After the duel, Aarav continued training. But the determination he once had was slowly fading away. Every swing of his sword felt heavier than the last.Every lap around the training ground became harder to finish.
No matter how hard he worked...He never felt like he was getting any closer.
Most days, he simply sat on the sidelines, quietly watching the others train.
What hurt him even more was watching Lucian and Selena grow closer with each passing day.They trained together. They laughed together.They spent nearly every afternoon side by side.
Meanwhile...Aarav found himself alone once again. Everytime he looked at them , Hugh's words replayed in his head
"they will take everything from you."
________________________________________
Just like that, the final theory examinations came to an end.
Alice stood before the class."The theory exams are now over.Tomorrow, report your practical exam teams to me.It will be a duo battle royale examination, so choose your partners carefully."
The classroom immediately became noisy.Students began discussing possible teammates.
Aarav instinctively looked toward Selena.
She was smiling as she casually chatted with Lucian.
Aarav quietly looked away.
_______________________________________
While returning home that evening,
Selena spoke first "Aarav...Starting tomorrow, I'll be staying at the academy a little longer. I need more practice for the practical exam."
She looks at him walking beside her "I noticed you've been waiting for me every day. That's really sweet...But you don't have to wait for me anymore."
"You should focus on your own training too, okay?. With just one month training you almost beat Lucian. You have a lot of potential ."
Aarav forced himself to smile. "...Okay Thanks Selena."
After several moments of silence, he spoke again."Selena...Can I ask you something?"
She nodded. "Sure."
Aarav took a deep breath."Can we be partners? ."
Selena looks at him confused .
Aarav continues "I promise I won't hold you back.I can use healing magic.I'll support you during the battle.We can get into the Special Class together."
Selena remained silent. After a long pause...
"Aarav well you know ... the thing is ...." she looked into his hopeful eyes . Seeing them ,She just reluctantly nods "..Okay."
Aarav's face immediately brightened.
The two boarded their respective carriages.
For the first time in weeks...Aarav felt hopeful again.
________________________________________
The following evening
Aarav walked into Alice's office."Madam. I'd like to register our team."
Alice looked down at the register "Your names?"
"Aarav Valden And Selena Brightmore."
Alice frowned slightly as she flipped through the pages."...Aarav , Selena has already registered."
Everything inside Aarav froze .His voice barely came out.
"...With who?"
He already knew the answer.Yet ,He still prayed he was wrong.
Alice looked back at him "Lucian ,The two of them registered today morning."
Silence.
________________________________________
Aarav ran past every corridor in the academy.Until he finally reached the training grounds.
Under the shade of a large tree...Lucian and Selena were resting after training.
"Aarav?" Lucian stood up "What happened?"
"Lucian..." Aarav didn't even look at him.
"I need to talk to Selena,move aside"
Lucian glanced at Selena before quietly stepping aside.
Selena walked toward Aarav "What is it?"
Aarav stared at her for several seconds before speaking "...Why?"
Selena frowned "What do you mean?"
"You promised.You said we'd be partners.I went to register today.....and Alice told me you'd already chosen Lucian."
Silence.
Selena lowered her eyes "Aarav...I was going to tell you."
"When?" Aarav's voice remained calm."After the teams had already been decided?"
Selena bit her lip. "Aarav...Please understand. Lucian gives me the best chance of getting into the Special Class."
A bitter laugh escaped Aarav "So that's it? You chose him...Because he's stronger than me?"
Selena shook her head."No. I chose him because he'll help me achieve my goal.My dream..."
Aarav took another step forward. "What about us? What about the promise you made? You said we'd do this together."
Selena looked away "My dream is important to me."
Aarav clenched his fists "More important than me?"
Another silence.
Then...Selena answered."...Yes."
Those single words hit harder than any sword ever could.
Aarav's breathing became uneven."You've changed."
"No...You've become obsessed with him.He hasn't even awakened his magic yet.You don't need him.I'm enough. We've always done everything together."
"We've always managed together before. Why does becoming captain suddenly matter more than us?" Aarav started to shiver while talking . He had no control over what came out of his mouth .
"Selena let's just go register again."He reached for her wrist."Come on."
Selena's frustration finally began to show.
The boy standing before her no longer resembled the Aarav she had known for the past seven years.
Still for the sake of their friendship, she restrained herself.She gently pulled her hand free.
"No Aarav...I can't. I've already made my decision."
Aarav stared at her in disbelief.Then he grabbed her shoulders tightly."Why, Selena?!Why?!"
Selena let out a small grunt of pain. Lucian instinctively stepped forward. But Selena stopped him with a glance.
She closed her eyes. Tears slowly gathered at the corners of her eyes. "...Because if I choose you...I will lose." Aarav froze.
"And right now...I can't afford to lose."
Silence.Then...Driven by anger, Selena spoke "...You'd only hold me back.I don't need your useless healing magic.You can't even heal your own injuries properly.
"So how are you supposed to heal mine?"
Aarav's expression emptied.
The words left her mouth before she could stop them. Selena's eyes widened.
She knew. More than anyone else, she knew how insecure Aarav had always been about his healing magic—how he constantly compared it to Arin's flames.
The anger immediately disappeared from Selena's face.
"Aarav...I didn't mean—"
He interrupted her with a quiet smile."...I understand."He turned around. Not once did he look back.
Lucian watched him disappear into the distance. "..Should I go after him?"
Selena remained standing there.
"...No.He just needs some time."
Neither of them realized...That this was the moment Aarav truly began walking away from them.
____________________________________
Aarav searched the academy until he finally found Hugh Rockwell near the eastern courtyard.
Only moments earlier, Hugh had been bullying Gary and other junior commoners. With his friends .
"Oi!"
"Slum rats."
"Bow properly."
The instant Evelyn noticed Aarav approaching, "Hugh , Aarav Valden is coming , send them away" . Hugh looks at Aarav coming towards them
He glanced toward the others.
"That's enough for today.Leave us."
Evelyn helps Gray and the others up and
without questioning him all of them quietly walked away.
Soon...only the two of them remained.
Hugh looked back at Aarav."...young master Aarav?"
Aarav remained silent.His hands trembled.
"...Senior. I need your help."
Hugh's expression immediately turned serious."...What happened?"