TBATE: The Rook

(* KATHYLN GLAYDER POV *)

knock

knock

knock

I found his room by asking Director Goodsky, who left me standing alone even after I insisted we needed to talk.

With a soft click, the door opened, revealing him with an annoyed expression.

Those eyes—calm and poised, yet a hint of laziness lingered in their depths. Was it the way they glowed even in the dim light? Or perhaps it was his smile, which was rare but somehow managed to brighten the darkest of days?

What was it about him that made me feel so foolishly drawn to him? He was just another boy—albeit a rather talented, well-mannered, and slightly better-looking one. Just slightly. That was all!

Yet, here I stood, a bundle of nerves, wondering why I kept embarrassing myself in front of him. I let out a defeated sigh, my heart heavy with confusion.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, his gentle voice sending shivers down my spine.

"N-No! Nothing's wrong!" I stammered, feeling my cheeks flush. I quickly averted my gaze, searching for anything to distract me. Why did I always feel like this around him?

I could sense his eyes studying me as we stood in the doorway, the flickering candlelight casting shadows around us. The last time we had met, earlier that day, we barely spent some minutes together before everything went awry. It had been almost three years since we last saw each other, and I longed to look at him, but I knew I would turn crimson if I did. So, I kept my gaze fixed on the floor.

Did he look at any other girl like this? I wanted his attention all to myself, just as I had it now. I stifled another sigh, desperate to keep my composure.

"Come in, princess," he said, clearly annoyed.

I didn't respond; instead, I stepped inside and sank into a chair, feeling the weight of the moment settle around me.

He regarded me for a moment before asking, "Do you want some tea?"

"Yes, please," I replied, my heart racing as he moved to the table. My eyes never left him until he sat down across from me, handing me a cup with a teasing grin. "I know I'm handsome, so stop staring."

"Who's handsome? You're pretty, Elli—not handsome. Know the difference!" I shot back playfully, knowing how much he hated being mistaken for a girl. But now, he was undeniably handsome—too handsome for my heart to bear.

His expression made me laugh, and that simple exchange broke the ice between us.

We began to talk about our lives over the past few years. His adventures sounded thrilling, but a pang of disappointment struck me—I wished I had been there with him. When he mentioned wanting to train me, I was taken aback. The lazy boy who once preferred to lounge around or meditate was now eager to help me grow stronger. 

Perhaps, at last, I could stand by his side without feeling inferior.

As we chatted about my school life, he began to tease me. "You must be pretty popular at Xyrus. Do you have a boyfriend yet?"

"N-No, of course not! I don't have anything like that!" I exclaimed, waving my hands in a desperate attempt to emphasize my point, which only made him laugh.

"You're still young, so take your time and find the right guy. But you better bring him to me first for my approval before you start dating!" He poked me playfully in the arm.

Just as we were enjoying our time together, he said something that pierced my heart. It hurt more than I expected. Before I could lash out, I remembered his tendency to push people away, even me. He wore that familiar look, one I couldn't quite describe, as if he were trying to shield himself from connection.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "Why do I need your approval to date someone?"

In a panicked voice, he replied, "Well, we've known each other for a long time, and I think I can help you with this decision. Remember—'help,' not make the choice for you… Do you have someone in mind, Kathy?"

"Yes," I answered immediately.

He fell silent for a moment before asking, "Who?"

"I don't need your approval or help, Elli. He's a good person at heart, and I don't need you investigating him for me," I said firmly.

With a small smile, he replied, "As long as you're happy, princess."

Looking at the time, he continued, "It's getting late, and it's not proper for a lady to stay in a boy's room this late. It could cause a rumor."

"It's you, Elli. Don't look at me like that," I thought, as he stood up and opened the door for me.

"You're right," I said, walking toward the door while locking eyes with him. Was he angry or perhaps jealous? I couldn't decipher his expression; it remained unchanged, a mask I couldn't penetrate.

"Good night, Eli. I'll see you tomorrow," I said softly as I stepped out of his room.

"Good night, princess," he replied, closing the door behind me with a soft click.

As I walked away, my heart raced with a mix of emotions. He had a way of drawing out feelings I had long buried beneath a stoic facade. I couldn't show any weakness. As the only girl in the royal family besides my mother, I had a duty to uphold. When males came to visit me, hoping to gain my favor, I wouldn't show any weakness they could use against me. That was my fight. I couldn't read minds, but it wasn't hard to see that all of the males that came to me, both my age and ones a lot older, had ulterior motives. Royal lineage, superior ability, and physical appearance... the things that all people believed would make their lives easier were shackles that robbed me of the freedom I wished to have.

