There was an assembly today instead of classes; more preparation for the festival. Students not entering the tournament were assigned tasks like running food stands and putting up flyers around town
Since Aura and Fenix were participating, they were taken to the battlefield, where the rules were reviewed in detail.
"The arena is 50 by 50 feet. If you're knocked out of it, you lose. If a battle lasts longer than fifteen minutes without a clear victor, it's declared a draw—except for the final match, which has no time limit. There are no restricted attacks, but killing your opponent IS prohibited. If an accident occurs, medical staff will be nearby to treat anyone in critical condition. Any questions?"
Fenix raised his hand.
"What is it?" Janx said.
"Is it okay to release my seal during battle?"
Janx, who was overseeing the rules, lifted his list and scanned it..
"Uh... Fenix, right?" As Janx read through Fenix's file, a bead of sweat formed on his temple.
"…Although you are equipped with a level 10 seal, you are only permitted to release two levels of it, because your power has a tendency to become unstable and difficult to contain."
Fenix pouted, muttering,
"That's no fun."
Janx gave an awkward laugh and shouted,
"Are there any more questions?!"
A girl in an orange shirt raised her hand.
"Yes, you." He said, pointing to her so she'd speak.
"Is there a tag team event this year?"
Janx shook his head.
"We're saving that for the summer festival."
She looked disappointed with his answer.
Aura then raised her hand.
"Yes, Aura?"
Several students glanced at her because she was somehow the only one whose name Janx consistently remembered.
"The battles are single rounds this year, correct?"
Janx nodded with a smile.
"…Also… do you know what kind of food will be served?"
Janx tapped his chin.
"I believe it's free hot wings and pizza for the students. There will also be stands selling chocolate-covered bananas, funnel cakes, hot dogs, and ice cream. And I heard something about guacamole… and both a chocolate and cheese fountain."
Aura's stomach rumbled audibly at the thought. She quickly looked down, hoping no one noticed. Fenix had, so he turned away so he could hide his amusement.
"Thank you," she replied quietly.
Janx scanned the group again. "Any more questions?"
No one responded.
"Alright, everyone is dismissed except those assigned to kitchen duty."
Some students sighed, upset they were about to be put to work.
Aura was free to leave, so she headed for the exit. Fenix followed close behind—like always.
Extra: Fenix's Point of View
I could feel the drowsiness creeping in, and I couldn't help but yawn. Aura was writing diligently, and the only thing keeping me awake was how charming she looked when she was serious.
"Fenix!" Ms. Emerald shouted.
I lifted my head. She pointed at the equation on the board.
"Answer this."
She usually teaches chemical explosives, but occasionally switches to math, which, in my opinion, is incredibly stupid.
"The answer is 4k squared over 3k cubed."
She smiled widely, placing her hands on her cheeks, blushing.
"You never cease to impress me."
Her expression made me feel like I might vomit… but I held it in.
When class ended, I helped Aura pack her things. She seemed like she wanted to say something, but was too embarrassed. I pretended not to notice—until she suddenly blurted,
"I'm so sorry, I have to go to the bathroom—um! I'll be right back!"
She hugged me quickly then rushed off and just like that... I was alone.
She's so cute. Back when we first met she'd swear and push me away the second I got close. It felt like I was coaxing a stray kitten closer. Which is something I've always excelled at. Now she comes to me all on her own, willingly giving me affection and craving my attention.
I slung both of our bags over my shoulder and waited outside Madam Vanessa's classroom.
While I was waiting, a girl I didn't recognize approached me.
"Oh, hey Fenix. You're alone for once."
"Yeah."
She hesitated.
"So… I heard you're dating Aura now."
"Yeah." I repeated, hoping my indifferent tone would scare her off but she continued anyway,
"…Well… I've been meaning to talk to you for a while. I mean, it's awkward now that you have a girlfriend, but… I don't want to give up without ever trying."
Her feelings were obvious.
So was my answer.
"That's unfortunate, and I'm not interested."
Her expression crumpled—shock, then hurt.
I didn't feel anything... except slight satisfaction.
For a moment, I almost laughed.
Then Aura came running back.
The moment I saw her, everything else no longer mattered.
Her small frame hurrying toward me, her uniform slightly disheveled as if she rushed to return to me. All of it made my chest tighten in a way nothing else could.
My irritation vanished instantly.
"I'm sorry I made you wait," she said, not even noticing the girl beside me.
"I would wait forever if I had to," I replied. I meant it.
She blushed. I smiled.
"I can take my bag now," she said softly, eyes downcast.
She never looks at me during moments like this. Her fuchsia hair fell forward, further draping her face. She held out her hand for her bag, so I gave it to her.
