"Whoa."
Seventeen whistled when he saw Ruth coming downstairs.
(Damn. She looks incredible.)
The half-elf wore an off-shoulder teal top, white pants, a white choker of silk on her neck, and white-heeled shoes. Her amber hair was untied with a snowflake-shaped hairclip in the front.
Tiny icicle-shaped earrings dangled from her ears and the snowflake tattoo on her hand was so vivid it almost glowed.
For the first time since waking up in this world, Seventeen was speechless.
Ruth noticed his expression and smirked, "Looks like I finally managed to shut you up."
Seventeen didn't hear her words and blurted out, "You look... wow."
The next second he was very interested in the doorframe. He would be blushing furiously if he was able to.
(Very smooth Seventeen. Very smooth.)
Ruth's face was so red it reached the tips of her slightly pointy ears and the two instructors avoided eye contact.
Minerva looked back and forth and a mischievous smile appeared on her face.
"Oooh. I get it. Visiting Arthur? Are you sure you two are going for that?"
"Y-yeah of course! We are going to visit Arthur. Right, Popsicle?"
Thankfully, she quickly caught on, "Yep. We are going to visit him.", she said with a nod.
"Riiight.", Minerva said with an amused expression, "Definitely not suspicious. Very well. I'll ask Kate to take charge of the training."
Seventeen had forgotten about that.
(You're starting to forget a lot of things nowadays.)
"Thanks for that Minerva!", he said with a smile and beckoned to Ruth, "Come on Popsicle. We have a sleeping beauty to visit."
He turned around and left. Ruth quickly followed him.
"All the best, Miss Ruth.", Minerva wished her. Ruth blushed and flashed a smile, "Thanks, Minerva."
After they left, Minerva stretched and walked up the stairs, her lips curling into a mischievous grin.
"This is going to be interesting."
*******
"You didn't look like your usual self back there."
Ruth remarked as they reached the corridor in the academy that led to the infirmary. They weren't lying about visiting Arthur. They are quite worried about him.
Seventeen was back to his calm self. He smiled and replied, "Well. I am a little nervous. This is my first date, after all."
"No way. This is your first date? A divine-looking guy like you?", Ruth was surprised.
He nodded, "Remember? I've been living in the Elder Mountains before arriving in Crystalis."
"I don't even want to know what you were doing in the mountains but whatever it was, it kind of explains your current power level.", Ruth mused.
Seventeen grinned, "Want to try out training in the Elder Mountains?"
"Tempting but I decline. I prefer the stable floor of the training hall over the crumbling rocks of a mountain."
He shrugged, "Suit yourself."
"But what about you? Is this also your first date?", Seventeen asked curiously.
Ruth smirked, "Of course not. I went on a few dates when I was in the academy, all arranged by Jade. Unfortunately, they all ended up... Well..."
"Frosty?", Seventeen suggested. The smirk on her face vanished and she huffed.
"Yeah. You can say that."
He sighed, "I pity the poor souls that went out with you in the past."
"Oh shut up."
They reached the infirmary door and opened it.
Cool air washed over them as temperature crystals worked to keep the air inside cool to keep patients comfortable on a hot day despite winter being around the corner.
There were other patients in the infirmary, victims of accidents, and intense training sessions. All of them watched the two instructors walk past them.
Seventeen and Ruth are not aware of this but they are quite popular in the academy. Ruth is one of the most beautiful women in the academy.
And Seventeen?
Well. He's the most handsome guy in the academy, literally taking the top spot. So those in the infirmary can't help but admire and be jealous of the pair, especially in their current fashionable attire.
"Wow. They look absolutely amazing!", a girl with a broken arm whispered to her friend with a broken leg.
Both had an unfortunate collision while flying around with the help of their Air attributes.
"I know right?", her friend agreed, "And instructor Seventeen. Ahhhh he's so handsome.", she said dreamily.
"Look at those awesome earrings instructor Ruth is wearing. You think she made them herself?"
"Looks like it. Should I ask her to make some for me?"
Seventeen heard these whispers and grinned, "You know. Ice jewelry sounds like a good business venture."
She nodded, "Yeah. I heard the girl's words. Perhaps I should sell them alongside my sculptures?", she mused.
