Chapter 61 - Deserved License

I felt like I had just claimed the gold medal at the Olympics. The air was electric, alive with cheers that reverberated across the massive arena. Multicolored confetti rained down like a kaleidoscope of victory, sticking to our hair and outfits as Myrrh and I ascended the stage.

Beside us stood two other pairs, all of us grinning in triumph after achieving an unbroken streak of five wins out of five matches. The moment was surreal, made even more official as we were handed our licenses amidst a flurry of applause. Cameras flashed as an emcee with a confident, honeyed voice, Dianca, announced:

“Let us all welcome the examinees who triumphed in this year’s Licensure Examination Tournament!”

The crowd erupted in another wave of celebratory noise. Cheers mixed with the satisfying crunch of confetti beneath our feet as we lined up for the photo session. While basking in the praise and the glittering chaos, I couldn’t help but steal a glance at Myrrh. She was radiant—her best smile plastered perfectly across her face. It wasn’t just a smile; it was a masterpiece designed to command every camera lens. She had to be the most stunning girl in the room.

But just as I started to marvel at her, I noticed her lips moving. Murmurs escaped, soft enough not to disturb the harmony of the moment, but loud enough for me to catch.

“Are you okay?” Myrrh asked, her pearly smile unwavering, her voice a sharp whisper just for me.

“M-Me? Oh, I’m fine,” I stammered, forcing my own smile to stay intact. It probably looked ridiculous—a toothy, dog-like grin fighting to mask my nerves. “Are you… angry at me?”

“No,” Myrrh replied sweetly, though her smile faltered just a fraction.

Then, in a move so subtle it wouldn’t disturb the photos, she stepped down hard on my foot.

“I’m furious,” she added, her voice a razor-edged whisper laced with venom.

“Ouch…” I hissed, feeling the sharp sting radiate from my foot. Still, I managed to keep my grin intact, even as beads of sweat betrayed my calm façade. “You know I had to do that. If I hadn’t, you would’ve been toast!”

“It’s not about my pride or the thrill of winning. It’s about your wellbeing. You exposed your powers again,” Myrrh murmured, her tone carrying the weight of concern despite its softness.

“It was just for a split second!” I protested, my voice rising as I shot her an indignant glare. In that moment, I didn’t care if the photographers captured an unflattering angle of me.

Myrrh’s cheeks turned a shade of pink, and her lips pressed into an unsteady, squiggly line. Her furrowed brows framed the glimmer in her blue eyes, like a storm passing over a calm sea. “Fine, fine,” she conceded, her voice tinged with a mix of exasperation and surrender.

Before the moment could settle, Dianca bounded into view, her cyberpunk-inspired phone camera already aimed at us. The polished metal and glowing edges of the device glinted under the arena lights. Her wavy blue hair shimmered like liquid sapphire, bouncing with every step as her enthusiasm bubbled over.

“Myrrh! Zaft! Can I take a picture of you two?” Dianca asked, her excitement practically contagious.

“Of course,” Myrrh replied without hesitation, her voice bright and composed once more.

We stepped close, elbows and shoulders brushing against each other. The warmth of her presence was oddly comforting, even in the middle of the bustling crowd. Myrrh raised her hand in a playful peace sign, so I followed suit. Together, we flashed matching grins, proudly holding up our shiny new licenses.

“Say cheese!” Dianca chirped, and the camera’s shutter fired with a sharp, bright flash, immortalizing the moment.

As the light dimmed, I caught Myrrh’s whisper, soft enough that only I could hear. Her face was flushed, and she glanced away as if embarrassed by her own words. “Thank you for saving me again,” she said, her gratitude wrapped in the tenderness of her blushing smile.

“What was that?” I asked, leaning in slightly with a teasing smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth.

“N-Nothing!” Myrrh stammered, her blush deepening as she shook her head, her lime-blonde long hair swaying with the movement.

“Come on, don’t be shy,” I coaxed, my grin widening. “You just thanked me, didn’t you? I need to hear it again, loud and clear.”

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Myrrh stiffened, her face practically glowing red as she turned her head sharply away. “I don’t need to repeat myself if you already heard me the first time! Hmph!” she huffed, crossing her arms in a dramatic flourish that only made her look more adorable.

I couldn’t help it—a chuckle escaped before I could rein it in. I smiled, keeping my laughter mostly to myself as I watched her pretend to be aloof. It was these little moments that I cherished. Myrrh always tried so hard to maintain her proud, headstrong demeanor, but I knew better. Beneath all that arrogance was a soft, sweet side she rarely let anyone see. And teasing it out of her? That was always the best part.

“You know,” I said, leaning in with a sly smirk. “You remind me of a durian. Hard and spiky on the outside, but soft and sweet on the inside.”

Myrrh’s cheeks flared an even deeper shade of red, her flustered expression doing little to hide her indignation. “And you,” she shot back, her voice sharp as a dagger, “are like an onion. You’ve got the outer layer of an asshole, and if you peel it away? Surprise! There are ten more layers of asshole underneath.”

