My eyes flutter open to the feeling of weight pressing down on my chest. Blinking away the haze, I glance down to see Vic sprawled across me, his bare body warm against mine, his lips wrapped around my right breast.
A mischievous grin tugs at the corners of my mouth. Moving carefully, I snake my hands up and, before he notices, grab a handful of his petite ass.
He gasps, a surprised yelp escaping him as he pulls away slightly, still half-latched onto my nipple.
"So, we're not asking for permission anymore, huh?" I murmur, keeping my hands right where they are.
"It's hard to ask when you've been asleep for two days," he mutters, glancing up with a smirk. "This was my best shot at waking you."
"Two days?!" I shout, sitting up abruptly.
Vic shifts off me with a chuckle as I scramble, panic setting in.
"We have to leave today, and I'm not even ready!"
"Don't worry. Mira and I already packed your bags, so you can just relax," Vic says, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. "Besides, we figured you deserved the rest after that brutal training Mother put you through."
"Oh yeah... the training," I mutter, raising my hand and focusing, trying to summon the same energy I felt before Mother knocked me down.
A faint, flickering gold aura shimmers around my hand—thin and unstable, like a flame struggling to catch.
It's weak... I think frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Looks like I've got a long way to go before I can summon it in battle.
"You should be proud, you know. There aren't many people our age who've awakened their aura—it's a huge accomplishment," Vic said, noticing the flicker of disappointment on my face.
"I know," I replied, managing a small smile. "It's just too weak to be useful right now. But that'll change with practice."
Vic gave me an encouraging nod, but I let my eyes roam over him—his bare skin catching the morning light. A slow grin spread across my face.
"Time to get dressed," I murmured, gaze trailing up and down his body. "Can't exactly head out looking like this..."
He arched a brow, catching the hungry look in my eyes. "Oh? You sure you want me to?"
I stole a glance at Vic, the warmth in my chest hard to ignore. I'm glad he's finally confident in his body around me. I hated watching him think he wasn't good enough.
His slight frame looked almost delicate compared to mine—5'3" to my 6'5", with soft curves where I was broad and built. But the way he moved now, comfortable in his own skin, made me grin. There was no trace of the hesitation I'd seen before, only quiet confidence.
"Nope," I said with a smirk, turning to the wardrobe.
I swung the doors open, revealing two suits in deep black—tailored and precise. The embroidery along the sleeves and collars shimmered silver, forming the family crest: a falcon diving toward a blazing sun, wings spread wide—symbolizing the strength, honor, and legacy of the Valor name.
I grabbed my trousers, sliding them on easily, the fabric snug over my powerful legs. Vic followed suit, his slender fingers working swiftly to button his shirt. His trousers fit close to his small frame, emphasizing his lean, almost petite build.
I shrugged into my shirt, the buttons pulling slightly across my broad chest, and fastened my jacket. The tailored cut fit perfectly over my muscular shoulders, and I adjusted the silver falcon pin at my collar.
Vic, beside me, tugged his sleeves down and straightened his own pin with practiced ease. His petite frame gave him a lithe, graceful appearance, and the suit made him look sharp—sleek and composed.
He caught me watching him and raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips.
"See? All dressed—no distractions now."
I huffed a quiet laugh. "Don't push your luck."
Glancing down at him, I marveled at how well he fit here—so different from me in size, yet belonging just as much.
Vic's hands drifted to smooth a non-existent wrinkle on his jacket. "How do I look?"
"You look like you were meant to be a part of the family" I said glad at the fact that he was mine
He smiled softly, the playful edge slipping for a moment.
We finished the last touches, him brushing a hand through his golden hair. Dressed in black and silver, we weren't just stepping out as ourselves. We were stepping out as Warriors and mages. Strength and precision. Mana and steel.
Vic and I stepped out of my room, walking side by side down the long corridor. The sound of our footsteps echoed off the polished stone floors, the weight of our departure settling between us.
As we reached the grand front courtyard, the towering double doors groaned open, revealing my parents waiting for us beneath the morning sky.
Morgana stood with her usual imposing presence, arms crossed over her chest, her gaze sharp but affectionate. "Looks like you finally decided to wake up," she called out with a smirk as we approached.
I rolled my eyes. "Wasn't thanks to you, you brute."
She chuckled, unfazed. "You asked for it, and it worked, didn't it?"
"Yeah, yeah." I held up my hand, letting the faint gold aura flicker weakly around it, the same thing I'd shown Vic earlier.