Yet, here I was, with a boy my age that was so much more talented and sought after, yet still so... bright. He shined with a brilliance that made me want to be like him. What made him so different from me? How was he still able to express his emotions freely without being afraid of how others would view him?

I couldn't control myself from letting out a laugh as I remember Eli contorting his face earlier . He looked so silly .

I immediately covered my mouth after giggling, trying to hide my smile. His gentle nudges had slowly chipped away at my cold exterior, revealing the warmth I had kept hidden for so long.

I recalled the moments we had shared, the laughter and the teasing, how he had taught me that it was okay to be vulnerable. He had shown me that emotions were not a sign of weakness but a part of being human. I felt a flutter in my chest as I thought about how he had become my anchor, the one person who could see through my carefully constructed walls.

I couldn't help but smile at the thought of him. He was more than just a friend; he was the one who had helped me discover the beauty of expressing my feelings. I wanted to tell him how much he meant to me, how he had changed my life in ways I could never fully articulate. But the words always seemed to get stuck in my throat, tangled in the web of my insecurities.

Tomorrow, I promised myself. Tomorrow, I would find a way to show him just how much he mattered to me. As I lay in bed that night, I felt a sense of hope blossoming within me.

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(Next morning)

The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. Ellis lay in bed, tangled in the sheets, his mind still heavy with the weight of yesterday's thoughts. He had tossed and turned all night, replaying scenarios in his head, each one more exhausting than the last. The clock on the wall ticked steadily, but time felt suspended, as if mocking his inability to find peace.

With a groan, he finally pushed himself up, the mattress creaking in protest. Rubbing his eyes, he glanced at the mirror across the room.

His reflection stared back, disheveled and weary. "I'm not nervous or worried about my plans; I'm concerned about the enemy's reaction. Will their approach change too much? Can this continent hold on somehow?" he mused, feeling a sense of foreboding.

He swung his legs over the side of the bed, his feet meeting the cold floor with a jolt. Taking a deep breath, he tried to shake off the lingering fog of overthinking that clouded his mind. But as he stood there, memories of yesterday flooded back—words left unsaid. "She mentioned she has someone in mind to be her boyfriend."

"Boyfriend, my ass. I know she's talking about me; I'm not that dense. But she's too young right now. I can't look at her that way," he muttered to himself.

Ellis walked to the bathroom and splashed some water on his face. After brushing his teeth and taking a quick shower, he styled his hair into a messy bun and got dressed, preparing for the day ahead.

As he looked into the mirror, he smirked. "Who is this handsome guy? I need to connect with some of the upper class or maybe a professor. I can't keep this face all to myself; it's selfish," he said to his reflection.

Deciding to skip class today, he planned to visit the library and then train the princess. She was pathetically weak, and as for the class—not all have attendance policy. Can you believe it? A class with no attendance? It's every college student's dream.

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After several hours had passed, I finally emerged from the library, feeling satisfied with the books I had read. As I walked down the hallway toward our meeting spot, I noticed her standing under a tree, waiting for me. As I approached, I greeted her with a smile, "Good afternoon, Princess."

She looked at me for a few seconds before replying, "Good afternoon to you too, heir of the Rose family."

"'Heir of the Rose family'? That's new," I remarked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes! If you don't stop calling me 'Princess' and start using my name like you used to, I won't stop calling you that," she said, pouting slightly.

"Well, I don't actually hate it, but I was surprised. And what do you mean by 'like you used to'? I've always called you 'Princess,'" I replied with a grin.

"You know what I mean, Eli. Don't act stupid," she said, her tone turning slightly annoyed.

"I thought you were going to start calling me 'Heir of the Rose family.' Don't stop now; it sounds cool, like a title," I teased.

"Eli, stop," she said, exasperated.

"As you command, Princess," I replied, bowing playfully.

Taking a deep breath, she sighed and said, "It's pointless to argue with you. Let's go. Director Goodsky has reserved a room for my training, and I told her you would be helping me."

"Ah, the privilege of being a member of the ruling family," I quipped. She didn't respond and simply started walking.

As we made our way to the training room, I couldn't resist pestering her with questions about the one she loved. Of course, she didn't answer any of them, but that wasn't my goal; I just wanted to have some fun. Eventually, she said, "Just say your name at the front desk."

" let my try something new " I said to myself.

