A New Botany Teacher

One week had passed since the gala. The academy buzzed with it's normal activities, mostly attended by students from noble families. They were trained under one roof, sorted into tracks based on ability, each track having a special power accompanied with it. 

Combat track produced soldiers, diplomatic track produced politicians, healing science produced field medics. Botanical sciences was the least prestigious of all four, the track where students who failed everything else, and the track where students who have little or no magical abilities ended up. 

It was quiet, overlooked, and completely beneath the notice of anyone important. That was why Lysan was extremely happy being there.

He attended his classes quietly, avoiding Roman in every possible way. Roman was seen at the academy often, he wasn't a student there though, but as the Demon prince, he was supposed to maintain the relationship between the human kingdom, magical beings, and the demonic territories.

It meant he had access to every room, every council, every institution without needing an invitation. His presence at the academy was called a diplomatic gesture. He attended galas, funded research, sat in on lectures when it suited him. The academy benefited from his patronage. The noble houses tolerated him because crossing him was expensive. He always maintained a warm expression to every student he met, smiling his way through.

Outside the academy walls, the world was still peaceful, the war hadn't happened yet.

Nobody in that world knew Lysan existed. He was a botany student with no noble backing, no combat record, nothing worth a second glance and that was exactly where he intended to stay.

Lysan and Dyleon’s relationship never remained the same since the gala night.

Lysan was already getting used to his new quiet life. His roommate had not been around for a while, and he was okay with the way he blended into the shadows.

The next day was a Monday, and Lysan prepared and left for classes.

He sat on his usual desk near the door and brought out a novel to read, the class buzzing around him.

He heard someone walk in and looked up, it was Dyleon.

He didn't even spare Lysan a glance, he just walked past him, to the opposite side of the class and took a seat as far as possible from Lysan.

That had been the usual routine for the past week.

Lysan still tries sometimes to catch the attention of Dyleon every morning, but he doesn't budge. He always made sure to avoid eye contact with Lysan. In the hallway, when they crossed paths, he only acknowledged Lysan with a nod politely and walked away without stopping to say anything.

The nickname ‘Lys’ had disappeared, he was now addressed as ‘Lysan’ when they had to interact in class.

Lysan told himself it was for the best. Dyleon was safer not really knowing him. Then he turned back to his novel.

Someone walked in again, and Lysan looked up. Instead of Professor Cullen walking towards the podium, it was Roman.

He stood at the front of the class, smiling as he arranged his teaching materials on the podium. “Good morning class, “ Roman said, looking at the students. “Professor Cullen is currently unwell, and the academy asked me to fill in for her, I hope you all don't mind?”

“Not at all.” Someone replied from the back.

Lysan's nails dug into his palm on his desk. Of all people, why the hell did Roman have to fill in for Professor Cullen?

He had tried all week to avoid Roman and his days went pretty smooth. Why did Roman have to find him?

Roman's eyes searched the crowd and he found Lysan. He smiled at Lysan, the same warm smile he had been smiling since Lysan had known him.

Lysan held Roman’s gaze and stared daggers at him.

“Don't worry,” Roman said as he tilted his head slightly, his gaze still on Lysan. “I'm told botany is a gentle subject. You all will be safe.”

Everyone else in the class laughed but Lysan didn't, his expression still hard, his nails digging deeper into his palms.

“Okay, class. Let's dive into today's lecture.” Roman tore his gaze from Lysan and went to the podium.

“So today, we will talk about how to—” Lysan's mind trailed off. Listening to Roman speak and watching his pretentious smile nearly made him puke. The only thoughts in his mind was for Roman to finish quickly so he could leave. His skin prickled at the sound of any laughter that Roman made.

As Roman lectured the class, his gaze drifted to Lysan, and he noticed he wasn't paying attention. He came down from the podium, and started moving between the desks. He paused at Lysan's row for a while and his mind was still elsewhere, so he brushed his fingers against Lysan's curled fists on the desk and walked past.

Lysan was brought back to reality by that action, and his blood boiled. What was that supposed to mean? 

All he wanted now was to pack his bags and leave this class that minute, but he had to endure.

—-

Thirty minutes later, the class was over. 

Lysan stood up from his chair quickly, immediately Roman finished his sentence—picked his bag and his books and turned to leave, then he heard Roman announcing something so he waited to listen

“—my bad. Sorry class, we have to practice what we learned today. It's in the schedule for today's topic, I missed it.” 

