Hearing a sudden whooshing sound, Jaylen snapped out of his deep thoughts, his eyes locking onto an icicle shard hurtling towards him.
He instinctively jumped back, watching as the shard narrowly missed him and shattered against the ground. He couldn't help but think, 'If I hadn't moved, that would have impaled my leg.'
"What the hell, Yuki!" Jaylen shouted, his voice brimming with aggravation, as he glared at the girl who seemed indifferent to her near miss.
"Tsk."
"Did you just click your tongue?" he demanded, his irritation mounting.
"Oh, whatever are you talking about?" Yuki replied with mock innocence. "Maybe we should cancel the engagement. I'm not particularly keen on marrying someone who's mentally unstable."
"Nope, definitely not happening," Jaylen said firmly, shaking his head as he held up his hand.
"Tsk. Why are you so hell-bent on keeping this engagement?" Yuki asked, her annoyance clear in her voice.
Locking eyes with Yuki, Jaylen sighed deeply. "It's simple yet complicated. I…"
He pointed to himself. "Am weak. In the future, I may be strong, but currently, I don't have the strength to fight against the fate the strong decide for me. Until then, I'll work hard to control everything within my grasp."
Jaylen's conviction was rooted in the harsh realities he had faced. He hadn't chosen to be born with a Dragon bloodline; it was thrust upon him. He hadn't wanted his friend to die, but he was too weak to prevent it.
He hadn't wished to be the heir of his family, yet he had no say in the matter. All these experiences made him believe that until he was strong enough, he had no control over his destiny.
Clenching her fists, Yuki gritted her teeth. "And what? You'll just roll over and die when they tell you to?"
"That's a naive way of putting it. To the truly strong, you'd already be dead the moment they wanted you to be," Jaylen retorted, shaking his head.
Yuki's expression shifted from disbelief to anger, her voice rising with each word. "Yeah, but you must have realized by now that everything you've done since coming to this school has been defying fate."
"Anyone in your place would have been crushed by inferiority long ago. You've lasted longer than most against Miss Xirenia, and you've bested me when anyone with eyes would have thought I would win. So hearing you talk like this pisses me off!"
"Sigh," Jaylen exhaled, not bothering to continue the argument. He knew Yuki wouldn't understand. Her life, compared to his, was like heaven and earth.
He was the one who had watched their friend die, the one who had to work the hardest to meet everyone's expectations while she merely had to hate him and play the ice-cold princess.
Turning on his heel, Jaylen walked toward the exit of the training room.
Seeing him leave, Yuki's face twisted in fury. She gritted her teeth harder and yelled, "So what? You're just going to watch your loved ones die one by one if that's their fate. If so, then I truly overestimated you. You're nothing but a coward, and I refuse to marry such a person!"
Jaylen halted and looked over his shoulder at Yuki. "If such a moment were to come, I will do what I've always done. As for the engagement, go ahead and tell our families yourself. I don't care."
Leaving those words behind, Jaylen walked away, not bothering to look back at the woman he once believed he loved.
Now, he wasn't sure what he had ever loved about her. But he no longer cared. His focus was now on the club fair starting in a few minutes.
***
In the heart of Starfall Academy lay a sprawling plaza, an impressive expanse that connected all twelve celestial complexes to the central Ophiuchus complex.
This grand courtyard, known as Spear Pillar, was steeped in history and significance, its very name hinting at its crucial role within the academy.
Typically, Spear Pillar was reserved for special events such as club fairs, holidays, and festivals. Today, it was alive with activity.
Temporary booths were squeezed into every available space, creating a vibrant labyrinth of colorful banners and bustling students.
Jaylen stood at the edge of the plaza, taking in the scene. The air buzzed with chatter and laughter, a cacophony of voices mingling with the enticing aromas wafting from food stalls.
The sunlight filtered through the leaves of ancient trees, casting dappled shadows on the cobblestone ground. A cool breeze carried the faint scent of blooming flowers from the academy's meticulously maintained gardens.
Jaylen's eyes widened slightly in surprise as he surveyed the crowd. He had assumed the club fair would mainly attract first-year students eager to join new clubs.
However, it was evident from the variety of uniforms and Stripes that students from all grades were present.
3rd years with their confident strides, 2nd years laughing with friends, or earnestly examining club offerings mingled with the wide-eyed first years.
He noticed a group of second-year students animatedly discussing the merits of different clubs, their voices rising and falling in excitement.
