"Wait, what?!" I exclaim, my voice shooting up in surprise.

"Shhh!" Rodrick hisses, yanking me closer by my cape. He glances around as if expecting someone to pop out of the shadows. "Keep it down, man!"

He leans in, his voice barely above a whisper. "Claire’s never openly said it to any guy. The only reason we know is because Elaine found out. I’m telling you, even though they’re training right now, you never know when they’ll pop out of nowhere. Pretty much everyone in the crew knows, but we gotta keep quiet. We don’t want Elaine looking untrustworthy to her."

I nod quickly, feeling the weight of his words. He’s right. If Elaine trusted the group enough to share something Claire hadn’t, the least we could do was not jeopardize their bond. There’s probably a reason why Claire keeps this part of herself so private.

Rodrick continues, his tone softening. "She technically has a third quirk, but it’s not unlocked yet. She can’t use it until… well, I don’t even know what the trigger is."

The idea of a third quirk, locked away and waiting, stirs my curiosity even more. As we talk about abilities, I feel a pang of anxiety creeping in. What about me? When will I unlock mine?

Before I can dwell on it, Rodrick’s grin returns full force. "Actually, speaking of her—hey, Hector, let’s go spectate the two ladies," he says, already standing and stretching.

I blink, caught off guard by the suggestion. "Wait, what? Spectate? Where are they?"

"Just follow me," Rodrick replies with a mischievous glint in his eyes, motioning for me to get up. Without waiting for an answer, he starts walking away from the camp.

I get to my feet and follow him through the trees. We walk for a few minutes, the woods thinning slightly as the sounds of camp fade into the distance. Finally, Rodrick stops near a massive oak tree. I glance around, but there’s no sign of Claire or Elaine.

"They’re not he—" I start, but Rodrick cuts me off mid-sentence.

"Right here, Hector," he says, pointing to something hidden behind the tree.

I step closer and spot it—a floating, blue, diamond-shaped light suspended in the air. It hums faintly, glowing with an otherworldly brilliance. Rodrick touches it with his hand, and a faint shimmer ripples across its surface.

"Press spectate," he says casually before, without warning, the orb pulls him in with a flash of light.

My jaw drops as I take a step back instinctively. The orb looks untouched, glowing steadily as if nothing had happened. Swallowing my hesitation, I reach out and place my hand on its smooth surface. I feel nothing but a faint warmth beneath my fingers. Suddenly, text pops up in front of me, glowing in midair:

----------------------------------------

(A 1 v 1 combat battle is in progress: Claire vs. Elaine. Current spectator: Noobmaster69.

Time remaining: 5 minutes 45 seconds.

Would you like to [Spectate] or [Request to Fight]?)

----------------------------------------

I hesitate, my mind racing. Then, remembering Rodrick’s words, I select [Spectate].

The diamond vanishes immediately, and the familiar hum and flicker from my earlier duel with CakeLover fill the air. The world shifts slightly, the sky darkening to a muted red. The sudden change in atmosphere makes my stomach twist. I feel a light tap on my shoulder and turn to see Rodrick standing there, his grin as smug as ever.

"Follow me," he says, motioning for me to hurry. He leads the way out of the woods, the trees giving way to an open field. The air feels electric here, charged with an intensity that makes my skin tingle.

Ahead, I see them.

I wouldn’t call this training—not even close. The way Elaine and Claire clash feels more like a fight to the death. Every swing of Elaine’s katana is precise, calculated, and deadly, aiming straight for vital points—the heart, the head, the throat. Her focus is razor-sharp, her movements a testament to her mastery of the blade. It’s impossible not to respect her skill.

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And yet, my eyes keep drifting to Claire.

She wields a massive two-handed spear, nearly as tall as she is, the handle a polished light brown. The weapon itself is something else—a main blade jutting out like a lance, flanked by two smaller blades on either side. It’s not just a tool for stabbing; it’s a weapon of grace and versatility, equally effective as a sword when swung. And Claire? She wields it with a poise that’s almost hypnotic.

