After my brief conversation with Kairos, I couldn't shake the lingering feeling of familiarity that persisted in me for a few days. Kairos' cryptic words haunted me, but I kept fighting the urge to solve the mystery behind those words, or let curiosity take over me.
The days after my first encounter with him passed with surprising normalcy, and the initial shock brought by my transformation faded not long enough, though a few lingering glances remained. Though how amusing it is, that despite their curious looks, none of them dared to approach me directly. If not because of Kairos' way of intruding in my life with casualty, my university life would feel like I have been placed in a two-way mirror, where I could observe without being disturbed, making me question myself if I was too abrupt with changing 'her'.
Today's class is Physical Education, and I couldn't help but chuckle as I entered the gymnasium in my fencing gear. The foil hung loosely in one hand, while my other hand held the fencing mask securely at my side.
The gymnasium is buzzing with energy. Students talking, gear clattering and feet shuffling were mixed into a dull hum that barely registered in my mind. I stood still, staring blankly at the fencing mats laid out before us. My body was there, but my mind felt elsewhere. Even though it was very different from the training hall I was used to, there was something about it that put me at peace, as if I was entering a familiar area for the first time since entering this planet. It wasn't at all like the training hall we had back home, yet for some reason, I felt comfortable there, as if I was entering a familiar place for the first time since entering this world.
Holding a sword had once been second nature to me, but ever since I became the crowned princess, the time for my swordsmanship class was eventually removed from my schedule. That's why since I came into this world, this might be the third time that I would praise the original Karina for enrolling in this subject. My creator seems to gather knowledge for my swordsmanship in this particular subject. She studied it ahead of time and even watched various video clips of the national fencing team. It could be the reason why I am particularly excited today, since it has been a while since I held a sword.
As I took my seat in one of the benches while waiting for my other classmates to finish changing in our fencing gears, someone sat next to me and didn't even hide their intense stare, so I turned my gaze at him, at Kairos, who had an unfamiliar expression on his face ever since we started talking. As usual, he had a relaxed expression but the traces of boredom weren't there, instead there was a hint of excitement on his face, as if something exciting were about to happen.
"What is it?" My curiosity finally won this time, his change of expression made it happen. Since our first encounter, I never saw his demeanor change except from this class. I assumed that because it's physical education, but knowing his ability to perform well in everything, I doubt that having a match with these people around us would excite him that much.
Kairos turned his gaze at me but instead of an answer, all I got from him was a smug yet undeniably charming grin. The subtle tension between Kairos and I grew little by little as I found myself spending time with him from time to time in our classroom, talking mostly about our academic subjects. It wasn't planned, but it happened naturally—his presence becoming a constant in my life. Surprisingly, his presence brought a feeling of nostalgia in me, it was both comforting and unsettling, pulling me back to a certain event in my life in the kingdom, to a time when I met that person who has the same name as his, but bore no resemblance to him.
The Kairos I once knew were what people in this world would call an "extra". A minor character who has little or most of the time, has no significance in the story, whether they appear or not. But as someone who was created differently, it wasn't the case. All the people I met, whether they were mentioned or not in Karina's narrative, are relevant in my life. They might be the reason why I was different from the other characters that 'she' wrote. And with Kairos' case, the fleeting moments I had with him, has this spark, a connection that I couldn't quite explain. He was written in the book as the Duke of the Northern Region, yet the name he wants me to call him is owned by someone else in the world that I came from.
I exhaled a sigh and shook my head as my mind drifted once again. It seems that no matter how I tried to accept everything that was pushed upon me, I still hadn't fully adjusted to this world. There were remnants of the world I came from that clung to me desperately, shadows that I couldn't escape no matter how fast I run, especially when I was faced with a man who felt so familiar and yet so foreign all at once.
"I heard that our professor will hold a match first before she formally starts the class. I bet she just wants to brag about her past glory as the youngest fencer of the national team." I overheard the student in front of us whisper to her seatmate. Her tone was light, but anyone sensitive could sense the nervousness in her voice. The slight tremble in her words betrayed her attempt to appear nonchalant. It was clear she wasn't looking forward to whatever challenge the professor had in store for us.
