Chapter 123: Spar with me?
Nyx was still standing in the arena.
Alden had walked away already.
What… was that?
Her heartbeat still was a bit unstable.
She took a deep breath.
It was nothing.
Just an accident.
Then why did it feel so different?
Why wouldn't my mind just let go of the moment?
Am I that desperate for warmth?
No.
That wasn't it.
It was just… unexpected.
That's all.
Yes. That had to be it.
She wasn't used to such close interactions.
Her father never allowed anyone near her, and she never really cared to get close to anyone, either.
The other students were still laughing, and some were whistling.
She didn't feel anything about it.
Because something irritated her at the moment more.
Alden's reaction.
He hadn't even looked back at her.
Not even once.
He didn't seem affected by the accident at all.
Her eyes narrowed.
Tch. Fool.
Am I not beautiful or what?
No, that dumbass must be blind.
She was a prideful person.
Her servants always told her that she was pretty.
Even in this world, noble boys tried to pursue her—only for her to ignore them brutally.
So why was he acting like it was nothing?
She shook her head.
Whatever.
No point in thinking about it.
I just have to make sure, something like this doesn't happen again.
She left the arena with cold expressions.
__
Alden sighed as he stepped out of the arena quietly.
Damn it,
That was awkward.
He didn't look back toward Nyx.
His heartbeat was slightly elevated—but that was normal.
He was a normal male.
His body was just reacting normally.
That's all it was.
Students were laughing and whistling as he walked past them.
Some idiots even called him "Smooth".
No-lifers.
Alden thought as he ignored them.
He made his way toward the edge of the hall—when Aziel appeared.
He was grinning like an idiot.
Cecilia was also with him. Her face also had a smile.
"Wow, bro, that was smooth," Aziel spoke. "And here I thought you were all innocent."
"It was an interesting scene." Cecilia joined in.
Alden had gotten on talking terms with Cecilia in the past few days because of Aziel.
Alden looked at Aziel blankly.
"Shut up." His voice was quiet. "That was an accident, okay?"
Aziel smirked like he had just won something.
"Oh sure, buddy," he said, his voice filled with amusement. "I'll trust you."
…This son of a—
Alden's eyes twitched.
This was the exact same line he had used on Aziel before.
Bastard.
Just then he had an idea.
Fine.
If you want to play it like this, then so be it.
A smirk spread across his face.
"Oh, by the way, Aziel," He said, his voice was just loud enough for Cecilia to hear. "What happened to that double date you fixed for us with those two beautiful girls?"
Aziel froze.
His expression shifted as if someone had just stabbed him in the back.
"W-What?" He stuttered. "Bro, what are you talking about?"
Alden tilted his head innocently.
"You know, the one you set up?" He said calmly, "You were really looking forward to it, weren't you?"
Aziel's face paled. He suddenly felt a chilling aura from beside him.
He shivered unconsciously.
Slowly—very slowly—he turned his head.
Cecilia was staring at him.
Her face had a small gentle smile.
But the air around her told something else entirely.
Dangerous.
"Date?" she repeated; her tone was sharp like a dagger.
Aziel swallowed hard.
"W-What date?" His voice cracked again.
"There's no date."
"I—I don't even talk to other girls like that."
Alden controlled his laughter. 'That's what you get for messing with me.'
Cecilia stared at him silently.
"Is that so?" she muttered.
"Yes. Absolutely. One hundred per cent." Aziel nodded.
Cecilia didn't say anything for a moment before exhaling. "Hmph."
Alden grinned.
Revenge was sweet.
__
Just then, the instructor called for the next sparring match.
Aziel and Cecilia.
Aziel looked at Cecilia.
"…You're not mad, right?" He asked, cautiously.
"Who am I to be mad?" she said sweetly. "You can do whatever you want with your free time."
FK you, bro.
You traitor.
Aziel cursed Alden in his mind for a few minutes.
Although Cecilia was speaking sweetly.
Aziel knew her well.
She was definitely still mad.
Her habit of slightly tapping her fingers together when she was angry never left her.
_
The instructor soon signalled the start of the spar.
Aziel moved first.
He was fast.
In the blink of an eye, he closed the distance.
He pulled back his fist to punch.
But—
She had already seen that coming.
She twisted her body, dodging the punch effortlessly.
She counterattacked instantly.
It was a feint with her left hand—followed by a knee strike toward his ribs.
Aziel barely blocked the attack, but the impact forced him back a step.
Alden watched their match carefully. He hadn't really seen Aziel fight before.
