Chapter 44 - The Double-Date (Finale)

The trail wound gently uphill beneath a canopy of whispering leaves and amber light. Pine mixed with wildflower on the breeze, and Aurelia allowed herself to breathe deeply, letting the calm of the mountain trail settle her nerves.

Not that she’d ever admit to

having

nerves.

Her arm was firmly looped through Luca’s, skin brushing skin with every step. She hadn’t asked. Just did it.

And when he didn’t pull away—well, that was enough.

His arm’s firm. Warm. Nice. Ugh. What am I even thinking...?

Still, a small blush crept across her cheeks, masked quickly with a casual toss of her ponytail.

"You’re warmer than I expected," she said lightly, smirking.

His response was predictably awkward. "I guess... thanks?"

"It’s not a compliment. You’re making me sweat more."

He flailed in protest, which only made her grin wider.

Behind them, Lilliane was walking stiffly beside Aiden, trying so hard to stay composed that it was almost painful to watch.

Aurelia caught the way Lilliane inched closer—then backed away—then got flustered and locked her arms behind her back like it was the only thing keeping her sane.

"...It’s nice here," the girl mumbled.

"Yeah. Quiet," Aiden replied with all the expression of a sleepy cat.

"I read somewhere that walks like this are good for... bonding," Lilliane ventured, and the sheer force of her bravery made Aurelia stifle a laugh.

Aiden blinked. "Really?"

Lilliane combusted. "N-No! I mean—yes! But—not like that! Just... like, friend bonding!"

Aiden just nodded.

Aurelia watched the mess unfold like it was a romantic drama unfolding in real time.

She’s trying so hard it’s adorable. That girl’s going to give herself an aneurysm before she holds his hand. And Luca’s just... watching it all like it’s a show.

She leaned in to whisper to him, "She’s going to explode."

"She’s trying too hard. It’s cute," Luca replied, actually smiling.

That surprised her.

So you do notice things about people, huh? Not just floating in your own awkward cloud all the time.

Soon, they veered off the main trail and reached a moss-covered cave.

Aurelia eyed it skeptically. "You sure this is the right way?"

Luca brushed aside a branch. "It’s just off the path. No worries."

She didn’t buy that for a second.

But he looked too nervous to be lying maliciously. If he

was

hiding something... well, she’d catch him.

The cave was colder than expected, and far darker. Her fingers brushed her storage pouch, instincts kicking in. "This goes deep..."

"Yeah. Weird, right?" Luca said from behind.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Weird, huh?"

Too many coincidences. You’d think a guy like him wouldn’t be able to plan this far ahead—but somehow, things always seem to find him.

Then—

A roar. Loud. Wet.

Alive.

The air turned foul, and before anyone could speak, a grotesque, bloated beast emerged from the shadows.

Corrupted.

The others jumped back, drawing their weapons in rushed, unsure movements.

Aurelia, however, stepped forward calmly, spear already in hand.

Luca was decent. Lilliane had form. Aiden had a presence.

But none of them had real combat experience.

That much was obvious the moment the beast attacked.

Aiden’s parry was off. Lilliane flinched. Even Luca’s strike lacked proper grounding.

She was already mapping the creature’s movements, waiting.

Then she saw it—

The beast lunged at Lilliane, and before Aurelia could move, Luca was already there.

He

tackled

Lilliane out of harm’s way, rolling over jagged rock like it was second nature. Even cradled her head to protect it.

When they stopped, he was on top of her, panting.

"Y-Yeah... b-but could you—get off? Please?"

He blinked. "Oh—OH. Right. Sorry!"

Aurelia watched the scene, a strange, unfamiliar twinge tightening in her chest.

Why isn’t that me?

She blinked.

What the hell, Aurelia. Stop that. It’s not like you wanted to be the one getting tackled. And it’s not like she meant it, anyway.

She shook off the thought just as the moment passed.

Luca called out: "Everyone, spread out!"

Back in control. Good.

Aurelia dashed in, aura boiling, runes lighting up her spear.

No hesitation.

Just fire.

"

Blazing Nova Thrust!

"

Her voice rang like thunder.

Flames erupted, coiling around her like a living beast. She struck—direct hit.

The corrupted bear screeched.

And then shattered.

Silence returned, broken only by the sound of their ragged breathing.

"So that’s how it looks," Aiden murmured.

Lilliane was wide-eyed.

Luca flopped onto a rock, muttering something about how real techniques felt more terrifying in person.

Aurelia just twirled her spear once and let it rest on her shoulder, breathing steady. "So? Wasn’t that fun?"

They all groaned. She couldn’t help but grin.

Lightweights.

A soft glow shimmered in the deeper chamber.

They found the source—an old pedestal, cracked with age.

And on it, a book.

Aurelia got there first, fingers brushing over the worn leather. Gold-etched twin sabers.

She flipped it open. Her eyes flicked to Luca.

"You really do attract things like this, don’t you?"

Then she tossed it at him.

He caught it. Barely.

She stepped forward, voice sugar-sweet and razor-sharp. "I hope this is just a lucky coincidence."

