"We never really escape our past. We just try to act normal until something reminds us we haven't."

Late evening had settled in, and most students were already in their respective rooms. Some were chatting with their families online, others munching on snacks, a few locked into gaming with blank expressions, and the rest fast asleep as if hit by lightning.

Aiden’s room, as usual, looked like a hurricane had passed through. He was sleeping soundly, half-sprawled on the bed, socks mismatched. Right beside the bed, Ryu lay on the floor, equally knocked out. Books were scattered across the table, his bag tossed carelessly to the side.

The next morning arrived with a warm breeze and golden sunlight. It was already 7 AM when Ryu woke up—surprisingly, not in a rush today. He blinked at the ceiling, stretched, and glanced at the calendar.

"Two more weeks until the entrance exams, but P.E. will surely break my back! I don't know why I even signed up for." he muttered.

He made up his mind: a short break wouldn’t hurt. A day or two of rest, then he'd join a cram school.

He popped a few slices of bread into the toaster, warmed some milk, and went off to freshen up.

Elsewhere, Aiden was still half-asleep, sitting in front of the TV, yawning as the weather report played:

"Today’s forecast: sunny skies with scattered humidity. Some regions may see light rain, but overall, a bright day ahead..."

Still groggy, he freshened up, grabbed breakfast, and stood by the window, daydreaming. Outside, two stray cats were strolling down the road when a dog suddenly appeared and barked at them, the cats curved and hissed at it starting a chaotic brawl.

Aiden blinked.

“Shut It!.”

He snapped his fingers, sending a harmless fireball to scare them away. Then, he chased the dog with magic to nearby shelter—not enough to burn, just enough to scare.

Back in Ryu’s house, he enjoyed a quiet breakfast, a chill song playing softly on his phone. After finishing, he called Aiden.

“Hello?” Ryu’s voice cracked slightly, hesitant on the other end.

“Yeah, it’s me.” Aiden’s casual reply came without surprise.

“…It’s me, Ryu.”

“I know that, Caller ID exists--Dumbass” Aiden responded, sounding bored.

“Anyways, You free today? Let’s play some games.”

“Of course I am not. What about training? You already have a tragic rep in P.E.” replied Ryu with a sigh.

“Who cares? Just this once. Besides… I’m leaving in a few days.”

“Leaving?” Gasped Ryu. "Where?"

“Yeah. Visiting my gran’s. I won’t be at school. You’ll rot alone on your sad little bench.”

“Hey—watch it.” Ryu sighed. “Alright, alright. I’ll come over after school.”

Later that day, Ryu arrived at Aiden’s room to find him lounging on the couch, munching on chips. The place looked worse than before.

Ryu somehow not surprised just making a wierded out face as if he was thinking how can a person survive like this “Before anything, we’re cleaning this garbage dump.” he said.

Aiden stood up and said “Nooo… That’s the worst part of you visiting.”

Aiden looked around. “It’s so spacious in here—don’t you see it?”

Ryu smirked. “Oh, I see it. That space.”

“Be thankful I even help you clean.”

“Yeah, yeah. Thanks, whatever.” replied Aiden.

Once the room was somewhat tidied, Aiden pulled out an old cassette and popped it into the player.

“Finally, its game time!”

Aiden shook his head. “Y’know, if you just bought a TV, we could play at your place without this cleanup ritual.”

“If I had a TV, I’d never visit your dump.” said Ryu.

“…Fair. Anyway, get ready to lose.”

“Wait—got snacks?” asked ryu tapping the controller.

“Of course. Hold on.”

Aiden rummaged through his drawer but froze when Ryu casually dropped, “You lied about visiting your gran.”

"His body twitched, like a strict lady had just tapped him on the shoulder. His hand froze above the chip bag. Without a word, he shook his head and slumped back onto the couch."

Later that evening, they dosed off playing. And, the next day in their practice they sat outside the head trainer’s office—arms crossed, both silent.

