Training Room

Kevin shifted his weight, feeling the coolness of the shiny marble floor beneath his bare feet. He stood up, paying no mind to his socks and shoes, and walked across the swirling patterned chocolate caramel carpet that covered his bedroom floor. Each step made a soft thud, reminiscent of a child tiptoeing. As he opened the door, it emitted a slight squeak, allowing a gentle breeze to enter the room. Kevin peered left and right, taking in the sight of neighboring dorm rooms with their light brown-yellow structures. He stepped out, closing the door with a satisfying click.

Moving down the corridors, he passed by the blue doors of the locker rooms, each one secured with locks and codes known only to their respective owners. The computerized system displayed "unoccupied" in red, with digits and letters floating on the screen, representing the entry codes for each dorm room. The cold floor greeted his feet as he made his way up the stairs, the absence of wood leaving a minimalist impression. On the upper floors, Kevin turned left at the end of a narrow hallway, passing by the male and female bathrooms with just enough space between them. They stood unused at the moment, leading to an entrance that led him up the hill to the training room.

Upon reaching the top, Kevin paused for a few seconds, looking up at the ceiling. He then proceeded to push his hands free from his worn and torn heavy-duty gloves, opening the doors to the training room. They emitted a faint squeak before revealing the fresh, cool air that filled Kevin's nostrils. The spacious room unfolded before him, with its neon blue and gray color scheme resembling a battlefield. The vibrant blue hues contrasted against the stadium-like setting, offering four entrances to the training area.

As Kevin descended the hill, his footsteps echoed with each step on the metal floor. He observed a girl at the bottom of the field, gracefully twisting and jumping with a weapon-like instrument, channeling her magical powers. Kevin watched in awe, struck by her cuteness. In that moment, he made his way down to her, taking deep breaths that caused his toasty jeans to heat up and ripple with warmth.

Just as he reached her, she let out a frustrated grunt and stumbled, falling towards the ground. Kevin swiftly reached out, grasping her arms and lifting her up. It was a slight challenge given his own injuries, but he managed to stand her on her feet. He could sense her frustration in her practice and took a few deep breaths, trying to steady himself and not let her see his exhaustion, not wanting her to think he was out of shape.

"Th-thank you," she said, her voice tinged with skepticism as she raised an eyebrow at Kevin, unsure of who he was.

"You know, I want to help you during your practice, if that's alright," Kevin said, a hint of shyness in his voice. He groaned a bit, not just from the pain of his injuries, but also from the loss of his power and confidence after the duel at the bar the previous night.

She stared at him for a moment, sighing before reluctantly accepting. "Fine, if you really think you can help me," she replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm trying to summon a glyph," she explained, gesturing toward a glyph circle on the training room floor. "I just can't seem to get it right. I don't know why it's so difficult for me. Everyone else can do it. It shouldn't be this hard."

She appeared frustrated and lost. "What's your name?" she asked. "I'm Weiss. Weiss Schnee. And you?"

Kevin's gaze fixated on Weiss, taking in the details of her appearance. Her dress resembled a snowy landscape, adorned with white and blue sparkles that resembled three-dimensional snowflakes along the bottom. The dress flowed gracefully, revealing glimpses of her soft tan skin at the curved corners. A mini jacket, a mix of red, light blue, and snowy white, hugged her figure, complementing her training gown. Her hands appeared as if adorned with white silky gloves, adding to her ethereal presence. Kevin's attention shifted to her piercing blue crystal-like eyes, which seemed to implore him for an answer. He couldn't help but notice her long, gray, cute bony tail swaying behind her, matching the length of her cascading hair that fell gracefully down her back. He also took note of the sword strapped to her hips, a testament to her skill and readiness.

"I'm Kevin," he finally answered, attempting to infuse his voice with a cheerful tone, but a hint of sadness lingered beneath the surface. He scratched his hair nervously, chuckling in a self-conscious manner. "I'm Karlin's brother. We were both attending Sodose Academy, on our way to Beacon Academy as senior warriors. It was supposed to be our last day before graduation and going to Beacon Academy, but..." Kevin trailed off, his voice filled with a mixture of melancholy and determination. He took a deep breath, fighting against the pain of his injuries, determined not to let it consume him.

Weiss's focus shifted from the intricate rune on the floor to Kevin, her eyes sharp and cutting. Yet, amidst the sharpness, a glimmer of care emerged. She listened intently, her gaze fixed on him, and her expression softened, revealing a hint of empathy.

When Kevin finished recounting his story, a brief silence hung in the air as Weiss absorbed his words. Her voice, now softer and warmer, broke the stillness. "That must have been incredibly difficult," she said, her tone tinged with a twang of sadness. "Losing your brother right before reaching the culmination of your journey." She paused, her eyes reflecting a mix of understanding and compassion. "Still," she continued, her voice carrying a touch of pride, "you're here. You've made it this far, and that's something to be proud of."

"Yeah, thanks," Kevin replied, feeling a blush creeping up his cheeks. "He didn't die, but our bond and relationship did," he confessed, his disbelief evident. "We've become like enemies now, and I have to be more cautious, especially with the looming threat of Salem. It's his family now," Kevin's voice trailed off, weighted with a sense of loss and confusion.

"I hope that someday you can reconcile and remember what happened," Weiss responded, her gaze filled with a mix of hope and understanding. "Sometimes, conflicts can cloud our memories and make it hard to see the truth. But it's important to keep searching for that clarity and understanding. And remember, you're not alone in this. There are people who care and want to support you."

Kevin blinked, absorbing Weiss's words. The weight of the past confrontation and the eyes of the watching students flashed through his mind. "Yeah," he murmured, a mix of determination and uncertainty in his voice, "recording that standoff, the conflict... It's all I can remember. But I'm ready to move forward and find my path again."

"That's a remarkably mature decision you've made," Weiss replied, her voice gentle, carrying a soothing quality. As she spoke, her words seemed to wrap around Kevin like a warm embrace. Her eyes, unwavering, locked onto him, filled with a mix of understanding and encouragement.

"Even though your relationship has been strained, it doesn't mean that it's irreparable," she continued, her voice carrying a soothing melody. "It's not an easy path to walk, but making an effort to mend the bonds that have frayed is crucial. You see," Weiss took a step closer to Kevin, closing the physical distance between them, her presence comforting. "I think people often forget something vital."

"In the midst of turmoil, it's easy to believe that our situation is the worst imaginable. We feel as though the world is crumbling around us, leaving us helpless and powerless." A soft smile graced her lips, radiating warmth and understanding. "But what we tend to forget is that there is always time for reconciliation. Always a chance to make amends and rebuild what was broken."