The note trembled slightly in Asher's hands as Professor Chen's voice faded to background noise. He risked a glance at Kira, who sat three rows ahead, her posture unusually rigid.
He forced himself to focus on taking notes, though the complex equations on the board blurred before his eyes. His mind raced through possibilities: deny everything, make up a convincing lie, or perhaps... tell her the truth? The thought made his stomach clench.
The remainder of the class passed in an agonizing blur. When Professor Chen finally dismissed them, Asher deliberately took his time gathering his materials, watching as other students filed out. Derek lingered by the door.
"Coming to study group?" Derek asked.
"I'll catch up later," Asher replied, noting how Kira remained seated, methodically organizing her notebooks. "Need to ask Professor Chen something first."
Once the classroom emptied, Kira moved to sit beside him. The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken questions.
"How long have you known?" Asher finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I started suspecting after the incident in the training room," Kira replied, her eyes fixed on her hands. "But it was your reaction during this morning's session that confirmed it. You're holding back deliberately."
Asher's fingers instinctively touched his pocket where his medication rested. "It's not what you think-"
"Isn't it?" Kira interrupted, finally meeting his gaze. "I've been watching you, Asher. The way you move in training - there's a... disconnect. Like someone playing a part. Your body knows exactly what to do, but you force it to fail."
"You don't understand," he began, but she cut him off again.
"Actually, I think I do." She glanced around the empty classroom before continuing in an even lower voice. "Because I'm hiding something too."
That caught him off guard. He studied her face, noting the dark circles under her eyes, the slight tremor in her hands that he'd noticed before but never really thought about.
"Yesterday, when I missed training," she continued, "it wasn't because I was sick. It was because I lost control of my own abilities during private practice. That's why I recognized the signs in you - because I'm constantly trying to suppress my power too."
Asher felt a sudden urge to tell her everything - about the sword, the surge, his midnight training sessions. But years of secrecy made him hesitate.
"Why are you telling me this?" he asked instead.
"Because we're both going to get ourselves killed if we keep going like this," she replied bluntly. "The combat simulations tomorrow? With multiple opponents? One of us is going to slip up, and when that happens..."
She didn't need to finish the sentence. They both knew the consequences of revealing abnormal power levels at the academy - the testing, the scrutiny, the potential "special training" that some students never returned from.
"So what are you suggesting?" Asher asked, although he had a feeling he knew where this was heading.
"We help each other," Kira said simply. "Train together, watch each other's backs, keep each other's secrets. It's safer than struggling alone."
Before Asher could respond, footsteps echoed in the hallway outside. They quickly separated, pretending to gather their remaining belongings as a group of first-years passed by the open door.
"Think about it," Kira whispered, standing to leave. "Meet me at the old greenhouse at midnight if you're interested. And Asher?" She paused at the door. "Whatever that surge was that day... I think it's only the beginning."
As she left, Asher sat alone in the empty classroom, the sword of Avarest thrumming against his consciousness, leaving him with a decision that could change everything.
Asher remained in the classroom long after Kira left, his mind churning with possibilities. His mind seemed to resonate with his internal conflict, its pulse growing stronger whenever his thoughts turned to accepting Kira's offer.
Finally, he gathered his things and headed to the library where Derek and Yuno would be studying. The familiar routine might help clear his head. As he walked through the academy's corridors, he noticed small details he'd overlooked before – the way certain students moved with the same careful restraint he recognized in himself and Kira, the knowing glances some instructors exchanged during training sessions.
How many others were hiding their true abilities?
"There you are," Yuno called out as he entered the library's study area. "We were starting to think you'd gotten lost."
Derek looked up from his textbook, his expression questioning. "Everything okay? You were with Professor Chen for quite a while."
"Yeah, just needed some clarification on the shield formations," Asher lied, settling into his usual spot. He pulled out his books, trying to focus on the combat simulation preparation materials, but his thoughts kept drifting to the old greenhouse and what might await him at midnight.
The study session passed in a blur of diagrams and theoretical frameworks. As evening approached, Derek stretched and closed his books. "Anyone want to grab dinner?"
"Can't," Asher said quickly – too quickly. "I've got... some extra practice to do."
"You've been doing a lot of extra practice lately," Yuno observed, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.
"Just trying to improve before the simulations," he replied, gathering his things. "You know how behind I am."
Derek's expression suggested he didn't quite believe this, but he didn't press the issue. "Don't overwork yourself. Tomorrow's going to be challenging enough without exhaustion."
Back in his room, Asher paced, watching the clock tick closer to midnight. His heart beat pulses had grown more insistent, almost like it was urging him toward a decision. He took out one of his anxiety pills, rolling it between his fingers before putting it back. He needed to be clear-headed for whatever came next. He made his decision.
It was already Eleven fifty. Kira looked at her watch intensely. "He is not coming" she mouthed to herself. She moved outside he green house into the moon light and turned to return. At that moment a voice came from her back "going to soon" Asher stated.
She turned with delight written all over her "I thought you weren't coming" she mouthed.