Misunderstanding Hurts More Then Any Spell

Chapter 22 – Misunderstanding Hurts More Than Any Spell

The Magic Academy was as lively as ever, with students filling the hallways between classes. Sunlight poured in through the massive arched windows, illuminating the stone floors and the floating lanterns that lined the halls. Phyro, Klein, and Yenta strolled toward the cafeteria, the scent of roasted meat and fresh bread filling the air.

"I swear, I almost froze my own leg off today," Yenta complained, rubbing his thigh.

Klein smirked. "I thought you had Crystal Magic, not Ice Magic."

"Yeah, well," Yenta huffed, "turns out controlling crystal formations in a training room full of ice isn't easy. The teacher told me I need 'finer mana control,' whatever that means."

Phyro chuckled at Yenta's misfortune, but his mind was elsewhere. As they entered the cafeteria, his golden eyes scanned the room until they landed on Lana, who sat at a nearby table, chatting with some other students.

She had her usual confident posture, a fork idly twirling in her hand as she spoke. Something about the way she casually interacted with others—the way she always seemed so sure of herself—was just… cool. Phyro smirked to himself.

Klein, noticing the look in his eyes, groaned. "Oh no… Phyro, don't."

"Oh, I absolutely will."

Yenta raised an eyebrow. "Do what?"

"Watch and learn," Phyro said, striding toward Lana's table.

Klein and Yenta exchanged looks before following behind at a safe distance.

Lana looked up as Phyro approached. She raised an eyebrow, clearly suspicious. "What do you want, troublemaker?"

Phyro smirked but took a breath, steeling himself. He put a hand on the table and leaned slightly forward.

"Alright, listen, Lana. I think you're cool, you're strong, and let's be honest—I'm pretty great too. So, how about it?" He grinned. "You and me, going out together—like, as a couple?"

The table went silent.

For a moment, Lana just stared at him.

Then—she laughed.

"Pfft! Hah! Good one, Phyro," she said, shaking her head. "You're really committed to this teasing act, huh?"

Phyro blinked. "Wait, no, I—"

She waved him off, smirking. "Nice try. Maybe next time, I'll actually fall for one of your jokes."

She went back to eating, completely unaware of how hard she had just hit him.

Phyro stood there, frozen.

It took him a second to process what just happened. His confident grin faded, and for the first time in a long while, he felt… off. Empty.

She really thought he was joking.

He had actually been serious, but she didn't even consider it a possibility.

Phyro felt his chest tighten.

"Yeah… haha… you got me," he muttered, forcing a chuckle before turning away.

As he walked back to his table, he felt the weight in his stomach grow heavier. His usual confident stride was gone, replaced by something sluggish.

Klein and Yenta had watched the entire thing.

"She rejected you, huh?" Klein asked.

"No," Phyro mumbled. "She just… didn't take me seriously."

The way he said it made Klein frown. Phyro wasn't the type to let things get to him. He always had a joke, always had a comeback. But now?

He just stared at his food, not even touching it.

Yenta glanced at Klein. "That… was kinda rough."

Klein sighed. "Yeah."

For the rest of lunch, Phyro barely spoke.

After lunch, the students began heading to their next classes. Klein and Yenta got up to leave, but when they turned, Phyro was still sitting there, staring blankly at his untouched food.

"You coming?" Klein asked.

Phyro blinked, snapping out of his daze. "Nah. I… I think I'm just gonna go back to the dorm."

Klein frowned. Phyro never skipped class. If anything, he liked showing off too much to miss a chance to impress people.

"Are you—"

"I'll be fine," Phyro said quickly, already walking away.

Klein watched as he left the cafeteria, his usually confident energy completely gone.

Phyro walked straight to his dorm, locked the door, and collapsed onto his bed.

For a while, he just stared at the ceiling.

His mind replayed the moment over and over.

Her laughter.

The way she didn't even hesitate to brush him off.

He wasn't mad at her. It wasn't like she had been cruel about it. But for some reason, the fact that she never even considered it serious stung more than an actual rejection.

He had never been rejected before in this world. He had always been the prodigy, the special one. But this… this was different.

His chest felt tight, and before he even realized it, his eyes started to burn.

His vision blurred, and tears spilled onto his pillow.

He hadn't cried since coming to this world. Not from training, not from fights, not even from being punished.

But this?

This hurt.

He turned onto his side, gripping his blanket as he let the sadness sink in.

Klein, Yenta, and Lana Go Looking for Phyro

By the time the last class of the day ended, Phyro still hadn't left his dorm.

Klein was walking toward the dorms when he heard someone call his name.

"Hey," Lana said, crossing her arms. "Where's Phyro? He didn't show up to class after lunch."

Klein sighed, already having a bad feeling about this. "He went straight to our dorm. Hasn't come out since."

Yenta frowned. "That's… not normal for him."

"Yeah, well, he's acting weird today." Klein glanced at Lana. "I think I know why."

Lana raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Klein exhaled. "Let's just go check on him."

As they walked to the dorms, Lana still had no idea what she had done.

But she was about to find out.

End of Chapter