CHAPTER 249: TRAINING WITH VICE PRINCIPAL [1]

The room was dim, quiet.

Only the faint sound of music filled the air. You’d expect to hear the kind at a banquet, where nobles in gowns and suits moved across the floor with polished steps.

In the center of the room was a young lady swaying lightly. Her dress brushed against the floor, catching the rhythm of the tune.

She wasn’t alone, really. Darkness curled and twisted at her fingertips, forming a tall figure before her.

The darkness bent to her will. It was smooth and flowing, like silk sliding through her hands.

She raised her right hand. The figure mirrored her, bowing low as if greeting a true partner. Her lips curved slightly.

Step. Step. Turn.

Her skirt fanned out with the motion.

The figure of darkness spun with her in perfect harmony, their steps gliding across the room like an actual ballroom.

She lifted her hand higher, and the figure trailed up her arm, wrapping around her fingers with flawless precision.

Her control over the darkness element was... breathtaking, almost flawless. Every movement was sharp and practiced as if she had spent her whole life refining her affinity until it was no different than breathing.

But—

There was something that broke the illusion.

The shadow had a face. It was not its own, but the picture of a young man was stuck carefully.

Messy white hair.

Blue eyes that shone like lightning captured in jewels.

Her steps slowed. Her gaze locked on that face.

Her chest tightened. A faint blush crept over her cheeks, spreading upward until her ears turned red.

Thump... Thump...

Her heart pounded, drowning out the music.

"H-haa..."

A shaky breath left from her lips. Her hand trembled as it reached up. Fingers brushed against the shadow’s face,

No, his face.

His picture.

Her eyes softened, lashes lowering as her lips parted.

"...Kyle."

The name came out of her lips, almost like a secret prayer she wasn’t supposed to say out loud.

Her blush deepened.

She leaned in, inch by inch, every nerve in her body buzzing. Her lips trembled as they drew closer.

Just a little more.

Just a—

"NO! I-I can’t...!"

Her cry split through the silence.

The figure made of darkness instantly shattered, scattering into smoke. The picture of his face slipped free, fluttering to the ground like a discarded piece of paper.

Her entire face burned. She stumbled back a step, clutching her cheeks with both hands.

"Wh-what am I even doing..."

Her voice cracked into a whisper. She spun around, grabbed the nearest pillow from the couch, and threw herself onto it. Hugging it tight against her chest, she pressed her face deep into the pillow, trying to hide.

Her knees curled up, as if she could vanish into the pillows.

For a while, she stayed like that. Her shoulders trembled faintly, her breath uneven. She looked no different from a maiden who had just realized something she couldn’t admit.

Finally... she peeked out from behind the pillow. Her face was still red, lips parting clumsily as if she were arguing with some invisible voice inside her head.

"W-what do you mean... just confess already...?"

Her fingers tangled nervously in her lap, twisting again and again.

A small voice came out almost whiny, and she shook her head quickly, strands of silky hair falling over her shoulders.

"No way! That’s... that’s way too fast. You can’t just... blurt something like that out!"

Groaning, she grabbed a pillow and buried her face in it.

"Ughhh... you’re impossible..."

But even with her face hidden, the warmth in her cheeks didn’t go away. The blush only grew hotter the longer she thought about it.

Her voice dropped lower and softer, almost trembling.

"It’s not that easy..." she whispered.

"He doesn’t remember..." Her voice softened, laced with sadness. Her lashes lowered, and for a moment, her expression dimmed.

"...He doesn’t remember the past. Or rather... the future."

The weight of those words hung in the air, making her chest ache.

Her expression darkened. Shadows darkened faintly in the room’s corners, responding to her emotions.

"And now you’re saying... someone else might steal him away?"

Her tone rose suddenly, sharper this time. She sat up straight. Her eyes glinted with something closer to anger, possessiveness.

"I know him better than anyone..."

"No one can! He wouldn’t fall for anyone else. Not even Eleanora."

The words came out quick, firm. But the redness on her face betrayed her flustered heart.

Silence stretched for a few seconds. Only her uneven breathing filled the room.

"...But, he’s just too cute."

Her lips curled, a small laugh slipping out. It was soft and girlish. Almost giddy.

"Of course they’d fall for him. Who wouldn’t?"

She giggled against the pillow, hiding her burning face.

"I can’t blame them if they try. But in the end... they’ll just be heartbroken."

Her smile softened into something dreamy, though a spark of fierce determination lingered in her eyes.

Her following words came out in a whisper. It was stubborn, shy, and honest all at once.

"But... no. Not yet. Something like this... it takes time."

Her blush deepened as if someone in her mind was still urging her on. She pouted, lowering her head into the pillow.

"Don’t rush me... I-I will do it when I’m ready, okay? Just... not now..."

Her words faded into silence.

The only thing left was the faint music playing in the background. She sank deeper into the pillow, trying to hide her flustered heart.

She looked at the wall clock.

8:18 AM

"It’s almost time for classes."

————————

[A few days later]

’Shit. Shit. Shit.’

’I’m screwed.’

Kyle shoved a piece of buttered bread into his mouth so fast he almost choked on it.

"Cough—khh!"

He thumped his chest with a fist, face turning red as crumbs flew from his lips. Reaching blindly for the glass nearby, he gulped down water.

Across the table, a sharp voice cut through.

"Eat slowly. What are you even rushing for?"

Aurelia sat there calmly, back straight, her movements neat as she spread butter across her slice of bread.

Her black hair was a little messy, strands falling into her face, like she had rolled right out of bed and didn’t bother fixing herself. She wore an oversized T-shirt and short pants.

"I’b gettin’ late." Kyle mumbled through a full mouth.

Her brows twitched.

"Swallow first."

He forced it down, chased with another gulp of water, and slammed the glass back on the table.

"I’m getting late,"

He repeated, clearer this time.

That’s when his eyes dropped to her baggy t-shirt. It looked familiar.

He blinked.

"Wait... that’s mine!"

"It’s comfy," Aurelia deadpanned, biting into her bread without a care. "It was yours. Now it’s mine."

Kyle’s jaw dropped.

She had two cupboards stuffed with clothes, yet she still raided his whenever she felt like it.

He opened his mouth to argue, then shut it again. It’s not worth it. He’d get it back later... somehow.

Aurelia sipped her black coffee, her eyes lazily flicking his way.

"And where exactly are you going? It’s Sunday."

Kyle pushed his chair back.

"Vice Principal Seris called me. She said she’d help me with controlling spirit mana today."

Her hand froze halfway to her plate.

Aurelia’s eyes widened slightly. Even half-awake, she understood what that meant. The Vice Principal didn’t just hand out her time freely.

From the couch, Zalrielle stood up.

She had been sitting on the couch, but the second Kyle stood, her body melted into smoke. The black mist curled through the air before slipping into Kyle’s chest, sinking into his core.

Aurelia watched. She had seen it happen plenty of times these past few days, but it still amazes her.

Kyle moved to leave, then stopped. He stood at the edge of the table, looking at Aurelia.

She raised an eyebrow.

"...What?"

His gaze slid down.

To her plate.

A fresh golden slice of bread sat there, buttered perfectly. It was still untouched.

Her eyes followed his.

"Kyle—"

He snatched the bread in one swift motion and stuffed it into his mouth.

"Mmf—thanks!"

His muffled voice came out between hurried chews as he bolted for the door.

Aurelia just sat there for a moment, staring blankly at her empty plate. Then her composure cracked.

Bang!

Her hands slammed the table.

"You little—!"

Her shout echoed through the house, followed by the sound of Kyle’s footsteps down the hall.

And his laughter.

——————————