I chuckled, the corner of my mouth curling into a grin. “And your mouth is just as foul as the smell of durian,” I added, my tone light and teasing.

Her glare intensified, but I could see the faintest twitch of a smile creeping at the edge of her lips. Beneath all the banter, it was moments like these that made being around Myrrh so much fun.

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After the picture-taking session, we made our way to the backstage. The dim lighting cast long shadows along the narrow tunnel, creating an almost foreboding atmosphere. At the far end of the corridor stood a pair I would have preferred to avoid at all costs. Michelle and Aurelio. Their presence alone felt like a test I wasn’t ready to face.

Michelle’s face lit up when she saw us, her confident smile cutting through the dimness.

“That was a good fight,” she said warmly, extending her hand in a gesture of respect.

“Hmph. That was just a basic skill,” Myrrh replied, flicking her long greenish blonde hair with an air of superiority. Her voice dripped with arrogance, her posture exuding defiance.

I leaned closer to her, lowering my voice to a murmur. “Hey, would it kill you to show some respect to our seniors for once?”

Myrrh’s cheeks flushed faintly, betraying her prideful exterior. With a reluctant sigh, she reached out and clasped Michelle’s hand, shaking it briefly.

“Still,” Michelle said, tilting her head slightly as her sharp gaze zeroed in on us. “That afterimage and teleportation... What was it?” Her eyes darted between Myrrh and me, searching for answers. “It only appeared for a split second, just when I was about to behead your Frame Unit. What kind of trick was that?”

I forced a smile, the kind that didn’t quite reach my eyes. My thoughts scrambled for an explanation, but my mind drew a frustrating blank. I had already exhausted my bag of excuses, and there was no clever lie left to tell.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed Myrrh glaring at me. Her blue eyes spoke volumes without uttering a word, silently screaming, “I told you so!” If looks could kill, I would have been a pile of smoldering ashes right then and there.

“It was your ability, wasn’t it?” Aurelio’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. His tone was soft, almost a whisper, but it carried a weight that settled heavily in the air.

I turned my gaze to Aurelio, his face as stoic and unyielding as ever. His sharp, emotionless eyes bore into me, radiating an aura of superiority that made me feel like an insignificant speck of dust under his scrutiny. But at least he was speaking to me now—small victories, I suppose.

“I saw it,” Aurelio began, his voice calm but cutting, like the edge of a blade. “Your left arm. It glowed with crimson circuits, the same way it did earlier today when you activated that storm-controlling weapon on your partner. From where I stand, it’s clear you’re just as clueless about it as we are. The difference is, you two are working hard to hide it.” He paused, his piercing gaze never leaving mine. “I can smell it from miles away.”

I glanced to my left, then to my right. The corridor was still empty, save for the four of us. Good thing Aurelio’s voice was low—no one else could eavesdrop on this little interrogation. Forcing a grin, I tilted my head and responded with a tone dripping in sarcasm. “Wow, your nose must be incredible. Do you sniff out all the secrets, or just the really juicy ones?”

Before Aurelio could respond, Myrrh stepped forward, her posture shifting into one of quiet defiance. Her presence was commanding, like an older sister stepping in to protect her younger sibling. She placed herself between me and Aurelio, her blue eyes sparking with indignation.

“So?” Myrrh said, her voice sharp and unwavering. “Are you trying to imply we cheated in the fight? That you should have won instead?”

“No, not really,” Michelle replied, her smile soft but knowing. “You’re not as unusual as you think, Zaft. Here in Xyraxis, there are plenty of people with quirks. Take Aurelio, for instance.” She gestured toward her partner. “He has cybernetic implants in his brain that quadruple its random-access memory. It gives him the ability to multitask on a level most people can’t even dream of—like controlling eight drones simultaneously.”

“Huh,” I muttered, casting a curious glance at Aurelio. He didn’t look like he had any cyberpunk enhancements; there were no glowing circuits or sleek metallic plating on display. But that only made it cooler. His brain had been modified under the surface, a hidden marvel. The thought of it sparked a twinge of envy. Maybe I could get implants like that one day—imagine playing online games straight inside my head. Now that would be awesome.

Michelle’s voice snapped me back to reality. “So don’t fret, Zaft. You’re not alone in this. And honestly? I commend you. Taking fourth place in the written exams and then going on to win against all those upperclassmen? That’s no small feat.” She shifted her attention to Myrrh and bowed slightly, a gesture of respect. “And you as well, Miss Alicent. The odds were stacked against you, but you earned that victory.”

Aurelio, ever composed, spoke next. “You deserve that license,” he said in his usual cold, measured tone. With that, he turned his back and began walking away, his footsteps echoing faintly in the dim corridor.

“See you when we see you!” Michelle added, her cheerful wave standing in stark contrast to her partner’s stoic departure. The pair disappeared into the shadows at the far edge of the tunnel, their figures swallowed by the encroaching darkness.