The Academy's Terminally Ill Side Character Chapter 233 233: Leona's Bad Mood [2]

Her real sword.

Her family's blade.

It was sword that she received as gift when she entered the academy and hasn't it used it till now.

It's seems that it's ti to use it.

It was a famous sword. Not a treasured heirloom of her family or anything symbolic—but still well-known enough that most would recognize it. It wasn't her first choice for casual use, but it was the most practical one for her current situation.

Originally, she had planned to keep it tucked away until after the first sester—until she had a better grasp on her capabilities and environnt. But the more she thought about it, the more sense it made to bring it out now.

After all, no matter how excellent a sword was, it needed ti to get used to. A bond had to be ford between the weapon and its wielder, through sweat and repetition.

Ordinarily, she would've avoided bringing such a recognizable weapon to a sparring match ant for training. It might attract attention, rumors—even pressure. But then, that one line echoed in her mind again.

—If you win, I'll do anything you want.

A smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

"…Might as well give it a try."

Decision was made, she was going to use it.

The mont her fingers touched the case, a jolt of mory surged through her. Her father's voice, stern and final:

—"Only in monts of true desperation. Or before the one who might one day stand beside you. Not for petty victories."

But was this petty?

If she didn't use everything she had, Rin would always see her as soone beneath Leo and Ryen. She couldn't allow that.

Not anymore.

She didn't need his approval.

But damn it, she wanted it.

She unsheathed the blade just slightly. The edge shimred faintly in the low light—clean, deadly, proud.

A part of her still hesitated. If she used this in the tournant, her identity might be exposed. Her father would be furious. The entire clan might retaliate.

But then she rembered how Rin had looked at her—through her—like soone already sure of the outco.

She would force him to look again.

To see her.

Truly see her.

And if that ant risking everything… so be it.

The door creaked behind her.

She imdiately slid the sword back into its sheath and turned, expecting an instructor or a fellow cadet.

But no—of course it was him.

Rin.

Leaning casually on the doorfra, arms folded, wearing his usual neutral expression.

"…You forgot to lock the door," he said.

Leona stiffened. "You're the one who said I couldn't win."

Rin blinked, then tilted his head slightly. "Huh? Oh. That. I didn't an—"

"I don't care what you ant." She stepped forward, her voice steady but sharp. "You'll see."

He raised an eyebrow, amused. "See what?"

She moved past him without answering, pausing only once at the doorway. "…Just don't blink when I do."

And then she was gone.

Rin stared after her, rubbing the back of his neck.

"…Was that a challenge?"

It felt like one.

But beneath that, sowhere deep, he thought—

It also felt like sothing else.

Sothing… personal.

And far from over.

The sound of Leona's footsteps faded down the hallway, quick and deliberate, like she was charging into battle rather than heading to training. Rin remained by the door, still scratching his head as the echo of her words lingered in the air.

"Don't blink when I do, huh…"

A soft, amused exhale escaped his lips. That was definitely a challenge. But not just about swords or rankings or even pride.

It was her heart on the edge of her blade.

Rin stepped back inside, letting the door click shut behind him. He paced toward the small window, hands sliding into his pockets as he gazed out over the academy courtyard. Cadets milled around in the morning sun, oblivious to the storm slowly forming.

He had felt it.

That shift.

Sothing was different about Leona today. Determination—that was always there. But this ti, it was sharpened into sothing colder, more serious. He didn't need to guess why.

Because for a mont, when she gripped that sword—even if he hadn't seen it, he could tell—sothing old and heavy had stirred in her.

And he had a feeling it was about more than just him.

...And he can sense it, her mood is very bad.

And Rin have know that it was due to his words.

Rin didn't move for a while, still gazing out the window like the breeze outside would sohow whisper the right words to say.

Rin ran a hand through his hair and sighed.

"I really ssed that up, huh?"

The more he thought about it, the more obvious it beca. She wasn't trying to prove sothing to anyone else. Just him. His careless words must've hit deeper than he thought.

"...It's been so ti. One lifeti, specifically." He let out a quiet chuckle at himself, turning from the window. "But maybe I should do sothing for her. For once."

He walked to the small kitchen space tucked in the back of the dormitory. A simple counter, a few pans, and just enough ingredients left untouched from his last market run.

"Curry," he muttered. "Yeah. She likes that, right? Or at least, I do."

He set a pot down, washed the rice, and began prepping the vegetables with practiced movents. This much, at least, he was confident in. Cooking was sothing that carried over—one of the few mories from his past life that didn't feel foreign in his hands.

As the aroma began to fill the room—spices simring in the pan, the soft sizzle of garlic and onions eting oil—Rin felt so of the tension ebb from his shoulders.

If nothing else, it would be sothing warm waiting for her.

Sothing that said, I see you now.

If she slamd the door on him, fine. If she ignored him, that was okay too.

But she'd eat.

At least, he hoped she would.