Attempt at Grace

Instructor Hale called us to her office. Her office wasn't exactly a welcoming place. It felt like stepping into a command center, with bare walls and minimal decoration, with a distinct air of seriousness. Ray and I stood at attention, awaiting Hale's words. The woman herself sat sternly behind her desk, her ebony skin contrasting with her striking white hair.

"I've been observing your progress closely," Instructor Hale began, her voice calm yet firm. "Your capabilities are impressive, but you both still lack something vital: teamwork beyond your comfortable familiarity."

I exchanged a glance with Ray, slightly puzzled. "Pardon, Instructor," I said cautiously, "but Ray and I work perfectly together. Our communications through battle relies on intuitive thinking a lot."

"Exactly," Hale replied bluntly. "From my point of view, you two rely heavily on your bond and experiences together. It's a strength, yes, but it's also limiting. I'm assigning someone else to your team. Consider it a test of your adaptability."

She is actually correct. However, I am not in the condition to work with someone else other than Ray for now.

Ray shifted uncomfortably. "Someone else? Instructor Hale, with all respect, Thal and I-"

"Precisely why," Hale interrupted, leaving no room for debate. "You need to learn how to trust others beyond yourselves. Enter!"

The door creaked open softly, and my gaze immediately snapped to the newcomer. The woman has red eyes and white lavender-hell hair. Her deep crimson eyes looked at us thoughtfully.

I recalled her now. She was the girl we'd met briefly upon our arrival at the academy, who'd asked us for directions. She stepped forward gracefully, inclining her head politely. "It's nice to see you again, Thalamik and Raymed. I am Carmilla from the Saint Ascension Program"

Ray cleared his throat awkwardly, eyes darting between her and me. "Yeah, it's been a while. How's the academy treating you?"

"Quite well," she replied calmly, her voice composed and smooth. "Instructor Hale recommended this team personally. I hope to live up to her expectations and yours."

Saint Ascension Program.

Another program that is intended for those who are willing to seclude themselves from society to learn the best healing magic. That said, they are even able to cleanse poison without needing an antidote. 

Instructor Hale rose from her chair, standing tall and authoritative. "This team is no mere formality. You three have complementary skill sets. Carmilla excels both in mana control and support abilities. You two possess excellent combat potential. I expect you all to blend seamlessly."

I nodded slowly, feeling somewhat conflicted. Another teammate meant more variables and more risk. But it also meant greater versatility and adaptability. "Understood, Instructor."

Hale's eyes locked onto mine as if reading my internal hesitation. "You will have an assessment together tomorrow morning. I suggest you three spend today learning about each other and preparing." Her tone was final. "Dismissed."

BAM! The door closes.

***

Outside Hale's office, the three of us stood awkwardly for a moment, uncertain how to proceed. Ray was the first to break the silence.

"So," he said, scratching his neck. "I didn't expect to see you again, Carmilla. You said that you're from the Saint Ascension program, right?"

"I am," Carmilla confirmed gently. "We are not the combatant type. But even among the Saints, teamwork and practical combat experience is essential. And you two... I've heard you're both quite remarkable."

"Remarkable is one way to put it," I said dryly. "We attract attention, that's for sure." I glanced at Ray, remembering his accidental machine-destroying stunt during our mana test.

Ray laughed nervously, obviously recalling the same memory. "Yeah, well, Thal's mana control isn't exactly subtle either. But at least he's better now at hiding it."

Haha, typical of Ray not wanting to stand out as the only one.

Carmilla smiled softly, a genuine expression of amusement lighting her eyes. "I've noticed that both of you stand out in your unique ways."

For some reason, her words eased a bit of the tension in my chest. Perhaps this arrangement wouldn't be so complicated after all.

"Let's go somewhere to talk," I suggested quietly. "We should know each other's capabilities and fighting styles before tomorrow's assessment."

They both agreed, and we settled ourselves beneath the shade of a large oak tree in the courtyard, the sunlight filtering softly through the leaves.

"So, Carmilla," Ray began, curiosity evident in his voice, "Why join the Saints? That's not an easy program to enter. Well, mainly because you have to seclude yourself."

She paused, her gaze turning distant briefly. "I wanted to help people. Protecting and healing others was something that called to me deeply. But as the war escalated, I realized that sometimes healing alone isn't enough. That's why I chose combat training as well. So that I can heal those while supporting those who are on the battlefield."

I listened closely, understanding her motivation more than she realized. Protecting those we care about, fighting so that others won't suffer the same pain we endured. It resonated with me deeply.

Ray caught my expression and nudged my shoulder lightly. "Seems like we have similar reasons. Fighting to protect."

"Yeah," I agreed softly. "I suppose we do."

We then continued on brainstorming, finding our strengths and how to match our skills.

***

The following day came quickly. We assembled at the training grounds, tension palpable in the air as Hale briefed us on the scenario.

"This exercise will test your combat efficiency, strategy, and teamwork," Hale declared firmly. "You must retrieve a specific artifact located deep in hostile territory. It won't be easy, but it will demonstrate clearly if you're capable of working as one."

"Understood," Carmilla said firmly. Ray and I echoed her resolve.

We entered the training simulation—dense forest, artificial mana signatures representing enemies hidden in the shadows. I took the lead instinctively, Ray flanking me while Carmilla guarded our rear. Our enemy was an automaton robot fueled with mana.

Suddenly, an automaton leapt from concealment. I reacted swiftly, intercepting its strike with precise mana-infused movements. Ray quickly neutralized the threat with overwhelming power while Carmilla's mana flowed calmly, enveloping us in a gentle aura that quickly alleviated any lingering fatigue.

