"Are you really okay, Xanthe?" Iria shouted, her voice shaking with panic. "I swear to God—that wasn't me! That's not my power!"
She shot a furious glare at the three girls and two boys standing near the lockers. "I swear, it was them."
I followed her gaze just in time to see the five of them turning away, pretending nothing had happened. Avoiding us. Avoiding me.
I let out a slow breath.
"It's okay," I said quietly. "I can't really blame them. I'm new here. I don't even know what my ability is yet." I shrugged lightly. "They probably just feel like it's unfair."
I didn't add that I was already used to that feeling—from home, from before the academy. Being misunderstood wasn't new to me.
Suddenly, Iria wrapped herself around my arm, clinging tightly.
"That's why I like you so much," she said dramatically, her eyes misty. "You're way too kind, Xanthe. I knew I made the right choice picking you as my friend!"
I laughed softly. "You're exaggerating."
"No, I'm not!" she insisted. "From now on, we're best friends. No backing out. If you do, I'll be heartbroken."
"You're impossible," I said, laughing again.
"And proud of it."
"It's good that you already have a new friend."
I turned around and froze.
Sailor stood a few steps away.
He was smiling.
Not the cold, distant expression I was used to—this was different. Subtle. Rare. Like a crack in a wall he'd spent years building around himself.
For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
"Uh… yeah," I said, suddenly awkward. "I'm glad Iria was there."
He nodded, briefly glancing at Iria, who was still wrapped around my arm.
"Water chooses well," he said.
"Hey!" Iria grinned proudly. "Of course it does. She's my best friend."
Sailor's lips curved again before his face returned to its usual seriousness. He stepped closer—just enough that only I could hear him.
"Be careful of those who rush to show their power," he said quietly. "Especially those who envy you."
I frowned. "I don't even know why they're acting like that. I don't have any power."
For a second, he was silent. Then his gaze dropped to the necklace resting against my chest.
"You do," he murmured. "You just don't know how to listen to it yet."
Before I could ask what he meant, a stern-looking academy guard approached him. Sailor nodded and turned back to me.
"I have to go," he said. "But remember this, Xanthe—if something feels wrong, don't ignore it."
"You sound like you're always warning me," I joked, trying to lighten the mood.
He didn't smile this time.
"That's because you're always in danger."
Then he turned and walked away.
Even when he was gone, his presence lingered—like cold air after a storm.
"Wow," Iria whispered. "Are you two close?"
"No!" I answered too quickly, my cheeks warming. "He's just… weird."
She laughed. "If that's weird, I hope everyone's weird."
As we walked toward our next class, I unconsciously touched my necklace. It was quiet now—but not empty. It felt like something was gathering inside it. Waiting.
Iria squeezed my hand, making me look at her. She smiled warmly, as if promising everything would be okay.
"Don't be scared, Xanthe," she said confidently. "If anyone bullies you, I'll soak them with ice-cold water!"
I laughed. "That's not how it works."
"Oh, but it could be."
"Xanthe!"
I frowned as someone waved at me from down the hall.
Eryx.
What was he doing here? I was sure his class was in a different wing.
Iria frowned too. "Do you know him?"
"Yes," I said. "Why?"
She made a face. "Nothing."
"Did he do something to you?"
She shook her head, looking tired. "No… I just don't like fire element users. You know I'm water-aligned. Fire types aren't really my thing."
"Oh," I said simply.
I walked toward Eryx while Iria took a seat nearby.
"Hi, Xanthe!" he greeted brightly.
"Hey, Eryx. What are you doing here?" I asked.
"I followed you," he admitted sheepishly. "Why didn't you go to the science lab?"
"I just…" I hesitated. I couldn't say Sailor warned me. "I wasn't comfortable."
He smiled like he understood anyway. "That's fine. No pressure. Maybe later?"
I glanced at Iria, who smiled at me knowingly, as if saying you'll have time.
"I just wanted to check if you're okay," Eryx continued. "Earlier… something reacted around you. Your power, didn't it?"
I nodded, gripping my necklace. "Yeah. It feels like it has a mind of its own."
"Interesting," he said, eyes lighting up. "Your Soul Fire and that necklace—they're connected. That's probably why it reacts to strong elements here."
Suddenly, I felt it.
I looked down the hallway.
Sailor was standing there, watching. He didn't approach, but his presence felt heavy—protective. Warning.
The necklace shimmered faintly.
Eryx noticed. He exhaled slowly. "Feels like someone's telling you to be careful, doesn't it?"
"Yes," I whispered. "Like they're always there. Even when I don't see them."
He nodded, serious now. "Xanthe… there are forces drawn to you. And even if he doesn't say it, Sailor protects you."
I swallowed. "Does he know how scared I am sometimes?"
Eryx smiled gently. "You're not alone. I'll help you understand your power. You don't have to face this by yourself."
And for the first time since arriving at the academy—
I almost believed him.
_____
"Hey!"
