The academy hallways buzzed with activity as students hurried toward their respective classrooms. For most of them, today was simply the second day of school, for Elite Class It was another day of survival. Maki looked at Keith with her mischievous smile and Keith noticed.
"What the heck is going on in your head right now."
"Dude your fingers have finger tips but your toes don't have toe tip tips and yet you can tip toe but not tip finger."
"C'mon it's too early for this."
"When two people are reading each others minds then who's mind are they reading?"
"C'mon Maki you're driving me nuts with your nonsense logic just stop."
" Dude If tomb is pronounced tomb and womb is pronounced womb then why isn't bomb pronounced boom?"
Keith just slapped his forehead.
"Duuuuuuude."
He touched his forehead, took a deep breath then.
"Yes?"
"If the early bird catches the worm..."
She tilted her head.
"...Why does the worm have to wake up early too?"
Keith stopped walking.
"...I'm not answering that."
"Dude."
"What now?"
"...Yes?"
"If a vampire bites a vegetarian does the vampire become vegetarian too?"
Keith stared into the distance.
"I need a vacation."
"Dude."
"What?"
"If a person loses an eye, are they still keeping an eye on things?"
Keith groaned.
"Please stop."
"Keith."
"..."
"If you're waiting for the waiter, who's waiting for you?"
Keith looked genuinely confused.
"...The... waiter?"
"So you're both waiting?"
"...I don't like this conversation."
"Dude."
"Yes?"
"If money doesn't grow on trees then why is it made from them?"
Keith covered his face.
"I'm starting to understand why people fear philosophers."
"Keith."
"If sleeping is free, why does it cost me my entire morning?"
Keith sighed.
"That's the most relatable thing you've said today."
Keith smiled.
"...You really are impossible."
"Always."
Keith shook his head with a laugh.
"I don't know how your brain comes up with these."
"My brain is an unexplored dungeon."
"I believe that."
"With legendary loot."
"More like legendary headaches."
Maki gasped dramatically.
"I can't believe you'd insult my intellectual genius."
"I absolutely can."
She pouted for exactly two seconds before perking up again.
"Oh! I remembered another one."
Keith's smile vanished.
"...No."
"Dude."
"No."
"What if—"
"I'm begging you."
"If humans call monkeys monkeys..."
She pointed at him triumphantly.
"...Then what do monkeys call humans?"
Keith stared blankly.
"...Okay, i've never thought about that."
"I know."
"That's terrifying."
Maki folded her arms proudly.
"My work here is done."
Keith sighed.
"No, your work keeps multiplying."
As they continued walking, several students passed by, greeting Maki politely.
"Good morning, Lady Maki."
She waved.
"Morning!"
Another group walked past.
"Good morning, Lady Maki!"
"Have a good day!"
Keith smiled faintly.
"...You're surprisingly popular."
Maki shrugged.
"I just say hi to everyone."
"Most nobles don't."
"Sounds boring."
Keith chuckled.
"...Yeah."
She looked at him sideways.
"What?"
"...Nothing."
"Nope."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"That was a 'something' nothing."
Keith laughed.
"You really don't miss much."
"I don't."
He looked ahead.
"I was just thinking..."
"About?"
"...You're not what I expected."
Maki tilted her head.
"What were you expecting?"
Keith thought for a moment.
"I figured someone from one of the greatest noble families would be... strict, legant, proud and kind of scary."
Maki nodded thoughtfully.
"...Fair."
"But instead..."
He smiled.
"...You're just weird."
She placed a hand over her heart.
"...That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me."
"That wasn't a compliment."
"Still counts."
Keith laughed.
"There it is again."
"I'll never stop saying it."
"I noticed."
Just then, a familiar voice called out from behind them.
"OI!"
The two turned around, Lina came sprinting toward them, waving both arms wildly.
"I FINALLY FOUND YOU TWO!"
She skidded to a stop in front of them, breathing heavily.
"Phew..."
Keith blinked.
