The cafeteria, unsurprisingly, hadn’t changed from the first day of the week to the second. Rai had a feeling that would be the case, but he couldn’t be sure given his prior inability to enter the cafeteria on consecutive days.

The one thing that did change, rather massively however, was the menu. Today’s main course was to be... Sea serpent meat...

Rai was shocked.

To Rai’s knowledge, sea serpents were majestic creatures of the sea. The dragons of the Life clan were said to view sea serpents as... brethren. Rai’s aunt, Elira, constantly mentioned how her visits to the Isle of Chimes led to incredible interactions with the sea serpents. They were intelligent, and sentient. While they weren’t the same as mortals, they had their own lives, families, and societies. They were to be valued, in Elira’s eyes, just as much as a person.

Rai’s shock was palpable. All thought of meeting up with their friends had left his mind. He had to confirm it for himself. Sin followed behind Rai as he walked over to the counter. He thought that she said something, but didn’t quite hear her.

Walking past the students that enjoyed their meals, that savoured the scent of the serpent as they devoured it...

Rai’s heart ached. But how could he blame them? How would they know better?

The closer he got to the front of the hall, the harsher the air felt. A heavy sadness enveloped Rai’s entire being.

It was like he was wading through a sea of tragedy that bolstered its forces with each step.

Then he saw it.

The sea serpent’s head. Severed from its body, laying on a pedestal in the food serving area for all to see.

Rai stared at it. His eyes were as wide as possible.

The serpent’s eyes were still open.

Rai choked back his grief. He used telekinesis to close them.

A voice came from the serpent. Even though its mouth moved nary an inch... Rai could tell. Something in his body recognised the lingering draconic spirit of the serpent.

The serpent’s regal tone was commanding, whilst also carrying a hint of softness.

“Little dragon?”

Rai’s body was shivering. But he responded with a whisper, “I’m here. I’m sorry.” Tears flowed down his cheeks.

“Bahahaha! Thou art weak, little dragon!” It sounded like the serpent was teasing Rai.

Rai stifled a giggle, forcing more tears to flow.

“Mine end is long past... thy shining soul kept mine ancient flicker of a flame alight. This one blesses thee for thy compassion. May ye one day awaken to thine own beauty, little dragon.”

The atmosphere lightened.

The serpent’s lingering presence... gone.

Rai’s body wept. His heart couldn’t take it.

Sin held his hand, “Hey, what’s wrong?” She gently wiped away his tears with her other hand, “The others are probably nearby, we just-”

Rai shook his head, “I’m... not hungry. Can we just sit outside today...”

Sin nodded softly, “Of course. Tell me about it when we’re there, alright?”

Rai nodded.

Sin took Rai’s hand and guided him out of the cafeteria. After a few minutes, they found an outdoor area with students resting in the sun, laying on the grass, and running around the ponds.

Rai recognised the canopy that he’d sat at before, when he had the premonition. There was no one there.

Rai started walking in its direction; Sin followed his lead.

They sat down on the soft sofa that was a bit like an outdoor couch, but a bit higher. Ample amounts of cushions and chairs blessed the area underneath the canopy. It provided shade, affording Rai and Sin a cool resting area out of the way of Zenith’s twin suns.

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Rai took some deep breaths.

Sin patiently waited.

Rai leaned back against the cushions on the seat. He let out a long, soft, sigh, “He was still alive.”

Sin’s heart skipped a beat. She stared at Rai, “What... how...”

Rai shook his head, “I don’t know.” His voice cracked, “It felt wrong. I don’t have any attachment to sea serpents... but my body refused. It was like something inside of me grieved for his death.”

Rai took another deep breath, then sighed slowly, “I don’t know how, but remnants of his spirit lingered. He spoke to me, calling me a little dragon, and a shining soul.”

Sin softly turned Rai’s face towards hers.

Rai’s traumatised eyes began to soften. Sin’s silhouette against the bright atmosphere brought about by the twin suns was... calming.

She spoke, “You are a shining soul. One of the brightest souls I’ve ever met.” She hugged Rai.

Rai held her. Sin’s embrace was warm, and relaxing. “I just wish... that he can rest now.”

Sin giggled, “He got to talk to you before he finally died, so I bet that he’ll rest just fine.”

A boisterous female voice came from the door that led into the outdoor area, “I found them! Let’s go guys!”

Rai and Sin let go of each other as they looked in the direction of the voice.

Both of their moods brightened a touch.

Amy and the others found them.

Tullian ran over to Rai and Sin, “Hey! Rai! Let’s spar!!”

Rai stared blankly at him.

Tullian leapt at Rai, trying to tackle him over the seat he was sat on.

