Kael raised an eyebrow, eyes still calm as ever.
Cynthia smiled slyly, brushing a strand of pink hair behind her ear as she stepped a little closer, eyes sparkling with mischief.
"No," she said, her voice teasing, "I don't say hello like that to everyone. Just the handsome ones."
Kael didn't respond, but she clearly wasn't finished.
"Y'know…" she added, tilting her head, "Jin's the only one who's ever resisted my charm skill before. And now you? Makes me wonder…"
She leaned in slightly, purple eyes narrowing as if reading him like a puzzle.
"You're probably hiding something, huh? A little trick here, a skill there?"
Kael stared at her silently.
Cynthia grinned wider.
"Well then, how about a little wager?"
Kael sighed. "Not interested."
"Oh come on," she said. "Just a spar. If I win, we go on a date."
Kael's expression didn't change.
"And if I win?"
"Then…" she shrugged, smirking. "You can do whatever you want."
He turned away.
"Still not interested."
Cynthia stepped in front of him again, arms crossed, lips pouting in exaggerated defiance.
"Then I'll just keep asking you. Every day. Everywhere. Even in your dreams."
Kael's eye twitched.
"…Fine."
Her grin exploded.
"Knew it."
With a smooth motion, she summoned a sword a gleaming S-rank family blade, its violet core pulsing lightly with aura. The hilt was engraved with the Elarquist family crest, an elegant symbol of their long line of illusionists and duelists.
She spun the sword once and took a stance low, wide, and clearly meant to entice and provoke rather than overpower.
"Try not to fall in love when I win," she said with a wink.
Kael didn't summon Vanta. He simply stepped into a loose, grounded stance, drawing the academy-issued B-rank blade from his hip.
His eyes glinted faintly crimson.
"Don't regret it."