A Truce Between Flames and Waves
The uneasy feeling lingered even after Abel and Seria had vanished.
Flam and Portus simply stood there. He'd thought they'd settle their unfinished duel, but no.
These two, who wouldn't look out of place yelling it out right then and there, were instead lost in thoughts of the pink-haired woman who had stood so boldly before them just moments ago.
"Hey. Portus Sparrow."
"What, Flam Phoenix."
"I was all geared up to settle things with you today, but the fire's gone out. How about we call it quits?"
"I'd love to call you a coward, but not this time. I agree. My drive's shot too—no mood for a spar."
It was the kind of event that would shock any fire or water ability users. Such smooth agreement? Even if they saw eye to eye, these two wouldn't let it slide without a jab unless the sky split in two.
And yet, here it was!
Neither spared the other a glance. Flam crossed his arms; Portus fiddled with his chin.
Even thinking back on it now felt strangely thrilling. Bewildering at first, but now his heart raced.
No one had ever stepped up to him like that before.
Recalling that woman named Seria's fearless stance brought an involuntary sigh of admiration.
'At first, her bold posture and words shook me.''But looking back, have I ever met a beauty like her?'
These two rivals, always watching each other warily and keeping their distance, shared the exact same thoughts in that moment—as if they shared a mind.
Had they known, they probably would've denied it vehemently, hurling fire and dousing it with water.
"Arsonist."
After standing there lost in thoughts of Seria for a while, Portus suddenly spoke up as if something had occurred to him.
"Got a question for you."
"If it's pointless, you're dead. Weird? Dead."
"Hear me out first. Did you... get one too?"
Dead? What the hell for? Flam nearly snapped back, but his eyes narrowed.
He'd caught on. To the implication behind Portus's out-of-left-field question.
"...You too?"
"Looks like we both did."
A letter, sent to each by name one day. At first glance, it seemed like a typical request, but inside was something entirely different.
[For the chosen ones, those who do not rise. Be buried with the culled ones.]
"Damn Ability Supremacy bastards. No one's that insane."
"Your word choice sucks as always, but I agree this time. They're definitely not right in the head."
The senders were ability users openly rebelling against society and the world.
Just as there are good and evil people, ability users divide into the righteous and the wicked.
Those who used powers for crime. Self-proclaimed cult leaders founding twisted religions. All sorts of scum existed, but the worst were the Ability Supremacy zealots.
Calling themselves the chosen, they viewed non-ability users as worthless rejects to be culled.
They firmly believed non-ability users deserved subjugation under them—and eventually formed their own organization, ignoring origins and nations alike.
They targeted not just ordinary folk, but any ability users who didn't join them.
"Traitors who shirk their duty deserve only death," they proclaimed, resorting to assassinations, terrorism—anything to sow chaos.
Their ultimate goal: a utopia where the masses bowed to a select few ability users.
"Even so, threatening prominent ability users with hit lists? First time I've seen that. Think we'll cower and join up?"
"Idiots like them? They'd probably think so."
It might've started grand, but now it just bred resentment.
Ability users weren't that numerous, and many had non-ability family. No angle made their ideology viable, yet they pushed it relentlessly. Their brains must be rotting, the two were convinced.
"Probably not just us—other freshmen might've gotten warnings too."
"They wouldn't target the Academy, right? Even lunatics wouldn't... Gah! What the hell?!"
Flam gritted his teeth as cold water dumped over his head from above.
"Ever hear the saying about watching your tongue? Don't jinx us."
"Dousing me? You wanna go?!"
"Thought I wouldn't? Come on, you fire-starting destroyer."
"Fine. Let's end this today."
In the end, the rival duo clashed spectacularly once more.
Despite the training ground's inner wall being half-demolished, the Academy remained utterly calm, as if nothing had happened.
Truly the Continental Academy.
Truly a place for ability users.
In any other location, any other world, nations would've bombarded the Empire with demands: "What the hell happened?!"
"Isn't it amazing, sis? I knew, but seeing it firsthand hits different."
It was the first weekend since enrollment. Abel was meeting Lumine, who had arrived early.
"Yeah? I think my little brother's even more impressive."
"Huh?"
"Sparring the second-years during orientation right off the bat. Holding your own against young Master Phoenix and Master Sparrow. Even beating my classmate."
It wasn't openly buzzing among students. The freshmen class was stacked anyway.
But Abel's name was circulating quietly. Dominating a third-year as a freshman? No small feat.
"I figured Haim-senpai would go easy as a second-year junior."
"No way. Haim Worhes? He'd never half-ass it. Junior or not, once it starts, he goes for the win."
"Really?"
Abel didn't know the full story, but Haim had another trait: zero tolerance for threats to his status. He'd started seeing Lumine as an enemy after she overtook him academically, despite being classmates.
And Haim hailed from the Ragem Kingdom—no way he'd go easy on someone from Ascal.
Every time national news hit, didn't it start with "Ragem Kingdom clashes again"?
Seniors pulling punches for juniors? Impossible from the start.
"Anyway, have you thought about it?"
"The club, right."
"Yeah. Semester's started, so second-years will be recruiting freshmen soon."
Abel tapped the table, unsure. Clubs? Honestly, he didn't want to waste time on that.
Not like lectures packed with useful info. Nor a quick breather.
"That face says you're not thrilled."
"No, sis."
"Liar. I can see you grumbling, 'What a waste of time!'"
"..."
Too spot-on to deny. He scratched his head, and Lumine smiled, patting his shoulder.
"Rest matters in training, just like cooling your head in learning, Bel. Clubs help stressed students unwind and build new bonds."
"..."
"Might be hard to grasp without senior-junior dynamics down, but it'll help. No gain? No loss."
After a moment, Abel voiced his main concern.
"I get part of what you mean, sis. Clubs have benefits."
"Right?"
"But I pictured swordsmanship or athletics clubs as 'helpful.' Yours, though..."
"What's wrong with ours?"
Lumine's club? Shockingly, the 'Performance' club.
No place for personal training tips or senior advice. Just assisting academy events with shows.
"Looks basic, but it's rewarding. I adapted my light ability for stage effects—gained tons of control experience."
"That's you, sis."
"Plus, we join every festival and event. Network with students, staff, even outsiders."
"...Oh."
Abel's ears perked at forging ties with top ability users. Different from training, but a clear win.
"Or pick low-key ones: baking, gardening, reading club."
"Why those?"
"Lots think like you, Bel. Time sinks are burdensome, so minimal-effort clubs are popular."
So, what's the plan? Pick early.
After pondering Lumine's advice, Abel gave the wisest reply.
"I'll think a bit more, sis."
Retreat when unsure? Smart move.
An hour later.
"Abel... um, any club in mind?"
This time, Seria asked about clubs.
"Not really."
"I see. Well... how about the gardening club?"
"Gardening? Oh, right—you're close with flowers."
"You remember."
"Of course. Your family and hometown story stuck with me."
A faint smile touched Seria's lips. Family memories lifting her spirits, Abel figured.
He seriously considered joining gardening.
'Tending flowers and weeds? Meh... but quiet spots mean few people. Sneak in training during club time.'
Can't skip entirely? Better quiet. And teaming with Seria for training made syncing clubs practical.
"Cultivating flowers and trees could temper the mind too. Sure."
Great ability users needed sound body and mind. Mind controllers existed, after all.
Time to train composure and stability. Abel readily filled out the gardening club application.