"...Were you running across the entire academy?"
"...Maybe."
"Lina..." Maki said, "...it's eight in the morning."
"I KNOW!"
She pointed dramatically at the two of them.
"You started walking without me!"
Keith looked confused.
"...Were we supposed to wait?"
"YES!"
"No?"
"YES!"
Maki nodded seriously.
"Fair point."
Keith looked at her.
"Why are you agreeing with her?"
"She looks sad."
"I AM sad!"
Lina clung to Maki's arm dramatically.
"I thought we were becoming best friends!"
Maki smiled awkwardly.
"We've known each other for less than twenty-four hours."
"So?"
"..."
"...That's actually a good point."
Keith sighed.
"I feel like I'm losing this conversation."
"You were losing from the beginning," Maki said.
"Probably."
Lina suddenly looked between the two of them, then she smiled mischievously.
"You two look happier today."
Keith froze.
"What?"
"You were laughing."
"We were just talking."
"Mhm."
Lina nodded with an exaggerated smile.
"Talking."
Keith immediately sensed danger.
"...Why are you saying it like that?"
"No reason."
She leaned closer.
"...Although couples usually—"
"WE'RE NOT A COUPLE!" both Keith and Maki shouted in perfect unison.
The hallway fell silent, every nearby student turned to look.
"..."
"..."
Keith slowly lowered his head.
"...Well, that wasn't suspicious at all."
Maki scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"...Could've gone better."
Lina burst into laughter.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU BOTH SAID IT AT THE SAME TIME!"
Keith covered his face.
"I walked right into that..."
Maki sighed before smiling.
"...Guess we really are on the same wavelength."
Keith looked at her.
"...Yeah."
For just a second their eyes met, neither of them knew why but both smiled. Lina looked between them and grinned from ear to ear.
"...Yep."
"What?" Keith asked cautiously.
"...Nothing."
She giggled.
"I just have a feeling this year's going to be really interesting."
Neither Keith nor Maki realized it but several students watching from down the hallway had already begun whispering again.
"I've never seen Lady Maki laugh this much."
"And that commoner..."
"He smiles a lot whenever he's around her."
"Those two are... strangely comfortable with each other."
Keith and Maki entered the Elite classroom together. The moment they stepped inside,
Silence. Every student turned toward them,
Keith immediately stopped.
"...Why is everyone staring?"
"Because we're popular."
"We?"
Maki pointed at herself.
"Beautiful noble."
Then pointed at him.
"Four-attribute commoner."
Then pointed between them.
"Mysterious friendship."
Keith groaned.
"Please never say that again."
Too late, several students were already whispering.
"Look, they're together again."
"Didn't they walk here yesterday too?"
"I heard they share a dorm."
"They DO share a dorm."
"That's insane."
Keith buried his face in his hands.
"It's too early."
Maki seemed completely unaffected. She walked to an empty desk and sat down, then immediately put her head on the table.
"..."
"..."
"...Are you sleeping?"
"No."
"You literally just arrived."
"I'm conserving energy."
"That's called sleeping."
"Wrong."
Keith sighed then sat beside her, at this point arguing was pointless. A few minutes later, the classroom door opened. Instructor Selena entered.
Instant silence.
The atmosphere shifted instantly, even the nobles straightened.
"Good."
Selena tossed a stack of papers onto her desk.
"At least none of you died overnight."
Keith blinked.
"...That's an oddly specific greeting."
Selena ignored him.
"Today we'll begin with combat theory."
Several students visibly relaxed.
Finally, a normal class.
No giant monsters.
No life-threatening exercises.
No insanity.
Then Selena smiled, and every veteran student immediately looked concerned.
"Combat theory."
She wrote a single sentence on the board.
YOU ARE LOST IN A FOREST.
YOUR PARTY IS DEAD.
A MONSTER STRONGER THAN YOU IS HUNTING YOU.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
The room fell silent. Keith stared at the board.
"..."
"..."
"...That's not theory."
