafeteria was alive with noise and activity as students gathered in their cliques, sharing stories of their recent missions and accomplishnts.
Kael’s team occupied a table near the edge, enjoying a hard-earned al after their recent triumph.
The buzz of conversations around them, however, was hard to ignore.
"Did you hear? The Cream fillers cleared an A-rank mission."
"Yeah, and they didn’t even lose a mber. That’s insane!"
"They’re definitely going to draw attention now…"
The Cream fillers exchanged glances, so amused, others a bit uneasy.
"Well, looks like we’re the talk of the academy," Ren said with a grin, biting into his bread.
"We’ve earned it," Lira replied, "But attention like this isn’t always a good thing."
Before anyone could respond, a familiar figure approached their table.
"Mind if I join you for a mont?"
Kael looked up to see Shirone standing there, his expression calm but focused.
He held a tray of food, and despite the friendly tone, there was a weight to his presence.
"Sure," Kael replied, gesturing to an empty seat.
Shirone placed his tray down and sat, his sharp eyes scanning the group.
"Congratulations on the A-rank mission. That’s no small feat."
"Thanks," Kael said casually, leaning back in his chair.
Shirone nodded, taking a sip from his cup.
"It’s impressive. Most teams haven’t gone beyond C-rank, and even my team has only completed two C-rank missions." Shirone said.
Ren couldn’t help but smirk.
"Guess we’re just built different." Ren said.
Lira nudged him with her elbow.
"Don’t push it." Lira said.
Shirone’s lips quirked slightly at their banter before his gaze returned to Kael.
"You’ve stirred up a lot of attention, Kael. Can we talk in private?" Shirone asked.
Kael raised an eyebrow but stood.
"Alright. Let’s go."
.
Kael and Shirone left the bustling cafeteria, walking through the quiet corridors of the academy.
Shirone stopped by a wide window overlooking the academy courtyard, his expression serious.
"You’ve made waves, Kael. Completing an A-rank mission has set you apart, and not everyone is happy about it," Shirone began, his tone asured.
Kael crossed his arms, leaning against the wall.
"I expected as much. Let them talk." kael said.
Shirone sighed.
"It’s more than just talk. You’ve upset the balance here. Teams that were comfortable at the top are feeling threatened. And then there’s Alise."
At the ntion of her na, Kael’s eyes narrowed.
"What about her?" kael asked.
"She’s part of my team," Shirone admitted, his voice tinged with frustration.
"But I can’t control her. Alise does what she wants, and she’s manipulative as hell. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s already planning sothing to undermine you."
Kael’s expression darkened.
"Why are you telling this?" he asked.
Shirone turned to face him directly, his gaze unwavering.
"Because I want a fair fight. I respect you as a rival, Kael. I don’t want our competition tainted by underhanded tactics. But I also can’t stop everyone on my team. Alise has her own agenda, and even so of my other teammates might act without my consent."
Kael tilted his head, studying Shirone.
"So you’re saying I should watch my back."
"Exactly," Shirone replied.
"There are factions in this academy, and they don’t like seeing soone rise too quickly. You’re a target now, Kael. I’m just giving you a heads-up."
Kael smirked slightly.
"Appreciate the warning. But you should know, I don’t back down from a fight. If they want to co at , let them." kael said.
Shirone chuckled, shaking his head.
"You’re as confident as ever. Just don’t get reckless."
As then both of them began to move towards dormitory.
The academy corridors were eerily quiet as Kael and Shirone walked side by side, their footsteps echoing softly against the stone walls.
The stillness of the night was broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves outside and the faint murmur of distant conversations.
But both Kael and Shirone felt it—an unsettling presence lingering behind them.
"Soone’s following us," Kael muttered under his breath, his sharp eyes scanning the dimly lit hallway ahead.
"I noticed," Shirone replied, his voice low.
His posture tensed, ready for action.
Without exchanging another word, the two subtly altered their path, heading toward the training grounds—an open area that was completely deserted at this hour.
The space, surrounded by high stone walls and dimly glowing lanterns, provided the perfect spot to confront their pursuers.
Kael glanced at Shirone and nodded.
The two abruptly stopped, their movents synchronized.
"Let’s see how brave they really are," Kael whispered.
As their pursuers stepped closer, Kael and Shirone lunged forward with precision.
In a blur of motion, they grabbed hold of the figures hiding in the shadows and dragged them into the moonlight.
Kael’s eyes widened in shock as he recognized the faces before him.
"Lumia?" Kael said.
"Aveline" Shirone said.
Standing before them were two of the most prominent girls in the academy.
Lumia, with her striking purple hair and piercing purple eyes, looked sheepishly to the side, clearly caught off guard.
Beside her stood Princess Aveline, her silver hair cascading over her shoulders, her expression composed but slightly annoyed at being discovered.
"What are you two doing here?" Kael demanded, releasing Lumia’s wrist.
Shirone, anwhile, was frozen.
His gaze flickered nervously between the girls, his mind racing. Why are they here? Oh no… why are they here?
Aveline took a step forward, her regal deanor unshaken.
"We could ask you the sa thing, Kael. But more importantly, why the sudden secrecy? We were curious."
Lumia crossed her arms, eting Kael’s gaze with an unbothered expression.
"Exactly. You and Shirone were acting suspicious. We had to make sure you weren’t up to sothing… inappropriate." Lumia said, it was just an excuse.
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"Inappropriate? You’ve got to be kidding . We were just talking."
Lumia smirked.
"Doesn’t an we can’t check, does it?" Lumia said.
Kael’s Calm, Shirone’s Chaos
As Kael exchanged words with Lumia.
Shirone found himself caught in an entirely different struggle.
Aveline had shifted her attention to him, her blue eyes glimring with curiosity.
"You’re Shirone, right?" Aveline asked, tilting her head slightly.
Shirone stiffened, his usual confidence crumbling like sand under her gaze.
"Y-yes… that’s ." Shirone said.
Aveline’s lips curled into a playful smile.
"Interesting. I’ve heard a lot about you. So, what were you and Kael plotting out here?"
"N-nothing serious," Shirone stamred, his voice barely above a whisper.
Kael, noticing Shirone’s trembling form out of the corner of his eye, held back a laugh.
’Oh! I forgot Shirone… fear girls the most’ kael thought, amused by the irony of the bold rival quivering under Aveline’s gaze.
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