Nearby, a senior demonstrated a complex martial arts move, drawing an impressed crowd. The distinct markings of various grades were evident, each with their unique flair and insignia.
As he navigated through the bustling fair, Jaylen could feel the energy and enthusiasm in the air. The atmosphere was electric, alive with the sounds of excited chatter and the hum of curiosity.
Bright banners fluttered in the breeze, each proclaiming the virtues of a different club.
The scent of freshly baked goods from a nearby stall mingled with the earthy aroma of the surrounding trees, creating a sensory tapestry that was both invigorating and comforting.
Jaylen observed a plethora of different clubs, each vying for the attention of potential new members.
His Senpais, with their confident smiles and practiced pitches, worked tirelessly to introduce their clubs to the passing students.
The Archery Club showcased impressive bows and quivers of arrows, their members demonstrating precise shots at targets.
The Music Club filled the air with melodies, their instruments gleaming in the sunlight as they played harmonious tunes.
The Art Club displayed vibrant canvases and sculptures, inviting students to explore their creative sides.
Nearby, the Swordsmanship Club and Martial Arts Club drew fascinated crowds with their dynamic demonstrations of skill and technique.
One club in particular caught Jaylen's eye. The students at this booth were surrounded by various creatures, each more intriguing than the last.
Letting his curiosity get the better of him, Jaylen approached the club.
'Hmm, it seems like they tamed some magical beasts,' Jaylen thought as he studied a small parrot-like creature flying around the booth.
The creature's body was predominantly red, with strikingly vivid feathers that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight. Its wings were a marvel of nature, with two distinct rows of feathers.
The uppermost row matched the vibrant red of its body, while the lowermost row boasted white feathers that sparkled with a kaleidoscope of colors as they caught the light.
The magical beast flitted gracefully between the club members, chirping melodically.
Jaylen could hear the soft rustle of its wings and the gentle murmur of the students discussing the creature's care and training.
As he approached the booth, one of the older students noticed him. Her long brown hair trailed behind her as she jogged over, a bright smile lighting up her face.
"Hey there, underclassman! I saw you heading this way and thought you might be interested in the Beast Taming Club," she said, her voice warm and inviting.
Jaylen returned her smile with equal brightness. "Yes, that would be wonderful. Thank you very much, senior...?"
A moment of confusion flashed across her face before realization struck. She immediately crouched down, her cheeks flushing a deep red as she tried to hide her face.
"Awaww, there goes my reputation as a respectable senior. I can't believe I forgot to introduce myself," she mumbled, barely above a whisper.
Her odd behavior attracted curious stares from passersby, and a few girls shot Jaylen scornful glares. Feeling their gazes, Jaylen let out a dry chuckle, scratching his cheek nervously.
"Ha ha... Um, senior," he said, crouching down to her level and patting her shoulder gently.
"Hm?" She peeked at him from between her fingers, their eyes meeting.
For a moment, she was mesmerized. In her nervousness to make a good impression, she hadn't noticed what the student in front of her looked like.
His dull gray eyes, upon closer inspection, held an unmistakable light that made them appear like hidden jewels.
Though not overly handsome, he had a certain charm that made him stand out. His gentle, kind smile could easily capture the heart of any innocent young girl.
Realizing she was staring, her face flushed even deeper red, and she began to stammer. "I... I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stare. It's N-not that you're ugly or anything..."
"Not that being ugly is bad or anything," she quickly added, her voice faltering.
Jaylen's smile widened, and he offered her a reassuring look. "It's okay, really. I appreciate your enthusiasm. So, could you tell me more about the Beast Taming Club?"
Taking a deep breath to regain some composure, she returned to her feet. Straightening her uniform, she took another deep breath.
Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she shyly looked at the underclassman in front of her.
"Ahem." She coughed lightly, her warm smile reappearing. "Allow me to start from the beginning. Nice to meet you. My name is Rika Belmont, third-year of Virgo class." She introduced herself while holding out her hand.
Grasping her outstretched hand, Jaylen introduced himself, "Jaylen Orpheus, first-year Transcendent of Libra class."
In Starfall Academy, students, when formally introducing themselves, must mention their full name (excluding middle names), their year and class, and, if they are a transcendent, they must state that as well.
Failure to do so in formal environments or when formally greeted would result in disciplinary actions.
"Alright, now let me formally introduce you to the Beast Taming Club and all the beasts we have tamed." As she led him toward the booth, her embarrassment began to fade, replaced by excitement as she talked about her passion for beast taming.