What’s Left Unsaid

Professor Mysie narrowed her eyes – Leila.

The girl stepped forward – Yes, Professor?

– You'll be my assistant today – Mysie said simply, then turned on her heels and began walking.

The students followed her to the edge of the training field. Leila received a clipboard with the students' names and quickly randomized the duels. Once everything was set, she nodded. Mysie gave a subtle signal, and the matches began.

Celine sat next to Harumi, observing with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.

– Isn't she going to explain how to use the weapons first? – Celine whispered.

Harumi shook her head, eyes following the current match.

– No. She never does. She likes to see how people react under pressure before she teaches anything. She says instinct tells her more than words. Have you ever fought before?

Celine hesitated – I... only watched the guards train in the castle courtyard. I've never held a sword.

Harumi's eyes widened slightly.

– Next match: Kagetsu Harumi and Celine Thalorian – Leila called out from across the field.

– Huh? – Harumi turned, surprised.

Leila shrugged, just as confused. The order had been randomized.

– Are you two planning to chat all day, or will you enter the field? – Mysie's voice cut through the air like a blade – Move.

They rushed to the weapon rack. Each of them grabbed one of the identical training swords, dull, harmless, and clearly made only for practice. Celine tested the weight in her hand while Harumi adjusted her stance based on what she'd seen growing up.

They bowed briefly and took their positions.

Mysie gave the signal.

What followed wasn't exactly a fight, but it wasn't a joke either. Their movements were clumsy, but cautious. They tried to apply what little they knew of balance, posture, and observation. Celine moved in slow, sweeping arcs, while Harumi kept her guard up, her feet planted firmly. Every step was hesitant, not out of laziness, but pure inexperience.

At first, a few students snickered. But the laughter faded. The girls were serious.

Mysie's eyes sharpened. She stepped forward and raised a hand – Enough.

The two lowered their swords immediately.

She scanned the group with a cold expression.

– You're not here to dance. You're not here to play. One careless swing and someone ends up like her.

She subtly tilted her chin toward the path where a few veterans had carried Aysel away earlier.

– You're lucky these blades can't cut. That's the only reason no one's bleeding yet.

Her gaze lingered on Celine and Harumi.

– Effort isn't enough. Precision matters. Focus matters. And above all, take this seriously. Or you don't touch a weapon again. Understood?

A few murmured: "Yes, Professor"

Celine and Harumi both nodded, flushed and breathless.

Later, the three girls sat in a line in the locker room, staring at the floor. Then, slowly, they began to laugh.

– That was awful – Leila said, laughing as she covered her face.

Celine giggled too, and Harumi burst into laughter.

– You two never trained before? – Leila asked, amused.

Harumi smiled, though her tone turned somber.

– After my sister disappeared during a mission, my parents banned all combat training for me. They were afraid I'd end up like her.

Leila and Celine exchanged a quiet glance. They already knew the story.

– My parents never let me leave the castle – Celine added, looking down – Even inside, almost everything was forbidden. I was only allowed in the garden, the library… and my room. My father rarely showed up.

Leila frowned – Lord Aillard? He... he always seemed cold, honestly. When I saw him in Waterfall, he and my father barely spoke.

Celine nodded slightly – I think they don't like each other. My mother says he's cheerful. I guess I don't know him well enough to say.

They fell silent.

Cheerful? It didn't seem likely.

Outside, the academy bustled with life as classes shifted and students moved between halls. But in the student council room, everything was still. Scrolls, notes, and snacks were scattered across the long table. Thamy was at his desk, writing intently. Ikuto and Elaxi were flipping through documents. Aysel was curled up on the couch, staring at the ceiling with a bored expression.

Elaxi didn't even look up – Shouldn't you be in the dorms?

– Too noisy – Aysel replied, turning to her side.

Silence settled. The door opened, and a pale girl stepped inside, her red eyes scanning the room.

– Miss Kirsi. Do you need something? – Elaxi asked, clearly uninterested.

Kirsi hesitated, then walked in – I forgot to knock. My apologies – She said coolly.

– What do you need? – Thamy asked, setting down his pen.

– I'd like to report someone.

They all sighed.

– This time it's serious – She insisted.

Before anyone could respond, the door opened again.