Selena pointed at him.
"Wrong."
Then at the board.
"Everything starts with thinking."
She folded her arms.
"Answer."
One by one students raised their hands.
"Retreat."
"Wrong."
"Hide until help arrives."
"Wrong."
"Create a distraction."
"Wrong."
The students looked increasingly nervous.
Eventually Selena pointed toward Maki.
"Eldridge."
Maki lifted her head, she looked half asleep.
"Hm?"
"Answer."
Maki glanced at the board then answered instantly.
"Depends."
Selena's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Explain."
Maki sat upright.
"What kind of monster?"
The classroom blinked.
"If it's intelligent, hiding won't work."
A few students nodded.
"If it's fast, running won't work."
More nodding.
"If it's stronger than me..."
A grin appeared.
"...I'd figure out how to cheat."
Silence.
Selena smiled.
"Correct."
The classroom erupted.
"WHAT?!"
"That's correct?!"
Maki looked confused.
"What?"
Selena nodded.
"Most battles aren't won through strength."
She tapped the board.
"They're won through information."
Then pointed at Maki.
"First student to ask the right question."
Maki looked proud, Keith looked horrified.
"Why does that answer not surprise me?"
"Because I'm smart."
"That isn't the word I'd use."
Selena immediately pointed at Keith.
"Nova."
Keith straightened.
"Your answer."
He thought carefully, then replied.
"I'd survive first."
The room turned toward him.
"I don't need to beat the monster immediately."
Selena remained silent, listening.
"If my party is already dead then I've already failed."
Several students blinked, that wasn't where they expected him to go.
"So my priority changes."
Keith continued.
"Gather information, preserve mana, find terrain advantages, look for weaknesses and if I absolutely can't win..."
His eyes hardened.
"I'd keep surviving until an opportunity appears."
Silence.
Then Selena smiled.
"Also correct."
The class groaned.
"How are these two getting everything right?"
"Because they're weird."
"Fair."
Keith sat back down, Maki leaned toward him.
"Good answer."
"Thanks."
"Still would've cheated."
"I know."
The morning lesson continued. For the first time since enrolling the Elite students began interacting more naturally.
Discussing strategies.
Arguing over tactics.
Comparing experiences.
Even the nobles and commoners started speaking to one another.
Slowly.
Carefully.
But it was happening.
By lunch break the atmosphere felt completely different.
Less hostile.
Less divided.
More like a class.
As students began leaving for lunch, Keith stood up.
"Finally."
Maki immediately appeared beside him.
"Food."
"You're way too excited."
"Food deserves excitement."
As they headed toward the cafeteria someone blocked their path.
Again.
Keith sighed.
"Why does this keep happening?"
Standing before them was a girl with long black hair tied into a ponytail, sharp amber eyes, an academy badge indicating she was a senior.
"Oh."
Maki blinked.
"You're one of the observers from yesterday."
The girl nodded.
"I am."
She looked directly at Keith then at Maki, then back at Keith.
"...I have a question."
Keith immediately felt danger.
"Why do I feel like I'm about to regret this?"
The senior smiled.
"Because you probably are."
Maki's eyes sparkled.
"Oh this sounds fun."
Keith looked at the sky.
"Why me?"
The senior smiled.
"Because you probably are."
Maki's eyes sparkled.
"Oh, this sounds fun."
Keith looked toward the ceiling.
"...Why me?"
Before the senior could answer—
"OI!"
A loud voice echoed through the hallway.
"ELENA!"
The students turned, a young man with messy crimson hair came sprinting through the corridor with his academy jacket hanging off one shoulder. His tie was loose, his shirt untucked, and he looked like he'd woken up five minutes ago.
"I'm not late!"
He slid across the polished floor—
SKIIIIID!
—and stopped right beside the senior.
"...I only overslept by forty minutes."
The senior girl pinched the bridge of her nose.
"...Leon."
"So you noticed I arrived."
"I noticed you interrupted me."
"Same thing."
Keith blinked.
