"Look, look — here's another trick," Kailith says, patting the Maruti's back.
They were both outside, sitting on the rooftop of some random two-story house. Maruti sits cross-legged as if watching a show, chin propped on one hand, already bored. Kailith goes on her feet, leaning over the edge, pointing down at the street below.
Two guys stand outside a certain shop, talking to each other without a care, laughing at something one of them just said.
Kailith raises both hands. She curls her index fingers and presses her thumbs together, forming a heart shape, and squints through the small gap at them.
"Now hit," she whispers.
A dark pink glow gathers inside the heart. It swells for half a second, then shoots out — fast, quiet, and dead accurate — hitting the two guys in a blink.
At first, nothing happens.
Then one of them stops talking. Mid-sentence, mouth still half open. He turns his head and looks at his friend. Deeply.
"Rey... were you always this handsome?" he asks, voice softer than before.
It is as if time has slowed down around them. The way Rey's thick lips part in surprise. The bead of sweat rolling down his cheek, past his jaw, sliding along his neck and into the dip of his collarbone. Every small thing about him suddenly feels enchanting — as if he has some invisible pull no one had ever noticed before.
"I was gonna say the same," Rey answers. His eyes don't blink. They stay locked on his friend like there is nothing else in the world worth looking at.
For a few seconds, neither of them says anything. Neither of them moves. Neither of them realizes how close their faces have gotten — lips barely inches apart, breath mixing in the small space between them.
And then — SWISH!
The realization crashes in all at once. Both take a step back at the same time, turn their heads away, cheeks burning red, pretending they were never that close.
Watching it, Kailith springs to her feet, "See that? Did you see that? I made sure to restrict it to the lowest — or who knows what would've happened—" she bursts out laughing, almost doubling over, holding her belly.
But Maruti's reaction was the exact opposite. She looks at the two men like she just witnessed an abomination.
"So you can make people gay now? This is what you learn there?" Maruti says with a sigh.
"Why do you always see things the opposite way? You didn't even compliment any of my tricks," Kailith pouts, Sitting down beside her.
"They should be worthy of compliment," Maruti fires back immediately.
"I learned some physical techniques too. Want me to try them on you?" Kailith says, sticking out her tongue, teasing.
"No thanks. I can feel your lust from here. And what happened to your voice? Every time you say something it sounds dirty or has a double meaning," Maruti says, tilting her head.
Her words, though, have the exact opposite effect on Kailith.
"Really? I'll take that as a compliment then," Kailith says, standing up. "Let's go back. Everyone else is waiting for us."
"What logic was that — urgh... fuck it," Maruti mutters, getting to her feet.
"Actually, you go. I'm heading to the academy to meet your mother. Gonna ask what this essence stone is," Maruti says, casually flipping a Rank A essence stone in her palm.
Kailith spares the sun-shaped stone a brief look, "The one you found in the demon realm... it looks pretty cool though," she says in a low voice and nods. "Go then. Come back soon though — you need to absorb two essence stones. Even with me helping, it might take at least four to five days at minimum."
Maruti nods, "I will," and stares at Kailith with a light smile.
Kailith smiles back, wider, and just stands there — not moving, not speaking, eyes locked on her with an innocent shine.
Kailith: "....."
Maruti: "....."
Eventually, Maruti's patience snaps.
"Why are you just standing here staring the fuck out of me? Go?" she says, voice pitched a little higher than she meant.
"What do you mean go? Who's gonna give me a goodbye kiss?" Kailith answers, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Don't be a child. I'm coming by evening anyway. Think of it as me going out to buy groceries," Maruti says, crossing her arms and looking away.
"Is that so? Then according to our agreement, you still need go with us for fourteen pending dates. Five cosplay—"
"Wait... wait... wait... no need to say anything further," Maruti interrupts before Kailith can finish.
She takes a deep breath, steadying herself, "Bring your cheek here," she says in a low tone.
"What cheek? We're both adults. So adult kiss," Kailith adds, matter of fact.
"Forget it. I shouldn't have waited in the first place," Kailith says, and grabs Maruti's shoulder, pulling her face closer while leaning in herself.
Then she presses her lips against Maruti's, holding it there — long, slow, unhurried — a deep french kiss, as if savouring every second.
With them standing on the rooftop and the afternoon sunlight pouring over them, their silhouettes blur a little at the edges. It felt straight out of some romance movie.
Only when Kailith was fully satisfied does she pull back. She licks her lips, grinning with satisfaction, and leaves.
Maruti climbs down the street after her, destination clear in her head. She is already close to the academy anyway. Walking there feels obvious.
But on the way, she spots two people joining her direction from another path.
It were none other than Esdeath and Valen, both in casual clothes.
Both sides stop. They look at each other. Then, in unison:
"Academy?"
An understanding passes between them. With all three having the same destination, they decide to walk together without saying another word.
"Why are you going to the academy? Collecting this month's payment from Lilith?" Esdeath asks as they walk.
"Don't call it payment, I feel like a prostitute. Interest, yes, that's what it should be. And no, I'm not," Maruti replies with a sigh.
Valen looks between them, completely lost, but says nothing.
"Then why?" Esdeath presses further.
"Forgot already? I need to ask about that essence stone I got," Maruti answers, deliberately not mentioning 'Rank A'.
"Ohh," Esdeath nods.
There is barely any change on her face. But from inside, she feels quite guilty.
"I was thinking about telling her what that essence stone does but ended up forgetting it. She'll only crash out if I tell her now. Forget it — Lilith will tell her anyway."
So she decides to stay quiet.
Maruti doesn't ask why Esdeath and Valen are going to the academy. She has a clear idea of their reasons.
They walk for twenty minutes before reaching the academy.
The gates. The garden. The interior. The hallways. It all looks the same. But somehow it feels like a completely different place.
Because there are no students around anymore. The emptiness makes it feel abandoned, too quiet, like the walls are holding their breath.
All they could see was several barbarian guards walking around with spears.
As they enter the hallways, heading toward Lilith's office, one of the guards rushes up to them.
"Hey, you kids! Who gave you permission to walk around here casually?" he shouts, planting himself in front of them to block the path.
He was almost seven feet tall. Just standing there, he takes up half the space.
"At what angle do we look like kids?" Maruti's lips twitch in irritation.
As the guard is about to snap back, another guard rushes over and clamps a hand over his mouth.
"Idiot, at least take a good look at who you're talking to," he hisses.
The first guard blinks, confused. Then his eyes follow the other guard's gaze, who is pointing frantically with his pupils.
He looks at Maruti again. This time, more carefully. His eyes widen instantly.
The other guard lets go of his mouth. The first guard drops into a bow immediately.
"Princess Maruti, forgive me for my rudeness. Please have mercy," he pleads.
"Not just princess — Duchess Esdeath as well," the other guard sighs, shaking his head at the first guard's stupidity.