“…I should’ve just gone to P.E.” Ryu murmered

“You did. You just left early. Half points.”

Ryu's forehead creased as he glared at him. "How-"

The trainer snapped a thin stick in irritation, his forehead veins popping.

Detention.

Inside the dull room, Aiden dozed off like he had achieved something. Ryu glared.

“Skipping training again. Sneaking to the roof again. And somehow I got dragged along. Again.” mumbled Ryu and swiftly turned his head towards Aiden

Aiden snored.

Ryu yelled in his ear, “WAKE UP!”

Aiden bolted upright, groaning and covering his ears.

“You’re unbelievable.”

"Unbelievable? You are the one who suits this title. You alw-"

“Maybe you’re just bad at sneaking.” Aiden mumbled and wrapped his jacket over his head covering his ears.

Hours later, they sat at opposite ends of an empty lounge. Outside, the sky burned orange.

Ryu stared blankly at the floor. Aiden leaned back, arms folded behind his head, eyes half-closed.

He stood up, walked over, and waved a hand in front of Ryu’s face. No reaction.

He made a wierd face. “Ryu’s constipated arc, part one.”

Still nothing. He sighed, walked around a bit, folded his arms, tapped his foot, swatted at a few flies—and finally sat down beside him. Aiden finally spoke-

“…You can tell me, y’know. I’ve been noticing. Two days now.” Eyes closed like unbothered.

“It’s nothing.” replied ryu

"Your silence has layers, man. Like onions—ah! I crave onion rings." His mouth watered as his thoughts drifted away, but he shook his head and came back to reality.

A pause.

“You saw something. Or remembered something. Which is it?” asked Aiden

“I said it’s nothing.”

Aiden shrug. “Alright. Just figured… since we’re stuck here, we could at least not be tragic in silence.”

Another pause.

“I get it. Families can suck. Or… just not make sense.”

“...Why say that randomly?” asked Ryu.

“Because today was the first time I saw you flinch during one of my magic sessions. Not the first time ever, but… this time felt different. Like you remembered something—like seeing someone triggered it.”

Silence again. Ryu’s hand tightened on his wrist.

Inside his mind, a calm, ancient voice echoed.

“Still brooding, I see.”

“You again. Why?”

“I live here, remember? Your spiritual sea. Rent-free.” replied Sage.

“You sound like a parasite. And what spiritual sea, you are just making nonsense” said Ryu.

“Parasite? No. Benefactor. THAT'S NOT THE WAY TO TALK!” Sage shouted.

“Just a voice in my head.” Ryu sighed.

“You flinched—not at power, but at what it reminded you of. That pain? You’ve buried it deep. But pressure builds.”

“I can handle it. And don't assume you know what I have in my mind”

“Are you dumb." Sage said with an unusual tone. "Ahm! For now. But one day? That silence will crack. And you’ll hurt someone you didn’t mean to.”

“Why tell him anything?” asked Ryu

“Because carrying it alone doesn’t make you strong. It just makes you sink. Even a fragment of truth… can keep you from drowning.”

Back in reality, Aiden broke the silence.

“I’m not gonna ask again. But… we barely know each other. Wouldn’t kill to know the guy who keeps saving my lazy ass.” replied Aiden olding his hands.

Ryu exhaled, eyes closed.

“…I don’t remember everything. But what I do… isn’t sunshine.”

Aiden didn’t interrupt.

“My father… was a well-known mage. But he never helped me. Never even looked at me like I had a chance.”

He stared at the floor.

“Whenever I failed with magic, he got mad. Not disappointed—angry. Like I was wasting his bloodline.”

“I thought he hated me. And slowly… I started hating him back.”

The room stayed still.

“...That sucks.” Aiden replied.

Another pause.

“But hey. On the bright side… now I know why your knowledge almost always kicks.”

Ryu snorted.

Just a little.

And the silence finally cracked.

Chapter End

.....................................................................................................................................

Arc 2: Trials of Strength