inimical

four

CHAPTER 4: NOT A NOBLE 

"Lady [f/n] has been training a lot lately, hasn't she?" 

The Blue Rose members watch you practice your Glass Magic from a window. 

"Yes! It's quite admirable!" 

You wipe off sweat from your forehead before returning to your grimoire. Exhaustion slowly creeps up on your mind, you could feel it ruining your focus. The small pains from your chest and the moments of double vision became obvious, and your glass start to lose their accuracy and gain dull edges. You decided it was time for another break. 

Sitting on a log allows you to steady your breathing and recover mana, preparing you for the next session. Suddenly an anti-bird flutters off a branch and then calmly lands on your lap, as if reminding you how weak you are. You're irritated but you can't blame the bird. 

You pet its red and blue feathered head. It reacts with surprise, not expecting such friendly behavior. You nonchalantly start a conversation. 

"I'm training to get stronger... You can sense that right?" 

"..." It silently stares. 

"Of course you do. My glass feels somewhat sturdier than before, you want to see?" 

"..." 

"I'll take that as a yes." 

You brought out your grimoire. "Glass Magic: Glass Rose." 

A glass stem sprouts from the ground and a single rose blossoms. You pick it gently with your fingers, the glistening petals are layered upon each other beautifully. And like a real rose, it has leaves and thorns on its stem. 

You smile proudly and bring it up to show the bird. "See this?"

He chirps. 

"Now, watch closely..." 

You held the rose above the leaf-littered ground at a considerable height, then let go. It clinks when it hits the ground, but it does not shatter. The sense of pride makes your chest swell; you felt satisfied with speaking of your achievements— to you, a bird's ears is equal to a person's. 

The bird flaps his wings. 

You grin wider. "See?! Amazing, right?!" 

"The only amazing thing here is your ability to keep a bird interested." 

! ! ! 

You jump, the bird flies away in fear. "Y-Yami Sukehiro..!" 

Why does he always pop out of nowhere?! 

He laughs as he sheaths his sword. "What's with that reaction?" 

"What- What are you doing here?!" 

"Training." He simply says. 

"H-How long have you been there?! Were you watching me..?!" You felt something within you die. 

"Say," he casually sat next to you, taking the other side of the log, "I've been thinking about something." 

You were shocked. He ignored my question..! 

Now that he's closer, you could clearly see the sweat running down his biceps and his drenched white tank top. He smelled of forest pines, muck, and... sea water? 

"You're not a noble, aren't you?" Yami suddenly asks. 

You glare. "How rude..! I am a noble."