Kaisei High: Not So Ordinary School [EDITING]

KH 19

Claire

I had sensed it from the moment she arrived. That familiar energy radiating from her presence, it was undeniable. I knew that Ashley Grey was not just another new arrival, she was someone destined to be inextricably linked to me, whether I liked it or not. Still, I did what I had to, even though it went against every instinct. I sealed the contract, even if it meant doing something as embarrassing as that.

"Claire," I said, introducing myself as I studied her expression. I could see the hint of apprehension in her eyes.

"She's our leader," Shane chimed in from the side, perhaps noticing Ashley's nervousness. "Don't worry, she doesn't bite." Her playful tone managed to make Ashley relax a little, but she still looked at me warily.

When our eyes met, I bowed slightly as a gesture of respect. "Welcome back, my lady," I said, keeping my tone formal despite the odd sense of familiarity I felt in her presence.

"My lady?" Carl's voice broke through the moment, his tone puzzled as he glanced between Ashley and me.

Ignoring his confusion, I stepped closer to Ashley, locking my gaze on her. I could feel the magnetic pull of our connection, the magic that tethered us together flaring to life between us. I leaned in and pressed a light kiss to her lips—brief, barely a touch—before pulling away and letting a small smile slip onto my face.

Almost immediately, I felt the surge of energy course through me, as though a dam had broken and magic was rushing into my veins. It was the seal, the final step to binding us together in the contract. As I turned to leave, I threw one last glance at Ashley. Her expression was a mix of shock and confusion, and I knew the others were probably just as bewildered. It was better to leave before the questions started flooding in.

Why in the world did it have to be a kiss that sealed the contract? Of all the possible ways to establish a magical bond, did it have to involve something so... intimate? It made my skin crawl just thinking about it.

The contract I was referring to was no ordinary agreement. It was a binding pact known as the Guardian Contract. In essence, it linked two individuals who were fated to protect one another. The roles, however, were not equal. There was always a "Guardian"—the protector—whose duty was to safeguard their "Master" at all costs. In this case, I was the Guardian, and Ashley was the Master.

I sighed inwardly. It didn't seem right. Ashley was strong, capable in her own right. Did she really need a Guardian like me? I couldn't help but wonder why I had been chosen for this. Was I truly powerful enough to bear the responsibility? I had doubts, many of them, but that didn't change the fact that I was now bound by duty to defend her with my life, whether I felt worthy or not. There were others out there more fit to protect her, yet fate had decreed that it would be me.

Just then, my thoughts were interrupted by a loud banging on the door.

"CLAIRE!" a voice hollered, followed by the frantic rattling of my doorknob. "ASHLEY WANTS TO SEE YOU IN THE GARDEN!"

I recognized the voice as Charles. Reluctantly, I teleported to the garden, expecting to find Ashley waiting there. To my irritation, the place seemed completely deserted. I crossed my arms, muttering under my breath. "Did Charles just trick me?" I glanced around, my annoyance growing.

"What's your full name?" a familiar voice called from behind me, startling me out of my thoughts. I whirled around to see Ashley approaching. Flustered by the sudden appearance, I quickly bowed to her.

"Claire Morgan, my lady," I answered, my voice steady despite my inner embarrassment.

She giggled softly. "Ashley nalang. You don't have to be so formal all the time."

I hesitated. "Very well... Ashley."

She raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest. "So, how are you going to explain what happened back there?" She asked, barely stifling a smirk.

I shrugged. "I don't know."

Her expression shifted to one of mild exasperation. "I don't know? That's your excuse? They've been pestering me with questions ever since it happened!"

"It's not my fault," I replied, lifting my chin slightly. "I didn't make the rules." It was the truth, after all. The magic that dictated the Guardian Contract wasn't something I had control over. I was merely following the ancient tradition.

"Not your fault? You were the one who..." Ashley's voice trailed off, and she seemed to be struggling to find the right words.

"Look, why does it even have to be a kiss?" I grumbled, my frustration bubbling over. "Of all the ways to seal a bond... Why that?" The idea of kissing someone just to solidify a magical connection was still bothering me. I had never really thought about it before, but now, with the situation being so real, I couldn't help feeling indignant.

She sighed, seemingly less bothered by the kiss than I was. "Honestly, I had no idea I even had a Guardian," she admitted.

"Me neither," I muttered under my breath.

"Well, anyway, you should probably head back," Ashley said, glancing at the garden's exit. "I was actually on my way to see the headmistress, so I just came here for a quick chat. Oh, and by the way, I'm craving Jollibee."

The mention of this "Jollibee" threw me off. "Jollibee?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow.

She nodded, the corners of her lips curling up with amusement. "Yeah, it's a big red bee mascot that sells food. Don't tell me you've never heard of it?"

I scratched the back of my neck, feeling a bit foolish. "I've been to the mortal world, but I only know about McDonald's."

She laughed at my cluelessness, her eyes sparkling. "Think of Jollibee as McDonald's cousin—a giant bee that lures people in with delicious food."

I gave her a skeptical look, but decided not to push the conversation further. "Okay, sure... Well, I'll be going then." With that, I teleported back to my room.

As I reappeared in my dimly lit quarters, I couldn't shake the thought of Ashley from my mind. There was something about her, something more than the Guardian Contract. I was beginning to wonder if protecting her would be more than just a duty. If it would be a journey that would test not just my strength, but my heart as well.

The thought was unsettling, yet undeniably thrilling.

For now, all I could do was try to make sense of this new reality—being tied to a young woman who was as baffling as she was powerful. I was already overwhelmed by dealing with the Elementals. Adding Ashley to the equation... I just wasn't sure I had the patience or the capacity to handle it all.

But then again, when did I ever have a choice?

~