As Si-Woo stepped out into the bustling streets of Ondur, he took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air and reflecting on his recent encounter. “I had no idea Hemeraldo had been through so much, Z,” he murmured, glancing up at his whiteblood wyvern companion perched comfortably on his head. “If he’s this incredible, just imagine how amazing his beloved must have been.” A smile touched his lips as he pondered it, and he began wandering through the lively streets of Ondur, letting the sights and sounds distract him for a few hours.

When he finally made his way back to the Young Academy of Ondur, Si-Woo arrived just in time to see Ha-Yoon and Mai emerging from the front doors. Ha-Yoon looked utterly drained, her shoulders sagging with exhaustion—until Z leaped from Si-Woo’s head onto hers with a playful coo. Ha-Yoon’s eyes lit up, and she burst into laughter. “These tests really are on another level as you move up,” she said, reaching up to gently pat Z.

Mai nodded in agreement, a tired smile on her face. “I’m not sure how I did on the Hoken language arts portion,” she admitted with a sigh.

Ha-Yoon extended her hand expectantly toward Si-Woo, a glimmer of determination in her eyes. Si-Woo stared at her outstretched hand for a moment before offering her a high-five, his other hand conspicuously hidden behind his back.

“Give me the cakes—I need the nutrients!” Ha-Yoon shouted, her voice comically desperate. Both Si-Woo and Mai burst out laughing. With a smirk, Si-Woo revealed his hidden hand, producing the Yoani cakes. Mai accepted one with a grateful smile, while Ha-Yoon grabbed the rest with a triumphant gleam. “I need the sustenance!” she declared, stuffing her mouth with enthusiasm.

Si-Woo shook his head, bemused. There’s no saving her, is there? he thought, a fond smile on his lips.

Mai, nibbling on her cake, turned to Si-Woo. “So, what did you do all day?”

Si-Woo hesitated for a moment before replying, “I visited Hemeraldo.”

Mai’s eyes widened in astonishment. “Hemeraldo? But he’s known for disappearing for long stretches! That’s amazing.”

Si-Woo turned around, about to explain more. “He wants to make Z an armo—” He stopped abruptly, noticing a small smear of pink frosting on Mai’s cheek. “Don’t move,” he said, stepping closer to wipe it away.

As Si-Woo stepped closer, Mai felt her heart pound faster, each beat echoing in her chest like a drum. Her breath caught, and for a fleeting moment, everything else—the sounds of the bustling academy, Ha-Yoon’s playful banter, even Z’s coos—faded into the background. Her mind went completely blank, unable to process anything but the warmth of Si-Woo’s presence as he reached out to gently wipe the frosting from her cheek.

The touch was soft and fleeting, yet it sent a jolt of electricity through her.

Mai’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and she averted her gaze, suddenly very aware of the closeness between them. She struggled to form a coherent thought, to say anything to break the silence, but all she could manage was a nervous laugh, masking the whirlwind of emotions inside her.

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Si-Woo, oblivious to her inner turmoil, pulled back with a casual smile. “All clean,” he said, his tone light and cheerful.

Mai nodded stiffly, feeling like her heart might burst. “Th-thanks,” she stammered, hoping he wouldn’t notice how flustered she was. But when she dared to glance at him again, he had already turned his attention to Ha-Yoon.

“Ha-Yoon,” Si-Woo began, turning to his sister, “Hemeraldo wanted me to give you his greeting—” He trailed off, spotting icing all over her face. “Don’t move.”

But Ha-Yoon hissed like a cat guarding its precious treasure. The two of them quickly descended into playful chaos, wrestling as Si-Woo tried to wipe her face clean. Z, amused by the commotion, flitted from Ha-Yoon’s head to Mai’s, cooing cheerfully while Mai doubled over with laughter, the warmth of their bond and the joy of friendship lighting up their tired spirits.

...

A few days later, the results of the mid-term placement tests were posted. On their walk to the academy, Si-Woo noticed Ha-Yoon fidgeting nervously, recalling how unusually determined she’d been about waking him up that morning. When they entered the academy hall to view the results, they spotted Mai pacing anxiously. She expressed her nerves, her eyes darting toward the stage. Ha-Yoon, meanwhile, was soon surrounded by her equally jittery friends. Mai began chatting with her own circle, while Si-Woo turned his attention to the stage, scanning for the announcers.

As the results ceremony began, the first scroll to be revealed was that of the Level 1 students. It unfurled slowly, and as one of the teachers began reading off the scores, murmurs of excitement and chatter filled the hall. Si-Woo leaned over and commented, "Looks like they had an average score of 79 or so." But when he glanced at Mai, he noticed she hadn’t heard a word, lost in her own anxious thoughts. He chuckled softly and turned his attention back to the stage.

Next, the scroll for Level 3 students appeared, eliciting cheers and enthusiastic conversations from those who had advanced that far. Si-Woo observed the noisy excitement, knowing this moment would one day be his.

Finally, the Level 2 scroll unfurled. As it did, the room descended into near silence, all eyes focused on the results. Si-Woo held his breath, barely daring to hope. Princess Deane took a step forward, her smile radiant as she announced, "Congratulations to the top three students of the Level 2 class, who not only achieved the highest scores within their level but earned scores high enough to advance to Level 3. Please celebrate with me as we recognize Mai, Ha-Yoon, and Sol, each scoring an impressive 95 and marking a historic accomplishment for the kingdom of Ondur."

The hall erupted in cheers and applause. Si-Woo’s heart swelled with pride as he watched Mai and Ha-Yoon bask in the joy of their hard-earned success. He caught sight of Sol standing apart, arms folded, his expression unflinchingly stoic even as others tried to congratulate him. Si-Woo considered approaching but was interrupted by a teacher announcing that those advancing to Level 3 would have a two-day break to prepare, while the rest were to resume their classes.

As the crowd began to disperse, Ha-Yoon rushed over to Si-Woo, her eyes sparkling. "I did it," she said, her smile as warm as ever. Mai soon joined her, grabbing Ha-Yoon’s arm with excitement. "We need to pack, Ha-Yoon!" Together, they hurried off, leaving Si-Woo standing in their wake, a mix of pride and longing in his chest.

Before he could dwell on his thoughts, Sol strode past, casting him a condescending smirk before vanishing into the sea of students. Si-Woo exhaled deeply and thought to himself, "Looks like I’ll be finishing out this year as a fresh Level 2 on my own." With determination flickering in his eyes, he turned and walked back to his classes, ready for whatever lay ahead.