The Academy's sky was clear.
Too clear.
Kael didn't trust clear skies anymore.
They were a setup.
"You're awfully quiet this morning," Lyra said, walking beside him, twirling her training blade.
Kael sipped from his cup of steaming tea. "That's because my day started with a lightning arrow nearly hitting my face."
"That was a greeting shot," Lyra replied.
Kael raised a brow. "She said 'I will electrocute your arrogance.' That doesn't sound like a greeting."
—
The Lightning Archer
Her name was Silwen Aelric. Blonde hair, crackling bow, intense gaze.
She stood at the center of the open dueling field, already charged with electricity.
"You are the storm," she said to herself. "He is the stillness. Crush the stillness."
Kael, from the other end, yawned. "Why do all my opponents monologue?"
Renley, now acting as an unofficial announcer, muttered, "Ladies and gentlemen, prepare for another accidental masterclass."
—
The Duel That Wasn't Supposed to Be Funny
Silwen fired three arrows in quick succession.
Kael tried to dodge. He tripped again. Rolled.
A rock flipped.
The rock knocked one arrow off course, deflecting into another, which ricocheted and exploded behind Silwen.
She gasped, staggered, and was struck by her own electric feedback.
The crowd gasped.
"Did… did he counter her lightning… by falling?"
Someone else whispered, "It's like watching fate itself trip over a shoelace."
Lyra shouted, "Kael, stop being invincible by accident!"
Kael sat up, hair singed. "I didn't mean to win!"
—
Post-Match Chaos
Silwen bowed. "You are… the calm before every storm. I yield."
Kael blinked. "Can I yield too? Preferably from life."
Renley handed him a towel. "You're undefeated. People think you're a living paradox."
Kael muttered, "I just wanted to pass classes quietly."
Mira smiled. "Too late. The instructors are watching you now. Closely."
Kael groaned. "Please tell me it's not that bald instructor who glares at me like I owe him rent."
Lyra smirked. "He said you have 'emperor's gait.' Whatever that means."
—
Later That Evening: The Surprise
Kael returned to his tent, only to find a letter on his bedroll.
He unfolded it slowly.
> "Meet me by the east garden tonight. Don't bring anyone. — Lyra"
Kael stared at it.
"...Am I being ambushed?"
—
The East Garden
Moonlight bathed the flowers in silver.
Lyra stood by a lantern tree, arms crossed, looking... not like she was about to stab him.
That was new.
"You came," she said.
"I was promised no combat," Kael replied.
She stepped closer. "I wanted to talk. Not as your sparring partner. As Lyra."
Kael blinked. "There's a difference?"
She rolled her eyes. "Kael."
He fell silent.
Then she said, "I've been watching you. You don't try to stand out. You try to stay out of the way. But somehow, you keep ending up in the center."
Kael exhaled slowly. "That's not on purpose."
"I know," she said. "That's why I trust you."
Kael looked at her. "...You trust me?"
"With my back. With my sword. Maybe with my heart, if I'm stupid enough."
Kael's brain halted.
"You're… joking."
She stepped even closer. "Am I?"
He blinked. "...I have no idea anymore."
—
Meanwhile: Spies, Shadows, and Shock
Elira and Hema were hidden behind a tree.
Elira was chewing a stick. "I knew this was happening."
Hema wrote in her book:
Romantic tension confirmed. Energy output from Kael rises when Lyra is within 1.2 meters.
Meanwhile, Raen sat on the rooftop above, hands clenched. "He's doing this without effort… again."
—
Back in the Garden
Kael scratched the back of his head. "I'm not good with words."
Lyra smirked. "Then don't use words."
He blinked. "What does that—"
She kissed his cheek.
Quick. Soft. No fuss.
Kael froze.
"Now you're thinking too hard," she said, turning away with a grin.
Kael touched his cheek like it was about to combust.
From the rooftop, Raen made a choking noise.
From the shadows, Shadow Envoys sent encrypted reports.
> "Phase Alpha initiated: Emotional Binding Sequence. Target Lyra has taken lead."
—
Later That Night
Kael sat on his bed, staring into space.
Renley walked in. "What happened to you? You look like you just got mugged by Cupid."
Kael just nodded slowly. "I think I have a girlfriend."
Renley gasped. "You think?!"
Kael buried his face in a pillow. "I'm not qualified for this."
From outside the tent, Lyra called, "You're absolutely qualified."
Kael groaned. "She heard that."
Renley laughed. "Congratulations, accidental heartthrob."
—
End of Chapter 42