After class was dismissed, the room buzzed with the murmurs of confusion. Lira, still seated in the back, overheard students grumbling as they packed up their things.
"I don't get it," one of the girls muttered to her partner. "How are we supposed to connect like that? What does it even mean?"
"Yeah, it's impossible. None of us know anything about this stuff. It's so embarrassing."
Their complaints blended together, filling the room with frustration. Lira, who had been avoiding eye contact with everyone, let a small grin tug at her lips. Hidden behind a feigned look of concern for her classmates, she reveled in their confusion. She was starting to understand that this was an advantage. They were floundering, and now, she had an idea—one she could use later when the time was right.
But for now, her mind shifted back to something else... someone else.
The thought of Milo. She had been avoiding him since the morning, after what had happened between them. The feelings that stirred inside her were new, overwhelming even, and she hadn't known how to face him. But there was no avoiding it forever. Her next class would be starting soon, and she knew he'd be there.
The hallway was crowded as Lira darted between students, her heart racing with anticipation. There, at the end of the hall, she spotted Milo. He was leaning casually against the wall, talking to someone else, but his eyes flickered to her as soon as she approached.
"Milo, wait!" she called out, slightly breathless.
He turned to her, his golden eyes locking onto hers, and for a moment, her nerves flared up again. But she couldn't run this time. She had to face him.
"I'm... I'm really sorry about this morning," Lira said quickly, wringing her hands together. "I didn't mean to just run off like that. I was... confused."
Milo gave her a soft smile, his expression understanding but a little concerned. "It's alright, Lira. I get it. But I need you to talk to me next time, okay? Don't run off. I'm here for you."
The warmth in his voice soothed her anxiety, and she couldn't help but smile back, feeling a bit more at ease. "Yeah... I will. I promise."
Milo reached out and gently ruffled her hair, something he always did when he wanted to lighten the mood between them. "Good. Now, let's get to class before we're late."
They headed off together, their tension melting away as they fell back into their usual dynamic. Yet beneath the surface, something was different. Lira still didn't fully understand her feelings, but she was determined to figure it out in time.
Later that evening, back in their dorm, Lira and Milo were relaxing, going over notes from the day. It was quiet, almost peaceful, when there was a sudden knock at the door.
Milo raised an eyebrow. "Who could that be?"
Lira shrugged, but there was a strange sense of anticipation in the air as he got up to answer. When he opened the door, they were greeted by a familiar face—their adult caretaker. She was the same woman who had first introduced them to the resources they needed when they started at the academy. Tall, poised, and always calm, she carried an air of authority.
"Good evening," she said with a polite smile, stepping into the room. "I've come to explain something important that you both need to know."
Lira and Milo exchanged curious looks as they listened.
"You've been given resources so far," she continued, "but what you might not know is that there's a trade system within the academy. It's something you'll need to use if you want to advance your cultivation and acquire more valuable items."
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small pouch, opening it to reveal golden tokens. "These are tokens—your currency here. They're used for trading various items, techniques, and even special lessons with some of the more advanced instructors."
Milo nodded, intrigued. "So, how do we earn these?"
The caretaker smiled. "Through assignments, tasks, and sometimes by completing special missions. But be careful—tokens are precious and can be hard to come by. Use them wisely. You'll need them to trade for stronger resources as you grow."
Lira studied the tokens carefully, her mind already buzzing with possibilities. This trade system could be the key to getting ahead, and if they played it right, they could ensure they had everything they needed to stay on top.
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After the caretaker finished explaining the token system, she paused, letting the weight of her words sink in. "You'll start with 50 tokens each," she said, glancing at both Milo and Lira. "But if you want to advance in your cultivation, you'll need 500 tokens for your next skill. Then 1,000 for the one after that, and so on. It's important to pace yourselves, but also to be smart about how you accumulate tokens."
Milo nodded thoughtfully, his mind already calculating how long it might take to reach 500 tokens. Lira, however, had another idea brewing beneath the surface, her mind spinning with possibilities.
