CHAPTER 18: A QUIET SPARK

[Academy Library —]

"Ugh, why do these books weigh more than me?" Valkyrie muttered under her breath, clutching a wobbling stack of dusty tomes against her chest. Her steps were uneven, and every second book at the top threatened to topple.

The Academy library was massive—towering shelves, spiraling ladders, stained-glass windows that let in fractured sunlight.

But right now, it felt like a death trap. Each book smelled like a century of forgotten knowledge, heavy enough to crush her if she tripped.

She tried balancing the pile with her chin but ended up stumbling over the edge of a rug. With a muffled yelp, she swerved around a corner—

—and slammed straight into someone.

The books exploded like startled pigeons, thudding to the marble floor in a loud cascade. Valkyrie groaned, rubbing her hand against her forehead.

"Sorry, I didn’t see you there."

"That’s what happens when you walk with half the library in your arms. Next time, let me carry a few before you get crushed under academic knowledge." a soft voice grinned.

Valkyrie looked up. The girl standing before her was striking— braided red long hair sweeping to her butt crack, a faint glow dancing around her fingers like static sparks trying to escape. She knelt to help pick up the books, her touch was careful not to tear the pages.

"Sorry," Valkyrie said, embarrassed. "I didn’t...see you."

"No worries," the girl replied with an easy grin, handing her a book. "At least you didn’t electrocute me. That’s usually my problem."

Valkyrie blinked, caught off guard. "Electrocute you? What are you..."

"Oh." The girl tapped her chest lightly. "Ball. Angel of lightning. I spark when I get nervous. It’s awkward sometimes."

For a second, Valkyrie thought she was joking— until a small blue arc snapped between the girl’s fingertips with a sharp crack.

Valkyrie blinked, wide-eyed. "...Okay, that’s actually kind of cool."

"Cool for you," Ball said, passing her the last book. "Not so cool when I fry my hairbrush by accident."

That made Valkyrie laugh, and the heaviness of embarrassment lifted. She motioned to the empty seat by her table.

"You can sit," she said. "Wait" she commanded. "But fry the chair." She grinned jokingly.

Ball smirked, sliding into the seat. "Deal. As long as you don’t throw books at me again haha."

They sat across from each other, the quiet hum of the library surrounding them. A few angels whispered in the far corner, but otherwise, it was peaceful. Valkyrie placed her books in a neat stack, pretending to focus, but she could feel Ball watching her.

"Am Valkyrie by the way, but my friends call me Val" Valkyrie said.

"Oh— Val?" Ball replied with a soft tone. "Let’s go with Valkyrie for now yeah?" Valkyrie grinned back to ball.

"Yeah yeah, Valkyrie" Ball laughed off the slight embarrassment. I mean what was she thinking they’re not yet friends to call her Val.

"So," Ball leaned forward, propping her chin on her hand as she broke the awkward atmosphere "what’s your deal? You’re new, right?"

"Yeah," Valkyrie admitted. "Transferred in not too long ago."

"Transferred in and already caught Sky staring at you in the cafeteria th other day...," Ball teased.

Valkyrie groaned as if she was embarrassed, burying her face in her hands. "Don’t even start. Soda won’t let me live that down either."

"Relax, I’m not judging. It’s just... rare. Sky doesn’t look at anyone twice. You must’ve made an impression."

Valkyrie lifted her head, trying to wave it off. "Well, I’m not impressed with him."

Ball laughed, a low, electric-sounding laugh that made her shoulders shake. "Fair enough."

She drummed her fingers on the table, and Valkyrie noticed faint sparks tracing her knuckles, it was harmless but dazzling.

"So you’re the Angel of Lightning?" Valkyrie asked.

"Yeah." Ball sighed, leaning back. "Electricity, thunder, all that fun stuff. I can light up a city block or blow a fuse just by sneezing. My record is knocking out power in half the Academy dorms."

Valkyrie’s eyes widened. "Wait, that blackout last week— was that you?"

Ball winced. "Maybe."

Valkyrie laughed again. "That explains why Soda was panicking about missing her late-night music sessions. She thought the devils had invaded the grid."

"Guilty," Ball said, holding up her hands. A playful grin tugged at her lips. "What about you? You must’ve figured your powers out already, right?"

