From Z to A - A Balamb Garden's love story - samaqi (2024)

Chapter 1: Zyma

Chapter Text

"Take this!" Sean grunted, attempting to strike the formidable dragon ahead with his gunblade.

"Easy there, mate!" Zyma tossed his Shurikens, deflecting Sean's sword. "You're hurting my boy!"

"Grrrrr!" The dragon growled.

"Alright, alright..." Zyma stroked Leviathan. "Good GF, I won't let him harm you. Relax, mate. What's that for?" Zyma snapped at Sean.

"My bad, just a reflex," Sean said, still shaken as Leviathan nearly engulfed him with its Tsunami spell.

"He won't kill you," Zyma frowned. "Take some Potion."

Following Zyma's advice, Sean retreated to a large rock, shaking off the excess water from his SeeD uniform and using a healing item.

"Damn, that was intense, even for a practice," Sean exclaimed. "And you said this is one of the friendlier GFs?"

"Yeah, for now," replied Zyma, cleaning his Shurikens and carefully placing them inside his dark, hooded cloak.

"For now?" Sean asked, his confusion evident.

"They become stronger as they age. Leviathan was harvested quite early; the Legendary SeeDs must have been in a hurry during the war. It takes longer for a GF to level up once it awakens from its dormant state," Zyma explained, gathering his assassin gear and settling down next to Sean. "The crazy ones are those that have been forgotten for too long and absorbed too much magic from the surrounding without a way to release. They lose touch with their humanity and become more like monsters."

Sean noticed the change in Zyma's expression and asked. "How's your mom doing? Still has good appetite?"

Zyma let out a sigh. "She's obsessed with Chocobos lately, the chubby ones. Can you believe it? I told her, 'Mom, I'm broke because of you. No Chocobo farmer would sell me their birds knowing they'll end up as poultry.' I managed to convince her to eat ostrich instead, but Hyne knows what she'll crave next."

Zyma could sense that Sean was unsure how to respond to the heavy topic, so he quickly shifted the conversation.

"So, what's new with your antique collection? Anything interesting for our trade?" Zyma asked.

"Yes," Sean replied promptly. "The new batch of transferred students from Trabia is arriving, and I've already made contact with some of them to acquire a couple of rare items from the war and unique monsters on Winter Island. With a little more polishing, we'll make big bucks."

Zyma was intrigued by the idea of transferred students from Trabia. Selphie, one of the Legendary SeeDs, was transferred to the same class as Zyma. Unfortunately, they never had the chance to properly meet, as Selphie was sent to the famous Second Sorceress War right after her SeeD exam. To this day, Zyma yearned to witness her "The End" move, which was rumored to be capable of defeating any dark GF.

"Anyone interesting in this batch?" Zyma asked.

"Two are coming this month. One is a silver-haired guy with god-like time-manipulating abilities. He can freeze flying objects, no joke," Sean said.

"Huh?" Zyma nodded. "Sounds rare. Is he a damage dealer, too?”

“Nope. Support role. Just standing behind and freeze, it seems.”

“Boring," Zyma blurted out. '’And the other one? Let me guess, a healer girl?"

For the sake of gender diversity, having at least one girl in a duo, trio, or quattro party had become a requirement at Balamb Garden and Trabia Garden, something enforced by Xu - Balamb’s interim headmaster, and heavily supported by Quistis and Selphie - the world’s role model Legendary SeeDs.

Sean shook his head. "She's a magic caster, offensive. Holy.”

Zyma whistled. “She’s gotta find a Sugar Daddy, there’s no way to draw Holy here. And Mommy Xu won’t pay for Holy just to kill Bite Bugs and T-rexes.”

“That’s why she’s into trading business,” Sean added. “A good talker, she could help us attract female customers and compete against Shrewdya’s fashion shop.”

“Pretty?”

“Nah, so so,” Sean shrugged. “Besides red hair and eyes, nothing noticeable. Oh, short. Very short. Selphie kind of short. She looks like a child.”

”Boring,” Zyma exclaimed, puzzled why there was no limit on height - a critical measure for certain kinds of physical training. Of course, there were a few exceptions, like Selphie, but Zyma didn’t believe in the odd.

"Maybe you'll see her in your class soon," Sean casually remarked.

Zyma furrowed his eyes. "Why? Aren't they supposed to be in your brother's class? They’re that old?”

Zyma had already repeated two years of classes due to his involvement in the battle with Galbadia Garden. Many of his classmates had either perished or been discharged from the school due to injuries sustained during the conflict. This had placed a significant financial strain on Garden, making it difficult to rebuild the school and provide medical assistance to retired personnel. In addition, the school had to fund Legendary SeeDs' journey to defeat Ultimecia in the future, and the journey wasn't cheap.

In the midst of these challenges, Xu had enlisted Zyma for SeeD missions, despite his lack of an official SeeD title. During his dangerous missions, Zyma had managed to accumulate a lot of Gils along the way, so he couldn't complain. However, having to repeat classes during peacetime and endure tedious lectures with students just entering puberty annoyed him. And now, the thought of transfer students, typically around 16 years old, being in his class really bothered him.

"The guy will be joining Raddie's class. But the girl… she’s a prodigy, I heard, and competitive as hell,” Sean explained.

"Ah, another prodigy... what a treat," Zyma exclaimed sarcastically, referring to Instructor Trepe, who was supposed to be only a year ahead of him but ended up being his instructor for many years.

"Shoot, already 2000. Thanks again for showing me Leviathan, man,'’ Sean stood up after noticing the time. ”I'll drop you off at Garden and pick up Raddie. We're going on a road trip with the Dincht before Zell sets sail for the Deep Sea Research Center."

“Cool, mate. Thanks for the ride.”

As the two were leaving the cavern, Leviathan emitted a low growl in an ancient language.

"I know, Levi. Your card is safe with me," Zyma reassured the water dragon. "I won't let our commander refine it into a Megalixir again. What a jerk!"

Leviathan nodded in contentment before gracefully swimming back to its comfortable nest, acknowledging Zyma's promise.

Balamb Garden. 3F.

"I heard Cid is relocating to the Deep Sea Research Center," Zyma entered the office of the vice headmaster.

"What do you want?" Xu narrowed her eyes. "Let me guess, Bahamut?"

Zyma smirked. "He’s the most beautiful GF, let me handle him with care."

"The mission is to protect a sorceress with growing power and could be possessed by a future sorceress at any time, not training pets. Zell is a better candidate, sorry," Xu replied, shifting her attention back to her paperwork. "Besides, you haven't officially passed the SeeD exam yet. I can't pull strings for you for that kind of mission."

"You didn't seem to care when you sent me on the field to support your legendary squad," Zyma snorted.

"You've made enough money from your secret shop amidst the chaos, not to mention your underground card trading business, Joker. It's a win-win situation. Look..." Xu glanced up at Zyma from her desk. "We're friends, and I'm always on your side. I'll do whatever I can within my power to help you. But this is peacetime, and people actually have time to scrutinize military records. We also happen to host the two most powerful sorceresses in our school. Please, if you're up to anything shady, wait until you become a freelance SeeD and are off our radar. Okay?"

"If you insist, Queen,” Zyma smiled and nodded. Just a few more months, and his freedom would truly begin.

"One thing, though..." Xu referred back to a sheet of paper. "I know you're not doing anything to improve your grades, which is a requirement for leading a squad in the next SeeD exam..."

"When..."

"But there's a workaround," Xu interrupted Zyma's protest. "Mentorship."

Zyma furrowed his brow. "Mentorship?"

"Yes, mentorship," Xu nodded.

"Define 'mentorship'?" he asked again.

"You mentor someone. Like the way I mentored you..." Xu narrowed her eyes, unable to comprehend why he needed further explanation of such a simple concept in a school.

Zyma burst into laughter, bending over and clutching his stomach.

"What's so funny?" Xu's eyes darkened even more.

