章節 22: Chapter 22: Bonds and Burdens
A few days had passed since the chaos of the dungeon break, but the memory of it still lingered in everyone's minds. The academy grounds were buzzing with activity—students recovering, repairs being made, and the usual rhythms of school life resuming. But for Arthur, the calm was deceptive. His mind still turned over the mystery of the siphoned power during the battle, but for now, he let it rest. There were other matters to attend to.
His relationship with those closest to him—Leora, Elara, Seraphine, and Claire—had shifted in subtle ways since the ordeal. Leora, Elara, and Seraphine, once casual in their training and interactions, had grown more intense in their efforts. Arthur had noticed them spending more and more time in the academy's training grounds, pushing themselves beyond their usual limits.
It wasn't difficult to see why. During the dungeon break, they had all witnessed Arthur's calm and collected demeanor amidst the chaos. He had remained composed, taking decisive action when needed and showing a level of strength they hadn't fully understood before. It left an impression on them. Leora's sun-based magic burned brighter, Elara's ice was sharper and more precise, and Seraphine's martial skills became even more fluid. They trained hard, not just for themselves, but because they didn't want to be a burden to Arthur. Unbeknownst to each other, feelings deeper than admiration were taking root in their hearts.
Claire, on the other hand, found herself spending more time with Arthur outside of training. The crisis had shaken her, but after seeing the students safe and unharmed, she felt a weight lifted from her shoulders. Those few days had been a whirlwind of emotion, and through it, she had found herself drawn to Arthur more and more. Their conversations grew more frequent, often over quiet dinners in the academy's dining hall, discussing everything from the students to the peculiarities of magic and life beyond the school's walls.
Arthur, however, was occupied. His thoughts kept circling back to that moment in the dungeon—who or what had siphoned the power from the boss monster? He had felt it, an unnatural force draining the creature's energy right before he struck. But despite his growing suspicion, he decided not to pursue it for the moment. There would be time to investigate later.
For now, Arthur allowed himself a rare moment of respite, joining Claire for dinner once again. She had become a steady presence in his life, her sharp wit and gentle concern a contrast to the more intense energy of Leora, Elara, and Seraphine. Their conversations were easy, though Arthur could sense something had shifted in Claire too. Her usual composed demeanor had softened, a warmth in her gaze when she looked at him. He hadn't yet pieced it together, but something told him Claire had grown to care for him more deeply.
As night fell and the academy quieted, Arthur found himself standing at the edge of the training grounds. From a distance, he watched as Leora, Elara, and Seraphine continued their training, their determination palpable. They were growing stronger, but the intensity in their eyes told him something more was driving them. Arthur smiled to himself, appreciating their efforts, even if they didn't fully realize what they were feeling.
The days ahead would hold more challenges, but for now, Arthur allowed himself a rare moment of peace, knowing that the bonds between him and his friends were growing stronger with each passing day.
To be continued...
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票