Chapter 2- Art of Loosing

Lysan stood still, his heart pounding against his chest. Roman was looking directly at him, and their gazes locked. All he could think of now was that Roman was there and he was staring directly at him. 

The instructor called his name out again, louder, “Lysan, Lysan Dusk! Are you deaf?”

Lysan forced himself to turn away from Roman. He then walked to the center of the combat ring, his legs unsteady. He could feel Roman's piercing gaze on his back.

He faced the instructor that was standing at the corner of the combat ring. She was broad shouldered, a woman with manly build, and a huge scar cutting through her right eye brow.

A frown spread across her face, making her look more terrifying. “I've been calling you for over a minute now, where did your mind wander to, huh?” She paused, “Standard assessment, now—show me your stance.”

Lysan positioned himself wrongly. 

The instructor's eye twitched, “What the hell?”

Lysan managed to maintain a calm demeanor on the surface.

“Attack the dummy.” The instructor said.

He moved towards the dummy slowly, attacking in a way that also looked wrong. When he was done, he faced the instructor. 

The instructor shook her head and palmed her face. Then she looked up at him, “Magic assessments.” Her voice was flat now, the disappointment already settling in. “Channel through your dominant hand.”

Lysan tried channeling with his left hand. A weak flicker of light appeared in the middle of his palms and died immediately, small sparkles coming out.

The instructor wrote something on her clipboard. Then she looked back at Lysan. “Next, stability on sword fighting.”

He picked up a practice sword, and it felt a little heavy in this body. He walked towards the dummy but was unable to do anything.

He paused and turned around, looking at the nobles section. Roman was still looking at him,a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Lysan's chest tightened, he removed his gaze, shook his head and turned back to the dummy to continue. He swung the sword against the dummy and dropped it intentionally. This happened twice, then he fell down.

The instructor's face scrunched up in disgust. “That's enough Lysan, you won't continue in combat classes again. I can't keep wasting my time on students like you. I'm transferring you to botany classes now.” She waved her hand, signaling him to leave the ring.

Laughter and murmurs rippled through the crowd. 

Lysan heaved a sigh of relief. Only he knew what it took for him to fail this exam. His plan worked. He was going to be moved to botany. Plants and a quiet atmosphere. Away from being seen.

He walked back to the crowd, the section where students of Southgroove academy were seated.

He went back to his seat, beside the red headed guy.  

He nudged Lysan's arm, “Nice failing moves you've got there, Lys.” He grinned.

“Dyleon Skye, you're up in five.” The instructor called out.

“Oh, that's me.” The red head smiled at Lysan.

Lysan forced a smile back. So his name was Dyleon. Right. But his eyes kept drifting back to the nobles section. Roman was still there, his cold grey eyes watching Lysan carefully.

“Hey,” Dyleon snapped his fingers in front of Lysan”s face. “You seemed pretty spaced out, what's wrong?”

“Oh, it's nothing.” Lysan looked away from Roman and faced Dyleon. “Just a little bit nervous, you know.”

“Nervous? Youuu?” Dyleon chuckled. “You're the calmest person I know, even under extreme pressures, you always manage to maintain your cool, and—”

Then the instructor called out again. “Dyleon Skye, you're up now.”

Lysan was so grateful, he didn't know how to explain anything to Dyleon. He wasn't familiar with this body, and didn't know the usual things. He released the breath he didn't know he held since Dyleon started questioning him.

Dyleon stood up and glanced at Lysan for a second, “Watch this,” he winked and walked towards the ring.

Dyleon's fight was okay but it was below average. Lysan could see that he was not even trying to fail, he just didn't have the proper skills.

The instructor’s expression was blank all through—second student since Lysan that was failing the exams.

Lysan was watching Dyleon with his eyes, but his mind was elsewhere.

His eyes finally drifted back to the nobles section.

Lysan stomach flipped. 

Roman was gone.

His eyes moved to scan the crowd, but there was no trace of Roman. He just disappeared like a ghost.

Dyleon returned to Lysan's side after the instructor gave him his verdict of his performance.

He grinned widely. “Not bad, right Lys? I'll be joining you for the botany classes, yay!!”

“That should be cool, “ Lysan said.

Dyleon's grin softened, “It's more than cool. Lys, I'm so happy, I'll get to spend some extra time with you.”

And he leaned closer to Lysan, closer than necessary.

Lysan’s brows furrowed lightly, but he didn't have the energy to figure out what it meant— yet.

*******

The exams ended in an hour. Students scattered around the field.

Dyleon, still seated beside Lysan, touched Lysan's elbow softly. “Won't you go to the dining hall?”

Lysan hesitated. He should go and eat, and pretend to be normal. But something kept his feet rooted on that spot, so he decided to hang around for a little bit.

“Go ahead, I'll be right there.”

Dyeleon's eyes scanned his face, “You sure? You've been acting… I don't know… Distant.”

“Just tired, I'm getting worked up.”

Dyleon wasn't convinced, but he didn’t push further, “Okay, don't take too long, I'll save you a seat.” Then he placed a hand on Lysan's shoulder and walked away.

Lysan waited until Dyleon disappeared around a corner and sighed.

He sat for a moment, then he stood up to leave.

Someone tapped his shoulder lightly from behind and he turned immediately, but found no one. 

He looked around the area, but no one was close enough to him to tap him on his shoulder and reach far. 

He shrugged it off and started walking.

As he took a step forward, he felt something from under his feet through his shoes. 

He stepped backward and looked at it. 

It was a white rose and a note, attached to the stalk.

He pulled out the note and it read, “Welcome back, mate.”

Lysan's eyes widened in shock.

Who the hell dropped that note?