– Oh... I forgot to knock – Raphael said with an awkward smile.

– We need to put a sign on this door – Ikuto muttered.

– Agreed – Raphael added, looking at Ikuto blankly. Ikuto stared back at him with a wry expression.

– Go on, Miss Kirsi – Thamy said gently.

– A boy. Pale. Black hair. He's been following me. It's... uncomfortable.

Ikuto raised an eyebrow – That's vague.

– He was wearing a royal blue uniform – she added.

All eyes turned to Raphael, who was holding a note in his hand. The color described by Kirsi was the color of the third-year students' uniform, the same one Raphael wore.

Kirsi pointed – Just like his.

Thamy sighed – I'll look into it. Thank you.

Kirsi gave Raphael one last glance before leaving.

As soon as she left, Thamy turned to him – And you?

Raphael handed him the folded note. Thamy looked at the note, frowning slightly – Another warning?

Raphael looked away.

– You're collecting these like trophies – Thamy muttered, scribbling his signature and the punishment. He handed the note back and returned to his papers.

Raphael backed out of the room quietly.

– What's with that boy? – Aysel murmured.

– We really need to put a sign on this door – Ikuto said under his breath.

– Mhm – Elaxi agreed. Then, with a teasing smile, she turned to Aysel – Still sore? Want a hug? Maybe some warm cuddles?

Aysel scoffed – From you? I'd rather sleep in a frozen swamp.

– I can make that happen – Elaxi grinned.

– Shut up – Aysel said, smiling faintly despite herself.

The afternoon passed quietly, filled with the usual paperwork and half-hearted jokes. Soon, the final bell rang, echoing through the halls of Kesla.

Raphael walked down the corridor, reading and rereading the punishment note. The final bell rang. He spotted a familiar figure among the crowd.

– Nevra!

Nevra approached silently.

– You've been reported – Raphael said.

Nevra stopped, surprised – By who?

– Kirsi. Said you've been following her.

Nevra looked down, then turned without a word and headed toward the dorms. Raphael followed. They walked in silence. The soft echo of their footsteps filled the corridor like whispers in the air.

Once inside, Nevra sat at the edge of his bed, still wearing his coat. His hands were tightly folded in his lap. His gaze was fixed on the floor.

Raphael didn't push. He waited.

Eventually, Nevra spoke, his voice low and hesitant.

– You don't have to listen. But I need to say it to someone.

Raphael sat beside him.

Nevra swallowed, his shoulders tense.

– I like Kirsi, she is important to me, but... not in the way people think. She saved me once. When we were kids.

He paused, as if trying to keep the memory still long enough to speak it aloud – It was winter. I got lost in the forest during a snowstorm. I was eight. Too young to understand how dangerous it was.

– I passed out in the snow. I remember thinking I wouldn't wake up again – He paused again, voice softer now – But I did. When I woke, it was warm. Someone was holding me.

He looked away – She was kneeling beside me, her eyes red, her smile soft. I knew she was a vampire. But... she didn't scare me.

He hesitated. His voice cracked – She told me I'd be okay. That I just needed to rest. Then... she disappeared. I never forgot her. I think that's why I kept looking. Even when I knew she wouldn't remember me.

Silence lingered.

Then, softly – Also... I'm not a pure water mage anymore.

Raphael turned to him – What do you mean?

– After that night... something changed. I didn't realize it at first. But my powers aren't the same. The elders noticed. They were never cruel, but... I saw it in their eyes.

He lowered his head.

– I don't know what I am anymore..

Raphael said nothing, and that was enough. Nevra just needed someone to listen, no questions, no judgment. The silence that followed felt warm, gentle. Slowly, they both went back to their routines, the shared truth resting quietly between them.

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✨Quick Guide✨

Currently, Almalorantia is ruled by four main leaders. To put an end to the recurring massacres, they agreed to stop fighting for control and instead divide the land among themselves. Two of these leaders are vampires; the other two are powerful mages.

Kirsi is the descendant of one of the vampire leaders, while Adriell comes from the other.

Nevra is the only known descendant of the mage lineage.

To strengthen their alliance, the two mage leaders decided to have a single heir between them, even though the court remains divided in loyalty.

Nevra was meant to be their successor – the one who would unite the two mage factions of Almalorantia into a single realm.