I nearly jumped out of my seat when Iria suddenly called my name. She burst out laughing at my reaction, which only made me glare at her.
"Iria!" I snapped. "If I had a heart attack just now, I'd already be dead."
She laughed even harder. Completely unapologetic.
"That's your fault. I've been talking nonstop and you weren't even listening," she said dramatically. "You just hurt my feelings."
I shook my head, about to apologize—until my gaze drifted past her.
Sailor was standing in line, ordering food.
I didn't even realize I was staring until Iria elbowed me hard enough to make my eyes widen.
"You," she teased. "You're totally hiding something. You like Sailor, don't you?"
"What? No!" I denied too quickly. "I'm just… curious about him. He feels familiar. Like I've known him for a long time."
Iria frowned, studying me now instead of teasing.
"Are you serious?" she asked, glancing back at Sailor with suspicion. "That's… weird."
"Why?" I asked. "What did you hear?"
The way she hesitated told me everything.
She leaned close, her lips brushing my ear as she whispered, "I overheard Miss Principal earlier. She said Sailor's soul is… old. Like, really old. Maybe you knew him in a past life?"
My chest tightened violently.
A past life?
I pressed a hand against my heart as my breathing grew shallow.
"H-Hey, don't say things like that," I laughed weakly. "That's creepy."
But before Iria could reply—
The necklace around my neck heated up.
Not warmth.
Not discomfort.
It felt alive.
Energy surged through me, rushing into my veins like lightning. I squeezed my eyes shut as the world tilted.
"Xanthe?" Iria's voice echoed. "Are you okay?"
I couldn't answer.
The cafeteria blurred. Voices faded. The noise dissolved into silence.
And then—
I saw him.
Sailor.
But not as he was now.
His hair was longer. His shoulder was soaked in blood. His eyes—those same eyes—were shattered with grief.
He was holding my hand. Tight. Desperate.
"Don't forget me," he whispered. "Even if you disappear… even if you reincarnate."
Tears slid down my face.
"I didn't mean to," I sobbed, though I didn't know who I was apologizing to.
Light exploded around us.
"XANTHE!"
I gasped awake.
Iria was gripping my shoulders, panic written all over her face. "You went pale and just froze! What did you see?"
My hands trembled as I clutched my necklace again.
Slowly, I looked toward the food line.
Sailor was staring at me.
He wasn't smiling.
He wasn't cold.
He looked afraid.
He walked toward me, ignoring the stares, stopping just inches away. His voice was barely audible.
"Do you remember now?"
My chest constricted.
"H-Huh?" I asked. "Remember what?"
The moment he realized he'd let his guard down, he released my wrist. I stared at him, confused.
He turned to leave.
Without thinking, I grabbed his wrist.
I didn't know why.
I just knew—I couldn't let him go.
"What do you think you're doing?" he asked sharply, eyebrow raised. He looked annoyed, but Iria looked terrified.
"Don't avoid my question, Valecrest."
His eyes flicked around. Everyone was watching.
Suddenly, it felt like something invisible was forcing my fingers open.
I let go.
"Let me go," he said quietly, dangerously, "or I might hurt you."
Before I could respond, he walked away—leaving me frozen.
Iria squeezed my hand. "Xanthe… are you okay?"
"I'm fine," I lied. "Go ahead to class. I need some air."
I didn't wait for her answer.
I ended up on the mountain near the school.
The wind picked up suddenly—unnatural, violent. Leaves spiraled toward me like they were being dragged by something unseen.
I shut my eyes—
But before it hit me, the wind split in half.
Sailor stood in front of me, one hand raised, power radiating from him.
Our eyes met.
My heart pounded.
The wind slowly calmed, as if even nature was listening.
"Why do you always get in danger when I'm not around?" he asked softly.
I frowned. "Is that my fault now?"
A faint smile crossed his face—strained, but real. He stepped closer, close enough that I could feel his warmth despite the cold air.
"No," he said. "It's not."
Something twisted painfully in my chest.
"You didn't have to do that," I whispered. "I'm not your responsibility."
He hesitated. His hand lifted, stopping inches from my cheek—then fell back to his side.
"If only I could believe that," he murmured.
Our eyes locked.
"Xanthe," he said slowly, carefully. "There are things you shouldn't know yet. Not because I don't want to tell you—"
"But because you don't want me to get hurt," I finished.
He exhaled sharply.
"I already am," I admitted. "Whenever I'm near you, something feels missing… and whole at the same time."
For the first time, he lost control—not of his power, but of his emotions.
"You're dangerous to love," he said plainly.
"And you're more dangerous to avoid," I replied.
He froze.
Between us, something unseen stirred—an old memory struggling to rise. My necklace glowed softly, pulsing with my heartbeat.
He reached for my hand—not to pull me closer, not to stop me.
Just to let me know he was there.
"When the time comes," he promised, "I'll tell you everything."
"Promise?" I asked.
He nodded, eyes steady, sincere.
"Promise."