“Ireela Raevin.”

“Present.”

“Erian Dauros.”

“Present.”

“Nox Stigan?”

“…Present.”

Nox sighed. Why was Estella here as a teacher? Did something happened? He was sure that she had already been assigned to an army judging by her hints in her last letter. But here she was, teaching him once more like nothing had changed.

Did she plan this? Why? To be with me? Nox tried to think of any other reason, but no plausible answer came to his mind except for himself.

Should there be any other reason? her thought flowed to him.

He sighed and listened as Estella launched into an introduction of her role and what the students should expect from her lessons. Clear, concise, and to the point, commanding authority and attention, as she always had been…

…or at least that’s what he had expected.

Nox watched in concern as Estella cleared her throat every minute, her breathing irregular, her hands trembling imperceptibly. She was managing her control quite well—he doubted if most would notice her stiffness—but through their Resonance he could feel waves of anxiety as she elaborated on her teaching methods.

Ella, are you all right?

It took her a second to respond. Yes. A brief pause. I missed you.

He smiled. As I missed you. You look nervous, though. Relax.

Sorry. I’m not used to this.

You taught me. You were never nervous teaching me.

Because it was you.

Well, I’m still your student now… Master.

The effect was almost immediate. Their eyes met, and a wall surrounded Estella’s mind, blocking out all thoughts except him. Her breathing stabilized, her speech growing more confident.

She continued explaining the new subject: Animarta. Unlike other classes, only the top forty students across all three levels were allowed to attend Estella’s class where they would learn all about this single topic. It was an interesting choice, and Nox wanted to know what else she could impart that they had not gone over last school year.

Come to my room tonight and I can give you a private lesson, she teased.

Nox resisted the urge to palm his face. He didn’t miss the desire in her thoughts, and he too wanted nothing more than to reignite the fire that consumed them that night three months ago.

But you’re not sure, the thought came.

Oh, he was sure. And he planned on indulging his lover later. However, the saner part of him knew that any incident might reflect on Estella’s image as a teacher. And that was something he wanted to avoid.

He shook his head, the beginning of a headache creeping up the base of his skull even as Estella laid out the curriculum for the next three months. Most of them were taken directly from other subjects but more refined and focused, with emphasis on wielding an Animarta.

“Now for your first lecture today,” Estella said, “who can tell me about the origins of the Wielders?”

The first years murmured while the second and third years remained silent in favor of letting the juniors answer it. There was an unspoken rule within the seniors never to help the first years in any way or form unless they were Knight and Squire.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

A slim hand pierced the air. It was that girl who defeated Nox, Ireela.

He regarded her curiously. Very few had ever been a Knight Second Class each year, especially with her performance. She couldn’t use magic easily, and her control of her Animarta was rather unrefined. Certainly not the way Nox had expected.

“During the Age of Sorrow, there are seven warriors who would later become the first Wielders. Faven, Thuri, Tarvek, Igra, Pantos, Zakrar, and Damir. Each one wields the power of an element: Light, Darkness, Fire, Water, Wind, and Earth.

“No one knows where they got their Animartas, only that when they first appeared, they already knew how to use them. For Thuri, though, some say that the fallen Celestial, Azrael, gave her power to rival all others.”

Did I tell you how inaccurate that story is?

Shut it. I’m listening.

Ireela continued, “The Seven Heroes, as we call them now, banded together and defeated the demons, ending the Age of Sorrow. They parted ways after that, each to establish their schools to train future Wielders. Some, like Faven, founded their own kingdoms. They kept the peace, ensuring that the demons will never return.”

She stopped and sat down abruptly. Estella blinked, even as the others glanced at each other in confusion.

“That’s it?” a boy next to Nox muttered. “That’s barely complete.”

It wasn’t complete, Nox could agree. But the girl seemed no longer inclined to explain further. She fidgeted in her seat, eyes cast downward.

