Five days later—two days after Akiko first woke up—Azazul finally opened his eyes for the first time.
He looked toward the bed that had since become Akiko's. Seeing it empty, he tried to stand, but his head immediately spun. He dropped back down with a groan.
"Yeahhhh… I stood up way too fast. On second thought, do I really want to get out of bed? It was so nice without the training…"
After a few minutes of debating with himself, he pushed to his feet again and slowly exited the cabin.
Matthew sat by the fire. When he noticed Azazul, he grinned.
"Oh, you're finally awake. Here—some sausage stew. It's still warm. You can take some bread too—fresh out of the oven."
Azazul accepted the bowl and the three rolls of bread, then asked, "Where is Akiko?"
Matthew pointed toward the left edge of the carved-out platform.
Azazul followed his gesture and spotted a graceful figure in a long white tunic sitting at the cliff's edge. Her black hair danced in the wind, making her look almost unreal. If he hadn't known her, he might've mistaken her for an angel—or a fairy.
He walked over quietly and sat down beside her, on her left.
Breaking off a piece of bread, he dipped it into the stew.
This is so gooooood!!
Azazul was overwhelmed. His tastebuds felt enlightened.
Akiko spoke suddenly, her tone nonchalant.
"It's good, isn't it?"
Azazul let out a small laugh.
"Yes, it's very delicious."
A moment of silence passed.
"Akiko… be honest with me. Before I passed out… you were bleeding. What happened?"
"I was fighting the Corrupted Beast and it slashed my face," she said calmly. "Then you came—or rather that freaky eye of yours came—and destroyed it."
She turned to look at him. Her uncovered azure blue eye met his mismatched pair.
"No need to worry. It's not like I'm dead. So finish your food—we've got core training. We don't want those royalty brats getting ahead of us."
Azazul stayed silent, eating a few more bites. Then, cutting through the peaceful quiet like a blade, he said:
"Akiko… I know I did it."
Akiko didn't respond at first. Then, in an even voice, she asked, "Did what?"
"I know I was the one who slashed your face. I—"
"Don't say it," Akiko interrupted sharply.
Azazul set his bowl on the ground. He slammed his fist into the stone platform.
"Why not?! Akiko, I slashed your face! What if I had killed you? Now you have a scar, and people are going to stare because of what I did!"
Akiko was quiet for a long moment. Then she looked out over the horizon.
"And yet I'm not dead. Not yet, anyway. And I don't care if people stare—as long as you don't look at me like that."
She added softly,
"Weirdo… it isn't your fault."
"Yes, it is," Azazul shot back. "We should've turned back. But I insisted I had a plan, and look where that got us."
"I said it's fine. Alright?"
He swallowed hard.
"C-can I at least see? Will you show me what I've done?"
Akiko sighed, then slowly began unwrapping the bandages. As she did, Azazul's heart pounded. His emotions churned, a lump forming so thick in his throat he could hardly swallow.
When she finished and looked straight at him, time seemed to stop.
The same beautiful girl sat in front of him—but with a fresh wound beginning at the left side of her forehead, cutting down between her eyes, past her right eye, down to her cheek. His body trembled at the reality that he was the one who caused it.
He lowered his gaze in shame. His plan had blown up in his face with nuclear force. He had wanted to protect Akiko from the beginning, yet she had come face-to-face with death at his hand.
Akiko broke the silence.
"I knew about your plan to keep me safe. That's why I didn't want to tell you what happened. I guess what I'm trying to say is… I don't blame you. You weren't conscious. And I don't want things to change between us."
Azazul looked at her, voice low.
"Akiko, I'm sorry. I wanted to protect you. I wanted to keep you safe from the very beginning. But instead I raised my sword against you. Even if I wasn't in control, I take responsibility for it. Something like this will never happen again."
His tone shifted—flat, emotionless, filled with pure determination.
"I promise you… I will protect you. Always."
Akiko didn't respond, just accepted his words.
Finally she said,
"Come on. We have core training."
Azazul helped her rewrap the bandage.
"Oh yeah… Akiko, can you cut my hair?"
"Sure. Before training or after?"
"After."
---
After training, the two sat down for seconds of sausage stew. Matthew joined them to explain how the academy worked.
"Alright," he began, "the academy you two are going to is called Bandale High—or Bandale's Magical Highschool, if you want the full name. It's the most prestigious magic school. Most royalty and upper-class families send their kids there, and it's the only school the king personally visits every year.
"Azazul, since your real name would attract too much attention, you'll have to take my surname. Levina is of deity origins, after all. Akiko, you can use your normal name, but just because nobody knows you doesn't mean you should draw attention. Keep a low profile. Both of you.
"Azazul, protect Akiko—and Akiko, protect Azazul. Meira is already at the academy. One of my close friends took her in as her protégée. She'll come home once you arrive."
He paused. "So—Azazul, any questions?"
Azazul scratched his head.
"Yeah… what about my eyes? Wouldn't it be obvious who I am?"
"I've already thought of that. I got you a magical artifact that can change your eye color to whatever you want."
Matthew turned to Akiko.
"Akiko? Any questions?"
Akiko glanced at Azazul, then back to Matthew.
"Yes… when do we leave?"
Matthew chuckled.
"Well, what day is it today? November's coming too slowly anyway. If you two can reach the Yellow Stage, we can leave before then."