CHAPTER 106: THE UNWANTED SPOTLIGHT

The moment of softness, a shared vulnerability, was gone. It dissolved like mist under the morning sun, replaced by the familiar friction of instruction and effort. For Eirin Luxfield, it was hardship once again, though now infused with a strange, developing satisfaction. She stood opposite Shade Cromwell, the back of the library her makeshift training ground, the wind swirling around her in increasingly controlled gusts.

"You’re doing well."

Shade’s compliment felt like a rare jewel. Eirin could feel her face heating up in embarrassment, a rosy blush, creeping up her neck, hearing Shade Cromwell’s approval.

’I don’t know how, but ever since I drank that bitter tea, it became easier to control the wind,’ she thought to herself as she stared at her hands, watching air currents obey her silent command with surprising fluidity.

"I should say your teaching method is great," Eirin said, a huge, genuine smile blossoming on her face as she gazed at Shade.

The young man raised a brow, his usual expression of disdain mixed with a hint of challenge. "Of course, who do you think I am?" His tone held its customary arrogance, but now, Eirin had grown accustomed to Shade’s remarks. All she did now was shake her head, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips. The barbs, once sharp, felt duller, cushioned by their shared vulnerability.

"Do you think I’ll be able to survive the sports festival this way?" Eirin stretched her arms above her head, the muscles aching from the continuous exertion. Despite the massive improvement in her Flair control, she still couldn’t shake the idea of humiliating herself in front of the whole school, of failing spectacularly in a public display. "I mean, I’ve been trying combat skills, but maybe I should learn defense or, you know—just other things."

Shade crossed his arms over his chest, his posture radiating unyielding conviction. "Why would you need to defend yourself if your opponent’s already down with your offense?" His dark eyes held a pragmatic, almost brutal logic.

Eirin winced. ’Fair point,’ she thought, shaking her head. His logic was irrefutable in a combat scenario. "But you know, what if I don’t want to hurt them? Can’t I just protect myself?" She envisioned a more graceful, less destructive application of her powers.

The young man kept his brow raised, an expression of exasperated patience. "If you want that, then learn how to use the element of water and earth. The wind is often used for offensive magic, for striking and sweeping, not for protection or healing. It’s use often for offensive magic."

Eirin tilted her head. "Don’t you have to be a Ligma to be able to control all the elements?" The concept of a Ligma, a rare and powerful creatures capable of wielding all four elemental Flairs—wind, water, earth, and fire. All magical creatures are called Ligma.

"That is right."

Silence followed, a sudden void after their rapid exchange. Eirin’s mind raced, connecting the dots. "Then how am I going to learn the other elements?" The question burst from her, a sudden, frustrated scream that echoed off the library’s stone walls. Shade merely shrugged, unfazed by her outburst. "Wow, I thought you were going to be kinder to me?" she accused.

"This is how I show kindness," Shade smirked, his eyes glinting with a familiar mischief. "Now shut up and get back to creating wind blades. You’re wasting time."

And that’s how their training continued. Eirin, pushing past her frustration, focused on the immediate task. She started learning how to control her Flair at will, creating sharper, faster, more concentrated blades of wind. As her control became easier, more intuitive, she started enjoying it, a wide smile spreading across her face.

Shade watched her, his usual aloof face softening. He watched her as if he were observing a star shining brightly in the night sky, a quiet sense of awe flickering in his usually guarded eyes.

The week of the sports festival finally arrived, bringing with it a clear shift in the academy’s atmosphere. The air buzzed with excited chatter, with students practicing their routines and polishing their Flairs in anticipation. Everything seemed like a normal school event, a vibrant, energetic celebration, and Eirin could feel the excitement building in her bones.

"Look at them," Coleen whispered, clinging to Eirin’s arm, her voice laced with a mixture of awe and subtle disdain. She pointed to a group of girls passing them by.

It was Kara and her friends, their laughter tinkling, their movements graceful. They were wearing short, pleated skirts that swished with every step and sleeveless tops that accentuated their toned arms. The outfits reminded Eirin of the cheerleaders from her former school, a flash of a simpler, past life.

Eirin tilted her head. "Why are they wearing that? Is it a new uniform?"