"You... your mentorship. That's a good one, my Queen," he said, straightening himself. "In Triple Triad, maybe."

"That..." Xu pointed at his face, "you're such an ungrateful mentee."

"Anyway, I'm not good at teaching. Is there any other way I can get around this? Gil-related, perhaps?" Zyma suggested.

"Don't try to buy off Garden’s requirements. I've made up my mind, this is just a heads-up for you," Xu snapped shut a massive accounting book. "Now get out before I reconsider this alternative."

"Aye aye...”

Zyma figured babysitting a cadet would be more enjoyable than studying for thirty SeeD written tests, so he bit back his protest and headed to his favorite spot—the Training Center.

Balamb Garden's Training Center.

"How much?" a student asked in a hushed tone.

"500 Gil," Zyma replied.

"That's way too expensive!" the student exclaimed.

"Having an X-Potion disguised as a Potion is cheating. And cheating isn't cheap, mate," Zyma smirked. "Unless you want to face more monsters to earn additional EXP, which costs way more money than 500 by the way."

The student hesitated.

"Take it or leave it. I have plenty of other customers," Zyma urged, and as expected, the student reluctantly handed over several bills for the small bottle. "Thanks, my friend. Come back later; you'll definitely need more of these for the field exam."

"I heard you also have extra padding for fire resistance," the student inquired.

"Custom-made to fit your big stud, mate. Just text me your size a few days in advance and provide a deposit. Consider it done."

The student pondered for a few moments before responding, "I'll consider it, who knows if the simulation room is completed before this year's field exam."

"Simulation room?" Zyma furrowed his brow in confusion.

"You don't know? The transfer students from Trabia are setting up a simulation room here, just like the one in Trabia Garden. Soon, we won't need to grow monsters in training Center or go fight the real Ifrit for training," the student explained. "It's great news for us, but I guess it's not so good for your secret shop, huh?"

With that, the student left the secret area, tightly clutching their hood to avoid being recognized, leaving Zyma contemplating.

Transfer students... how annoying.

Chapter 2: Acma

Chapter Text

Rain.

Balamb rarely experienced rain, except for a specific week in January. It was like clockwork, starting precisely on Monday and ending by Sunday night. Due to this predictable pattern, that particular week saw the lightest tourist traffic, resulting in low sales in item trading. It was the perfect time for Zyma to host an underground card tournament.

Zyma sat in his usual spot at the back of the classroom, shuffling his Triple Triad card deck beneath the table and checking for any missing cards. The bastards attending his events were usually foul players who aimed to win cards by any means.

"Just a few more minutes, we're waiting for the new transfer student to arrive. She might be lost," Nida announced, trying to quiet down the restless class.

Zyma smirked. Though Nida and Zyma were the same age, the fact that Nida had passed the SeeD exam alongside the Legendary SeeDs seemed to give him a more substantial track record for becoming an instructor. Zyma had no complaints about Nida's abilities, but he found him to be a terrible facilitator, much worse than Quistis—an essential skill for instructors dealing with mischievous teenagers.

The door slid open, and a girl entered, audibly out of breath from running.

"I... I'm sorry," she managed to say, trying to catch her breath.

Zyma glanced up but couldn't see her face as she was bent over, hiding herself under the table in the front row. He redirected his attention back to his card deck beneath the table.

Short. Very short,Zyma remembered Sean's comments and involuntarily snorted.She might have a hard time as a mercenary.

"No worries. It can be tough for students from Trabia to come here. I was a transfer student from Trabia myself and got lost for the first few weeks when I arrived," Nida reassured. "Would you like to introduce yourself?"

"Hi, everyone! I'm Acma, one of the transfer students. Nice to meet you all," the new girl introduced herself concisely before catching her breath.

"Very well... Please take any available seat... Hmm..." Nida looked around the room, hesitating.

Zyma had a bad feeling, and it quickly materialized. As expected, Nida had forgotten to rearrange the seating plan. The girl reluctantly walked down row after row until she stopped at Zyma's table, one of the few tables with an empty seat.

Great,Zyma sighed.There gone my freedom at my own desk, he thought*.*

"Hi! Can I sit here?" she asked.

"Aye aye, but only for this class. Find another seat next time," he replied, not even bothering to look at her.

She nodded, likely annoyed by his intentionally unwelcoming demeanor, but took her seat regardless as Nida began his lecture on magic history.

Nida gripped the chalk tightly, his handwriting trembling as he wrote on the whiteboard. As if realizing he had exposed too much insecurity of his own teaching, he would occasionally pressing harder on the chalk, resulting in a grating, teeth-clenching sound. It was odd for someone who was more of a technician to choose such a traditional method of lecturing. Zyma believed Nida used this approach on purpose to minimize verbal interaction, filling the class by writing unnecessary information on the board.

"Um, excuse me," the new girl started but trailed off.

"What?" Zyma felt annoyed. "Just spit it out. You're wasting everyone's time."

"Um, sorry. I can't see what he wrote in the last line. Can I borrow your notes?" she asked, perplexed as to why this particular desk lacked screens like the others in the class, and why on earth this guy wasn't taking notes on a laptop.

Zyma snorted. "Do you see me holding a pen?"

"Oh... Sorry," Acma said, looking puzzled at the notebook filled with handwritten notes.

"These are from last year," Zyma explained. “Or maybe the year before…”

"Oh... Is the material the same then?" she inquired further.

"No, Quistis used to teach this class," Zyma replied, growing increasingly annoyed. However, he knew that if he didn't help her with this issue, she would be a huge pain for the entire class. "Try kneeling on the chair, kid."

Acma felt a sense of unease not only from the suggestion but also from the way he addressed her. However, she found herself slightly less offended, realizing that he was already in his twenties based on his appearance. He wore a light green bandana, complementing his trousers, and a dark green windbreaker, which made him stand out among his younger, uniformed peers. His strong jawline exuded an unwelcoming aura, while a faint scar above his left eyebrow furrowed over his cold, piercing black eyes.

She attempted to kneel on one knee on the chair, but her tight pencil dress made it too revealing.

Who designed this dress for a military school? She exclaimed internally.

Just as she was uncomfortably trying to find a good posture, a dark red garment was tossed onto her desk.

"Um... Thanks!" She said to the man and covered her knees with it.

"Be careful not to ruin it. I'll sell it later," Zyma remarked.

"What is this? It’s... wet or something," she asked.

"Ifrit's briefs. Just rain, I hope,'’ he responded with an amusing voice.

Upon hearing his answer, she was startled and quickly picked up the briefs with her two fingers, tossing them back to Zyma. He snorted and finally looked at her face for the first time.

"What the..."

He was about to lecture her on her ungrateful attitude but quickly found himself captivated by her burgundy gaze. Her eyes were tinged with shock and frustration. Her red hair was still slightly damp with sweat, yet it still radiated against her fair complexion. She had a mature look to her, definitely not as childish as her 15 or 16-year-old peers.

His eyes fixed on hers uncontrollably until she broke the staring contest.

"You're kidding, right?" She asked, although her voice conveying that there was no other plausible explanation.

"Tch... kid, stop bothering me," Zyma blurted out.

Much to her credit, she obliged his request and ceased speaking to him, obediently exchanging seats in the front row with another classmate for the following classes.

However, he was still subjected to her deceptively meek voice for the rest of the morning. Being a new student, she garnered attention from the instructors, who directed questions to her that none of the other Balamb students were willing to answer.

"I don't know... but I think there is no damage whiled Poisoned if you take no action."

"I'm not sure, I only used Holy a couple of times on monsters... but my best guess for it to work with human enemies is to cast Zombie first, then the human target would succumb more easily to Holy attacks..."

"This may sound silly, but can we…”

But… but… but…

Zyma seriously contemplated throwing his Shuriken at her if she dared to start her answers that way again. In these gardens, where most of the students were world-class fighters and researchers, being recognized as a prodigy meant she could never be wrong.

