Kai walked quietly through the academy's class C hallways, his pace steady, his hands clasped behind his back. His heart beat just a little faster than normal, but he kept his face composed.
He reached Professor Mallet's office and paused.
He'd made up his mind.
Kathlyn had struggled through the first stage alone. She hadn't asked for help. She hadn't even told him what she was planning. But he already knew And he wasn't going to let her face the rest of it on her own...and the rewards weren't bad either
He knocked. Once Firm.
"Enter," came Mallet's voice.
Kai stepped inside, bowing his head slightly as he closed the door behind him.
Professor Mallet sat at his desk, a small lamp casting light across piles of parchment. He looked up, his sharp gaze fixing immediately on Kai.
"Something on your mind, Asukura?"
Kai didn't waste time.
"I'm going with Kathlyn into the Prism."
Mallet tilted his head just slightly, the faintest glimmer of surprise crossing his features.
"She told you about it, then."
Kai kept his stance straight.
"She didn't go in detail But I know enough now. And I want to go."
Mallet's fingers steepled together, resting against his mouth.
"You understand what you're asking for?"
Kai took a breath.
"I understand she's facing something that shakes even her. I understand she's carrying it alone because she thinks she has to. And I understand I can't let her do that anymore."
He had to put on this act yes he wanted to help Kathlyn but it's not like he had to do it this early in the arc he kept those thoughts to himself
Mallet was silent for a long moment.
The air between them felt heavier, as though the old man was weighing not just Kai's words, but everything behind them.
Then, slowly, Mallet stood.
He crossed to a shelf along the wall, retrieving a sealed scroll marked with faint sigils.
He handed it to Kai this allows someone to join another person on a higher stage volunteering to face trials not designed with teamwork in mind. Do you still want to do this?"
Kai again thought to himself of you would believe that but this specific one I'd built for teamwork and that's what made it so hard for Kathlyn in the novel
Kai's grip tightened around the scroll.
"Yes."
Mallet gave the faintest of nods.
"Very well." He met Kai's gaze, his voice firm, even.
"You'll accompany her for the second stage. Prepare yourself, Asukura. This is not something you rush into on a whim. And for your sake I hope you're ready to face parts of yourself you might not even know are there."
Kai exhaled slowly, his heart steadying.
"I'm ready."
Without another word, he turned, scroll in hand, and left the office.
Behind him, Professor Mallet watched the door close, his expression unreadable.
"…So," he murmured under his breath,
"the second piece joins the board."
Kai walked steadily across the open training yard, eyes locked ahead.
He spotted June easily the other boy stood near the practice rings, arms folded, watching two Class B students sparring at a distance. He wasn't paying much attention; if anything, June looked bored, like none of this could possibly surprise or interest him.
Kai approached, stopping a few steps away.
June glanced sideways.
"What's up, Asukura? You look like you're on a mission."
Why did everyone start calling me by my last name?
Kai kept his tone measured.
"I'm going to help Kathlyn in the Prism."
June blinked, turning slightly toward him.
"The what?"
Kai paused. Right of course.
June didn't know about the Prism.
In fact, June didn't even know there was one here, under the academy.
Kai exhaled.
"Never mind the details. Just know it's something important. And for now, I need you to stay out of anything related to the underground relic scene. Don't ask why, not yet."
June narrowed his eyes faintly.
"Underground relic scene?" He gave a slow shake of his head. "Asukura, I don't even know what you're talking about. You're being cryptic as hell right now."
Kai lifted a hand.
"I know. Just trust me, okay? For now, don't dig into it. I'll explain everything when I'm back. But I need to handle this first."
June gave him a long, assessing look.
Then snorted softly, shaking his head.
"You're a weird one, you know that?"
Kai gave a small, dry smile.
"Yeah, I know."
June shrugged.
"Alright. I wasn't planning on poking around in any 'underground relic scene,' but sure, I'll leave it alone. For now."
Kai inclined his head, relieved.
"Thanks."
June tilted his head, grin twitching at the edge of his mouth.
"Just don't get yourself killed, hero. I'd hate to have to explain to the instructors why Class C lost its loudest romantic
Kai chuckled under his breath, then turned away.
He didn't tell June anything more.
And June, for now, didn't press.
But Kai knew the moment June caught a whiff of what was really happening, the pieces would start shifting.
He needed to move fast
Kai could almost not believe the trust June had this early on in their relationship was this the reason he made so many friends so quickly didn't matter
That evening, Kai quietly slipped back into Kathlyn's room this time without the dramatic entrance, no Ghostly Concealment, no smug grin
She was still tucked under the blankets, lying half-curled on her side, staring at the wall. Her eyes flicked toward him when he stepped in, then away again.
Kai didn't say anything right away. He just walked over, set a fresh cup of tea on her nightstand, and pulled the chair up next to her bed.
Kathlyn shifted slightly, murmuring under her breath. "You're still here…?"
"Yeah," Kai said casually, leaning back in the chair. "Did you think I was going to leave you to wallow in your own tragic monologue?"
She let out a tired little huff, pulling the blanket tighter. "I don't have a tragic monologue."
"You were whispering to the wall when I came in," Kai said, tilting his head "Sounded pretty tragic to me
Kathlyn let out a weak groan, burying her face in the pillow. "I hate you."
"Aw, that's the spirit." Kai reached over and lightly nudged the edge of the blanket. "Drink the tea before it goes cold.
Kathlyn peeked out just enough to eye the cup. "…You didn't anything weird in it right
Kai gave her a blank stare before shouting appalling i would never do such a thing
For a while, they just sat there kai watching over her quietly, occasionally refilling her water or adjusting the blanket if she squirmed. He didn't push conversation. He didn't make any declarations.
He just stayed.
Eventually, as Kathlyn's breathing evened out and her eyelids drooped, she mumbled faintly, "You really are helpful, you know…"
Kai smiled softly, but inwardly he was cheering soon I'll change the genre to a romcom
She gave the faintest snort, half-asleep.
And Kai stayed in the chair, eventually falling asleep