Mina stood in the dimly lit training room, her hands shaking slightly as she tried to summon the energy that seemed to live just beneath her skin. Viktor watched her closely, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. He had been guiding her through exercises to control her powers for the last hour, and though she had made progress, her abilities still felt unpredictable.
"Focus, Mina," Viktor said, his voice calm yet firm. "Feel the energy. Control it, don't let it control you."
She nodded, closing her eyes, trying to feel the pulse of power within her. It was like trying to grab a slippery fish with her bare hands. Every time she thought she had it under control, it slipped away, flaring out unpredictably.
Viktor stepped closer, moving behind her. She could feel his presence, the heat from his body, the way his breath brushed against the back of her neck. Her heart skipped a beat, but she tried to focus on her powers, not on how close he was.
"You're too tense," Viktor said softly, his hand coming to rest lightly on her shoulder. "Relax."
Mina tensed even more at his touch, feeling her heart race. She tried to breathe through it, to push past the fact that Viktor was practically leaning over her now, his hand firm on her shoulder as if trying to steady her from within.
"You can do this," he murmured, his voice low and warm. "I know you can."
She tried again, reaching for the energy inside her. This time, she felt it surge up, hot and bright, and for a moment, she thought she had it under control. But then, without warning, a burst of light shot from her hands, exploding outward and sending a stack of training mats flying across the room.
Mina's eyes flew open in horror. She turned to Viktor, expecting to see frustration or disappointment on his face. But instead, he just gave her a small, knowing smile.
"You're getting better," he said, surprising her.
"Better?" she repeated, incredulous. "I just blew up half the room."
"You're learning to harness it," Viktor corrected, stepping back to give her some space. "You just need to learn how to temper it. Right now, you're like a fire hose, too much power, too fast."
Mina sighed, running a hand through her hair, still feeling the warmth of the energy buzzing under her skin. "I don't know if I can."
Viktor's gaze softened slightly, and he stepped closer again, his hand resting on her shoulder once more. This time, his touch lingered, and Mina could feel her pulse quicken.
"You can," he said quietly, his voice almost a whisper. "And I'll help you."
For a moment, the world seemed to narrow down to just the two of them. The weight of Viktor's hand on her shoulder, the intensity of his gaze, the way their breaths seemed to synchronize. Mina's eyes flicked to Viktor's lips before she could stop herself, and she felt a flush creep up her neck.
Viktor didn't move, but his gaze seemed to darken slightly, as if he had noticed her staring. He leaned in, just enough to make the air between them feel thick with something unspoken. Mina's heart raced, her thoughts scrambling.
Just as she thought something might happen, the door to the training room banged open, and Darien's voice echoed through the space.
"Training or flirting in here?"
Mina jumped back, her face flushing hot as Viktor straightened up, his expression quickly returning to its usual stoic calm. Darien, leaning casually against the doorway with a grin on his face, gave them both a knowing look.
"Not interrupting anything, am I?" Darien added, clearly enjoying the moment.
Mina shot him a glare, trying to cover up her embarrassment. "We were training."
Darien smirked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Sure you were."
A few hours later, Mina found herself in an even more awkward situation. The Gentleman's Club had decided to hit the academy's gym for a quick workout, and as Mitsuo, she couldn't exactly bow out. The problem? She wasn't used to the kind of "manly" physical activities the other guys seemed to thrive on.
Luca was lifting weights effortlessly, his muscles rippling as he bench-pressed what looked like an impossible amount. Asher, always the casual observer, leaned against a nearby wall, his smirk never leaving his face as he watched Mina struggle with the lightest weights.
Darien, of course, was showing off. He had somehow managed to do a set of pull-ups while simultaneously flirting with two girls who had wandered into the gym just to watch.
Mina, meanwhile, was barely managing to hold her own. She had picked up a dumbbell, trying to look confident as she struggled to lift it. Her arms shook, and sweat was already forming on her forehead.
Asher raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Need some help, Mitsuo? Or maybe we should start you off with the kiddie weights?"
Mina shot him a glare, though her arms were trembling too much to look intimidating. "I've got this."
But as she tried to lift the dumbbell higher, her grip slipped. The weight wobbled dangerously, and she barely managed to keep it from falling onto her foot. She let out a yelp, her arms giving out as she fumbled with the weight.
Before the dumbbell could crash to the floor, Darien swooped in, catching it with ease and flashing her a knowing grin.
"Careful, Mitsuo," he said with a chuckle, easily handling the weight as if it weighed nothing. "We don't want you getting hurt."
Mina groaned internally, her face flushing with embarrassment. "Thanks," she muttered, trying to keep her cool despite her growing frustration.
Darien winked at her, clearly enjoying her discomfort. "You should stick to charming the girls. Leave the heavy lifting to us."
Asher snickered from the sidelines, and even Luca couldn't help but chuckle as he racked his weights. Mina buried her face in her hands, wishing she could sink into the floor.