Valkyrie hesitated, her mind replaying the scene at the temple when the light had poured out of her, stronger than anything anyone expected. She swallowed, careful not to reveal too much.

"Light," she said finally, keeping it simple. "I... can bend light."

Ball’s brows shot up. "Light? As in glowing, shining, rainbow sparkles kind of light?"

"Uhm... Something like that," Valkyrie said, smiling nervously.

"Well, sparks and light." Ball tapped the table thoughtfully. "We’d make one hell of a concert together."

Their banter rolled on easily, natural as if they’d known each other longer than ten minutes. Valkyrie found herself relaxing in Ball’s presence— something about her easy humor and her open way of talking made it simple.

But then, with a mischievous smirk, Ball leaned closer. "Wanna see a trick?"

"Should I be scared?" Valkyrie asked.

"Definitely."

Before Valkyrie could answer, Ball flicked her wrist, and the quill lying on the desk rose into the air, surrounded by crackling blue sparks. It hovered, jittering slightly, before floating toward Valkyrie.

She reached out cautiously, but Ball snapped her fingers, and the quill zipped straight into Valkyrie’s hair bun, sticking out like a feathered accessory.

Valkyrie blinked. "...Seriously?"

Ball grinned. "Fashion statement. Very avant-garde."

"You’re insufferable." Valkyrie tugged the quill out, but she couldn’t stop her smile.

Minutes passed, and their conversation deepened. Valkyrie asked about Ball’s training, her background, and what it felt like to carry electricity inside her veins. Ball, in turn, asked about Soda, Jasmine, and Rain— Valkyrie’s small circle of friends she clearly trusted.

At some point, Ball grew quiet, tracing patterns of sparks across the tabletop. "You ever feel like... we’re being thrown into this way too fast?"

Valkyrie tilted her head. "The stance trials, you mean?"

"Yeah." Ball’s voice softened. "All this talk about fighting devils, protecting mortals, defending the multiverse... Sometimes I wonder if we’re just kids playing at being soldiers."

Valkyrie stared at her, surprised at the sudden honesty.

"...Yeah," she admitted quietly. "I wonder too. But it’s our destiny right? I mean no one here is below 21."

"Yeah you’re right, but come on.... They gotta cut us some slack at some point!"

But before Valkyrie could reply her back, a familiar voice cut in from the library entrance.

"Ah-ha! Here you are, Val. I’ve been looking everywhere for you."

Soda strode across the library floor, her hands were on her hips, exaggerating her exasperation as usual.

Valkyrie looked up, amused. "Soda? What are you doing here?"

"Girl, I was looking for my yellow pants, the one with the white flowers?. Have you seen em? I need it for my music class tonight" Soda replied, tossing her braid over her shoulder. Her gaze landed on Ball, and her tone shifted curiously. "And... who’s this?"

Valkyrie gestured toward her new companion. "This is Ball, the angel of lightning. She’s new here, and she’s a newest member of our..."

"Val, can I borrow you for just a second?" Soda interjected smoothly, cutting off the introduction with a polite smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Ball blinked, slightly caught off guard, but offered a nod. "Of course. Take your time."

Soda tugged Valkyrie a few steps away between the shelves, lowering her voice.

"Val," she said firmly, "listen. Not everyone should be part of the Demon Slayers. It’s not just a club— it’s ours. Something sacred. For friends only."

Valkyrie frowned softly, glancing back at Ball who was quietly adjusting her books, her expression was calm and unbothered.

"I know, Soda... but Ball seems really kind. I just thought maybe..."

Soda shook her head. "Kind doesn’t cut it. Trust does. And right now, that circle is too precious to risk."

Valkyrie let out a slow breath, the weight of her friend’s words settling in. Finally, she gave a reluctant nod. "You’re right. The Demon Slayers stays between us."

They returned to the table, and Valkyrie leaned forward, with a gentle voice.

"Ball, I’m really sorry. We actually have something important to finish up, so we’ll have to go for now."

Ball’s smile was small but genuine. "It’s alright. No worries. I’ll see you both around."

Valkyrie felt a faint tug in her chest at Ball’s easy acceptance, but she pushed it down as Soda tugged her toward the door. The library fell back into silence, save for the quiet turning of Ball’s pages as she remained alone at the table.