Chapter 31: Lightbearer vs. Stone Reaper — Round Three
"So, how long have you been waiting for me?"
Under the crimson sunset, Aimer approached me as I sat by the fountain. The confident glow once shining in her bright eyes had faded after hearing about my upcoming fight with her brother.
"I just got here."
"Don’t lie to me, Atheron." Her voice cut like a blade. "I heard your sister—mistress—explicitly forbade you from taking part in the duel. Knowing you, I doubt you talked her into anything.
Don’t tell me you’ve been sitting here since the last class?"
I remained seated, watching the birds bathing under the fountain’s spray. She sat beside me.
We silently watched the students exiting the academy, one by one.
"Still, thank you for coming. I thought you’d be furious. I spoke with my brother—told him everything—but clearly, he still doesn’t approve of your company."
"Aimer. Give me one good reason I should fight him."
"There isn’t one." She looked down. "Honestly, I feel guilty. Because of my persistence, you went against your own judgment. Look... you don’t have to go through with it—"
"No," I cut her off. "I want to understand why this matters to you. This mage tournament—why is it so important? Will it determine your fate? Bring glory to your family? Frankly, I don’t see this tournament offering any real honor."
"That’s where you’re wrong!" she snapped. "You’re a noble. Of course you wouldn’t understand. Noble blood runs in your veins. No wonder you see this tournament as nothing but a waste of time..."