Later, back in the Gentleman's Club's plush lounge, Mina barely had time to catch her breath before her next challenge arrived in the form of a dozen eager girls. The door to the lounge burst open, and the sound of giggles filled the room as the girls swarmed inside, their eyes immediately locking onto her.
Mina froze, her heart sinking. Not again.
"Mitsuo!" one of the girls squealed, her long brown hair bouncing as she rushed over to Mina. "You promised to help us study for the exams, remember?"
Mina blinked, trying to recall if she had, in fact, made such a promise. "Uh…"
Another girl, a short blonde with wide, hopeful eyes, clutched her books to her chest and leaned in. "Maybe we could meet after class tonight? Just the three of us…"
Mina's stomach flipped. She glanced around the room, silently begging for help, but Luca was busy ignoring the situation, Asher had an amused smirk on his face, and Darien looked like he was ready to tease her again.
Before Mina could come up with an excuse, the girls started chatting excitedly about how much they were looking forward to their "study session." Mina's palms began to sweat as the conversation spun out of her control.
"We could all meet at the café on the east lawn," the blonde suggested, her eyes twinkling. "It'll be so much fun!"
Mina forced a strained smile, trying to keep up the Mitsuo persona. "I'll, uh, check my schedule."
The girls giggled, clearly thrilled, before waving goodbye and promising to see Mitsuo later. As soon as they were gone, Mina collapsed onto one of the plush chairs with a long, exhausted sigh.
"Popular, aren't you?" Asher teased from his spot on the couch. "The ladies can't seem to get enough of our resident elf."
Darien leaned against the back of her chair, giving her a playful nudge. "Careful, Mitsuo. You might end up booked solid with dates."
Mina groaned, rubbing her temples. "This is exhausting."
To make matters worse, Darien seemed to have developed a fascination with Mitsuo's charm, much to Mina's dismay. His flirty comments became more frequent, and his playful touches were starting to fray her nerves.
One afternoon, Darien cornered her near the academy's courtyard, his smile as dazzling as ever. "Mitsuo, you've been holding out on me," he teased, his voice smooth. "How is it you've got the girls wrapped around your finger?"
Mina blinked, trying to maintain her cool. "I'm not sure what you mean."
Darien's eyes sparkled with amusement as he stepped closer, his voice dropping to a low, teasing whisper. "Don't be modest. You're practically a heartthrob. Even I'm starting to wonder what your secret is."
Mina's heart raced, her mind scrambling for an escape. "Natural talent, I guess?"
Darien chuckled, clearly enjoying how flustered she was getting. "Oh, I bet. Maybe you could teach me a few tricks."
Mina had barely started formulating a response to Darien when Viktor strode over, his face a mask of calm control but with an edge of something else simmering beneath. His gaze flicked between Darien and Mina, or Mitsuo , before settling on Darien with a cold sharpness.
"Darien," Viktor said, his voice calm but firm, "don't you have somewhere to be?"
Darien raised his eyebrows, his smile only growing wider. "Oh, I was just getting some pointers from Mitsuo. We were talking about charm."
Viktor's expression didn't change, but there was something in the way he stood that made the tension in the air shift. "Mitsuo has more important things to focus on than your games."
Mina, caught between the two, swallowed hard, feeling the unspoken rivalry simmering between them. Viktor was protective in a way that made her feel safe, but the weight of Darien's playful flirtation was starting to get harder to ignore.
Darien chuckled, giving Mina one last mischievous wink before pushing away from the wall. "Fine, fine. But don't think I'm giving up, Mitsuo. I'm still waiting for those lessons." With that, he sauntered off, leaving Mina and Viktor alone.
Mina let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Viktor's gaze remained on Darien's retreating form for a moment longer before he turned to her, his expression softening slightly.
"He's testing you," Viktor said quietly. "Don't let him get under your skin."
Mina offered a weak smile, grateful for the intervention but still flustered from the encounter. "I'm trying. He just… he doesn't quit."
Viktor's gaze held hers for a moment, something unspoken passing between them. Then, he nodded. "You're handling it better than you think."
That evening, Mina was trying to relax in the common room of the Gentleman's Club, her body still sore from the training session with Viktor. She was hoping for a quiet moment, but of course, peace wasn't on the agenda.
The door to the lounge swung open, and the two girls from earlier, her so-called "study buddies", walked in, grinning from ear to ear. Mina's stomach dropped. She had completely forgotten about their impromptu "study session," which was now clearly shaping up to be something else entirely.
"Mitsuo!" the brunette called out, her smile bright. "We're so glad we caught you!"
Mina glanced around the room for help, but the other members of the club were either oblivious or enjoying her predicament too much to intervene. Asher, lounging on the sofa with a book, gave her a quick smirk, clearly entertained.
The girls rushed over to her side, and before Mina could think of a way to escape, they were already sitting down, pulling out their books, but only as a pretense. Their eyes were fixed on her, their intentions clear.
