Chapter 26: Maya's Feeling
Maya's POV
After the incident, something inside me changed.
I no longer saw training as just a daily routine—now it was my lifeline. My resolve, my aim, my ambition.
Like Ank, I began waking up before the sun rose. The sky would still be dark, the cold morning air stinging my skin, yet I would quietly slip out of bed.
The first thing I always did was prepare breakfast.
Warm soup, freshly baked bread, sometimes rice if I had prepared it the night before. I told myself I was doing it for Grandpa, for Ank, for our little family. But the truth was, I wanted to take care of them—especially him.
Ank.
After completing every house chore, I would begin my own training. I practiced spell chants until my throat would dry, refining the rhythm until the words rolled off my tongue like flowing water. Then I pushed myself harder, stripping away the chants altogether—forcing my magic to respond instantly, without hesitation.
Learning about my hidden spell and researching spells that can help me in dangerous situations.
My only motivation was Ank , i want want to notice me but how I was going hard work .
In a single year, I had mastered over five powerful spells. Each one felt like a weapon I could wield at will. And yet, it wasn't enough. Grandpa also taught me the sword, and though my arms ached and blistered, I mastered the basics until the blade felt like an extension of my body.
But… training wasn't the only thing that changed in me.
The realization of my feelings had struck me harder than any training blow. It was a strange, terrifying discovery—that I liked him. Truly liked him. Every time I saw his face, every time our eyes nearly met, my heart beat wildly. I panicked. I avoided him. I found excuses. I looked away.
I hated myself for it.
And that terrified me.
The moment I realized I liked him, I couldn't bring myself to face him properly anymore. I avoided his gaze, avoided being alone with him. Yet when he was unconscious, I couldn't stop myself from visiting his room. Just sitting by his bedside, quietly watching his sleeping face, listening to the soft sound of his breath… it calmed me. But it also made me guilty.
Whenever I remember his name alone it makes my chest feel tight, i want yo wake up and look at me.
I want to live always close to Ank ,After waking Ank ,I want to thank him for saving me and sorry for mocking him.
I want to talk to him ,watch him ,spend time with him .I was waiting then Ank would awake ,when I would tell him about my feelings ,did he accept or not.
I am nervous, my only wish was now Ank , I want Ank .
When Ank finally woke up, I couldn't even look him in the eye. Every time our eyes met, my heart leapt and I would quickly turn away, pretending to be busy.
I cursed myself for doing this ,every time I gathered courage to tell him how I feel ,I quickly run away.
Grandpa noticed, of course. Nothing escaped his sharp eyes. Yet instead of teasing me or scolding me, he simply muttered under his breath:
"Hmph. Youngsters and their troubles… not my problem. Let them figure it out themselves."
I wanted to argue, to tell him he was wrong, but I couldn't. Maybe he was right. Maybe this was something I had to face alone.
So I buried myself in training.
In thought that I slowly gathered some courage to tell my feelings.
Then, the day came when Ank left for the mountain.
I tried to hide it, but my chest felt heavy, my heart restless. I asked Grandpa countless times, "Is he okay? Do you think something happened to him? What if—"
"Relax," Grandpa always replied in the same calm tone. "Nothing will happen to him. That boy is tougher than you think."
But no matter how many times he said it, my worries didn't fade. At night I would lie awake, staring at the ceiling, imagining Ank alone in some dark forest, facing danger.
Two endless days passed.
And then—suddenly—I felt it. A ripple in the air, a familiar warmth brushing against my senses. My new spell helped me locate him, and I knew immediately.
Ank had returned.
Without hesitation, I rushed to the door, my breath quickening, my hands trembling. My heart screamed his name even before my lips could.
And when I saw his figure approaching the village gate, worn and tired but alive—tears stung my eyes, though I quickly wiped them away before he could notice.
In central Continent,
Runewood kingdom,
And now in the same room, they were sitting discussing how they failed to capture the princess.
Why we cannot capture her,we spent billions of gold on mercenaries but the result was the same .King 1 said in an angry tone .
What can we do? She was a great threat for us.
How about we send you armies to the diamondheart continent in disguise as training.some one suggested.
Everyone listened and nodded and said this was a good idea .
But the problem ,how we send our armies, diamondheart Emperor will understand immediately about your condition.
And this was the least we cannot want to do.
And then runewood king stood up and said how about I use my connection as I made to the fourth prince.
You knew my daughter was engaged to him and if I asked he would help me.
And with their help ,we will be able to stop him.
Yes we agree with your idea
And now your next topic ,about upcoming tournaments that are going to happen in the next six months.
The tournament that will change central continent forever.