Yacha had a feeling there was more to her aura, two distinct layers, he could sense but not fully understand. He wasn't surprised by it; in fact, a look of admiration softened his normally serious face. He watched as Shino, standing just ahead of him, shaped an arrow of fire with a swift motion. It curved through the air, almost gracefully, before striking a figure hidden behind a tree.
"Too slow," she said, her voice calm but firm. Yacha hadn't even sensed the danger.
She explained, almost nonchalantly, that a jinn had been lurking nearby, one whose mana was perfectly suppressed. With a flick of her fingers, she ignited the jinn's head in blue fire, burning it completely. Dragging its lifeless body from the shadows of the forest, she reduced it to ashes without a second glance.
Yacha's eyes widened in awe. "I couldn't even sense him," he muttered, amazed by Shino's abilities. There was more to her than even her reputation suggested. And now, more than ever, he wanted to understand this mysterious figure who stood by his side.
Shino turned to him with a rare, faint smile. It was the first time he had seen her show any hint of emotion, though he didn't yet realize how significant that moment was. "Relax," she said softly. "I'll tell you everything when the time comes."
The night had fallen, and they began their journey back to Akkad, the air between them still humming with unspoken understanding. For the first time, Shino acknowledged someone as an ally, and Yacha felt that trust. When they reached the city, Yacha intended to head back to his quarters, but Shino insisted, to spend the night at her place.
As they entered her house, Yacha was struck by how unexpectedly feminine it was inside. Delicate decor, soft colors. It was entirely different from what he'd imagined for the infamous Slayer of Nergal. She vanished for a moment, only to reappear having changed out of her military armor into something more casual.
When she stepped into the room, Yacha found himself momentarily speechless. Time seemed to slow, as she walked in. her long, black hair cascading over her shoulders, framing her face with an almost ethereal grace. Her dark eyes sparkled with an intensity that made his chest tighten, and her light skin seemed to glow against the dim lighting of the room. She was stunning, and the contrast between her outward strength and this hidden softness captivated him.
He blushed, looking away as quickly as he could, hoping she hadn't noticed.
But she had noticed.
"Haha! What's wrong, Yacha?" she teased, a smirk playing on her lips. "Never seen a girl before?"
"N-no… no… I mean, I just didn't expect this side of you," he stammered, trying to compose himself. His voice softened as he added, "I didn't realize how… girly you were."
Shino raised an eyebrow, feigning annoyance. "Are you calling me ugly?"
"No! No, not at all," he rushed to say, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I just… never imagined you'd be this beautiful."
She paused, a flicker of surprise crossing her face, then punched him lightly on the forehead. "You're lucky you're terrible at compliments, Yacha."
Rubbing his head, Yacha smiled sheepishly. "It's ju… just that, well, the first time I heard about you… I thought you were a boy. You know, a man."
She tilted her head, curiosity piqued. "Hmm? So, there are stories about me behind my back, huh?"
They both laughed, the tension between them easing as the conversation flowed. Hours passed like minutes, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Yacha found himself opening up. He shared stories from his past, moments he had long buried. In return, Shino shared bits of her own life, surprising him with a lightheartedness he hadn't expected.
Some moments were filled with quiet reflection, others with laughter. Yacha, often guarded and stoic, found himself loosening up, enjoying the warmth of her company. It was a beautiful night. A night where, for the first time, Yacha stepped out from behind the walls he had built around himself.
And somewhere between the stories, the laughter, and the shared silences, he realized that Shino wasn't just the mysterious Slayer of Nergal. She was something more. Someone who, in that brief period, had become unexpectedly important to him.
The conversation had stolen away any sense of time. Days had passed since Shino submitted a request to train Yacha, which was quickly approved by Prince Rimush. In that time, she had taught him to properly manipulate his mana, how to completely conceal it, and even began unlocking his mastery of the four basic elemental attributes, helping him tap into abnormal attributes. She guided him with an efficiency that bordered on ruthlessness, but Yacha couldn't deny how much stronger he had become under her watch.
