INSIGNIAS: THE LUX SIGNIFER ACADEMY

After seven hours, the match was paused for a 45-minute break. Tessa had been sent to the infirmary immediately after her fight. Clyne’s match followed. His power didn’t par with his opponent but he managed to exhaust her near the end. However, it wasn’t enough. He didn’t give up until the end but had to surrender. Skhy told him that he did his best and let the others continue the fight. The team just needs five wins to stay. Skhy was 3rd to fight. He found himself facing a weird opponent from the Metallum Department. She didn’t say a word but was good in combat. But Skhy still won, with his opponent shouting while getting drag out of the arena.

Storm won without much effort. He was a wind use but didn’t use it much in the fight. He was good in sword fighting and his endurance and pain tolerance were high. Skhy expected this after fighting him near the river when they first met. Lei matched with someone with the same elemental as her. By the end of their match, the ground of the arena was shattered and full of large holes. Lei sadly didn’t make it. She didn’t face anyone and rushed to where Tessa is, who was still unconscious.

Five down. Three wins. Four to go.

“Should we visit Tessa now?” Nate asked as they walked down the stairs towards the reserved room for them where they can eat in peace. How generous. The Academy had always been generous but not to outsiders. They’re doing these because they are curious?

“I’ll go. You can go after you eat,” he said, “I’ll talk to Lei.”

“I also don’t feel good. Comfort me, Aria,” Clyne cooed. He was grinning at and teasing her. But Skhy knew he just didn’t want to show his vulnerable side. Despite the disgust on her face, Aria pushed him forward.

“Let’s go eat,” she simply said.

“I’ll bring Lei and ask the nurse to give Tessa food,” he told them when they arrived in the ground floor corridor. It was empty. They made sure that we don’t meet with the students…

“Alright,” Nate answered. Skhy separated from the group and went to the opposite side toward the private infirmary.

“What are you doing?” he asked the person walking behind him. He didn’t answer. No matter how concerned Skhy is, he didn’t have time for his tantrums.

“Where are you going?” he asked again.

“Do I have to tell you everything?” the person answered with annoyance in his voice.

“No,” Skhy replied calmly.

“Just stay safe,” he added a few seconds later. He didn’t reply. When he looked back, Faz was gone. Did he hear what I said? He was probably cringing hard. The thought made him chuckle.

He arrived in front of the infirmary when the door suddenly opened, revealing Lei with swollen and reddish eyes. They bumped on each other. She was about to fall but Skhy caught her. His arm circled around her torso.

“That was close,” he whispered when he caught his breath. He could hear his heart drumming on his chest.

“Uhmmm.” He slowly released her. Her eyes slowly looked up to him. There were hints of sadness and disappointment but she had a small smile on her face. Her cheeks were flushed. She’s trying to hide her sadness.

“Hey. I know that you will keep thinking about it even if I tell you not to, but I want you to know that you were great,” he said while scratching his nape. Her smile widened.

“Thanks, Skhy. You don’t have to worry,” she replied.

“You talked to Tessa.” He knew. Whatever they talked about calmed Lei. She nodded.

“I’ll go to the others.” She patted his shoulder then turned toward the path where he came from.

“Wait!” he called. He cupped his jean pockets. He found the thing in his back pocket.

“Here.” He placed the blue handkerchief on her hand. She stared at it for a while before saying her thanks then left. He slowly opened the door and slipped in. There were five beds separated by white curtains. He found Tessa on the bed in the middle. Her eyes were closed. He sat on the chair beside the bed then lifted the white sheet until it reached her neck.

“Skhy,” she mumbled then her eyes opened, revealing a pair of light golden orbs.

“Hey,” he whispered. Skhy talked about the other matches while she listened. He told her not to speak to not strain her. After 10 minutes, she told him to go eat.

“You only…have 15 minutes,” she said groggily. He nodded. Besides, she needed rest. He tucked her in again, trying to make her comfortable then asked the nurse for her lunch. The nurse didn’t say anything but immediately did his request.

“How was she?” Nate immediately asked when Skhy entered the small but private room. There were lunch boxes and bottled water on the rectangular table. Lei was the only one eating.

“She’s resting,” he replied.

“I’ll visit her now,” Aria said as she stood up. Skhy sat beside Storm then grabbed a lunch box.

“I’ll come with you!,” Hanne exclaimed then followed Aria to the door.

“Me-“

“No. You’re too noisy,” Aria interrupted Clyne, who gave her a big and exaggerated frown. Skhy slowly started eating. He wasn’t hungry but he needed the energy.

“You can visit in between matches. Aria has to visit her now because she’s going first after the break,” he reminded Clyne. Skhy was munching his sandwich when he noticed Storm reading a school newspaper. Nate was playing with his private phone while Clyne was watching him play.

He just noticed it now.

“Where’s Fa- Hunter?”

“He didn’t go here,” Clyne replied. “I looked for him earlier. He was lounging in the terrace.”

“I wasn’t there now,” Skhy noted.

“Eh? He didn’t even eat,” Clyne exclaimed. He looked worried.

“Let him be,” Storm said without looking at them. His statement clearly annoyed Clyne but didn’t say anything.

“He’s going to be fine. He’s probably looking around. He won’t make create any troubles,” Skhy said then smiled. Clyne visibly relaxed then went back to watching Nate play on his phone.

I really hope he won’t make a scene.

A few minutes before the lunch break ends, the group returned to the booth. Aria and Hanne were already there. Clyne kept throwing loud encouragements to Aria but it only soured her mood. She said that she didn’t need the encouragement but Skhy, Nate, and Hanne said their ’good luck’s.

The loud horn sound vibrated in the air and ground.

“For the next match, we have August from Scrobis Department versus Aria Alexander in the arena!” Aurora’s voice echoed.

“Hey. There are more people here than earlier,” Clyne noted. Skhy noticed it too. The students were probably curious about the newcomers who defeated three of their strongest warriors.

“Sit down, Clyne. I can’t see!” Hanne complained. Clyne took his time to sit down. Skhy glanced at the door. Where are you, Faz?

A loud explosion and earthquake threw him off. He found two thick and tall roots swaying in the air. They quickly aimed at Aria but she jumped and ran on one of the roots. She used her katana to cut the roots into pieces. However, after she cut them, the roots grew their branches.

“Ah plants.” Skhy turned toward the voice. Faz was leaning on the wall, fixated on the match. Skhy wanted to ask him where had been but he figured he won’t tell him. The match was also more important. For now.

Then he noticed something showing in his back pocket. It looked like a white handkerchief. When did he start carrying one?

“Why isn’t she using her elemental?” Clyne’s question brought Skhy’s attention back to the match. Aria continued on cutting the roots into several pieces but they never stop growing.

“Maybe she can’t use it?” Lei answered.

“That doesn’t help me.” Clyne looked extremely worried.

“We never saw her use it before. Even while in training,” Nate noted.

She could win with just using her weapon. But if the reason why she didn’t use her elemental is due to lack of energy, it will be hard for her to win. It only meant that her weapon is also weak.

Have you decided, Aria?