A few days pass. The bright morning sun shines over the grounds of Verlyn Academy.
The footsteps of Zeff and Zoi enter the gates of a six-story building labeled as the central administration hall of the academy. Not many students and staff are passing by inside.
They pause for a moment in the lobby area to check over the stack of documents they carry. Zoi reads out the checklist in her hand while Zeff goes through them carefully.
“All set?” asks Zoi.
“Yeah, complete. But why do you have to bring this many documents? As far as I know, graduating students only need to bring two papers when reporting to the administration hall.”
They continue walking while talking.
“I’m late fixing my last grade, so the admin officer tells me to deliver the whole score list myself,” Zoi grumbles.
“You get caught up in one of your sudden-inspiration research projects again?”
“Hey, don’t underestimate the research I do! It’s all important and meaningful!”
“Sure, sure. You might as well just stay here forever as a lifelong student.”
“No way, Zeff. I’m already a candidate instructor here.”
Zoi flashes a wide grin of pride. Zeff, however, only responds with a flat expression.
“Wow, congratulations.”
“Can’t you at least look a bit more sincere when you say that?”
Their steps almost reach the elevator area.
“Zeff, do you know the rumor going around? They say every student who is about to graduate has to face a final trial when reporting to the administration building. That is why this place is considered sacred by the senior students.” Zoi speaks with a faint laugh, finding the rumor amusing.
“A rumor that will likely turn into a myth and legend of Verlyn Academy,” Zeff responds without much concern.
“If it is true, then what kind of final trial are we supposed to face here?”
A notice is posted on the elevator door:
“Elevator out of order. Under maintenance.”
Zeff and Zoi fall into silence as they read it.
“Zeff, which floor is the administration office on?”
“Sixth floor.”
Zoi’s shoulders sink immediately as they arrive before the towering spiral staircase leading up to the sixth floor.
“This must be the final trial I have to endure. The rumor is true—this building really is sacred.”
The girl is already in despair, leaving Zeff staring at her in disbelief.
“My frail legs must climb thousands of steps to reach the heavens…”
“Put your documents into your dimensional bag.” Zeff cuts off Zoi’s dramatic speech before it grows long enough to be written into a book.
Zoi looks puzzled. “Why?”
“Just do it.”
Zoi dismisses the papers into her dimensional bag.
“Done. And then?”
Grab!
Zeff suddenly lifts Zoi into his arms, carrying her against his chest with those firm, muscular arms and his ever-expressionless face.
Zoi is caught off guard, blushing as her heartbeat races.
“Z-Zeff…”
Sparks of electro light begin to flicker around Zeff’s body, and then—
Zzzaaart!
In a flash, he bolts upward carrying Zoi at lightning speed, zig-zagging through the void until they land safely on the sixth floor within seconds.
Tense and still blushing, Zoi’s face remains flushed after the sudden ride.
“N-next time… warn me first… I thought my heart was going to leap out.”
“If your heart falls out on the ground floor, you can go fetch it yourself.”
Zeff walks away nonchalantly.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
“Hiiish, not funny!”
.
It doesn’t take long for them to finish their business in the administration building. Zeff and Zoi are already walking out through the side gate, which is closer to the artificer hall. As always, Zoi has plenty to talk about while walking with Zeff.
Zeff’s eyes shift to the side, spotting Vichel and Jacelin heading toward the front gate of the administration building, as if they’ve just arrived to handle their final-year paperwork.
“Zoi, you head back first. I’ve got something to do.”
In an instant, Zeff disappears in a flash of electro, his direction clear—back toward the administration building. Zoi frowns, puzzled, but keeps walking on her own, not caring what business Zeff has there.
.
The same complaint arises from Jacelin and Vichel as they stand before the towering spiral staircase leading to the sixth floor of the administration building.
“Perfect timing for the lift to break down when we actually need to go to the sixth floor,” Jacelin grumbles. “Vichel, got any ideas to get up there besides climbing step by step?”
Unlike Jacelin, Vichel doesn’t seem to complain. She stays focused, trying to think of a solution to get them both upstairs.
“I could carry you on my back, then run up the stairs with the help of wind element.”
Jacelin pulls a heavy face, imagining her taller frame being carried up by the smaller-bodied Vichel.
“I could never bring myself to let you do that. Let’s just climb the stairs—sooner or later, we’ll reach the top.”
Their moment is suddenly interrupted by Zeff’s voice coming from behind.
“Ah, I was hoping for some good entertainment. Why not just go with the wind mage’s idea?”
Vichel shoots him a sharp look, while Jacelin, already used to her friend’s sarcastic remarks, just exhales.
“Zeff? You’re here for administrative work on the sixth floor too?”
“Already finished earlier.”
“Then what are you doing here?” Vichel cuts in curtly.
“To watch people suffer as they struggle to reach the sixth floor step by step. Haha.”
A response irritating enough to annoy both girls.
Zeff steps closer to Vichel.
“Wind element doesn’t seem all that useful in this kind of situation, considering you can’t actually use it to fly.”
