Akari stood in the training grounds, watching Kuro and Arnold with a mix of confusion and concern. Both boys were unusually quiet, their eyes darting around as if avoiding some invisible threat. "Hey, dumbies, is everything alright?" she called out, hands on her hips, a playful smirk on her face.
Kuro quickly shifted his gaze to the sky, as if the clouds held the answers to the universe. What do I say? he thought, a nervous knot forming in his stomach. He could feel Arnold's presence beside him, tense and fidgety. Kuro couldn't help but think, Great, even the weather feels awkward right now.
Arnold, for his part, was contemplating whether the grass looked particularly interesting at that moment. He'd never thought staring at blades of grass would be so intense, but anything was better than facing Akari's probing gaze. "Uh, yeah! Everything's... um, great!" he stammered, forcing a smile that was more of a grimace.
Akari raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "You both look like someone just stole your favorite snack. Did you two get into a fight or something?"
Kuro shot Arnold a sideways glance, trying to gauge how to respond without letting on about their internal turmoil. This is not how a future duke behaves, he chided himself. "Nah, just discussing... tactical strategies," he lied, trying to sound casual while internally freaking out.
"Tactical strategies?" Akari echoed, crossing her arms. "Is that what you call it when you two are being awkward? Because it looks more like you're plotting the downfall of your own friendship."
Arnold finally spoke up, trying to diffuse the tension. "Yeah, it's a very complicated plan... involving silence and awkwardness," he joked, forcing a laugh that fell flat.
Akari rolled her eyes. "You two are hopeless. How about we actually do some training instead of standing around looking like lost puppies?"
Kuro and Arnold exchanged glances, and Kuro finally broke the tension with a small, embarrassed laugh. "Alright, alright. Let's get to it before you decide to train us in the art of avoiding eye contact."
Akari grinned, finally seeing a flicker of their usual selves. "That's the spirit! Now, let's see who can take me down first!"
The boys perked up, the previous awkwardness melting away as they jumped into action, determined to prove themselves. But in the back of Kuro's mind, he couldn't shake the nagging thought that Arnold might be a little too keen on impressing Akari, and that just wouldn't do.
Akari stood in front of Kuro and Arnold, hands on her hips, an exaggeratedly serious expression on her face. "Alright, boys! It's time for a little science lesson, but with a magical twist!"
Kuro raised an eyebrow, looking skeptical. "You mean we're not just going to swing swords and hope for the best?"
"Come on, Kuro! This is important!" Akari said, rolling her eyes. "Kuro, your power is darkness, and Arnold, yours is light. Understanding how they work together can make you both powerful."
"Or a very confused duo," Kuro mumbled under his breath.
Akari ignored him and continued. "Light is made up of different colors, which we can see as wavelengths. When you shine light on an object, some colors get absorbed, while others are reflected back. That's how we see different colors. It's like a very fancy magic trick!"
Arnold nodded enthusiastically. "So if I can create light, I can just make everything super colorful!"
"Exactly!" Akari exclaimed. "And Kuro, since you control darkness, you can absorb or block those colors. It's like playing hide-and-seek, but with photons!"
Kuro crossed his arms, unimpressed. "So, I'm basically a cosmic bouncer, making sure only the right colors get in?"
"Exactly! You're the bouncer of existence!" Akari clapped her hands. "And if you really master it, you could eliminate light altogether. Poof! No more light!"
"Whoa, I could make the world go dark?" Kuro's eyes widened. "That sounds a little… ominous."
"Don't get carried away," Arnold said, feigning seriousness. "Let's not turn our kingdom into a black hole, alright?"
Kuro waved his hand dismissively. "Relax, Arnold! I'm not going to swallow the sun or anything. But what happens if I combine my darkness with your light? Do we create a disco ball?"
Akari giggled. "More like a cosmic explosion! But seriously, if you work together, you could potentially erase someone's existence! You'd just have to be careful not to accidentally zap each other!"
Arnold gasped, a grin spreading across his face. "So we could literally make someone disappear? That sounds like something out of a really dramatic story!"
Kuro smirked. "Yeah, like 'Two Best Friends Turn into Cosmic Killers.' I can see the poster now!"
Akari chuckled, shaking her head. "Okay, okay! Focus, you two. I want you to practice creating light and darkness in harmony. Kuro, summon a patch of darkness. Arnold, you create a beam of light to shine through it!"
As they started their practice, Kuro concentrated hard, his brow furrowing in concentration. "Okay, darkness, come to me! Become my shroud of doom!"
Arnold snickered. "Nice catchphrase, Kuro. Very intimidating!"
"Shut it, Arnold! Just focus on your light show," Kuro shot back, his focus slipping.
