Chapter 22 “ Balck crystal” part 1
Nox sighed and stepped outside, the evening air brushing against his face.
Chris stayed behind, leaning casually against the wall.
“On your way to meet her? Well… I think she needs alone time. And why did you even go to meet her? You two aren’t friends,” Chris asked.
Nox didn’t turn.
“I said that’s none of your business.”
“And you already got what you wanted, right? You showed her humiliation.”
Chris smirked faintly.
“Yeah, sure. By the way… I’m asking again, Sir Nox. Have we met before? You look like you can see right through me. And the person who raised me said to get close to the enemy—more than friends. So, will you tell me now?”
Nox shook his head.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“This is the first time I’ve met you. For now, I’m just studying hard, with some help from the headmaster. If not, you can ask him directly.”
Chris tilted his head, considering.
“That was a scary way to get information, but I see… alright. I’ll go meet Viona. She’s probably exhausted.”
“Can I ask you something? In… return,” Nox said, still walking forward.
“Yeah,” Chris replied.
“What are you searching for in this kingdom? You’re from the Elation Kingdom, and this is the capital of the Nosterio Kingdom. I was just wondering if you’re only here for your sister or… something else.”
Chris paused.
“People don’t believe it when I say it’s personal. That’s all I’ll say.”
“And I thought a commoner like you wouldn’t be interested in politics”
Nox nodded slowly.
“Still… I’m not interested in politics. It’s common knowledge for survival.”
“And I hope we don’t run into each other again.”
Chris chuckled softly.
“Yeah, sure but not promise after all we Both are classmates.”
They parted ways—Nox heading toward Scarlet, Chris toward Viona.
Nox arrived at the infirmary area where Alber was already standing outside one room.
“You’re late,” Alber said.
“I know,” Nox replied, scanning the area.
“I was watching everything first and taking care of someone”
Alber exhaled, half amused.
“Sisbell and Liora are with her now, taking care of her injuries. ”
“It’s good—they’ll make sure she’s okay but—”
Nox nodded.
“I’ll talk to her later.”
Alber frowned slightly.
“Better you meet her soon. You two have already fought each other—no point waiting.”
Nox shrugged.
“I told you, there’s no fight between us. I’ll meet her soon. Don’t worry.”
The sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the grounds. Quiet tension lingered before their meeting.
Scarlet sighed and closed her eyes.
“I lost…” she muttered softly.
She looked at her staff.
“He didn’t even come to see me…”Her fingers traced the handle.
It was already the beginning of the night. She thought about leaving.
“I should go…” she whispered and leaned in the chair and closed her eyes.
The door creaked open.
Nox stepped in without saying a word. He held a small chocolate box, one piece already in his mouth.
He walked over and knelt slightly in front of her.
Scarlet didn’t move. Her eyes stayed closed.
“Is… is this a staff member? I’m sorry, I’ll leave soon,” she said nervously.
Nox placed the chocolate box gently on her lap.
Scarlet opened her eyes and froze.
He chewed slowly and said quietly,
“Don’t eat it all at once. And this is cheap but good taste i only offer this right now”
She looked at the box, then at him.
Her face turned red. She didn’t know whether to scold him or… just look at him.
The room was quiet. Just the soft sound of her fingers brushing the chocolate.
Neither spoke, but the air felt heavy—sweet, tense, and… different.
Nox looked at her quietly.
‘She’s still avoiding me. How stubborn she is her father spoiled her seriously’he thought
He sat down beside her, leaving a small space between them.
“You did great,” he said.
“I watched the whole match”
Scarlet stiffened.
“Don’t lie to me,” she replied coldly.
“I didn’t see you in the arena.”
Nox sighed. He didn’t look at her. He opened the chocolate and took a bite.
Then, calmly, he spoke.
“First spell, twin ice circle. You stabilized the left flow first.”
Scarlet frowned.
“You adjusted your footing when Viona rushed. Good choice.”
Her eyes widened slightly.
“You delayed the frost bloom because your mana was low.”
She slowly turned her head toward him.
“…You know all that?”
She narrowed her eyes.
“So what, I bet Alber told you everything?”
Scarlet looked away, her cheeks tense with anger.
Nox glanced at her face.
“Scarlet,” he said quietly.
“Are you angry at me?”
She answered immediately.
“No.”
Then, after a pause—
“I’m not angry at you. I have no reason to be.”
Her voice dropped.
“We aren’t friends, after all.”
Nox was silent for a moment.
