Chapter 19 “ Spar match” part 1
A few days passed, and Nox and Scarlet still avoided each other. Scarlet, along with Sisbell, was busy training for the spar match the next day.
Nox sat in the canteen with Alber.
“Did you not like my company or something? You look bored, i Mean when did you become dead soul” Alber teased.
Nox shook his head.
“It’s not like that. I’m glad—I don’t need to hear your couple fights with Sisbell that is seriously better ”
Alber snorted.
“We aren’t a couple… at least, not yet. So stop saying that”
Nox raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah, I’m sure not a couple at all .”
Alber leaned closer, smirking.
“Forget about i bet you are dead soul because of scarlet you Both avoiding each other ”
“Whatever is going on between you two, it’s better you resolve it. Sisbell notices, and… you know what? I like our group. I want things like before we all have ”
Nox glanced down at his cheap coffee, stirring slowly.
“I understand. Well… and we aren’t fighting or anything. She's just busy and I'm also busy we didn't avoid each other we both haven't time to meet. ”he says
But deep down, he knew—they were both avoiding each other.
Scarlet no longer sat beside him, no longer talking to him, even in small ways. She avoided him entirely these days.
Nox sighed.‘i hope she Maybe she’s just busy… or maybe I haven’t given her any time either, thanks to that black crystal. Damn it but at least she is fine right now i don't want people to suffer because of me in any way’ he thought
Alber tore a piece of bread and studied alongside him. They didn’t have to worry about the spar match—they had both refused to fight already
After a while, Alber looked at him again.
“Well, I’m not saying anything now, but you’re coming with me to cheer for the girls during the match, right? Don't tell me you aren't coming”
Nox lifted his eyes calmly.
“Don’t worry. I’m coming, no matter what happens. You don't need to worry about that ”
Alber grinned, satisfied.
“Good. Let’s cheer for our group members—Liora, Scarlet, and Sisbell.”
Nox nodded.
“Yeah… Sisbell will be happy if you cheer for her. How about shouting her name already? ”
Alber’s face flushed crimson.
“Ahh, wait! We’re both doing that, and why only Sisbell? I bet Liora and Scarlet will be just as happy if you do that too!”he tries to tease him
Nox didn’t flinch, his tone calm but teasing.
“Yeah, sure liora will be happy”
They were both talking when Alber looked at Nox.
“Why didn’t you give me any reaction? When i try to tease” he asked.
Nox glanced at him.
“Alber… in our group, you’re only able to tease Sisbell. At least she gives a reaction lot you want”
They both laughed lightly, but suddenly a familiar voice interrupted.
“Do I also get to join this group? Of the crowd who refuse to spar match people say we all sacred ”
Both turned sharply. Chris stood there, alone this time.
Nox frowned. ‘What the heck is this snake doing here?’he thought
Alber and Nox exchanged silent glances.
“Sir Chris, you’re also part of the crowd like us?” Nox asked cautiously. “We don’t mind if you sit with us—at least for now.”
Chris smirked and sat beside Nox.
“Well, thank you. I think all the boys should get close together.”
Alber waved a hand.
“I’ll pass that option”
Nox looked at Chris how he replied to Alber Chris's smile
“Well, I didn’t force anyone, but currently we’re the only three first-years who refused the spar match. I think we should keep each other company now.”
“Yeah, sure,” Alber muttered, returning to his book.
Nox turned to Chris.
“So… sir Chris, why are you here? I bet you didn’t just come for company or you bored with your work”
Chris smiled.
“You’re sharp. I like that mind of yours.” He pulled out a piece of paper.
“As you can see, I found something interesting: the spar match girl pairings announced today. And guess what—a surprise pair i saw.”
He showed the paper. Scarlet and Viona name in list to each other
Alber leaned over to look.
Nox stayed calm. ‘Did he just come to provoke me? he thought.
‘He hasn’t done anything yet, so what does he want? Royal faction and noble faction politics i don't understand’he thought
Nox calmly look at Chris
“It’s really an annoying pair. How did the teacher decide that? Or maybe someone pulled strings behind the scenes
What you think sir Chris”he says
Chris chuckled and he said
“—who knows. But I swear I didn’t do anything. The teacher made the pair.”
He tapped the paper lightly.
“Well, let’s forget what you two think. Who do you think will win in that pair? Scarlet or Viona?”
Nox and Alber stayed silent. Both already knew the answer.
Nox let out a small sigh.‘ It’s obvious. Scarlet’s going to lose that match. Even Alber could see it coming.’
Nox looked at Chris.
“Well, sir Chris… we haven’t said anything. Who knows which side luck will favor? Spar match is skill and luck base thing”
Chris smiled.
“Yeah, you’re right. Who knows who’ll win? But I’ll be cheering for my Viona.”
Both Alber and Nox choked on their drinks.
‘I didn’t expect this… ’Alber thought. ‘By any chance… does he like that girl?’
Alber leaned closer.
“Chris… by any chance, do you have feelings for her?”
Chris glanced around, lowering his voice.
“Well… she’s my Viona. Please don’t tell anyone—I haven’t even told her yet.”
Nox and Alber froze.‘Why does it feel like we just found Top secret… and we just overheard it? ’Glup.sound comes from both throat
“Yeah… sure, don't worry ” Nox muttered, swallowing. “More terrifying than I thought.”