"...Who are these people?"
The red-haired senior grinned and pointed at himself proudly.
"I'm Leon."
He puffed out his chest dramatically.
"Second-year Elite, future greatest fire mage in the kingdom, current headache for the instructors."
Elena sighed.
"The last part is true."
Leon ignored her. Then his fiery eyes landed on Keith.
"Oh, the four-attribute kid."
He immediately stepped closer.
"So you're the guy everyone's talking about."
Keith scratched his cheek.
"...Apparently."
Leon looked at Maki next.
"And you're Lady Maki."
He nodded several times.
"Yeah you two are definitely interesting."
Maki smiled.
"Thanks."
Leon leaned in slightly.
"...Fight me."
Silence.
Keith wasn't even surprised anymore.
"...Excuse me?"
"I said fight me."
"I heard you."
"So?"
"So no."
"Aww."
Leon looked genuinely disappointed.
"Come on it'll be fun."
Keith folded his arms.
"I don't think the academy appreciates random hallway duels."
Leon shrugged.
"They'll get over it."
"They absolutely won't."
Before Leon could continue—
THUNK.
The blunt end of a massive spear hit the floor beside him, everyone turned. Elena had lowered the giant spear onto the ground, her expression remained perfectly calm.
"...Leon."
"Hm?"
"Sit."
"..."
"...I'm not a dog."
"You have three seconds."
Leon immediately stood straight.
"...Yes, ma'am."
Keith whispered to Maki,
"...She's scary."
Maki nodded seriously.
"...I like her."
Keith sighed.
"Of course you do."
Another voice interrupted them.
"...Too noisy."
Everyone looked toward a nearby bench. A black-haired boy lazily sat there with one leg crossed over the other, a loaf of bread rested in his hand. He casually tore off another bite.
"...You people argue too much."
Crunch.
Crunch.
Crunch.
Leon pointed dramatically.
"That's Ryo."
Ryo lazily waved his bread.
"Unfortunately."
Keith frowned.
"You've been there this whole time?"
"Yeah."
"Were you listening?"
"Didn't have much of a choice."
Another bite of bread disappeared.
"Hallway echoes."
Maki tilted her head.
"Is bread all you eat?"
"No."
A pause.
"Sometimes sandwiches."
Keith couldn't help laughing.
"I think I like this guy."
Ryo looked at him.
"Most people do."
"Until group assignments."
Leon burst into laughter.
"He's impossible to work with."
"I work."
"You disappear halfway through missions."
"I'm thinking."
"You're sleeping."
"Same difference."
Elena let out another tired sigh.
"Can we return to the original topic?"
Keith looked at her.
"Which was?"
She pointed directly at him.
"We wanted to congratulate both of you."
Keith blinked.
"...Really?"
She nodded.
"The instructors have been discussing yesterday's survival exercise."
Leon grinned.
"You two were awesome. You adapted, communicated, trusted each other."
He crossed his arms.
"Most first-years panic. You two didn't."
Keith rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.
"...We were just trying not to die."
Leon laughed loudly.
"Exactly! Best motivation there is!"
Maki raised her hand proudly.
"I also wanted to survive."
Keith looked at her.
"...Only survive?"
She thought for a moment.
"...And maybe punch the bear."
Leon pointed excitedly.
"SEE?! I LIKE HER!"
Elena looked at Maki.
"...Please don't encourage him."
"Too late."
Maki smiled brightly.
"I think he's funny."
Keith quietly muttered,
"...I've somehow found people exactly like her."
Ryo looked at Keith.
"...My condolences."
Keith nodded.
"...Thank you."
Ryo extended the loaf of bread toward him.
"...Bread?"
Keith blinked.
"...Is this how you comfort people?"
"...Works for me."
Keith accepted a piece.
"...Thanks."
"...You're welcome."
Leon suddenly threw an arm around Keith's shoulders.
"Listen, rookie."
Keith immediately looked suspicious.
"...What?"