The jab only makes Vichel more annoyed.
“And what’s the difference with you? Even with electro speed, you’d still have to run up the stairs, right?”
Zeff immediately shakes his finger.
“Wrong. Watch how the best electro battlemage does it. Come on, Jacelin.”
“Huh? Me?”
Zeff lifts Jacelin onto his back, leaving her baffled. Then, with a surge of electro, he shoots upward in a zig-zag flash. Jacelin’s terrified scream echoes as they rocket at blinding speed—while Vichel can’t help but be struck in awe.
Jacelin’s head is still spinning as she lands on the 6th floor.
“You want to kill me with a heart attack?!”
“Why do girls always complain about the way I bring them up here?”
“Because your speed is terrifying for normal people.”
“Ah, whatever. I’ll go fetch the other one.”
Zeff leaps back down. Jacelin, still dizzy, doesn’t even notice a man walking toward her from the administration office behind.
While descending, Zeff spots Vichel already at the 3rd-floor staircase, running swiftly with the help of wind element. He lands beside her and keeps pace.
“Your running is slow.”
Vichel grits her teeth at his presence. Compared to ordinary people, her speed is already remarkable.
“Who asked you to run with me? Mind your own business!”
“Do you know how much speed I have to cut down just to match you?”
“And that’s my fault? You’re the one making things harder for yourself!”
“I just feel sorry seeing you struggle all alone.”
“Oh Gods, keep this man away from me!”
Annoyed, Vichel pushes herself to run faster, wanting to end this climb quickly. Zeff only grins mischievously, staying right by her side.
“Come on, don’t faint now—you’re almost there.” he says in a mock-dramatic tone, piling on her frustration. They’re close to the 6th floor.
“You’re annoying!”
Distracted by shouting at him, Vichel trips on the final step, her body stumbling forward.
Grab!
Tseryo’s arm catches Vichel just in time. She startles, and Zeff doesn’t expect Tseryo to be there.
“Are you alright?”
Vichel quickly stands and tidies her clothes.
“Yes, thank you.”
“Running on the stairs is dangerous, especially when someone’s distracting your focus.” Tseryo clearly reads the situation, and his remark is aimed straight at Zeff.
“Yes, I won’t be that careless again.”
“You’d better hurry,” Zeff cuts in. “Once it’s close to lunchtime, the administration staff tend to get a bit cranky.”
“Come on, Vichel,” Jacelin urges. Vichel immediately follows.
Tseryo suddenly makes an offer.
“How about we have lunch together after this?”
Vichel looks surprised, while Jacelin frowns with a hint of sarcasm.
“Who exactly are you inviting to lunch?”
“Everyone. Vichella Arleith, Miss Lurca, and…” Tseryo glances at Zeff. “Our champion, Zeff Lou Roan. Since we’ll be graduating and leaving the academy soon, we won’t have another chance like this. My treat—pick any place you like.”
The word “treat” almost lights Vichel’s face up; she seems eager to accept. Jacelin, on the other hand, looks doubtful, wondering why Tseryo suddenly suggests a group lunch.
Zeff answers first. “Sounds good. Since you’re treating us, let me pick a place that’ll fit everyone’s taste.” He seems to have something up his sleeve.
“No problem, choose whatever you like,” Tseryo replies calmly.
“Come on, Jacelin, let’s hurry!”
Vichel, overly excited, grabs Jacelin’s hand and pulls her toward the administration office.
Zeff and Tseryo stay behind near the stairs.
“So what’s this about? Out of nowhere you wanna have lunch with people who might kill your appetite.”
Tseryo smirks lightly.
“Honestly, I usually enjoy eating alone more. But since these are our last days here, I figured a little change of pace wouldn’t hurt. Don’t overthink it, there’s no hidden plan. Just an invite.”
“Fine, I’ll just take it as Young Master Lavrel being bored of his routine.”
“You can think that if you like. Routine’s never really been a problem for me.”
“All done! Let’s gooo!” Vichel’s cheerful voice came from the administration office, still pulling Jacelin’s hand to hurry her steps.
Zeff immediately took position with one foot on the stair rail, looking ready to jump. “Hah, you’ll lose again on the way down.”
“No way!”
Vichel dives first, wind propelling her straight down. Zeff’s caught off guard.
“Hey, that’s cheating!”
He jumps right after her, no way he’s letting her win. Tseryo and Jacelin are left behind, staring in surprise.
DASH!
Students climbing the stairs flinch when Vichel slams down with a burst of wind after leaping from the sixth floor. Just a second later, Zeff lands with sparks of electro flying, startling the onlookers even more.
“I win!” Vichel grins.
“You started early!” Zeff complains.
“You talk too much!”
DASH!
Tseryo lands with a surge of water, carrying Jacelin safely in his arms.
“You two left behind someone without elemental powers.”
Jacelin quickly pulls away, her face a mix of annoyance and a faint blush.
“Sorry for being a burden.”
“Ah, sorry, Jacelin…” Zeff and Vichel blurt out at the same time.
Jacelin just stands there, totally unsure how to respond.
