Whoever was there, they really wanted to get inside, I could hear Keirin opening the doors and then I heard quick steps in my direction.
Looking with interest into the passage from where the quick steps were getting closer and closer, I saw disheveled Cassandra who was dressed in armor and her gaze wandered around the kitchen.
Seeing me and freezing, examining my face, I noticed how she frowned and came up to me. Trying to maintain a calm appearance when inside I was worried about how Cassandra would react to my change in appearance.
Smiling, I stood up and watched as the girl, without stopping, came up to me and hugged me. I expected a different reaction from her, but not what happened after she hugged me.
I expected a different reaction from her, but not what happened after she hugged me. The dark elf, clinging to me, began to cry, I remembered the second test, which made me feel afraid that while we were away, something had happened to her mother or Samantha.
Keirin returned back with her sister, who looked at me with concern and turned her gaze to her friend.
Like Cassandra, the light elf was dressed in armor and the smell of sweat from the dark elf's body said that they came running here as soon as they heard that Keirin and I had returned.
I felt Cassandra pressing closer and closer to me, looking from her to Samantha, who just shook her head as she walked to the sofa.
- She thought that you disappeared or were captured by robbers. - Samantha answered my silent question by sitting down. - The only thing that kept her from escaping from the academy was the news that you and Keirin were alive.
I understood the feelings of the dark elf, hugging her and running my hand along her back, trying to calm her down and sitting down on the sofa, Cassandra still cuddled up to me. I was pleased with her behavior but at the same time I tried to push away the memories of the second test.
- What happened to you? - Samantha asked cautiously, pointing her gaze at the scar that was on my face. - Cassandra, calm down, he's not going anywhere.
My hopes that the dark elf would let me go were dashed when she settled comfortably on my lap and I had to look at the grinning Keirin and the tired gaze of Samantha who was looking at the behavior of her friend.
- The consequences of my battle with the wyvern in the forest. - I answered, feeling the dark elf freeze on me.
Freezing and moving slightly away from me, I could see her tear-stained face, her gaze wandered over the part of my face on which traces of burns were visible, and looking into my eyes she frowned.
- Is it just me or has your eye color changed? - Cassandra stammered.
I could see how Samantha nodded to the question of her friend, who could not see this because she was sitting with her back to the light elf. Puzzled, the girl looked at her sister who just shook her head at the question in the girl's eyes.
- Yes, another one of the consequences of the battle with the wyvern. - Confirming, I said to Cassandra's question, who began to examine my face even more closely in search of more changes. - It seems like nothing else has changed.
I tried to shrug my shoulders but my attempts were hidden under the arms and head of Cassandra who laid her head on my chest.
- Why did you and Keirin take assignments that were not designed for a first-year stufon? - Cassandra asked in a quiet voice with resentment in her voice. - What if something happened to you or Keirin?
I anticipated such a question from Cassandra, because of Samantha's presence I could only answer the question evasively without forcing the light elf to leave.
- This is what Cassandra had to do. - I answered evasively, running my hands over the dark elf's back and hair. - Thanks to this task, I became stronger.
I could see Samantha's eyebrows creep up, she looked at Keirin, who could only smile. The dark elf began to calm down and sat down next to me, pressing her hand to me.
I could see that she was afraid to let me go and that I might disappear.
- Because of Cassandra's behavior and your change, we didn't have time to tell you. - Samantha said, glancing at her friend who only winced at the words of the light elf. - Our tournament captain said that you need to attend our training sessions.
Whose captain has been appointed for the upcoming academy tournament? Why should I attend team training if in the magic department I am listed as a reserve and only in the swords department as the main participant.
- At a tournament, there is a possibility that one of the participants may get injured, and then a replacement takes the place of the injured participant. - Samantha said seeing my uncomprehending look. - Rarely does anyone get injured, but this possibility cannot be ruled out.
Shifting my gaze from the girls, I wondered whether there was something else hidden under this strange demand from the captain or not.
It was clear to me from the behavior of the girls that they were not hiding anything; thinking about what they heard, I saw no reason to refuse to attend the team's training sessions.
- Okay, I'll be present at the training. - I answered, looking away from the girls. - When will they be?
The dark elf sitting next to me wrapped her arms around me, pressing herself against me and touching mine with her lips and again climbing onto my lap.
Stopping kissing, I could see Cassandra's desires; after the wedding ritual, we did not have the first night to seal the wedding ritual.
- Training is tomorrow, and we should probably go to our room. Are you tired? - Samantha said in an uncertain voice, addressing her friend. - Come on, Cassandra, they need to recover after returning and we need to get ourselves in order.
A smile ran across the dark elf's face and, releasing me, Cassandra returned back to the sofa. With a smile on her face, the girl looked at her friend who froze and began to blush. I felt that there was a conversation between the girls in which Samantha was losing.
- My she dear friend wants to talk to you Trey. - Cassandra said in a gentle voice, looking from me to her friend. - Am I right Samantha?
If earlier it seemed to me that Cassandra showed strong emotions because of my possible disappearance, now I have suspicions that it is not only because of this.
Looking at Samantha, who was trying to find a way out of the situation in which she found herself because of her friend, and casting glances at Keirin, who just shook her head, rising from the sofa and beckoning Cassandra with her hand.
The dark elf did not want to let me go, but after looking at her friend, she reluctantly got up and followed Keirin.
Left alone with the light elf, I saw Samantha looking around with apprehension and being nervous because we were left alone.
- Something happened? - I carefully asked the light elf. - If it's somehow connected with someone at the academy or outside of it, tell me.
Startled by my words or voice, Samantha shook her head, I could see how she began to blush even more.
- No, it's not about the academy or anything else. - The girl said quietly, squeezing her hands together. - You see, Trey, I see how Cassandra has changed and I want the same for myself.
Listening carefully to the light elf, as I understood, she wanted to find someone to whom she would show her feelings, but our duel held her back.
- As soon as I graduate, Keirin, Cassandra and I will disappear. - I said in an understanding voice. - And you can find someone for whom you will have feelings.
The girl just shook her head at my words, and slowly rose from the sofa and walked around the table and sat down next to me. Clasping my hands together, I saw that she was very worried about something.
- Trey, I don't want to wait that long, I already understand how I feel and what I want. - Samantha said in a quiet voice, squeezing her hands tighter. - I want to perform a wedding ritual with you.
I was caught by the girl's words, it seemed to me that I had not heard the girl correctly and I heard her desire to perform a wedding ritual with me.
- Wait Samata, my words that you will be free to live your life still stand. - I said, moving away from the girl sitting next to me. - Why rush? If something happens, tell me and I will help you without the wedding ritual.
The light elf looked up at me, I saw her red cheeks and a look in which determination was visible.
- I'm in no hurry, Cassandra opened my eyes. - Samantha said in a confident voice. - This is probably how it should be for me to be with you.
Still trying to find a connection, I was wondering what Cassandra told her and why the girl was sure that this was how it should be?
Remembering the second test where the light elf went to war to support her people, I frowned.
- You probably think I'm in too much of a hurry. - The light elf spoke in a quiet but confident voice. - But I thought it over and made a decision, and I see that the three of you are hiding something from me. I have no desire to remain ignorant because you and I did not perform the wedding ritual.
I had no way to dispute Samantha's words that we were hiding part of the truth from her.