Aspiration to the Heavens: Becoming the Supreme Mage Vol 2- Descent of Darkness

Episode 103: The Disgruntled Ex

*Nyima*

I stared at Sarah. Adela had given the medics the elixir she had been working on. While it strengthened her life-force, she still hadn't woken up.

"Nyima," Lei said, tapping my shoulder. "Our matches are about to start."

"Did my brother win?" Fai-Jie asked.

"It seemed like he was going to, but then he made a mistake, costing him the match."

She rubbed her chin. "A mistake? That doesn't seem like him to do. But is he safe?"

"Yeah," Lei said. "His opponent caught him before he slammed into the barrier."

Fai gasped. "An H.E.H. helped someone who isn't one of them... how odd."

"Seems there are some good people there too," Lei responded, grinning.

My indicolite eyes shifted back to the unconscious Sarah. "If only Aida had been one of those people."

"Nyima, don't lose," Lei said, staring at me straight in my eyes.

My hand wrapped around my right arm. "Don't worry, I don't plan to end up like her. Though I don't doubt that my opponent wants to hurt me as much as Aida hurt Sarah."

"Yeah, that's why I'm telling you to be careful. I don't want to see you on the other side of this wall."

Warmth rushed through my head. "T-thanks for caring, Lei."

A hearty laugh filled the hall. "No need to thank me. We're friends. We got to care for each other."

My hand touched the center of his chest. "In that case you should rely on others when in need. If not me and the others then at least your siblings. I don't want to see you hurt by those folks, nor lose yourself to the darkness."

His turquoise eyes peered at the blue linoleum floor. "I don't want to depend too much on them. I won't be able to grow with I continue to do so."

"You seem independent enough as it is."

"Indeed," Adela called out. "A young tree sometimes needs supports to protect it from the fierce winds."

Lei snickered. "But the wind is my friend."

A sigh escaped my lips. "You know what she means."

He nodded. "Yeah, I do. But there is a lone tree at my place that has managed to grow upright and sturdy without supports." A grin formed. "I wish to be like that one!"

"Well, not all trees can be like that one. A lot of them need either supports or need to be around other trees to shield them," Adela said.

"Hmm, I guess I am like those ones, considering Yen and Kun kept me from getting into too much trouble."

"Keyword is 'too much'," I retorted, snickering. "Anyway, I'm off to my match."

"Wait, I'm coming with you," Lei said.

"Same," Yen said.

The triplets snuck a glance at their brother.

"Go on ahead, I'm staying here," he responded, his eyes unmoving from the slumbering princess.

"Kun..." Lei said, furrowing his brow.

"Maybe she needs a kiss," Yen said, grinning.

The middle triplet's face flushed. "Uh..."

"Don't worry, she'll wake up eventually," Lei said. "I was out for several days after the incident with the abysmal..."

His brother's lips crested upward. "Yeah..."