A/N - This is after Practical Test
The sun hung high over the academy's training field, its warm rays glinting off the polished edges of practice swords and armor. Sweat clung to the backs of trainees, their grunts and the dull thud of wood meeting wood echoing across the open grounds. Amidst them, Geld casually twirled his wooden training sword in one hand, eyes fixed on his companion.
"Hey Luke," he said, pausing mid-swing. "Do you have someone you like?"
The question caught Luke off guard.
He blinked, his grip tightening on his own wooden blade. His mind drifted—just for a moment—to a memory:
Luke thought back to the silver hair girl he had seen on his way coming to the academy when a face suddenly however infront of his vision
But before the image could settle in his thoughts, a teasing voice interrupted.
"Oh?" Tael grinned, covering his mouth dramatically with his hand as he stifled a laugh. "Luke has someone in mind."
Luke scratched his head awkwardly, masking the faint flush on his cheeks behind the activation of his 'Calm' skill.
"It's nothing. Just a thought," he muttered.
"Who could it be?"Geld asked
Geld leaned in. " We haven't seen you around any girls since the entrance exam."
"Maybe it's that redhead?" Tael suggested. "What was her name again—?"
Before he could finish, a voice rang out.
"Guys!" Persin waved as he approached.
Their attention shifted, but not before their eyes flicked past him.
Trailing behind Persin, half-hidden by the corner of a nearby building, was Felior—watching with an intensity at Persin, her red face was an obvious liking of Persin, that made the air feel heavier.
"So, what are we talking about?" Persin asked cheerfully.
Geld and Tael fell silent, their faces tightening as if suddenly aware they had said too much.