One of the Ministry buildings of Varsandra:
A meeting is occurring, a large table with 12 seats is prepared.
"She fared well at the Competition" an elder said as he stroked his long beard.
"She is after all, Chosen". Another elder added.
"Since she won, she will get a lot more of attention, our plan might get a little harder" an elder said.
"If anything goes wrong, we still have "Him", right? " one of the elders said.
" We shall change our plan a little, I have someone we can use" the head elder said.
...
As Kaito and Kairi stayed at the Library, the first ten pairs to be accepted for the second part of the School Competition had been chosen. The names of the pairs is posted at the entrance of the School Cafeteria.
"That's it for now" Kaito said as he returned the books he read as he taught Kairi about the Shadow Arts, Shadow Binding.
"I-I can still continue" Kairi protested as she tried her best to breath.
"You've already exhausted your mana, any more might endanger your life" Kaito said as he looked at the Library's entrance as he felt someone looking at them.
"Then, can we also practice tomorrow?" Kairi asked as she finally stabilized her breathing.
"Fine, but don't expect me to come" Kaito said as he left his seat.
"Why?" Kairi asked.
"I'm a commoner, remember?" Kaito waved goodbye.
Kairi breathed out a sigh as she leaved as well.
"What were you two talking about?" a voice asked.
Kairi turned to see it was Val.
"Uh-it's about the battle earlier" Kairi lied while trying to put up a smile.
"Really?" Val asked.
"Yes" Kairi said.
"Then why are you tired" Val said as she took a step closer to Kairi.
"Uhh" Kairi thought any excuses as she needed them right now.
"Hmm?" Val continued.
"I can't say for now" Kairi said.
"Why?" Val asked curiously.
"It-It's personal matters" Kairi said as she turned around.
"Then, I won't pry" Val said with a smile.
"Thanks Val!" Kairi said as she smiled back.
"Oh, I almost forgot. You're one of the chosen winners to go to the second part of the Competition!" Val said proudly.
"Really!" Kairi was surprised.
"Yeah, and you know what, you're going to get a new partner" Val said happily.
"What do you mean?" Kairi asked.
"Since the commoner that is paired up with you only acted as a shield, the higher-ups decided to put a new partner for you, isn't that great?" Val replied.
"A new one huh" Kairi whispered at herself.
"You were saying something, Kairi?" Val asked.
"Ah, I just remembered, I've got something to do at home, see you tomorrow" Kairi said as she left Val alone.
"Is it just me or Kairi is actually acting really strange" Val thought.
Kairi headed to the teacher's office, this is where most of the Academy teachers rest. Kairi was thinking why they would change her partner. They paired him up with a commoner, then they must have considered that Kaito cannot put up a fight as they were the one who ranked him up "Weakest". Kairi arrived and went to look for Anne(their morning teacher), she saw her resting in one of the benches with a cup of tea.
"Teacher, why do you need to change my partner in the School Competition?" Kairi asked as she sat in front of the teacher.
"The higher-ups had decided it, also, aren't you upset getting paired up with a commoner?" Anne asked as she took a sip of tea.
Kairi cursed herself for acting like that before. Now it caused her more trouble. If Kaito is no longer her partner, they would have no reason to meet, and if that happened, Kaito can no longer teach her anything about the Dark Element. She has to make an excuse.
"If I can continue winning with a commoner, won't that prove my title as the No. 1 student at the Academy and increase my chances of being picked to fight in the Magic Competition" Kairi said as she looked at Anne seriously.
"Very well, but if you had any more close calls like what happened in your match before, I'm assigning a new partner for you" Anne responded.
"Thank you" Kairi said as she bowed down and left.
"I've lied to too many people today, I should just go home for now" Kairi said as she breathed out a sigh. She then headed out to leave school.
"Does she know?"
...
A man and a girl is sitting on a branch of a tall tree, the sunset can be seen clearly.
"You should smile a lot more often" the girl said as she held the man's hand.
"Why?" the man asked.
"Humans smile to convey their feelings, like when they are happy" the girl answered.
"Why can't they just say they're happy?" the man asked again.
"Geez, you really need to learn more about human s and their emotions". The girl said.
"Why don't you just tell me?"
"Someday, I will no longer by your side, - - - - -"
...
"I always have dreams whenever I sleep" Kaito said as he woke up from bed. His room is dark as he only eats then directly goes to sleep.
"This had happened when I was acquainted with her" Kaito said as he went to the kitchen to warm up some food.
"I wonder if I can feel that same warmth" Kaito thought.
...
After eating, Kaito prepared to go to school. As he was about to leave, he sensed mana. He followed it and arrived at one of his windows, a bird, a raven to be exact, carrying a letter on it's beak. Kaito took the letter and the raven flew away.
"It might be coming back to it's master" Kaito said as he opened up the letter.
"Hello Kaito, this is Kairi. Val, one of my friends pestered me about what we were talking about and I somehow ended up exploiting your identity, I was hoping you can let Val learn Dark Magic as well?, she said she would keep it a secret". That is the contents of the letter.
"This is getting out of hand" Kaito said to himself.