The afternoon bell echoed through the halls, signalling the start of lunch break. Disciples poured out of classrooms, their chatter filling the corridors like a wave.
Among them walked Nishio, heading toward the academy library with his usual calm — and trailing right behind him, like an overly attached shadow, was Neil Winsome. Neil was talking non-stop, his voice bright and energetic.
"…and then, back in Emberwood, our neighbour's goat used to eat Dad's mana herbs every morning! He'd get so mad he'd chase it with a broom — ha! Good times, good times…"
Nishio, on the other hand, walked in grim silence, ignoring every word. He quickened his pace, but Neil matched it perfectly, never missing a beat. Even after they left the library corridor, Neil was still talking.
"…and did I ever tell you about the time I saved a cat stuck on a roof? Well, technically it fell on me first — but I caught it! So, I guess that still counts as saving, right? The cat didn't thank me though. Scratched my face and ran off! Ungrateful little furball, hahaha!"
Nishio's jaw twitched. Why is this idiot glued to me like mana sap? He cursed silently, already regretting that fateful moment he let Neil sit beside him in class.
They walked out into the courtyard, sunlight spilling across the marble tiles. Neil suddenly froze mid-sentence, his eyes lighting up like a child spotting candy.
"Hey, look! That's Shaun and the others! Let's go say hi!"
Before Nishio could even process the words, Neil grabbed his hand.
"H-Hey—wait, what are you—!?" Nishio protested, but Neil was already dragging him forward through the courtyard, waving energetically toward Shaun's group.
Nishio's stomach dropped.
"Oh, heavens… no," he muttered under his breath, as Neil pulled him straight toward the heart of chaos.
**********
The courtyard of Silver Heaven Academy buzzed with chatter and laughter as disciples enjoyed their lunch under the soft afternoon sun. At one of the marble tables beneath a Cherry Blossom tree, Shaun, Natasha, Sabastian, and Shaumin were sitting together, their lunchboxes open and conversation easy.
"—and that's how you multiply mana factors by—"
Shaun was in the middle of explaining a math problem Natasha had missed when a loud panting noise interrupted him.
Huff! Huff!
All four turned their heads. Charging across the courtyard came Neil Winsome, dragging along a very unwilling Nishio Firestone by the wrist. Neil's light-green vest flapped in the wind as he skidded to a stop right in front of them, bent over and gasping for breath.
Everyone just… stared. Neil held that pose dramatically for a few seconds before raising his head with a triumphant grin. He threw a thumbs-up toward Shaun.
"Yo! Nice to meet you again, my friend!" he said with unearned enthusiasm. "Thanks for saving my butt out there — I owe you one, buddy! By the way, I'm Neil Winsome, and this here is my friend, Four-Eyes Guy!"
Nishio froze. His right eye twitched. He straightened his slightly wrinkled robe, adjusted his glasses, and snapped,
"My name is not Four-Eyes Guy — it's Nishio Firestone! And don't you dare call me your friend or drag me around like a sack of potatoes ever again!"
Neil blinked innocently. "Oh? You're mad? You don't look mad."
"I am mad!" Nishio barked, pointing at him. "Do I need to start breathing fire to make it obvious!?"
Shaun chuckled, while Natasha covered her mouth, struggling not to laugh.
"Looks like he's still in one piece," Shaun said good-naturedly. "You don't have to thank me, Neil. I just did what I was supposed to."
Neil grinned. "Still, thanks, Shaun! You've got a good heart — the kind of guy who saves lost puppies and hopeless idiots like me!"
Shaun smiled awkwardly, not sure if that was praise or an insult.
Neil suddenly thrust his hand forward with heroic confidence. "Shaun, huh? Nice name. Thanks again!"
Shaun hesitated a moment, then shook it. Neil's grip was far too firm… and lasted far too long.
Behind him, Nishio groaned, rubbing his temples. "Oh, heavens… why am I even here?"
Shaumin leaned toward Sabastian, whispering, "I think that guy runs on chaos and sugar."
Sabastian was staring at Nishio curiously, which made Nishio's brow twitch again.
"And what are you looking at?" Nishio asked sharply.
"No, I was just thinking…" Sabastian said, surprised.
"Aren't you that boy from the Battle Arena on the first day? The one who told Master Edward the ninth statue was destroyed after completion — not built incomplete?"
