Novel Full Chapter 877 - Taming the Fifth Year - Mysteries Enjoyment - 2
Chapter 877 – Taming the Fifth Year – Mysteries Enjoyment – 2
When Min stepped back after ensuring Taro was better, he looked at Ren with a smile that was unmistakably mischievous.
Ren recognized that expression. Years of friendship had taught him to read Min’s faces, and this one meant scheming. Preparation of something involving a surprise during tomorrow’s battle.
Not malice. Never malice with Min… But definitely mischief.
The kind of planning Min enjoyed because he enjoyed seeing reactions when revealing unexpected twists. The joy wasn’t in winning necessarily, though he certainly wanted that, but in moments where the opponent realized something they’d assumed was wrong.
Min loved that moment… Lived for it.
And tomorrow, apparently, Ren would be on the receiving end of that love.
Ren laughed when catching Min’s look. Genuine sound of amusement at his friend’s expression transparency.
But he didn’t say anything. Didn’t ask what specifically was being planned. Didn’t attempt extracting information about what tactics had been prepared.
He would wait until tomorrow to see what his mischievous friend was plotting. Would allow surprise to develop naturally rather than ruining it with premature curiosity.
Even if he was REALLY curious…
It was part of a game they’d established during years of friendship.
Ritual of friendship transcending the simple competition.
“So,” Taro said from his seat, “are we going to talk about how Ren used ice against Liora or are we pretending that didn’t happen?”
“I thought we were pretending,” Liu offered. “Seemed polite.”
“Very polite,” Min agreed. “Much more civilized than acknowledging Ren’s been holding back for the entire exam.”
Ren shrugged without particular embarrassment. “Seems like I have enemies so I need a good secret to keep.”
“Until Luna forces you to reveal the last one,” Taro pointed out.
“Well, if so… Until that,” Ren acknowledged. “But that’s why the battle with Liora and you was good. She and you pushed hard enough to make me regret it… And sorry, but I wasn’t holding back out of pity in the first place.”
“Ready for tomorrow?” Liu asked from a position near the window, his voice carrying genuine curiosity without the competitive edge he might have had if still participating in the exam.
“As ready as I can be,” Ren responded with honesty not needing exaggeration. “Luna and Min are likely going to be difficult even using ice.”
“We’re going to be cool,” Min said cheerfully.
“Probably,” Ren consented without particular concern.
“Wait, you’re supposed to argue that point so I can play with the word choice!” Min protested.
“Why? You might win. You’re both strong like Liora and Taro. Luna’s wolf is especially strong and weird in ways I don’t understand. And you’re obviously planning something based on that expression. Today I learned that two versus one when being of the relative same rank and power is really a big disadvantage.”
“But you’re not going to “win no matter what”?” Taro asked with curiosity that seemed genuinely interested.
Ren considered the question. Shook his head.
“Not really. Either I win or I don’t… Anyway it’ll be an interesting fight.”
“That’s very zen of you,” Liu observed.
“Lin’s been teaching me about not obsessing over outcomes. Focus on execution. Results follow from doing things correctly rather than from wanting results.”
“Wise teacher,” Taro said.
“Very wise… Probably just echoing grandma Selphira,” Ren agreed. “Wise and still terrifying, but that’s unrelated.”
They talked for another hour… About the future battle. About past battles. About what came after the exam ended and they returned to their normal academy schedule.
Easy conversations… Comfortable.
Ren returned to the balcony after they fell asleep.
What came after the exam ended… Luna’s problems, Larissa’s father… Even Liora’s promises. Ren sighted.
The moons had shifted positions slightly and another was present now. Time passing visibly in celestial motion.
Tomorrow’s battle would come in maybe 8-9 hours. Should sleep soon. Combat required rest.
But for now… Breathe night air, relax, try to forget about it for a moment and rest.
Maybe that’s why he started liking it so much, it helped distract him.
Yeah, as Finch says, let’s enjoy it while it lasts…
And Ren, under the moons while the academy slept around him, felt ready for whatever came next.
Win or lose. Surprise or expectation. Easy or difficult.
It would be fun.
♢♢♢♢
Luna sat on her bed in the large room she shared with Larissa, Liora, Mayo, Matilda, and Maria, watching her roommates while they prepared for sleep with routines established during years of cohabitation.
Six girls in one room. Could have been chaos… But actually, it was surprisingly organized.
Liora’s bed: northwest corner, closest to bathroom. She claimed it 1 year ago and defended it through a combination of early arrival and stubborn refusal to move.
Larissa’s bed: northeast corner, by the window. She enjoyed morning light. Said it helped her wake up naturally rather than through Mayo’s voice violence.
Luna’s bed: southeast corner. Strategically positioned to see the door and window simultaneously.
The maids slept together on the last side, a big bed but Matilda and Maria would always say it felt small sleeping with “sleep dancing Mayo”.
Luna had worries about tomorrow’s battle mixing with deeper anxieties about the situation Ren had helped reveal but for which she still had no clear solution.
Variables. Complications. Uncertainties.
But outwardly she tried hiding it. Maintained that composure mask she’d perfected during years of needing to appear strong even when feeling anything but.
It was a habit so ingrained she sometimes forgot she was acting. Line between the person she presented to the world and the person existing internally becoming blurred to the point where she wasn’t completely sure which Luna was “real.”
The strong one? The confident one who faced challenges without apparent fear?
Or the scared one? The uncertain one who questioned every decision and worried constantly about failing people who depended on her?
Probably both. Probably neither… Probably something in between that she hadn’t figured out yet.
Thanks to Ren bringing her back to a situation with less suffering, gift she couldn’t quantify in value terms because it transcended any metric she could apply, she’d permitted herself to open up to the girls again.
Larissa and Liora were already aware of most of what weighed on her. Shared knowledge that had relieved the burden of carrying secrets alone.
They’d returned to the same room after that period where Luna had insisted on isolation she’d thought would protect others from complications coming with being near her.
Truth: she’d been scared…
So she’d pushed distance. Convinced herself it was for their benefit rather than her cowardice.
But that idea had lasted only until Larissa and Liora had confronted her directly about the stupidity of pushing away people who loved you and wanted to help.