Heart to heart

An hour later, I walked into the infirmary a little nervous. Sophia was sitting on one of the beds. She seemed to have made a full recovery.

Once again I was amazed at the abilities of the Academy's healers. When I brought her there, she looked like she was going to faint at any moment.

«Hey, I brought you a clean uniform...» I said as I approached her.

«Oh, thank you.»

Sophia took the clothes I handed her and closed the curtains around the bed.

She opened them a few minutes later and what I saw almost made me burst out laughing.

"That's what I was worried about..."

Unable to enter her room, I had taken one of my spare uniforms from the wardrobe. Although we were about the same height, Sophia was very thin and... well, flat.

That's why my shirt looked comically large on her.

«Is something wrong?» she asked, giving me a dirty look.

«No, nothing! Umh, can I sit next to you?»

«Ok...» Sophia replied, moving slightly to the side to make room for me.

I sat down next to her on the bed.

Thanks to the duel, things seemed to be going in the right direction, but we still needed to talk and sort things out.

"Where to start..."

But before I could find the right words, Sophia broke the silence.

«I'm sorry.»

"Huh?"

Sophia continued, her face turned away to avoid my gaze:

«I... I had no idea that this duel was so important to you. I shouldn't have said those things to you. I was insensitive. In the end, you were right, it was far from a trivial duel.»

«I'm sorry too,» I replied immediately. «Instead of explaining how I felt, I shouted at you and made a mess for no reason. We're friends and I should have been honest with you instead of freaking out.... I'm sorry.»

«It's fine...»

We remained silent for a few minutes. Despite having apologised, I felt that the tension between us had not completely dissipated.

«Sophia... you're mad at me, aren't you? The duel was great, but like you said, it was pointless. After all the stuff you told me about not attracting attention... I pushed you to fight for no reason. I even showed some tactics that could be used against you.»

«I'm not angry.»

But by now I had known that strange girl for three months. From her tone, I could tell she wasn't telling the truth.

Gently, I took her by the chin and turned her face, forcing her to look me in the eye.

«If you're not angry, why are you pouting then? You know... sometimes you act like a child, it's kind of adorable!»

Sophia blushed furiously, broke free from my grasp and, pinching my cheek, she burst out:

«You know, sometimes you act like a pain in the ass, it's kind of unbearable!»

Perhaps it was the tension that had built up that day, but those words caused me to burst out laughing uncontrollably.

Soon Sophia joined in and our hysterical laughter filled the infirmary, drawing disapproving looks from the healers.

As I wiped the tears from my eyes, I couldn't help but think how beautiful Sophia was when she laughed. If only she did it more often....

It took us a good five minutes to compose ourselves.

«So was I right?» I asked her.

«No, no, I'm not mad at you, really. I'm more angry with myself, really. I... I thought I was over it by now.... But obviously I'm not.»

«Over it? What are you talking about?»

I had never seen that girl look so vulnerable.

«See... when I told you that my power was perfect for fighting magic... it was more for convincing myself. I wanted it to be true,» Sophia replied almost in a whisper.

«But it is true! You beat me, didn't you? You were right!»

Sophia shook her head.

«I wasn't. When you pinned me down with that spell, I realised there will always be something I haven't accounted for. Magic is so... unpredictable. Sure, I managed to free myself this time. But, correct me if I'm wrong, did you learn that spell just to defeat me, didn't you?»

I could only nod.

«See? Imagine if you had had more than a week to prepare. And even after that, when your strategy failed, you still almost beat me. You really are amazing. Anyway, thank you. You made me realise that I still have a long way to go if I want to win against magic...»

Her tone was bitter.

Despite her last words, it was clear that she had not taken it well. But for what reason?

«Sophia, why do you seem to hate magic so much? I understand that not being able to use it isn't ideal, but your innate power shouldn't make you regret it, should it?»

Sophia seemed to think for a moment before answering.

«It's a long and boring story. It's not important, really...»

As usual, when I asked her about herself, she tried to evade the question. But this time I wasn't going to give in.

