Caelum leaned back, the weight of Liana's unexpected request settling heavily on his mind. The silence between them stretched as he considered her words, replaying them over and over. It wasn't as though he didn't need a dual cultivation partner himself—soul-lust affected him as much as any other mage, and he knew that, eventually, a partner would be necessary to continue his growth. But this was different.
Liana was no ordinary girl. She had this fierce ambition and a determination that made her unlike anyone he'd ever met. Partnering with her would mean something more than just practical cultivation. It would mean dealing with the stares, whispers, and undoubtedly, the resentment of half the academy—if not more. He could almost imagine the glares he'd receive from the other guys, especially Jax, who seemed to hold some sort of possessive grudge against him already. He could practically see himself becoming the "public enemy number one," something that would make him the talk of the academy. A smirk played at the corner of his mouth. Part of him didn't mind; if anything, he relished the thought of that pressure. But was it worth it, if the price of all that attention was Liana?
His gaze drifted to her, taking in her quiet, focused expression as she waited for his answer. There was something deeper at work here, something more complex than he'd initially realized. He was almost certain that she hadn't chosen him simply for his power or his skill. No, she could've picked anyone if that was all she cared about. But she hadn't. So he finally spoke, voice calm yet probing. "Why me?"
Liana's eyes met his, and he could see a flicker of surprise, as though she hadn't expected him to ask that question. But she didn't look away. Instead, she took a deep breath, as if gathering her thoughts, and began to explain.
"It's not as simple as it sounds, Caelum. I know I could have approached anyone in our year, and maybe some of them would have said yes without hesitation. But I… I've been studying everyone in our group for a while now," she admitted, her voice steady yet tinged with something that almost resembled vulnerability.
His brows raised slightly. "Studying us?"
"Yes," she replied, giving a small nod. "Ever since the awakening ceremony, I knew I'd need to find someone I could trust to help me grow, someone who wouldn't let power—or lust—corrupt our partnership. I can't just choose someone blindly, not for something as significant as this."
Her words carried an honesty that Caelum found unexpectedly moving. She had put real thought into this decision, weighed her options, and truly considered the impact it would have on her life. It wasn't a request made on impulse; it was deliberate, even calculated.
Liana continued, her gaze drifting as she seemed to organize her thoughts. "The others in our group… they're all strong in their own way, but each of them has qualities that made me think twice."
"Take Jax, for example," she said, her lips curling slightly as she spoke his name. "Jax is a capable mage, yes. But he's got this edge to him—something dangerous and unpredictable. He's resentful, especially toward you, and it's clear that he's the type to let his emotions get the better of him. I don't think he's stable enough to be a good partner. Not for something like this, anyway. He's… too focused on competition, on proving himself."
Caelum listened closely, a small part of him surprised at how perceptive she was. It seemed that, despite her own challenges, she'd been paying close attention to everyone, quietly analyzing each of them. He remained silent, letting her continue.
"Then there's Finn," she went on, her tone shifting to one of reluctant admiration. "Finn's loyal, reliable… maybe even kind-hearted. But he's also cautious, maybe too cautious. He's the type who thinks twice before every move, and I need someone who's willing to take risks. Someone who doesn't hesitate when things get intense. Finn's reliable, sure, but he's not the partner I need if I'm going to grow stronger. Not at the rate I want."
Her gaze moved to the window, her expression thoughtful as she spoke of Rune. "And Rune… he's complicated. He's unpredictable, charismatic, and, in some ways, he's probably one of the most talented mages among us. But Rune's loyalty is… questionable. He doesn't seem like the kind of person who'd prioritize anyone but himself if it came down to it. I need someone who will have my back, someone who understands the importance of trust in a partnership. And I don't feel that with him."
Caelum listened, intrigued by her assessments. Each of her points made sense, even if he hadn't seen things quite the same way before. It was clear that Liana had thought this through thoroughly, and he could feel the weight of her reasoning pressing down on him, almost challenging him to respond.
She stopped then, her words hanging in the air as she looked back at him. Her expression softened, a hint of hesitation in her eyes as though she were afraid of his reaction. She hadn't even reached her thoughts on him yet, but the intensity in her gaze left him feeling strangely exposed, like she was about to say something that would change everything.
"You see," she continued, her voice a bit softer now, "I didn't just choose you on a whim, Caelum. I needed someone I could rely on, someone who wouldn't let me down, no matter how difficult things became. And so far… you're the only one who's shown that kind of strength." She paused, searching his eyes as if hoping he'd understand the gravity of her words.
A surge of emotions rose within him—surprise, admiration, and maybe a bit of disbelief. He hadn't expected her to place that much trust in him. He hadn't thought she'd looked at him with such confidence, even after everything they'd been through.
"Liana," he began, his voice quiet, almost reverent. He felt a strange sense of responsibility now, as if her trust was something he had to live up to, something he couldn't take lightly.
But before he could continue, she held up a hand, stopping him mid-sentence. "There's one more thing," she said, her gaze intense. "I know you think this would make you the academy's enemy number one or something, with all the guys hating you if you agree. And maybe they will. But I need you to understand that this isn't just about me, Caelum. This is about us growing stronger. Together."
The way she said it, the unwavering conviction in her voice, left him at a loss for words. She wasn't asking him for anything casual; she was asking him to be a real partner, someone who would stand by her side and help her navigate the challenges they were bound to face.
Caelum nodded, his mind still spinning with everything she'd said. He couldn't ignore the depth of her request or the significance of the trust she was placing in him. And even though he knew it would come with its own set of problems, he found himself more drawn to the idea than he'd expected.
"I'll think about it," he replied finally, his tone steady. He met her gaze, hoping she'd see the sincerity there, the quiet promise that he'd take her words seriously.
Liana gave a small smile, one that held both relief and a hint of gratitude. "Thank you, Caelum. I just… I needed you to know why I came to you, of all people." Her eyes lingered on him for a moment before she glanced away, the vulnerability she'd shown slowly retreating behind her usual composed exterior.
They sat in silence for a few minutes, each of them lost in their own thoughts. And for the first time, Caelum felt the weight of a partnership that went beyond mere cultivation or strengthening their magic. It was something real, something meaningful, and he couldn't shake the feeling that whatever decision he made would change everything—for both of them.