The night wind blew softly across the quiet field.
The lake rippled gently under the moonlight.
Lyra leaned closer.
Closer.
Her face burned red.
'This is only to save him…
This is only to save him…'
She tried to convince herself again.
Her lips were now only inches away from Iren's.
Just as she was about to reach him—
Iren's eyes suddenly opened.
And he shouted loudly—
"HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
Lyra jumped back instantly.
Her eyes widened.
"What?!"
Iren quickly sat up, shocked.
"You were about to—!"
Lyra shouted angrily,
"YOU WEREN'T BREATHING!"
"I thought you drowned!"
Iren blinked in confusion.
"…But I was breathing."
Silence.
Lyra froze.
"…What?"
Iren scratched his head.
"I just swallowed some water."
"That's why I fainted for a moment."
A long silence followed.
Lyra's eye twitched again.
Twitch.
Then—
BAM!
She punched him on the head.
"IDIOT!"
"Ow!"
Iren grabbed his head.
"What was that for?!"
Lyra crossed her arms angrily.
"I was worried about you!"
"You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
Iren rubbed his head.
"…Sorry."
Lyra looked away.
Her cheeks were still red.
"…Idiot."
For a moment both of them stayed quiet.
The night wind blew gently across the lake.
Lyra slowly sat down on the grass beside him.
Her clothes were soaked as well.
"You really can't swim?" she asked.
Iren shook his head.
"No."
A short pause followed.
Then he added quietly,
"I never learned."
Lyra stared at the lake.
"…You should be more careful then."
Iren chuckled weakly.
"Well… I wasn't planning to fall into a lake
today."
Lyra's eyebrow twitched.
"This happened because you ran away."
"And why was I running?" Iren replied defensively.
"Because someone was chasing me like a monster."
Lyra slowly turned toward him.
Her eyes narrowed.
"…Say that again."
Iren immediately shook his head.
"Nope."
"I value my life."
Lyra sighed.
But then—
A small smile appeared on her lips.
For a moment the tension disappeared.
The moonlight reflected in her silver hair as the wind gently moved it.
Iren looked up at the sky.
"…The moon looks nice tonight."
Lyra nodded quietly.
"Yes."
Another silence followed.
But this time—
It felt calm.
Peaceful.
After a while Lyra stood up.
"We should return."
She extended her hand toward him.
"You'll catch a cold if you stay like this."
Iren looked at her hand.
Then he smiled faintly and grabbed it.
"Yeah… you're right."
Lyra pulled him up.
Water dripped from his clothes.
Drip… drip…
Iren stretched his back.
"Well…"
"That training session ended differently than expected."
Lyra crossed her arms.
"You deserved it."
Iren laughed.
"…Fair."
Then the two of them slowly began walking back toward the academy.
Under the quiet moonlight.
Behind them—
The calm lake reflected the stars.
But they were not alone.
High above—
On the rooftop of the academy building.
Three figures stood in the shadows.
Watching everything.
One of them leaned forward on the railing.
Riven grinned.
"Well well…"
"So this is what he does every night."
Beside him, Sylven sighed.
"I knew something was suspicious."
"You two followed him just to spy on him?"
Riven shrugged casually.
"I was curious."
Then he smirked.
"And I regret nothing."
Kael remained silent for a moment, watching the two figures walking far away.
Then he spoke calmly.
"…So that's how he trains Lyra."
Sylven nodded slowly.
"Looks like she really improved."
Riven crossed his arms.
"But the lake part…"
He chuckled.
"That was the best part."
Sylven rubbed his forehead.
"If Lyra finds out we saw that…"
Riven laughed quietly.
"Oh, I'm definitely bringing this up tomorrow."
Kael immediately replied,
"No."
Riven looked at him.
"…Why not?"
Kael answered calmly.
"Because if Lyra hears that…"
"…we might be the ones thrown into the lake next."
Silence.
Then Sylven nodded seriously.
"…Good point."
Riven sighed dramatically.
"Fine…"
"But I'm still remembering this."
The three of them turned away from the railing.
Then silently left the rooftop.
Meanwhile—
Far away in the courtyard—
Iren suddenly sneezed.
"ACHOO!"
Lyra looked at him.
"…You're definitely catching a cold."
Iren rubbed his nose.
"…Worth it."
Lyra blinked.
"…What?"
Iren quickly shook his head.
"Nothing."
Under the quiet moonlight—
The two continued walking back to the academy.
And the peaceful night slowly continued.