Elicit Encounter

This feeling I am having today—or, should I say, every aspiring knight's eye—sees the level we need to reach before this year ends. That type of strength—will I ever be able to do it.? I am confident in my martial arts skills, but that's something completely different from what we witnessed today.

We walked down the hallway and started getting back to our classes. It will be a few more minutes before we'll reach it.

"The way those arrows fell. It was so breathtaking" said Marie, restlessly spinning her arms in the air without watching her steps as if she had gotten drunk.

"Indeed, it was. But watch out, Marie; you will fall." I said, holding her stance.

"Hey, Eleanor, do you think we can fly in the air or get some wings, or-or maybe make me more beautiful?"

And she started daydreaming. After seeing something like that, I don't think I can judge her. We do have dragons, but humans are getting wings.? Change in our facials. Hmm, I don't know. We can't reject its possibilities either.

"Maybe, maybe not, Marie. I guess you should ask our teachers." I said, trying my best to brush it away.

"Come on. Don't be like this, Elea. Ask your dad for me."

"Ehh, my dad, who is never in one place, I don't even know if my dad will be at home when I get back, but yeah. Sure, I'll try.."

"Ohh, thanks, Elea," she said, hugging me and grabbing my neck tightly.

*Sighs** This girl thinks everything's easy.

"By the way, I think it'll be easier if we ask all this to Sir Rain only." Said Yui.

" Ehh..No.. He never said yes to anything. Last time he made fun of me when I asked something similar." Marie said it with a pouting face.

"Speaking of sir, I remembered him standing in tears in the field today." I said.

" What.? For real? "asked Marie, surprised.

"Yep, I mean it."

"I saw it too. I saw a water drop coming out of his eyes. I thought the dust must've gone in his eyes or something. That's why I didn't say anything at that time. Said Yui.

"I see." I said 

"Huhh, I didn't see anything." said Marie.

"You got poor sight, Marie. Go for an eye checkup now, or it'll be hard for you to complete the infusion phase." I said it sarcastically.

"Wha- How you, Elea?" Marie said, with a crying face. 

"Relax, I'm joking...joking...joking."

We walked past other dorms, and finally, after a few minutes, we reached near our class.

Sir Rain was waiting for us in the hallway.

"Jaleh, you came to see too?" said Sir to Madam.

"Yep Obviously, how can I not witness the cool side of my dear husband?" said Madam in a flirting tone.

Her personality changes when she is around, sir. On the ground, she seemed serious and convincing, but now she can't seem to control her affection and love for him.

"Oh, come on. Not in front of students." said Rain awkwardly, smiling. Blushing

"Hehh, why not.? I want everyone to know how much I love you. Muah," said Jaleh as she kissed Sir Rain on the cheeks. Sir Rain might've enjoyed it if this were to be done privately, but now, looking at his expression, he is cringing hard and controlling himself as if he wants to run away from here.

"So romantic." said Marie aloud.

As usual, this girl just keeps popping up everywhere, in between everything.

"Ok, then, Rain, I think you should now rest yourself and those arms, especially. In the meantime, I'll take the students to the Arsenal depot room for their next class." said Madam Jaleh.

"Sure. Thanks a lot. I'll see you all tomorrow, students. Have a nice day." said Sir Rain as he went towards his room.

Rest to arms.? So using that type of power comes with a price.

"Alright everyone, let's head towards the depot room." she said while leading the way towards the depot room. We've been to the Arsenal depot room many times before while learning combat and other martial arts forms in our previous years. Mainly knives, nunchucks, etc. were taught to us.

We were walking behind Madam Jaleh. As she was humming some kind of melodic lullaby, she seemed to be in a good mood. I think I can ask her about the query I just had.

"Madam," I said.

"Yes, Eleanor. What is it?" she said, turning her head towards me.

"Has something happened to Sir Rain?"

"No, why do you ask.?"

"Because you asked him to rest his arms. Is it because of the archery he used.?"

"Ahh, that," she said. "It's that Core Infusion—the cosmic dive he used. He can only use it one time a day. After that, his arms go completely numb."

Just two times.? Will that be enough for an actual fight or a long war?

"What will happen if he uses it more than one time.?" I asked.

"I don't think he'll be able to raise his hands after that. But yeah, he used it three times in the last war, but that was due to he was young plus it was a do-or-die situation, and he was at his peak at that time."

"I see..."

"Just to let you know, many have died trying to cross their limit of core, so it's a big no! no!"

She said this, crossing her fingers innocently. Madam Jaleh put it so casually yet it sounded so scary, but if people have died, then it's something we should take seriously.

"You will learn about all these in detail with time. Relax. "

"Yeah, I am all relaxed." I said it with a broken smile.

"You ask questions all the time. It's like you want to know and learn everything at once," she said. "That curiosity reminds me that your father used to be the same."

" What.? Really.? "

"Yep, even though he was younger than us. He had more curiosity and ambition towards the unknown than anyone else, and because of that, many students used to feel repulsed by him. People used to think he acted all high and showed off."

"Hehe. That sounds relatable." I said.

I get some glares all the time behind my back, too.

We almost reached the Arsenal depot room. This room is located on the lower level of the main building. The entire floor is filled with mystic weapons, collectibles, and other rare items used by our previous knights. I felt a tingling sensation again. The stairs that go below this. Most probably, that's where I'll find my weapon, with which I'll be infusi-

"Madam Jaleh..!!"