"Timber. Urgent," Zyma felt relieved when he received a message from Xu, providing an excuse to skip classes for the day. He dropped by Xu's office to receive his assignment and boarded the first train to the Forest Owls' nation.

"Do you know where the library is?" Acma asked Timeth as she walked out of the 2F classroom for S20, coincidentally finishing her classes at the same time as Timeth.

"I'm not sure. Maybe we can ask someone from our classmates to give us a tour," Timeth suggested.

"Your classmates, please," Acma sighed. "You can't imagine what a jerk I had to deal with in my first class today. Oh, I'm starting to think it was a mistake to leave your side, dear Timeth."

Timeth smiled warmly at Acma. "You'll be fine... Although, honestly, that's why I don't like skipping classes. Older students tend to bully newcomers. I'm not up for that challenge."

"You're always the wiser one between the two of us," Acma sighed. "Oh, hey, I think I know that student... He's Sean's brother."

Acma hurriedly followed a bulky figure that had just emerged from S21.

"Hi! Raddie, right?" She waved.

A brown-haired boy was startled by someone calling his name.

"Yeah?" he replied, and Acma noticed his dark-skinned friend's jaw drop at the sight of her.

"Hi! I'm Acma Mirin. And this is my friend, Timeth Farin. We've just transferred from Trabia. And..." Acma introduced, "I've met Sean. He mentioned that you're also in S21, and, well... you and Sean look so alike."

"Oh, yes," Raddie scratched his head. "Nice to meet you, Acma and Timeth. This is..."

"Keannu. Nice to meet you!" A dark skin boy grinned and shook hands with Acma and Timeth.

"How do you like Balamb Garden?" Raddie asked.

"It's so much bigger than Trabia," Acma exclaimed. "It's beautiful, but we're having trouble finding places. Um... We need to meet up with an officer at the library, but we don't know where it is."

"We can show you around!" Raddie kindly offered.

"That would be awesome. That's very nice of both of you," Acma accepted the kind gesture.

"Hey, Shrew! Wanna join us?" Keannu waved to a girl wearing a light pink hoodie with long black hair.

She didn't look very enthusiastic at the sight of Acma and Timeth, but nodded after a moment's pause.

"Sure. Nice to meet you. I'm Shrewdya. Follow me."

Although Raddie had promised to give Timeth and Acma a tour of Timeth, it was Shrewdya who ended up leading the group to different areas while Raddie engaged them in conversation about various Balamb Garden traditions.

Garden Festivals had become a significant event ever since Miss Tilmitt, the renowned SeeD, took on the role of Chief Operations Officer for both Balamb and Trabia Gardens. While she had briefly served as an instructor, she quickly transitioned to a more operational role that more aligned with her passion. Raddie proudly shared with the group his involvement in the upcoming Garden Festival, donning a T-Rex costume designed by Miss Tilmitt herself and wielding a fake gun. He would performed Sir Laguna's Desperado limit break on stage to the beat of "A Man with Machine Gun." Miss Tilmitt was a big fan of Sir Laguna, who happened to be Commander Leonhart's father and the president of Esthar. Raddie considered it an honor to be in conversation with the legendary SeeD squad, especially as he approached the age eligibility to take the SeeD exams himself.

"Has your brother recently left Garden?" Acma inquired, recalling that Sean had mentioned their trade would be one of his last.

"Yes, both he and his girlfriend withdrew from Garden. They're opening an antique shop in Fisherman's Horizon," Raddie replied.

"Why Fisherman's Horizon?"

"Because there are fewer rules there. People don't care where you're from as long as you're involved in trading or technology. As long as newcomers don't cause trouble or resort to violence, they're welcome to stay."

"It sounds like a great place for trading."

"Absolutely. Even a notorious criminal like Seifer Almasy managed to hide in Fisherman's Horizon for months before being apprehended."

Acma nodded. While she found Seifer's actions against her Trabia school unforgivable, she also recognized that he had been under the influence of possession. It wouldn't be entirely fair to condemn someone who hadn't intentionally committed crimes, even if homicide was involved.

"This is our library," Shrewdya announced.

"I love libraries! Oh, Hyne, it's so much bigger than Trabia's!" Acma exclaimed. She had a deep love for books and could easily spend her weekends living in the library, staying until Instructor Aki kicked her out after curfew.

"Let me introduce you to the Library Committee. They're incredibly helpful in finding information, even faster than a computer," Shrewdya explained.

Acma looked around and immediately locked eyes with a girl who was walking alongside Shrewdya.

"Here are two Trabia transfer students, Acma and Timeth," Shrewdya introduced them. "And this is Arya, the most resourceful person in this Garden."

Arya held Acma's gaze for a moment before briefly glancing at Timeth.

"Nice to meet you, A... Acma, Timeth," Arya greeted them.

"Nice to meet you too, Arya," Acma replied. "I actually wanted to find a book. Could you show me around?"

"Sure!" Arya smiled and quickly led Acma to one of the shelves. "Let me show you the section on magic history."

Shrewdya rolled her eyes. "Wow, Acma really loves her books."

"Yes, she really does. Let's continue the tour. It might take her a while," Timeth said.

"Of course. Let me show you how to use the checkout system," Shrewdya continued the tour for Timeth.

At the magic history shelf...

"I knew immediately it was T when I heard about the student with time-manipulating abilities. But I didn't expect the other person to be you, A. I thought..." Arya trailed off.

"I couldn't believe I survived our last race either," Acma smiled, reaching out to hold Arya's hands. "Thank you for healing me."

"I'm so glad you made it. So you were at Trabia Garden the whole time with T?”

“We sticked together since then. How have you been?”

"Things have been good, although it was tough after the Galbadia Garden attack. Many of our friends didn't make it. I was spared because I didn't participate in the battles, but... Betulia..."

"Oh no... I'm so sorry," Acma gasped.

"She passed away peacefully and with a sense of freedom. I try to find solace in that."

"May she rest in peace."

"On a brighter note, there's nothing G can hold against me anymore. I'm going to the Deep Sea Research Center with Zell. We're kind of a thing after he returned from Ultimecia’s castle."

"That's wonderful. I'm sad we won't have more time together, but I'm happy that you move on with your life, B."

"Thank you, A. There used to be more of us in the Library Committee, but I'm sure you'll make new friends here. Don't hesitate to write me if you need anything."

"I will," Acma assured her. “You take care, B.”

Chapter 3: Mentorship

Chapter Text

One week later. Timber to Balamb train.

Zyma sat on the train, glancing at the ever-changing scenery as he made his way back to Garden.

He had just completed an urgent mission, assisting Sorceress Rinoa with a secretive task. Anything shady that Balamb wanted to keep off the record ended up in his hands. Internally, he felt a sense of satisfaction that Balamb had finally taken the initiative to keep up with the deceitful political maneuvers happening behind the scenes of public negotiations. When it came to power and profits, playing fair was simply not an option.

During missions, he rarely stayed in one place for long, avoiding contact and small talk with the locals. Only in the privacy of a restroom on the train did he remove his mask and hood and put on his casual green attire. His missions came with a hefty paycheck, but they also carried significant risks he wasn't willing to take by showing his face in daylight.

After two hours, he arrived in Balamb, trading some items with the local shop and checking if the Queen of Cards was around. However, she was not present. Perhaps she was enjoying the summer with her son and father in Dollet. Great card makers—part of Zyma’s chain to get rich.

"Done?" Xu asked as Zyma entered her office.

"Don't act surprised to flatter me. All I need is a few days off from classes," Zyma smirked, throwing a bag onto Xu's desk.

"Very well. You're not required to take most of them with the mentorship alternative anyway. And your mentorship duties start immediately," Xu replied with a smile, her eyes fixed on Zyma's face, clearly enjoying his reaction.

"Oh, my drama queen, spit it out. Who's my victim?" he smirked.

"Acma Mirin."

