The chill of an early morning breeze swept through the academy grounds, carrying the scent of dew-soaked grass and blooming flowers. I adjusted the strap of my satchel as Sera walked beside me, her usual energy subdued. The vibrant golden hue of her hair shimmered faintly under the sunlight as she seemed lost in thought. "So," I began, trying to break the silence, "ready for the tournament? It's finally here." Sera glanced at me, her sapphire eyes flickering with hesitation. She bit her lip, a telltale sign that she was holding something back. "Actually, Noctis…" she started, her voice unusually soft. I stopped in my tracks, turning to face her. "What's wrong?" She sighed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I've decided… I'm not participating in the tournament." Her words hit me like a physical blow. "What? Why not?" "I've thought about it," she said, her gaze focused on the cobblestone path ahead. "I don't need to prove myself like you do. You're the one with the special abilities, the one who can truly stand out. I'll be in the crowd, cheering for you." I look at her with confusion "But Sera, we've been training together for months," I protested, my voice tinged with frustration. "We're a team, remember? You're just as strong—" she just shakes her head "I've made up my mind," she interrupted, her tone firm but not unkind. "This is your moment, Noctis. You don't need me holding you back." I clenched my fists, trying to suppress the frustration bubbling inside me. "You're not holding me back. If anything, you push me forward. Don't do this, Sera." She offered a small, sad smile, reaching out to rest a hand on my shoulder. "I'll be there for you, just not in the way you want. Trust me on this." I wanted to argue further, but the look in her eyes told me it was pointless. Reluctantly, I nodded. "Fine. But don't expect me to like it." She chuckled softly, the tension between us easing just a little. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
The first class of the day was dull, as usual. The instructor droned on about advanced mana manipulation, but my thoughts were elsewhere, replaying the conversation with Sera over and over. She sat beside me, scribbling notes diligently, as though nothing was wrong. As the lesson wore on, my attention wavered. That's when I noticed Sera stiffen beside me, her quill pausing mid-sentence. Her head tilted slightly, her eyes narrowing as she focused on something behind us. I followed her gaze subtly, catching sight of two upper-class noble students seated a few rows back. Their heads were close together, their voices low but audible in the otherwise quiet room. "…so the plan is set for the semi-finals," one of them said, his tone smug. "We'll make sure that little upstart doesn't make it any further." The other chuckled, his voice dripping with arrogance. "It'll be easy. Noctis doesn't stand a chance against us, even without interference. But a little sabotage won't hurt." My stomach churned at their words, anger flaring in my chest. I turned to Sera, whose jaw was clenched tightly. Her sapphire eyes burned with fury as she pretended to jot down notes, but I could tell she was barely restraining herself. "Leave it to a bunch of nobles to play dirty," she muttered under her breath. "Do you think they'll actually do something?" I whispered back, my voice low. "I wouldn't put it past them," she said, her grip on her quill tightening. "But don't worry, Noctis. They won't get away with it."
After class, Sera pulled me aside, dragging me to the quiet corner of the library. The towering shelves of ancient tomes shielded us from prying eyes as she crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. "You heard what they said," she began, her tone serious. "They're planning to take you out during the tournament. We need a plan." I look at her a bit cocky "I can handle myself," I replied, though her concern warmed me. "Whatever they throw at me, I'll deal with it." Sera scowled. "Don't be an idiot, Noctis. They're not just going to play fair. Who knows what underhanded tactics they'll use?" I nod in agreement "Then what do you suggest?" She hesitated, her sapphire eyes flickering with indecision. "I could… rejoin the tournament." I blinked, surprised. "You just said you didn't want to compete."
"That was before I knew someone was out to sabotage you," she shot back, her voice rising slightly. "If I'm in the tournament, I can keep an eye on things. Watch your back." I shook my head. "No, Sera. I won't let you throw yourself into this mess just because of me. I can handle it."
"Why do you always have to be so stubborn?" she snapped, her cheeks flushing with frustration. "I'm trying to help you, Noctis. Let me help." Her words hung in the air, heavy with emotion. For a moment, we just stared at each other, neither willing to back down. Finally, I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Fine," I relented. "But only if you're absolutely sure." Her expression softened, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I'm sure. You're not getting rid of me that easily."
The next few weeks were a whirlwind of preparation. With Sera back in the tournament, we doubled our training efforts, refining our techniques and strategies. We spent hours in the training grounds, sparring and practicing spells. Sera's water magic had grown stronger, her control sharper, while my light magic had become more versatile. I found new ways to shape the energy, creating intricate weapons and tools with ease. One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the academy grounds, Sera and I sat beneath the old oak tree in the garden. "Do you think we'll be ready?" I asked, my voice tinged with uncertainty. Sera looked at me, her expression thoughtful. "We'll never know unless we try. But one thing's for sure—whatever those nobles are planning, they won't see us coming." I nodded, her confidence contagious. "Then let's give them a tournament they'll never forget." Sera and I wrapped our arms around each other in a warm, comforting embrace, feeling the steady rhythm of each other's heartbeats. The world around us faded away as we remained in that cocoon of warmth, savoring the moment for what felt like an eternity. The softness of her hair brushed against my cheek, and the subtle scent of her perfume enveloped us, creating a sense of safety and connection. We held on tightly, cherishing the quiet intimacy of the moment.