As the youths started slumping on the grass, trying to recover their breaths, Renlo approached Malakai and instantly bowed.
"Thank you for your teachings today, Ninth Vein!"
Malakai frowned. "I'm not your teacher, and you're not my student."
Renlo stood upright and scratched his head awkwardly. "But if not because of the Ninth Vein, I would've never improved this well! Please accept my thanks! I'll bring you bread tomorrow, don't worry!"
After the incident with the Sixth Vein, Aurelia, where he had put Renlo in danger, he had decided to take it easy on the boy during their spars.
Instead of overwhelming him, he matched his pace as they fought. And with time, Malakai had been pleasantly surprised.
'He's not a bad fighter.'
Renlo's footwork was solid, his posture and technique okay.
'He also has good instincts.'
Malakai had no idea if it was because of his usual fear, but Renlo had a knack for sensing when something bad was about to happen.
He had watched the boy's body react to feints before he even made them.
'If he keeps training, he'll improve.'
Malakai had watched his growth firsthand. Renlo only needed to keep training and refining his skills to grow stronger.
"By the way, Ninth Vein…"
Malakai came out of his thoughts, looking at Renlo, who was now staring at him like he'd just committed a crime.
"Why were you so hard on me at the end…"
Malakai responded coldly, "Looks like I've been going too easy on you. We'll revert back to our original ways."
Renlo's eyes widened. "Wait wait wait, haha, Ninth Vein, I was just joking. You weren't hard! You were good!"
He bowed deeply, panicking.
'Go back to the original way? I'd rather die!'
Sweat had already started appearing on his brow. If they went back to before Malakai started holding back, he had a world of beatings waiting for him.
He shuddered at the thought.
Then Renlo added quickly, "Please, Ninth Vein! I'll work harder, I promise! I'll also bring more bread!"
Malakai took in a deep breath. He wasn't angry.
In fact, the reason he did that was because he was trying really hard not to chuckle.
'This kid is really something.'
Who the hell bribes a Vein… with bread?
Malakai shook his head. He really couldn't with this kid.
"Prepare yourself for tomorrow," he said. "I won't hold back."
'Oh noooooooo…!' It was as if Renlo's world collapsed.
He gulped, staring at Malakai like an abandoned puppy.
But Malakai wasn't having it.
Eventually, Renlo begrudgingly accepted his fate.
Months had passed, and the other youths in class still stared at their interactions in bafflement.
Usually, when a Vein interacted with someone, it was always the other side kissing their ass and trying to get their attention.
But from their conversations, it was obvious Renlo was the one benefiting.
At this point, the class had long since recognized Malakai as a battle genius.
None were sure how he measured against the other Veins, but most had already placed him on the same pedestal, much to the chagrin of the Eighth Vein, Julius.
He stared at Malakai and Renlo speaking, his gaze cold.
Even as the other youths spoke around him, trying to get his attention and curry favor, he didn't acknowledge any of them.
And as Renlo separated from Malakai and moved toward his next class, Julius' gaze followed him.
"After training. Don't fail me," he said coldly.
The youths around him stopped speaking.
They realized what he meant, and each glanced at one another with serious eyes before nodding.
One of them, a thin-eyed youth with a cold aura, smiled slightly.
"Don't worry, Eighth Vein. We'll handle it."
Malakai lowered himself onto the grass. The next class was the Blood Art Discipline, and it was taking place here.
As he waited for the class to start, Valentine's voice echoed in his head.
'Will you admit it now?'
Malakai sighed. 'Here we go again.'
'This will only end when you admit it.'
Malakai groaned. 'No.'
Valentine groaned too. 'You can fool everyone but not me. You almost chuckled while you were speaking to him. Just admit he's your friend!'
'We're only sparring partners. Stop overthinking everything.'
Valentine paused, as though taking a deep breath.
'Malakai… don't lie to me. You're shy, aren't you?'
'What are you on about again?'
'Yes. I should've known. Even when you praise Nyx, you never look at her. You're shy, aren't you?'
'You're spouting nonsense. I'm not saying anything again.'
But deep down, Malakai knew, Valentine was right.
During the months, he and Renlo had gotten close. To the extent that they met during each break time.
They stayed together during the Darkness Creature Hunt class, and also after the end of training, they walked back to the gates.
Malakai was obviously his usual cold self to Renlo, but the boy was a sticker.
No matter his blunt and cold remarks, Renlo would always brush it away with laughter.
And at the end of the day, he would always promise to bring bread the next day.
One thing Malakai didn't do was lie to himself. And the truth was, he had grown fond of the boy.
But what Valentine was saying… 'Friend?'
At this point, it was a word that caused an ache in Malakai's chest. He had once called someone that, and it had ended in brutal betrayal.
He never wanted that to happen again.
Malakai shook his head. 'I have more pressing matters to attend to.'
His head turned towards one side of the field and landed on a beautiful female, Aurelia.
Despite months having passed since the incident, the cold intent in her stare hadn't diminished, it had intensified.
Only three days until the Hunt. In three days, he would have to face Aurelia.
'I'll be ready,' his gaze firmed.
He removed his gaze the next second and chose to meditate. Soon enough, the instructor arrived and class began.
The day went by fast, and at the end of the day, Malakai and Renlo made their way to the exit.
"Did you see me, Ninth Vein? I don't even shake anymore when facing a grade one! Aren't I amazing?"
Malakai threw him a look. "How can you be amazing for doing something you're supposed to be able to do?"
Renlo cleared his throat and smiled. "Still, it's all thanks to you, Ninth Vein. Thank you!"
Malakai shook his head. He was getting all too tired of telling him not to do this.
As they walked, from a small distance, Grinner, Yoan, along with some other instructors taking Malakai's class, stared at him with varying expressions.
But Grinner was grinning.
'I can't wait for the Hunt.' He was excited.
As they made it out, Renlo bowed and said his goodbyes, after promising more bread, and Malakai shook his head and made his way towards his manor.
But halfway there, Nyx's voice made him stop.
"What happened?" Malakai asked, staring at Nyx who was bowing in front of him.
The last time this happened, he hadn't liked it.
Nyx hesitated for a moment, and then she spoke, "Your frie—"
She shook her head and quickly corrected herself.
"The boy that always escorts you out of the training ground… he's currently in trouble."
Malakai's eyes narrowed.