Chapter 18: The One He Noticed


    <hr>


    For the first time since coming to Arkadia, I met someone who wasn’t trying to fight me, investigate me, or kill me.


    And maybe that’s why I noticed her.


    Because she was different.


    Because she was kind.


    <hr>


    The Healer in the Library


    It started with a book.


    I was in the academy library, flipping through a dusty tome on eldritch creatures, trying to find anything useful about my new class.


    That’s when a soft voice spoke behind me.


    "That’s a rare one."


    I turned.


    A girl stood there, hugging a stack of books. She wasn’t dressed in combat gear like most students—just a simple academy uniform, her healer’s badge pinned neatly to her collar.


    Her eyes were bright, curious, but shy—like she wasn’t sure if she should be talking to me.


    I blinked. "Uh. Yeah. Just… studying."


    She smiled. "I read that one last year. The author got some things wrong, but it’s a good place to start."


    I hesitated. "You study eldritch creatures?"


    "Just their effects on mana flow," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I’m a healer. I specialize in… well. Curses. Corruption. Things that most people avoid."


    That got my attention.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    "That’s useful," I said. "Considering half the things I fight shouldn’t exist."


    She giggled, and for some reason, that threw me off.


    "Most people don’t like talking to curse healers," she admitted. "They think it’s creepy."


    I shrugged. "Creepy is kind of my whole thing."


    Her smile widened. "I’m Emilia, by the way."


    "Tatsuya."


    "I know," she said, then flushed. "I mean—everyone knows. After your fight with Rei, and, um, everything else."


    Right. That.


    "Not my fault," I muttered.


    "I didn’t say it was," she said softly.


    For some reason, that meant a lot.


    <hr>


    Iris Notices


    I didn’t realize how much time I spent with Emilia until Iris did.


    It wasn’t intentional.


    It wasn’t a strategy.


    I just… liked talking to her.


    Unlike the others, she didn’t treat me like a puzzle to be solved. She didn’t expect me to be strong, dangerous, or untouchable.


    She just treated me like me.


    And Iris?


    She hated that.


    One afternoon, as I was leaving the healer’s wing, I felt a chill.


    Iris was waiting outside, arms crossed.


    "You’re spending a lot of time with her," she said.


    I raised a brow. "And?"


    She tensed. Just slightly.


    Then she tilted her head, gaze sharp.


    "I didn’t think you’d be interested in someone… like her."


    I frowned. "What’s that supposed to mean?"


    "She’s weak," Iris said plainly. "Too soft. This academy will crush her."


    Something flared in my chest.


    "She’s stronger than you think."


    Iris blinked. It was the first time I had ever seen her caught off guard.


    A beat of silence.


    Then she smirked. But it didn’t reach her eyes.


    "Interesting," she murmured.


    Then, without another word, she walked away.


    I exhaled slowly.


    That wasn’t the end of this.


    Not by a long shot.


    <hr>


    The Rivalry Takes a Turn


    The next day, Iris sat next to me in class.


    She had never done that before.


    She started training near me, watching my fights, asking me questions.


    It was subtle, but it was there.


    Elias noticed immediately.


    He leaned over, whispering, "Damn. Ice Queen’s got competition, huh?"


    I groaned.


    Nyx purred in amusement. "Careful, my master. You’ve stepped into a battlefield far more dangerous than combat."


    Noctis grinned. "Ooooh, this is going to be fun."


    I ignored them.


    Because whether I wanted to or not—


    I had someone’s attention.


    And she wasn’t planning on losing.