A Trial, Approaching (2)

"So?" Erika's bright green eyes covered his entire vision as she leaned closer.

"No." Aether replied with a flat voice.

The class president's eyes widened with shock. "Huh? What?" She uttered in surprise. "Why not?" She cried out as she grabbed the young man's shoulders. "You're perfect for it!"

"No. I'm not physically adept." He pointed at his slim body, then towards the door. "Try Seth – he's a much better candidate." He motioned to get up, but Erika's grip on his shoulders kept him from moving.

"Nu-uh." She said, shaking her head. "I'm not letting you off the hook so easily."

"Yes, you are." Aether gently took hold of her hands and removed them from his shoulders. "I've said it – I won't be your first year representative for whatever event is coming up." He stood up and motioned to head outside of the classroom.

"But why not?" Erika insisted. "You're the perfect candidate! Besides, Seth is not a guy I want to see in a competition – I don't think he can handle a good opponent well." She averted her eyes.

"And that would be his fault." Aether sighed. "Look, I know you're worried about what the representing student does – if they act in an unprofessional manner, it could reflect onto you."

Erika nodded vigorously. "So, will you accept then?" Her eyes glimmered with hope and excitement.

"No. But you can lay the blame on me if he does anything unprofessional." Aether's words extinguished that glimmer as Erika pouted. "You're impossible to reason with."

"No, but you're asking the resident quiet guy to take a spotlight position." Aether chuckled. "Did you really think I would accept?" He walked past her and headed outside, leaving the young woman to ponder.

Erika clenched her fists. She wondered whether she should try one more time, but ultimately gave up with a sigh. Aether wasn't the kind of person to react well to insistence, or so it seemed to her. Her best bet would be to somehow get Seth do decline, and then force Aether's hand.

She flinched. What was she thinking, pondering about manipulating the young man? Her lips curled downwards, and she felt her nails sting her palms. With a sigh, she relaxed her hands, then with dropped shoulders left the empty classroom. That tendency of hers hadn't disappeared just yet.

It took her no time to find Seth as all she needed to do was find Iris. The young man was following her as always. She sighed and approached their table.

"Hello Iris," She forced a smile, she couldn't fathom how the girl was able to put up with having this guy following her all the time. "Seth, how are you?" She asked as she pulled a chair and sat by their table in the cafeteria.

"Erika!" Iris exclaimed with visible relief in her eyes. "I was just thinking about you."

"Oh?" Erika smiled. "Then how about we go for a walk after this?"

"Yes! Let's do that!" Iris exclaimed.

"Before that though," Erika cut in, "Seth, I need a moment of your time."

The young, blonde man seemed somewhat surprised. "Uh, sure. How can I help you?"

"I'll get straight to the point. There is an upcoming event – the annual magician's tournament that will tale place in Japan, Tokyo." She looked the guy straight in the eye. "Two first years and one second year will participate from our school, as well as a number of third years. Professor Chloe wanted me to nominate the male first year."

Iris furrowed her brows. "What about the female?" She asked with a hint of curiosity in her voice. Erika shrugged. "The Professor apparently has someone in mind. She didn't say anything about that to me."

"Are you considering me as a candidate?" Seth brushed his hair back as a smile filled with pride formed on his lips. He raised his chin and spoke with a slightly louder and more confident voice. "I can beat anyone they throw at me."

"…Right." Erika sighed. "In that case, please find Professor Cross. She probably has plenty to talk to you about." Seth nodded vigorously, thanked her for nominating him, then ran off to find the professor. Iris chuckled as the tall young man left, then pushed her chair up and got up.

"Should we go for that walk?" She asked, showing Erika a pleasant smile.

"Sure," Erika said after a moment's hesitation. Iris entire demeanour had changed ever since she mentioned the tournament. She wondered what that was all about.

They walked in silence for a while. "Who do you think Professor Cross is going to choose from the girls?" Iris asked after a while. Erika stretched her arms and shook her head. "No idea. She is bound to make an announcement sometime today. The second year will be announced today as well, and so will her accompanying student."

Iris's face lit up. "So, three first years will take place in the tournament?" She asked, her eyes filled with determination. "I wonder what the accompanying student will do…"

Erika shrugged. "No idea – though Professor Cross will choose that person too, I guess…" her voice faded as she spotted a young woman, perhaps a year older than them, walking towards them, coming from the front gate of the Academy.

Her long, platinum hair glittered in the sun as she smiled towards them. "Hello," She spoke with the voice of an angel. "Could I trouble you to direct me to the administrative office?"

"Uh, it's that building over there." Erika pointed towards the office.

"Thank you," The young woman showed them a smile as bright as the sun. She walked off, leaving both of them dumbfounded.

The cool breeze rustled the leaves as Aether lay on the grass, his eyes closed and his mind lazily wandering about. It was a beautiful afternoon, it would be a waste not to spend some time outdoors.

He opened his eyes after a while and looked at the small, beautiful flower in his hand. It was a moon catcher – one that had lost its shimmer. As his gaze lingered on it, butterflies fluttered around his hand, landing on the moon catcher momentarily just to consume its sap, and then flying off again.

"Beautiful." A kind, almost angelic voice sounded, startling him. The butterflies scattered as a young woman, not much older than him, stepped out from behind the trees. "I've always liked watching butterflies." She spoke as the creatures once again crowded around Aether. "It makes me happy to see you share the sentiment."