“A girl?” Zyma immediately snapped.

Xu handed him Acma's profile, still amused by Zyma's initial reaction as his smirk quickly turned into a pained expression.

"You've got to be kidding me!" he scoffed, realizing this was the new girl from Trabia as he looked at her profile. "Not only a girl, but a little one who couldn't lift a rock and is super annoying."

"Have you two already met?" Xu was taken aback, but Zyma could sense that she was more entertained than concerned. "And what's with the girls? Don't get me started!"

"You're different!" Zyma wrinkled his face. "You know I'm not that much of a douchebag... It's just that my solo way doesn't really reward what girls are typically good at. I don't even need a healer if I kill my enemies first," he explained, trying not to offend his respected mentor.

"That sounds like a reasonable challenge. It's final. Take it or leave it," Xu concluded and returned to her desk. "She's waiting outside. You guys figure out the training checklist. Six months to prepare her for the next SeeD exam."

“She’s a magic caster, no? What can I do with her?”

“Physical training, martial arts, GFs, anything you’re good at,” Xu began listing possibilities. "Even Triple Triad or making custom items. She's a blank slate, just keep her engaged. She's been pestering me for more resources. Now, go.”

Zyma let out a heavy sigh, reluctant to leave the room and meet the annoying redhead outside.

"Senior Zyma!"

"Pfff..."

"Hi! I'm Acma."

"Whatever. What do you want?"

"Miss Xu mentioned that you're my mentor, right?"

Zyma continued walking.

"When do we start and how?"

"Those are good questions!"

Zyma stopped and finally looked at Acma properly.

"How about making it your first assignment? Create your own training checklist."

"Great! What should I include in it?"

"Anything."

"Anything?"

"Anything," Zyma reiterated.

"Okay... I'll start with a rough draft."

"Perfect."

And he resumed walking.

"How do I give it to you once it's done?"

"Text."

Zyma replied, sticking one of his legs out of the window.

"What are you doing?" Acma asked in surprise, but he didn't answer. Instead, he jumped out of the window and landed on the ground before continuing to walk away. Acma was stunned by the display, as the Garden's third floor was at least a hundred feet high.

"But what's your number?" she called out. However, the guy was already too far gone to hear her.

Physical Attacks - Str, Hit, Spd, Elemental Attack, Status Attack.

Physcal Defense - HP, Vit, Eva.

Magic Attacks - Mag, Luck.

Magic Defense - Spr, Elemental Defense, Status Defense.

Acma meticulously compiled her current stats, as well as realistic stats she hoped to get to in the next six months. She added some buffer to ensure a higher chance of passing the SeeD exam on her first attempt, consulting data from previous SeeD exam test takers. Despite achieving good grades in theoretical classes, she couldn't shake off her uneasiness. She knew she had a long way to go in improving her stats.

Coming from Trabia, a region with limited magical resources, the magic tests there primarily focused on simple spells like Blizzard and Thunder, which were readily available. In Balamb, however, where magical item trading flourished, students had a wider range of abilities and access to a variety of stocked magics. Acma understood that she would need more than just a sharp mind and impressive grades to compete with these students in one-on-one battles during the selection process for field exams. Not to mention the real missions that awaited them, involving encounters with actual monsters and military adversaries as part of the real SeeD exams.

Adding to her challenges, Acma couldn't help but question Miss Xu's decision to assign her a mentor who seemed like the last person on Earth she would imagine as a teacher. Moreover, the mentor hadn't even bothered to provide his contact number. All she managed to find in the internal directory was his email address, and based on the username syntax, it appeared that he belonged to S18, the same class as most Legendary SeeDs who were four years older than Acma. With that, Acma discovered another disheartening truth about her mentor—he was a failed student who had never passed his SeeD exam. Yet, Miss Xu had entrusted her to him. She wondered if she had done something to make Miss Xu underestimate her to such an extent. With a sigh, she decided to send her training checklist to the email address on file, hoping for the best.

Chapter 4: Managing Up

Chapter Text

Balamb Garden. S20 classroom.

Acma found it difficult to concentrate on what Instructor Aki was saying, despite sitting in the front row. It had been a week since she was assigned to be Zyma's mentee, and he hadn't made a single move to teach her anything, not even replying her email. During a quick encounter in the cafeteria, Xu casually mentioned that Acma's first field mission was approaching. With the limited theoretical knowledge she had gained and no practical experience since transferring, she worried that she would meet a shameful ending the moment she set foot outside of Balamb.

She really needed to talk to him. Luckily, he was in class today for some reason.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the class. Acma glanced towards the back row to spot Zyma, but he was nowhere to be seen. Panicking, she rushed out of the classroom, internally cursing why Zyma could move like a ghost. She shouted his name and finally caught up with him.

"Senior Zyma..."

"No," he immediately replied without even listening to what Acma had to say. He didn't even look at her and continued walking.

"Excuse me?" She rolled her eyes as she jogged to keep up with him. "You are my mentor, and you have a responsibility checklist. Our first mission is in less than a week!"

"So?" he asked nonchalantly, continuing to walk.

"So? I'll die if you don't teach me anything."

"You'll pass," he feigned a friendly smile before returning to his cold expression.

"How?" she exclaimed.

This time, he abruptly stopped walking, causing her to crash into his back. He turned around as she apologized, and leaned in so close that their noses almost touched. It had been a long time since someone had been this physically close to her.

"Listen, kid. All you need to do is stock up on a bunch of Cures, Shells, and Protects. And if you can't junction yet... Here, consider these samples a welcome gift, pupil," he said, placing two potions into her hands. "Keep your HP above 0. That's all you need to do to pass your missions. Understood?"

Acma wasn't sure how to react to his demeaning gestures that clearly undermined her abilities.

"Why..."

"Ah, uh," Zyma raised his index finger close to her mouth, silencing her. "My one and only rule: don't ask questions. That's it. I suppose that lesson is enough for you to internalize for the next two weeks."

He turned his back and entered the elevator, smirking at Acma, who scoffed repeatedly at his dismissive treatment.

Balamb Garden’s girls’ dormitory. Acma’s suite’s kitchen.

"He's such a jerk!" Acma exclaimed to her new suite mate, Trepie #23, as she chewed on the delicious muffins freshly made by the girl.

"Oh, he's a good person deep down," Trepie #23 said. "I've known him for a long time. He will go out of his way to protect you. Don't worry about the mission."

"I don't think he's that nice. He talks as if he'll throw me under a tank at the first chance," Acma replied, her voice filled with suspicion. Then, a thought struck her. "Wait, were you in S18 with him? How come you're a staff member and he hasn't... graduated?"

"Ah, right," Trepie #23 explained. "There are a few solo SeeD candidates like Zyma. They go on different types of missions even before taking the SeeD exams. They're kind of exempt from the usual SeeD requirements."

Acma's curiosity was piqued. "What kind of missions?"

"One-shot," Trepie #23 replied. And when she sensed Hema's confusion, she clarified. "These are typically solo missions where only one mercenary is sent, instead of multiple squads. And unless the mission is successful, the mercenary may not return... alive."

Acma gasped in surprise. "That sounds... dangerous."

"And very well paid too,” Trepie #23 nodded repeatedly. “We refer to solo operatives like Zyma as bounty hunters. Bottom line is, he's exceptionally skilled, a hundred times better than a fake SeeD like myself."

"Aw... don't say that. Every role is important, you’re taking care of hundreds of kids here," Acma consoled Trepie #23. "But if he's that good, why is he taking classes again? Why doesn't he just go on… one-shot missions?"

"He still goes on missions, mostly off the record," Trepie #23 clarified. "I don't know what his deal is with Xu. Every solo case is different. But my guess is Zyma still needs to get certified by the SeeD exam to become an independent contractor, which means he could accept jobs from any Gardens or military institutions. Of course, Balamb takes a percentage from his payment, but these missions are kept secret."