Yet, despite the progress, Yacha's mind wandered to his companions. Ursang, Eline, and Speira. He hadn't seen them in days, and guilt gnawed at him. He needed to clear things up, especially with Ursang. After all, they had grown up together.
"You're still worried about them?" Shino asked, her voice curious as she studied his expression.
Yacha sighed. "Yeah… we've been through a lot together. I owe them an explanation."
With two playful slaps to his cheeks, she smiled slightly. "Fine. Go on, clear your head. Just don't take too long."
As Yacha made his way back to their shared quarters, his thoughts spun. Shino was far different from the rumors that surrounded her, and facing his old companions now felt… complicated. Before he knew it, he was standing in front of the door. He took a deep breath and stepped inside.
The moment he entered, they swarmed him. Ursang was the first to speak, concern laced in his tone. "Where have you been, Yacha?"
Before he could answer, Eline and Speira launched a barrage of questions.
-"Why didn't you tell us anything?"
-"Did you really go with Shino?"
-"Are you in a different team now?"
Yacha raised his hands in surrender, his heart racing from their rapid-fire interrogation. "Guys… guys, just give me some space, okay?"
He took a deep breath, bowing his head. "I'm sorry, Ursang. I didn't mean to treat you like that before."
Ursang crossed his arms, still clearly upset but trying to be understanding. "Don't worry about it… but what's going on with you, Yacha?"
"Yeah, we heard the rumors. The king himself placed you in a different division along with Shino." Eline's voice was soft, almost hurt.
Speira, visibly annoyed, chimed in. "So now you're keeping more secrets from us, huh?"
Yacha's anxiety grew. He promised them he'd answer everything, but how could he explain the mess he found himself in? He tried to recount the recent events, the battle at Ur, how he was the only one besides Shino who could use the thunder attribute, and the fact that his training was out of his control. But Speira wasn't satisfied.
"So what about that soldier, Shino? What's her deal?" Speira pressed, crossing her arms with an irritated glare.
Yacha blinked, caught off guard. "I… don't really know what you mean, Speira."
Speira huffed. "She just swooped in and took you away like you were her personal assistant. Don't we get a say in this?"
"We heard you had the choice to say no… but you didn't," Eline added, her voice tinged with sadness.
Yacha ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. "That's not how it happened. It was all out of my hands!"
A sudden knock on the door interrupted the conversation. Eline opened it, and there she was. Shino, dressed in her military armor, her face as unreadable as ever. The room fell silent. Speira's eyes narrowed in immediate dislike, and without a word, she stormed out, mumbling, "Of course, the bitch has to show up."
Before anyone could react, a metallic needle shot out from Shino's hand, grazing Speira's cheek. The sharp, sudden movement drew everyone's attention.
"What did you just call me?" Shino's voice was calm, but her eyes were locked on Speira with a dangerous intensity.
"Shino, relax. She's just upset," Yacha quickly interjected, stepping in her path before she could move toward Speira.
"Upset?" Shino's eyes flickered with annoyance.
"I'm supposed to care about this childish drama? You're soldiers, Yacha. Puppets of this kingdom. Stop acting like children."
Yacha's patience snapped. "Shino, enough! Let's go." He grabbed her hand, pulling her away before things could escalate further. Her eyes remained fixed on Speira until they turned the corner, leaving the three of them behind.
Eline, Ursang, and Speira stood frozen, staring after them, their minds racing. The shock on their faces said it all.
"Did he… did he just grab her by the hand?" Eline asked, still processing what she had just witnessed.
Ursang, equally dumbfounded, shook his head. "I was about to ask the same thing."
Speira, touching her cheek where the needle had grazed her, muttered, "Since when does Yacha… get so close to *her*?"
They were left standing in the aftermath, trying to understand how Yacha had suddenly become so familiar, so casual, with someone they had always regarded as a monster.