For the umpteenth time, I sighed, flexing my fingers around the handle of my foil. In my former world, every duel had meaning—life, honor, survival. Here, it may look like a game but they have the same meaning for a college student, whose life, honor, and survival, depends on how we perform. It wasn't different from what we had in my world.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed him—Kairos, being called by the professor who just came in, wearing the same fencing outfit that we had, like a proper model instructor. My eyes wouldn't look away from him. He moved differently from the others, there's a certain grace and confidence in the way he moved and adjusted his gear, making every little thing he did immediately stand out. It was fluid, almost...practiced. There was something about the way he carried himself that struck me with familiarity. But that was absurd. I only know this man by name and his achievements in my former world. And I only met him in this world, yet I couldn't shake the strange pull in my chest as I watched him talk to our professor as she gave him instructions.
Strangely, I couldn't suppress the amused smile that spread across my lips as I watched his face light up in response to whatever our professor was telling him. Once again, he made me remember that particular person who once made me experience being a regular person for a day, not bound by any responsibilities. However, my smile quickly faltered when he abruptly turned his gaze toward me, a mischievous grin was playing on his lips. And that look sent a shiver down my spine, making it clear that he was definitely plotting something to add a bit of excitement to his day, as he marched back with our professor behind him.
The fencing instructor began by introducing herself, and true to what the other student had mentioned earlier, she quickly slipped into bragging about her past glories while subtly outlining the basics of the sport she would be teaching. The way she tells her autobiography made me remember my swordsmanship instructor who does the same thing. It added an additional level of familiarity to my observations by revealing startling similarities between our worlds. She kept on telling her story for a while, creating a sense of anticipation in the room, until she eventually revealed the practice match that had the other kids on edge.
The class fell into an expectant silence as she listed the match pairings, with the exception of Kairos and me. We listened with only mild interest, though I had to admit that I am quite confident in my ability to win against anyone they paired me with...
"Karina, you'll be matched with… Kai Alaric."
...except for that man.
Among the people I met in this world, Kairos is an enigma. He is like a complex puzzle cluttered on the floor that both intrigues and frustrates me. He's like a labyrinth of contradictions that simultaneously draws you in and confounds you, a maze with ever-shifting walls, challenging you to navigate through layers of mystery and intrigue, making you both eager and reluctant to uncover the truths hidden within.
I turned my gaze toward the man beside me as the professor continued listing the other pairings.
"Why me? It's my first time fencing. Shouldn't you pick someone in your league?" I asked, my tone sharp enough to make Kairos realize I was onto him. I heard that he was a fencing athlete who had quit last year for unknown reasons, so he was likely asked by the instructor if he wanted to join the match or not, since he would probably win over us. "I want the complex explanation." I added, seizing him to ask the same choices he gave me during our first encounter.
Kairos's lips curled into a nostalgic smile while staring at me, as if he was reliving an amusing memory. "I saw you take down someone with an Arnis stick before and—"
"Enough," I interrupted sharply.
Kairos's eyes twinkled with mischief. "But I'm not finished yet."
I shot him with a stern glare. "If you don't want me to beat you up right here and now, I suggest you keep quiet." My warning was firm, though my voice carried a hint of amusement that betrayed my outward seriousness, making him launch a soft chuckle as he played with the foil in his hand.
Each pair was asked to pick their lineup in the fishbowl that our professor brought with her. I don't know if I should call myself lucky for getting the spot for the final match or unlucky because of Kairos and his contagious excitement. He acts like a swordsman who was deprived of holding his sword for years and was now given a chance to fight again.
"Why did you quit anyway?" I cussed myself inwardly for letting my curiosity slip out of my mouth, betraying my rational self with my desire to know more about him.
"Why? Are you curious about me now? Are you having this urge to know more about me?"
I instantly regret letting my curiosity slip upon hearing his voice dripping with annoying amusement. He was right though; since our first encounter, my curiosity about him increased little by little. Still, I refused to admit it. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction to tease me further, is what I said.
"How about a bet?"
But once again, my curiosity got the better of me. My attempt to appear indifferent only highlighted my interest, despite my best efforts to conceal it.
Kairos chuckled softly, clearly entertained by my struggle to mask my overflowing curiosity. He stood up from my seat, offered his hand, reminding me once more of a noble custom that we had back in my world. If I'm not used to him and his weird habits by now, I would think that Kairos is like me, a character who was forcedly summoned into this world, if only he changed like I did to the original Karina.
