Ashern City - Reinhart Institute of War, 6th of Brightforge, year 315 UC
Bryan sat at his desk, documenting the day's matches. The scratching of his pen against paper filled the otherwise silent room as he analyzed each duel.
'There's a significant difference between hearing about someone's abilities and witnessing them firsthand.'
He'd been surprised by several performances today. While most students had fought for what was becoming student standard, a few had caught his attention—primarily those ranked in the top seven. His own team had performed adequately, with one notable exception.
Alexander had lost every single match.
After his first defeat, the other students had quickly identified him as an easy target. When his turn came to select opponents, Alexander had been forced to choose Alessia and Bryan for his final matches, as no one else would volunteer to face Bryan after his decisive victories against Julius and Victor.
Bryan paused, tapping his pen against the paper. The damage to Alexander's confidence was evident, despite the team's attempts to console him.
'It's a hurdle he needed to cross eventually. Better now than later.'
Surprisingly, Marcellus had emerged as the day's dark horse—the only student outside the top ten who had genuinely impressed Bryan. His fighting style wasn't particularly innovative, but the other students had failed to counter it effectively, allowing him to win all his matches.
'If I'm not mistaken, Marcellus is Alexander's roommate. I should ask about him next time we meet.'
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. Bryan frowned, checking the time.
'Who would be visiting at this hour? It's nearly lights out.'
He rose from his desk and crossed to the door, pulling it open to find Farrah standing in the hallway, covering a yawn with one hand.
"Farrah."
He said as he gave her a once-over. She was wearing a purple loose-fitting shirt and white fluffy pants. Her brown hair was put into a bun.
It was an oddity seeing her outside of her uniform or training clothes.
"What are you doing here?"
Farrah lowered her hand, blinking away the sleepiness from her eyes.
"May I come in?"
Bryan hesitated for a moment. His first instinct was to say no, but if she were here this late, it had to be for a good reason.
At least he hoped so as he stepped aside to let her enter. He glanced down the empty hallway before closing the door behind her.
"It's late."
He stated, watching as she took in his room with curious eyes.
"Almost lights out."
"I know."
Farrah said, turning to face him.
"But I needed to talk to you, and it couldn't wait until morning."
Bryan crossed his arms, leaning against the door.
"What's so urgent?"
Farrah's bright green eyes met his.
"It's about Alexander."
Bryan glanced toward the window before moving back to his desk. He closed his notebook as Farrah watched him, her eyes following his movements.
"Did you hear me?"
She asked, stepping closer.
"I did."
Bryan replied flatly.
"Then what are you doing?"
"Nothing."
Farrah pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a long breath.
"So that's it?"
"Alexander lost. He was disappointed by his performance, but overall it was a good learning experience for him."
Bryan took a seat in his chair.
"For all of the team. All he has to do is get stronger."
"It's not that simple, and it won't happen just like that."
Farrah's voice rose slightly.
"You can't just tell him to get stronger and expect instant results. Didn't you see him? Alexander was more than disappointed. Out of all our team, he's the only one who lost all his matches. Out of everyone dueling, he's the only one. That kind of thing has an impact on you."
Bryan's expression didn't change. He was not worried about Bryan in the least bit. Other people were not his concern.
But that wasn't true. The Inquisition wanted him to keep an eye on Alessia and make sure she graduated. So, there was at least one person he had to be worried about.
"I don't know what you want me to do. Want me to tell Alexander to drop out? Because if that's what you want, then by all means, we can tell him tomorrow morning."
"What? No!"
Farrah's eyes widened in shock.
"What kind of fucked up mindset do you have to believe I want our teammate to drop out? It isn't even the official school term yet."
"I'm just laying out the options."
Bryan shrugged.
"His ether control is poor, so his bubbles don't hold well, his offensive ability is essentially nonexsistent. Maybe if he didn't have so many flaws he could excel, but we realistically can't do anything. And I also don't want to do anything."
Farrah sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly.
"I know, but it's so frustrating."
"If that's all, then you can leave."
Bryan turned back to his desk.
Farrah crossed her arms, staring at him in disbelief.
"No, that is not all."
"What now?"
"Sabrina."
Bryan's jaw tightened.
First she brought up Alexander, and now Sabrina?
He had no problem with the girl, he put her in her place two days ago. If anything, she had an issue with him, and that was something she would have to get over.
Because he was done with it.
"Look, you're not my mother. I don't need you to come to me complaining about other people and their problems. I already have enough on my plate to deal with. If Sabrina has an issue, she can figure it out."