Morgana's eyes gleamed with pride, her expression softening slightly. "It's amazing you're even able to manifest it now. That training must've worked wonders."
Before I could respond, Father stepped forward, with rushed enthusiasm. "Alright, alright! We really have to get going, kids—technically, you're supposed to have your exams today."
Morgana shot him a deadly glare, her voice low and warning. "Caspian..."
He raised his hands in playful surrender but didn't say anything more.
She turned her attention back to me, her expression turning serious but still filled with warmth. "I'm not one for long goodbyes, so I'll keep this brief. Both of you must keep getting stronger—there's no room for complacency. Lyra, keep advancing your aura. Practice every single day."
She narrowed her eyes, her smirk returning just slightly. "And for the love of the gods, don't pick a bond just because you think they'll be hot."
I snorted, trying to keep a straight face, but she leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "They're all hot—you really can't go wrong."
I stifled a laugh as she pulled back, now shifting her attention to Vic. The height difference between them made the moment almost endearing, though her intense gaze still carried weight.
"And Vic," she said, softer now, "try to keep her out of trouble. And always remember—you can call this place home, no matter what."
Vic smiled, a flicker of gratitude passing through his green eyes. "Thank you, Morgana."
With that, she gave him a firm but affectionate pat on the shoulder. Caspian clapped his hands, his usual exuberance returning. "Well, if we're done with the tough-love speeches, It's time for me to send you guys off."
I rolled my eyes, but there was no stopping the small grin tugging at the corner of my mouth. Even in moments like these, they were still them—chaotic, loving, and entirely ours.
Vic looked up at me, his petite frame leaning slightly against my side. "You ready for this?"
I nodded, adjusting the silver falcon pin. "Let's be on our way"
Father strode forward, gesturing for us to follow him into the heart of the courtyard. The sunlight reflected off the polished stone, making the engraved Valor crest shimmer beneath our feet. At the center of the courtyard, an intricate, glowing magic circle began to unfurl, spreading out like delicate silver veins along the ground. Runes pulsed with soft light, humming in perfect rhythm, as if the circle itself were alive.
"Step inside, kids," Caspian instructed, a wide grin on his face.
Vic hesitated for half a second before following me, his smaller frame slipping easily beside mine as we stepped into the magic circle. Father flips his long coat dramatically with a flourish. The moment his feet touched the circle's edge, the air around us shifted, thick with magical energy that crackled in my lungs like static.
I glanced down at Vic, whose eyes gleamed with focused anticipation.. He gave me a small nod, reassuring me that he was ready for whatever came next.
Father clapped his hands together, the sound sharp and commanding. The circle beneath us responded instantly, lighting up with blinding silver and gold. Runes danced along the edges, their glow weaving upward in spiraling tendrils that began to wrap around us.
"Hold on to something!" Caspian said with a grin that suggested he really enjoyed this part of teleportation.
Before I could ask what to hold onto, the world around us lurched. Vic instinctively grabbed my arm, his slim fingers clutching tight, while I wrapped an arm protectively around him. The courtyard stretched and folded like fabric in the wind, space itself twisting into ribbons of light that wove around us.
I felt weightless, like falling without moving. There was no ground beneath us—only the swirling magic, a perfect blend of Caspian's skill and raw power. Vic clung to me, his grip firm despite the disorienting sensation.
Caspian's voice echoed through the swirl of magic, playful but firm. "Try not to puke. Makes a mess of the landing, and trust me, no one forgets their first teleportation mishap."
"Not helping, Dad," I muttered, tightening my hold on Vic, who was managing surprisingly well despite the nauseating swirl of colors and shapes around us.
Suddenly, everything snapped back into place—gravity returned with a jolt, and the glowing ribbons of magic unraveled, revealing solid ground beneath our feet.
We stumbled slightly, but I kept us upright, my arm still braced around Vic. He looked up at me, a little breathless but otherwise unfazed. "Well, that wasn't too bad," he muttered.
I glanced around, taking in the new surroundings. We stood at the entrance courtyard of Andosa College, the towering gates looming ahead, ancient runes carved into the archway. The teleport circle beneath us faded into the stone, leaving behind only a faint shimmer.
Caspian dusted off his coat and shot us a playful grin. "See? Easy as pie. And not a single drop of puke."
"Yeah, yeah," I said, giving him a side-eye. "You're enjoying this way too much."
He winked. "I mean, who wouldn't?" still being his playful self
Vic straightened his jacket, brushing invisible lint off the sleek black fabric. "Alright, we made it. Now what?"