Aethercrest // FayeYoko, LingOrm, MilkLove

Chapter 2

Seiryu's POV

Inside the Hoden Hall, the air was heavy with anticipation, each one of us gathered to receive instructions for tonight's emergency patrol. Everyone wore the same grim expression, except for Hana. As usual, that smug smirk played at the corners of her lips, making my blood boil.

Patrol nanaman.

Patrol assignments meant one thing—another sleepless night at the borders, waiting for Noxoria to make a move. Hoden Hall buzzed with tension as students huddled into teams. Master Hoshi stood at the front beside him was Master Kaito and 2 other Masters, flipping through his scrolls, voice sharp and precise as he called out names.

"Listen up!" Master Hoshi's voice sliced through the buzz of conversation, silencing the entire hall. "Noxoria has moved closer to our southern borders, attacking almost all of our Aetherguards. Since karamihan sa kanila ay kasalukuyan pang nasa hindi mabuting kalagayan, your mission is to scout and ensure there are no signs of infiltration. I expect all of you to be on guard. I will assign partners now."

Nakaupo lang ako sa gilid, tahimik lang, trying not to look too interested in the announcements. Please, Gods. Don't let it be her.

If I got stuck with someone annoying—

"Seiryu Yinno," he announced. "Eastern trail. With... Kurohana Kuroki."

I felt my whole soul leave my body for a moment. Of all people. Pakshet.

I closed my eyes for a moment, inhaling sharply through my nose. When I opened them, Hana was already grinning from across the hall—mischief practically radiating off her. She slinked over to me like a cat that just found its favorite toy.

I sank lower into my seat, biting the inside of my cheek as I avoided looking at the smug grin Hana was wearing.

"Looks like fate is on my side again," Hana teased, leaning just a little too close.

"Oh, the gods really love me today," dagdag n'ya pa.

I crossed my arms, glaring. "Or maybe malas lang ako."

Hana grinned wider. "Sweetheart, you wound me."

I shot her a cold look. "Stop calling me that."

"But it suits you." She smirked, the kind that made me want to hurl her into the nearest ditch. "Admit it, you like it."

"Do you want me to end your life right now?"

Hana just laughed—soft, playful, and entirely too pleased with herself.

From the side, Kaminari leaned in and nudged my arm with a playful grin. "You two, again? Interesting."

"No," I replied immediately, too quickly for it to sound casual. Hikari smirked from her spot beside Kaminari. "Uh-huh. Right."

I groaned and rolled my eyes. "Please, spare me."

Sonata, who had been plucking a silent tune on her enchanted strings, gave me a sly grin. "You have to admit, the universe does like to pair you two up a lot."

"The universe hates me," I muttered.

Kaminari nudged me again, this time with a little more force. "Come on, Sei. Aminin mo na—she's cute."

I nearly choked. "Excuse me? Mukha nga s'yang Labubu."

Before I could argue further, Master Kaito shot us all a warning glare. "Enough chatter. The sooner you leave, the better."

I shot Kaminari a death glare, and she responded with a cheeky grin. "Good luck, lovers."

I turned my back on her, feeling my face heat up. Hana must've noticed because I caught her smirking out of the corner of my eye. I was going to get through this night without strangling her, I told myself. Maybe.