"If anyone gives you trouble because you're a commoner..."
His playful grin became surprisingly sincere.
"...Beat them."
Keith stared.
"...That's your advice?"
"Yep."
"If you're stronger..."
He shrugged.
"They stop talking."
Elena immediately smacked the back of his head.
"...Don't teach first-years that."
"Oww!"
"It works!"
"It isn't academy policy."
"It's Leon policy."
"No."
Maki couldn't stop herself from laughing.
"You seniors are weird."
Leon pointed at her dramatically.
"Coming from you?"
"Fair point."
Even Elena smiled faintly, only for a second.
Ryo finished the last piece of his bread.
"...Lunch is ending."
Everyone looked toward the academy clock, the bell would ring in less than two minutes.
Leon stretched lazily.
"Guess we'll see you around."
Elena nodded.
"Good luck with your first week."
Ryo stood up.
"...Try not to die."
Keith smiled awkwardly.
"That's becoming a strangely common farewell."
"It usually is in Elite."
With that, the three second-years walked away together. Leon chatted endlessly, Elena occasionally corrected him, Ryo silently pulled another loaf of bread from somewhere inside his jacket, already eating again. Keith watched them disappear down the corridor.
"..."
"...They're definitely strange."
Maki grinned.
"I think we'll get along with them."
Keith chuckled.
"...Yeah."
"I think so too."
And with the afternoon bell echoing through the academy, the two first-years hurried toward their next class.
The two eventually reached the Elite classroom. Students were already taking their seats, chatting quietly before the instructor arrived, Keith sat down near the window while Maki lazily dropped into the seat beside him. Lina, after waving dramatically, took the desk directly behind them.
"I'm strategically positioning myself."
Keith sighed.
"...For what?"
"So I can witness your daily comedy."
"We're not a comedy act."
"You are and you don't even know it."
Maki nodded.
"She's got a point."
"Please stop agreeing with her."
A few moments later the classroom door opened, instructor Selena walked in carrying several wooden practice swords. Without saying a word—
THUD.
THUD.
THUD.
She dropped them onto the floor, the class immediately became silent. Selena looked around the room.
"Today's lesson."
She folded her arms.
"Trust."
The students exchanged puzzled glances.
"...Trust?" one noble repeated.
Selena nodded.
"In battle..."
She picked up a wooden sword.
"The fastest way to die is believing you can do everything yourself."
She looked across the classroom.
"So today you'll be working in pairs."
Groans immediately filled the room.
"I hate pair work..."
"What if I get someone useless?"
"Please don't pair me with—"
Selena's glare silenced everyone.
"I'll choose the pairs."
One by one she began reading names.
"Ivys Witsburg."
"Clara Stone."
The two nobles nodded.
"Lina Bellrose."
"Cedric Hale."
Another pair formed.
Then—
"Maki Eldridge."
Keith already had a bad feeling.
"Keith Nova."
Silence.
Every student looked toward them. Lina immediately slapped her desk.
"I CALLED IT!"
Keith sighed into his hands.
"Of course."
Maki smiled.
"Looks like we're partners."
"...Looks like we are."
Selena tossed them a practice sword.
"One sword."
Keith caught it.
"...One?"
"You'll figure it out."
Then she walked away. Keith stared at the single sword.
"...How exactly are we supposed to fight with one weapon?"
Maki shrugged.
"I dunno."
"...Helpful."
She suddenly smiled.
"I've got an idea."
Keith looked at her.
"What?"
"You hold the sword."
"...Okay."
"I'll punch things."
"...We're fighting instructors."
"I'll punch them politely."
Keith couldn't help laughing.
"...That's the worst plan I've ever heard."
"I've got worse ones."
"I don't doubt it."
Selena's voice echoed through the room.
"Head outside."
"Training Ground Three."
The Elite Class followed her outside, the training grounds stretched across a wide grassy field, wooden dummies stood in neat rows. Senior students waited nearby.
Watching.
Observing.