By then, the other girl had quietly left.
When I noticed, relief settled in. I didn't want anything getting in the way of my time with Aura.
"Aura… before we go into class… can I kiss you?"
Her eyes widened, cheeks flushing deeper. She looked around before answering, making sure there was no one within earshot.
"…You don't need to ask things like that…" Aura whispered.
On cue, I leaned in and kissed her. She draped her arms over my shoulders and her lips parted—so I deepened it. I heard her bag fall behind me, slipping from her fingers.
Her clumsiness made me laugh softly against her lips before I pulled away. She was still staring at me, dazed... until she noticed her bag on the floor behind me.
Aura quickly crouched, fumbling to pick up her backpack.
"Let's go to class now," she mumbled, her eyes drifting to mine, then back to the floor repeatedly.
"As you wish."
She led the way and I followed behind her.
I don't stand a chance.
There's no way I could ever resist Aura.
...I'm in love with her.
Main Story (Same Day)
Aura found it hard to concentrate in class. She kept stealing glances at Fenix, who sat beside her, smiling in her direction. The intensity from his gaze made it impossible to focus.
"Alright, everyone, hand in your homework."
Fenix submitted his report first. Its sheer thickness made Aura feel disheartened. She wanted her research paper to be the most impressive of the class. Even so, it was too late to add anything, so she handed hers in as it was.
The rest of the class was just a review of chapter 32. There will be no more new assignments and final assessment tests will be given after the festival.
When it was time to leave and they were free to speak, Aura turned to Fenix and said,
"I won't be beaten by you again!"
Fenix laughed and wiped a tear from his eye,
"What are you even talking about?" He asked.
In response Aura only pouted. Too proud to admit it was about their homework assignments. Fenix watched her waiting for an answer. Then his expression softened and he placed a hand on her cheek,
"You're too adorable, Aura."
Flustered, she threw her bag at him. He caught it in his arms.
"You! Carry that for me!" She demanded, stomping away.
"I will," he replied with a smile, trailing after her.
"There will be no sparring today," Cleaver announced. "With the tournament approaching, you will focus on stretching and training. Choose a partner."
Aura frowned. She wanted to spar with Fenix. Fenix looked delighted, because he could partner with Aura without attacking her.
"Aura and Fenix are prohibited from partnering."
The disappointment hit.
Then the temperature in the room spiked instantly.
Heads turned towards the cause, Fenix, whose hair was lit up, flowing and flickering like fire.
"As the strongest students, you should help others improve." Cleaver clarified.
"Teacher…" Fenix's voice dropped, sharp and dangerous. "There's no one else I'm willing to work with." As he spoke the air got drier and hotter.
Some students began fainting from the heat.
Only Aura and Cleaver remained unaffected.
"Your classmates need your help. You can't cling to Aura forever." The teacher argued.
Fenix clicked his tongue. "If I hadn't promised to behave—"
Before he could finish, Aura kissed his cheek.
"I'm happy you want to work with me… I want that too. But please don't get so upset. We can spend extra time together after school, okay?"
The heat vanished instantly. Relief filled the area.
"Alright!" Fenix replied, smiling.
Cleaver wiped sweat from his forehead then shouted,
"Alright! Everyone, choose partners!"
Before anyone could move Fenix yelled,
"Any boy thinking of partnering with Aura—don't."
Every boy immediately moved as far from her as possible.
They began with stretches, followed by workouts, and stamina work. The class ran two hours longer than usual.
Fenix looked drained. It was the first time Aura saw him genuinely tired.
"You look worn out," she said, clearly amused.
Fenix groaned, then leaned forward and rested his head on her shoulder.
"I am tired…" He moved slightly, pecked her neck, then whispered, "so let me sleep over again."
Aura blushed.
"Th-that… why can't you sleep in your own room? It's closer…" She stammered, unable to think straight.
Fenix sat up and met her eyes.
"I have trouble sleeping when you're not beside me." He gently held her chin before continuing, "And… you promised we'd spend more time together."
Aura turned away, hiding her face.
"You're right… I did promise."
Then, more quietly— "Can we… go on a date too? I mean—if you're not too tired…" She felt brave enough to ask, since she was hiding.
Fenix chuckled, covering his mouth.
"I have enough energy for that." He answered sweetly.
The next two weeks passed in a blur—before anyone realized it, the Festival had begun.
Aura had prepared a special leotard for the occasion, while Fenix remained in his usual school uniform.
"Isn't that hard to move in?" Aura remarked, scanning him in the waiting room.
"I'll manage… plus it's fireproof, so it's the most convenient thing I own."
Aura's eyes widened in realization, and she nodded.
"Oh—I understand, now!" she said, smiling.