"Like a way to pay back Garden’s interest rate?" Acma asked.

"Exactly. Orphans like us end up in Garden, receiving education, shelter and training. These accrue as debts to Garden, which take years for a SeeD to pay back, assuming they survive the missions," Trepie #23 explained.

Acma nodded in understanding, though she wouldn’t use the word ‘debts’. She felt a deep sense of gratitude for the resources provided by Garden to orphans like herself. Speaking with Trepie #23, who had also experienced being an orphan and had gone on to contribute to Balamb as an operational staff member, filled her with a warm-hearted feeling.

“Okay, even if he's good and can kill all the monsters for my missions, how am I supposed to learn by just casting protection spells and staying in defense like he said?" Acma shifted the conversation back to the original problem.

"That's a very valid concern, Acma," Trepie #23 calmly advised, her voice filled with wisdom. "It's part of your job to handle tough teammates like that. Maybe he's not aware that you truly want to learn and not just check off your list of requirements. Take the time to get to know his style, ask him about his goals, and find ways to align your goals with his. You're smart, you'll figure something out."

"I guess..." Acma contemplated, her head spinning as Trepie #23 switched to full lecture mode.

For a young teenager like Acma, the concept of maturity could be very different from that of adults like Trepie #23. The few years' age difference could significantly impact their level of emotional and cognitive development.

"Promise me you won't let him get under your skin," Trepie #23 added, continuing to wash her dishes. "You've set a high bar for yourself to become a future squad leader. You'll have your own teammates to take care of while fulfilling your own duties and reporting to higher-ranking SeeDs. Dealing with unique individuals like Zyma will be a daily occurrence. I'm not saying you just need to get used to it; I'm saying you can take control of the situation and learn a few tricks to manage difficult people."

Acma hadn't fully grasped everything that Trepie #23 meant, but it seemed that dealing with difficult people like Zyma was a skill in its own right. And when it came to acquiring a new skill, Acma would never say no.

Winhill.

"Thunder!" Acma cast the spell, feeling excited as she struck the first blow against a caterpillar.

Just moments before the spell reached the creature, an annoying shuriken once again killed the worm.

"Not again! For Hyne's sake!" Acma screamed. "You did that on purpose this time, I'm sure of it. You won't let me land the final hit on any monster. How am I supposed to level up?"

"Sorry, kid. You just need to cast faster," Zyma smirked.

Acma took a deep breath, trying to calm herself internally. This was her first mission, patrolling in Winhill, and their objective was to eliminate as many monsters as possible. However, she believed that the number of final hits she made mattered greatly for her pre-SeeD rank. Instead of assisting Acma, her mentor seemed more interested in maximizing his own last hits and collecting dropped items from these low-level creatures.

"How can you call yourself a prodigy magic caster if you can't cast faster than a physical attack?" Zyma mocked.

"I'm not a prodigy, so stop playing mind games," Acma winced. "And it's like comparing apples to oranges. Both roles are necessary within a team."

"Yes, and the healing role is essential. Since I'm not a healer, it's obvious that you have to handle it. Now, get back and cast more Cures. We'll report the number of monsters to the Village Head at noon before lunch break."

Reluctantly, Acma followed Zyma's instructions and cast a Cure spell on herself. Zyma could easily dodge all the slow attacks from the caterpillars with his high Eva stats, so there was no need to heal him. Acma’s small build made it difficult to evade most of the stings if she got caught by the caterpillars.

"Geez... It's burning hot in here. Why don't you ditch your Cadet uniform?" Zyma asked, observing sweat rolling down Acma's face under the scorching sun of the hottest month in Winhill, which was supposed to be windy for most of the year.

"It's alright..." Acma muttered. "Better than getting scars from their stings."

Another hour passed, and all Acma could do was draw and cast Cures. Zyma made no effort to teach her anything new. Even the most mediocre instructors would feel obligated to share some knowledge, but not this jerk.

Despite Trepie #23's advice on managing people, Acma found it challenging in practice. Zyma's style was... well, she couldn't find the right word to describe it. His goals were unclear, and it seemed like he only cared about his own time. Then she remembered that Xu had been Zyma's mentor, which meant that Zyma must have been a novice once, just like herself.

"What were your training goals when you were mentored by Miss Xu?" Acma asked.

Zyma stopped walking and turned back to Acma. "What do you know?"

"Nothing," Acma replied, surprised by his question. "You're my first official mentor. Is there something I’m supposed to do but I haven't?"

Zyma looked away and smirked, seeming to ponder something in his mind.

Acma held her breath. It was rare to see this annoying guy think about something for more than a fraction of a second. Whatever he was thinking, it’d better be about teaching her and not any tricks to annoy her.

"Okay... So you genuinely want to learn, not just pass the mission?" He sought confirmation.

"Of course, I want to learn. A small girl like me won't be top of my class without being a serious learner," she sensed a shift in his expression and decided to add some flattery. "I've heard a lot of good things about your abilities, Zyma the Great. I'm all ears. Please teach me whatever you think is suitable at my current level, sensei."

That's it. Take it. Accept my shower of kindness borrowed from Trepie #23. Acma smirked internally.

"Very well, pupil, I like your attitude," Zyma took a deep breath and nodded. "You know your abilities better than anyone. After lunch break, show me your physical attack with your lasso, then cast magics from low to high-level spells. I won't interfere. If you're the top of your class in Trabia, you should be able to handle three rounds without healing. Sound fair?"

Acma nodded with excitement. "Absolutely! Thank you very much!"

Balamb Garden. Xu’s office.

“Did he indeed let you have last hits?” Xu rolled her eyes as she reviewed Acma's report from her patrol in Winhill.

"Ten out of thirty monsters, Miss Xu," Acma smiled. "We also kept the costs low by relying mostly on physical attacks. And as for me," she paused for dramatic effect, "I would draw and immediately cast Thunder to replenish my magic spells."

Xu nodded. "Very well, Cadet. Quistis was right about you. You truly are an asset. We're prepared to give you more responsibilities."

"More responsibilities? I'll gladly take them all," Acma's eyes widened. "I'll give it my all. Whatever you need me to do, Ma'am. Stepping out of my comfort zone is my way to learn…"

“Aye aye…” Xu cut her short and handed her a camera. "Here's your equipment, and you need to fill in this spreadsheet every day for the next two months. The location is..."

Acma examined the spreadsheet closely, and her jaw dropped in shock.

"Why us? We don't know anyone here," she exclaimed.

"Yes, and no one knows who you are. That's precisely why I chose you two. You're new, and that element of surprise can work to our advantage," Xu explained.

"Miss Xu... I don't understand half of these words," Acma confessed.

"Consider it part of the learning process, of growing up, Acma. Stepping out of your comfort zone, your own words! Besides, I don't have to worry about you siding with the offenders,” Xu dismissed her concern. "Now, go ahead and give it a try. I have great faith in you.”

“Um…”

"What else, Acma?" Xu's annoyance was evident in her voice this time.

"Ah, nothing. I'll start immediately today."

Acma left the office, shaking her head. The first month at Balamb Garden was nothing like what she had imagined.

What Acma had almost asked Xu was about the potential stipend for the off-hour gig she had just received—a way to make up for the unexpected financial loss she had incurred during her patrolling mission back in Winhill.

Even though Zyma allowed her to handle all the monsters by herself in the afternoon, her HP was quite low by the end, and she had used up all her Cures because she was too busy casting Thunder and evading attacks. For a moment, she had thought Zyma was being kind, but no, it was all part of his plan. Seeing her low on health, he offered her Potions and X-Potions at doubled prices. He treated her like a customer in a difficult situation and squeezed her last Gils. Reluctantly handing over the money, she mustered the courage to ask him for any suggestions on how to improve. His response was curt.

“You are untrainable.”

Gosh, she hated that jerk.

Chapter 5: Quistis' Research Lab

Chapter Text

Balamb Garden’s basem*nt.