Ready to intervene if necessary. Selena stood at the center.
"The objective is simple."
She pointed toward the obstacle course ahead.
Wooden walls.
Suspended ropes.
Magic targets.
Moving traps.
"Weapons are limited, mana usage is restricted, you succeed only if both partners reach the end."
The students immediately began discussing strategies. Keith looked ahead thoughtfully while Maki stretched her shoulders.
"Looks fun."
Keith smiled.
"I was expecting you to say that."
She glanced at him.
"You know me already."
"...Maybe a little."
A whistle sounded.
The course began.
Keith took the lead.
"Trap!"
A volley of wooden arrows shot toward them.
"Down!"
Maki ducked instantly. Keith swung the practice sword, knocking several arrows away while Maki formed a small water shield to block the rest.
"Nice."
"You too."
They kept moving. Without realizing it they were naturally covering each other's blind spots. Keith noticed incoming traps first while
Maki reacted almost instantly.
Maki saw openings, Keith capitalized on them, neither needed long explanations, a few words were enough.
"Left."
"Got it."
"Jump."
"Already moving."
"Behind you."
"I see it."
From the sidelines, several students began whispering.
"...They've only known each other for two days."
"Why do they move like they've trained together for years?"
Even Selena narrowed her eyes slightly, the course reached its final obstacle. A narrow suspended bridge. Below it was a deep training pit filled with enchanted foam.
Harmless.
But far enough to make anyone hesitate. Keith stepped onto the bridge first, it swayed violently.
"Careful."
"I'm fine."
Maki followed.
Halfway across the bridge lurched sharply, Keith instinctively reached backward. Without thinking his hand caught Maki's wrist before she could lose her balance.
For just a second time seemed to slow. Keith looked at her hand in his, and suddenly a memory flashed through his mind.
Maki falling from the top bunk, her silver hair cascading downward, the surprised look in her eyes, her landing against him with her face only inches from his own and the warmth he'd felt.
"..."
His ears turned slightly red. Maki tilted her head.
"...Keith?"
He blinked.
"H-Huh?"
"You've been holding my wrist for like... ten seconds."
Keith's eyes widened, he immediately let go.
"S-Sorry!"
Maki smiled softly.
"...It's okay."
A faint pink tint touched her own cheeks before she quickly looked ahead.
"Let's finish."
"...Yeah."
Neither of them noticed that Lina, watching from the starting line, wore the biggest grin imaginable.
"Oh..."
She whispered to herself.
"Something definitely happened."
Completely unaware of the thoughts running through each other's minds, Keith and Maki crossed the bridge together and stepped onto the final platform side by side.
"Finished," Keith said with a relieved sigh.
Maki stretched and smiled brightly.
"Told you we'd make a good team."
Keith looked at her for a moment before smiling back.
"Yeah, you were right."
The moment Keith admitted it, Maki's smile widened just a little, not the teasing grin she usually wore but a softer one.
"...See?"
She placed her hands on her hips proudly.
"I told you."
Keith chuckled.
"...Don't let it get to your head."
"Too late."
She tapped her forehead.
"It lives there now."
Keith laughed under his breath.
"I walked into that one."
Before either of them could say another word
"ALL STUDENTS!"
Selena's voice boomed across the training grounds, everyone immediately assembled.
Some were exhausted, others had scratches and bruises from the obstacle course, a few looked ready to collapse. Selena surveyed them one by one.
"...Interesting."
She paused.
"I expected more failures."
Several students straightened proudly, Selena immediately crushed their confidence.
"...Don't misunderstand, this wasn't difficult."
Collective groans echoed through the field.
"Seriously?"
"She's impossible..."
"I think she enjoys this."
"I do."
Selena answered without missing a beat, the students immediately fell silent.
"...She heard that."
"...Of course she did."
Selena folded her arms.
"Your teamwork today was terrible."
Several nobles frowned.
"You relied too much on yourselves, you ignored your partners, you competed when you should've cooperated."
