✦ ✦ ✦
Pete immediately switched up his golem’s functions; Mistral had been using his splinters along similar lines and quickly pulled them back. The battle raged on, the fourth-years’ spell barrage refusing to let the enemy close in. Their swift action at the start paid off, halting the polyhedrons’ initial offensive and leaving them helpless. Students were using convergence spells on the shattered fragments, making sure all parts were melted in their flames.
“Just over eight minutes to annihilation,” Farquois said, folding their arms and grinning. “Perhaps too easy for you. Oh, right—you’re all formidable. Let’s skip a few stages. Assignment Two: The Day Kuan Harbor Fell.”
The pages of the forbidden tome danced, and once more, the view shifted. Now they were in a large port town. People were loading and unloading sailing ships, and an even bigger gate appeared in the sky above. The fourth-years sprang into action, and Farquois watched with delight.
“I didn’t plan to throw this at you today, but I’m pretty sure this is the limit to what you can handle. Don’t worry—no matter how it goes, I am here.”
Naturally, no one banked on that promise. The core stance carved into every Kimberly student’s heart and mind sent them hurtling into the fray.
✦ ✦ ✦
There were quite a few close calls, but in less than an hour, they fought their way to victory. The Library Plaza reverted to its original form, and the fourth-years were all alive, if badly out of breath. Farquois went around, swiftly healing the wounded; a few had been corrupted, but since this was merely a reenactment, it left no lingering effects. This cleanup took little time, and before they knew it, everyone was of sound mind and body.
“Excellent work. Right, that’s enough for today. A reward for making it through—I’m sure you’re starving.”
Farquois waved their wand, and enough lunch baskets for all came sailing in from who knows where. The students hesitantly opened them up and found baguette sandwiches loaded with colorful fillings, and a congratulatory message written out in condiments on top. A stark contrast to the rough battle, and they had to laugh. As the tension finally drained away, everyone started eating. Not a common sight at Kimberly, which rattled the Sword Roses—but then a friend strolled up, lugging his basket.
“Free lunch? Here? Talk about generous.”
“Guy.” Oliver gulped, turning to him.
Oliver was torn between the desire to burst into tears and to apologize profusely—but logic barely kept him from either. They each took seats in a circle and dug in.
“Sorry I kept away during the fighting,” Guy said, savoring their proximity. He bit into his sandwich. “Didn’t dare take my eyes off that group. Mackley was loud as hell, squawking and wailing, ‘I’m doomed!’ every few— Ow!”
A rock hit the back of his head, falling to the ground. Putting a hand to the bruise, he looked back to see Mackley scowling over the Barthés’ shoulders at him. He hadn’t expected her to be in earshot.
“She got ears in the back of her head?” he said, wincing. “Uh, anyway, figured I’d at least eat with ya. Wanted to see how y’all are doing.”
“Mm, yeah, of course,” Oliver replied.
He managed a nod, taken aback. He’d caught a glimpse of some unfamiliar friendships and was rather conflicted about it.
Guy looked away from Oliver, checking each friend in turn before settling on Katie, who was very obviously trying to hide behind Pete. Sensing a weird vibe rippling out around her, he frowned.
“Y’all are gloomy as hell,” he said. “None of you are even trying to hide that something happened. What, you guys have a squabble about the brownies I left behind?”
“Yeah, no, we split those evenly,” Oliver said. “Each of us is savoring the final morsels.”
“There’s no replacing your desserts. Come back to us and bake some more,” Pete demanded.
This curt behavior showed no changes in their affection.
Guy closed his eyes, nodding. “I’d like to think I’m making progress. Sorry it’s taking so long.”
“You have nothing to apologize for,” Chela said. “But know that all our thoughts are with you.”
Guy smiled—then refocused on the friend acting least like herself.
“…So? What’s up with you, Katie? You a bur on Pete today?”
“Let her be. She blew a transformation spell this morning. Gave herself a great big bushy beard, doesn’t want you seeing it.”
“…I did not…”
Pete’s story was so appalling, it forced Katie to pop her head out from behind him and deny it. That alone reassured Guy, so he took another look around. He hadn’t spoken to them in far too long. Not just Katie—he could tell things were strained among the group. Unable to work out why, he sighed.
“…I guess a lot’s happened. I wasn’t there, ain’t gonna dig further now.”
“We don’t want to cause you any concern, really,” said Chela. “Not to change the subject, but you’ve found yourself a new crowd. Ms. Valois, the Barthé twins, and Ms. Mackley? I realize you were with them in the lava tree mold, but—”
“Yeah, and once you get to know ’em, they ain’t that bad. I can’t get much thinking done on my own, so it’s a big help. Right, Annie?”
“Hold this for me, male twin. I gotta knock a bitch over.”
“Sit, Mackley!” Gui yelled over his shoulder. “Guy, quit winding her up!”
Mackley had her wand half drawn, and Gui quickly restrained her.
Guy shouted back an apology, to which Oliver commented, “You fit right in. A relief…and yet I’m also jealous, if I’m honest.”
“Oh yeah, Oliver? You miss me that much?”
Guy crossed his arms, making a joke of it, but to his surprise, Oliver just nodded gravely.
“I do. It’s like the biggest light in the room burned out. Really drives home how much you warm my heart and illuminate the darkness within.”
This sounded so sincere, it took Guy’s breath away. He could tell Oliver was fighting back tears. Ordinarily, Oliver would never let himself look this fragile, so it struck home. Before he knew it, he was reaching toward him—an unconscious reflex to embrace a friend in need. Catching himself in time, Guy balled up his fist, punching himself in the face.
“Guy?!” Katie yelped, leaping to her feet.
“…That was close. Could’ve been real bad.”
“What are you doing? That was so loud! Did you break a tooth?”
Chela pulled her wand to heal him, but Guy was on his feet, back turned. He dropped his half-eaten sandwich back in the basket.
“Sorry, I’m not handling this well, either. Gonna pull out before I slip up,” he said. “Oh, but first: Extruditor.”
Guy fired a spell over his shoulder as he left. Oliver hadn’t been braced for that and went flying right as Guy had visualized it.
“Huh?”
“Oliver!”
Chela caught him on reflex. In her arms, feeling her warmth on his back, Oliver gaped after Guy.
Guy turned his head halfway around, giving them a sidelong glance.
“You’re the ones fighting, right? I dunno what’s going on, but you patch that shit up. Drawing it out don’t do nobody no good. You two have been on the same wavelength since day one.”
With that parting gift, he stalked away. Unable to speak, Oliver just stared after him—and Chela kept her arms tight, like she was loath to let him go.
“……”
“…Chela…”
He heard a choked sob. She was crying into his back, and that robbed him of words once more.
Staring at them intently alongside Nanao and Katie, Pete ventured, “He’s right. You don’t have to forgive and forget—but at least chew her out, Oliver. You’ve punished her enough. Ain’t nothing harder for Chela than you shutting down around her.”
The same went for Pete, so he knew this was best approach he could take. Oliver had no response; he just sat listening to the sobs behind him. What reason did he have to make Chela cry?
As that thought settled in, the emotional gridlock he’d been left in following the previous night began to grind again at last.