Coleen rolled her eyes and shook her head, an irked sigh escaping her lips. "It’s because they’re going to have a special dance performance for the opening ceremony. There’ll be lots of performances from various clubs and groups—wait," her eyes suddenly twinkled as she faced Eirin, a new idea sparking. "That reminded me, they should have asked you to perform too! You’re a ballerina, right? Should I tell the Queen about it? You know she listens to what I suggest sometimes." Coleen’s enthusiasm was infectious, but Eirin knew her limits.

Eirin chuckled. "Isn’t that too late alrea—" Before Eirin could complete her sentence, Link arrived, skidding to a halt in front of them, his usually composed demeanor replaced by a breathless, sweet-soaked urgency. He was panting, his chest heaving, as if he’d run a marathon.

"Ei!" Link called Eirin’s nickname, his voice strained. "Miss Welkins told me to get you. The Queen wants to see you." His words were punctuated by gasps for air.

Coleen’s eyes widened in excitement, a triumphant grin splitting her face. "What if the Queen wants you to perform?" she said.

"What? No! I can’t perform anymore, my body’s not conditioned to do so," Eirin said, shaking both of her hands in front of her. The thought of performing, of being the center of attention in front of the entire academy, sent panic through her. Her days of public performance were long behind her.

"Let’s do it!" Coleen declared, her voice ringing with conviction, a huge, determined smile on her face. She vibrated with excitement. "You can do it, Ei! Everyone will learn how great you are! Let’s tell the Queen."

Before Eirin could protest further, Coleen and Link, a united front of eager persuasion, grabbed her arms and began to pull her towards the direction of the office, their combined strength surprisingly effective. Eirin stumbled along, resigned to her fate, wondering what kind of trouble she was being dragged into now.

Instead of the stern, methodical Miss Welkins, what greeted Eirin upon entering the office was another person.

A strikingly beautiful woman stood in the center of the room, her presence radiating an ethereal grace. Her round blue eyes, sparkling like polished sapphires, stared at Eirin, a curious, almost assessing gaze. Her beautiful, long, straight red hair, vibrant as spilled wine, seemed to flutter around her with an invisible breeze as she flipped them over her shoulder.

The three students—Eirin, Coleen, and Link—were speechless, stunned by the woman’s captivating beauty. She was breathtaking, an otherworldly vision.

"Oh, there you are," Queen Regina’s voice, warm and regal, cut through the silence. She appeared behind a large, fancy desk, her gaze sweeping over the three students with a benevolent smile. "You remember Marquis McGuffin’s daughter, Coleen McGuffin. And one of our brightest students, Link Patterson," the Queen introduced, her voice smooth and unhurried.

Queen Regina then approached Eirin, a knowing smile playing on her lips, and placed a hand on Eirin shoulder. "You remember Madam Eleanor? This is her grandchild, Eirin Luxfield." The Queen’s words carried a subtle weight, a deliberate emphasis on Eirin’s lineage.

The beautiful woman, gazed at Eirin, a faint, enigmatic smile forming on her face. Her blue eyes, so captivating, seemed to hold secrets. "It is my pleasure to finally meet your dear students, Your Majesty," she said, her voice soft, melodious, like the tinkling of crystal bells. "I am Azaleia Carlisle," she introduced herself formally, a slight, graceful bow of her head.

Coleen’s eyes widened to impossible proportions, her awe turning into star-struck recognition. "A-Azaleia Carlisle? The daughter of the Prime Minister?" she stammered, her voice a hushed reverence.

Azaleia smiled, an elegant curve of her lips. "Yes, Lady McGuffin. You’ve grown quite well." The woman, known to be one of the most beautiful in the world of Proprius, a figure of immense political power and social grace, acknowledged Coleen with a casual ease that only heightened her mystique.

"Our dear guest wished to meet you, Eirin," Queen Regina said, pulling Eirin subtly to her side, a gesture that felt odd, almost cautious.

Azaleia grazed her plump, red lips with a delicate finger as she smiled, her eyes still fixed on Eirin. "I’m satisfied seeing her." Her words were soft, almost a whisper, yet they carried an unsettling finality, a sense of having completed a task.

"You may go now." The way the woman dismissed Eirin, and how Queen Regina immediately complied, moving with surprising speed to usher the three students out of the office, left Eirin feeling like a mere curiosity, an item checked off a list.