Her gaze swept across the class before stopping on one pair.
"Ivys."
The blonde noble stood straight.
"Yes, Instructor."
"You have excellent awareness."
Ivys nodded.
"But you never once asked if your partner was injured."
His expression stiffened.
"..."
"You assumed she could keep up."
"...Understood."
Selena looked elsewhere.
"Lina."
"Y-Yes!"
"You talked too much."
"I was motivating him!"
"You were distracting him."
"...Fair."
The class chuckled.
Then...
Selena's eyes landed on Keith and Maki, the field became quiet again.
"You two."
Keith immediately felt nervous.
"...Yes?"
Selena stared at them for several seconds, long enough to make Keith uncomfortable.
Then—
"You communicated."
She continued.
"You adapted, you trusted each other's instincts."
Another pause.
"You didn't waste time arguing."
Maki slowly raised a finger.
"...We argued a little."
"A little."
Selena admitted.
"But not when it mattered."
Keith scratched the back of his head.
"...I guess."
Selena looked at the rest of the class.
"Watch them."
The students turned toward Keith and Maki.
"Neither has fought beside the other for more than two days yet they naturally covered each other's weaknesses. That..."
She pointed at them.
"...Is teamwork."
Several students looked genuinely surprised.
Ivys folded his arms thoughtfully.
"...I didn't notice."
Clara nodded.
"They barely spoke during the course."
"They didn't need to."
Selena replied.
"Good partners don't waste words."
Keith blinked.
Partner.
The word sounded strangely... nice, Maki smiled quietly. For some reason being acknowledged together with Keith made her happier than being praised alone. Selena picked up a piece of chalk and wrote three words on the large board behind her.
Observe.
Adapt.
Trust.
"Remember these. They'll keep you alive far longer than talent."
The class nodded.
"Class dismissed."
Instantly the tension disappeared, students began chatting as they left the field. Lina ran over first, she looked between the two of them with sparkling eyes.
"You guys were amazing!"
Keith smiled awkwardly.
"We just worked together."
"Exactly!"
She pointed dramatically.
"That's the amazing part!"
Maki crossed her arms proudly.
"We're pretty awesome."
Keith looked at her.
"...There it is."
"What?"
"Your ego."
"It deserves recognition."
Before Keith could reply, Ivys approached with Clara beside him. The two nobles stopped in front of Keith and Maki. Keith instinctively became cautious.
Ivys noticed.
"...Relax."
"I'm not here to argue."
Keith blinked.
"...Really?"
Ivys nodded.
"I misjudged you."
Keith looked surprised.
"...Thanks."
Ivys turned toward Maki.
"And Lady Maki..."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah?"
"...You chose your partner well."
Before Maki could answer—
"She didn't choose me."
Keith said.
"I didn't choose him either."
Maki added.
They looked at each other, then laughed.
"It just happened."
Maki finished. Ivys stared at them for a moment, then a small smile appeared.
"...Maybe that's why it works."
He turned to leave.
"See you guys tomorrow."
Clara gave Keith a respectful nod.
"You've got good instincts."
Keith returned the nod.
"So do you."
The two nobles walked away. Keith watched them disappear before letting out a long breath.
"...Well that went better than expected."
Maki looked at him with a playful grin.
"Told you."
"What now?"
"Not every noble is terrible."
Keith smiled.
"...Yeah. I guess I still have a few things to learn."
Maki bumped his shoulder lightly.
"So do I."
Keith looked at her.
"You?"
She nodded.
"...Yeah."
"Like what?"
She smiled mischievously.
"...How many ridiculous questions it takes before your brain completely melts."
Keith groaned dramatically.
"...Please don't experiment on me."
"No promises."
Lina burst into laughter.
"I am absolutely following you two around."
Keith sighed toward the sky.
"...This academy really is exhausting."
Maki laughed as the three of them walked towards their respective dorms. For the first time since arriving at Azure Academy Keith wasn't just surviving each day, he was beginning to enjoy it.