More enemies approached, and we fell into a rhythm. Carmilla's mana control was exceptional; her healing was timely, and her buffs notably enhanced our abilities. Ray dominated combat, strength and overwhelming mana bursting forth effortlessly. I focused on precise strikes and battlefield awareness, adjusting tactics on the fly.

Yet, despite our effectiveness, my heart raced uneasily.

Memories of South Jaka city surfaced unbidden.

Screams.

Blood.

Amus's lifeless eyes.

The day I lost everything.

"Thalamik!" Carmilla's voice pulled me back abruptly. "Stay focused! We're nearly there."

I blinked sharply, steadying myself. "Sorry… I'm here."

Ray cast me a concerned look but said nothing. His unspoken support steadied me.

We pushed onward, quickly locating the artifact. It was a small crystal glowing softly on a pedestal. But the instant we approached, automaton enemies emerged everywhere, clearly a planned ambush.

"Carmilla, defense and support!" I ordered sharply. "Ray, cover our escape route! I'll retrieve the artifact!"

She responded without hesitation, mana flaring around us protectively. Ray unleashed his overwhelming strength, breaking enemy lines fiercely. I snatched the crystal, clutching it tightly.

"Got it! Let's go!"

Carmilla pivoted fluidly, shielding us carefully as we moved swiftly. Ray cleared our path decisively, creating openings effortlessly.

***

Moments later, we exited the simulated combat zone successfully. Hale awaited us, watching closely.

"Impressive," she finally said after observing quietly. "Your coordination needs refinement, but the potential is evident. Carmilla balances your team exceptionally."

Carmilla inclined her head humbly. "Thank you, Instructor."

Ray nudged my shoulder playfully. "Bet you didn't expect Hale to be right."

I smiled slightly. "I never doubted her nor Carmilla to be honest. But wasn't it you that doubted her?" Ray smiled, scratching his head.

Neither he nor I want to admit that either of us was wrong. However, it turns out that Carmilla gives us more insurance in battle and lasts longer in it.

Hale put a hand on my head. It was a kind gesture... different from how she always treated me in front of the other cadets. Her words reached me thoughtfully and sympathetically. "You've carried heavy burdens, Thalamik. But you aren't alone. You need to lean on your team."

I exhaled softly, nodding once. "I understand." She put her hand away from my head and dismissed us.

I can't help but form a soft smile.

Later on, we sat quietly beneath that familiar oak tree again. Carmilla looked at me gently, her red eyes sincere and compassionate. "You seemed troubled during the exercise," she murmured. "I can help... not in solving it. But perhaps through listening as a friend."

My chest tightened painfully, and the words caught in my throat. Ray met my eyes silently, encouragingly.

"South Jaka City…"

I forced the words out, but they tasted like rusted metal on my tongue. Ray and Carmilla sat in silence, waiting, their eyes filled with something I wasn't entirely used to as of now. The feeling of thinking it's okay to feel like this. The sense of being understood. I have forgotten how it felt.

I hated it.

I hated that they were giving me space, hated that they weren't pushing me to move past it because moving past it wasn't possible.

The images were burned into my mind.

The smell of blood in the air, the screams that still echoed when I closed my eyes.

My parents.

Amus.

The twins.

All gone.

And I had led their murderer right to them.

The day I lost everything.

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms, pain anchoring me to the present. "I lost everything there," I said finally, my voice rough. "My family. My wife, Amus. My children. Even after all this time... I still felt… responsible."

Ray's expression darkened, his jaw tightening, but he stayed silent. He had suffered just as he lost his entire family in the massacre. The weight of it settled between us like a scar we never spoke about again until now.

Carmilla, though, didn't look away. Her red eyes softened, filled with an emotion I couldn't quite place. She didn't pity me. That much was clear. But she didn't dismiss it either.

"Thank you for opening up, and you should know that... You don't have to carry it alone," she said softly. You have Ray, and now I'm here. We'll fight alongside you. Not only on the battlefield but against those demons you face within."

I exhaled sharply, letting my head fall back against the tree behind me. My body ached from the training, but it was nothing compared to the ache that never left my chest.

"Demons, huh?" I let out a short, bitter laugh. "I stopped believing in demons and angels when I saw what those elves were capable of."

Carmilla didn't flinch. "That doesn't mean you should stop believing in yourself. At the very least, you need to believe in your ability to protect that event from happening to others. Because that's what you want, right?"

Her words about me believing myself was a harder pill to swallow. Yet she is right on the topic of how I wanted to protect others so that kind of event doesn't happen again. I can't change the past. I really can't. This pain is who made me who I am today. Yet all I can do is try and move forward.

Ray finally spoke, his voice quieter than usual. "We need to get stronger together, Thal. That's how we ensure nothing like South Jaka City ever happens again.

I turned my head to look at him. He wasn't grinning. He wasn't joking. He meant every word.

And I hated that it made sense. The only way to protect others is to work together to be stronger than ever before.

The silence stretched between us before I finally exhaled and nodded. "…Fine."

Ray gave me a lopsided grin and nudged me in the ribs. "That was way more dramatic than it needed to be, Thal."

I shoved him back, smirking despite myself. "Screw you, Ray."

Carmilla chuckled. "I see you two are back to normal."

I rolled my shoulders, feeling the weight shift just slightly. "We never left."

But deep down, I knew things had changed.

"Should we grab Calpis water?" Carmilla asked.

I stared at Ray before seeing her face again. "Do you like Calpis Water?"

"It's Great!" She said.