Rai dodged.

Tullian landed face first in a pile of cushions.

Amy burst out laughing, “YOU BIG OAF!” She couldn’t stop laughing.

Tullian popped his head out from the pile, “Pwah! Good reactions, let’s fight!”

Sin facepalmed, “You battle-crazy maniacs.”

Lina giggled as she walked around to where Rai and Sin sat under the canopy, “He’s been waiting for ages.”

Sin grabbed Lina, surprising her. She squeezed tight as she hugged Lina.

Lina tried to return the embrace, but simply gave up given Sindyl’s absurd strength.

Amy joined in, resulting in a big group hug between the three.

After a small while, they all found their seats in the area and relaxed.

Rai turned to Amy, “I’m sorry we didn’t come find you guys in the cafeteria. I... needed some air.”

Amy waved away his concerns, “Not to worry lightning freak. We didn’t find today’s meal to be all that appetising, so we figured you guys felt the same.”

Sin leaned her arm on the sofa’s headrests as she looked at Amy, “How’d you know we’d be out here?”

Tullian grinned, “I could feel it.”

Amy giggled, “A beastman’s intuition you see.” She glanced over at Tullian who sat in a lone chair. A longing expression found its way onto her face.

Sin understood what Rai meant. Amy constantly stole glances at Tullian whenever she could. She always asked him to mess around physically with her, the same way that Rai and Sin did with each other.

A grin formed out of Sin’s lips. She wanted to play matchmaker.

Rai felt a shift in the air. Apparently no one else could feel it, since no one else reacted. But to Rai, it was vivid.

He looked at Sin.

Oh no. She’s not going to... Oh this isn’t going to end well.

Sin opened her mouth.

Rai covered her mouth with his hand.

Sin’s eyes darted to Rai, and her eyebrows furrowed.

Lina tilted her head as she watched the interaction unfold, “What are you two doing?”

Tullian and Amy were also watching as it happened, and wondered the same thing to themselves.

Rai awkwardly chuckled, “Sin’s just yawning, and she forgot to cover her mouth, so I did it for her.” He smiled in what was quite possibly the most conspicuous inconspicuous way possible.

Amy and Lina raised an eyebrow.

Tullian laughed, “I forget to do that all the time! I completely understand.”

Rai and Sin stared at him. They couldn’t believe it. That worked?!

Tullian continued laughing.

Rai laughed alongside him. I guess it worked.

Sin pulled Rai’s hand away from her mouth. She got what he was indirectly saying by covering her mouth. No matchmaking today... I want to cry. Sin reluctantly shelved her desire to get Amy and Tullian together, and saved it for another day.

Sin turned to Lina, “You guys are in the same lesson as us next period right? We all have history together, then we’ll go to the first society session.”

Lina nodded with a smile on her face, “I’m excited for the next lesson. Apparently we’re going to talk about the Creator, and the different regions in Zenith.”

Sin stared at her in surprise, “How did you find that out?”

Lina grinned, “I heard some of the students from our class talking to each other about it.”

Rai smiled, “Sounds like a simple lesson, but it’s exciting. Still, not as exciting as a sparring session.”

Sin stared at him, deadpan, “You’re going to get a lot of action tonight. Just be patient.”

The twins blushed.

They misunderstood.

Rai laughed, “Yeah, it’ll probably be physically intensive... I hope I don’t break any bones.”

Their cheeks reddened further. Amy turned to Sin with a look of camaraderie. She’s probably just as rough as I am.

Sin giggled, “You’re definitely gonna end up super tired by the end of it. I doubt you’ll be able to keep up.”

Rai shrugged, “I’ll do my best!”

Tullian rubbed the back of his head, “What are you two talking about?”

Amy and Lina whipped their heads around to him. Their expressions screamed ‘WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!’

Rai turned to Tullian, “Sin’s dad is gonna help me figure out what’s wrong with my spells.”

Amy and Lina both breathed sighs of relief. They quickly realised that they let their imaginations get the best of them.

Tullian nodded thoughtfully, “I see. Then you’ll be able to spar us without holding back! I can’t wait!”

A fire lit within Rai’s heart, “I’m just as excited. I’ll take you all on, and win!”

Sin untied Rai’s ponytail and scruffled with his hair, “Relax Rai, you’re underestimating me again.”

Rai giggled, “I wasn’t including you in what I just said, don’t worry haha.”

Sin smiled, “That’s what I thought.”

Tullian tilted his head at her, “Again? What do you mean by that Sindyl?”

Sin turned and stared at him blankly, “I’ve defeated him before.”

The three of them looked at her as she continued scruffling with Rai’s untied hair.

“WHAT?!” They exclaimed in unison.