Estella seemed rather taken aback by that as well, even looking disappointed, though her smile remained. “That’s, ah, an excellent answer, Ms. Raevin.”

Nox smirked. It wasn’t. Admit it.

Shut up.

He chuckled softly, listening as she recounted the tale of the Seven Heroes from where Ireela had left off. He had read about it already, but there was something about the way she told it in her voice that made Nox see it in a different view.

Class was finished in an hour and a half. “Tomorrow, we’ll be discussing the foundation of Faven and the establishment of the Order of the Twelve Suns. Don’t forget to do your research later!”

After a chorus of affirmatives, the students started filing out of the room. Estella’s thoughts were plain as day, so Nox wasn’t surprise when she called, “Mr. Stigan, come to my office later to discuss your Squire for this year.”

He caught her meaningful smile, and he snorted. “Yes, teacher.”

Slinging his bag over his shoulder, he waved lazily and left.

***

“I still can’t believe she’s our teacher,” Erian said as they ate in the cafeteria. “Do you know about this?”

Lunch was interesting. The topic of conversation was often Estella; it seemed that she wasn’t the first important figure in the kingdom to ever teach at the school, though she was the first princess in Faven’s history to do so.

Nox shook his head, chewing on his potato. “No. She hadn’t told me anything in her letter.”

The Wind Wielder smirked. “I think I know why.”

Nox raised an eyebrow. He had a feeling what Erian would say next, so he shook his head. “No. Estella isn’t like that.”

“Not like what?”

He almost spat his food, as did Erian. Glancing to his right, Nox stared in disbelief as Estella sat nonchalantly next to him, pushing her food tray beside his with a smile.

“What are you doing here?” he whispered. Erian nodded, closing his gaping mouth.

She blinked. “I’m eating.”

He sighed. “Yes, I can see that. But why are you here? You should be eating together with the other teachers.”

“I’m a princess,” she huffed. “I can do whatever I want. Besides, I want to eat with you.”

And eat you, she said through their Resonance.

Erian mimed gagging, which Nox ignored. “Aren’t you going to be reprimanded?” Nox pressed on.

“No. They know we’re in a relationship. I don’t think they’d bother.”

“Right,” he muttered, glancing furtively at the adjacent tables. Many were stealing glances in their direction, or engaged in hushed conversations. His brows knotted together. If any of them was saying something unsavory toward Estella…

Relax. You’re cuddling your teacher too much.

I’m just protecting her.

She doesn’t need protection, Nox. You know that.

He sighed. True, Estella didn’t need protection. But still…

“So, what’s this I heard about that someone defeated you during the Selection Duels?” Estella stared at him curiously.

Nox shifted in his seat, his expression subdued. “Yes. That girl from your class. Ireela.”

Estella hummed, intrigued. “She’s smart, I’ll admit. But she definitely needs to work on her shyness.”

Nox glanced at her. “You noticed too, huh?”

She snorted. “I’d be a poor teacher if I didn’t. How did she defeat you anyway?”

There was no disappointment in her voice, only genuine curiosity. Nox smiled at that and told her about his duel with Ireela. When he finished, her amusement flowed through their mental link.

“Seems familiar,” she teased. “Though the outcome was different.”

He chuckled. “That’s what I thought too as well. She’s talented, but unrefined.”

“Just like you were last year.” She briefly laid her head on his shoulder. “How time flies so fast.”

“True enough.” Especially without you beside me.

She smiled and planted a soft kiss on his lips.

“Okay, I’m out,” Erian said, his cheeks red. “Seriously, you two are in public.”

Nox smirked. “No one asked you to look.” Estella laughed gently at that.

“Well, you’re both literally in front of me,” the Wind Wielder retorted. “How can I not look?”

“I don’t know. Maybe you can close your eyes. Or I can blind you for a few seconds.”

“That’s an abuse of power.” Erian pointed at Estella, a mock gesture of accusation. “She’s rubbing off on you.”

Before he knew it, Nox was already laughing along with Estella.