The training was grueling, but Aric felt invigorated by the challenge. He met a few more people at the dojo, all of whom ere friendly and encouraging. They asked him about his sword skills, and he demonstrated a few techniques, earning their admiration. His performance at the last tournament had not gone unnoticed, and he was immediately paced in the advanced section.

Hours passed, and Aric found himself exhausted but satisfied. As he was leaving, Soren approached him, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the sword Aric carried. "Oni. That blade," Soren said, his voice tinged with curiosity. "Where is it from?"

Aric didn't say a word. He bowed his head in respect and told him that he would be there tomorrow as well.

A week passed quickly. Maki often came over to study at his house well into the evening, while he either stayed with her or went out to train with the Tenko Swords. Some days, she didn't bother showing up due to her job at Mendaciti. Despite his relentless efforts, even immersing himself in a river for hours, Aric couldn't reawaken the tendril-like state he had experienced before. He knew the key lay in breaking through the chains that bound him, but the breakthrough remained hidden.

One evening, Aric sat in his bedroom with Maki. She was studying on the bed, a sight that had become increasingly familiar. For the first few days, she had refused to sit anywhere except the floor or table, but as the days went on, her resolve lessened. Today was a sword work day at the Tenko Swords, but Aric had decided to skip it to study for the final exams with her.

The room was quiet except for the rustle of pages and the occasional scribble of a pen. Aric glanced over at Maki, who was deeply engrossed in her textbook. He admired her dedication and the way she had gradually become more comfortable in his space and its emptiness.

“How’s it going?” he asked, breaking the silence.

Maki looked up, a small smile playing on her lips. “Even though I'm guaranteed to get almost everything right, I'm not confident about getting a perfect score.”

Aric nodded, glancing at her work. “You know, I've been looking over your work every day, and I think I know what you're missing.”

Maki raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? What's that?"

Aric leaned in, pointing at her notes. “You keep checking the easy questions over and over to make sure they're right. That's the mindset of someone who is just trying to pass. Even though it probably worked every year, if you want a perfect score, you need to skip a few steps and trust yourself to save your mental energy for the harder questions.”

Maki frowned thoughtfully, considering his words. "So, you're saying I should trust my initial answers more and not second-guess myself on the simpler questions?"

"Exactly," Aric affirmed. "You've got the knowledge. It's just about changing your approach. Trust in your preparation and use that extra time and energy for the tougher parts."

Maki nodded slowly, a look of determination replacing her frown. "I'll try that."

After a few more minutes of watching Maki study and grinding his pencil lead on the paper, Aric couldn't help but ask the question that had been on his mind for a while. “Maki, can I ask you something?”

She looked up from her books, her eyes curious. “Sure, what is it?”

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“Why are you so motivated to study, even though your dad is forcing you to and doesn't make you feel welcome at home?” he asked, his tone gentle but genuinely puzzled.

Maki sighed, setting her pencil down. “It’s complicated,” she began, her voice tinged with a mix of frustration and resolve. “Yes, my dad is pushing me hard, but it’s not just about him. He is just doing whatever people struggling with grief do.”

Aric nodded understandingly, but before he could retract the question, Maki continued, “You’re my closest friend, and you deserve to know. My mother always wished for me to get first in school and so, my father moved us here, in part to ensure that. She also said my future career should be related to being a caster, and that I should marry someone who is in tune with those ideals. My dad is still obsessed with making sure I fulfill those wishes and has continued to pursue it. With the end of this year, he said that I need to get a perfect score, else I dishonor my mothers memory.”

He nodded, wanting to tell her that it wasn’t necessary to fulfill her mother’s wishes to such an extreme, but he chose not to interrupt and continued to help her study. After a few moments, Maki stopped him, her expression earnest.

“You’ve been tutoring me, supposedly the smartest person,” Maki said quietly. “I wouldn’t want to see that not reflected on the leaderboards. So, promise me you’ll try your best to get a full score too.”

Aric hesitated for a moment, then nodded solemnly. “Alright, I promise. We’ll both do our best.”

After that conversation, the next few days passed as quick as they came. Before he knew it, there were only two days until the fight, four days until the final exams, and six until graduation.

Aric woke up early, the weight of upcoming challenges settling in his mind. He reached for his sword, unsheathing it and swinging it around in practiced arcs. Each movement felt more natural now and light, his physique had returned.

After his sword practice, he sat down and took out his bracelet, activating its interface with a touch. After scrolling through its pages for a few moments, he closed it with a snap.

Concentrating deeply, he channeled his magic, forming the small, dense rock of darkness magic. He examined it briefly before it dissipated into wisps of shadow before almost collapsing due to the strain.

He used the comb, blemish spray, and the new clothes Maki had brought. Feeling refreshed and ready, he stepped outside his home.

There, he found Maki on the lackluster floor, deeply engrossed in her study materials. Aric approached her quietly, not wanting to break her concentration. She would leave in the evening and come early in the morning. And she was studying non-stop.

Aric gently tapped Maki on the shoulder, drawing her attention away from her books for a moment. She blinked, momentarily lost in thought before focusing on him.

“Hey, Maki,” Aric said softly, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “I was thinking we could go somewhere nice this evening. Take a break from all this studying.”

Maki’s brow furrowed slightly as she processed his words, her mind still half-immersed in her study materials. After a moment, she nodded slightly, her response almost a mumble.

Aric chuckled softly, interpreting her nod as agreement.

As the evening approached, Aric and Maki walked together through the quiet streets of their neighborhood. The sky was painted with hues of orange and pink as the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over everything around them.

Maki glanced over at Aric, curiosity evident in her eyes. "So, where are we going?" she asked softly, her voice breaking the silence between them.

Aric smiled gently, guiding her towards a quaint tea shop nestled at the end of a narrow street. Its soft lights spilled out onto the pavement, inviting and warm. "It's a place I discovered recently," he replied, his tone light. "Thought we could use a break from all the studying."

Maki's lips curved into a small smile, appreciating Aric's thoughtfulness. Together, they entered the tea shop, greeted by the soothing aroma of freshly brewed tea and the soft murmur of other patrons.

They found a quiet corner table, away from the hustle and bustle, and settled in. Aric ordered their favorite teas, knowing Maki's preference without needing to ask. As they waited for their drinks, Maki glanced around the cozy interior, the warmth of the place easing the tension from her shoulders.

As they sipped their teas in the cozy corner of the tea shop, Maki's cheeks gradually turned a faint shade of pink. She fidgeted slightly with her cup, her gaze occasionally flicking up to meet Aric's.