Changing People
Late afternoon. Seria kept tilting her head in confusion.
"That's weird?"
Normally, at this hour, Abel was always at the training grounds. He never missed a single day. Whether it was physical conditioning or swordsmanship practice, whatever it was, he'd sweat buckets trying to push himself even a little further.
But today, there was no sign of Abel. Nowhere in the training grounds.
Wondering if he might be at another one, she wandered all over, but still no luck. Worried that something might be wrong, Seria decided she couldn't handle it alone and reached out to her fiercest rivals—who were also her most reliable allies.
"So, you two have no idea at all?"
"Uh-huh."
"Don't know."
Irshu and Tarshu both wore blank expressions, completely baffled. Seria had hoped they might know something. She'd even wondered if they'd hidden him away somewhere. But their faces said they were as clueless as she was.
"Something up with Abel?"
"Tell us if you know."
"I don't know exactly. He's just been gone all day. That's what's worrying me."
No matter how busy he got, Abel always made a point to show his face at least once, stamping his presence. Seria knew that side of him well, which was why she was so concerned. Naturally, Irshu and Tarshu nodded along, tilting their heads in agreement that it was odd.
The three of them scoured the academy, asking everyone if they'd seen Abel. That's when they learned something even more shocking: not only had he skipped training, but he'd missed lectures too.
Plenty of students skipped classes—surprisingly so. It was rarer to find someone who attended every single one without a single absence over four years. Abel had been one of those rare ones, packing his schedule to the brim with enthusiasm that even impressed the professors.
For that Abel to skip lectures today? Even the professors seemed surprised. It was only natural they'd jump to conclusions.
"...Something's definitely up."
"For sure. There's something going on."
Irshu and Tarshu exchanged glances and nods before turning to Seria. She blinked—what was this about?—but their next words made her gasp.
"We turned the academy upside down, Seria."
"But no sign of him, Seria."
"So, maybe he left the academy? That seems the most likely..."
The twin duchesses shook their heads immediately.
"One place left."
"Somewhere we haven't checked."
A place they hadn't looked? Impossible—they'd covered everywhere likely. Seria stared in confusion, and Irshu spoke first.
"A place we're not supposed to go."
"Not supposed to go? What does that...?"
Wait. A sudden possibility hit her, and she had a hunch. But at the same time, the thought that they shouldn't made her glance at Tarshu.
"Tarshu, you don't mean what I think, right?"
"Probably exactly that."
The boys' dorm. We haven't been there, have we?
They said it in unison. Seria yelped in horror. "No way!"
The academy didn't strictly forbid relationships between boys and girls, but there were rules that had to be followed. Like, you could flirt or date all you wanted, but you didn't go into each other's dorms. Even when Abel had left Seria behind once, she'd been terrified of getting caught. It wasn't just academy demerits—this place was full of people from every nation, and rumors spread like wildfire. Worse, they never stayed factual; they ballooned into absurd exaggerations.
Maybe that's why the academy blocked inter-dorm access in the first place.
"And you're saying we should go anyway? We'll get in big trouble! Especially you two..."
"Us? What about us?"
"Why us?"
"Well... you're both duchesses! Weird rumors would be bad for you—and obvious for the duke back home!"
Rumors could be good or bad. For men, scandals were a mixed bag. For women? Almost always minus. Especially for renowned ladies—or more.
"Problem for you, Tarshu?"
"No problem, Irshu."
But the two of them didn't seem worried at all.
As flustered Seria opened her mouth to protest how absurd that was, their next words hit her like a slap.
"It'll be the truth anyway."
"We'll be by Abel's side anyway."
No matter how the rumors spun, they'd make them real—so who cared? Eyes on others, judgments—none of it mattered. That bold, unflinching response.
For a brief moment, Seria thought two things as she looked at them. One: They're so cool. Two: I lose this round.
"Not you, Seria?"
"Really not?"
"...Of course not."
Right. What was there to fear? She'd already been invited to his family estate! No reason to hesitate or run now. Her heart was set, her feelings clear. Backing out would be cowardly and stupid.
"Fine. So, how do we get in? Don't say sneak through the front gate—students are coming and going."
"Same as at Abel's estate."
"Make an ice pillar and climb up."
"Sounds good. But do you two know which floor, which room Abel's in?"
Irshu and Tarshu glanced at each other. Know? No. You? No.
Seria sighed. Oh my god. For that brief moment, she'd thought they were cool, that she'd lost—she felt like an idiot now.
"Wait here."
Hanging around Abel had its perks; she'd picked up some guy friends along the way. Asking them directly would've raised flags, but clever Seria wouldn't make that mistake. She chatted casually, teasing out hints without suspicion. No need for exacts—just a rough location, then she'd scout herself.
"Third floor, left side from the entrance."
"And the rest?"
"My butterflies will handle it."
Caution first. One slip into plants, and fire could spread. She could control her flames, sure—but only for herself. Lose focus, and sparks flew everywhere.
"Gonna concentrate now."
"Hold on, Seria."
"Not here."
"Ah."
A girl using abilities near the boys' dorm? Suspicious as hell. They slipped to a hidden spot nearby and got to work: Seria's butterflies scouting third-floor rooms, the twins on lookout.
A red butterfly fluttered toward the dorm, peeking through windows. Not full views, but enough.
For a split second, she wondered, Is this really okay? But nah—it was fleeting. If she didn't, these duchesses would just charge in on an ice pillar anyway.
"...Found him."
"Where?"
"Third floor. Third window left from entrance."
"Other side of the building."
"Less eyes there."
She recalled the butterfly and headed to the blind spot. Ready? Nod. Irshu tapped the ground lightly—an ice pillar rose perfectly sized for three.
Final check before opening the window: just like the butterfly saw, Abel sat there blankly inside.
Looks like he'd holed up, skipping even lectures.
"Let's go."
"Yeah."
"In."
At Seria's signal, they flung the window open and poured in.
"Gah!"
Problem: they hadn't accounted for the drop from window to floor. Seria, Irshu, and Tarshu tumbled forward in a heap.
"...What the hell?"
Abel froze in his dazed seat. Suddenly, the window bursts open—three familiar faces. Girls who had no business being here.
"Abel!"
"Abel."
"What're you doing?"
Last time, subtle rivalry or standoff. Now, teaming up? Abel chuckled in disbelief—then shot to his feet as an idea hit.
Teaming up? Together? Alliance?
That's what he'd agonized over all day, skipping training and classes. How to crush that damn Ability Sealer most satisfyingly. After hours of brooding, possibility dropped right into his lap.