Training had gone on for hours, and Nova couldn't stop glancing at Sataro.
The way he corrected Ren's stance…
The way he focused on Haruto from across the courtyard…
The way his hair fell over his eyes when he was serious…
It drove her insane in a way she didn't want to admit.
At one point, she leaned beside him, close enough that her shoulder brushed his.
Sataro stiffened instantly.
"You're standing too close," he said, voice low.
Nova smirked softly.
"Oh really? I hadn't noticed."
She leaned closer—
Sataro backed up too fast and tripped over Ren.
Nova burst into laughter, cheeks pink.
Lira Falling for Haruto
Inside the training hall, Haruto worked with Mira:
Dodging.
Rolling.
Footwork.
Breath control.
Sweat dripped down his temple.
Lira watched with her hands clasped tightly, heart pounding.
Every time Haruto landed properly or dodged a strike, she smiled like her chest might explode.
Mira noticed.
"So," she whispered to Lira,
"You're in love."
Lira nearly died on the spot.
"M-MIRA PLEASE—!"
Haruto's Brutal Training
Mira pushed Haruto without mercy.
"Again! Harder! NOW!"
Haruto dodged another strike and stumbled.
"Good," Mira grinned.
"At least you're not as lazy as Ren."
Lira snorted.
"That's not hard, Mira…"
Haruto blushed.
Ren's Hopeless Magic
Outside, Ren groaned on the ground.
"Training is killing me…"
Sataro sighed.
"Try casting. Just TRY."
Ren lifted his hand weakly.
"Fire."
Nothing.
"…Wind?"
Nothing.
"…Magic?"
Nothing.
Sataro rubbed his face.
"You are unbelievable."
Ren flopped on his back.
"I TOLD YOU I HAVE NO MAGIC."
Sword Training Begins
Sataro handed Ren a wooden sword.
"Then we train physically.
Stand up."
Ren groaned.
"No…"
"Stand."
"Ughhhhh fine…"
He got up like an old man.
Nova and Lira sat on a bench watching, amused.
Haruto peeked through the doorway.
The Accident That Changed Everything
Sataro swung lightly.
"Block me."
Ren lifted the sword—
but his grip slipped.
The weapon flew from his hand—
AND Sataro's real sword came loose and slipped forward—
directly toward Ren's chest.
Nova screamed,
"REN!!"
Sataro's eyes widened.
He tried to grab it—
too far.
Ren froze, then instinctively crunched his body—
The blade hit him—
CRACK!
The sword SNAPPED in half.
Everyone froze.
Ren blinked.
"Am… am I dead?"
Sataro swallowed.
"No. Ren… look at your arm."
Ren looked—
His skin wasn't skin.
It was pure crystal.
Clear like diamond.
Reflecting sunlight.
Hard as steel.
Nova covered her mouth.
"Oh my god…"
Haruto's eyes went wide.
"That… that's amazing!"
Lira gasped.
"He's beautiful…"
Ren puffed up proudly.
"So uh…
does this mean I'm SUPPOSED to be lazy?
Like… physically?
By nature?"
"No," Sataro muttered.
"Yes," Nova whispered.
Nova's Hand on Sataro's Cheek
As Ren admired his crystal arms, Haruto and Lira cheering for him…
Nova stepped toward Sataro quietly.
He stood there, staring at the broken blade in shock.
She reached out gently…
…and caressed his cheek.
Sataro froze.
"Nova…?"
"You tried to save him," she whispered.
"Even when you thought you couldn't."
He swallowed hard.
"I almost let him die."
"You didn't."
She slid her hand to the side of his face.
"You're always there for everyone.
Even when you pretend you're not."
Sataro's breath trembled.
Her touch sent a shiver down his spine.
Nova stared at him deeply.
Warm.
Soft.
Full of emotion she'd been hiding.
Sataro whispered,
"Don't look at me like that…"
"Why?" Nova whispered back.
"You don't like it?"
He didn't answer—
So she closed the distance.
And kissed him.
Not a quick kiss.
Not a shy one.
A slow, passionate, heart-pounding kiss that stole both their breath away.
Sataro kissed her back without thinking, hands lightly gripping her waist.
Nova smiled against his lips.
"You really are something, Sataro…"
Sataro whispered,
"…You too."
They separated slowly as Haruto and Lira approached, not noticing them.
Both older teens turned red and pretended nothing happened.
The Spy Sees Everything
High above, the spy crouched on the rooftops, eyes wide.
He saw it all.
Sataro's swordwork.
Ren's crystal skin.
The siblings.
The group dynamic.
He whispered into the crystal:
"My king…
I have more information."
Sable's voice responded cold and sharp.
"Speak."
"The blonde boy…
He has awakened a defensive ability.
Crystalline transformation."
A long silence.
Then Sable whispered:
"…Continue watching.
They're becoming more dangerous with each day."
The spy nodded.
"Yes, my king."
His eyes narrowed.
"Sataro…
You have no idea how close death is."