“Do you and the princess have a bad relationship?” he asked.
Scarlet flinched.
“…I don’t want to tell you,” she said.
Nox was blank and looked at her
‘Yeah… she’s more annoying now what wrong i did seriously’he thought
Nox rubbed his face lightly, then looked at her again.
“Then let’s become friends,” he said.
Scarlet froze.
“…What?”
He met her eyes directly.
“I want to become your friend, Lady Scarlet.”
She stared at him, stunned.
“I know I’m an idiot sometimes. Girls tell me that directly like you on my face”
He spoke honestly, without joking.
“But I still want to be your friend.”
Her heart started pounding.
‘Why… why is he saying this now?’she thought
Her face turned red, but she forced herself to stay calm.
“You said it yourself,” she replied sharply.
“We’re not close. We won’t become friends.”
Her eyes hardened.
“If this is pity, then stop insulting me just because i lost some spar sir nox moon”
Nox shook his head immediately.
“No.its not a pity and you did your best”
“If you reject me today, that’s fine.”
He leaned back casually.
“I’ll come again tomorrow in front of your room. Or maybe Sisbell will see how you treat me.”
Scarlet’s eyes widened.
“Don’t come to the girls’ dormitory every day!”
Nox coughed lightly.
“Then accept my friend request.”
He looked awkward for once.
‘I’m bad with girls. Women are complicated to understand but I'm James moriarty with an already troublesome life if one more added is nothing new for me she is not the worst like the zodiac or something ’he thought
“I don’t know what you’re worried about.”
His tone became serious.
“I’m a commoner. I don’t want your politics. Or the princess’s.”
“I just want to study, make friends, and enjoy academy life.”
He looked straight at her.
“So don’t worry. I’m not weak. I don’t follow anyone I have my own life and paths”
Scarlet stayed silent for a long time.
Then, quietly—
“…So,” she said,
“Do you really want to become my friend?”
Scarlet looked at him, her voice soft, almost shy. Her cheeks burned slightly.
“If you want to be my friend… answer my question,” she said, tucking her hair behind her ears.
Nox blinked.
“Okay… no problem,” he replied slowly, curious what she was about to ask.
Scarlet’s eyes sparkled as she asked,
“Princess… or me… who do you think is cute?”
Nox froze.
‘Ah… what kind of question is that? Why does she ask only odd questions when we both are alone ’he thought
He opened his mouth, but no words came out. Scarlet waited, frowning.
Nox glanced around, then slowly turned away.
“Liora,” he said.
Scarlet’s face froze.
“What do you mean… Liora?!”
Nox sighed.
“I mean… you both need to learn how to act cute”
“ Even Sisbell would win a cuteness match against you if you fought.”
Scarlet’s eyes widened in shock.
“I… see… thanks for… answering,” she said through gritted teeth, her face burning even more.
With that, she spun on her heel and stomped out of the room, clearly annoyed.
Nox whispered to himself,
“Did I mess up again?”
Outside, Scarlet kicked a small stone angrily.
“Seriously! He doesn’t even understand what I want to hear… ugh, gross idiot!”
Her face was red, her frustration clear, but somewhere deep down, her heart thumped a little faster.
Scarlet stomped down the hallway, muttering under her breath.
‘Why does he act so… casually? And why does he always talk like he doesn’t care?!’she thought
She spun around, kicking another stone, and huffed.
“I just wanted him to… to say what I wanted to hear! Not Liora… not anyone else!”
Her hands clenched into fists.
“Why is it so hard to get a straight answer from him?! He’s so… so annoying!”
She stopped walking, leaning against the wall, closing her eyes.
“What’s wrong with me… why do I get so mad over something so small?” she whispered to herself.
She bit her lip, thinking back to the moment in his room—the chocolates, his calm smile, the way he just… looked at her like she mattered.
‘I… I don’t even know why I’m upset.’she thought
Her cheeks burned again, but this time it wasn’t just anger. It was confusing.
‘I… I don’t know what I feel… I just… I just…’she thought
Scarlet shook her head and opened her eyes. She glanced down at the floor, frustration and something else swirling in her chest.
“I… I need to figure this out. I can’t just… lose my temper like this.”
Yet, even as she tried to calm herself, her heartbeat betrayed her, racing at the thought of him—Nox.
“I just… why does he make everything so complicated? He is just stupid commoner so he needs to listen to me not make me angry”she whispered, turning and walking back slowly, still unsure of herself.