Luca laughed awkwardly. "N-No, totally random. Total fate. Stars aligned. Destiny stuff."

Liar,

she thought.

Hah. So he did plan this.

She narrowed her eyes slightly, studying his face. The way his eyes darted, his fingers fidgeted.

This cave. This moment. All of it.

There was almost no doubt in her mind—Luca had something in mind from the start.

And yet...

His awkward responses every time she pressed him. That little nervous laugh. The way he stammered out "destiny stuff" like a guilty puppy.

It was... endearing.

She smirked to herself. Besides, I’ve been using him for my own reasons too. So what if he has a few of his?

Aiden and Lilliane backed him up. Aurelia watched him cradle the book like it was sacred.

She sighed and nudged his arm. "You’ve got some luck, I’ll give you that."

Then came Lilliane’s voice. "There’s a path over here."

They emerged through a mossy exit—and were immediately hit by a rush of cold, clean air.

The world opened around them in a blaze of orange and gold. The sun hung low, drenching the land in twilight fire. The academy below looked tiny. Peaceful.

Aurelia stepped up beside Luca, her hair catching the wind.

He turned, just barely, to look at her.

She quickly looked away.

Don’t blush, don’t blush, don’t—

Too late.

Watching the sunset with him. Like this. On a mountain. It’s not even part of the plan.

Her eyes lingered on him.

Still... it’s not so bad.

And for once, her smile was soft—not teasing, not smug.

Just real.

The sky blazed in gold and amber, clouds painted like brushstrokes across the horizon. The wind whispered, cool and slow, as if nature itself was holding its breath.

Aurelia stood at the edge of the cliff, letting the light kiss her skin. The moment felt too perfect—almost surreal.

She turned.

Luca stood a few paces away, watching the view with that same distant, thoughtful look of his—so unaware, so honest, so

him

.

Something warm twisted in her chest.

"Tch."

Why was she smiling like an idiot?

She stepped toward him—two, three, four quick strides—and reached out, grabbing his arm without thinking.

"Come here," she muttered, tugging him gently, fully intending to just link their arms like before.

But—

He turned toward her at the same time.

And lost his balance.

The world lurched.

And then—

Their lips met.

Soft.

Unexpected.

Still.

Time... stopped.

Aurelia’s eyes went wide, breath caught in her chest, body frozen mid-motion.

His lips were warm. Hesitant. Not moving—but not pulling away either.

Both Crimson and Amethyst eyes staring into each other.

Her heart pounded against her ribs like a war drum. Her hands clenched his sleeves without meaning to. Somewhere, distantly, she wondered—

Why does this feel like I’m falling?

The sunset stretched around them like a painting. The world was quiet.

Behind them, someone gasped.

"D-Did they just—?!" Lilliane’s voice cracked like a shattered teacup.

Aiden blinked. "...That wasn’t planned."

"N-No, I mean—oh my god—what do we

do

?!"

"I think we... look away?" Aiden offered, already turning his back awkwardly.

Then—

Reality snapped back.

What am I doing?!

She shoved him—hard.

"Y-YOU... YOU!!"

Her voice cracked the silence like lightning.

Luca stumbled back, blinking, completely dazed.

Aurelia’s face was on

fire

, red from hairline to neck. Her hands balled into fists, trembling—not from anger, but from something much worse.

Flustered. Embarrassed. Vulnerable.

Her entire brain was short-circuiting.

"You—Idiot—Perv—Clumsy oaf!!" she barked, each word a verbal punch. "How the hell—what even—who just—

kisses someone like that?!

"

Luca opened his mouth. Closed it. Tried again. "I—It was an accident! I swear!"

"I

know

it was an accident, that’s what makes it WORSE!" she snapped, turning away as steam practically poured from her ears. "Ugh—!"

Her fingers touched her lips before she could stop herself.

Still warm.

Still tingly.

She bit the inside of her cheek, hard.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

She’d never been kissed before—It was her 1st kiss.

She sneaked a glance over her shoulder.

Luca was rubbing the back of his head, muttering panicked apologies under his breath, pink creeping up his neck.

...Okay. Fine. Maybe it wasn’t entirely awful.

Aurelia groaned into her hands.

"I swear, if you ever bring this up again, I’ll bury you under this mountain," she muttered.

"Y-Yes ma’am."

And just like that, her heart wouldn’t stop racing.

***

Arcadia Academy – Administrative Department

Stacks of papers littered the vice dean’s desk like a battlefield long lost to bureaucracy. Scrolls half-unrolled, seal stamps left uncapped, and a cold cup of tea sitting forgotten by the window.

Vice Dean Caelan pressed two fingers against his temple, massaging the migraine blooming like a curse spell.

"Why... why do they all come here?" he muttered, eyes bloodshot and voice hoarse.

Name

: Aria

Age

: 17

Class

: Priest

Affiliation

: Holy Kingdom of Elaria

Application

: First Year Enrollment

Caelan read through it, his brows twitching.

"As if those five monsters weren’t enough of a headache... now another one’s coming. This one, blessed by the goddess no less."

The employee blinked. "Which class should I put her in..?"

"

Class A

," Halvorsen said, voice dry.