Trauma bonding

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They were in another simulated open-space - a large flat land, realistic scenery on the horizon where trees or fog didn't block it, complete with blue sky and sunlight. It was eerily similar to the gym by the dorms. So similar, in fact, that Tommy would have said they were in the gym, had they not been at an unknown height somewhere inside a magical tower.

Asva had left to hang out with Dalda and the bald guy from earlier. He had declined her invitation to join.

Aldy was there too, quietly observing the class, not saying much. He had disappeared right after Illusions. Although they had yet to interact much, Tommy still thought the boy looked more sullen than the usual. No matter how mature and stable he looked, they were the same age.

'Nerves, maybe? Wouldn't blame him.'

"Don't stare", Aldy said.

Tommy got spooked, "What? Was I staring? Sorry."

"Your eyes are too wide, like you are scared."

"Well, that first class was quite traumatic. I'm still running on adrenaline."

"Don't mention it. I am worked up as well."

Then, he lowered his voice a bit.

"Look around, it feels as if it nothing happened. Except a few, not a worry on those faces."

So Tommy pretended to be stretching as he observed people.

"Odd..."

'Really? Odd? A dragon attacked us. I died. I died!! What the hell.'

Talking with Asva had noticeably calmed him on the way here, taking the edge off. Now, tension crept back in. Aldy was still there, waiting, so he said,

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"I don't really know how things go here. Even for an illusion, that was a big deal, right?"

"Indeed. Only once in my life have I been petrified. Now twice."

"Oh"

'Not just me then.'

Aldy continued, "I have a theory. Theories. There's one I'm leaning towards. That Professor made us forget. Not the experience itself, but the fear. I remember feeling fear. Yet, this how I feel after a jog, not after a fight to death."

"Hmm. What if it's the sigil?"

"Care to elaborate?"

"Didn't Rohodan mention a mind shield thing? I can't use mine well yet, so makes sense I messed up. Those nobles are faring much better than us, don't you think?"

And it was so. Most of the cadets chatted normally, even joked.

"Curious."

There was lull in the conversation, both of them content to let it be, until finally Aldy said,

"Thanks for the chat. I am perplexed by my behavior. And that bothers me."

"Same. More motivation to get my mana working, eh."

"You are having mana troubles?"

"More like, I have none. I'm manaless."

'Yep, sticking to that. I can always blame babyface.'

"How about you?", he continued.

"Odd. Let's talk after the class."

With that, Aldy left.

'Why does this feel so familiar. He just says his thing and walks away.'