Chapter 17: Tension

As we wait for further instructions, I can't resist the temptation to mess with Selene. I step closer to her, wrapping my arm around her waist. She naturally leans into me, and it's a feeling I relish. It's moments like these that make me feel like I own the world.

I happen to glance up and lock eyes with a girl nearby. She blushes, and I wink at her before returning my attention to Selene, continuing my playful antics.

Looking around to ensure no one is within hearing range, I lean in close to Selene and whisper into her ear, "It's so intriguing to see you like this. Younger." Selene responds with a noncommittal noise, indicating she heard me.

I move the hair away from her neck and lean in, but Selene interrupts my mischievous behavior with a simple command, "Behave." I sigh, annoyed at how she can read my mind sometimes.

Not giving up, I whisper " Don't worry my beloved, as much as this is still you. I'm not attracted to undeveloped little girls."

Selene elbows me so forcefully that the air leaves my lungs. I drop to my knees and she grabs my hair with anger in her eyes.

"Well I'm not attracted to little boys either, remember I fell in love with the 40 year old you." She whispers angrily.

She glares at me with such intensity that all I can feel is a mix of love and something deeper, darker. 

Our playful antics seem to have caught the attention of a small crowd, so I decide to act normal and stand up. I playfully approach Selene, but every time I try to get close, she playfully moves away. I continue this little game until eventually, I manage to wear her down and she relents, letting me get close again. Victory.

Suddenly, the ground beneath our feet shifts, and Selene and I find ourselves on a lower level, surrounded by a crowd of students. It seems we're in some sort of arena.

One of the bald twins speaks up, "I know you're confused. Before our lessons begin, we need to assess your combat levels. So, we'll have a little tournament."

"Don't mind those guys," the other twin adds, gesturing to a group of seniors, "they're just here to cheer on their beloved juniors."

I notice the seniors placing bets and jotting down notes, clearly getting ready for the tournament. I can't help but scoff at the insanity of the Tavill academy, not that I hate it.

"First position gets 1000 merits, second 600 merits, and third 200 merits," one of the twins announces.

"Since the usage of weapons is not allowed, it would be unfair to those who have just received weapons today. After all, some of you have been using them for years. That contest will happen at the end of the year," the other twin explains.

They then turn their attention to Selene and me, saying, "Show us what you've got. We heard that we've got some students who killed a grey wolf at the entrance ceremony this year. Surely it wasn't a fluke."

I can't help but wonder what we did to earn their attention like this.

Random match-ups begin, and as expected, most of the commoners are eliminated in the first three rounds of fighting. However, there are a few outliers like a guy named Shane. His fighting style looks rough, and I can't help but wonder what he went through to develop it. Despite my curiosity, I'm not particularly interested. If I've noticed him, I'm sure many other nobles have as well.

It's interesting to note that Tavill Academy actually accepts talented commoners. I'm not really sure about the selection process, since I just got here, being noble and all.

A compelling duel unfolds between Prince Mathius and Oliver Tidecaller, a direct descendant of the House of Seas. The match is neck and neck, with both displaying impressive skill. In the end, Oliver emerges victorious. I observe as he graciously extends a hand to help Prince Mathius up, a touching display of camaraderie. Kill me now.

Up next is my beloved against Carol Coralheart from the House of Skies. Her name should be a tongue twister can't help but chuckle at my own dry joke about Carol's name being a tongue twister. As expected, Carol doesn't last more than 5 minutes against Selene. So much for her big talk.

After a few more matches, it's my turn against a noble from the Dukedom of the House of Forest.

"Come at me with all you've got," he says, and I try to stifle a discreet yawn. He must have seen that and taken offense because he charges at me angrily. It's a basic mistake; being too emotional in a fight makes you sloppy.

I easily take him down.

As the fights progress, my boredom dissipates as the challenges become more intense. I shake my head disapprovingly when Dalton is eliminated. He seems ready to charge at me, but his lackeys stop him. Teenagers, I chuckle to myself.

My next opponent is from the House of Seas. I'm still a bit angry from the earlier struggle, with their Divine Beast, the stupid turtle. His defenses were dreadful. I believe I'm in the top 3 now. I watch as Selene fights against Oliver, he's good, but not good enough. Selene eventually wins.

"I don't think anyone expected this," one of the bald men says, his voice echoing through the arena. The other chimes in, "A final match between the two little lovers."

The excitement in the crowd rises, and I realize that the audience has grown larger since the matches began. When did it get like this?

*

A group of particular students in the crowd, their excitement palpable. It's the same group that was fixated on the orb during the entrance ceremony. They've decided to dub themselves 'SeThan'—a fan club dedicated to Selene and Nathaniel.

It's incredible to think that in just one night, four students decided to start this club. Even more surprising is that the gloomy guy is part of it too.

"Did you bring the recording crystal?" Student B asks eagerly.

"Of course I did," the gloomy guy responds, producing the crystal.

"I wonder who will win," muses Student C, fanning herself with a fan she won from a recent bet.(She bet on both Nathaniel and Selene getting into top 3)

"They're starting. Start the crystal," urges Student A.

This club, which started with just four members, will one day boast hundreds.

*

As I step into the arena, Selena stands confidently at the other end, tying her hair up into a ponytail.

"Any words for each other?" One of the bald men asks.

"Yeah, a correction," I reply, drawing the man's attention. "She's not my little girlfriend, she's my heart. Without her, I wouldn't exist," I declare loudly, causing some girls in the crowd to swoon.

"I meant in relation to the match," the man interjects, clearly annoyed.

"I just didn't want our relationship to be undermined by calling her my little girlfriend," I explain with a shrug. I wink at Selena, who responds with an eye roll.

"Start whenever you're ready," the man says before leaving the arena.

As soon as the man leaves the arena, I swiftly walk over to Selene and interlace my fingers with hers.

"I'm a honeytrap," I whisper softly.

"Haha, be serious," Selene laughs.

"Do you remember the first time I met you?" I ask her, a hint of nostalgia in my voice. She looks amused, indicating that she remembers quite well.

"Want to reminisce?" I propose.

"Anytime," Selene replies with a smile.

We separate and I walk to my end of the arena. The two instructors look annoyed, but I brush off their irritation.

I steel myself, take a deep breath, and look at Selene. She does the same. The gaze from those green eyes turns icy cold, looking at me as if I'm prey. It sends shivers down my back; the murderous aura emanating from her is practically tangible.

She's serious about this. I do the same, mentally transporting myself back twenty years.

*

The two of them lock eyes as if they are sworn enemies, circling each other in the arena. Every movement is calculated, each waiting for the other to make the first move. The air crackles with visible sparks and electricity between them, the tension so thick it's practically tangible. The crowd is hushed, watching in suspense as if they can feel the intensity of the moment.