Kara played with the tip of her bangs, gazing distant as the last echoes of the flashback faded from her mind. "We were only five back then... it was just a single afternoon in the woods. I doubt she'd even remember me, i could barely recall her face until today."
She sighed, fingers still moving over the staff's cool surface. "I'm still not sure though.. all i remember was she had blonde hair like her."
Lamia nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Well, you might be in luck. The color of the morning sun is indeed a rare trait.. very rare, especially those blue eyes. It's possible that girl could be the same one you played with as a child."
A brief silence fell between them.
The demon leaned forward slightly, her gaze sharp and intent. "But that isn't what I asked you, Kara. I want to know what you think of her—not just as someone from your past, but as a person. What impression did she leave on you during that duel?"
Kara blinked, her brow furrowing in genuine confusion as she turned the question over in her mind.
'Honestly, this child! What perfect timing to draw her out of her shell—Serina could be exactly the kind of companion she needs to open up more.' Lamia mused with mild frustration, marveling at how her descendant could be so oblivious to obvious chances.
After a pause, Kara lifted her gaze, silver irises wide with uncertainty. "I think.. she's my type?"
Before she can finish speaking, Yuri's ears perked up,alerting Kara to the approaching footsteps. She quickly tucked the silver staff inside her jacket as the figure came into view.
Serina's blonde hair was a little less perfect than before, her uniform bearing the marks of the earlier duel. She scanned the area before spotting Kara sitting on the grass.
"There you are," Serina called out, walking over with a genuine smile.
"I don't think we've officially met. I'm Serina." She crouched down, her blue eyes curious. "I saw you watching my duel earlier. Did you enjoy the show?"
Kara hesitated, then glanced away, trying to ignore the little flip-flops in her chest of the new presence. "Um, yeah. I'm Kara.." She gestured to her side. "And this is Yuri."
The blonde girl crouched down, and her blue eyes lit up when they landed on Yuri. "Oh wow, look at you! You're so fluffy!"
Before Kara could say a word, Yuri had already jumped into Serina's arms, tail wagging so hard his whole body wiggled. The blonde laughed, scratching behind his ears like she'd known him forever.
"Mind if I hold him for a bit? I'm a total sucker for cute things."
"Guess he likes you more than me," Kara said, part amused, part a tiny bit jealous. She'd never seen Yuri warm up to anyone that fast.
Serina stood, brushing off her skirt, and turned back to Kara. "So, you saw that duel, huh? That guy was a real jerk." She shook her head. "And thanks for the help earlier..."
"It was nothing. I just couldn't stand seeing someone cheat..." Kara trailed off, realizing her slip.
"Huh?"
"I knew it! So it was you," Serina said with a knowing smile. "I don't know how you did it, but you saved my skin there."
Kara was speechless staring at her, trying to process what she'd just heard. "How did you...?"
Serina laughed, "You're not very good at hiding things, are you?" she said, her voice playful.
"I might have been a little preoccupied with not getting blown up, but I caught a glimpse of something red and kind of... spidery shielding me from the blast."
She sat down beside Kara, her gaze remained fixed on the girl's face. The blonde noticed the brunette's shy demeanor, and moved away a little, leaving a comfortable space between them.
"Plus, I have really good eyesight, you know? And those silver eyes darting away? It all adds up, don't you think?" Serina circle her eye like a little spyglass.
Kara blinked in shock, her heart pounding in her chest. She had been so careful, so sure that no one had noticed. But the blonde's words left no room for doubt.
Seeing her expression, Serina quickly change the subject, not wanting to scare her off.
She gave the brunette a reassuring smile.
"Hey, since we're going to be teammates, you can call me Sena. That's what my friends call me," she suggested, her tone light and friendly. "Besides, I have a feeling we're going to be great friends."
Kara hesitated, staring down as she recalled the customs of this world. In her previous life, people are neutral and casual about it.
It's a sign of familiarity and friendship, or even intimacy.
But here, calling someone by a nickname upon first meeting was considered rude. So she have to be careful.
"I-I don't know," she stammered, glancing nervously at Serina. "Isn't that a bit... forward? We just met."
Serina waved a hand dismissively, her smile unwavering. "Ah, don't worry about it. I'm not one for formalities."
She tilted her head, her blonde hair falling over one shoulder as she catch Kara's silver eyes. However, the brunette instinctively looked away, unable to hold the blonde's gaze for long.
Noticing Kara's discomfort, Serina didn't push the issue.
Instead, she simply smiled, "Next time then."