Then he looked at Lysan, “Everybody, to the greenhouse. I expect you all to be assembled there in five minutes. And—attendance is mandatory. No one must miss it for anything, else, you fail this class too.” he smiled.

Lysan's eyes narrowed as he stared at Roman. He knew Roman was doing it on purpose. He wanted to prevent him from leaving. The practical was irrelevant. Roman just made that up.  

He just left the class and headed to the greenhouse. 

Within three minutes, the class had already moved down to the greenhouse. 

Roman assigned each student a plant to examine and document. He assigned a small withering rose bush to Lysan

“Revive it, or don't.” He placed his hands in his pocket. “Either way, I want to see what you can do.”

Lysan didn't look up. He picked up the shears and began working on the plant gently, the way Professor Cullen taught him.

Roman stood behind him and watched him quietly.

Lysan continued working on the rose.

“You've done this before.” Roman finally said.

Lysan looked at him,”Yes, I have. Professor Cullen taught me.”

“No, I mean before. You don't look like a beginner.”

Lysan's jaw tightened. “I'm a fast learner.”

“I don't believe you, you're lying.” Roman said and raised a brow.

“That’s your problem.” Lysan said and turned back to the rose bush.

Roman finally left Lysan alone.

Lysan heaved a sigh and turned around. He met Dyleon staring at him, his expression unreadable.

He saw everything. The whole exchange between him and Roman. The way Roman stood at his back for a long time, watching him.

Dyleon looked away as soon as he noticed Lysan staring at him too.

Lysan chest tightened. Dyleon would think something was going on between him and Roman. 

And something was indeed going on, but not just the way Dyleon thought.

—--

Lysan walked to his dorm after the practicals. It had been empty for the last seven days. His roommate suddenly vanished after his combat exams.

But tonight, the door was slightly ajar. Lysan pushed it and walked in.

He saw his roommate sitting on his bed. He looked up as Lysan walked in, and something flickered across his face.

But it disappeared before Lysan could catch it.

“Oh, you're back.” Lysan said as he dropped his bag. “I was starting to think you dropped out.”

“I was sick.” The roommate said, his voice low. “Nothing really serious. I had to go home to get some rest.”

Lysan studied him carefully. The roommate's face was the same, but there was something different about him since the first day that Lysan met him that he couldn't quite name yet.

“Kassian, I heard from my roommate that you were back.” Dyleon said as he walked into the room.

“Yeah, I had to get some rest. The combat exams strained me.”

“Oh, so how are you feeling now?” Dyleon said as he walked straight to Kassian's bed without acknowledging Lysan.

“I'm good now.”

“Cool.” Dyleon sat on the bed without even sparing Lysan a glance.

“What's going on with you two?” Kassian chuckled as he looked at Lysan, then at Dyleon. “You guys didn't even say anything to each other, it just felt like Lysan was invisible to you.” He hit Dyleon playfully. “You guys were inseparable, what happened?”

“It's nothing Kassian.” Dyleon stood up. “I'll leave you to have your rest, we'll talk tomorrow." Then he left the room without looking at Lysan.

Kassian looked at Lysan wide eyed as he pressed his lips together, shaking his head slowly.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Lysan snapped.

“Why won't I, what happened between you and—”

“No, stop there. I'm not answering that.” He lay on his bed, “Goodnight Kassian, we'll talk tomorrow.” 

And then he drifted off to sleep.

—-----

The next day, Lysan left for class before Kassian woke up. 

He arrived at the greenhouse and Roman was already there, standing by the plants examining them.

Roman looked up as Lysan walked in. “Lysan, come here.”

Lysan paused. He looked at Dyleon on the other side of the greenhouse. Their eyes met, but Dyleon quickly looked away.

He walked to Roman.

“Your rose recovered,” Roman said, pointing towards the rose bush Lysan worked on the previous day. “I have a gift for you.”

He picked up a small box on the table and handed it to Lysan. As Lysan collected the box, his fingers brushed against Roman’s, but Roman didn't pull away, Instead he stepped closer.

“The Entity knows about you,” Roman said quietly. “It has been watching, and it wants to know why you smell like death.”

Lysan’s heart skipped a beat. “What are you talking about?”

“That's good.” A smile spread across Roman's lips. “Keep pretending. That's what makes you interesting.”