He looked down at the paper again.
‘She’s very unique… White Tiger beast folk. That explains why Scarlet has lost no experience fighting someone like her Maybe third year second year students are able but scarlet… ' he thought
Chris stood up, brushing off his coat.
“If I stay here longer, you two will ask more questions. I’ll leave now—I’m embarrassed enough already.”
Alber whispered to Nox as Chris walked away.
“Did he just…? Say he embarrassed. ”
Nox smirked.
“His taste is unique we don't have the right to say anything ”
Alber sighed and went to buy something to eat.
Nox stared at the paper Chris left behind. ‘Van Kraft family… second royal. Their kingdom coexists with beast folk.
And Viona is a special admission too, like me people don't notice that because she hides her tail and ears to attend classes and academy but when you find strong energy from that girl and obviously and also.’he look outside window
‘She is special admission Everyone know about this she is beastfolks me ,Liora, viona and other two more special admission in this academy people and professors both all have eyes on special admission headmaster already told me that ’he thought
“Chris has strong support—but if they cross the line, I won’t stay silent. He came here to provoke me… and I think he succeeded a little bit ”
He tossed the paper into the trash—perfectly into the can.
Then Nox glanced toward Scarlet’s direction.
‘i just hope no one hurts special Sly fox… I hope she didn’t push herself too hard,’ he thought quietly and continued his day
After few hours Pass the training ground was quiet in the evening.
The sky was slowly turning orange, shadows stretching long across the stone floor.
Nox stood near a pillar, half-hidden.
His eyes were fixed on one person.
Scarlet.
She wore her mage training clothes—light robes tied tightly, sleeves rolled up. Sweat clung to her neck. Her silver hair stuck slightly to her cheek.
She opened the blue book she received during the ceremony.
[Twin Ice Grimoire ]
Cold mana gathered around her hands.
“Ice—”
The spell flickered.
The mana scattered.
Scarlet clenched her teeth and tried again.
“Ice—Barrier.”
Nothing.
Her knees trembled.
Her mana was empty.
Scarlet exhaled sharply and lowered the book. She tilted her head back, staring at the sky, blinking hard.
“…Stupid,” she muttered.
Nox watched silently.
“She's pushing herself again or did she not want to accept that she is out of mana”
He walked closer without sound.
Scarlet didn’t notice until something soft touched her face.
A towel.
She froze Her eyes widened as she slowly turned her head.
“…Nox? ”
Their eyes met.
For a moment, neither spoke.
“What are you doing here?” Scarlet asked, her voice stiff, defensive.
Nox didn’t answer right away.
He simply stepped back.
Then, without stopping her, he turned in the opposite direction.
Scarlet stared at his back.
“…Hey,” she said quietly.
He didn’t stop.
Her fingers tightened around the towel.
“…You didn’t have to,” she whispered, so softly that even the wind might not hear it.
Nox kept walking.
“If I stay… I’ll say something unnecessary.”he says slowly
Behind him, Scarlet pressed the towel to her face.
“…Idiot,” she said, her voice trembling.
The training ground returned to silence.
But both of their hearts were louder than before.
After time passes the next day begins with new morning and sun and
Today was the first-year spar match.
The academy arena—normally reserved for seniors—was finally open to them.
Rows of stone seats circled the wide battlefield. The air was loud, full of excitement and nervous energy.
Nox walked in with Alber.
Alber leaned closer and whispered, pointing toward the opposite side.
“…Did you talk with her?”
Nox followed his gaze.
Sisbell was already seated with the other students. Scarlet wasn’t beside her yet.
Nox replied calmly, “Yeah. Sort of.”
Alber raised an eyebrow. “And?”
“She was tired,” Nox said. “I didn’t bother her. And stop asking questions and find a sit ”
Alber studied his face for a second, then sighed.
“…You’re really bad at this.”
Nox ignored him and moved forward.
They reached the seating area.
Just as Nox was about to sit—
“Ah, Sir Nox.”
That voice.
Nox stopped.
“Why is it always you ”
Chris stood there, smiling as usual, calm and polite.
nox glanced at him briefly. “…Our paths crossing this much are I'm starting to feel unlucky.lot”
Chris chuckled. “That hurts.”
Then he looked at Alber. “How about we sit together?”
Alber stiffened immediately.
“…I’ll pass,but there is no other better sit ” Alber said flatly.
Chris laughed lightly. “Cold. Very cold.”
Nox sat down anyway.
Chris took the seat beside him without asking.
Alber sat on the other side, arms crossed.
For a moment, the three of them sat in silence, watching the arena.
Chris spoke first. “The atmosphere is nice today.”
Nox replied without looking at him. “It’ll be nicer once the matches start.”
Chris smiled. “You’re here to watch someone, aren’t you?”
Alber coughed.
Nox finally turned his head. “You talk too much if you are the same to see spar match”
Chris laughed quietly. “Fair enough.”
The crowd suddenly grew louder.
Names were being announced.
name echoed through the arena.
Nox’s fingers tightened slightly on the railing.
Chris noticed.
“…Interesting, are you worried about your group” he murmured.
Nox didn’t respond.
His eyes were fixed on the arena entrance.‘i don't care a lot but just hope nobody hurts from the people i know at least especially sly fox her opponent is stronger than her ’ he thought
