“Have you heard? Karsos is exiled by his parents,” Estella nonchalantly said during the first day of summer break as they rested under the shade of the Tree.

Nox raised an eyebrow and twisted his head from her lap so he could look at her better. “Just because he lost against me?” Their duel last year was still fresh in his memory, and he would gladly relive that again if it meant protecting Estella.

She nodded, playing with his hair. “That’s the official statement. But there are rumors that it was more than that.”

“Tell me about it,” he said, curious.

“I heard it just before I left to teach here. Apparently, Karsos was gathering sensitive information regarding the kingdom’s military strength within the region of Oztinra.”

Oztinra. That’s near the Azaris Mountains. “Did they find out why? Where is he sending the information?”

“No one knows. His parents are keeping their lips sealed. Perhaps they don’t know, either. Or…”

“They know but they are afraid of revealing it,” he finished with a grim twist of his mouth. He didn’t like Karsos since the day he had harassed Estella, but now Nox wished he had maimed him.

I told you to do it, didn’t I?

He ignored that comment. “What happened to him?”

Estella shrugged. “Everyone is tight-lipped, of course. Though some say he was sent to a town near the southern borders. Somewhere his face and name won’t be recognized.” She smiled. “And no, executing him won’t be good. He’s still the son of a governor.”

He grunted, saying nothing. Something wasn’t right, but he couldn’t tell what.

“Cheer up, will you?” Estella poked him in his cheek. “Karsos won’t bother us anymore.”

“He better not,” he muttered darkly. “Anyway, are you free tomorrow?”

She grinned. “Sildas?”

“Sildas.”

With a smile, she lowered her head and planted a kiss on his lips. “For you, always.”

***

The city of Sildas was different in the summer, though no less impressive. Everything was made to ward off the scorching heat; from kiosk and stalls selling cold drinks and popsicles to boutiques displaying comfortable summer dresses.

Nox still had to train Ireela, and he had left her with some assignments, much to the girl’s disappointment. But as much as he wanted to prepare his Squire for the Assessment Exam, spending time with Estella was his priority today.

And it seemed he had made the right decision. His lover’s smile was radiant, her eyes sparkling as they explored the city to their hearts’ content. He had never seen her so happy, not even during their first date here.

They visited all the gaming booths they had tried before, and to his utter surprise, Estella had actually gotten better. “I’ve trained just for this day, love,” she said with a smug grin as they entered an archery stall. “You won’t best me so easily as you once did before.”

He didn’t say anything, of course. Not even when her score started to catch up with his.

And stayed less than thirty points apart for the rest of the game.

“Good enough.” Nox smirked as they left, their arms laden with prizes. Disappointment was etched in Estella’s face, but satisfaction and pride also emanated from her.

“I was sure I could beat you this time.” She sniffed. “But no matter. I’ll defeat you someday.”

“Sure. After a few decades.”

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“How awful of you!” She bumped him with her hip, and he laughed.

***

Lunch was as enjoyable as ever. They talked about many things; Nox’s studies, Estella’s life as a teacher, their future together. Future. It was odd discussing about that. Nox hadn’t put much thought into it until he had met Estella. But now he needed to consider his path ahead alongside hers.

“Do you still have that drawing I gave you?” Estella asked during a break in their meal.

Nox had been staring at the horizon, so he was a little startled by the question. “Hmm? Oh, yes. It’s hanging in my dorm room.”

“You didn’t bring it home?”

“No. Uh, it was too big to carry. Besides, I knew I’d return in the Academy.” He shrugged. “I want to keep it nearby. To remember you.” Speaking of which, he had to give Estella a keepsake too.

She smiled, her cheeks red. “You’re staying in my old room?”

“Yes. I had to do some rearrangements, though.”

Humming, she nodded. A brief pause, then she said, “Have you decided on your career path after graduating?”

He frowned. “Didn’t we discuss this already?”

“We did. So you haven’t changed your mind?”

“Why would I?”