She turned her attention back to Yuri, who was still curled up in her lap. She gently scratched behind his ears, cooing softly. "You're such a good boy, aren't you?" she murmured, her voice full of affection.
The brunette watched the interaction silently, feeling a strange fondness in her chest.
Suddenly, Kara's eyes widened as the realization hit her. "Wait, did you say... teammates?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Serina wink playfully, snapping her fingers with a grin. "Gotcha!" she exclaimed, "I knew you'd catch on eventually."
She leaned back on her hands, her blue eyes sparkling with amusement. "Yep, that's right. SBA has a three-member team system for its students. It's all about finding the right balance of abilities and personalities to create a formidable squad."
Serina's gaze softened as she looked at Kara, her expression turning hopeful. "Which brings me to my next question.. Have you already found a teammate?"
"Because if not, I was hoping you might consider being mine. I want you to be my partner, Kara."
Kara blinked, taken aback by the blonde's confident assertion. She stared down, trying to wrap her head around the situation.
The blonde paused, her smile faltering. "Oh, is that a no? Do you already have plan with someone?"
The brunette shook her head, "No, i haven't found a teammates yet.." Kara turned to her, "But are you sure about being partners? With how talented you are, i feel like i might drag you down."
"Beside, I'm not really.. the partner type."
Serina nodded in understanding,"I get it, no pressure," she said softly. "If you change your mind, just let me know, okay?"
She stood up, brushing off her skirt. "Well, since i can't convince you yet, how about we do something else instead?" Serina suggested with a grin.
"Come on, I want to treat you to some sweets as a thank you for earlier. It's the least I can do," she insisted, extending a hand.
"My gramps always taught me that food is the best way to show appreciation," the blonde explained with a fond smile. "So what do you say?
Kara considered it for a moment, but the mention of sweet is too tempting to turn down. She nodded before taking Serina's hand and standing up.
"Let's get out of here, our bakery is just around town!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with enthusiasm.
As she led Kara through the bustling streets of the town market, it became clear that she was a well-known and beloved figure. The blonde seemed to know everyone, stopping occasionally to chat with locals who called out her name.
"Thanks! I'll be sure to stop by and try out that new recipe," she replied to one of the locals, her smile warm and genuine.
"You're really popular," Kara observed, a hint of awe in her voice.
"You think so?" she chuckled. "Well, I've lived here all my life, so I've had enough time to make friends."
The brunette watched her interact with the townspeople, and couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration. She found herself wondering what it would be like to be more like her. . . outgoing, friendly, and beloved by all.
Kara kept her gaze down, trying to avoid looking anyone directly as they walked through the crowd of kind people.
She recalled her conversation with Lamia about the blonde-haired girl. And now, seeing her in action, Kara couldn't deny the truth in those words.
'My type of person. She is like.. my ideal self.'
"Here we are!"
As they approached the bakery, a warm aroma of freshly baked goods enveloped them.
"Welcome, welcome!" Serina exclaimed as she swung open the door to the bakery, announcing their arrival with a cheerful grin. "Hey, Aunt! I brought a new friend."
The blonde girl turned to Kara, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement. "Come on in, make yourself at home!" she encouraged, gesturing for the brunette to enter.
As Kara stepped inside, her gaze was immediately drawn to the tall, rough-looking woman behind the counter. The woman's stern expression and muscular build seemed out of place in the cozy bakery setting.
The woman looked up from her work, her piercing gaze settling on Kara. The brunette flinched slightly under the intense stare, feeling like she was being sized up.
"Sena." The woman grunted, wiping her flour-covered hands on her apron.
Serina narrowed her eyes as she addressed her aunt. "Aunt Greta, you're looking particularly... cranky as usual." She finished with a smirk, "Is it that time of the month? Is it?"
Greta narrowed her eyes at her niece's teasing remark, crossing her arms over her chest. "Watch it, brat," she growled. "Don't ruin a customer's appetite."
Serina rolled her eyes and turned back to Kara, looping her arm through the brunette's. "Don't mind her, she's always like this. Come on, I'll show you around!"
As she led Kara deeper into the bakery, Serina leaned in close and whispered conspiratorially, "Between you and me, I think she misses being a KnightGuard after retiring. All that standing around and glaring just isn't the same as charging into battle."
Kara couldn't help but let out a small giggle at Serina's playful teasing. The blonde girl's warmth and energy were infectious, slowly helping the brunette relax bit by bit.
"So, what do you think?" Serina asked proudly as they reached the display case filled with an array of delicious-looking pastries and cakes. "Pretty amazing, right?"
