Trizstan took a moment to consider his response, looking off into the ceiling, like he could find the answer written somewhere on that white base. 

“Well, we were classmates at Spirit Academy,” he started, tone chipper. “We were in our fourth year at the academy when the war broke out. And just like that—the monarchy ordered all men from the academy, eighteen years or older to go to the front lines.”

Robin knew this part—or at least Trizstan’s political stance on the war. The conflict had subsided in recent years, but it was ongoing. Spiriter students were still being conscripted after graduation.

Robin wasn’t an expert on the politics or the historical nuances, but what she knew was that there were talks of Volnyr joining New Baymort as the 21st region, but Tsarnia attempted to siege the region first. Regardless of the details, in her eyes: New Baymort soldiers, Tsarnian soldiers… They were all the same. Fighting for a territory that didn’t belong to either of them.

The only people she had any sympathy for were those from Volnyr. 

Robin listened intently as Trizstan continued, “Our class consisted of thirteen people. Twelve men, and one woman…” He turned to Robin and smiled again, showing his teeth as he gave that familiar, almost careless shrug. “I simply didn’t want to get involved in any of that. And I happened to have the means to make it happen."

Robin nodded—that part she wholeheartedly agreed with. 

Shaking his head, Trizstan let out a long sigh, as though the memory itself was laughable. “But Mr. Aldrick is a bitter man. I tried to explain it to him—many times. If he had the money, he would have done the same.”

As Robin listened, she realized something crucial…

Mr. Aldrick’s thoughts from earlier…

‘Was it Trizstan’s doing too?’

This had to be what Mr. Aldrick was alluding to earlier, right?  He knew Trizstan had the money and influence to avoid a draft—so of course he would assume he could pull strings to help Robin avoid the academy too. 

And he would be right…

Robin released a quiet sigh, finally able to put a lid over that particular mystery. And here she was worrying how deep Mr. Aldrick’s knowledge went when he most likely had no clue about Trizstan’s business, her immigration, or their agenda… 

Sheesh, she almost overreacted over nothing. 

“There was only one woman in your class?” She didn’t know why she asked really, but it caught her attention. 

“Hah—you get curious about the strangest things,” he commented lightly, "But I always liked that about you.” 

Robin feigned a smile. “I'm just wondering…”  But truthfully, she didn’t know where she was going with that train of thought. 

Thankfully, Trizstan liked nothing more than the sound of his own voice, so of course, that was enough for him to start explaining, “Well, women weren’t forced into the draft the same way men were. Women in general don’t awaken spirit that often anyways. Or if they do, they’re hardly ever as powerful as male spiriters.”

Robin nodded—about to agree, but then Trizstan bumped her shoulder with his.

“I mean biological women, of course.”

Robin glared at him. 

He seemed to realize his mistake instantly. 

“Ah—wait. That sounded much worse than I meant to.” His eyes widened like he mistakenly used the wrong key, until he waved his hand dismissively. “Pretend I said nothing.”

There wasn’t a single shred of amusement in this for Robin. 

He wrapped his hand around her shoulder, shaking her forearm lightly. “Come now, Robin. You know you can’t take everything I say seriously.“

Robin looked away. It was such a stupid and unnecessary comment too. 

Through gritted teeth, she said, “The only reason men awaken spirit more often is due to your irrational emotions. Women tend to control themselves better. It has nothing to do with your perceived physical excellence.”

If Robin were honest, the truth was somewhere in the middle. But she wasn’t in the mood for semantics, and lord have mercy on Trizstan if he dared disagree now. 

“Of course, of course. You are a much greater master of spirit, after all. I am nothing more than a wandering traveller beside you.” It was said in that light tone of his, but she knew if nothing else Trizstan was humble about his own lacking spirit abilities. 

Robin crossed her arms, ready to drop the subject and return to her earlier enquiry. “I assume she wasn’t drafted then?”

“Who?” 

Robin met Trizstan’s confused look with her own annoyed glare. Finally, it seemed to have clicked.

“Ahh—you mean my classmate. Haha, right, right.” Now he crossed his arms, considering it like he was solving a complex mathematics problem. 

“Honeslty, I don’t know… I can’t even remember her name, really… It might have been “Lisa” or something like that…” he shrugged, pursing his lips.

Now she knew he had lied. Trizstan never forgot a name, no matter how insignificant it seemed. Remembering faces, keeping track of every interaction, building networks, and turning connections to his advantage. It was what he did best.

But she dropped it.

He leaned in again—looking into her eyes. He held up her hand and placed a soft kiss on it.

“Most importantly, were I to go to that mindless war—I would have never travelled out across the world and found you.”

Robin didn’t retract her hand.

He was a flawed man—but she knew more than anything she would have been nothing if it weren’t for him.

“Not every man is a fool willing to sacrifice themselves in war,” she said—a true belief.

Men romanticised war and considered it a noble death. But it took strength to put value on one’s own existence, not mindlessly fight for royalty or a government that never even bothered to learn their names. 

“Precisely. I am so glad we see eye to eye on this.”

He stroked her shoulder and Robin leaned into him—allowing herself to take comfort in his presence.

She was disgusted with herself. Every touch from him, every breath, every sound it brought her back to the way he treated her moments ago. But she tried to think about anything else.

Anything. 

Anything…

That man…

Inevitably, it all came back to him…

Gerald Aldrick.

His kind smile.

His chivalry towards her.

His composure around children.

Perhaps it was feigned to an extent, but for now, she allowed herself to use it as a lifeline.

A decorated officer—a legendary Colonel like Mr. Aldrick… 

…Was sure to have a lot of money, right?