CHAPTER 171: THE SHORTER THE LEAP...

What Cynthia taught the class today was mostly theoretical. She told them all the practical applications of the Arcane Tools would come in future classes—for those who continue to take her class, of course.

When the class ended and the students all started their walk to Alchemy which many were already starting to contemplate dropping just like Kaya had told Caius she would, Cynthia called Caius back for a word.

"Professor," he said in a very proper respectful tone despite the almost sneaky smile on his face. Like he and Cynthia were sharing a private joke.

"With the Mid-Semester Tests coming up, I assume you’ll be considering dropping Mage-Knight Training," Cynthia said with a little smile of her own.

"That would hardly matter, I think," Caius answered easily, "I mean, I could run from it here, but could I run from it at home?"

Cynthia just smiled. She had expected the response after all but looked to have just wanted to try and claim that small win.

"Good point," she said with a nod and then gestured him away, "Well then, off to class with you. I’ll see you this weekend for the continuation of your lessons."

"Of course, Professor," Caius said standing straight suddenly with his fist over his heart in some sort of salute.

Cynthia rolled her eyes almost imperceptibly but the smile that had been playing at her lips because more obvious as she turned away and walked up to the wall to take the Portal Gate that appeared there to her office.

Caius left then and arrived at Alchemy class a minute before Arlette arrived and told the class to settle down to learn. But even as she said that, she was looking at multiple faces, noticing shifty expressions, and smiled lightly.

"It’s the Mid-semester Tests, isn’t it?" She asked taking a few steps forward, coming close to stepping onto one of the aisles in the classroom, and started walking through rows of seats,

"You’ve all learned they’re coming up. Many of you are starting to consider leaving this class."

The students said nothing. There was nothing to say after all. Arlette had said things exactly as they were.

She nodded.

"Well, you’re all still here. You had the choice not to attend today at all but you did. I have to assume it’s because you’re willing to give Alchemy another shot.

Alas, it’s like I said on the first day. Most of you won’t remain here for the rest of the school year. And when today’s class ends and you’ve made your decisions, know that I wish you well in your future endeavors."

"Thank you, Professor Louvene," the class chorused.

Arlette smiled. It looked like her normal smile; somewhat seductive and suggestive. Meant to rile up young blood. But there was a sincerity to it that had not always been there.

"Today we’ll be working on the Extraction of Haranog Root. Let us begin," she said and the class truly went into session.

It took a while for Caius to notice that Doran, his seat partner as usual, wasn’t paying attention. This was new because as difficult as Doran found Alchemy to be, he still always tried his best.

Assuming Doran had finally given up and would be dropping the subject, Caius decided not to make mention of the boy’s distraction or try to get him to concentrate.

But then, Doran was nudging him in the side.

"What is it?" Caius asked.

"It’s today," Doran said then with a nervous but excited smile.

"What is today?" Caius asked, confused.

"Today, I make my intentions known," Doran said and when he saw Caius still looked confused, he clarified further,

"With Aylin. Today I tell her how I feel."

"Oh," Caius said, feeling a bit dumb that it took so long for him to understand.

Doran nodded.

"Yep," he said, "It’s finally time."

"You know you’re not supposed to be telling me this," Caius said.

"Why not?" Doran asked like he truly could not see what made this exchange weird and then, when he finally figured it out, he just chuckled nervously,

"Oh. Oh yeah, right.

"Exactly," Caius said with a nod.

"You’re my competition," Doran said.

Caius opened his mouth to deny the term at first and then he shrugged and said with a little sigh,

"I guess I am."

"Well, you’re not going to sabotage me, are you?" Doran asked, looking a bit jittery now.

"No, I’m not," Caius said.

’I don’t have to,’ he added in his head.

"Good," Doran said, obviously only hearing the words Caius said out loud,

"It’s taken so long to finally work up my courage. It would suck if you decided to ruin it all now."

"Doran," Caius called in a firm voice.

"What?" Doran asked, innocently.

"You’re still telling me about it," Caius said.

"Well, yeah. You’re the only person who knows about it. Besides me of course. But I can’t talk to myself about it. I mean, I could, it just wouldn’t be as interesting as talking to you."

"Interesting is not the word I’d use to describe this conversation," Caius said.

"What word would you use then?" Doran asked, sounding oblivious.

"Weird works well enough I think," Caius said.

"Heh. Well, I consider you a friend. Without you, I wouldn’t even be doing this. I mean, you gave me that long talk."

"That was over a week ago though," Caius pointed out, "Plus, you said it yourself, I’m your competition."

"Well, I’m sure you’ll play fair," Doran said.

"What gave you that idea?" Caius asked, incredulous.

He felt like nothing he had done warranted such lofty esteem and was puzzled why Doran would be so confident about it.

"You... helped me see things clearly. Helped me think and act better. Now I feel like I actually am meant to be here. You didn’t have to do that. But you did. For that, I feel like I can trust you," Doran said and his ears were red in his embarrassment.

Caius wasn’t swept away by the praise though.

For some reason, it just reinforced what he already knew about Doran Langston; He was far too trusting and easily manipulated.

A few words of advice and he seemed to earnestly trust someone with whom he was vying for the attention of a girl who was, at least for the moment, the love of his life. Just an increasingly silly way of thinking.

Suddenly, Caius realized he just might be replacing Baler Khione’s role in Doran’s life if he decided to make use of this trust the commoner had in him.

"So what do you think?" Doran asked, "Should I go for it?"

Caius’s brows furrowed at how quickly Doran had forgotten the weirdness of asking Caius that question but decided it was probably a courtesy thing. Whether he said yes or no, Doran would likely still profess his feelings to Aylin.

"Knock yourself out," Caius said.

He wasn’t worried that he’d lose Aylin. Even in a reality where he ignored her advances, Doran, unfortunately, still never had a chance. That said, it would be good for Doran to actually face that rejection.

It was one of the things that he had missed in the original story because he never went to Aylin directly with his feelings. Never got to hear her say the devastating words of rejection that would have hurt even more because of how much more attached he became as the years passed by.

Instead of telling Aylin, Doran told Baler and locked himself—though he was already toeing that path—into a life of servitude to the Khione family.

Doran grinned and nodded.

"I’ll do just that," he said.

And from then till the end of the class, his head was essentially in the clouds. With the goofy smile on his face, it was so easy to see that he was planning every single moment from then till he made his confession.

’For your sake Doran, I hope you don’t go too big,’ Caius thought with a sigh and a subtle shake of his head,

The shorter the leap. The less painful the fall.’