With a dramatic flourish, Kuro unleashed a swirling mass of darkness, only for Arnold to counter with a dazzling beam of light that cut through it. The combination created a mesmerizing effect, sending shadows dancing and light flickering all around them.
"Wow, it's like a party in here!" Akari cheered, clapping her hands in delight. "Keep going, you two! But remember, no disappearing acts—yet!"
As they continued to practice, the training grounds filled with the laughter and friendly rivalry of the trio, each embracing their unique powers while navigating the ups and downs of their dynamic. With Akari leading the way, they forged a bond that was as bright as Arnold's light and as shadowy as Kuro's darkness—an unstoppable team in the making.
As Kuro and Arnold honed their powers of light and darkness, Akari dedicated time to refining her abilities as well. She practiced her plant manipulation, conjuring small plants without overexerting her Noor. Rather than creating elaborate gardens, she focused on practical applications of her powers, ensuring she maintained her energy levels.
In addition to her training, Akari assisted the duke and duchess with their office work. She helped organize documents, manage schedules, and even tackled some administrative tasks. Her keen eye for detail and organizational skills made her a valuable asset in the duke's office.
Balancing her training and responsibilities, Akari remained committed to improving herself while also supporting Kuro and Arnold in their own journeys. With every practice session and every completed task, she forged stronger bonds with her friends, all while navigating the complexities of their shared lives.
As Akari absentmindedly twirled the delicate white rose between her fingers, a sudden, strange feeling washed over her—a sense of déjà vu, as if a memory from a past life was tugging at the edges of her mind. The feeling was overwhelming, almost suffocating, and without warning, tears began to well up in her eyes. Her hands trembled, and a surge of Noor energy broke free, spilling out in chaotic waves.
"Kuro… Arnold…" she whispered, barely audible, before she was overwhelmed by the storm of her own powers.
The entire training ground was soon blanketed in a mixture of shadows, frost, and swirling plant life. Trees erupted from the ground, twisting and tangling wildly, while ice crystals began to form in the air. The darkness of her Noor crept out, merging with the cold and foliage, creating a surreal and menacing scene.
Arnold took a step forward but stopped short when a sudden blast of icy wind pushed him back. "Akari! What's happening? Are you alright?" he shouted, his voice laced with concern.
But she couldn't answer, trapped within the maelstrom of her own power and memories.
Kuro's face tightened with worry as he tried to push closer, shielding his eyes against the blinding frost and darkness. "Akari, snap out of it!" he yelled, desperation creeping into his voice. "You have to control it!"
But her gaze was distant, locked in a memory only she could see, her expression lost and devastated. The tears streaming down her face told them just how deeply this unknown pain had affected her.
Arnold turned to Kuro, eyes filled with panic. "She's losing control… we have to stop her before she hurts herself!"
Kuro nodded, clenching his fists. "We need to counter her power—together!"
Arnold took a deep breath, then summoned his Noor, creating a powerful glow that cut through the shadows and the icy haze. He directed the light toward Akari, hoping to reach her through the raging darkness.
Kuro, focusing hard, manipulated his own darkness to neutralize hers, slowly containing her spiraling powers. Together, their light and dark energies formed a delicate balance, pressing back against the storm.
Bit by bit, the energy around Akari began to calm, the frost melting, the plants receding, until finally, silence settled over the training grounds.
Drained and overcome, Akari's eyes fluttered closed, and she crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Kuro ran forward, kneeling beside her and gently lifting her head. "Akari…" he murmured softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.
Arnold knelt beside him, looking equally worried. "What was that? It's like she was seeing something… something painful."
Kuro's gaze darkened, still holding Akari protectively. "I don't know. But whatever it was, we'll be here when she wakes up."
Akari lay motionless for two days, her face pale and her breathing shallow. Everyone in the mansion was on edge, their worry growing with each passing hour. Kuro and Arnold took turns staying by her side, refusing to leave her alone. Even the Duke and Duchess would stop by frequently, their faces lined with concern.
When she finally opened her eyes, the room was bathed in soft afternoon light, and only Arnold was sitting beside her, looking worn but relieved. As soon as he saw her eyes flutter open, his face broke into a smile, and without a word, he pulled her into a gentle hug.
"Arnold…" she whispered, her voice trembling. The weight of her emotions, the memory flashes, the fear—all of it came crashing down on her, and she couldn't hold back her tears. She buried her face in his shoulder, her shoulders shaking with quiet sobs.
"I'm so sorry," she choked out, barely able to speak. "I didn't mean to lose control… I don't know what happened… I—"
"Hey, hey…" Arnold soothed, rubbing her back gently. "You don't need to apologize. You were going through something… something we don't understand yet. But you're safe now, and that's all that matters."