The caretaker continued, "Instructors are also available to train and duel with students in isolation cultivation. If you ever need an extra push, or if you fall behind, don't hesitate to ask for their help. They'll straighten you out quickly."
With that, the caretaker gathered her things, offered them a polite nod, and left the room.
Milo leaned back in his chair. "500 tokens just to advance a single skill… it's going to take some serious work."
Lira, however, barely heard him. Her mind was elsewhere, a small smile playing on her lips as her plan began to take shape. Testing her feelings for Milo wasn't something she could do directly, not with the confusion swirling around inside her. But maybe, just maybe, there was another way to figure out what she truly felt.
"Milo," she said after a brief pause, turning to face him, "I'm going to step out for a bit. I need to talk to one of the instructors."
"Now?" Milo raised an eyebrow. "We just finished hearing about the tokens."
Lira shrugged casually. "It's nothing major. Just… you know, trying to stay ahead."
Milo's curiosity was piqued, but he didn't press. "Alright, just don't stay out too late. We've got early classes tomorrow."
Lira flashed him a quick smile and slipped out of the room, her heart pounding with excitement as her plan solidified in her mind.
The academy hallways were quiet at this hour, with only a few students milling about. Lira made her way to her homeroom professor's office and knocked lightly on the door.
"Come in," Professor Veria's voice called from within.
Lira stepped inside to find the professor seated behind her desk, looking up from a pile of papers. "Lira. What can I help you with this evening?"
Lira didn't hesitate, her mind already crafted a perfect cover for her true intentions. "Professor Veria, I had an idea I wanted to discuss with you. It might help the class, and… it could also be an opportunity for me to improve my skills."
The professor raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Go on."
Lira took a deep breath, careful to keep her voice steady. "I noticed that a lot of the students seem to be struggling with the latest assignment. What if I offered tutoring sessions after class? I could help them with the material, and in return, maybe I could earn a few extra tokens. It would keep the class on track, and I could sharpen my skills while doing so."
Veria leaned back, her expression thoughtful. "Tutoring for tokens, you say? And you're confident you can handle this along with your own studies?"
Lira nodded, keeping her tone light. "Absolutely. It wouldn't take much time. Just a few hours after class. I think it would benefit everyone."
Professor Veria considered this for a moment before nodding. "Very well. I'll allow it, but make sure you don't fall behind yourself. You can start offering your tutoring sessions tomorrow after class."
Lira thanked her professor and left the office, but once the door closed behind her, the careful mask of innocence slipped off her face, replaced by a sly grin.
Her true intent wasn't just to help the class or earn a few extra tokens. No, her plan was far more personal. If she wanted to figure out these confusing feelings about Milo, she needed more than just distance or casual interactions. She needed to see him in action, to watch how he handled himself around others, and more importantly, how he connected with people.
The tutoring sessions would be her perfect opportunity to test him—and herself. She'd guide the students through the textbooks, offering support from the sidelines, while Milo did most of the actual tutoring. He'd have to engage with the material, explain it to others, and, in doing so, reveal more of the person he truly was.
And Lira? She'd observe. She'd watch him closely, analyzing every reaction, every word, trying to discern if this was just a fleeting crush or something deeper.
If Milo could handle tutoring the class under her guidance, it might show her that he was more than just a close friend. It could reveal if he was the type of person she could truly rely on, maybe even— Lira's cheeks flushed slightly at the thought —someone she could trust with her heart.
For now, though, she'd keep this all to herself. There was no need for Milo to know about her little experiment. He'd play his part without even realizing it, and she'd gain the answers she sought without exposing her own confusion.
By tomorrow, her plan would be in motion. Lira grinned to herself as she walked back to her room, already anticipating how it would all unfold.
Tomorrow, Milo would unknowingly be put to the test. And by the end of it, Lira hoped to know the truth about her feelings, one way or another.
"Let's start by making some flyers for this make out shahs~" she plotted.