Chapter 21: The Echo of Battle


    <hr>


    The Aftermath


    Axel''s body still ached from the spar.


    Jace had left his mark—not just with the bruises, but with the acknowledgment.


    For the first time, Axel felt like he wasn’t just playing catch-up.


    He was in the game.


    Tempo, still adjusting to his new guitar-axe hybrid, was perched on the academy rooftop with Axel, idly strumming a few deep, electric chords. The sound thrummed in the air, sending shivers down Axel’s spine.


    “New abilities. New recognition. And now, possibly, new… distractions.”


    Axel raised an eyebrow. “Distractions?”


    Tempo plucked another note.


    “You’ll see.”


    <hr>


    A Sudden Invitation


    The next morning, Axel was still sore when he found a message waiting on his holo-band.


    <blockquote>


    Meet me at the Lunar Garden.


    —Iris


    </blockquote>


    Axel blinked.


    A message from Iris?


    He felt his heartbeat kick up slightly.


    Tempo glanced over his shoulder, eyes glinting. “Interesting.”


    Axel rolled his eyes. “Shut up.”


    But still, his pace quickened as he made his way toward the academy gardens.


    <hr>


    Moonlit Conversations


    The Lunar Garden was one of the quieter spots in Helix Academy—a courtyard lined with luminescent flowers that glowed softly in the dark, pulsing with faint energy.


    Iris stood near the center, dressed in a deep blue jacket, her arms crossed as she watched the night sky.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    Nyra, her Lunar Tactician, lay curled at her feet, her nine tails flickering lazily.


    Axel slowed as he approached.


    “You called?” he said casually.


    Iris glanced at him, then smiled—a small, knowing smile.


    “You’re improving,” she said.


    Axel smirked. “You saw the fight?”


    Iris nodded. “You’re getting better at reading movement. Jace couldn’t overwhelm you like before.”


    Axel grinned, feeling a bit of pride rise in his chest.


    But then—her violet eyes softened.


    “I was worried.”


    Axel froze.


    The words hit him in a way he wasn’t prepared for.


    “I mean,” she added quickly, shifting slightly, “not that I thought you’d lose, but… Blackthorn isn’t like Jace.”


    She hesitated.


    “You can’t afford to take hits like that in the real fight.”


    Axel exhaled.


    This wasn’t just about his skills.


    Iris was genuinely concerned about him.


    He ran a hand through his hair. “I get it. I’ll be more careful.”


    Iris studied him for a moment. Then, almost reluctantly—“Good.”


    Nyra, at her feet, smirked.


    Tempo noted the moment and muttered, “Interesting.”


    Axel ignored him.


    For once, he wanted to enjoy this moment without commentary.


    <hr>


    An Unexpected Encounter


    As Axel left the garden, still replaying the conversation in his head, he nearly walked straight into someone.


    He barely caught himself before stumbling backward.


    A low, sultry chuckle followed.


    “My, my. Distracted, are we?”


    Axel looked up—right into Valeria’s crimson eyes.


    She was leaning against a stone pillar, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at her lips.


    Her Abyssal Wraith, Nocturne, shifted at her side like a living shadow, watching him with eerie patience.


    Axel swallowed. “Uh. Hey?”


    Valeria tilted her head. “Not going to say sorry? You almost knocked me over.”


    Axel huffed. “I barely touched you.”


    Valeria grinned. “Shame. I wouldn’t have minded.”


    Tempo choked on air.


    Axel stiffened. “Excuse me?”


    Valeria leaned in slightly, her presence unnervingly close.


    “I watched your fight,” she murmured. “You’re more fun than I thought.”


    Axel was not sure what was happening anymore.


    Valeria tapped a finger against his chest.


    “I think I’ll keep my eye on you, Mercer.”


    Then she turned, walking away with a sway in her step.


    Axel blinked.


    Tempo was silent.


    Then, finally—


    Tempo grinned.


    “I like her.”


    Axel groaned. “Of course you do.”


    <hr>


    A Growing Problem


    As Axel made his way back to his dorm, he had a sinking feeling that Tempo’s "distractions" theory was coming true.


    First Iris. Now Valeria.


    And if the way Elara, Sylva, and Lysandra had been watching him during the selection ceremony meant anything…


    This was only the beginning.


    Axel sighed.


    “Why do I feel like my life just got way more complicated?”


    Tempo grinned, spinning his guitar-axe.


    “Oh, it absolutely did.”


    Axel groaned.


    He wasn’t ready for this.