"That’s part of her ability," Rodrick whispers, leaning closer. "She can summon that spear."

I nod absentmindedly, my gaze glued to her. The way she moves—it’s like watching a dancer in the middle of a battle. Each step, each strike flows seamlessly into the next. Her movements are a symphony of precision and elegance, her strikes calculated to disarm and overwhelm rather than destroy. It’s as if she’s turned combat into an art form. And as much as I admire Elaine’s direct, no-nonsense approach, Claire is the one who leaves me breathless.

The truth is, I’ve felt this way ever since I first saw her. Something about her sharp, confident demeanor drew me in, even when she was at her coldest. But this? Seeing her in her element, commanding the battlefield with such skill and beauty—it’s enough to make my chest tighten.

"Hey, Hector," Rodrick’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts. I glance at him, startled.

"Yeah?" I reply, trying to play it cool.

He grins, that mischievous glint in his eye making me immediately suspicious. "Check this out." He raises a hand, and a tiny flame flickers to life at his fingertip.

My stomach sinks. "No, Rodrick! Stop!" I lunge for his arm, but it’s too late.

"Fireball," he says nonchalantly, and the flame shoots toward the battlefield. My heart jumps into my throat, panic surging through me. But just before it reaches them, the fireball collides with an invisible barrier and fizzles out harmlessly.

Rodrick laughs, leaning casually against a tree. "Relax, man. I just thought I’d drop a little knowledge on you, that’s all."

I glare at him, still catching my breath. "You could’ve said that instead of making me think you were about to incinerate them!"

He shrugs, completely unfazed. "Where’s the fun in that?"

I turn back to the fight, just in time to see Elaine’s katana ignite. Flames ripple along the blade, casting a fiery glow that reflects in her determined eyes.

"Dragon Swing!" she shouts, and with a powerful sweep, she sends a wave of fire hurtling toward Claire.

But Claire doesn’t flinch. She plants her spear firmly into the ground, raises it high, and waits. Just as the fire closes in, she swings the spear downward with incredible force. The clash is spectacular—the fire resists, swirling and crackling like a living thing. But Claire’s resolve is unshakable. With a fierce cry, she forces the flames downward until they collapse into a roaring wall of fire that separates the two combatants.

I think it’s over, but Claire surprises me again. She grips her spear tightly and sprints toward the fire. In one fluid motion, she plants the spear into the ground and vaults over the blazing wall. Her timing is impeccable, her landing flawless. Elaine, caught completely off guard, has no chance to react before Claire’s boot connects with her chest, sending her sprawling to the ground.

Claire doesn’t hesitate. In a blur of movement, she pins Elaine down, the tip of her spear hovering dangerously close to Elaine’s neck. The fight is over.

Elaine groans, catching her breath. "Man, you’re crazy. That was reckless, Claire."

Claire’s spear dissolves into thin air, and she offers a hand to Elaine. For a moment, I expect her usual coldness, maybe a sharp remark. But then, she smiles.

"Never let your guard down," she says, her voice warm, her smile genuine.

And just like that, my heart skips a beat.

It’s a completely new side of her, one I never thought I’d see. Claire, who always seemed so rude and unapproachable, now looks… radiant. The smile softens her sharp features, turning her from a fearsome warrior into someone breathtakingly human. It’s not just her beauty—it’s the sheer joy in her expression. She looks happy, and it makes my chest feel tight and my face hot.

I touch my cheek, trying to ground myself, but my hand doesn’t feel right. I glance down, and my breath catches. My fingers are dissolving, turning into shimmering particles of light.

"What’s going on?!" I ask, panic rising in my voice.

"Time’s up, my dude," Rodrick says, his tone casual as ever. I glance at him, and he, too, is beginning to dissolve.

I look back at the field, but Elaine and Claire are already gone, the remnants of their battle fading into the red-tinted sky. The world around me begins to blur, pulling me back to wherever the game decides I should go. I close my eyes, surrendering to the strange sensation.

But instead of darkness, I see her smile.