And Now?

I still couldn't believe I had actually done it. The sword reverted into the amber crystal, and I put it away in my pocket. The catalyst now seemed to carry a different weight, as if it were a part of me. My hands were still trembling, the adrenaline slowly decreasing as I processed the fact that I had defeated Lyra for the first time.

"You're ready."

She smiled, breathless, before letting herself drop onto the floor. Sweat ran down her face. Lyra didn't take any battle lightly. Every fight, every training session was intense and real. The victory carried an immense meaning.

Darin's jaw had dropped. During the duel, he hadn't been able to stay seated, leaning forward every time my sword and Lyra's crossed. It took a while for him to regain control of himself, and when he did, he ran toward me. His hug was so strong and energetic that we both fell to the floor.

"I can't believe you beat her."

He got up first while I was still stunned on the ground. He then looked at Lyra, slightly concerned.

"I'm fine," she said before Darin could ask anything. "You can celebrate."

Darin pulled me into another tight hug, and this time we fell to the side, one on top of the other. In the heat of the moment, he even lost his usual shyness around Lyra.

"Seriously, that was incredible. I couldn't even keep up with your movements. It was just a whoosh, then a pow... then came the mist, and suddenly you had your sword to her neck!"

From the way he described it, the feint must have looked amazing from the outside. I wondered if it had just been a lucky shot, but by Darin's reaction, it seemed like it was more than that. Perhaps it was a viable strategy for the tournament.

"Aw, damn it," Lyra said, letting her body fall back onto the floor beside us. "I didn't think you'd actually win."

The three of us were now lying down, looking up at the high ceiling of the hall, giving our bodies and minds time to relax.

"And now?" I asked.

"Now I can let you participate in the tournament without fear of embarrassment," she replied with a light laugh.

"Does that mean you won't train me anymore?"

"Well... we won't have as much time as we do now. Besides, you're already prepared enough."

Hearing from her mouth that I was prepared made me feel happier and more relaxed. It meant I had a real chance in the tournament. Maybe the mission to win the grimoire wasn't so impossible, and I could finally get the information about summoning magic I needed to find my sister.

Still, the idea that those moments together were coming to an end gave me a lump in my throat. In just a few weeks, we had established a genuine relationship of support. Thinking that this could dissipate gave me a pang of anxiety.

"So... we won't see each other anymore?"

"Is that what you want?"

"I mean... without the training, we won't have many reasons to see each other."

"So you only saw me as a tool for your progress?" She raised an eyebrow, faking indignation. "I thought we'd become friends."

Her words caught me by surprise. To me, our relationship had always seemed circumstantial, a temporary agreement for the tournament. I imagined that once it was over, each of us would go our own way. But... did she really consider me a friend?

In the old world, I had spent so much time alone that I got used to isolation. I even questioned whether I had ever had real friends. But here, without me realizing it, I had built this bond with Lyra.

So this is what it's like to have friends.

While I was lost in thought, a furious gaze pierced me. A chill ran down my spine instantly, and I turned my face, afraid of what it might be.

"You can't be so cold with her," Darin said with a serious expression.

I knew that behind that act, he was hiding an inner fear. If I distanced myself from Lyra, he would lose his excuse to see her. That's what he was more worried about, not so much my feelings.

"Calm down, Darin. I don't intend to cut off the relationship we built."

"You better not."

I managed to calm him down, and Lyra laughed at the scene between us.

"You guys are so silly."

She covered her face as she laughed. Despite the defeat, she didn't seem upset. I could even say she was more relaxed than I had ever seen her, more carefree and light.

"By the way, I don't think I ever asked you," she said, turning her head toward me. "Why do you want to join the tournament so badly?"

"That's right, you never told me that," Darin also leaned in.

It was true. Only Nina and Professor Arven knew. It wasn't exactly a secret, but I didn't feel the need to share it with everyone. However, lying there with them, the omission felt unnecessary in that moment.

"My real goal is the grimoire."

"What's so important about it? Isn't it just an old summoning book that no one can read?" Darin asked.

"It is. But it's the best lead I have to understand that kind of magic."

"So that's why you're always in Professor Arven's office. You have some very specific interests," he commented.

"But I doubt you'd dedicate yourself so much just for a book. There must be something more, right?" Lyra said, perceptive.

"I was with my sister when a light swallowed us whole. But when I arrived here, I was alone. Later, I found out that it was summoning magic. So the grimoire is just a means. The true reason is to get information to find my sister."

A brief silence took over. Maybe I had made the atmosphere too heavy. Still, it wouldn't be fair to hide my true motivation from those who had helped me so much.

"Changing the subject..." I said, addressing Lyra to lighten the atmosphere. "I've never seen you with your sword from the last tournament."

"I sold it."

"You sold it?" Darin and I said in unison, shocked.

Lyra leaned back on the floor and sighed before explaining. "My mother got sick. So I had to sell it to a collector to get money for the treatment. In the end, my mother got well, so I don't regret it."

"Sorry for asking."

Darin then suddenly sat up. He seemed determined.

"Don't worry. I'll get your sword back and return it to you."

Lyra was silent for a moment, observing his sudden reaction. And then she replied with a bright smile that made Darin's legs weak.

"I'll be waiting then."

I had been so focused on my own goals and so concentrated on my studies and training that I hadn't realized I was surrounded by people who also had their own problems. People who, despite everything, kept moving forward and still found the strength to support others.

I still had a lot to learn, but I felt like I was on the right path. I was with people I could trust, people I could call friends. And, unlike the Haru from before the teleportation, I no longer longed for isolation. Being surrounded by people... wasn't so bad after all.