Pentad of Un

Chapter 6 - Adif

     "Are you sure you don't want to take a break?"

     "I will—as soon as I get this!" Adif tried to use the element of surprise to gain an advantage, but Shayrow had no blind spots. He easily dodged her, and Adif ended up sprawled on the grass again.

     "I think we could use a break," Shayrow said, sheathing his blunted blade and holding out a hand to help Adif to her feet.

     "I said--"

     "I think I could use a break," Shayrow emphasized.

     Adif sighed.

     "Fine..."

     Adif followed Shayrow to the shed, where Jelro had been busily tending to a large number of animals that had gotten ill over the past few days. Adif had helped him brew a potion to cure the illness, and Shayrow had managed to provide his assistance.

     When Adif and Shayrow entered the shed, all the resident animals turned to look at them, stiffening as though warning them to be careful.

     Adif immediately saw the reason. Jelro was sound asleep on one of the cots, still wearing his shoes. Refi was gently pulling a blanket over him.

     "I suppose we'd better take our break outside," Shayrow quietly said, backing out of the door.

     Adif nodded and followed him back outside. She was really glad that Jelro was getting some rest, so she didn't want to risk disturbing him. He had pulled a few all-nighters trying to keep the recent patients well, and he deserved to get some sleep.

     It had been nearly a year since Adif had started training with Shayrow's help. They were both eighteen now, and in their final year at The Academy.

     On the last day, the top student in each class would select students from other classes to be a part of their groups, and each group would receive tasks to accomplish as a team, working as a unit while they traveled to try and achieve success in one way or another.

     Adif kept telling herself that she didn't care what happened on the day of choosing groups, but she knew that no matter what, she was going to miss Jelro. He would remain in Woei while Adif left with her group to travel throughout the Yaruid Kingdom—or even to other kingdoms.

     Thanks to Adif's shift in focus, she was nowhere near top of the alchemy class, but she was glad she didn't have to choose who was in her group.

     Shayrow, on the other hand, had been top of his class for nearly four whole years. He had already told Adif that she would be the first one he chose to be in his group.

     Over the past months, Adif had learned a lot about Shayrow—including the fact that he was a phenomenal teacher. She could easily hold her own against the students in the swordbearer class, as long as they didn't try and use "cheat" tactics, as Shayrow called them.

     "They aren't regulation moves," he had explained, "but in a real fight, no one cares about regulations. That's just how they get everyone to learn the basics before they start getting fancy."

     Adif had gotten close to Shayrow during their training, and now she saw him as a very reliable sort of brother. He acted like she was his sister, too, constantly teasing her and praising her with brotherly pats on the head.

     "Where are you going?" Adif asked as Shayrow started walking down the road, away from the shack.

     "I thought we were taking a break," he responded.