THAT DAY I BECAME A STAR

FARNER SAINT AXELANDRIA POV:

Cordel and the others come back after their meal, but the atmosphere is kinda dark. Did his plan not work? He came to consult me and my sisters about Kevin last night. He was adamant about getting him expelled and said he already had a plan so we all agreed. I mean, it's not like I really want to be expelled or even put in jail. But I just never thought he was that much of a beast. He looked so lonely, so sad…

"So, how did it go?"

"As planned, almost. Except for a little rabbit who can't control her emotions."

Cordel pinches Esteressa's cheek, making her blush a bit. Well, they certainly look good as a couple.

"It's not my fault! That guy called us dogs!! Can you imagine? What insolence!"

"Yeah, well, he called us bandits as well before so…" Is that guy unaware of simple common sense? Maybe he just likes to speak his mind?

"Yeah, well, he has the power to back his insolence." Peter Kranhf. He entered the academy last year and got approved by Teach. He has four elemental Angas and has already developed his first script.

"What do you mean?"

"Did you not notice, Esteressa? He blocked your full charged punch with one hand."

"Yeah, I saw that too. And the tray he had didn't even sway. Nor did his body flinch."

"So what? I usually use Water and Lightning Angas as well anyway so it's not like I was at full power. I am sure I can blast him away easily!!" Esteressa can use lightning and water Angas.

She entered this school at the same time as we did, three years ago, but she has only created two scripts in the meantime. Though they are extremely powerful, Teach still told her that it was not enough.

"Anyway, it is not important anymore. Cordel will defeat him tomorrow."

"Yes. Now the only thing we need is the presence of the headmaster."

"The headmaster?" Why do they need him? Speaking of which, Roxcia and Excia went to see him. Is it related?

"Yes. If he is present and we fix the rules of the duel, then we can expel this guy quickly."

"I see." Well, the headmaster does have a lot of power. And Kevin is indeed a bit…dangerous.

"I…Guys, I don't really know about all this. I feel like we have the wrong reaction."

"Eh? Why would you say that, Miss Farner?"

"Yeah!! Did you not see what he did to those guys?! We couldn't even reattach all those guy's hands properly!"

"There is no need to yell. Miss Farner, I know that you are a hero but, sometimes, some people cannot be saved the normal way. And especially this guy. I don't know what he went through, but his eyes are dead. They are empty."

"You think so?" I feel more like they are just screaming for help. Besides...It's us heroes who wanted him to come to a place where we could monitor him.

"Well, at least, that's what I think."

"I don't care about his eyes. Somebody who can't even cut his hair and keep insulting people can be left like that! You have got to smack some good senses into him! The hard way!" Esteressa smacks both of her fists against each other as she says that. 

"You and your reasons…"

"You got a problem with that?"

"No, I don't."

"What I thought." Esteressa and Peter are like fire and water. In fact, Peter uses fire Angas whereas Esteressa uses water, maybe that why they don't get along.

"You guys…"

"He started it!"

"Right. Anyway, Miss Farner, if you don't agree to this. You don't have to come tomorrow. I don't want you to feel awkward in any way."

"No, don't worry. I will."

***

The next morning, the sun finds me awake. That's one of the rare nights where I didn't find sleep. The other times were only when we were supposed to participate in a fight against Longinus. Though those times, it was more because I was too excited.

"Let's just go."

I am the first one to wake up among the girls, I wash up and dress then go to the canteen but there, I find him. Kevin.

"Good morning."

"Good morning." So, he can answer salutations. I am surprised.

"Did you sl-"

"When is K'nor coming?"

"K'nor?" Ah, yes! His pet. "I think it's today. Last time they reported, they were already near the city, from what I remember."

"I see. That's good."

He then takes a seat and eats silently. There is almost nobody in the canteen so early in the morning. Did he also not sleep well? He must be anxious about his fight today. Well, you are the one who brought this on you. If only you were a bit more…

I take some food as well and sit at his table, leaving two chairs between us. He eats silently. I can barely hear his breath. His aura, his body, everything about him seems so calm right now, I am fascinated. How does he do that?

"How do you-"

"Should you really talk to me?"

"Hm…You have a bad habit of cutting off people when they speak. I hate that."

"I don't care."

"You… Anyway, how did you sleep?"

"You already asked that earlier."

"And you didn't answer."

"I slept well enough. Sleeping on the floor is better than sleeping on grass so I can't complain."

"Sleeping on the floor?" Why does he sleep on the floor? "There is no bed in your room?"

"No, there isn't."

"Eh? And you didn't report it?"

"No. If it is gone, then there must be a reason behind it. Or someone needed it more than I do. In any case, there is no need to report it."

"I see." As I thought. You are not a bad guy. You are just…just…

Kevin stands up and goes away. I couldn't tell him what will happen. Should I have done it? I feel bad about this. About all this.

***

In the evening, as scheduled, we all go to the training grounds. There are one or two students inside training as well. We didn't make it an official event like the duel before. Two people especially catch my attention. Lanuvel NIKITIS and Keltia Koersombre. Those two are among the strongest girls, no, the strongest people in this academy. Especially, Lanuvel. After her mother disappeared and her father got killed, she became a new person.