She clung to him, her fingers clutching his shirt as if afraid he'd vanish. "It was so overwhelming… I thought I'd lost myself," she admitted, her voice muffled. "I don't know what I saw, but… it felt like something important… something I'd forgotten."
Arnold pulled back slightly to look at her, his face full of kindness. "Then we'll figure it out together. You don't have to go through it alone."
Akari managed a shaky smile, touched by his steady reassurance. "Thank you, Arnold… I don't know what I'd do without you and Kuro."
Arnold gave her a small, encouraging smile. "And you'll never have to find out."
Kuro stepped into the room, only to see Arnold wrapped around Akari in a tight hug. His eyes widened, and he cleared his throat loudly. "Hey, you snooty prince, ever heard of personal space?"
Arnold rolled his eyes but didn't let go immediately. "Relax, Duke-in-training. I'm just making sure she's okay after, you know, everything."
Kuro raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, yeah, you're all heart. Now let go before I need to remind you what 'personal space' actually means."
Akari noticed Kuro's tone and, trying to lighten the mood, reached over to Kuro. "Alright, I don't want Mr. Sunshine over here sulking. Come on, get over here, too."
Kuro blinked, caught off guard, then awkwardly leaned into the hug. Trying to act like it didn't matter, he muttered, "Didn't want one anyway. Just making sure you weren't giving him all the attention."
Arnold smirked. "Clearly, someone here needs attention."
Kuro shot him a glare over Akari's shoulder. "Says the guy who hogged all the personal space in the first place."
Akari just sighed, shaking her head. "You two are like bickering toddlers. Can't I just get a peaceful recovery hug without it turning into a competition?"
Kuro huffed, "Hey, I'm not competing. Just making sure our guest here remembers his place."
"Right, because nothing says 'welcome back' like a territorial display," Arnold quipped.
Akari laughed, pulling away and looking at the two of them. "Well, thank you both, for the peaceful support," she said with an eye roll, clearly amused at their antics.
When Akari finally felt well enough to get up and about, she quickly realized that bits and pieces of what had happened were still foggy in her mind. Every time someone—usually Kuro or Arnold—tried to bring it up, she'd just stare at them blankly or shake her head, unable to give any real answers.
Sensing her discomfort, they eventually stopped asking, even though it was clear they were both dying to know what had triggered her powers so intensely. For now, they let it go, hoping that maybe one day, she'd remember on her own.
A few days later, the trio stood together in front of the grand gates of the Academy of Knights, each carrying a mix of excitement and nerves. Kuro, always the first to joke, smirked. "So, are we ready to become legends or just survive this place without embarrassing ourselves?"
Arnold gave him a mock look of sympathy. "Just try not to trip over your own ego, Kuro. That'll be a solid start."
Akari rolled her eyes, already feeling like she'd need twice the patience to handle these two here. "Boys, if you both survive me before the academy does, I'd call it a success."
With a laugh, they stepped forward, ready to face their new chapter.
The Academy of Knights stood as a formidable fortress, designed for rigorous training and preparation for warfare. Towering stone walls encircled the grounds, fortified with battlements and watchtowers that overlooked the sprawling fields beyond. The entrance was marked by a heavy wooden gate reinforced with iron, giving an imposing first impression.
Upon entering, students found themselves in a vast courtyard, where the clang of swords and the shouts of instructors filled the air. The courtyard was lined with training dummies, archery targets, and combat arenas, all designed for intense physical training. Students practiced their swordsmanship, archery, and hand-to-hand combat under the watchful eyes of experienced knights who served as instructors.
The main building was constructed of sturdy stone, with high ceilings and long, arched windows that let in shafts of light. Inside, the atmosphere was serious yet charged with energy. The grand hall featured banners of various houses and families, displaying their crests and colors, a constant reminder of the legacy of knighthood. Long wooden tables filled the dining area, where students gathered to share meals and stories of their training and aspirations.
Classrooms were scattered throughout the academy, equipped with maps, battle plans, and scrolls on tactics and strategies. Here, students learned not just about combat, but also about leadership, diplomacy, and the responsibilities that came with being a knight. Some rooms were dedicated to the study of magic and its application in warfare, where future knights learned to harness their powers in battle.
Beyond the main building, extensive training grounds stretched out, with various terrains designed to simulate the challenges of real battlefields. There were muddy trenches for tactical maneuvers, open fields for cavalry drills, and wooded areas for stealth and ambush training. Students engaged in mock battles, honing their skills in strategy and teamwork while preparing for the realities of war.
The dormitories were utilitarian, with simple wooden beds and storage for weapons and gear. A communal area provided a space for relaxation, though most students preferred to spend their free time practicing their skills or studying battle tactics.
Overall, the Academy of Knights was a place of rigorous training and preparation, instilling discipline, courage, and a sense of duty in its students, shaping them into the future protectors of the realm.