Chapter 3

Miles and I grew up together.

Because of a pale, grey birthmark on my right cheek, the kids in class called me a gargoyle.

During Magic Class, some boys followed me, mocking my looks.

When I tripped, they filmed me, betting if I could get up by myself.

Miles was the one who snatched their phones away.

He got into a fight with them and even got a busted lip.

On the way home, he pretended to be fine to comfort me.

"Don't listen to their nonsense."

"Your eyes are beautiful. That birthmark doesn't matter."

Later, he gave me a heart-shaped necklace and gently promised me:

"No matter what dragon you get, we'll stay together."

I joked, "What if I get the weakest dragon ever?"

He smiled and said:

"Then I'll stay by your side and protect you from bullies."

Neither of us expected that joke to come true.

Half a year ago, Miles was pre-assessed with Frost Dragon potential.

My result was blank.

From that day on, he started distancing himself from me.

He stopped waiting for me after class and didn't want to acknowledge our relationship in front of others.

Yet, he still accepted the magic potions I stayed up late refining for him.

When he was in a bad mood, he still called me in the middle of the night.

He didn't miss me; he just missed having an obedient sidekick.

Once I realized that, his betrayal didn't hurt quite as much.

Because every move Kael made drew attention, the news of him coming to see me spread quickly.

Miles called me again.

"Why did Kael go look for you?"

"None of your business."

"He resonated with the Sacred Fire Dragon. Do you honestly think he'd look twice at you?"

I shot back:

"Whether he looks at me or not, what does that have to do with you?"

He was silent for a moment. "I just don't want to see you embarrass yourself."

I scoffed. "At the end of the day, you're just ashamed of me."

Seeing that his mask was off, Miles stopped pretending.

"You can't blame me."

"I'm a Frost Dragon. I'll be an A-rank Knight. The people around me will only be high-ranking knights."

"You used to just be unattractive, but now you stink of mud."

"Do you really think we can still stand side-by-side?"

The last bit of dull pain in my chest completely vanished.

"So, you think I'm not good enough for you."

"I'm just stating facts."

His tone softened.

"Stop clinging to this."

"If you don't show up tomorrow night, I can still save you some dignity."

I laughed out of sheer anger.

"Miles, you're overthinking."

"I'm going tomorrow night, but not to cling to you."

"I'm going to collect my winnings from the bet."

The line went dead silent.

Suddenly, Lucia's voice came through.

"Miles, the mentor wants us to go try on our knight uniforms."

I said nothing.

Miles obviously panicked.

"Don't misunderstand, we're just promotional partners."

I hung up on him.

Ten minutes later, new photos were uploaded to the forum.

Lucia was wearing a white couple's knight uniform, smiling gently.

Miles stood beside her, a hand resting lightly on her waist.

"The Phantom Dragon and the Frost Dragon, aiming for A-rank together tomorrow night."

The comments were all saying how perfect they looked together.

"Swamp Dragon just got her ex stolen!"

"What ex? Miles never even claimed her."

I pulled off that heart-shaped necklace and tossed it into the trash.

Mia looked at me and raised an eyebrow.

"You don't want it?"

"It's garbage."

My phone buzzed again.

Kael sent a picture of that foul-smelling mud barrel.

He asked:

"Want me to throw this out for you?"

"No."

"You sure?"

"They prepared it for so long."

"Of course I have to let the whole school see it."