Nishio crossed his arms and huffed. "What if I am? And for the record, I just pointed out the obvious. If you'd been paying attention, you would've noticed it too. It's not my fault you're not that clever."
Everyone blinked, caught off guard by his bluntness. But before the mood could sour, Neil grinned and suddenly slung an arm around Nishio's neck, pulling him into a playful headlock.
"Don't misunderstand him!" Neil said cheerfully. "He might talk like a sour lemon, but deep down he's a total sweetheart once you get to know him!"
"Hey—stop clinging to me, idiot!" Nishio snapped, trying to pry him off. "And don't talk like we've known each other for years!"
Everyone burst out laughing at the sight — Shaun, Natasha, Sabastian, and Shaumin all chuckling as Neil kept grinning like nothing was wrong.
Neil was still enthusiastically shaking Shaun's hand when something — or rather, someone — caught his attention. Sitting beside Shaun was a girl with calm, intelligent eyes and a confident aura — Natasha Ikazuchi.
The moment Neil laid eyes on her, he froze. His grip on Shaun's hand loosened as his jaw dropped ever so slightly.
Heavens above… what is this divine creature?
He quickly released Shaun's hand, straightened his tunic, and stepped toward Natasha as if drawn by invisible strings. Natasha blinked, slightly uncomfortable under his intense gaze.
"Uh… can I help you?" she asked.
Neil clasped his hands dramatically over his chest. "Beautiful lady, thank you for saving me earlier," he said with unearned sincerity. "I had no idea an angel like you existed here — watching over helpless souls like me!"
Shaun buried his face in his hands. Sabastian nearly choked on his food.
Natasha stared in disbelief. "Excuse me? I think there's a misunderstanding," she said firmly. "I only spoke up for you because Shaun did. I trust his judgment — not because of… whatever this is."
But Neil wasn't listening. His eyes were practically sparkling with delusion.
"Oh, please," he said with a smug grin, brushing imaginary dust off his sleeve. "There's no need to hide your feelings anymore. I already know — you secretly like me."
Natasha's jaw dropped. "I—what!? No! That's not—!"
Neil dramatically cut her off, flipping his hair with flair. "You don't have to pretend, my dear. I know what it's like — love at first sight. You saw me standing there, misunderstood by the world, humiliated by fate — and your heart whispered, 'That's him. That's my prince.'"
Natasha pinched the bridge of her nose. "Oh gods above, he's delusional."
Shaumin was shaking with silent laughter. Sabastian tried to look away but couldn't.
Still lost in his own world, Neil pressed on, "You must've been devastated watching your prince insulted by that cruel Lady Grandmaster, weren't you? But fear not, fair maiden! For I, Neil Winsome, the future Sky Magus, forgive your tears!"
"I'm not crying!" Natasha snapped, cheeks pink with embarrassment.
"Shh," Neil said softly, raising a finger. "No need for words. I can see it in your eyes — that unspoken affection. Don't worry, I admire your courage and your beauty." He gave a ridiculously overconfident wink. "To me, you are a flower that even the heavens envy."
He then extended his hand dramatically, as if proposing on the spot.
"So, come, join my League of Beauties. When the sun sets tonight, let's celebrate our destined bond with a romantic dinner, my dear!"
For a moment, no one spoke. Then — Shaumin burst into uncontrollable laughter. Sabastian choked on his drink.
Shaun stared at the ground, whispering, "I regret saving him…"
And Natasha, her face red from both fury and embarrassment, slammed her hands on the table.
"YOU'RE INSANE!"
Neil only smiled, proud and unbothered. "Ah, denial — the first stage of true love."
Shaun, Sabastian, and Shaumin sat frozen, unsure whether to laugh, intervene, or run away. The surrounding disciples — especially the girls — had already burst into laughter, whispering and giggling as they watched Neil's absurd "confession."
Natasha's cheeks burned crimson — part embarrassment, part pure rage.
Her patience, however, was done.
"ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!" she shouted.
The entire courtyard went silent. Neil blinked, still smiling like a clueless fool. "Oh, so fiery! I love when a girl—"
He didn't finish. Because in the next instant, Natasha stepped forward, clenched her left fist, and — WHAM!
Her punch drove straight into Neil's stomach with the force of a thunderbolt.
"GAAAAAH—!" Neil doubled over, saliva flying as he fell to his knees. His face contorted in agony, eyes wide and tearful.
**********