After returning to the dorms, me and Iris started our usual training session out in the yard. Not much has changed since our time in Lore, I was still unable to beat Iris and the gap only seemed to be widening.

Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t like I was unhappy for Iris but I was more frustrated with myself for not getting any stronger. Iris, of course, was fully aware of my struggles and became my tutor to help me keep up and get better grades.

“You need to lean into the attack more Baxter! And pay attention to your footing! If you’re unbalanced any enemy could trip you up and get the advantage over you!”

“Y-yeah, gotcha!”

I did as Iris instructed as I unleashed a flurry of attacks in her direction. She also blocked all of them with the simple movement of her arm but she continued to smile at me like a proud parent.

“Well done! I can feel the pressure in your strikes!”

“I’m not done yet, Iris!” Keep your guard up!”

To surprise Iris I changed the way I held my sword and started attacking from different angles. While she wore a face of confusion Iris still easily deflected my moves.

“Come on!”

As I was starting to get annoyed that my attack didn’t hit, Iris waved her other hand on her blade which caused the silver iron to turn blood red. The scarlet blade was etched with glowing orange runes while smoke emitted from it like a chimney. Just by being near the sword, I felt like I was sitting inside a sauna.

“Flame Magic: Hell’s Third Circle!”

Iris took her stance. The grass under her feet dried up and the smell of burning rubber filled the air. When inhuman speed, my girlfriend disarmed me and managed to fling me to the ground.

“Ouch!” I yelled while clutching my wrist which was burning from Iris’s hit. “That was freakin’ hot!”

“Sorry sorry!”

Iris ran to me and quickly bandaged my wrist. As the heat from the wound cooled down, Iris helped me to my feet and started scolding me.

“What type of attack was that Baxter?! Even a toddler with a knife could easily disarm if you move erratically like that!”

I chuckled scratching the back of my neck.

“I apologize. I was just trying to confuse you. I always fought in the style Professor Cornelius taught us, but I wanted to try and find my own style.”

Iris sighed while shaking her head.

“Professor Cornelius is a retired Holy Knight who has fought in many battles. His style of fighting is known as the Terra Form. It is the best fighting technique for any swordmaster to have! If there is something about the style you don’t understand that doesn’t hesitate to ask me—or better yet go ask the professor himself!”

I replied, “Anytime I practice with that guy he goes way too rough! He doesn’t teach me anything, I’m just his punching bag!”

“That can’t be true!” Iris retorted. “Professor Cornelius had always been patient with me whenever I didn’t understand anything and took time to help me perfect the techniques of the sword. Sometimes he can be a little rough but…”

“Look,” I said with a sigh. “I just don’t think the Terra Form is working out for me okay? Maybe it’s a better fighting style for mages who use swords but don’t forget that I am Null.”

“You don’t have to remind me…”

Me and Iris were silent for a bit and awkwardly looked at each other.

“W-well let’s end practice today!” Iris said. “We can continue tomorrow since it will be Friday and classes end early!”

“Y-yeah! Maybe…”

“Well, I’m going to bed. See you tomorrow Baxter!”

Iris kissed me and then hurried off into the dorm. I couldn’t help but blush and smile like a fool as I saw my beloved run with that goofy grin she always wore.

And as I was about to walk into the same building—

“Hello?”

“WOAH! The hell!?”

A voice that I didn’t recognize rang out in my ears. It sounded feminine and very soft.

“Who was that?”

“Huh? Who are you?”

“I asked you! Where are you!?”

“I-I’m…how can you hear me?! W-wait—maybe you can—“

And that the voice suddenly stopped and I heard no more. I stood in the yard like a statue waiting for it to speak again but minutes went by and all I could hear was the chirping of birds and the buzzing insects.

I scratched my head as I walked into the dormitory.

“What was that about…?”