Stepping out from the training hall, I bid Alice farewell as she mentioned having other commitments. We agreed to meet later for lunch.
With a few academy routes under my belt, I decided to take a brief detour through quieter hallways, sidestepping the student surge pouring out of classrooms.
The peaceful scenery captured my admiration as I strolled through these tranquil zones. Subdued sunlight danced through stained glass, painting delicate hues on the polished marble floors. Lost in thought, I suddenly collided with someone, snapping me from my reverie.
Stumbling, I was taken aback by the unexpected impact. My senses had strangely failed to signal another presence.
Lifting my gaze, I found Vanessa before me—a member of the student council. Her ethereal presence was heightened against this backdrop, her violet hair cascading like a river of amethyst silk. Her purple eyes met mine, mirroring my own astonishment.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to," I murmured, a blend of surprise and apology in my voice.
"It's alright, my fault for not paying attention," she responded her tone even.
Both of us found ourselves on the ground. I was quicker to rise, offering her a hand. As our fingers brushed, a flicker of reaction crossed her face—her cold demeanour momentarily shifting to flustered. She withdrew her hand, leaving me curious about her unanticipated response.
I watched as she brought her hand to her lips, an almost shy gesture that had me shocked. There was something she wasn't saying.
"Are you okay?" I asked, my voice tinged with genuine concern. I clearly did something wrong so I have to know.
Her gaze met mine, a vulnerable glint in those purple depths. "I'm fine," she replied, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness, her eyes momentarily averting from my gaze she looked undeniably cute like this.
"Um. Do you still need help getting up? I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable or anything I just want to help you."
Her eyes lit up once more. The faintest shade of pink coloured her ears. I've definitely caught something out of this world that no man certainly could ever lay their eyes on.
"I-I-I said I'm fine! and don't look at me, please... It's embarrassing." she covered her face from me as she got up hurrying out of our little encounter.
For someone who's portrayed to be ice cold, she looked like she melted under the pressure what a sight to see today.
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* * Vanessa POV * *
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Why did my heart choose that exact moment to race like that? My cheeks burned, betraying my outward calmness. And even when I stumbled, tripping over him, there he was, his hand reaching out to catch me.
I felt nothing before that, It was just his hand... I thought of it as nothing.
But In that suspended moment, his fingers brushed mine, It felt way too familiar to the one back then, My heart was racing without reason. My senses were alive, every nerve on edge as if a hidden force had awakened within me.
he was just trying to help me up, a simple gesture. Why, though? Why did this connection feel so familiar? Other students, other boys, I shook their hands with indifference. Yet, why did it feel so familiar to my senses? It was just that one time back then.
Closing my eyes, I allowed the memories to resurface. A boy from the past, a time when I felt my world twisted upside down.
My servant and I were on the way to The Kingdom of Nhasier due to the peace treaty made by our kingdoms.
And suddenly our carriage broke down because of how unstable my ability was back then.
I was a Girl who cried so much because I was forced to move out of the kingdom because my family wanted no war and I was scared to meet new people which made my power cryostasis vulnerable to freezing everything around me Then as if someone heard me, He emerged from the swirling storm at that moment.
His voice, So calming yet warm he held both of his hands over mine enveloping a warmness that enveloped me.
My heart, My body, and My hands felt at peace. He was a presence I had yearned for, a connection that had left an indelible mark on me.
I wished I could've seen his face, wished I could've known his name. The veil that concealed half of my powers also shrouded my senses, If only I was able to control my Cryostasis back then, Maybe I could've seen him.
But it was over. The encounter had passed, and reality remained unchanged.
I couldn't possibly let these emotions take root. Society's expectations, my father's plans—all loomed over me like a shadow, reminding me of the divide that existed between us.
But could he really be...? The boy from back then? The mere thought stirred a tempest within me, conflicting emotions swirling like a whirlpool. I had tried to forget him, to bury that chapter of my life beneath the weight of my royal lineage. And yet, the feeling that had been awakened by his touch was too potent to ignore.