Greta intervened with a stern look, her tone brooking no argument. "Serina, don't even think about it. Those are for paying customers. Since when did we give out free food?"
Serina pouted, throwing her hands up in the air.. "Fine, fine," she grumbled, dragging her feet as she led Kara to a small table by the window.
"Sit tight, I'll be right back with something special aunt Greta can't even complain about."
With a wink and a smile, Serina disappeared behind the counter, leaving Kara alone at the table.
The brunette couldn't help but feel out of place in the cozy bakery, surrounded by the sweet aroma of freshly baked goods and the silent of being the only customer.
Greta kept a watchful eye on Kara from behind the counter, her expression stern and unreadable.
The brunette shifted uncomfortably under the woman's gaze, wondering what she had done to warrant such scrutiny.
"I'm back!"
Serina reappeared a moment later, carrying a tray with two steaming cups of coffee and a small plate piled high with an assortment of colorful macarons.
She set the tray down on the table with a flourish, grinning proudly at her bounty.
"There we go!" she exclaimed, sliding into the seat across from Kara. "Aunt Greta might have refused to give us anything for free, but she can't stop me from treating you myself."
She pushed the plate towards the brunette invitingly. "Go on, help yourself."
"Thanks.." Kara stared at the display for a moment before reaching out to take a macaron, her fingers taking in the warm touch.
She studied the dainty macaron, appreciating its lively color and intricate design.
Taking a bite, a burst of flavor sparked across her palate. "Wow.. it's really good."
The blonde leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. "Thanks, i tried experimenting to get the taste i wanted." she replied with a grin. "It's really fun when you get the hang of it."
"You bake these?"
"Yup! It a long time hobby of mine.."
Serina watched her with a soft smile, taking a sip of her own drink. "So, tell me more about yourself," she said casually. "I want to get to know my soon-to-be teammate better."
The brunette glance at her, considered how much to reveal. She wasn't used to opening up to others, especially not someone who couldn't be anymore opposite than her.
"What do you want to know?" She munched on her dessert with delight.
"For starters, what made you decide to enroll at Soulbound Academy?" Serina leaned forward, her blue eyes sparkling with genuine interest.
"I wanted to learn more about Arcana," Kara said, fidgeting with the hem of her hoodie. She glanced up briefly before continuing. "It's always been something I'm curious about, and I thought the academy was the best place to study it."
"That makes sense," Serina nodded understandingly, leaning back with a warm smile. "Arcana are incredible things, each one as unique as the person who wields it. Speaking of which..." She tilted her head, curiosity shining in her eyes.
"I've been wondering, what's your Arcana?"
Kara paused mid-bite, her fingers hovering over another macaron. She glanced down at the table, then back at Serina. "It's called [Phantom Lilet]" she said quietly. "I summon red flowers. I call them spider lilies, since they remind me of something from... somewhere else."
'They don't have that kind of flowers here, so I just use what I knew back in my old world,' she thought to herself, watching as the blonde leaned in closer to listen. "They let me teleport instantly between any surfaces I've touched."
Serina's eyes went wide with amazement. "Teleportation? That's so cool!" She leaned forward excitedly. "So those red flowers I saw earlier, 'spider lilies', what a fitting name, with how their stems twist and spread like little legs.. You can really move from one spot to another just by touching where they grow?"
"Yeah," Kara confirmed, a small smile touching her lips. "The flowers have to be on a surface I've made contact with first, but once they're there... it's like stepping through a door. I used them to get close enough to shield you during the duel."
"That explains how you were able to move so fast without anyone noticing!" Serina grinned, then sat up straight. "Well, since you shared, let me show you mine!" She held out her palm, and a soft white light began to glow there. "I call mine [Mimicry]. I can copy other people's Arcana, though it takes a lot of focus to match their power level. Others are easy to grasp once i knew how they work, while some are more complex, so i have to practice it myself."
"Last week, there was a senior's Arcana that was hard to handle. It sends vibrations through earth and stone, bending it into shapes or channeling seismic force through limbs. The tricky part is concentrating energy precisely to bind targets or create controlled vibrations. But push too much power through a small point, and you can wreck your gear, rip your clothes, or strain your body. Took me a few tries to adjust how I distributed the energy, but then it worked smoothly."
"And some Arcana are straightforward, just channel it then—BAM!"
"Like how you copied senior's Explosion?" Kara asked.
"Exactly!" The blonde's face lit up with pride. "You know, I'm sure you've heard, but my Arcana tends to be out of control sometimes. So my peers always avoid challenging me." She grinned sheepishly.
