The Perfect Knight and the Illusionist (BL)

LEO

I liked Professor Hobbs since the last history lesson we had. It was unfortunate that I hadn’t been well and missed all the classes after that, but now that I was back, I felt more involved with the stories being taught. Today he was telling us about the Empire’s conflicts with the Moraviks up North, the region where Dimitri came from. Just as he asked me about the Yeps, he asked Dimitri to share his views on the Moraviks. He spoke proudly of their traditions, but this time, nobody objected to what he was saying, unlike how Alexis challenged what I said about the Yeps last time. I wasn’t sure if this was because Dimitri—despite his obviously kind heart once you got to know him—looked more intimidating than me or because any conflict with the Moraviks was so long ago and the Empire had maintained a peaceful relationship with them for centuries after recognizing their independence.

As much as I enjoyed Dimitri’s stories, though, my mind constantly drifted toward imagining what Marius and I planned for after the classes. Marius was being very nice and helpful to suggest that we go around the campus checking out different clubs together. I felt really grateful for that because, me being me, if I went around by myself, I would have found it hard to even enter the club rooms to watch their activities, even though all the activities this week were supposed to be open sessions. But Marius was good with these things, and he was always welcomed wherever he went, so if I turned up with Marius, I was sure to be welcomed in and be shown around as well. So while I felt a little guilty about making use of Marius like this on one hand, on the other hand, I was very much looking forward to our after-class adventure.

Then, when the class finally ended and everyone was packing up, Marius walked over to me in swift strides.

"Are you ready, Skylark?" he asked me, stopping just a step away from my desk.

"What are you guys up to?" Thomas, who was sitting next to me, asked. He sounded curious.

"Oh—, we were going to—"

But my answer was cut off short by Marius, saying,

"Investigate extracurricular activities as a part of the acclimatization process for students from remote origins."

"Huh? What?" I blurted out, as Marius’s words confused me.

"Gees, whatever THAT is, it doesn’t sound like anything fun I want to join," Thomas said, standing up.

"Thomas, it sounds like something better left to Marius," Isabelle also said, packing her bag, and continued, "Let’s get going."

"I will see you guys later then," Thomas said, waving his hand, and left with Isabelle.

"Er... what was that, Marius?"

"I thought you wanted to go check out the clubs together," Marius said after clearing his throat.

That didn’t sound like what he just told Thomas, and I really wouldn’t have minded if Thomas and Isabelle joined us too, but I suppose Thomas wasn’t interested, so I simply said,

"Sure."

As we were leaving the classroom together, we ran into Dimitri, Alexis, and Briant.

"Hey, you guys want to go play some kick-ball? I want to get a bit of practice in before I try out for the team," Dimitri asked us.

"I don’t think Skylark feels comfortable with kick-ball yet after nearly getting hit by it last time," Marius said quickly.

"Mate, it was your rock against his head that was traumatizing," Dimitri pointed out.

"Oh no! I’d forgotten about it all already! I’m totally fine now," I clarified.

"Briant and I are going to check out the debate club together. I’m dead set on it, but Briant isn’t convinced yet. Do you guys want to go check it out together?" Alexis invited us this time.

"Negative. Skylark’s priority for now is improving his fitness. The debate club is not ideal," Marius said.

"Eh... didn’t you say earlier that—"

But my sentence was cut short by Marius again.

"There’s a lot to do, Skylark. A lot to do. Let’s get moving," he said.

With that, we walked past the trio and headed down the hallway, along which we met Beatrice and Janice.

"Hi, where are you guys heading?" Beatrice asked.

"We are going to check—"

I was trying to respond, but—

"Look, a sparrow!" Marius suddenly exclaimed, pointing at the lone sparrow that was sitting on the outside windowsill, looking into the hallway—at us. (How did he spot that all of a sudden?)

"Oh, so cute!"

By the time Janice finished her sentence, we were already about seven steps away from the girls, with Marius walking quickly, holding my wrist tight so I wouldn’t lose him (the hallway was just one long, straight corridor, though...?)

"Er, Marius. Why are we in such a rush?" I asked him.

Without stopping his quick strides, and almost dragging me along, he said,

"Because there are many clubs we must check out."

"Gees, take it easy, Marius. We have the whole afternoon."

Then he stopped suddenly.

We stood still in silence, with Marius still not letting go of my wrist.

"I think... you can let go of me now. I won’t get lost, you know," I said, finally.

But he did not let go. Instead, I felt his grip tighten slightly.

"Skylark, I just..."

"What is it?"

"I just want to show you many things and help you find something you would enjoy."

I didn’t think that Marius would take the club activities for me that seriously, but his words felt really touching.

"Thank you..."

"Well, so now, let’s go check out the debate club!" Marius said, suddenly raising his voice.

"But—you said earlier the debate club isn’t really for me, though?"

Marius looked like he had already forgotten that, looked a little embarrassed, turned his head away from me, then said,

"I wasn’t thinking straight back then."

With that, he finally let go of my wrist.

Marius wasn’t quite himself today, I noticed, but I found it funny, and it made me giggle.

"It’s okay, then. Let’s go and see as many clubs as we can together. I’m sure we’ll find something fun."

That brought a smile to Marius’s face as well, and together we walked forward again, looking for fun.