“What is a Resonance?”

It was a simple question, one whose answer all Wielders should know. Nox glanced at the other students. They were murmuring in their seats, but no one was raising their hand.

“Can you answer it?” he told Ireela beside him. The girl looked at him with wide eyes, and nodded. She raised her hand.

Estella smiled. “Miss Raevin, can you answer the question?”

“Yes, teacher.” Ireela stood up and cleared her throat. “A Resonance is the strongest bond a Squire and a Knight could forge, allowing them to fight and work together better…”

Nox tuned out the rest of his Squire’s mini speech, focusing instead on Estella’s reaction. Surprise glimmer in her eyes, and when their gazes met briefly, pride flowed between their Resonance.

You taught her well in just a short time.

No, she just learns incredibly fast.

Ireela soon finished, earning her several applause from Nox and the other students. As she sat down with red cheeks, Nox whispered, “That was a good one.”

“T-Thank you,” she mumbled, looking away.

“An excellent answer, Miss Raevin,” Estella said with a satisfied smile. “Now, who among you knows about the fourth rule of Resonating?”

Nox frowned. This one was new, and he searched his memory for the right information. To his utter astonishment, he couldn’t remember reading anything about the fourth rule.

“Mister Caradinn,” Estella gestured at the tall Earth Wielder, “can you explain?”

Esmeir stood up, briefly catching Nox’s gaze. Nox nodded in support. They rarely talked except during group studies, but Esmeir was one of the few he could call a friend.

“Resonance has three commonly known rules: one, a strong emotion between two Wielders is required; two, only two Wielders can Resonate; and three, you can’t break a Resonance if the other party is unwilling.”

There were a lot of nods, but those soon turned to shock when Esmeir continued, “However, the fourth ironically breaks the third rule: forging a new Resonance breaks the pact with your former Master. It isn’t widely known, and those who knows it are against such act because it would mean breaking the trust of your previous Master.” He sat down.

Another applause from the room. “Thank you, Mister Caradinn. It seems you’ve studied well.” Estella scanned her students. “To elaborate further, breaking a Resonance is considered a taboo among some Wielders, though not necessarily illegal. In fact, it happens quite often in this school.”

She went on about several known Knight-Squire pairs, all from the last twenty years. Nox was honestly surprised; the names were known to him, but he didn’t know of the circumstances surrounding them.

Most broke their Resonance through practicality. As the Master graduated, the Squire would accept they’re own student, repeating the cycle. Some never broke Resonance even while the Knight left the school, though the tragic ones separated after their relationship were strained.

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Class soon ended with Estella giving them an assignment to write an essay about the effects of breaking the link between Knight and Squire. It wasn’t too hard, so he took Ireela to the library where they could study and research in peace.

As they headed there, Ireela spoke. “Master, when are we going to start training?”

Nox rubbed his neck. “Ah, yeah. I almost forgot about that.”

Just like the princess.

He smiled at her. “Don’t worry. We’ll start tomorrow. You have to wake up at five.”

She nodded. “Yes, Master.”

The library was empty when they reached it. While Nox searched for the books they would need, he expanded his mind, scouring the school until he found Estella.

Care to give me some pointers on that essay?

Her amusement was clear as a white cloud. And here I thought you’re a diligent pupil. Whatever happened to the Nox I know?

Relax. It’s not for me.

Ah, Ireela. Of course. I’d suggest… As she named the books, she added, Remember not to help her write the actual essay, though.

I won’t.

After finding the books, they chose an empty table near the back and sat down. For the next hour, Nox and Ireela jotted and exchanged notes. The girl, as he had expected, was dedicated, her focus never wavering.

“Hey, Nox. Can we sit here?” a voice asked.

Nox looked up and smiled at the red-haired girl and her companion. “Of course, Pol.” He glanced at the familiar short girl next to Polima. He frowned. “Where’s your master, Reina?”

The girl shook her head. “Sir Erian said to come here and wait for him,” she said softly.

Nox’s frown deepened. It wasn’t uncommon for Knights and Squire to separate—he and Estella often did last year—but lately he noticed how Erian was often alone rather than being accompanied by his Squire.

The girls sat down. Troubled, Nox resumed his study, even though half of his mind was preoccupied with this strange incident.

Estella must have sensed his worries. Not a minute later, her thought came. Problem?

Nox hesitated. Nothing. It’s just about Erian and his Squire.

Ah, so I’m not the only one who noticed. Yet it’s not an issue. For now, at least.

What do you mean?

Come to my office tonight and I’ll tell you the whole story.

Nox resisted the urge to sigh. His lover’s intention was clear, but he was worried about Erian, and neither did he want to refuse her.

Fine.

***

“So, what do you want to know?” Estella asked as he locked the door.

It was nearly eight in the evening, and most of the students and teachers were beginning to retire for the night. After dinner, Nox immediately headed for Estella’s office.

He noted the stack of documents piled in her desk, three towers that rose like peaks, with the central one standing taller than the rest. Then he sat on the chair in front of the polished oak table. “Everything,” he said.

Thus, Estella began with her tale. It was, Nox thought as he listened, rather complicated, though everything could be summed up in three words: Erian was scared.

“He’s not even training her,” Estella sighed. “And the Assessment Exam is near. I told him to take care of his Squire, make sure she studies hard, but he said he’s working on it.”

“I take it he isn’t,” Nox said.

Estella shook her head. “No, he isn’t. And Reina is too shy and polite to say anything. They’re friendly with each other, though. You must have seen it.”

“Yes. Erian does pay attention and helps her when they’re together.” Still, it was an odd relationship, as if Erian was only doing the barest minimum effort as a Knight. “Have you told this to Aldros?”

She rolled her eyes. “I sent him letters twice already since last month. I have yet to receive any response.”

“Where’s he anyway?” The last time Nox had heard of the Earth Wielder, he was going north.

“Forsaken Forest. He’s taking his apprenticeship as a Caretaker.”

“He’s what?” Nox shook his head. “I don’t understand. I thought he wants to join the army?”

She sighed. “I don’t know. It seems like both of them has some issues. Maybe that’s why they worked so well together.”

“I’ll talk to Erian.” They couldn’t let his relationship with Reina deteriorate. “Maybe I can convince him to do better.”

“Let’s hope so.”

Nox raised an eyebrow as she stood up, walked around the desk and sat on the edge, directly in front of him. She smiled coyly.

With a sigh, he rose from his seat and pulled her to a searing kiss.