"So," one of the girls said, leaning in with a playful smile, "how about we forget about studying and grab dinner instead?"
Mina's throat went dry. "Uh, I'm not sure, "
Before she could finish her sentence, Viktor entered the room. His eyes scanned the situation, and within moments, he was by her side, his hand resting casually on the back of her chair.
"I'm sorry to interrupt," Viktor said smoothly, his voice polite but firm. "But Mitsuo has prior commitments tonight."
The girls pouted, but the combination of Viktor's authority and presence left little room for argument. They muttered something about catching up later, and with one last flirty glance, they left the room.
Mina let out a long breath, leaning back in the chair as Viktor stood beside her. "Thanks," she muttered. "I don't think I could've handled that."
Viktor gave her a small nod, his gaze softening. "You don't have to go through this alone."
Mina glanced up at him, feeling the weight of those words sink in. For all the chaos, all the pressure to keep up the Mitsuo persona, she realized that Viktor was always there, quietly watching out for her. The realization warmed her, and for a moment, the tension between them from earlier returned, this time, without the interruption.
The next day, Mina found herself back in the training room with Viktor, determined to get a better handle on her powers. This time, the air between them was charged with unspoken words, lingering tension from the previous day's almost-moment still hanging over them.
Viktor set up a series of targets for her to practice on, instructing her to focus on precision rather than power. Mina tried to clear her mind, but it wasn't easy. Every time Viktor stepped close to correct her stance or adjust her focus, her heart raced, making it harder to concentrate.
She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she tried to summon her energy once more. The warmth inside her flared to life, and this time, she felt like she had a better grip on it. She aimed at the target, her hands glowing with light.
"Slowly," Viktor said softly, standing behind her again. "Focus on releasing it in controlled bursts."
Mina exhaled, allowing the energy to flow through her fingers in a steady stream. The light shot from her hands, hitting the target squarely in the center, but it didn't explode. It was controlled. Focused.
Mina's eyes widened. "I did it."
Viktor smiled, a small, rare smile that made Mina's heart skip. "Told you you could."
Before she could celebrate, Viktor stepped even closer, his hand brushing hers. The contact sent a jolt through her, and for a moment, the world outside the training room disappeared. There was only Viktor, his presence, his warmth, his steady gaze locked on hers.
Their hands lingered together for a beat too long, and Mina's breath caught in her throat. This time, there was no Darien to interrupt, no training session to hide behind. The moment stretched, charged with an electric tension that made her pulse race.
But just as the air between them thickened, Luca burst into the room, his voice booming.
"Hey, we've got trouble in the north wing!"
Viktor and Mina broke apart instantly, the spell between them shattered. Viktor's expression hardened, and he turned toward Luca with a sharp nod.
"Let's go."
The moment between Viktor and Mina faded as the club quickly gathered in the north wing of the academy. The source of the commotion was a group of rogue Shades , stragglers from the battle with Malakai, still lingering in the shadows.
Luca had already shifted into his werewolf form, leading the charge against the Shades with brute force. Asher followed closely behind, his demonic illusions flickering in and out of the darkness as he disoriented the creatures.
Mina, still in her Mitsuo guise, tried to summon the same focus she had in training, but the Shades were fast, their movements erratic and difficult to predict. One of them lunged at her from the side, and before she could react, Viktor was there, blocking the attack with a burst of his own magic.
"Stay close," Viktor commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Mina nodded, her heart still racing from the near miss. She focused again, letting the warmth of her power rise within her. This time, she managed to summon a controlled burst of light, aiming it directly at one of the Shades . The creature screeched as it dissolved into nothingness, the shadows dissipating in the bright glow.
The battle was short but intense. By the time the last Shade was vanquished, the north wing was quiet once again, the only sounds the heavy breathing of the club members as they regrouped.
"Good work, everyone," Viktor said, his eyes scanning the room to ensure all the Shades were gone.
Luca, still in his werewolf form, grunted in agreement, while Asher gave Mina an approving nod. Even Darien, who had been uncharacteristically quiet during the fight, flashed her a small smile.
"You handled yourself well, Mitsuo," Darien said, his usual teasing tone softened.
Mina smiled back, feeling a surge of pride. Maybe, just maybe, she was starting to get the hang of this after all.
Later that evening, after the adrenaline of the battle had worn off, Mina found herself alone in her dorm room, staring at the ceiling as the events of the day played over in her mind. Between her growing powers, the pressure of keeping up her Mitsuo persona, and the complicated feelings she had for Viktor, it felt like her world was spinning faster than she could keep up.
But for the first time, she didn't feel completely overwhelmed. There was something grounding about knowing that, no matter what happened, she wasn't alone. The Gentleman's Club had her back, even if they didn't know who she really was.
As she drifted off to sleep, Mina couldn't help but wonder what the future held. But one thing was certain: her time at Blackwell Academy was far from over, and the mysteries surrounding the prophecy, and her place in it, were only just beginning.