"You're the team captain now, so you can't just leave these people be."
Farrah's lips curved into a knowing smirk.
"I had a feeling you would act this way, which is why I came to you. If you didn't want to be bothered, you shouldn't have answered the door, or let me in."
"One, I answered the door because I assumed it might be one of the instructors considering the time of night. No student would be looking for me."
Bryan held up a finger, then added a second.
"And two, I recently learned from Christopher that people view me as rude or arrogant."
"That's because you are."
Farrah interjected.
"I don't really care what other people think of me, but since we're on the same team, and I want to 'try' and be less rude, which is why I didn't slam the door in your face."
He leaned back in his chair.
"Also, I felt you should be rewarded for being a standout for our team."
"Gee, thanks. So being let into your room is a reward?"
Farrah laughed, looking around the barren space.
His room was still lacking decorations, or even basic flair. There was nothing present that told you someone lived here besides his notebook that was on the desk. Even now, his bed was made up, closet closed, bathroom door closed, and no pictures in sight.
"No, but allowing you to annoy me for ten minutes is more than a reward."
"Can you be serious?"
"Why do you think I'm not serious?"
Bryan asked.
"No one would say the things you do and mean it."
"I've never once not been serious."
Bryan leaned forward slightly.
"You know a little bit about me, so what makes you think that?"
"Is this about you being an orphan?"
She asked.
"So you do remember."
"Hard to forget. It's only been four days."
Farrah leaned against his desk, studying him.
"Look, friends look out for one another. They fight, they argue, and they make up, only to do it all over again later on."
Bryan raised an eyebrow.
"So we're friends now?"
Farrah rolled her eyes.
"Whatever you think, we are a team for better or worse. While you can be an ass, I don't think that's all you are. Even if you play the orphan card."
"I don't make excuses for my behavior and don't expect others to do it either."
"That's not what I'm saying."
"Isn't it? Because that's what it sounds like."
"See, this is what I'm talking about. You seem to be getting riled up, but why?"
"I am far from being angry."
"Sure."
Farrah crossed her arms.
"You can't keep being yourself as captain. It just won't work, not with the way things are currently."
"I don't plan on changing for anyone."
Bryan's eyes narrowed suddenly as he heard a faint whisper. The voice was familiar—one he hadn't heard in a long time.
"Promise me that you'll never lower yourself to fit someone else's standards."
The womanly voice whispered in Ms. Kelly's tone.
"Is something wrong?"
Farrah asked, noticing his sudden distraction.
"No."
Bryan shook his head, then looked directly into Farrah's eyes.
"You know what, let's give it a shot."
Farrah's eyes widened in surprise.
"What gives?"
"So you want me to change and be a better captain, but then question me when I'm doing what you want? Sounds like you can't make up your mind."
"This is just so unlike you."
Farrah studied him suspiciously.
"I was sure I would have to wear you down over the next few days to get you to at least give it a shot."
"You don't know me as well as you think you do."
Bryan's words hung in the air between them.
Farrah considered him for a moment, her green eyes studying his face as if searching for something hidden beneath his impassive exterior.
"You're right."
She said finally.
"We should change that."
Bryan raised an eyebrow, suspicious of her sudden shift in tone.
"What do you mean?"
A small smile played across Farrah's lips as she settled more comfortably against his desk.
"Let's play a game."
"A game?"
Bryan repeated flatly.
"You do know what time it is right? It's almost lights out."
"It won't take long."
Farrah assured him.
"We each ask one question, and the other person has to answer honestly. You can choose not to answer, but you only get three passes total."
Bryan stared at her, trying to determine her angle. He could not for the life of him understand what was going on in that head of hers.
"And the point of this is...?"
"To get to know each other better."
Farrah said simply.
"We take turns asking questions. When someone uses all three passes or when we decide we've had enough, the game ends."
Bryan took a moment to consider this. Anything difficult to answer he could just pass on, or lie. Not like she would know if it was a lie or not.
If anything, it would help him tweak her profile better to better understand the choices she make in the future.
He wondered how honest she would be, and if this game was even worth his time. Ms. Kelly would tell him he should do it, but she was also dead.
His father would consider this a chance to gain information.
But, what did he want?
"Who goes first?"
He asked finally.
"You can, if you want."
Bryan didn't waste the opportunity.
"Why are you really here?"
Farrah blinked, clearly caught off guard by the directness of his question. She opened her mouth, then closed it again, considering her response carefully.
"That's... not what I expected you to ask."
She admitted.
"You said honest answers."
Bryan reminded her.
Farrah sighed, running a hand over her hair.