As soon as Madam was about to step on the lower staircase, she was called out from behind. It's the vice principal and the head of battle analysis. Professor Jura and Professor Hemant. They are coming straight towards us and seem fast on their toes.

"Yes, Mam?" asked Madam Jaleh.

"The headmaster has summoned all the teachers in the meeting chamber immediately."

"Why.? Is something the matter.?"

"I don't know that yet, but I think it's regarding the inspection schedule, which has been getting postponed for a month now. I hope this time it ends for good."

"I see..." For some reason, Madam looked at Professor Jura very closely when she said that "--and what about the students?" Madam asked.

"The students from all divisions are asked to leave for their homes, and their classes will resume tomorrow." The vice principal said, looking at me.

Why is she looking at me? She always gives me a weird vibe. A forced smile on her wrinkled face reminds me of my grandmother when she used to give commands to my mom. She smiles even though she doesn't want to, ready to unleash the anger inside if she does not listen to the orders.

Professor Jaleh turned towards us and repeated the message from Professor Jura.

We began to walk back towards our classrooms to collect our bags and belongings. As we passed the halls, we witnessed other division students leaving too, and soon it became crowded as paths were disjunctured at once. Teachers are fast-paced as they move towards the meeting chamber.

I, Marie, and Yui managed to get out of the academy premises. It's past noon, the time before evening when the sun sparks its yellowish-orange glare.

Snow is reflecting the rays of the sun to meet the ground, covered in thick white snow that divides the path from the trees on the side and is enthralling in its own right.

BONG* BONG*

We turned back to see our academy. It's 4; we saw on a two-layered astronomical clock stuck at the forefront of the building. We are leaving 2 hours early today. I've been in this academy for the last 14 years. I don't know how many tears I'll shed during my graduation ceremony. I am attached to this place.

Turning behind, we started walking towards our home.

"I wonder what the emergency was that they had to cancel all the lectures.?" I questioned.

"Who knows...Well, it's better; I'll get to sleep extra today." said Marie, swirling towards the walking path.

We walked for 15 minutes until Yui had to change her path to her home.

"Well then, thank you for today." Yui said

" Yea. see you tomorrow."

"Bye, take care."

Now it's just me and Marie walking down the slope.

"By the way, your sister, Elyana, how's she doing.? I rarely see her in school these days." she asked casually.

"That's a tough question to answer." I said while laughing, trying to hide my embarrassment.

"Huh.? She is your sister. You guys live together. How come you can't answer?"

Cutting down on the chase, I decided to answer her honestly. In the end, she is my best friend of all.

"Lately, she isn't coming home properly. Sometimes she is even out for the entire night. We have no idea where she goes or what she does, and when we ask, she gets rebellious. That's why Mom's always angry at her."

"Wha, that's crazy... My parents will feed me dragons if I ever do that." Marie said as she continued, "The only exception is that I am with you. then they don't care about anything."

"Hehe- your parents have too much faith in me."

"Yes. a lot. I'll take your name and run away HAHAHA!"

"No, please don't do that!"

"Obviously, I am joking."

"Good."

"Well, take care of her. My parents were saying, There's a lot of crime happening around the town late at night."

"I know. I wish she understood tha-"

" WAIT..! Isn't that?-" Marie said, pointing her fingers straight around the egde of the route's end.

My eyes dimmed on the back of the person. Those long, reddish black hairs swaying in the air, and that red-coloured check shirt and black pants.

" Elyana..." I murmured..

"Yeah, but who is she with, though? Hmm..3 boys and 2 girls." Marie said while holding her hand at her forehead, looking far ahead.

"I am trying to figure that out too. Those aren't his classmates or our neighbours." I said.

"Let's go and meet her then." Marie said, holding my hand fast to move forward.

"Ely-"

"No, Marie wait..!" I stopped and pulled her into the corner behind the walls.

My left leg was in between Marie's legs, Knees pressed in and above on her crotch as her skirt tightened up, exposing her thighs and my hand was clutching hers. Despite the fact that our bodies were only a few centimetres apart, our breasts were somewhat squeezed against each other, and our lips were very close.

"Wait, Marie..huff* I want to watch Elyana. What she does and where she goes. Asking her is pointless, as we have tried it 100 times already." I said this while huffing very closely at Marie in the corner.

I panicked as Marie was ready to take Elyana's name because I didn't want Elyana to see us, and in a rush, I didn't notice I was holding Marie against the wall. She is a little shorter than I am. So, from her stance, she is staring at my neck and lips, and we have been feeling and exchanging breaths till she raised her eyes to meet mine.

"Fwahh, you always give such serious vibes, but today your eyes are radiating gravity, Elea."

"What?"

"You look so bold from this close." Marie said, grinning from ears to ears.

I realised why she said that, flustered, and moved away from her quickly, setting my skirt, hoodie and hair properly.

"Ahem, you can go home; it might get late for you." I said.

"No, No, this is fun. Let's investigate." she said, smiling.

"I thought you wanted to sleep." I gave her a serious look.

"Forget that. Let's go; they are moving."

*Sigh**

What are you doing, Elyana? And so we started chasing her.