Stab. Parry. Dodge.

Those were Killian’s only moves during the three minutes of the match. It hurt a little that Pixie kept repeating the same moves as she waited for him to get into his rhythm.

A rhythm he didn’t have, as he had never learned swordplay.

Her wrist twisted again, sending her wooden sword upwards quickly to knock the sword from Killian’s hold.

Again, she failed.

She smiled, stepping back twice. "You wouldn’t fight back, nor would you let me win? You’re being too considerate of me."

Killian bit down a scoff. She worded it so kindly as if it wasn’t obvious that he was the inexperienced one. Compared to when he had to fight an orc who had never heard of swordplay, this wouldn’t be easy and he knew it.

However, he also didn’t care about winning since he needed to know her question.

"You are not putting effort into your moves." He swirled the weapon in his hand out of habit. "Be more aggressive."

When the words left his lips, Killian pondered if he should have worded it differently. Pixie’s next reaction confirmed he should have.

She ran her free hand through her hair, smirking. "So you like aggressive girls? I am not one to roleplay, but I am flexible."

’Oh, please no.’

Her stance changed and she charged at him. Killian’s eyes first shifted to the sword, confirming that it was wooden and had a soft edge. Thankfully, he had given her the blunt-edged one.

He parried immediately the sword was within reach, but Pixie spun on her heel and whipped the sword at his side. It took effort for Killian to will his tendrils not to react, and instead blocked with his right hand.

’Keep them calm. She’s not a threat.’

"Right right. Just that... it’s complicated."

Killian dodged the next attack, stabbing forward to send her back but her body weaved through the three consecutive attacks, and parried his sword sideways.

He clicked his tongue, stepping back. ’Are you saying she’s a threat. All of a sudden?’

"She isn’t. But, she can be. But she isn’t," the Void answered.

The vagueness of the response frustrated Killian, which in turn made his movements sharper. He grabbed the sword by the hilt, in the same way he’d hold his Void-Bat.

When she crashed her sword on his, he swerved it away in the same way he would swing his bat at a monster. No sword technique, just basic baseball swings.

Pixie’s sword flew from grip, not expecting that kind of force. Her jaw dropped slightly as she watched the weapon hook on the soft sand. She glanced at Killian. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Okay.... I might’ve been too laid-back."

"You were," Killian tossed the weapon aside. "Next time, don’t be. I’m trying to practice."

Pixie clasped her hands cheerily. "Oh, so they’ll be a next time?" She nodded at her own words. "That’s good. Can it be right now—"

"Tell me your question?" Killian demanded.

Silence stretched between them for a few seconds. Pixie put both hands behind her, and somehow that made Killian feel relieved. "I just wanted to ask you, what is your element?"

He narrowed his eyes at her keenly. She stood with every opening, and somehow he felt if he closed the distance, even if casually, he might have to fight to escape what he’d meet next.

It wasn’t a threat, not yet.

It wasn’t even foreboding in any way. Just an uncomfortable feeling that the girl in front of him wasn’t as safe as he thought and that could mean something serious.

Yet one thing was important. She suspected him but with how she tried to get his attention in private, it didn’t seem like she was trying to expose anything.

’She probably has a secret too.’

"I am a Dual-element user but I mostly use Fire Element. Why?"

That answer should cover what she suspected without revealing anything. It wasn’t a secret since Jenovan knew, and he would use the Sound Element if needed during the academy.

"And since I won the match, I have to ask a question too." he added.

Pixie’s shoulders lowered, she hummed. "That’s fine with me."

There was silence between them but for Pixie’s low humming.

"Do you have another element similar to the Mist, and how well can you use it?"

Pixie’s head lowered, and she stopped humming. "That’s two questions in one, Master."

Hearing her call him ’Master’ again made Killian’s jaw tightened. "I never said how many questions there would be. Just that it would be one question."

She was quiet, before she raised her head, wearing a strained smile on her face. "I am a Dual-element User too. Mist and a related element, also derived. But I’m not good at either."

She looked away, rubbing her neck shyly. "So I hope to latch onto strong people like you and learn a little. Are you satisfied with my answer?"

Killian wasn’t but he never really expected a straight answer either. Her response was interesting enough and hinted that she had a secret. It was really rare to awaken two derived elements.

He gestured for Pixie to toss her weapon, but she ran to him with it, holding it forward like she’ll win a prize. Killian calmly took the weapon and tossed it in stash.

"Did you win your match?" he asked.

Her shoulders slumped when Killian had casually taken the weapon, and concentrated on arranging it. She shrugged.

"Of course I did. You will be going to the academy, and I have to be there with you if I am to be your disciple, Master."

She jolted silently when the stash shook loudly.

Killian turned to her with a frown. "I am not your Master. And you are not my disciple. We can call it being acquaintances."

She hurried back, with a feigned betrayed expression. "Not even friends?"

"Acquaintances. I don’t even know your name or your family." He started to walk away. "And those are only scratching the surface to be friends. The only thing we have in common is that we are both dual-element users. And that’s not special."

Pixie matched his frown, watching him climb up the stairs. She didn’t follow. "I said I was an orphan. I never had a real name."

The footsteps going up stopped. Killian turned back to her, his expression softening. "Oh... um, right..." He faced her fully, "Sorry about that..."