Isn’t the wannabe Villain too cute?

[Tuesday, November 18th]
[4.30 pm]

**SLING**

It's been eleven days since the student-teaching teacher's session commenced and almost a week since Austin left.

Currently, on a grassy field that was specially built for students' practical training stood numerous faces varying in age.

This class belongs to the swordswoman who has been unknown until recently, but once she stepped into the teaching line, she shocked various onlookers.

The steel-hitting steel noise erupted from the center of the ground as the blade of a handsome raven-haired youth named Kyouki clashed with none other than the in-charge of the Weaponry and Martial class.

Saya proposed an idea after she got requested to increase her teaching hours.

She challenged any of the students or professors to push her even a step away from her spot using their martial skills then she would instruct them an hour more than usual.

The challenge was taken by many, including the adults, but none of them was able to even cross their blades for more than two minutes with the battle goddess.

Saya not only repelled their attack, she even countered with each blow so their morale could degrade, and they give up upon the thought of extra classes.

But on the third day, since the challenge was brought, Kyouki finally came forward wielding a regular blade making everyone gasp and excited for the dual between the two supreme warriors.

Saya admits that Kyouki's agility and precision were better than most of the lot, but still, she could quickly see his next move since most of the attack becomes predictable after some time.

**CLING**

Blocking Kyouki's slim blade on the back of her own katana, Saya was able to discern the struggle Kyouki was going through since it's already been an hour; they had been engaged in this spar.

"Not bad. You are able to point out my blind spots and hit them with almost the same accuracy as your front ones."

Kyouki released the hold since he knew being this close to Saya would be nothing less than disastrous for him.

Jumping from his position, he stood some meters ahead of Saya as his gaze fell on the spot where she was standing, but alas, her feet hadn't moved an inch even though he had given his all.

""WOOAH**

The gasp and cheering from the audience finally subdued as it seemed Kyouki had finally reached his limit. From his outer appearance, one could tell how exhausted he was, with his lips parted and heavy breaths continuously leaking out of his mouth.

"What happened, Hero? Already reached the end? Sad, I was expecting more~."

Saya teased slightly as she finally started to heat up fairly with the ferocious onslaught Kyouki introduced after so many days. Apart from the one-sided battle with Luna, Saya hasn't fought much, so this little display of authentic swordsmanship delighted her somewhat.

"I have a final attack, but I have to back it up with mana."

"Then you should. I never forbade using mana, but you have to apply your limbs or a weapon in your strike."

**GASP**

The surroundings held their mouth as the words spoken by the instructor was incredibly startling.

Soon, small murmurs and confident statements started erupting from the crowd.

"If I could have used mana, I definitely would have pushed Saya-sensei down."

"My [Crash Assault] would have undoubtedly worked if only I had known."

"Hey, isn't Saya-sensei getting a little partial here?"

Saya ignored all those muttering as her gaze was fixated on the promising young man in front; as she felt a golden hue gathering around Kyouki.

"If it's like that, I won't hold back any longer."

With a smirk, Saya readied her sword and made a stance for the first time as she replied in a voice that was oozing with the credence she held in her skills.

"Come at me with your strongest."

With his blade now shining like a bright sun, Kyouki pushed most of his mana to the edge as, with a long shout, he darted toward the lady.

"[Saberax]"

_____________________

"Hey, doesn't Luna seems a little downhearted today?"

It was the beautiful olive-haired mage supporter, Sicily, who whispered in her party member Lilia's ear while they trained their mana under the supervision of the Saintess.

The class was mainly based on converting a simple object into a Mana Capicator Artifact.

At first, the theory seemed absurd since only alchemists and Sages can conjure the ruins and spells to build an artifact.

But to their utmost surprise, Luna not only showed them how to construct the spell but also demonstrated a live conversion that even Elite Alchemist would find challenging to accomplish.

Amidst charging up a teapot with mana, Sicily asked before Lilia looked toward the stage and saw that, indeed, Luna's face was somewhat covered with dark clouds.

More like she seemed to be sad.

"Well, Austin's absence must have made her lonely."

Lilia sighed with her words as she felt the sentiment Luna had. She doesn't miss Austin but his being around gives her a sense of security. Of course, she wouldn't say this to Sicily.

"Even so, she looks incredibly pitiful. I wonder if there's something important today."

Just as Sicily predicted, today was Luna's birthday which no one other than her maid back in Aurora and her grandmother knows.

She wasn't grieving because no one wished her or wasn't celebrating her birthday. On the contrary, she doesn't actually like to be reminded that it's her birthday. But today, she desperately wanted to be with a certain someone.

Luna knew she wasn't a child anymore who should throw a tantrum about not being able to spend the day with her lover, but it was not like she was a doll who could control her emotions all the time.

After the classes concluded at nearly eight, she didn't go to eat dinner; rather, she chose to stay alone for the time being.

Saya asked her what was wrong, but Luna smiled and brushed off the topic. Saya also didn't ask any further since she herself was missing her brother that's why she could understand what Luna was going through.

The best place Luna finds to enjoy her solitude is the corner most resting benches in the school garden, where very few people wander.

Yes, it is the same place where Luna first time came to talk to Austin on her own initiative and from where the two started to know each other.

In a few words, this specific bench was the witness to the advent of their love story.

With a smile, Luna caressed the place Austin was sitting that night while grieving alone.

That night he was sad, and she tried to give him support, albeit in a peculiar way.

But now, when she is feeling down, he isn't here to console her.

"What a sore loser I am..."

Wiping the droplets which involuntarily dripped down her cheek, Luna was about to get up and walk back to the dorm when a familiar voice halted her movements.

"Where do you think you are going?"

___________________

A/N: - Did anyone say fluff? Well, the next chapter would be yours, then.

Drop a comment, if you are hyped for the next chap~