There were two entrances in the library building: one leading to the actual library and the other to a waiting room for the training facilities. As we entered the waiting room, I couldn't help but notice the way some upperclassmen eyed me as we walked past. I smirked, feeling a little extra confident, but I could sense Kathlyn's jealousy simmering just beneath the surface.

"Hi, my name is Ellis Rose," I said, glancing at Kathlyn, hoping she'd give me a hint about what she wanted. I was counting on the lady at the front desk to take the lead.

"Ah, yes! Today is your first time visiting the room, correct?" The lady wore a refined suit that reminded me of a concierge at a fancy hotel.

"Yes," I nodded, trying to keep my focus as she bent down to open a drawer.

"Please place both your palms on this stone. Make sure all the tips of your fingers are flat." She held out a flat tablet with various inscriptions etched onto it, her smile warm and inviting.

Following her instructions, I felt a brief numbing sensation spread over my hands as she activated the tablet. I couldn't help but steal a glance at Kathlyn, who was watching with narrowed eyes.

"Perfect! I'll show you to your room. Please follow me." She led me to a room in the back, where a scarred man, towering about two meters tall and holding a spear, guarded the door. The front desk lady ushered me forward.

The room the scarred man guarded was actually some sort of elevator, constructed from various gears that I assumed were powered by mana cores or some other mana-producing ore. "this is my first time riding in something like this," I muttered , reminiscing about the last time I had been in an elevator.

"Fufu, yes. Not many of these exist yet. The genius artificer Gideon, who is currently a professor here, built this device. I'm sure you've heard of him?" she said, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

"Yes, I have. But it's not that impressive. If you want, I can show you something more impressive if you have time afterwards ," I winked, making her giggle. I could feel Kathlyn's frustration boiling beneath the surface, her eyes flashing with a mix of annoyance and something else I couldn't quite place.

"Here we are! Make sure to remember how to get to your room. Since I've registered you, you are allowed to come in anytime you wish," she said while guiding me through the halls.

"This door seems different from all the others," I remarked, glancing back to compare.

"Yes. Director Goodsky seems to place quite a bit of importance on your training, while the other room is for another student," she replied with a charming smile that made me feel a little too warm inside.

"So how do I open this?" I asked, but before she could answer, Kathlyn stepped in, her voice sharp as she interjected, "I will take it from here, thank you."

"Okay, if you need anything, I'll be at the front desk," she said politely, but I could see the disappointment in her eyes as she turned away.

"Thank you. What was your name?" I called out before she could walk away, wanting to keep the conversation going just a little longer.

"Please call me Chloe. I wish you a fruitful training session," she said, her head bowed slightly, and I couldn't help but notice how her smile lingered a moment too long.

"Got it. Thanks again, Chloe." I turned back just as Kathlyn took my hand and placed it on the double doors. With a loud engine-like noise, the area where my palm rested glowed, and streams of light branched out from it. Eventually, the light dimmed, and the door slid open to reveal a room very different from what I had imagined.

I turned my head back, but Chloe was already gone. "What a lovely lady," I said to no one , and I could feel Kathlyn's grip tighten around my hand.

Kathlyn stepped in before I could take a step forward, and as I looked inside the room, the sudden brightness compared to the dim hallway made me squint. My vision soon adjusted, and as I lowered my hand, I noticed the floor beneath me was covered in grass, with a rather large pond and a waterfall nearby.

Huge boulders and trees surrounded us, making it feel like a dream. Shaking off my momentary daze, I stepped forward as the door closed behind me, feeling a heavy pressure emanating from the center of the room where Kathlyn stood, her expression a mix of determination and jealousy or maybe anger .

"Hey, Kathlyn," I greeted her with an awkward smile .

"Should we get started?" I asked, trying to break the tension that hung thick in the air.

"Yes," she replied simply, her voice lacking enthusiasm, but I could see the fire in her eyes.

Taking a deep breath, I reminded myself, "Okay, focus, Ellis. I need to train her hard for the future, so concentrate." I could feel her gaze on me, a mix of challenge and something deeper, and I couldn't help but wonder how this training session would unfold with the sparks flying between us.

"Kathlyn, I will teach you how to manipulate your mana effectively and use it to enhance your spells. We both agree that you need improvement, so we'll start with the basics and gradually increase the difficulty. First, let me explain a technique called mana rotation," I said, pausing for a moment to gauge her reaction.

I continued, "But before that, I want to assess your current mana manipulation skills."

And so began my days of coaching her.

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( it's my first time writing romance so your thoughts )