"Hey, um, you're making me a little uncomfortable. Could you please say something?" Sarah pokes my shoulder, jolting me from my trance.

"Sorry. It doesn't have anything to do with you…

it's mostly not about you." I rub my eyes before pointing out the gigantic wreckage of what once had been Gregory's farm. "I'd come here just to save that farm, and I failed. Pretty bad rookie's mistake, if you ask me." She punches my shoulder (the one that isn't broken) and gives me a piercing glare.

"Quit that. There's nothing you could've done. It's not your fault a king lizard was poking around here."

"Oh, so that's what it's called. I remember you saying something about a king earlier. I'm guessing they aren't all that common?"

"Nope. They actually only really exist in Europe. That bad boy, though, is specific to the poles, so It's pretty interesting to see one up close."

"Wow, you know your stuff."

"My sister really likes monsters, and I decided it would be a good way to get her to talk to me. N-not that we have a sour relationship! She's just always distracted by the academy. I guess that's what it's like, being an A-rank." I perk up.

"Your sister is one of the A-rank sisters?! Oh my god, that's amazing!"

"I guess you've heard of her."

"Who hasn't? Being one of the world's greatest magicians is obviously gonna get your name out there. I mean, there's Savannah, the greatest fire user in all of existence. I mean, just recently she maxed out her magic level, making her close to being as powerful as Pola. Oh, but Pola is on a whole other level. Ice jungle is an absolute masterpiece of a combo." I realize I'm prattling on and chuckle, cheeks reddening. "I read the news from time to time."

"Impressive knowledge. I didn't expect you to be so informed."

"Well, If I'm gonna be going there, I need to know as much as possible beforehand, right?" Sarah smiles at me, patting me on the back.

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"No way, I never thought a human would get accepted. How'd you even pass the test?" In response, I point to the sword at my side.

"My grandpa taught me how to make and use canisters of artificial magic. Without this thing, I'd have failed in the first few seconds. Those robots we're no joke." The test that decided whether such an esteemed academy as Saint Victor's would even consider you involved succeeding in many different combat situations you'd be expected to encounter should you become a soldier. With my canisters and sword, I managed to make it through while only sustaining two life-threatening injuries.

"It's weird I made it through all of that yet couldn't beat a serpent covered in ice. Speaking of, who finished that thing off for me?" Sarah sighs.

"Well, you were just talking all about her. I'm surprised you didn't recognize her. Are you just bad with faces?" I wanna say no, but she now has two examples to back her suspicion, so I just laugh it off.

"Oh my god, I got saved by an A-rank." I feel giddy. Sarah points at a figure with long red hair wearing a sleeveless white tee and jeans. Hanging at her waist is a scarlet longsword that's immediately recognizable.

"That's Savannah, the world's greatest fire user, as you said...and my sister." She explains, looking down at her knees. I nod my head.

"Make sense. I'm guessing talent runs in the family." She looks up at me and starts laughing.

"You must think you're really smooth, huh?" Her smile makes my chest feel warm.

"Well, I think I am, anyway." I cross my arms and do my best to keep some kind of a poker face.

"Well, I'll give it to you. It's still all you have, anyway." She seems to be waiting for a comeback.

"That's a change from what I last remember. I believe your friend told me you wanted to thank me for a lovely evening."

"Oh, yes. That's just manners though. Let's be honest, your stamina is less than desirable."

"Oh, don't be like that. I know I'm high on the list."

"Being at the top of a one listing ranking isn't something to be proud of."

"Making fun of someone on the same experience level as you? Not something to be proud of."

"Please. Battle or bedroom, I'm better than you in every way."

"Oh, that sounds like a challenge. Looking to be proven wrong?" She places a finger on my lips and leans in until our faces are only inches away from each other.

"I look forward to seeing you try, Dallas." I feel her place a small peck on my cheek, before giving me a closer look at her smile.

"Is this where I ask for your number?"

"I'm gonna retract that "being smooth" part."

"Please don't."

…

I lay in bed, unable to be in the same room as Gregory. As much as I don't like it, I still do feel responsible for the destruction of his livelihood. I want to think there was something I could've done differently, but I can't. "Is this what it feels like, being one of them?" I'd always dreamed about being like the people I read about in my hand me down books, but I don't think I ever really thought about what it was really like when people's lives were in your hands. Was it really ever about becoming a soldier? A protector of the peace?

Is it really just about her? I bite down on my knuckle. How pissed would she be if she found out I was just a selfish prick? Get your head out of your ass. Of course, this isn't just about her. It can't be. It can't be.

I decide to go to bed.