«I want to hear it anyway. Sophia, we're friends, but I know almost nothing about you. I want to know you better!»

Surprised, Sophia stared at me for a few seconds.

Then she nodded.

«Alright... But not here.»

The girl stood up abruptly, took my hand and led me out of the infirmary.

«Hey! Easy!»

She pulled me with such force that I was afraid she would rip my arm off.

«Sorry... I'm a bit nervous...»

It wasn't like her to be so open about her feelings.

I sighed and let her lead me into her room.

I concentrated on Sophia's hand. There was very little feminine about it. It was hard and rough and I could feel calluses, probably from spending so much time wielding a sword.

Still, there was something reassuring about her firm grip. As she dragged me along, I couldn't help but think that I wouldn't have minded following her anywhere.

When we finally reached our destination and Sophia let go, my hand hurt a little.

As she sat down on the bed, the girl looked at me nervously.

«Are you sure you want to hear this story?»

«Why all this reluctance?Are you a secret agent for the king or something?»

«No, it's just that...For some reason you seem to have a lot of admiration for me, but when you hear what I have to say... you'll probably realise how lame I am...»

"Huh?"

«My dear, just two hours ago I watched you smash my Meteor in half.There is no way in the world I could consider you lame!»

Sophia huffed.

«Very well...»

She took a deep breath and began:

«My father is the Lord of a small town in the western regions...»

«WHAT!? You're a noble?»

«Technically, yes...But we're just baronets.I don't think anyone cares about the 'noble house of Thornton'. And anyway... you'll see, but don't interrupt me, it's hard enough to talk about it...»

«Sorry, go on.»

I was very surprised. On the one hand, Sophia seemed to take care of her appearance. But her attitude was nothing like the nobles I was used to seeing.

With Celeste, for example, although she was extremely atypical, you could tell from the way she walked that she came from an aristocratic background.

Sophia continued:

«I was a bit frail as a child and spent a lot of time reading in the palace library. But that was fine with me.To be honest, I don't remember much about that time, but I'm sure I was happy.»

The girl smiled for a moment, but the smile faded immediately.

«But it didn't last long. When I grew up, things got bad. Until then, I had never shown the slightest inclination towards magic but my parents were understanding. After all, it is not unusual for mana to develop suddenly when you get older. But when I turned fourteen and still couldn't levitate a feather, well, they gave up hope. When it came time for the mana measuring ritual, things got much worse.»

«They tried to get a strange arcanist to examine me. They even made me drink various strange potions. But there was no way.

It was clear that they thought it impossible that someone like me could be their daughter... Meanwhile, I tried day and night to cast a single spell... but nothing. It was clear that I was defective.»

«Don't say that...»

But Sophia continued.

«That was when I first picked up a sword... Honestly, I don't even remember how it happened. But if magic was completely foreign to me, the sword was like an extension of my arm. It was so natural. I soon became very, very good at it, so much so that I could easily defeat even the city guards.»

Sophia's face darkened.

«Stupid as I was, I decided to show my parents what I could do. Sure, I couldn't cast spells, but I was a sword prodigy. I wanted to hear them say that I was worth something too. I will never forget the look of disgust on my father's face. He told me plainly: I was the ruin of his family. The "noble house of Thornton" would have died with me, no nobleman would have wanted to marry someone as lacking in magic as I was.

Despite my best efforts, I was nothing but a disgrace to my parents. I could no longer bear to be in their sight, I fled the palace that very evening...»

Tears were now streaming down my face. I wanted to embrace her, but I decided to let her finish.

«I ended up in the capital. When I escaped, I took all my belongings with me. I made a lot of money selling them. I went to an alchemist and used everything I had to buy transfiguration potions. I used them to take the form of an older boy and enlisted in the royal army under a false name. I stayed there for two years, until my innate power manifested itself.»

That explained a lot. That was why she was not as graceful as other nobles. She had lived as a soldier for two years!

«Then I returned home,» Sophia continued, «I thought that now that I had this incredible power, my parents would be proud of me.»