"If I win, what is it for me?" he asked as he guided me like a gentleman in front of our audience for our match.
This time, I confidently grinned at him as I put on my fencing mask. "If you will win."
--
The gymnasium that was once echoed with the rhythmic clatter of footsteps, the sharp clinking of swords meeting in swift exchanges, is now filled with silence when Kairos and I stood across each other in fencing mats laid beneath us. It was only a Physical Education class, but today, it felt more like a battlefield that would bring me back my honor once I won this fight. I tightened my grip on the foil, the thin, flexible blade was humming slightly in my hand. Beneath my calm demeanor, I could feel my heart pounding, but not with dread, but with excitement.
Kairos stood across from me. He's silent and unreadable, like how Karina wrote him as the Duke Ashford of the North. His posture was relaxed yet alert, as if every muscle in his body was waiting to spring into action at the right moment. He was the best fencer I had heard before, that's why I couldn't hold back my curiosity to ask him the reason why he quit. Out of curiosity, I watched a few of his matches and I'm quite amazed by his speed and precision that often leave his opponents winded and bewildered.
We raised our foils, saluting each other as the instructor's voice rang out, signaling the start of the match.
""En Garde! Pretz? Allez!"
I took a deep breath and made the opening move, aiming my blade for a clean hit on his chest. With a simple flick of his wrist, he easily parried my sword and sent it off course. He swiftly responded, aiming for my side, but I swerved and just missed the contact.
The first few exchanges were swift and steady, a dance of attack and defense, both aiming to win. Kairos's movements were fluid, like water adapting to every situation, while mine was sharper, more aggressive. And though it was frustrating seeing how good he is, the smile on my lips won't fade behind the mask I'm wearing because of the same reason for my frustration, with each clash of our blades, an electric tension is built between us.
Kairos's gaze never wavered, and although his face was hidden behind his mask, I could sense something in his eyes—a focus that was too intense, as if this duel mattered far more to him than it should be with mine.
Does he want something to know about me? Or was it because it's been a while since he faced a formidable opponent?
"Not bad. I thought it was your first time?" Kairos murmured, barely loud enough for me to hear, but the teasing in his voice was unmistakable.
My eyes narrowed beneath my mask. "Indeed. But I'm quite adept at holding swords. Just prepare yourself when you lose."
His laugh was low, almost affectionate. "We'll see about that."
We circled each other again, our foils locked briefly before I disengaged and took a step back. I steadily let out a breath, but I could feel the adrenaline rushing through my veins. This wasn't just about the class anymore. There was something personal in the way Kairos fought with me—like he knew me and already anticipated my moves before I made them.
Frustration flared in my chest. He was good, too good to be honest. Karina's description of him was on point, but the real Kai Alaric Ashford was a lot more impressive. He's the real deal.
I lunged again, my blade looked like I was aiming for his unguarded shoulder, but he sidestepped effortlessly, however he didn't anticipate my next move. With a swift adjustment, I redirected my attack in one fluid motion, I tried to disarm him, and his foil was sent clattering to the ground with a finality that echoed through the gymnasium.
It was over.
Panting, I stood still, my heart thundering in my chest. Despite winning the match, any professional who watched us would know that I would've lost. I took off my mask and handed him his foil, our hands brushed briefly. Strangely, there was a sense of Déjà vu, as if we once had a match like this before somewhere.
"You were holding back," I accused him. My voice was low. "Why?"
Kairos's fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword, but his expression remained stoic. "Maybe I wanted to satisfy your curiosity." He said in a playful manner.
My eyes narrowed. "Losing like this beats the purpose of the bet." There's a hint of annoyance in my voice.
"I know," he said softly. His gaze dropped for a moment before he met my eyes again. "But that's not why I held back."
"Then why?"
There was a pause, a tension that hummed in the air between us. He didn't have enough time to answer my question though. The instructor called us out praising our match, but pointed out my suspicion that Kairos had lost on purpose.
After we returned to our seats, I couldn't get rid of the sensation that Kairos knew something that I didn't. Something that I don't have any memories of, about myself or about us. And I felt uneasy for the first time in a very long time. I was driven to solve the puzzle of how we were connected.