Kaito was still staring at his hands long after the duel ended. The faint tingling sensation from the shield of light lingered, a strange reminder that, for the first time, he’d successfully cast magic.
“You did well,” Amara said, her voice soft.
He turned to her, unsure how to respond. “That wasn’t just me,” he said. “You did something. I felt it.”
Amara’s expression didn’t change, but he caught the faintest flicker of hesitation in her eyes. “I only guided what was already there. The power was yours.”
Kaito frowned, unconvinced. “I’ve been trying for years, and nothing’s ever worked. Why now?”
Amara crossed her arms, her gaze distant. “The Ethereal Compass... it might have awakened something in you. Or maybe it just amplified what was already dormant.”
Kaito sighed, frustrated. “So, I’m still just an accident. Great.”
Her eyes narrowed, her tone sharpening. “Don’t say that. Magic isn’t an accident—it’s a choice. You chose to cast that spell, even when you didn’t think you could. That’s what matters.”
Her words struck something in him, a quiet reassurance he hadn’t realized he needed.
---
Late Nights in the Library
The library became their refuge. Late at night, when the rest of the academy slept, Kaito and Amara pored over ancient texts, searching for answers about the Ethereal Compass.
“You’re surprisingly good at this,” Amara admitted one evening, watching as Kaito deciphered a particularly complex rune.
“Years of failing every practical exam has to count for something,” he joked, though there was a hint of bitterness in his tone.
Amara’s gaze softened. “You’re not a failure. If anything, you’ve adapted. That’s more than most people can say.”
Kaito blinked, taken aback. It wasn’t often that Amara offered compliments, let alone ones that felt so genuine.
“Thanks,” he muttered, feeling his cheeks warm.
The silence that followed was comfortable, the kind of silence that didn’t need filling. For the first time, Kaito realized he didn’t feel so alone anymore.
---
A Glimpse of the Past
During one of their late-night research sessions, Amara hesitated before pulling out a worn leather journal.
“This belonged to my brother,” she said quietly.
Kaito looked up, surprised. “You have a brother?”
“Had,” she corrected, her voice heavy with emotion. “He disappeared years ago. He was the one who found the Ethereal Compass.”
She opened the journal, revealing pages filled with intricate sketches and notes. The writing was hurried and uneven, as though her brother had been racing against time.
“He believed the compass could unlock the secrets of reality,” she explained. “But the more he used it, the more unstable it became. One day, it took him somewhere, and he never came back.”
Kaito stared at the journal, his chest tightening. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Amara’s lips pressed into a thin line. “That’s why I’m so careful with it. I can’t let it take anyone else.”
Her vulnerability caught him off guard. For so long, she’d been an enigma, her icy demeanor keeping everyone at arm’s length. But now, he saw the cracks beneath the surface—the grief, the fear, and the determination that drove her.
“You’re not alone in this,” he said, meeting her gaze. “We’ll figure it out. Together.”
For a moment, her expression softened, and Kaito thought he saw a glimmer of gratitude in her eyes.
---
The Festival of Starlight
The Festival of Starlight was one of Astralis Academy’s most cherished traditions. The campus was transformed into a glittering wonderland, with lanterns floating in the air and music filling the night.
Kaito wasn’t much for festivals, but Amara had insisted they attend.
“It’s tradition,” she said simply, though Kaito suspected she had other reasons.
The two of them wandered through the crowds, the festive atmosphere feeling strangely out of place given the weight of their recent discoveries.
“You don’t strike me as the festival type,” Kaito teased, watching as Amara examined a stall selling enchanted trinkets.
She shrugged. “I’m not. But sometimes it’s nice to pretend things are normal.”
Her words lingered in the air, a quiet reminder of how far from normal their lives had become.
As the night wore on, they found themselves standing at the edge of the lake, the water reflecting the countless lanterns floating above.
“It’s beautiful,” Kaito said, his voice hushed.
Amara didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she glanced at him, her expression unreadable. “Kaito,” she began, her tone unusually hesitant, “why are you helping me?”
He turned to her, confused. “What do you mean?”
“You could have walked away,” she said. “This isn’t your fight. So why stay?”
Kaito thought for a moment before answering. “Because you didn’t walk away when I needed help,” he said simply. “And because I care.”
Amara’s eyes widened slightly, the faintest hint of color rising to her cheeks. She looked away, her voice barely audible. “You’re a fool.”
“Maybe,” Kaito said, smiling. “But I’m your fool.”
She didn’t respond, but the corner of her mouth twitched, as though fighting back a smile.
---
Shared Training
As Kaito’s magic continued to develop, Amara took it upon herself to train him.
“You’ve got potential,” she said one morning, tossing him a practice wand. “But potential means nothing without discipline.”
The training sessions were grueling, but they brought them closer. Amara’s sharp critiques were balanced by moments of encouragement, and Kaito found himself looking forward to the time they spent together.
“You’re improving,” she admitted one day, watching as he successfully conjured a small flame.
“High praise coming from you,” he teased.
She rolled her eyes but didn’t deny it.
---
Unspoken Tensions
Despite their growing bond, there were moments of tension between them. Amara’s tendency to keep secrets frustrated Kaito, and his impulsiveness often clashed with her cautious nature.
“You can’t just rush into things without thinking!” she snapped after he attempted a dangerous spell without her guidance.
“And you can’t keep shutting me out!” he shot back. “We’re supposed to be partners, remember?”
Her expression softened, guilt flickering in her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “I just… I can’t lose anyone else.”
Her vulnerability disarmed him, and he stepped closer, his voice gentle. “You’re not going to lose me.”
For a moment, their eyes met, the unspoken connection between them growing stronger.
---
The Dance of Stars
As the Festival of Starlight drew to a close, the students gathered for the final event: the Dance of Stars.
Kaito and Amara stood at the edge of the crowd, watching as couples moved gracefully across the enchanted dance floor, the stars above seeming to move in time with the music.
“Dance with me,” Kaito said suddenly, holding out his hand.
Amara blinked, taken aback. “What?”
“You heard me,” he said, grinning. “Come on. It’s tradition, right?”
She hesitated, but the look in his eyes was enough to convince her. With a sigh, she took his hand.
They moved awkwardly at first, but soon fell into a rhythm. For a brief moment, the weight of their responsibilities faded, leaving only the two of them and the music.
“You’re terrible at this,” Amara said, though there was a hint of laughter in her voice.
“So are you,” Kaito shot back, grinning.
As the song ended, Amara looked up at him, her expression soft. “Thank you,” she said quietly.
“For what?”
“For reminding me what it feels like to be human.”
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