Mornings at Arcane Academy had a rhythm of their own—a soft hum of magic in the air, the distant chimes of crystalline bells, and the gentle murmur of students walking across the courtyard. Show had only been here a short time, yet something about the Academy already felt… familiar. As if he had walked through these halls before, in another life, under a different sky.
The sun filtered through stained glass windows, scattering red, gold, and violet across the hallways. Show walked quietly beside Hibiki, who bounced beside him with endless energy.
"So, Show!" Hibiki spoke in his usual animated tone, hands waving as if describing something cosmic. "Today we get to pick our Affinity Partner in Practical Application class! It's supposed to match students who work well together. Isn't that exciting?!"
Show blinked. "I… suppose."
Hibiki looked at him with puffed cheeks. "You gotta use more emotion, my guy! This is fun! You're finally starting your life!"
Show gave a very small, barely-there smile. "You're loud, Hibiki."
"And you're quiet," Hibiki grinned, "so we balance each other. That's how this works."
Show didn't say it aloud, but he appreciated Hibiki. His presence made the Academy feel less heavy.
---
Training Grounds – Morning Class
The training arena was a wide marble courtyard surrounded by flowering vines and soaring statues of ancient mages. Students gathered in groups, magic energy shimmering faintly around them.
Professor Eldren stood at the center, cloak rustling, eyes sharp as ever.
"Today," he began, "we learn not only magic, but the ability to trust another. Magic does not bloom in isolation. It thrives through bonds."
His eyes flickered—briefly—toward Show, and Raelyn noticed.
Pairs were called:
Drake with Cyrus
Karen with Lina
Lyra with Presto
Akito with Chris
And then—
"Show and Hibiki Solwind."
Hibiki threw both arms up triumphantly. "YES! Destiny! Best duo!"
Drake, standing a few paces away, clicked his tongue. "You're going to blow him up with your energy alone."
Hibiki stuck his tongue back. "Better than freezing the room with your attitude."
Drake glared. Show watched them, quietly amused.
Raelyn observed everything from a distance—his silver hair shining faintly under sunlight, his eyes thoughtful. He wasn't partnered yet, by Eldren's design. He was watching Show.
Something unspoken passed between teacher and student—one recognizing, the other wondering.
---
Resonance Exercise
Students were told to stand facing their partners, palms forward, magic lightly flowing.
Hibiki's magic flared in a rush of shimmering green wind, soft but alive—like laughter in breeze.
Show's flame magic flickered faintly, small sparks rising like fireflies.
"Don't force it," Hibiki whispered, now surprisingly calm. "Just let it breathe. Like… a heartbeat."
Show inhaled slowly.
Tha-dump.
The magic pulsed.
Their energies touched—wind and flame, dancing.
The candle-sized flame rose into a swirling ember spiral, carried by Hibiki's breeze but shaped by Show's control.
Some students turned to watch.
Raelyn's eyes widened slightly.
Not because Show was powerful—
but because Show was gentle.
His flame didn't roar. It warmed.
Drake glanced over too, his expression unreadable. Perhaps impressed. Perhaps annoyed. Perhaps… curious.
Professor Eldren spoke softly, almost to himself:
"…flame guided by compassion. Rare."
And Show, hearing none of that, simply breathed out.
---
Midday – Garden Walk
After training, the class rested in the Academy gardens—a place where flowers hummed with mana and tiny light-motes drifted like lazy stars. Karen sat beside Show, shy but gentle, her soft pink-silver hair glowing faintly in the sun.
"You controlled your flame really well today," she said. "It… felt warm. Comforting."
Show blinked. No one had ever described his flame that way.
"My magic usually frightens people," he said quietly.
Karen's expression softened. "Magic shows who we are inside. Yours didn't feel scary to me."
She didn't realize how much those words mattered.
Across the garden, Drake leaned against a tree, arms crossed, pretending not to pay attention. Lyra hovered near him nervously, holding a small wreath of magically grown vines.
She approached.
"Um… Drake… I made this for you. It's supposed to help with focus…"
Drake paused, looked at it, then at her—
and accepted it silently.
Lyra nearly passed out.
Presto cheered. Cyrus laughed. Hibiki performed a dramatic swoon.
Lina sighed and patched a scraped elbow on Chris while Chris tried not to faint from embarrassment.
Akito sat under a tree reading, cards floating around him like small moons. One card kept flipping back to Show's symbol—fire crossing light.
He frowned.
"…fate is shifting."
---
Evening – Dining Hall
The dining hall glowed with lanternlight, the air full of chatter, laughter, and occasional food-related explosions (mostly Presto's fault).
Show sat with Hibiki, Karen, and Raelyn. Drake sat across from them—close, but not with them.
Hibiki told stories with full dramatic voice, waving spoons and nearly knocking cups over. Karen laughed softly, covering her mouth. Raelyn listened with calm amusement. Show didn't say much, but his silence was not lonely—it was shared.
Drake finally spoke, quietly but firmly:
"…You're different, Show."
The table went silent.
Show looked up. "Different how?"
Drake stared into his eyes—not rude, just honest.
"You don't act strong. And you don't act weak. You just… exist. As yourself. Most people here pretend. You don't."
Show blinked—surprised.
Hibiki leaned back, smiling. "That's Show. Plain on the outside—giant story inside."
Karen nodded softly.
Raelyn's eyes held quiet understanding.
For the first time in his life… Show felt seen.
---
Night – Quiet Balcony
The moon hung low, silver and soft. Show leaned against the balcony rail, pendant resting against his chest. The night wind carried distant whispers of leaves.
Raelyn joined him silently.
"You don't have to say anything," Raelyn murmured. "I just didn't want you to stand alone."
Show didn't reply.
They stood together in silence.
Not needing words.
Two souls—tied by something neither yet understood.
The pendant pulsed once.
Softly.
Like a memory stirring.
Raelyn felt it.
"…There is something inside you," he whispered. "Something old. Something waiting."
Show looked at the moon.
"If there is… then I'll face it. My way."
Raelyn smiled. Faint. Proud.
"Good. Then you won't be alone."
The night breeze carried the quiet promise into the sky.
To Be Continued
---