Kara nodded calmly, pausing to take another bite before speaking. "I heard no one can keep up with you—you counter their Arcana with power even stronger than the original user's."
"Yeah, my fights have tapered off over time." Serina laughed, scratching her cheek. "I get it, no one wants to risk getting overpowered by a copycat. But that's why I've been thinking about something bigger… something where I won't be held back or feared just because my Mimicry can amplify what I copy."
Clasping her hands together, blue eyes shining with determination, she said, "The Grand Ascend. It's the biggest battle tournament in the world."
Kara's eyes lit up slightly as she set down her macaron. "Yeah, it's pretty well-known. Competitors come from everywhere just to test themselves against the best."
"Right?" The blonde's face lit up, voice growing more earnest. "I've been training since I was little to become an Arcanist, my goal is to be strong enough to compete in the Grand Ascend."
"The final match is held in the capital arena, and winners get to face the reigning Champion. Davel the Sky Shooter! The first to ever claim the title—and he still hold it even five years later. The tournament only happens once every two years... But he's never been beaten once."
Kara listened intently, expression steady as she set down her dessert. But her movements stiffened at the mention of someone so familiar.
'Beating papa huh..' she thought, taking a slow sip of coffee to steady herself. 'It feels weird hearing that from someone else's mouth..'
"That's my dream," the blonde said, clasping her hands together. "To make it to the Grand Ascend, fight my way to the top, and stand across from him in the arena. I want to test my mimicry against the strongest Arcana user alive, see if I can match the power of the Sky Shooter himself."
She looked at Kara directly, gaze full of hope. "That's why I need a solid team. The school's three-member system, your teleportation would give us an edge no other team in our year could match. With your speed and my ability to adapt to any opponent... we could go all the way and graduate! What do you say? Want to help me reach that stage?"
'Again with that. This girl really won't stop pushing me to say yes..'
The silver-eyed girl pulled her hand back slightly, eyes clouded with uncertainty as she scratched behind her ear. Picking at the tip of her hair, movements slow and deliberate, she thought about what to say.
A dream... a goal..
In her old life, she'd thrown herself into things with excitement only to watch passion fizzle out when challenges arose. What if she did the same here? What if she joined the team, got her hopes up, then quit when things got hard?
She'd only end up dragging the blonde down, just as she feared..
"I don't know," Kara said in a quiet, easy tone. "It sounds amazing, but... I'm not very good at sticking to things. If I can't keep up and hold you back, it'll be bad for both of us."
Yuri huffed softly and nudged her hand, making her smile faintly as she gave his head another pat.
The blonde's expression softened, but her eyes held a stubborn glint. She'd seen this hesitation before and wasn't about to let the brunette slip away. She'd watched—even for a spit second, how Kara moved during the duel, how carefully she'd positioned herself and acted to protect a stranger.
There was strength there, even if the silver-eyed girl seemed determined not to see it.
"I get that you're scared," she said firmly, leaning forward so their eyes met. "But I don't think you're the kind of person who gives up that easily. You just need someone at your back." Standing up, she pushed her chair back with a soft scrape against the floor.
"How about this—I challenge you to a duel!"
"Eh?!" The girl's head shot up, surprise clear on her face. She looked down at Yuri, then back at the blonde. "B-But..."
"No 'buts' about it!" The energetic Arcanist grinned, already heading for the door. "We'll make it simple. If I win, you have to at least think seriously about joining my team. If you win... well, I'll leave you be and never bring it up again."
Her mind raced, words failing her. 'Scraped the pushing— this girl is bulldozing through my approval!'
Serina paused at the entrance, turning to face Kara with a look that left no room for argument. "Besides, it'll be the perfect way for us to really see what each other can do. No holding back, no hiding, just pure Arcanist against Arcanist. What do you say? Are you brave enough to face me one-on-one?"
The brunette sat frozen for a moment, mind racing. A duel against Serina, someone with an Arcana that could copy her own abilities? It sounded both terrifying and... strangely exciting.
Yuri barked once, as if encouraging her, and she felt a small spark of determination ignite in her chest.
Slowly, she stood up, brushing crumbs from her skirt. "Alright," she said, her voice steadier than she felt. "You're on. But if I win, you have to promise.. you'll give me more time to think about this partner thingy.."
The blonde clapped her hands together in delight. "Deal! Now come on, there's a training field just outside town that's perfect for this. I'll even let you pick the rules!"
As they headed out into the afternoon sun, the bakery door swinging shut behind them, Kara felt a strange mix of nerves and anticipation. For so long, this is the first time she found herself looking forward to a challenge.