Twenty-nine

Eloise, thoroughly exhausted yet invigorated by her intense workout and the knowledge she had gained, nodded in acknowledgement and wiped the beads of sweat from her brow. Her determination and anticipation for the following day's training were palpable in her voice as she replied to Orobarian, "Yes, I'll see you tomorrow."

Upon entering her home, Eloise stepped through the front door and was greeted by her master, Alana. Alana's eyes twinkled mischievously as she observed Eloise, playfully teasing, "You're coming home later and later. Tell me, Eloise, do you have a secret girlfriend you're seeing on the sly?"

Eloise chuckled, thoroughly amused by Alana's banter, and shook her head. "No, I don't have a girlfriend. I've been training to face someone from the council," she responded, her voice brimming with excitement.

Intrigued by Eloise's remark, Alana raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Interesting. Well, I hope you win," she remarked, her voice exuding support and confidence in Eloise's abilities.

Eloise's grin widened, mischief twinkling in her eyes. "Yes, don't worry. You want me to demonstrate?" she proposed, her voice playfully challenging.

Alana's competitive spirit ignited, and her eyes widened with enthusiasm. "Absolutely! Why don't we head to the garden?" she suggested, assuming a fighting stance, her body poised for action.

Mirroring Alana's position, Eloise matched her energy, their surroundings buzzing with excitement and anticipation. With lightning-fast speed, Eloise delivered a swift punch, refraining from employing any magical assistance. Alana, caught off guard, was unable to dodge the blow and took the hit.

In retaliation, Alana flicked her wrist, skillfully targeting Eloise's vulnerable spot. The strike landed with precision, momentarily stunning Eloise and knocking her off balance.

Just as the confrontation reached its peak, Lucy, Eloise's mother, arrived on the scene, observing the exchange with a knowing smile. "For now, Alana, she may not be able to beat you. But who knows? Maybe one day she will," she commented, her voice brimming with excitement and encouragement.

Alana winced, cradling her arm where Eloise's punch had landed. "Lucy, please help me. I think she broke my arm," she pleaded, her tone laced with a mix of pain and desperation.

Lucy's eyes widened in surprise. "Seriously, Alana?" she exclaimed, rushing to her lover's side to assess the injury.

Alana nodded, her face contorted with discomfort. "Yes, take a look for yourself," she replied, her voice strained.

Lucy carefully examined Alana's arm, confirming her suspicions. "Yes, your arm is indeed broken," she stated matter-of-factly, her voice tinged with concern.

Amber, known for her gift in healing magic, stepped forward, offering her assistance. "Don't worry, I'll fix it for you. It's not that difficult," she assured Alana, her tone reassuring and comforting.

Harnessing her magical abilities, Amber focused her powers on Alana's injured arm, mending the broken bones with ease. Alana sighed in relief, grateful for the immediate alleviation of pain. "Thank you, Amber," she expressed, her voice filled with genuine gratitude.

As Alana's gaze shifted back to Eloise, a newfound respect gleamed in her eyes. "She will become incredibly strong in the future," she murmured, a blend of admiration and determination evident in her voice.

The day of the fight had finally arrived, and Eloise could feel a mix of excitement and determination coursing through her veins. She stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her gloves and checking her reflection one last time. "Today is the day of the fight," she thought to herself, a fierce determination in her eyes. "I am ready, and I don't intend to lose."

Before she made her way to the school courtyard, Lucy, Alana and Amber gathered around to wish her luck. Alana stepped forward, a supportive smile on her face. "Good luck, Eloise, and above all, bring us a victory," she encouraged. Lucy and Amber joined in, echoing their well wishes. "Good luck," they both chimed in unison.

Meanwhile, Alice found herself in a constant struggle to keep up with Maria, who seemed to effortlessly evade her every attempt at discreetly tailing her. Perched on a rooftop, Alice observed Maria's movements intently, her eyes fixated on the graceful figure that seemed to effortlessly navigate through the bustling streets below. The frustration of being unable to keep pace gnawed at Alice's determination. "It's really hard to follow Maria," she lamented internally, her brows furrowing in concentration. "She keeps getting away from me. But I have a feeling that this time it will be different. This time, I'll uncover the truth."

Unbeknownst to Alice, Maria had sensed her presence for quite some time. As a seasoned individual who was well-versed in the art of awareness, Maria couldn't help but notice Alice's persistent presence. Curiosity piqued, she pondered silently, her mind swirling with questions. "Why is Alice following me everywhere?" Maria wondered, a tinge of curiosity lacing her thoughts. "And why is she not even trying to be discreet about it?"

As Alice concealed herself on the roof, Maria's keen senses guided her closer to her pursuer. With calculated steps and an innate sense of stealth, she closed the distance between them. Suddenly, Maria's presence startled Alice, causing her to jump and lose her footing. Panic surged through her as she found herself teetering on the edge of the roof, her heart pounding in her chest. It was in that split second that Alice's life seemed to hang in the balance, but to her immense relief, Maria's quick reflexes came to the rescue. With swift agility, Maria managed to catch Alice just in the nick of time, averting a potentially disastrous fall.

"Oh, hi, Maria," Alice stammered, her voice trembling with a mix of surprise, gratitude, and embarrassment. She couldn't believe the sudden turn of events and the unexpected rescue from the person she had been trailing.

Maria's gaze bore into Alice's bewildered eyes as she maintained her grip, concern etched on her features. The silence between them grew heavy, the unspoken questions filling the air. "What were you doing spying on me?" Maria questioned, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and a hint of frustration.

Caught off guard by the directness of the question, Alice struggled to come up with a convincing explanation. Flustered and overwhelmed, she blurted out, "No, not at all. I was just there by chance. I didn't mean to follow you. It was a coincidence."

Alice's attempt to flee from Maria's arms was met with unexpected contact, her hand inadvertently brushing against Maria's chest. A sudden surge of warmth and a deep blush spread across Maria's cheeks, betraying her surprise at Alice's accidental gesture. Maria released her hold on Alice, gently placing her back on the floor, her mind filled with a mixture of emotions.

Taking a moment to compose herself, Maria hesitated, weighing her words carefully before speaking. "What do you want from me, Alice?" she asked, her voice soft yet laced with a hint of caution.

Alice's mind raced, desperately searching for the right words to make an excuse. Then, an idea blossomed in her head, and she decided to reveal something that was in her mind. Taking a deep breath, her voice trembled slightly as she began, "Well, since you want to know the truth, I'll tell you." Alice's gaze met Maria's, her eyes filled with sincerity and vulnerability. "I love you, Maria."