My cheeks were still tinged with that telltale hue as I gazed at my reflection, a genuine smile playing on my lips. "Keep it together, Vanessa," I whispered, in an attempt to steady my racing heart.
But the truth remained—I couldn't deny the way his touch had awakened a dormant part of me, a part that was now dancing to a melody I couldn't quite grasp.
was this love? what was love? love... a word that had been elusive, a sentiment that had always seemed distant. Yet, here it was, unfurling within me like the petals of a long-forgotten rose.
Walking out of the bathroom, I bumped into Celestina.
"Vanessa! I was looking all over for you. We have to get ready and organize the mini-tournament entry for our school's annual competition entry to the National Schools Tournament." She paused as she looked at me weirdly and smiled. "Did someone finally catch this cold princess's heart?" Could I have been read so easily? No. I'm sure she was bluffing.
"What are you talking about? I just felt a little sick today." I assumed it was because of earlier since my ears had reddened a bit.
Celestina's eyes twinkled mischievously as she observed me. "Oh, come on, Vanessa. I've known you for years. I can tell when something's up. And don't think you can fool me with that 'I'm feeling sick' excuse."
I rolled my eyes, attempting to mask the turmoil of emotions that still swirled within me. "Really, Celestina, you have quite the imagination."
"Sure, you're not fooling me, but I'll play along," Celestina teased, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "Anyway, let's not waste any more time. We need to get everything organized for the tournament entry."
"I'll meet you at the student council room soon I just have to go collect something."
A smirk rose from Celestina's face. "Oh, are you going to go see the one who stole your heart?" She teased.
"There's no way getting through to you, I'll see you later."
As I distanced myself from her, I couldn't help but wonder... What on earth would I do if I ran into him again? Could I just pretend that the encounter meant nothing, or should I address the unspoken tension between us?
It was baffling, really. I never thought someone like him could shake me up so much. But whenever I did catch a glimpse of him, there was something undeniably magnetic about him that set him apart from the usual nobles who roamed the halls of the academy.
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* * POV End~ * *
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After concluding my classes, the echoes of a raucous commotion reached me, reverberating through the main hallways. To my astonishment, I found a throng of students congregating around the bulletin board.
"HEY, LET ME SIGN UP, IDIOT!" A student's voice pierced through the clamour.
"Would you mind putting my name down? Thanks!" chimed in another.
A horde of students clustered together, obscuring my view of what exactly they were so fervently signing up for.
"Hey, Jin! Considering signing up for the school's mini-fighting tournament?" Startled, I turned to the voice behind me, recognizing my senior, Matteo.
"I'm not entirely sure. I mean, what's the purpose of participating in this fighting tournament?" I inquired, pondering if Matteo held the answer.
"It's quite simple, really. It's about the glory and the potential career opportunities after school. However, it's a one-time opportunity. Once you're in, you can't compete again. Our Academy holds the prestige of being part of this year's defending winners of the national tournament. The association even allowed our academy four entries due to the back-to-back winners' condition. Hence, this week's mini-tournament will feature four separate brackets, ultimately leading to 4 representatives in the national tournament."
"That's rather intense. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, given our academy's reputation. But have there been winners from our school in previous years?" My curiosity grew, as I considered potential candidates from our Academy who might have emerged victorious.
"Indeed, there have been two winners in the last five years. Ezekiel's triumph was a spectacle, as he flawlessly defeated each opponent within five moves, rendering him unrivalled. Then there's Rex, who seemed terrified of every challenger he encountered. He even managed to make one of them lose control of their bodily functions." Matteo burst into laughter, recalling the memories.
"Did you take part in the tournament, Matteo?" I could tell Matteo was no ordinary person and just by looking at the way his mana flame fluctuates he'd give me a lot of trouble in a battle.
He looked at me surprised by my question yet he smiled and answered "Yes, during my third year at this academy. I was the best in my year and I did fight a lot of talented people before I made it to the finals, but I was defeated by the man who later earned the title of 'Ballad Mage' two years after our initial fight. His name was Sol Pavionis, and he was in his final year at the school. I had the privilege of battling someone as formidable as him. Regrettably, I was completely overwhelmed by his psychological tactics and wits."