"Do you think we can make use of these?" Acma held up some notebooks still covered in dirty plastic wraps. "They haven't been touched in a while. We can use them as lab notebooks."

"That's a possible use, but I think we should respect the former owners. Many of these items belonged to SeeDs who didn't make it or were lost during the previous Garden attack," Quistis replied.

"Oh, oh..." Acma rolled her eyes in shock, quickly putting the notebooks back where they were. "I'm so sorry."

"Let's just box them all up. We only need half of this room to store our rarely used equipments for now. We can clean up more when we need to expand," Quistis suggested.

"What's that?" Acma pointed to a big box sitting on the top shelf. There seemed to be something protruding from the top, resembling a huge box that could store a weapon. It took up quite a bit of space.

"Oh... I haven't had a chance to sort through that. It all belongs to Seifer Almasy - the sorceress knight," Quistis explained.

"Him? Is all of this his? Wow, we could make a fortune out of his belongings... Did you bring this stuff down here yourself?" Acma asked.

"Yeah, I couldn't help but think how mad he'd be if he saw his belongings thrown away," Quistis replied.

"Are you going to give them back to him then? I highly doubt he'll ever come back to Garden, after what he's done..." Acma pondered.

"I don't know. Whenever I have the chance. I haven't seen him since the trial. I don't know where he is," Quistis said with a somber tone.

"What a sad life to live." Acma looked curiously at the box.

After organizing the lab space, Acma settled into her newly cleaned desk, fully aware that in a few weeks it would be cluttered with notes and samples, much like her desk back in Trabia.

"What can I assist you with, Miss Trepe?" Acma asked.

"From what I recall, you have training in cell biology, correct?" Quistis inquired.

"Yes, I underwent training and completed a thesis on Mesmerize cell analysis, specifically focusing on accelerating Thundaga formation and extraction," Acma replied.

"Good. Some of the skills you've acquired will be relevant, and we'll collaborate as we explore procedures that may be new to you, alright?"

"Yes, Miss Trepe."

"I want you to study and replicate this research paper from Esthar on bio-mechanic cells. I'm still catching up on Esthar's advanced research in treating soldiers and enhancing their shields. The main issue with Garden's mercenaries is that we have limited means of defense besides Shell and Protect. The defensive stance is mostly suited for highly skilled martial artists, not for magic casters like you and me. Heavy armor is impractical in battle. If we can find a way to temporarily enhance our cell membranes with magic to evade physical attacks without altering our genetics, it could significantly reduce mortality rates."

"Wow, that's... brilliant," Acma marveled at Quistis' vision.

"This research paper is a decade old, can you believe it?" Quistis smiled. "Esthar's weapon research is top-notch, which is why they shifted focus away from defensive mechanisms. But I believe their past findings could be advantageous for our purposes."

"Absolutely, Miss Trepe. I'll study the paper and begin drafting experimental plans."

"That's a great start! Thank you, Acma."

Acma couldn't contain her excitement. Sitting alongside a brilliant and legendary SeeD like Quistis, who was not only beautiful but also kind and confident, was a dream come true. Quistis was the epitome of a remarkable woman, and it was no surprise she had a fan club.

Out of curiosity about the fate of the ex-knight after the war, Acma had borrowed various materials about Sorceress-Knight pairs in history. Quistis noticed this and approached her.

"Is that... Seifer's old photograph?" Quistis pointed to a picture stuck in Acma's notebook, among other photographs, notes, and arrows, resembling a criminal case.

"Yes, I'm doing some research, just for fun. It's related to our bio-mechanic cell studies, I swear," Acma explained.

"I'd believe you if you hadn't adorned the notes with so many heart shapes," Quistis giggled.

"Miss Trepe!" Acma blushed, quickly closing her notebook.

"I'm just kidding. But please, continue. What has piqued your interest in researching my former student?"

“How could you not be curious? He's a living Sorceress Knight! So many unanswered questions about the connection between a sorceress and her knight,” Acma rambled on. “I'd love to capture him and run experiments, find out how he managed to survive so many battles. The guy fell from an abyss without a mark! And he dodged Gilgamesh’s Excalibur! What kind of reflex is that? And have you heard about the rumored cursed Knight Aura when they officially become knights?"

Quistis shook her head. "These are all just folklores at best. Every knight is different. Look at Squall and Cid. No crowning ceremony ever as fat as I can tell. I don't think there's a set pattern with the known Sorceress-Knight pairs. Adel didn't have a knight, and yet she still ruled the entire continent for a long time."

"What if Adel used to be a knight herself? I mean, look at her masculine physique," Acma began to speculate with more head canon theories. "What if there was nothing stopping a woman from being a knight and a man from being a sorceress? I think they are all individuals with specific abilities, learned or innate, and as long as they tap into sources of magic, like GFs, they can become whoever they are. Maybe the bond between a sorceress and her knight involves some magical inheritance, or it could simply be love, friendship, or any driving force that the legendary SeeDs had to help them return home during the Time Compression."

Quistis smiled at her mentee's hypotheses. The way Acma spoke made it sound as if those ideas were facts.

"Am I..." Acma suddenly became aware of usual Quistis' knowing smiles, "Haha, how could I bring up these theories with you, who have experienced it all?"

"No, no, keep going," Quistis waved her hand dismissively. "I honestly have no explanation for this matter. I was more of a second-hand observer, at best. It's not like we can have someone with a scientific mind become a sorceress or a knight just to answer these questions for us. It doesn't hurt to discuss ideas and hypotheses. Just…,” Quistis looked dearly into her enthusiastic mentee, “don’t ever dissect me to verify your theories. I really hate being cut.”

"You can be absolutely certain about that. You've seen how I handle guinea pigs when putting them to sleep." Acma burst into laughter. “But… have you visited him since the trial? I read in one of the books that Zabac clan has a characteristics of having growth spurts until they are 25. If he lives in prison, I wonder if he receives enough nuitrition.”

Quistis was struck by Acma’s observation. The bravado guy was always boasted of his origin signified by his last name. She indeed had made the effort to visit Seifer a week after his admission into D-District Prison, but of course, he never accepted visitors outside of his posse. Perhaps she should try again.

“I’ll try, but I don’t think he’d be open to meet anyone soon.” Quistis replied.

“What a sad life to live.” Acma repeated.

Chapter 6: Training

Chapter Text

Balamb Garden. 2F Classroom.

After the classes ended for the day, Acma hastily packed her belongings and dashed out of the classroom, determined to catch up with Zyma. He had been avoiding her ever since their mission at Winhill, and she was intent on finding out why.

"Senior Zyma! Wait!" Acma called out, but to no avail. Zyma seemed to have made up his mind to run this time, as if she were some kind of ghost chasing after him.

He darted into another classroom that had just been dismissed, and Acma quickly followed suit. However, to her surprise, she couldn't find him anywhere. She began to search under each desk, growing more and more frustrated.

"What are you looking for?" a voice asked.

"Shrewdya?" Acma recognized the girl in the pink hoodie who had been chatting with her friends. "I'm looking for Zyma, a tall guy with black hair and a headband. Have you seen him come into this class?"

"Yeah, Zyma the Great. He jumped out of the window," Shrewdya replied, pointing her head towards the large open glass window.

Acma rolled her eyes and approached the window, feeling a pang of unease at the height. And, of course, Zyma was long gone.

"Did he commit a fraud?" Shrewdya asked.

"What? Fraud? No," Acma was puzzled but then remembered he told her about buying potions. "Does he usually sell something?"

Shrewdya nodded. "He's a mobile item shop. We often buy items from him when we don't want to go all the way to Balamb Town. He even sells customized items, if you know what I mean," Shrewdya explained.

Acma tilted her head, wanting to nod but deciding to shake her head instead.

It's not worth pretending to know something, Acma thought.

"Like items for cheating during field exams. Well, not that you need that kind of stuff. But he's usually based in the training center, near the Secret Area," Shrewdya added.

