Chapter 20: His Fire Lingers, Even in Silence

Why…

Why did he do that?

The sky above the dormitory was beginning to shift — clouds glowing orange, touched by the descending sun. A soft wind carried the scent of blooming spicegrass from the academy gardens, but Sayaka didn’t notice any of it.

She sat on the edge of her bunk, knees pulled up to her chest, her arms around them tightly, chin resting on her wrists.

Her eyes weren’t focused.

Her thoughts wouldn’t stop.

He didn’t have to get involved.

He could’ve ignored it. Everyone else did. I would’ve just been... humiliated again. Nothing new.

But he stood in front of me.

She remembered it — clearly. Too clearly.

The way the flames died in his palm like a scared candle.

The way his voice struck the world around them like a divine sentence.

"Don’t. Ever. Touch this girl again… filth."

Those words.

Not just words — a vow.

Her fingers tightened.

No one's ever said something like that for me. Not with that… that weight. That power.

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She wasn't sure what part of her it stirred — fear, comfort, curiosity… something else?

He didn’t even wait for me to say thank you. Just… walked off.

She tried shaking her head. No, don’t be stupid. He probably just hates bullies. Or maybe he doesn’t like attention. Or maybe… he really is just strong and bored. No big deal.

But it was a big deal.

To her.

I don’t know anything about him.

But I keep thinking about him.

Her heart thumped once.

Then again.

It wasn’t the kind of thump she was used to. Not panic. Not adrenaline.

It was quiet.

Warm.

A knock tapped at her dorm room door. She jolted upright.

"Sayaka?" a calm voice called. “Can I come in?”

The principal.

She stood and quickly wiped her face with her sleeve. “Yes, sir.”

The door creaked open and in walked Principal Faerin, a tall, broad man in a green cloak trimmed with silver runes. His eyes were tired, but not unkind.

“I came to check on you,” he said simply.

She bowed slightly, still nervous. “I-I’m fine, sir.”

He looked at her closely. “You’ve been through a lot since the semester started. More than most. But... today’s incident crossed the line.”

She looked down, fists clenching. “I’m sorry—”

“You have nothing to apologize for.” His voice sharpened slightly.

Sayaka blinked.

“Leira and her brother have been expelled,” Faerin continued. “Effective immediately. Their conduct — both magical and physical — violated academy code.”

Her eyes widened. “They… they’re gone?”

He nodded. “The academy exists to train strength, but never at the cost of cruelty. Remember that.”

Sayaka didn’t know what to say.

“But,” he continued, “your journey is only beginning. Tomorrow morning, the final Hunter Selection Exam begins. Only students who pass this will earn full trainee licenses and be able to take real quests and contracts.”

She froze.

“…T-tomorrow?”

Faerin nodded. “Two trials. One physical, one magical. You’ll be informed of the details on-site.”

She felt her stomach twist.

Tomorrow… and I’m not even close to being ready.

The principal turned to leave, but paused at the door.

“Oh… and Sayaka,” he added, glancing over his shoulder. “That boy — Dev. You might not know much about him. But he’s... not ordinary. Be cautious.”

The door shut.

Silence again.

Sayaka sat back down, her heart heavier than before.

Not ordinary...?

Yeah... I know.

She stared out the window as night rolled over the academy.

And still—

She kept thinking about him.