Date: Evening, after Sparring Session
Location: Dormitory Room (Nitsuo's Room)
---
Mireille is not just some wandering knight or guest instructor. She's David's sub-teacher — the only one who can speak to him without flinching, or being ignored.
Some students say they were comrades in a past campaign. Others whisper they were something more.
I don't care about rumors. But I do respect her sword.
This morning's sparring was her idea. David nodded once. That was all the approval she needed.
The duels were one-on-one.
Most ended in bruises or humility.
Mine ended in silence.
---
Rovian, the flame mage, had challenged me. Called me out in front of everyone.
I didn't cast a single spell.
I didn't need to.
Instead, I pointed out every flaw in his technique.
His wasted mana.
His broken rhythm.
His inherited, but unrefined, form.
He collapsed after his last cast. Mana exhaustion.
I walked off without a word. Mireille simply said:
> "Teaching someone in the middle of a duel.
That's… very David of you."
I think she meant it as a compliment. I think.
---
Evening – Dormitory Room 27B
My room isn't large. But tonight, it held more warmth than space.
Leander was the first to burst in — already reenacting my duel using two spoons and a teacup.
> "And then the great Silent Tactician walks around the poor soul like this, quoting spell mechanics like bedtime stories!"
Riya laughed so hard she nearly fell off the bed.
Anna cheered and handed Leander a third spoon.
Gideon sat near the window, nodding with a slight smile.
Elric brought in warm bread and herbal tea.
Even Alice was here, arms crossed, pretending to read a book — but her lips betrayed the ghost of a smile.
And Lily?
She sat in the far corner at first. Quiet. Distant. But…
Anna had dragged her in. Somehow, those two — the sunshine mage and the moonlit flower — had found something in common. Maybe it was Anna's persistence. Or maybe Lily just needed someone who didn't treat her like a pedestal.
Riya joined their conversation halfway through.
Before I knew it, the three were whispering and laughing softly — the kind of laugh that doesn't need attention. Just comfort.
I didn't interrupt.
I just watched. Let myself feel that moment.
> No battlefield. No pressure.
Just… people. My people.
---
Later, as the group thinned out, Alice handed me a note.
> "Don't let them praise you too much," she said. "Your ego's already halfway to the ceiling."
I smiled. Folded the note into my journal. I'll read it later.
When the room finally emptied, Lily remained behind for a few minutes.
We didn't talk much. Just cleaned up cups, folded a few blankets. But before she left, she said:
> "That was kind… what you did during the duel."
I looked at her. "It wasn't kindness. He needed to learn."
She shrugged gently. "Sometimes that's the kindest thing of all."
She left without another word.
I stayed by the window a little longer. Looked up at the stars.
Tomorrow will bring another lesson, another challenge.
But tonight…
> We laughed.
We healed.
We grew closer.
And that might be the most powerful thing we've done all week.