Acma's eyes lit up when she heard the mention of the Secret Area. I also need to get there tonight.

"Do you still remember where it is? I showed you the other day," Shrewdya asked.

"Yes, I do. Beware of T-rexes, right?" Acma nodded.

"Exactly. Bring some Blinds before venturing into the woods. There will be students there before, well, even after curfew. You'll know what I mean. So don't worry too much about the T-rexes. If you come across one, just run," Shrewdya made sure Acma understood the risks involved.

"Thank you so much, Shrewdya! That's very kind of you. I'll... look for him there," Acma said before parting ways with Shrewdya, suddenly feeling a sense of loneliness in the vastness of the new garden.

Balamb Garden’s Training Center.

"How much is it?" a mobile shop customer asked.

"1000 Gil," replied Zyma.

"It was half that price last week!"

"Economic 101, supply and demand, mate," Zyma smiled. "This is one of the last ones. Take it or leave it."

The buyer sighed and reluctantly handed over the money.

Just as Zyma happily counted his cash, he suddenly heard the voice that had been haunting him for weeks.

"I found you, sensei."

Zyma gasped and immediately took out his shurikens.

"What the..." Acma rolled her eyes in shock.

"Lay down!" Zyma screamed, but Acma's reflexes couldn't keep up with what was happening.

"sh*t!"

Zyma jumped towards Acma and pulled her down, causing her face to hit the floor off-balance. Acma was confused and angry, and as she turned back, she was shocked to see that Zyma had a scythe pressed against a T-rex's neck.

"Sleep," he applied sleep powder to the creature before turning to Acma with anger.

"Are you blind or deaf? How did you not realize it was coming?" Zyma snapped.

"I... I ran into a bigger one on my way. I cast Blind and ran away. This one..." Acma stammered.

"It's a mutant, smaller, smarter, and much more stealthy than the ones you often see outside," Zyma explained.

"I... I didn't know that. Thank you," Acma uttered.

"Geez, I knew you’re bad at fighting, but I thought you’d better at running. Don't get killed by Red Bats in your field exam. You'll bring shame to your sensei," he smirked.

"I can't guarantee anything if my sensei refuses to talk to me and runs away from me like a ghost!" Acma snapped.

"I have a business to run. Do you realize how much loss I would incur just to spend ten minutes talking to you?" Zyma replied, annoyed.

"But isn't this mentorship supposed to allow you to skip all the morning classes? Why don't you sell your stuff in the morning instead?"

"Who buys stuff in the morning when they have classes? Besides, I sleep in the morning!" Zyma retorted.

"Well, that's... a completely different topic. But okay, let's explore other options. Is there anything else that you value besides money?" Acma asked. "That way, I can offer you something as compensation for your time.”

Zyma hesitated for a moment, clearly uncertain about how to respond.

"Go on, say it. You're wasting everyone's time," Acma prodded, which earned her a scoff from Zyma.

"GFs and women," he blurted out.

Acma blushed at his answer and felt a mix of surprise and shock.

Pervert.

"And you have neither," he smirked.

Jerk,Acma thought, closing her eyes forcefully.

"How about things like labor work or paperwork. I’m organized, good with numbers. There must be something I can do, and you can pay me with your training time," Acma suggested.

Zyma pondered for a moment, and Acma knew another opportunity had presented itself.

"I've taken your feedback about my magic casting timing when we were at Winhill. It works like a charm every time. I'd love to show you what I've improved and learn more tricks from you, sensei."

There. Slam dunk.She was proud of her own ass-kissing attitude.

"Very well, if you insist," Zyma made up his mind. "Follow me. We’ll have physical training today. No more whining. Do whatever I say. Is that clear?"

“Absolutely! Thank you very much!” She exclaimed.

Five minutes later…

Balamb Garden’s boys’ dormitory.

"Why... are we here?" Acma hesitated to follow Zyma into his room, which looked completely dark and gloomy, with a few neon lights.

"Come on in. You should feel flattered. I don't bring just anyone to my sanctuary very often," Zyma said.

Acma covered her face with both hands.

"Why?"

“Uh oh, you already forgot my one and only rule? Don’t ask any questions. I like doers and dislike whiners. Come in, or leave.” He smirked.

Acma reluctantly stepped one foot through the door, eyes fixed to Zyma.

“You’re not gonna attack me or cast an item on me, are you?” She asked.

Zyma rolled his eyes. “Of course I will attack and cast items on you! What’s the purpose of physical training if I can’t do any of that? In mercenary, anything is a fair game, kid. Here, take these if you want something to grab for defense.” He gave her a broomstick and a French maid apron.

“These are the opposite of reassuring,” she screamed. “You’re asking a girl to enter your room and wear an apron? Excuse me, I’m 16 but I’m not dumb.”

“Tch… this is why I don’t want to have a female partner, anything could become a sexual harassment lawsuit.” Zyma sighed. “Fine, we’ll do it with light on tonight.”

He slammed the door closed, which almost triggered a panic attack to Acma before he switched on the light and almost blinded her eyes.

“Welcome to my inventory. Take your broomstick and clean the armor area well. Do not go to the potion shelves on the right, I’ll kill you if you break anything. While you’re cleaning, I’ll randomly attack you to improve your reflex. Geez… you’re so slow.”

Her head was spinning, but at least she was relieved that she didn’t become his victim today.

“We’ll do it with light on today, with a faded light tomorrow, and then completely in the dark. Don’t just watch out for my attacks, you gotta finish the work here, learn to multitask and improve your peripheral, understood?”

Zyma finished, waiting for a confirmation from Acma.

“Sensei…” she murmured.

"What? Spit it out. You're wasting..."

"You're the one wasting our time," she snapped back. "You could have just said from the beginning that you wanted me to clean your room and test my reflexes. But no, you lured me here and used extremely vague language to make me believe that you were about to..." She stopped, unable to find the right word.

"Ha..." Zyma had his first 'aha' moment, nodding.

"Noted, I'm sorry," he finally said. "It's a good thing you brought that up. Keep doing that, pupil."

Acma couldn't believe her ears when he actually inclined his head towards her and offered a genuine apology, devoid of his usual joking manner. It made her wonder if this guy wasn't truly an asshole, but rather severely lacking in social skills.

But, of course, the good image didn't last long.

"Now get to work, maid. See those armors on the floor over there? Hang them all up and clean them until they shine like mirrors. I have an important tour with some generous customers tomorrow..."

As Acma diligently organized the items and tidied up his inventory, Zyma trailed behind her and occasionally made sudden movements to test her reflexes after she finished cleaning an item.

"Elbow! Not like that! Adjust your knee! Lift it higher!”

“Left! No, the other left! Goodness, who's teaching martial arts in Trabia?"

"Now, use your fist. Oh my, put more force into it. Is that all you've got? It's not because you're small. Look at Xu, she can break a big guy's rib in no time."

After enduring three such attempts, her hands were already trembling from the fresh bruises.

"I guess I'll stop; otherwise, you won't be able to hold the broomstick," he remarked. “Remember to practice escape from hands trapped and side headlock. You’re tiny, learn how to escape first and then disable enemies with your lasso.”

"Thanks?" she said sarcastically.

“I smell some ungratefulness here,” Zyma furrowed his eyes. “Tough love teaches you well, Amy. Enemies won’t wait for you to react.”

"It's Acma! My name is Acma," she half-yelled, half-murmured.

"Whatever, I'll call you A for short," he scoffed.

Acma immediately felt a chill at that abbreviation.

"Please don't call me that," she turned to him, her expression turning serious. She noticed his demeanor shift quickly.

After a few seconds of silence, he broke it with a loud scoff. "Relax, Acma. You could star in a horror movie with that look."

Realizing she had overreacted, Acma shifted the conversation to an item on the shelf—a device with a long tube, a needle, and a button. "What is this?"

