Date: Day Before the Final Exam
Location: Dorm Courtyard / East Garden
---
They banned us from the study hall today.
"Mental fatigue can delay spell latency," Professor Mira said.
Translation: "Go touch grass."
So we did.
Leander literally faceplanted into it and declared:
> "This grass understands me."
---
Riya brought out a board game that no one knew how to play.
Anna tried to guess the rules.
Gideon tried to flip the board out of mercy.
Eventually, they gave up and just threw the pieces at Leander.
---
Elric handed out mystery juice from "a reputable alchemy cafe."
We asked no questions. It was blue. That was enough concern.
Alice arrived last, carrying a book titled "Efficient Arterial Control in High-Pressure Combat."
Riya whispered:
> "Do you think she just… likes blood?"
Anna whispered back:
> "Or hates arteries."
---
Later, Lily asked if I wanted to go for a walk. I agreed.
We walked in silence — not romantic, just peaceful.
She talked about constellations. I nodded.
She asked me how I was feeling.
I said:
> "Like a sheep walking into a wolf exam."
She smiled.
Then added:
> "Then be the wolf. Not the sheep."
She always has a way of saying things like that — short, sharp, and it sticks.
---
When I got back, Alice was waiting.
She didn't speak at first.
Then she sat beside me.
> "Your mana's stabilized."
> "Yeah."
> "That means your blood's evolving too. I'll need to adjust how I draw it."
She said it clinically, like a researcher.
Then, after a pause:
> "...I won't bite without asking anymore."
That made me look at her.
She looked serious. A little distant. A little… tired?
> "I trust you," I said.
That caught her off-guard.
Then she chuckled, quietly.
> "Idiot."
But her voice was softer than usual. No bite. No fangs.
---
Later that evening, Leander tried to juggle mana stones and failed miserably.
They exploded in sequence.
Anna caught one mid-air and tossed it away with a bored look.
Riya declared this her "retirement from tutoring."
Leander rolled over on the grass and muttered:
> "Can we fight the test instead of writing it?"
Elric offered tea.
No one asked where he got the kettle from.
---
Tonight, we were just a bunch of idiots.
Idiots who survived a year together.
Idiots who laughed in the face of exams.
Idiots… who felt like family.
---
[Final lines written with sleepy ink]
Lily reminded me to look at the stars.
Alice said she'll "monitor my blood quality."
Leander fell asleep mid-joke.
Anna drew a mustache on him.
Riya smiled without saying anything.
Gideon didn't move… but he stayed with us.
---
Tomorrow, we fight for everything we've learned.
Tonight?
We live.