"I can take care of accounting and finances.", he offered.
"Knowing how broke you are? Fat chance, Seventeen."
They stopped in front of the door of one of the many private rooms and Seventeen knocked on it.
"Come in.", a familiar female voice spoke.
He opened the door and the two of them went in.
"Ah Seventeen, Ruth. It's nice to see you again.", Alice Night greeted them with a smile. She was sitting on a chair beside the bed on which Arthur lay asleep.
There was another young man standing at the corner. He was slim and had tanned skin, lilac-colored eyes, and long black hair tied in a ponytail.
They could see that he is Allistair Night, Vice Captain of Squad 24, and the second Night sibling. He nodded at the instructors with a smile and they nodded back.
Seventeen looked at Arthur and could see that the young man looked quite healthy. He was sleeping rather peacefully.
It was as if he was never stabbed through the heart and came back to life as an all-powerful dragon half-blood with a cocky fire spirit living rent-free in his mind.
"He hasn't woken up yet?", Ruth asked worriedly.
Alice shook her head. She looks quite tired, her golden hair has lost its shine and her stormy grey eyes looked dim.
"Not a peek. Dr. Hauser checked him. He said that the shock of dying once, coupled with his half-blood awakening and Inferno waking up, sapped up almost all of Arthurs's energy and mental strength."
She smiled, "You two look quite lovely by the way."
Seventeen smiled, "Thanks, Alice."
Looking at Arthur, he asked, "So when will he wake up?"
Alice shook her head, "No idea."
The room was silent for a few seconds before Seventeen spoke up, "So. How are you managing your responsibilities as Squad Captain and Family Head?"
"Ah. Al here is taking care of them for me. He insisted that I let him do them.", Alice replied.
"Otherwise you will be like a sleep-deprived undead.", Aliistair Night remarked and held out his hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Instructors Seventeen and Ruth."
Seventeen shook hands with the young man and noticed the peculiar energy that is unique to those with the Shadow attribute.
"Alice talks a lot about you, Instructor Seventeen.", Allistair said with a smile.
"Oh just call me Seventeen.", he replied, aware of the subtle glare Ruth was giving Alice who was blushing.
The four of them conversed with each other until it was near noon. Seventeen glanced at Ruth and nodded.
"Well then.", she and him stood up, "Let's catch up later, Shall we? It's almost lunchtime."
Alice nodded, "Alright then. See you later."
Seventeen nodded, "Call us as soon as Arthur wakes up."
"Will do."
They said goodbye to the Night siblings and soon exited the infirmary.
After about fifteen minutes, the door to Arthur's room burst open and Jade flew into the room.
"Hey, Alice! Did you know?!", she asked excitedly.
Her friend was confused, "What is it Jade?"
With a grin, Jade spoke, "A little bird told me that Seventeen and Ruth are on a date."
Alice was surprised, "Whoa! That's news. That explains why they look so good today."
A sudden thought occurred to her, "Wait a minute. Is that why you skipped your duties now?", she asked suspiciously.
"Ah.", Jade rubbed her head sheepishly, "Hey. It's lunch break! Besides.", she smiled mischievously, "What do you think of a little surveillance?"
Alice rolled her eyes, "Really, Jade? You want to follow Ruth during her date?"
"C'mon Alice. Aren't you curious?", Jade implored. She added, "Besides, I'm not the only one."
Some familiar faces appeared behind her.
"So you were the 'little bird' that told Jade about Ruth and Seventeen.", Alice was a little curious but she sighed, "But I can't leave Arthur."
"Go on, Alice. I'll look over him.", Allistair said.
"Are you sure, Al?"
He shrugged, "I am very sure. Get out, Alice. You've been at Arthur's side ever since you returned from the island."
He smiled, "You should unwind, sis."
Alice looked at her brothers and then at her friend. She sighed and gave a small smile, "Fine. But we must make sure to be hidden."
Jade nodded with a wide grin, "That's the whole idea. Let's go!"
But before Alice got ready to leave, she heard the rustling of sheets.
Then suddenly, to everyone's shock, Arthur sat up bolt upright and looked at his sister with wide eyes.
"Did I just hear the words 'Seventeen' and 'date'?"