A bitter smile formed on Sophia's lips.

«A freak. That's what they called me...»

«That's... horrible...» I murmured between sobs.

Sophia smiled at me.

«It's okay. From that moment on, I made up my mind. I would prove to the world that magic was no match for my power. From then on, I would cut through every spell...»

She finished:

«That is all. I told you... I'm lame. Even though I know I shouldn't let what my parents said affect me... I still haven't gotten over it. After all this time, I'm still letting them influence me.»

Now that she had finished, I could no longer hold back. I got up from the chair and threw myself on top of her, wrapping my arms around her and dropping her onto the bed. I began to sob into her chest.

«Elizabeth!? For fuck's sake, you're such a crybaby!»

But she surrendered to my embrace, gently stroking my hair.

«I'm sorry, it's just... so unfair. How could they treat you like this? How could they not see what an extraordinary person you are!»

«What are you talking about...»

Maybe her modesty wasn't so false after all, after being shunned for most of her life, she desperately needed validation.

If that was what she wanted, I was the perfect person to give it to her.

«I'm telling the truth, you're amazing!

Despite everything you have been through, you have had the strength to react. Damn it, you pretended to be a boy and joined the army, you're crazy! And now, come on, how can you even think of being lame? You're the coolest girl I know.

Ever since I saw you duel for the first time, I can't stop looking at you. You're so strong and brave, and the way you fight is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. And then, when you burst through the door to save me.... What I want to say is... your idiot parents may think you are a disgrace, but I... I'm proud to be your friend.

And if anyone ever dares to insult you like that from now on, I will blow them away, as you know I can do!»

«Elizabeth...»

Sophia remained silent. I felt her hand tremble on my back.

«Thank you. I... now that you know everything, you'll understand that before you, I never... I mean... you're the first friend I've ever had. I don't really know how to behave around you. Even if we end up fighting sometimes, like this time, I hope... you still want to stay by my side.»

«We're in the same boat... sometimes I don't know how to behave with you either.»

Although I also had Amy and Celeste as friends, my relationship with Sophia was definitely different.

It was like...

"No... what am I thinking..."

«Sophia...»

«Yes?»

«I will always be by your side. I will witness every effort you make to reach your goal.... But I'm sorry.»

«Sorry for what?»

Using my arms for support, I lifted myself up and hovered over her, my eyes locked with hers.

«I have no intention of letting you win. One day I will show you a spell you cannot cut through. Until then, I want you to watch me.»

Sophia looked at me.

And I looked at her.

For some reason, my heart was beating so fast that I was afraid it would burst out of my chest.

And then...

My hand slipped.

«Ow!» we both shouted in unison as our heads collided.

«You're an idiot!» Sophia scolded me, massaging her forehead.

«Sorry, my mana is low...»

«Then go and rest!»

«Okay, Mum!»

I got out of bed and opened the door to the room, but before I could leave...

«Don't worry... I only have eyes for you...»

Instinctively, I covered the ear where Sophia had just whispered those words.

But before I could turn around, she pushed me out of the room and slammed the door.

Ten minutes later, I was literally brutalising my pillow.

"I WANT TO DIE! KILL ME NOW!"

Perhaps Sophia had another innate power: the ability to make me say terribly embarrassing things.

"One day I'll show you a spell you can't break. Until then, I want you to watch me."

I buried my flaming face in the blankets.

She wasn't playing around either though.

"I only have eyes for you..."

If someone this morning had told me that Sophia would say those words to me, I would have thought they were crazy.

But I had seen a new side of her.

Sure, the girl thought her story would ruin the image I had of her.

But in truth, my respect for Sophia had only grown. As a friend, I wanted to give her all the affection her stupid parents hadn't given her.

As a friend...

I only have eyes for you...

No... it couldn't be.

Sophia had told me clearly that she wasn't sure how to act around me. She probably just said the first words that came to mind.

Words that now echoed in my ears and made me blush furiously.

"Friends... huh?"

Exhausted, I slipped into a peaceful sleep, cradled by the precious memories I had created that day.