POV Erica:
Morning light filtered through the curtains, creating soft patterns on the bedroom ceiling.
Erica had been awake for at least twenty minutes—not out of concern, but because she simply... couldn't move.
Dex was on her left, head resting comfortably against her chest, arm loosely wrapped around her waist. Deep, steady breathing. Echidna occupied a similar position on the right, silver hair spread out, one arm draped across Erica's stomach.
'At least they sleep well,' she thought affectionately. 'After yesterday...'
Yesterday's conversation had been... enlightening.
When they explained the situation—Chronara manipulating the duel, the need to test the efficiency of that cultivation system they called Yggdrasil in real combat, and Valdris's rules that allowed them to discover the true effects of their new powers—Erica had understood immediately.
"So you wanted to test the efficiency of your aura usage?" she'd asked directly.
"Exactly," Echidna had confirmed. "Regeneration, control, efficiency under prolonged pressure."
"And Chronara and Valdris provided the perfect opponent without knowing it."
The only question Erica had really pressed was about results.
"And what did you discover?"
"Well," Dex had answered with a smile. "Regeneration remains stable even under prolonged use. We can use aura freely in simple attacks without worrying about depletion."
"Lucky bastards," Erica had murmured with genuine envy.
Dex stirred slightly, tightening his unconscious embrace around Erica's body.
Erica allowed herself a small smile. Despite being cold predators in combat, here... they were just themselves. Vulnerable in ways they'd never show publicly.
'They're so cute, but if I don't wake them now, we'll miss breakfast.'
She looked at the ceiling once more and sighed.
'I need to wake these two drooling fools using my chest as pillows.'
POV Dex and Echidna:
Dex and Echidna walked side by side, uniforms impeccable, posture confident. But the looks that followed them were unmistakable.
Fear.
"They almost ripped off an arm."
"And he was hospitalized..."
"They're from... first year?"
"...monsters..."
The murmurs sprouted and died as they passed. Students—veterans included—instinctively moved away, as if simple proximity were dangerous.
'Seems we inspire more terror than respect,' Echidna commented telepathically, watching a group of second-years practically press themselves against the wall to let them pass.
'That's what happens when rumors make us seem like complete monsters,' Dex responded pragmatically.
'You think it was a mistake to show so much?'
'No. That's not the problem—look at them,' Dex said while gesturing toward a group of third-years.
Echidna looked at the group. 'They seem like the others, afraid.'
'And isn't that curious?' Dex continued while walking. 'If they fought us and used aura, we'd lose easily in ten seconds, so why be afraid of us?'
Then Echidna finally realized. 'They don't know Kael couldn't use aura due to the duel's rules.'
'Exactly.'
Echidna stopped walking for a moment. 'So they think...'
'That we're strong enough to hospitalize veterans with active aura,' Dex completed. 'When in reality, with active aura, Kael would've destroyed us.'
'And now?'
'Now,' Dex gave a small ironic smile, 'we have a reputation we don't deserve. But one that could be... useful.'
Echidna was about to respond when a feminine voice—melodious as birdsong but loaded with natural authority—interrupted them.
"Excuse me."
Both turned simultaneously.
There, a few steps away, stood her.
Sylvia Von Silverplate.
"Princess Silverplate," Dex greeted with neutral courtesy, slightly inclining his head. "Can we help you?"
But the elf's golden eyes weren't fixed on him.
They were on Echidna.
Intense. Curious. And... disturbed?
"It wasn't you I wished to speak with, Mr. ThunderBird," Sylvia said politely but firmly. Then, turning all attention to Echidna: "It was her."
Echidna arched an eyebrow, expression becoming slightly amused. "With me? What an honor to receive attention from the Second Princess of the Elven Kingdom."
The tone was respectful in words, but there was light provocation in the intonation.
Sylvia ignored the tone and went straight to the point, voice low but clear:
"The World Tree mentioned you."
Silence.
Even Dex was surprised by that. For two reasons: the saint of the World Tree should only hear from it for the first time in a year and a half. But more importantly, why talk about Echidna?
Echidna, however, simply... laughed.
"Did it now?" Echidna said between laughs, wiping the corner of her eye with exaggerated elegance. "How interesting."
Sylvia's expression hardened slightly—clearly not expecting to be met with laughter.
"This is not a joke!" the elf said.
Dex, holding her hand, spoke through their connection. 'What is she talking about?'
'That's a story for another day.'
Echidna then responded with a smile on her face. "You've heard the saying that curiosity killed the cat..."
"...Or would it be the elf?"
Sylvia's face hardened, golden eyes shining with real indignation. She opened her mouth, clearly preparing a sharp response—
But didn't have the chance.
"Oh, look at the time!" Echidna suddenly exclaimed, turning to Dex with false urgency. "We're going to be late!"
And before anyone could react, she grabbed Dex's hand and ran.
"Wait—" Sylvia began, voice loaded with irritation, "You can't just—!"
But the twins were already meters ahead, running through the corridor at a speed that made students jump aside.
'What are you doing?!' Dex asked telepathically, being dragged while trying to maintain balance.
'Strategic retreat!' Echidna responded with obvious amusement. 'I provoked enough for today. If we stayed, she'd start asking questions I can't answer yet.'
'So you decided to run away?'
'It's not running away. It's... mystery preservation.' Amused telepathic pause. 'Besides, the expression on her face was completely worth it.'
Dex and Echidna finally stopped in front of the classroom door, both not even remotely breathless thanks to their superhuman endurance.
'That was mature,' Dex commented sarcastically, adjusting his uniform.
'That was fun,' Echidna corrected, smile still on her face. 'And strategic. Now she'll think about me all day trying to figure out why I ran. Curiosity increased, mystery preserved.'
'Or she'll just be irritated.'
'Irritation works too. Strong emotions lead to mistakes.' Echidna gave a small shrug. 'Either way, we win.'
Dex shook his head and without hesitation, opened the door and entered the classroom accompanied by Echidna.
What greeted them was silence.
Not the nervous silence of the hallways, where students whispered and stepped back. This was different—heavy, expectant, as if something of great importance was about to happen.
The classroom was typical of the academy—spacious enough to easily accommodate over 50 students.
But they found the classroom almost empty. Only Tiamat.
But she was not the same Tiamat they expected to encounter.
She was hanging upside down from one of the ceiling beams—literally, her tail coiled around the beam while her body hung head-down, studying magical diagrams that floated in the air. Her white hair formed an elegant cascade toward the ground, and even upside down, there was something predatory in her grace.
When she sensed them, she descended with almost feline movements, her tail releasing from the beam as she spun through the air, landing with perfect precision a few meters from them.
"You arrived early," observed Tiamat, walking slowly toward them. "Very good. Almost makes me forgive you."