It had been two hours since the Aether Rail left the academy station. The train was now far from Ardentia, gliding smoothly through the forest as it headed south toward the contest venue.
So far, it had stopped twice—once to refill its Aether pods and once to replace the operator managing the flow system. The hum of energy beneath their feet was steady, a soft vibration that almost lulled everyone into sleep.
Madame Russel had come to check on the students once, but by now, nearly all of them were fast asleep.
Emma turned her head and found William dozing beside her, his head tilted slightly against the backrest, arms folded across his chest. His golden hair fell over his forehead, damp from the earlier bath, and his lips were parted just a little. A faint snore escaped him every now and then.
She smiled faintly. His sleeping face was disarmingly cute.
It was understandable, of course—he had barely slept the previous night, and considering how drained he was after the intense battle, rest was the best thing he could ask for. The soft glow of the passing landscape reflected in his features, making him look calmer, gentler... so different from the fierce fighter he’d been hours ago.
Her gaze shifted to the seat across from them. Natalie was awake and smiling softly at her.
Emma then looked at the person beside her—Kevin was asleep too, his head leaning against the window, the morning light flickering across his face as the train sped past mountain ridges and plains.
Natalie then used hand gestures to ask if Emma had something to eat, rubbing her stomach with a sheepish grin that clearly said she was starving.
Emma chuckled soundlessly and gave a small nod. She bent down, pulled a small basket from under her seat, and quietly stood up. The movement made William shift slightly, his brow twitching, but he didn’t wake.
Natalie, not wanting to disturb Kevin either, slipped out of her seat as well. Together, the two girls tiptoed toward the back of the cabin.
There, they found Gizel sitting by herself, perfectly poised, a book resting in her hands. Her silver-rimmed glasses caught the dim light as she looked up at them.
"Need something?" she asked, her voice calm as always.
Natalie grinned awkwardly. "We were just looking for a place to eat. What about you? Studying again?"
Gizel closed her book with a quiet *snap.* "Keeping myself occupied," she said simply.
Since there was plenty of empty space, Natalie sat down first, followed by Emma, who took the window side. The seats were broad and cushioned, easily enough for all three girls to sit comfortably together.
Emma placed the basket on her lap and unwrapped the cloth covering it. "Would you like a sandwich, Gizel?" she offered with a smile.
The bespectacled girl tilted her head thoughtfully. "Is there a chance they’ll throw us into a test the moment we get off the train?"
Emma gave a half-shrug. "Knowing the Great Hall, there’s always a chance."
"Then I’ll take one," Gizel replied without hesitation, extending her hand.
Emma smiled and handed her one neatly wrapped sandwich, then passed another to Natalie before taking out a rice cake for herself.
For a while, the three ate in comfortable silence, the rhythmic hum of the train filling the background. The sandwiches’ aroma filled the small cabin space—a savory blend of grilled meat, vegetables, and sauce that made Natalie’s eyes sparkle.
After the first bite, the short-haired girl couldn’t hold back a pleased hum. "This is so good!" she said, almost too loudly. "Who made this?"
Emma, still chewing, raised a finger and pointed to herself.
Natalie blinked, impressed. "No way... seriously? You made this? Girl, you’ve got some serious kitchen skills."
Gizel nodded in agreement, her tone steady but sincere. "Indeed. The flavor balance is impressive. I didn’t expect you to be this good at cooking."
Emma puffed her cheeks lightly and muttered, "Why does everyone assume I can’t cook?"
Even William had doubted her earlier—though after that morning’s sandwich, she doubted he’d ever question her culinary ability again.
Natalie exchanged a knowing glance with Gizel before speaking. "I don’t know... maybe it’s just your vibe."
Gizel added more directly, "You give off a noble impression. Someone raised in a refined, sheltered home."
Emma sighed softly at that. "Well, you’re not completely wrong," she admitted, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "My father is... quite doting, yes. But he never stopped me from doing anything dangerous just because I was his daughter."
Her eyes softened with a quiet memory. "He used to say, ’If you’re going to play with fire, learn how to hold it without getting burned.’"
The other two girls exchanged a look.
Natalie smiled faintly, nibbling her sandwich. "Sounds like a good man."
"He is," Emma said, her voice gentle.
After a brief pause, Gizel asked, "Have you prepared a gown for the opening ceremony?"
Emma’s brows elevated, "Weren’t we supposed to wear our uniform?"
Gizel’s lips parted slightly and then a healthy blush contoured her cheeks.
Natalie and Emma shared a glance before they chuckled at the same time.
Natalie nudged the bespectacled girl and said, "Well, you can surely wear it on the last day for Caleb."
Gizel frowned, "Why for him? We are nothing more than friends."
Emma grinned, "Well...you two are surely always close in the council room."
Gizel huffed, "Because he is the only person whom I know. And no one better than you, Emma, knows how much of a bother it is to make stranger friends. I mean, even in your group, you only seemed close to Natalie."
That was true. Despite the fact that their team formed last year, Emma never got along with Laila or Lizel.
Kevin...was a whole different story. She never tried to understand him given her initial impression of that guy.
Natalie then grinned as she said, "Well, these days Emma doesn’t spend time even with me...all her attention is reserved for a certain someone."
Gizel also faintly smiled, "Yes...the new strongest of the academy. I am very curious; how did you two get together? Did he save you from a dangerous situation?"
Emma gently smiled and shook her head.
Her eyes landed on the two sandwiches she had saved for him as she muttered, "We...complete each other. Just that."
Gizel and Natalie glanced at each other...maybe they really don’t know a thing about love.
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A/N:- Thank you for reading. A review would surely help motivate me and the future readers. So consider dropping one.