Aziel's movements were fluid but reckless.
He relied too much on speed and reaction rather than proper technique.
Cecilia, on the other hand—
She was precise.
Her every move was measured and efficient.
Aziel grinned, shaking his arms out. "Damn, you're ruthless."
"Am I now?" Cecilia muttered coldly.
She attacked again.
A roundhouse kick.
Aziel barely jumped back in time.
Then he shot forward.
This time, his movements were fast and more calculated.
He punched her shoulder.
She deflected it.
And—
Grabbed his outstretched hand and flipped him over her shoulder—
And slammed him into the ground.
A heavy thud echoed through the arena.
Silence.
Then—
"Ow…" Aziel let out a pained voice.
He just lay there silently for a second, then he chuckled.
The instructor concluded the match.
Cecilia had won.
She didn't leave the arena immediately.
"You should have trained more instead of wasting time on some stupid dates," she said as she extended a hand to help him up.
Aziel hesitated for a moment—then took it.
He smirked, but there was something else in his eyes—determination.
"Yeah, and the next time we fight, I won't lose."
Cecilia tilted her head. "We'll see about that."
She turned around and walked off with a faint smirk.
Aziel watched her for a moment, his fists clenching slightly.
One day.
I'm going to get strong enough to confess my feelings.
_
Alden shook his head.
Hopeless idiots.
But if anyone was meant to drive Aziel crazy, it was definitely her.
_
Unbeknownst to Aziel and Cecilia, someone else was watching them intently.
His expressions were twisted to an unnatural degree.
His bloodshot eyes were filled with a dangerous mix of obsession and hatred.
Why are you with that loser, Cecilia?
Why?
Why don't you look at me?
What does he have that I don't?
He was Dain Voss.
He knew Cecilia ever since they were just kids.
Their families were connected after all.
His father, the Vice-Guildmaster of Aetherbound – the guild run by Cecilia's father.
He had always told him to be close to her.
At first, she was just another presence in his life.
He had gotten close to her just because of his father.
Then–
Before he even realised it,
She became an important part of his life.
His everything.
She was perfect, beautiful and strong.
The kind of girl no man could ever deserve.
And yet—she only had eyes for Aziel.
Everyone saw it and knew it except for that idiot himself.
The affection in the way she looked at him.
That soft warmth in her voice whenever she spoke his name.
The smile she only showed him.
It made him sick.
He hated Aziel because he didn't deserve her.
Aziel was just a loser.
He didn't know how to treat her well.
And yet,
Cecilia—my Cecilia—chose him over me.
His nails dug into his palm.
Just then—
Someone approached him with light steps.
A boy with light blue hair and a calculating smile stood beside him.
His eyes filled with amusement, as if he was expecting this moment.
"It's frustrating, isn't it?" The boy spoke softly. "But the truth is… it's because you're weak."
"Fu*k off." Dain didn't even look at him.
He had no interest in playing games.
But the boy just smiled.
"I can give you the power you desire." He whispered. "A power to claim what is rightfully yours."
For the first time—he looked at him.
"H–How?"
"You only need to say yes." The boy said.
Dain exhaled slowly—his rage, his jealousy and his frustration—all of it started to merge into something darker.
He clenched his fist.
His mind was clouded, affected by all his negative emotionss.
He couldn't think straight.
Then he smiled.
"I accept."
__
Alden was completely oblivious to what was happening elsewhere.
He just watched different spars.
He was analysing how others were fighting. Trying to think what he would do to dodge or attack in their position.
One after another, finally all spars ended.
The instructor scanned all the students.
"I hope you understood all your shortcomings."
"The class is dismissed."
Saying such, Varian exited the class.
All the students also started to exit, planning their day.
Alden also left.
He was alone, as Aziel had already left after calling him a traitor a few times.
Alden didn't go immediately towards the dorms.
He was going to the library first.
He wanted to read everything about spirits.
He didn't know how to nurture one. So he was going to do thorough research before the spirit pearl hatch.
Just as he was close to the library, a beautiful girl stopped in front of him.
Amyra.
Her expression was calm.
Too calm.
But inside her mind, her emotions… were anything but calm.
They were a storm.
She looked at him.
"Spar with me." She said in an impassive voice.
Alden blinked.
Spar?
What now?
_________
Hey guys, author here!
Who do you like as the female lead? Let me know in the comments.
And show some support guys.
Your support is what keeps me going—whether it's a comment or even a small gift. Every bit of encouragement means the world to me.
Looking forward to your thoughts