They both laughed again and paused near a small pond where koi fish swam lazily.
Victor looked down at the water. "It's good to see you laugh again."
"You always manage to make me laugh, even when I don't want to."
He looked over at her with a fond smile appearing on his face. "That's kinda my thing."
But then, he suddenly spurted out the next statement without thinking.
"So... how are things with Derek?"
Amara's smile faltered.
Victor inwardly groaned. 'Smooth. Real smooth. Ask about the competition, why don't you?'
An awkward silence bloomed between them. Birds chirped in the distance, and the koi continued swimming, but suddenly, the air between them felt heavier.
Amara brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "They're fine, I guess."
"Can we talk about something else?"
Victor nodded but before they could move on, Victor exhaled slowly.
His heart thudded in his chest as he voiced out once more...
"Amara, I have to say something."
She looked at him curiously.
Her expression froze.
"I've liked you for the longest time. Probably since middle school. I never really said anything because I figured someone like you wouldn't see someone like me that way. But then you kissed me. So now I have to ask... do you feel the same?"
Amara looked away. "No."
"Yes," she added quickly. "I mean... I do. It's complicated."
A visibly stunned look appeared on Victor's face. "How?"
Amara stepped back slightly. "I have a boyfriend. Derek. And then you... you just wiggled your way into the picture with your stupid jokes and your stupid smile and... You made me laugh. Made me feel seen in a way that nobody ever has. And I started craving you. But it's wrong. This is wrong. That kiss was a mistake. It can't happen again."
Victor swallowed. "But if you really liked Derek, would you have kissed me in the first place?"
Amara clenched her fists. "That doesn't matter. I'm committed to him."
Victor stepped closer. "Then why are you still here with me?"
She turned to walk away. "Because I needed to tell you it's over before it becomes something more."
Victor reached forward and grabbed her hand before pulling her gently back. "Amara, wait."
The moment she turned, he kissed her.
It was soft at first. Hesitant. But the moment their lips met, all logic, all conflict, and all hesitation vanished.
She kissed him back... Passionately.
The world around them melted. The flowers in the surroundings seemed to glow. The air grew warmer. Time stood still.
Then a voice shattered it all.
They both froze and hero separated.
The voice was laced with disbelief and confusion.
Both Victor and Amara slowly turned.
Standing at the garden entrance was none other than Derek.
Amara's hand shot up to her lips as her eyes darted between Victor and her boyfriend.
But he had already turned and was storming away.
Victor barely had time to digest what just happened when Amara turned toward Derek, who was storming off.
"Wait! Derek! It wasn't like that! He kissed me!"
Victor blinked. "Amara--"
But it was too late. Derek stopped, spun around and drew the dark-hilted sword strapped to his side.
It emitted a faint blue glow as mana-glyphs appeared on the blade.
Victor's eyes widened. "Derek, you don't wanna do that--"
But Derek didn't listen... He charged forward swinging; "How dare you make a move on my girl!"
Victor stepped towards the left to evade the first slash causing wind to brush past the side of his face from the force.
"Derek, calm down. I don't want to hurt you."
Derek growled. "You think I care? You kissed my girlfriend!"
He swung again causing Victor to ducked...
The blade grazed a hanging vine and sliced it clean off.
"I didn't plan for that to happen! It--"
"I cut your ass enough slack," Derek eyes blazed as he roared. "Even though I don't like you. Because you lost your father. Because I pitied your ass. But that ends today! Fight me, coward!"
He activated a Warrior-based skill.
A golden glow erupted from his blade as a system interface appeared before him.
[Skill Activated: Blade Rend - Level 2]
Victor leapt upwards and front flipped over the attack, causing the swing to carve a deep groove into the earth and sever a thick tree behind him with a terrible crack.
"Derek, this isn't the way. We could talk like two civilised people."
Another attack followed.
Victor tightened his fist. Things were getting serious and he couldn't keep dodging forever. Not here. Not in front of so many people.
A crowd had gathered.
-"Who are are those guys?"
-"Are they fighting because of a girl?"
-"First years are so pathetic!"
-"The other dude keeps running like a loser..."
"You really wanna do this?" Victor yelled out.
Derek rushed at him without answering.
Victor moved his neck slightly to evade another swing and then raised his palm with unexpected speed before thrusting forward.
A concentrated burst of wind slammed into Derek's chest the moment Victor's palm collided, sending him flying across the air.
He tumbled and rolled but managed to land in a crouch while growling.
"You gonna hide behind tricks now, Victor? Or do you wanna fight like a real man?"
Derek slammed his sword into the ground.
[Skill Activated: Arc Slash - Level 3]
Victor also stepped forward while drawing power from his Void Emperor Bloodline. Arrow-shaped markings appeared faintly across his arms and neck. He was finally prepared to take this seriously.
Both of them dashed toward each other.
But before they socially clash again...
A massive blast of golden light erupted between them.
Both were pushed back by an enormous summoned beast made of crystalline feathers and radiant eyes. It floated in the air with a majestic screech before planting itself between them.
[Summon: Aeloria, Guardian of Order - Grade II ]
Two walls of shining light slammed down on either side of the battlefield, pushing both boys apart.
Amara stood in the center with glowing eyes.
"Stop this! Both of you!" she yelled.