She smiled. “You don’t have to follow me if you don’t want to.”

“And yet following you is what I want.” He took her hand and kissed the knuckles. “I’ll stay at your side, Ella.”

“Forever?” she murmured.

“Forever.”

***

The first week of summer vacation passed like a breeze, and soon the two-week break was coming to a close. But as Nox had promised, he took Ireela to see Sildas.

There was something heartwarming with the way her eyes sparkled at the various sights, and a pang of longing stabbed into his heart. His sister would have been just a year younger than Ireela by now, a girl filled with curiosity and a sense of wonder for the world.

He and Ireela didn’t stay long, but he made sure that the girl enjoyed their little break before plunging back into their studies and training.

Students started returning two days before summer vacation ended. Nox hadn’t seen Erian nor Reina during those two weeks. The girl, he knew, lived in a town five days away from Sildas. He had expected her to stay behind to study harder, and he was worried that Erian said something that might have discouraged her.

It’s not your problem. Leave them be.

He didn’t like that, but neither could he refute the logic behind it. It was a taboo to meddle with the affairs of another Knight and Squire, after all. Still, he had to do what he could, both as a friend and a fellow Knight.

So when he saw Reina heading toward the library, Nox followed her. He wasn’t going to meddle, exactly, but he thought giving her a few pointers would suffice. Or inviting her for a group study, which was common and encouraged.

But as he entered the quiet library, all of his ideas were thrown into disarray. For Reina wasn’t alone.

“Did you get everything?” Erian asked without looking up from his book. His Squire sat down opposite him with a meek nod. “Good. We’ll study the entire chapter six within an hour. After that…”

Nox lingered behind a bookshelf for a moment. Then he turned to leave with a faint smile.

***

Exam day arrived, and the whole Academy was nervous just like last year.

The first and second years filed inside Vileza Hall, their murmurs sighing within the vast chamber. From his spot near the front, Nox surveyed them. Most, as expected, looked pale as statues.

He found Ireela by her class, her face resolute. Their eyes met, and he sent her an assuring smile before directing his attention toward the left where Erian stood three columns from him. His expression was blank, but Nox didn’t miss the way his fist occasionally clench and unclench—a habit when he was nervous.

The written exam began at noon. Nox wasn’t worried; the questions were about topics the students already knew. It was the practical exams that would prove a challenge, especially for Ireela.

When it was the first years’ turn, he watched her closely. The first part had her perform various tasks that tested her endurance, of which she excelled. Nox made various notes on how she could further improve, however; he didn’t like the way Ireela nearly passed out by the end.

During the short break, he approached her seat. “How are you feeling?” he asked.

After emptying the cup of water in her hands, she smiled. “I’m all right, Master. Don’t worry about me.”

The second part commenced moments later. Here Ireela struggled, the spells she was asked to cast too draining for her. But she performed them all, even if it took her more than five minutes with the most difficult spell.

She’s talented, but she needs more practice.

I know. I’ll work on it.

The Assessment Exam ended an hour later. Many were exhausted and immediately headed back to the dorms to rest. There were no classes today, so Nox went to the library where Estella was waiting, reading a book.

He sat down next to her. “Do you think she’ll pass?”

“She’s your Squire, Nox,” she said as she put down her book to lean her head against his shoulder. “She’ll do fine. Besides,” her lips curved upwards, “she started her preparations early.”

He snorted. He knew she was thinking of their Assessment Exam last year, which they almost failed because of his negligence. Still…

You worry over something you can’t control.

He paused. It was true, and he should probably stop worrying too much. If he couldn’t trust his own Squire, he wouldn’t be able to trust himself. Did Estella feel this way when she was his master?

He looked at her, her eyes closed, an expression of serenity on her face. It was difficult to imagine; she had always held herself proudly, and though there had been occasions when she had been afraid for him, not once did Nox see her show any self-doubt.

How did she do it?

But the answer was clear; because she trusted him. And now it was his turn to trust his Squire.