Fenix's lips trembled as he tried to suppress his own smile, but failed.
"You really don't realize how you look, do you?"
She pouted at that, feeling patronized.
"You look sexy in this outfit. It's hard keeping my hands to myself." He added in a low voice.
"How can you say that so calmly?!" Aura shouted, turning bright red.
Fenix moved closer and traced his fingers lightly along her waist.She flinched... then froze for half a second before stepping back
"It's easy to say because it's the truth," he replied, smiling, his hand still lingering in the air where she had been.
Unable to respond, Aura bit her lip and looked down, heat rising to her face.
Fenix stepped forward again, slower this time, and wrapped his arms around her waist, tugging her against him.
She tensed for a second… then melted into the hug.
They held each other quietly for a while until Fenix spoke again,
"How about we make another bet… on who wins today?" He offered.
"That's fine…" Aura said, then after a moment of thought added, "If I win…" She nuzzled into his embrace, and steeled herself before saying, "You have to stop holding back when we're alone."
Fenix's body temperature spiked instantly, causing the AC unit in the room to short circuit. In that same moment he pushed her back—gently, but fast. To examine her expression.
"Eh—um… fine." He answered shaken, then he cleared his throat and added, "And if I win… we skip class tomorrow morning and spend all that time together instead."
Aura tilted her head, amused.
"You're surprisingly pure for someone who just called me sexy."
Fenix turned away slightly.
"It's just…" He hesitated, then exhaled. The air around them seemed to cool. "I don't want to move too fast. I'm lucky enough that you're even my fiancee..." He paused "if I stopped controlling myself... you'd probably run away from me."
Aura cupped his cheeks, wanting to comfort him—
but before she could—
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the Annual Spring Festival at Maledictus Academy! Take your seats! The main event is about to begin!"
Cheers erupted from the audience. After a moment, the announcer continued:
"First up, we have an A-ranked student, Vision! Versus a B-ranked student named Hydro! Don't let the ranks deceive you—those are based on academics, not combat skill. This should be a close fight!"
The two stepped forward, bowed, and took their stances.
"FIGHT!"
Vision's eyes shifted from silver to green. The change was subtle, but unmistakable to anyone paying close attention. In the same instant, his body split into ten identical copies.
"It appears Vision has created clones! What a turn of events!" the announcer exclaimed.
Hydro scanned the surrounding figures, then dropped into a defensive stance. All ten Visions attacked at once. Contrary to expectation, they weren't illusions—each hit carried weight. After each strike, the clones exploded—dealing damage and obscuring Hydro's vision.
Hydro was unable to defend against all of them, so he exhaled deeply. As he did this his body dissolved into mist.
The clones scattered, searching the arena for him.
A split second later, one of them seized violently, clutching at its throat and collapsed.
"What's this?! Hydro has launched a hidden attack!" the announcer shouted. "How will Vision handle an opponent he can neither see nor touch?!"
The choking clone convulsed—then its eyes lit up and it exploded. The explosion was far more violent than the others, rippling across the arena.
When the smoke from the blast cleared Hydro stood, breathing hard, and covered in burns.
Vision smiled completely unscathed.
"Wow, you thought that was me but... you only fell for a decoy."
In the next instant, all of the remaining clones lunged at Hydro and detonated at once. Smoke swallowed the battlefield.
When it cleared—
There was a hush from the crowd, but then the announcer yelled,
"Vision is the winner! Vision wins!"
Medics rushed in to carry Hydro away while Vision exited without a word.
A five-minute intermission followed.
"Your match is next, right?" Aura asked, absently allowing Fenix to hold her.
"Mm… you might as well be naked," he murmured, eyeing her up and down.
Reflexively, she slapped him and, in a flustered voice, said,
"Answer my question!"
Fenix laughed, catching her hand, pulling it from his cheek. He then pressed a kiss to her palm.
"Don't hit so hard—you'll hurt yourself." He admonished smoothly.
Aura yanked her hand away, blushing fiercely.
"D-do you have a match next or not?" She asked.
Fenix smiled at her fondly. "Yeah… I do."
Aura suddenly leaned in and kissed him, disorienting him completely.
"Well—good luck!" she said, far too loudly. Fenix blinked at her in silence, then he chuckled, leaning close to her again and replied,
"I don't need luck. I'll win." His eyes went down to her lips and when he inched closer,
Aura closed her eyes. They were kissing for a few seconds when,
"Couldn't you two have a little more consideration for the rest of us?!" one of the other fighters in the room snapped.
A few others grumbled in agreement. Soon, cups, shoes, and whatever else people could grab were tossed in their direction—
But Aura and Fenix didn't even react.
They just kept kissing, completely lost in their own world.