"I'm here because I'm worried about our team."
She began, then shook her head.
"No, that's not entirely true. I'm here because I'm curious about you."
She met his gaze directly.
"There's something about you that doesn't add up. You're clearly trained, but you act like you've never been part of a team before. You're skilled enough to be ranked first, yet you seem completely uninterested in the achievement."
"That's more than one answer."
Bryan observed.
"They're all part of the same truth."
Farrah countered.
"I'm here because I can't figure you out, and it bothers me."
"My turn."
Farrah said, straightening up.
"Where did you learn to fight like that?"
Bryan's expression didn't change, but he took a moment before answering.
"I had a mentor who was... thorough."
He finally said.
"He believed in practical experience over theory. Most of what I know came from actual combat situations."
Farrah frowned slightly.
"That's not really an answer."
"It's the truth."
Bryan replied evenly.
Farrah studied him for a moment longer, then nodded, accepting the answer for what it was.
"Your turn."
She said.
Bryan thought for a moment.
"Why did you choose to attend Reinhart instead of staying in Dynosis? I'm sure there are prestigious academies closer to home."
Farrah seemed surprised by the question.
"You've done your research."
"You mentioned you're from there."
Bryan said with a shrug.
"The truth?"
Farrah glanced toward the window, her expression growing distant.
"I wanted to prove something."
"To who?"
"That's another question."
She pointed out with a small smile.
"But I'll answer anyway. To myself, primarily."
"In Dynosis, I was treated as a curiosity—the Althor family's unusual daughter. Here, I'm just another student trying to make her way. My magic is still unusual, but it's my skills that matter, not my lineage or the rarity of my attribute."
She turned back to him.
"My turn. What happened to your parents?"
Bryan's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
Veron was his father, but the man was distant and strict. His mother was dead, so was his sister. And Veron's demonor took a turn for the worse when that happened, causing him to leave Bryan at the orphanage.
At least, that's what he told him.
He felt a sharp pain behind his eye when he thought about the past. Bryan took this as a sign that there was a headache coming.
He best be quick with this game they were playing.
"They are no longer here. I was left at an orphanage as an infant."
"I'm sorry."
Farrah said softly.
"I never knew them, so I can't miss what I never had."
"My turn."
Bryan continued.
"Why are you always sticking your nose in other people's problems? Like when you approached me for that duel the other day."
Farrah's eyes widened slightly, then narrowed.
"I'm not always doing that."
Bryan gave her a skeptical look.
"Fine."
She sighed.
"I don't like to see people struggle, so I help out where I can. It frustrates me when the answer is so simple, but people just don't want to do it."
"And you think you know the answers to everyone's problems?"
Bryan asked.
"That's another question."
Farrah reminded him with a slight smile.
"My turn. Why did you come to Reinhart?"
That was an easy answer surrounded by complexities.
"Pass."
Farrah nodded.
"That's one."
"Do you think Alexander will make it through this camp?"
Bryan asked, changing the subject.
Farrah hesitated, her expression conflicted.
"Pass."
She replied after a long moment.
Bryan raised an eyebrow but didn't comment on her choice.
"What city did you grow up in?"
Farrah asked.
"Cintra."
Bryan replied without hesitation.
Farrah nodded.
"A small town, right? Between Dustwell and Cirrugor?"
"That's another question."
Bryan pointed out.
"Do you know anything about Alessia's background?"
Farrah shook her head.
"No, my family never traveled to the capital. The only thing I know about Alessia is what I've heard from others."
"Which is?"
"You sure like to ask those extra questions."
Farrah teased him with a grin.
"All I know is that she's from a noble family, that she's dangerous, and that she has poor control over her magic. But I try not to put too much stock in rumors."
She straightened up slightly.
"Why do you keep people at a distance?"
Bryan laughed, the sound surprisingly genuine but devoid of warmth.
"Because people are a liability."
Farrah's expression sobered at his answer.
"What do you plan on doing with your time tomorrow?"
Bryan asked. He was only slightly curious, but the question was more of a distraction than anything else.
Farrah seemed slightly taken aback by the sudden shift in topic.
"I plan on going out with Sabrina, she wants to see the city."
She said after a moment.
"What about you? Are you going to use your day pass?"
"That's your question?"
Bryan asked.
Farrah shook her head.
"No, just curious. My actual question is: what was it like at the orphanage?"
Bryan's expression hardened.
"Pass."
He said, his voice cold.
"That's two."
Farrah noted quietly.
"If you ever had to kill someone, could you do it?"