"What do you mean by that?" I was shocked to think someone like Matteo could be easily toyed with but there had to be a reason.
"He had an aura akin to Ezekiel, a golden boy who commanded the attention of those around him. However, he was brimming with arrogance, lacking humility. Essentially, he was Ezekiel if he wasn't so humble."
As Matteo reminisced about his past experiences, I couldn't help but be intrigued by the tales of triumph and defeat that surrounded the prestigious tournament. The prospect of stepping into that arena, and facing opponents who possessed unique skills and strategies, ignited a spark within me.
"Matteo, I appreciate you sharing this information with me," I said, my curiosity now fully engaged. "It's fascinating to hear about the legends that have emerged from our academy. The idea of testing my own skills against such formidable opponents is both exciting and daunting."
Matteo's eyes gleamed with a mix of nostalgia and anticipation. "Jin, you have a talent that's hard to ignore. I've seen just a bit of how you fight and definitely, you are an odd one. I say there's a good chance of you winning in any bracket you enter."
His words filled me with a sense of purpose. As I gazed at the bustling crowd around the bulletin board, my decision became clearer. "Alright, Matteo. I'll give it a shot. Count me in for the tournament."
Matteo grinned, patting me on the shoulder. "That's the spirit, Jin! I'll be rooting for you all the way. Remember, it's not just about winning; it's about the journey and the growth you'll experience."
With a grateful nod, I said, "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." My heart pounded with anticipation as I wove through the throng of eager young men, all clamouring to sign up for the school's renowned fighting tournament.
The air was thick with the scent of sweat and ambition, and the names on the sign-up sheet were a blur of unfamiliarity, none of them catching my eye or stirring my soul.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I reached the front. My hand trembled slightly as I penned my name, sealing my fate.
Leaving the chaos behind, I headed towards the school gates, where, by a stroke of luck, I spotted Ezekiel and Rex, two of my closest friends and rivals.
"Oh! Sup, Jin? Why are you leaving the academy so late?" Ezekiel's eyes sparkled with curiosity, his voice tinged with excitement.
I sighed, feeling the weight of the day on my shoulders. "Ah, the commotion of signing up for our school's fighting tournament drained me," I confessed, my voice weary.
Rex's eyes softened, and he chuckled, "Ugh, that brings back so many memories."
Ezekiel's face broke into a confident smirk, his eyes gleaming with pride. "I knew you would sign up, Jin. So don't disappoint us both since we were the previous winners of the competition."
Rex yawned, feigning indifference. "I guess we both have bragging rights, but I only entered because I thought I'd get out of class."
The banter escalated, our voices rising, filled with playful taunts and challenges. Ezekiel and I bumped heads, our faces inches apart, eyes locked in a battle of wills. Rex's strong hand separated us, his voice firm yet amused.
"Who knew that our esteemed President could lose his temper over a mere taunt?" he teased. "But I have to ask, Jin, where are you going after this?"
The conversation shifted to plans for the adventurers' guild, quests, and the anticipation of earning money. Ezekiel and Rex's reactions were a mix of surprise, excitement, and concern, their faces reflecting their unique personalities.
At the adventurers' guild, we were met with a sea of eyes, all fixed on our academy uniforms. The room was filled with palpable tension, a mixture of fear and respect. Was it our presence or Ezekiel's reputation that caused this reaction?
Approaching the desk, I inquired about my results, my heart in my throat. The receptionist's face was a mask of professionalism as she handed over my card. Laughter erupted from Ezekiel, wild and unrestrained, while Rex's face was a picture of shock and sympathy.
"PFFFFTTTTT HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA I CAN'T!" Ezekiel's laughter rang through the room.
Rex's voice was gentle, his eyes kind. "Well, I guess we all start somewhere?"
As I look towards my adventure rank it was Grade E... The lowest.