Without another word, Ha-Yoon nodded and walked up the steps into the academy, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't shake the feeling that something significant was about to happen between Si-Woo and the mysterious girl. As she disappeared through the arched doors, Si-Woo took a deep breath and approached the girl with the snow-white hair and deep blue eyes.
Mai's gaze didn't waver as he drew closer, and the moment he reached her, she spoke. "You have the scent of the wild on you," she said, her voice as cold and sharp as the ice that glinted in her eyes.
Si-Woo blinked, unsure of how to respond. "I... I've just been training," he stuttered, suddenly feeling self-conscious.
Mai tilted her head, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips. "Training with what? The Dirt?" she teased, her eyes sparkling with mirth.
A blush crept up Si-Woo's neck as he glanced over her shoulder, spotting Ha-Yoon's goofy expression peeking from the open academy doors. Her eyes were wide, her mouth slightly open, her curiosity about their conversation evident. "Nosy girl," he thought. He rolled his eyes playfully before turning his attention back to Mai.
"I'm sorry about yesterday," she said, her voice softer, the sharpness replaced with a genuine sincerity that made his heart flutter. "I shouldn't have said those things."
Si-Woo's eyes searched hers, looking for any hint of the previous day's anger. "It's okay," he said, his voice gruff with nerves. "I know you didn't mean it."
Mai's expression softened, and she offered a small smile. "I hope we can continue to be friends," she said, her words carrying the weight of a promise. "And I won't interfere in your qualms with others unless you tell me to."
"friends?" Si-Woo thought. "What does that word even mean? Were we really friends in the first place?" Si-Woo contemplated.
But the clanging of the school bell cut through the silence, shattering the momentary pause in the air. Before he could delve further into his introspection, he felt a soft grip on his hand. He looked down to see Mai's delicate fingers entwined with his, her eyes looking straight ahead, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.
"We're going to be late," she said, her voice lilting with a touch of excitement. The warmth of her hand was a stark contrast to the coolness of her earlier demeanor.
"But...," Si-Woo began, his thoughts racing, but the pressure of her hand grew firmer, and she began to pull him along. He had so much to ask, so much to say, but the words remained lodged in his throat as they weaved through the crowded halls of the academy. The students, a mix of different colored fae, all chattered in the Hoken Language, the melodic sounds bouncing off the gleaming walls.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
The siblings parted ways at the classroom doors, Ha-Yoon's eyes lingering on Si-Woo as she slipped into the language class, her mind already racing with the lessons ahead. Si-Woo took a deep breath and steeled himself, entering the martial arts training hall. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and determination as young warriors-to-be sparred with one another on the open mats rolled out, their movements a mesmerizing dance of power and grace.
Master Choi's gaze swept over the room. "Today, you shall face your first true test." He gestured to a boy standing in the center of the room, muscles rippling beneath his uniform. "Sol. Si-Woo," he called out, "please step forward."
The students parted like a sea, revealing the path to the center of the training hall. Sol's eyes gleamed with a competitive light, a smirk playing on his lips as he stepped up to face Si-Woo. Si-Woo felt his heart race in anticipation. He'd heard the whispers about Sol's prowess, the way he'd been singled out by the instructors for his natural affinity for serein." I'm still recovering from yesterday's training ugh. I need to be careful, especially with him." Si-Woo thought.
Master Choi an orange, short-haired man's gaze shifted between the two, his face giving nothing away. "Today, we will spar without the use of serein," he declared. He stopped, fixing Si-Woo with a steady look. "Take this opportunity to demonstrate that you can rely on your own strength, devoid of your recent abilities, and lay the groundwork for mastering serein."
The students circled around, the air thick with anticipation. Si-Woo took his place opposite Sol, the weight of the impending match pressing down on him. Sol's smirk grew wider, his eyes narrowing as he took in Si-Woo's stance. The two locked gazes for a moment before the fight began.
Sol's first move was swift and precise, a punch aimed straight at Si-Woo's chest. The impact was like a hammer blow, stealing the breath from his lungs. He staggered back, wheezing, his eyes watering with pain. The crowd gasped.
"This was meant to be," Sol said, his voice echoing in the silent training hall. "Me, the chosen one, teaching a weakling who hasn't even tasted his own power."
Si-Woo clenched his teeth, his mind racing. "I know I can't win," he thought, "but I'll show them I won't go down without a fight." He studied Sol's every move, the way his muscles tensed before he struck, the arrogant glint in his eyes that said he was already the victor. And with every punch and kick that connected, Si-Woo felt the burn of his bruises from the day before, the memory of the Sprit's teeth, the loss of his mother, and the weight of their newfound responsibilities." I have to get stronger." Si-Woo thought.
Master Choi observed with an inscrutable expression. "I was aware of the immense gap between Earthlings and those born on Ondur, particularly in martial arts," he reflected. "Yet, I believed I had seen something in Si-Woo, something that surpassed expectations. Perhaps I was wrong." However, as Sol made another lunge, Si-Woo's instincts kicked in.
By sheer luck, Si-Woo caught Sol's leg mid-kick, eliciting a collective gasp from the crowd as Sol was sent reeling backward. The smug grin on Sol's face wavered momentarily, and a hush fell over the room while the students watched in suspense. "You little..!!" Sol exclaimed. Without missing a beat, Si-Woo thrust Sol's leg upwards and backward, causing him to stumble backward.