Secrets and Promises
The academy day had ended, and Samson walked back toward his dormitory, his thoughts preoccupied with the looming exams. The air was cool, carrying with it a faint breeze that rustled the leaves of the trees lining the pathway. He took a deep breath, trying to focus on the present, but a faint unease lingered, a reminder of the secrets he carried.
Halfway to his dorm, the buzz of his phone jolted him out of his thoughts. Pulling it from his pocket, his eyebrows rose in surprise when he saw Eva's name flashing on the screen.
"Eva?" he muttered, answering the call.
"Samson," Eva's voice came through, calm but tinged with urgency.
"What's up?"
"Meet me behind the west garden," she said curtly, skipping pleasantries. "Now."
Before he could ask why, the line disconnected. Samson stared at the phone for a moment, perplexed. What could she want? he wondered.
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1. A Private Meeting
The west garden was one of the academy's most tranquil spots, tucked away from the bustling main paths. The sun hung low on the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the area. Samson arrived to find Eva already there, leaning against a tree. Her arms were crossed, and her sharp gaze was fixed on the ground as if lost in thought.
"Eva," he called out, stopping a few steps away. "What's this about?"
She straightened, her piercing green eyes locking onto his. "I need to ask you something," she said bluntly, no trace of her usual charm. "And I want the truth."
Samson tensed but nodded. "Alright."
"How can you use ice magic?" she asked, her voice steady but probing.
Samson froze. For a moment, it felt as though the air had been knocked out of him. He kept his expression neutral, but his heart raced. "What are you talking about?" he asked cautiously.
"Don't play dumb," Eva said, stepping closer. "I've been thinking about what happened during the mission. At first, I brushed it off, but it doesn't make sense. You're a lightning attribute mage. How were you able to summon ice?"
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2. Samson's Avoidance
Samson took a step back, his mind scrambling for an answer. He couldn't tell her the whole truth—not yet. Not about the watch or the Ice Deer. He needed to be careful.
"It's… complicated," he said finally, avoiding her gaze.
Eva crossed her arms, clearly unimpressed. "Complicated how?"
Samson sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I unlocked a second attribute recently," he admitted. "Ice magic. It's not something I wanted to make public, especially not here at the academy."
Her eyes narrowed. "When did this happen?"
"Over the vacation," he replied, sticking to the truth as much as possible. "When I joined that mercenary group. I kept my academic life a secret from them, so they didn't know who I really was."
Eva studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable. "Why keep it a secret?"
"Because I didn't want anyone connecting my name to the things I did there," Samson explained. "And honestly… I'm still figuring it out myself. It's not every day someone unlocks a second attribute out of nowhere."
Eva raised an eyebrow. "Most mages only get one, sometimes two if they're lucky. And you're telling me you just unlocked it? Just like that?"
Samson hesitated but nodded. "It's not something I fully understand either, but yes."
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3. A Promise is Made
Eva's gaze lingered on him, searching for any hint of deceit. Finally, she sighed and took a step back. "Alright," she said. "I'll keep your secret. But only because you've earned my trust after everything that's happened."
Relief washed over Samson, but Eva wasn't done.
"But," she added with a smirk, her usual demeanor slipping back into place, "you owe me now. One day, I'll need a favor, and you'll have to say yes. No questions asked."
Samson couldn't help but chuckle, despite the tension in his chest. "Deal," he said, holding out a hand.
Eva shook it, her grip firm. "Good. Just remember—secrets don't stay hidden forever. Be careful, Samson."
---
4. Frustration and Self-Reflection
As Samson walked back to his dorm, his earlier relief gave way to frustration. His mind replayed the events of the mission, searching for the moment he had slipped up. He clenched his fists, cursing himself silently.
I should've been more careful, he thought, his jaw tightening. How could I let something like that happen?
Eva hadn't pieced everything together yet, but her sharp instincts were too close for comfort. He needed to be more vigilant. The watch, his newfound powers—everything had to remain a secret until he could figure out what it all meant.
---
5. Pedro's Curiosity
When Samson finally reached his dorm room, he found Pedro lounging on his bed, flipping through a book with little interest.
"There you are," Pedro said, looking up. "Took you long enough. What happened?"
"Nothing," Samson replied quickly, dropping his bag onto the desk.
Pedro's eyebrows shot up. "Nothing? You've been gone for over an hour, and you're telling me it's nothing?"
Samson sighed, pulling out his chair and sitting down. "It's not a big deal."
Pedro smirked, sitting up. "Not a big deal, huh? So it has nothing to do with Eva calling you out earlier?"
Samson froze for a split second before shaking his head. "Nope. Just some school stuff."
"Oh, come on," Pedro teased, leaning forward. "You're telling me she just called you for 'school stuff'? Spill it, man. What's going on between you two?"
"Nothing is going on," Samson said firmly, though his tone lacked conviction.
Pedro narrowed his eyes, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "You're terrible at lying, you know that?"
Samson rolled his eyes, leaning back in his chair. "Believe what you want, Pedro. I'm not explaining myself."
Pedro chuckled, clearly enjoying his friend's discomfort. "Fine, keep your secrets. But don't think I won't figure it out eventually."
Despite himself, Samson smiled. Pedro's teasing, while annoying, was a welcome distraction from the weight of the evening's events.
As the two settled into their evening routines, Samson made a silent vow. He would protect his secret at all costs—no matter how difficult it became. He couldn't afford another slip-up, not with so much at stake.