Chapter 18: A Rainy Duel Between Friends

  Why, Kairo?

  Why did you choose this option? Weren't you happy? Weren't you like me, feeling for the first time that life could be more than just waiting for the next disaster? I don't understand how others think. I don't know how Clara thinks of me, and I don't know how you thought about our current life. Maybe you, too, are looking for a change? But why? Why would you want a change when we have all this?

  I was sitting in the stands, with Clara next to me, watching the fight in front of me, but my mind was elsewhere.

  "Lady Clara," I said suddenly. "Why didn't you try to challenge Alessandro during the exam period?"

  She looked at me. "Unfortunately, I can't defeat him right now. But I will become stronger. Now, focus on the fight."

  "Fine," I said with a smile, and tried to concentrate.

  In the arena, there were two people who were similar in their fighting style. Both were geniuses, both specialized in all types of magic. It was a battle of brute force. Wind magic against wind magic, water magic against water magic. There were no complicated plans or tricks. Just pure magic, and the one with the stronger magic would win.

  Isabella should have been superior, as she is a talent that appears every ten thousand years. But this did not happen. From the start of the fight, Kairo was the superior one.

  He cornered Isabella. Once, twice, and thrice. He wasn't fighting her; he was punishing her. He read every one of her attacks before she even thought of it, and countered it with a stronger and more precise counter-attack. This was not the Kairo I knew. He wasn't lazy; he wasn't playing. He was a king.

  He fought with a terrifying calm, with traces of boredom on his face. His movements were economical, his magic was efficient, and his gaze was cold. He was only missing a crown. Those who had underestimated him, the students and professors, watched in silent shock. This is what happens when Kairo Foist trains seriously.

  Isabella tried to abandon brute force. She had matured. She tried to use deceitful attacks, but Kairo was always one step ahead.

  "This is the end," Kairo said audibly.

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  He launched a small fireball. It looked silly and harmless, but it was as fast as a bullet. It pierced Isabella's last defenses, hitting her, burning her uniform, and making her fall to the ground.

  Gabriel was stunned. It had been a one-sided fight.

  "The winner... Kairo Foist. He will advance to the second rank."

  Kairo left the arena and disappeared, without looking at anyone.

  "I didn't feel like that was the Kairo I know," Clara said next to me. "I felt something different."

  I patted her head. "He is Kairo Foist, the stupid fool. And he will always remain that person, even if he seems a little stronger than usual."

  After the fight was over, I returned to my apartment. I found a small note on the table. It was in Kairo's handwriting.

  "At the arena. At night."

  That bastard. He doesn't want to give himself any rest. I knew what I needed before a fight like this. I needed food made by my woman's hands.

  I rang Clara's floor bell.

  "Deo? What? We were just together."

  "I'm hungry. And I want food. I'm coming now." I hung up before she could protest, and rang the bell again. She opened the door for me.

  I walked in, and I found it. The mess. It was back.

  "Again?" I said, looking at the scattered clothes. "Didn't I tell you not to mess it up?"

  She said in embarrassment: "What do you want me to do?"

  I sighed and started cleaning. "I hope I don't find any underpants this time."

  "You won't!" she shrieked, her face red. "I've become more careful."

  I laughed. We cleaned the room, then we started cooking together. We laughed and mocked each other. The food was bad. Very bad. But I told her it was the most beautiful food I had ever tasted, with the most delicious tea.

  After we finished, we sat on the couch to watch a silly movie. And as usual, Clara fell asleep early, her head on my shoulder. I gently carried her to her bed, covered her, and kissed her forehead. As I was about to leave, I heard her sleepy voice.

  "Where... are you going, Deo?"

  "A friend needs me. I have to go."

  She looked at me, and gave a sleepy smile. "Okay... go."

  And she continued sleeping.

  It was raining.

  Why is it always raining? I thought as I walked the empty Academy streets. We are in the middle of summer.

  The rain was washing the world, washing away the colors, leaving everything looking gray and sad. I reached the arena. It was closed and dark. I jumped over the high fence easily, and landed on the wet ground.

  He was there.

  Sitting in the middle of the arena, cross-legged, his eyes closed. He was meditating, unconcerned by the rain soaking his hair and clothes.

  I stood in front of him in silence. The sound of the falling rain was the only sound. The reflection of the Academy's faint lights danced on the puddles of water. The vapor of our breaths mixed with the cold air.

  Kairo opened his eyes.

  "You're late," he said calmly. "I thought for a moment you wouldn't come."

  I gave a faint laugh. "Unfortunately, I don't run from any fight."

  I tossed my sword sheath onto the ground. I pulled out the "Sword of Life," its bright white strangely glowing in the darkness.

  Kairo stood up, and looked directly with golden eyes.

  We stood like this for an infinite moment. Friends. Brothers. And now... enemies. The rain washed our faces, and the heavy weight of five years of unspoken history pressed the air between us.