Bryan asked, his eyes fixed on hers.
"Even if they were close to you."
Farrah stared at him, clearly startled by the question.
"I... I don't know."
She admitted finally.
"I'd like to think I'd never be in that position."
Bryan nodded.
She leaned forward.
"Do you ever let anyone see the real you? Or is this cold, analytical persona all there is?"
The question struck uncomfortably close to home. Bryan wasn't even sure who the "real" him was anymore—the child from the orphanage, the Inquisition's weapon, or something else entirely.
"This is who I am. Take it or leave it."
He said flatly.
Farrah studied him for a long moment.
"I don't believe that, but I'll respect your answer. Your turn."
"What's your biggest regret?"
Farrah's expression clouded. For a moment, Bryan thought she might pass, but she took a deep breath instead.
"When I was thirteen, there was an incident at a formal gathering in Dynosis. A human merchant's son made some... comments about my friendship with Randel and the others. Called it an abomination, said I was going against nature."
Her hands clenched slightly at the memory.
"I lost control. Created a light so bright it temporarily blinded several guests."
She shook her head.
"No one was permanently harmed, but it caused a diplomatic incident. My father had to make significant concessions to smooth things over."
"If you were going to do something, you should have followed through."
Bryan told her.
A surprised laugh escaped Farrah.
"Maybe, but that's not the point. I regret losing control, letting someone's ignorance affect me that way."
She met his gaze.
"I suspect you understand that better than most."
Bryan didn't confirm or deny it, but something in his expression must have given him away.
"Would you play this same game with the other members of our team?"
Farrah asked.
Bryan considered the question for a moment.
"Pass."
He said finally.
"That's three."
"Game over then."
Farrah said quietly, but she didn't move to leave. Instead, she studied him with an unreadable expression.
"Unless you want to keep going without the passes?"
Bryan shook his head.
"No. I think we're done."
Farrah nodded and finally stood up from where she'd been leaning against his desk.
"Thank you for playing. I know it wasn't easy for you."
"It was just a game."
Bryan said dismissively.
"Was it?"
Farrah asked, her green eyes searching his face.
"I think we both know it was more than that."
Bryan didn't respond, simply watching as she moved toward the door.
"For what it's worth."
Farrah said, pausing with her hand on the doorknob.
"I learned more about you from the questions you wouldn't answer than from the ones you did."
"Is that so?"
Bryan asked more than stated..
"People who view others as liabilities usually learned that lesson the hard way."
Farrah said softly.
"Whatever happened to you in Cintra... I'm sorry."
Before he could say anything else, she quickly added.
"Alexander is working on those profiles you asked for. He's taking it very seriously—hasn't slept much. Just thought you should know."
She slipped out into the hallway, closing the door softly behind her.
Bryan stared at the closed door for a long moment, replaying their conversation in his mind. He'd revealed more than he intended, yet somehow less than he feared.
He turned back to his desk, opening his notebook again. As he picked up his pen, his eyes fell on the spot where Farrah had been sitting. Something about her parting words lingered in his mind.
Whatever happened to you in Cintra... I'm sorry.
Bryan closed his eyes, searching his memories. It was such a long time ago, he doubted anyone could recall the exact details that took place there. He only truly recalled Ms. Kelly, but even then he couldn't remember what she looked like.
Bryan's hand tightened around his pen. He opened his eyes and began writing again, forcing himself to focus on the task at hand. The past was irrelevant. All that mattered was the mission, the path forward.
Yet as he worked late into the night, Farrah's presence seemed to linger in the room like a ghost. There was something about her that made him want to lower his guard, if only for a moment. It was a dangerous feeling—one he couldn't afford to indulge.
People were liabilities. Getting close to them only complicated things. He'd learned that lesson well.
Hadn't he?
Bryan frowned, unable to shake the sense that something important was missing from his memories. He set down his pen and moved to the window, looking out at the moonlit campus grounds.
Tomorrow, most of the students would be heading into the city, enjoying their brief freedom. He'd planned to stay behind, to train.
But for the first time in a long while, Bryan found himself questioning his own decisions.
"Promise me that you'll never lower yourself to fit someone else's standards."
The memory of those words, spoken in Ms. Kelly's voice, returned to him. But try as he might, he couldn't recall when she had said them, or in what context.
Bryan turned away from the window, his decision made. He would stick to his original plan. Stay at the academy. Train. Focus on the mission.
It was what he was supposed to do.
So why did it suddenly feel like he was missing something important?
'Wait a moment. Couldn't she have asked about Alexander and Sabrina in the morning?'