Sping in Darkness

Valencia ate her meal without a word back to Kael. He watched her in silence, waiting. Once she finished hesitantly, he grabbed the tray and left it outside by the door. Then he returned to her side and grabbed her shoulders. He leaned on one of them.

“Is… everything alright?” he asked.

Valencia gulped, her jaw tightening.

“I’m just… tired from last night.” A lie that came too smoothly.

Kael grinned bitterly as he pulled her head back and kissed her.

“Then… would you mind explaining to me why you’re interested in knowing about the previous Light Esper before me?”

She flushed, restraining her anger from exploding. She clutched the armchair tightly.

“I’ve always been curious… what do you know about my mother and the previous Espers before you?” Valencia suddenly admitted.

Kael’s jaw tensed as his eyes twitched.

“I thought… you would never ask,” he replied. Then he sat down in front of her, taking a deep breath. “All I know is from stories. Your mother was an S-Rank Guide, whom everyone wished to be paired with.”

[FLASHBACK]

Young Persai hugged her books and walked to class in the Academy. Men wooed her as she walked by, mustering the courage to talk to a Duke’s daughter.

“Hm… Lady Elyane?” a man called, blushing.

Persai looked and smiled brightly.

“Lord Etheral, what do you ask of me?”

“I was wondering if… after the academy, if you want to… check if you will match with me. What do you say?”

Some men in the back cackled as they watched and listened. Persai noticed that they were laughing at Etheral for trying.

“Well, we can’t really say unless we try… however, if the compatibility does match, then we shall see.”

A man smirked and stormed through the crowd as those who saw him paved a way for him. Dirty blonde… grey eyes. Young Roman.

He grabbed Persai’s hand and kissed its knuckles.

“Lady Elyane, please do not mind these mydlers… they’re nothing but low-rank Espers,” he mocked.

Etheral glared at Roman, yet he bowed hesitantly.

“Your Highness…”

Persai retracted her hand.

“Thank you, but no thanks… no matter who we are, our powers are important to the world. We use these powers gifted from Athesia to make sure the Demon King doesn’t harm the people.”

Roman smirked, holding her hand forcefully.

“I know that…” he replied. She pulled away as hard as she could, yet he wouldn’t allow her. “I am, after all… the Light Esper, which everyone depends on.”

Persai dropped her books before slapping his hand off, quickly falling—

“Are you okay, My Lady?” young Eureon’s voice asked.

Persai gasped, looking up and locking eyes with him. The purple stars in his eyes captivated her like a spell. She blushed as she couldn’t find the words to speak.

“Come on, Eureon! The lady just wanted the attention she normally gets!” Roman joked, laughing.

Persai bit her lower lip. You scum of a bastard!

Eureon sighed heavily, picking up her books for her. Then he handed them to her.

“Roman, in the academy, you can get a warning for bullying your underclassmates. Please refrain from getting in any more trouble,” Eureon warned.

Roman scoffed, stepping forward.

“Look, just because my parents really cherish your Void powers, it doesn’t mean you can talk back to me!”

“Roman, your grip on her hand harmed her fragile skin. Just like how your look is fragile, you must be cautious…”

Roman clenched his fists. This annoying prick! A commoner from the slum to be a Void Esper?! If I do anything wrong to him, my father will definitely punish me. Unbelievable!

“Suit yourself, commoner!” Roman exclaimed, brushing Eureon’s shoulder and walking away.

Eureon groaned before reaching a hand to Persai. She looked up at him and then at his hand.

“The ground is too dirty for you to stay…” he smiled gently. “You should get up before people think I bullied you.”

Persai nodded and grabbed his hand. Eureon pulled her up before smiling. Then he bowed and walked away. She couldn’t stop herself from staring at his back, blushing.

“I can’t believe that scary Void Esper just talked to a Light Esper like an equal…” one snickered.

“Hah! He is from the slums. A nobody that anyone likes!”

Persai listened to each of these remarks, her heart aching. He’s a Void Esper? The only Void Esper?

YEARS LATER - AFTER GRADUATING FROM THE ACADEMY

Persai entered the Office of Affairs to check her rank. As she walked through the entrance, many others chuckled.

“Did you hear? His Highness is Rank S as a Light Esper!”

Ladies squealed excitedly.

“I hope I am his guide. Oh, how nice it would be to be engaged with a prince?”