The morning sun crept into Ethan's room, its soft light waking him from a dreamless sleep. He stretched and rubbed his eyes, memories of the previous night swirling in his mind. Lila's kiss and her words about his confidence stuck with him, making him feel a mix of pride and confusion.
He got ready quickly, determined to make the most of the day. As he stepped into the hallway, he found himself face-to-face with Amelia.
"Morning," she said, her tone formal, though her cheeks carried a faint blush.
"Morning," Ethan replied, unsure how to act after their late-night conversation.
Amelia glanced around before leaning closer. "About last night… I didn't mean to—"
"It's fine," Ethan interrupted, offering her a small smile. "Really."
She nodded, looking relieved. "Good. Because we have a group meeting in ten minutes. Don't be late."
Before he could respond, she walked away, her silver hair swaying behind her.
After a while, Ethan entered the training hall where Celeste waited, her presence as calm and commanding as ever. Greystone and a few other students stood nearby, already preparing for the lesson. Lila sauntered in behind Ethan, flashing him a knowing smile.
"Today's focus is on teamwork," Celeste announced, her voice cutting through the chatter. "You all need to learn how to rely on each other in battle. Pair up."
Without hesitation, Lila grabbed Ethan's arm. "We're a team," she said, grinning.
Amelia frowned from across the room, clearly unimpressed.
"Let's see what you've got," Celeste said, stepping back as the students began their drills.
Lila and Ethan worked well together, their movements fluid as they faced off against another pair of students. But as the fight grew intense, Ethan noticed Amelia watching him. Her gaze was sharp, but there was something else there—something softer.
"You're getting distracted," Lila whispered, elbowing him lightly.
"Sorry," Ethan muttered, focusing back on the fight.
They won the round, earning nods of approval from Celeste. As they stepped aside to catch their breath, Lila leaned close.
"You should stop worrying about her," she said, her tone teasing but gentle. "You've got enough on your plate without trying to impress everyone."
Ethan looked at her, her amber eyes filled with amusement. "Maybe you're right."
"I usually am," she replied, smirking.
Later that afternoon, Ethan wandered through the library, searching for books on strategy. He wanted to improve—not just in combat but in his thinking. He needed to prove he could handle the pressure of being the Luminary.
"Looking for something?" a familiar voice asked.
Ethan turned to see Iris, the academy's young teacher, standing behind him. Her green eyes sparkled with curiosity, and her warm smile put him at ease.
"Just trying to get better," he admitted.
Iris tilted her head, her golden hair catching the light. "That's a good attitude. But don't push yourself too hard. Growth takes time."
"I don't really have time," Ethan said, shaking his head. "Everyone expects so much from me."
Iris reached out, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "It's okay to feel overwhelmed. Even the strongest leaders started somewhere."
Ethan felt a warmth from her touch, a comfort he hadn't realized he needed. "Thanks, Iris. That actually helps."
She smiled, her hand lingering for a moment before she stepped back. "If you ever need guidance, you know where to find me."
As the day comes to end, Ethan found himself back in his dorm. He couldn't shake the feelings swirling inside him—Lila's teasing, Amelia's intensity, Iris's calm support. Each of them brought out something different in him, and he wasn't sure how to handle it.
A knock on the door broke his thoughts.
"Come in," he called.
The door opened to reveal Amelia, looking more composed than she had that morning.
"We need to talk," she said firmly.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "About what?"
"About you," she said, stepping inside. "And how you're going to lead us."
Ethan blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean?"
Amelia crossed her arms. "You're getting stronger, Ethan. But you're still holding back. If you're going to be the Luminary, you can't let doubt control you."
Ethan stood, meeting her gaze. "I'm trying, Amelia. I really am."
"I know," she said, her voice softening. "That's why I'm here. To help you."
Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Ethan felt the tension between them, but this time, it wasn't uncomfortable.
"Thanks," he said quietly.
Amelia nodded, her cheeks faintly pink. "Don't make me regret it."