"I call it the 'siphon'—a simple device to quickly drain HP from your system," Zyma answered, walking toward the shelf and picking up a siphon.

"Like draining HP from allies?" Acma furrowed her eyebrows.

Zyma nodded. "Can you guess its purpose, prodigy?"

Acma looked at the large syringe and the small motor connected to a big bag. "Judging from the size of this bag, it could draw enough blood from an adult. That's... kind of deadly."

"Which is exactly its purpose," Zyma elaborated. "Continue."

"I'm guessing... the only time you'd want your allies to have low health is when you want to trigger their Limit Breaks."

"Bingo! That's right. With this method, there's no need to slice your friends with a gunblade. Pretty smart, huh?"

"Isn't it kind of dangerous?" Acma said.

"It is. That's why you have to know what you're doing. Don't use these without reliable teammates, or it's game over."

Acma nodded, then asked, "What's your Limit Break?"

"You don't want to know," he shrugged.

"Right..."

"If I ever have to use it, you must be dead," he smirked. "What's yours?"

"I don't know yet. Please help me find it, sensei, it’s part of our checklist," she smiled.

Zyma nodded as he observed the neatly organized and clean shelves. "I must admit, this deal is quite worth it."

Just as they were enjoying their first relaxed conversation, Acma's pager started ringing.

"Gosh, it's already time for my meetup. I'm sorry; I have to go now, but this is great!" Acma excused herself and took off her apron.

"At this hour? You already take morning classes, work in a research lab in the afternoon, and attend evening training with me. Do you ever sleep?" Zyma inquired.

"Just temporary gig. I'll work hard, don't worry," she hung the apron back where it was and closed the door. "I'll come back tomorrow. Thank you, sensei!"

Zyma wasn't used to Acma willingly leaving him alone, and his curiosity about her meetup after curfew piqued. Since he intended to return to his shop anyway, he resolved to secretly follow her.

To his surprise, she returned to the training center and waited for someone. Shortly thereafter, a boy wearing a hoodie emerged, and both of them pulled up their hoods, put on facemasks, and entered the training center with an air of clumsiness.

Zyma followed the couple and soon discovered that they entered the Secret Area, where couples would meet up.

That much energy after my training. Teenagers. He scoffed.

Chapter 7: Master Miyagi

Chapter Text

Balamb Garden. Quistis’ research lab.

"Ugh..." Acma struggled to handle a gallon of solvent, still feeling the effects of her physical and martial arts training with Zyma. Despite specifically asking Zyma not to strain her wrists since she had delicate tasks to handle in Quistis's lab, he targeted her rib cage instead. Now, she had to rely on an office chair with wheels to move around the lab.

"Are you okay?" Quistis looked concerned for her lab assistant.

"I'm okay. Thanks for asking, Miss Trepe. It's just from training..." Acma smiled, trying to find a position that would alleviate the pain.

"Don't work too hard. You've taken on too many responsibilities. If I were you, I would take time to get used to the new environment first." Quistis offered advice, something she herself should have followed during her teenage years.

"I'll be fine. I just need to take advantage of Zyma's off-mission time. Whenever he's gone, he's gone for weeks," she said.

"Speaking of the devil..." Quistis glanced towards the glass pane.

Acma excused herself from Quistis and caught up with Zyma outside the lab.

"You’re early. Are you looking for me?" she asked.

"Done with work?" Zyma inquired.

"Um..."

"Tell Quistis to take care of it. Come with me to Balamb."

“Now?" Acma was confused. "Why are we going to Balamb?"

"For physical training, focusing on strength. Xu wanted your Str stat to increase by 2. Gotta work harder, pupil."

"When will we be back?"

"If you work hard, you'll be able to return soon enough to meet up with your boyfriend after curfew," Zyma smirked.

Acma rolled her eyes. "Boyfriend?"

"You sneaky..." Zyma's smirk grew wider. "That silver-haired boy. Good looking. Good build. Low durability though. Let me know if you two need any items to boost his performance."

"You..." Acma gasped. "You followed us to the Secret Area?"

"I live in the Training Center. Hard to miss that," he replied with a knowing smile. "No need to be ashamed, baby. We all have needs."

Acma forcefully closed her eyes, wishing she could find a hole to jump into. She restrained herself from giving explanation, realizing it wasn't worth her time and effort to argue with this pervert.

"Enough. Let's get back to business. Lead the way, sensei," she composed herself.

Balamb, a forest near Alcauld Plains.

"What is this place?" Acma frowned as they ventured into the woods, following a reasonably clean path padded with stones, but still giving off a somewhat shady vibe. "I thought we were going to Balamb town."

"Oh, relax. Walk faster. This place is sealed with protection, so there are no monsters around," Zyma dismissed her concerns.

Soon, the path led them to a house made of bamboo in an ancient Chinese style.

"Is this... someone's house?" Acma asked.

"It used to belong to Master Miyagi," Zyma replied, placing a brick to keep the doors from closing.

"Master Miyagi? The former instructor at Balamb Garden?" Acma inquired.

"He was an independent contractor, teaching the first generation of SeeDs, then Xu and me. Zell was his last pupil," Zyma explained, and for the first time since they had met, Acma sensed sadness in his face.

"Such a loss. I heard he was a legend and a great teacher," Acma remarked.

Zyma nodded and gestured for Acma to pick up a rag from the table. "Can you help clean the table? I'll get a broomstick."

While Zyma disappeared into another room, Acma proceeded to clean the table, which was covered in dirt that seemed to have accumulated over the past couple of months. As she worked, she glanced at the wooden columns adorned with ancient Chinese scripts.

"Virtue, Wisdom, Humility..." she read aloud, reciting the motto that hung in the center of Master Miyagi's altar.

"You know ancient scripts?" Zyma walked out, surprised by Acma's ability.

"Just a little. I've helped transcribe a few ancient scripts discovered by archaeologists, particularly those involving early sorceresses. It's quite challenging to decipher the meaning of these words nowadays. The Lunar Cry and the invasion of monsters don't spare any regard for precious cultural artifacts," she replied.

"I see. GFs also speak different languages. I know a bit, enough to communicate with them. But yes, it's disheartening to think about how this knowledge gets lost," Zyma agreed, still holding the broomstick.

"Do you want me to clean this place?" Acma offered.

Realizing his primary purpose, Zyma switched to his commanding voice. "Indeed. Here, use these. Sweep away the dry leaves in the front yard as well. I have some guests coming tonight, starting at 2000. You clean, and I'll go into town to buy more supplies."

"Leave it to me!" Acma eagerly accepted the task. She had read about Master Miyagi's methods of physical training, using daily chores as a way to imitate real martial arts moves. She felt proud that Zyma, one of Master Miyagi's descendants, was passing on his legacy to her, an unknown girl from Trabia.

She began meticulously cleaning every inch of the house. There were some stains on the curtains, and she noticed a few holes that she would have assumed were caused by tobacco if she didn't know it was Master Miyagi's house.

"Probably caused by some Fire and Flare magics," she thought, taking down the curtains and washing them carefully before hanging them on the ropes in the front yard, taking advantage of the last rays of sunlight for the day.

"One, two, three!" Acma counted and started sliding on the wooden floor with a wet rag, meticulously tracing back and forth to clear the tiniest specks of dust. She attached a device to measure her heart rate and other stats. Zyma's physical training had left her body bruised and sore, but after two months, she could feel herself growing stronger.

Grunting and catching her breath, she looked proudly at the clean house—a great achievement in just half an hour. Zyma would be pleased with her work, and she hoped that Master Miyagi could see her efforts from his altar.

The front door to the yard creaked open, and Acma heard her sensei returning.

"What the heck are you doing?" Zyma shouted.

Taken aback by his vulgar language, Acma stumbled over her words. "Cleaning... like you told me."

"Damn it, I told you to sweep and do a little cleaning. I didn't ask you to turn this into a dollhouse. What are these flowers for? You've completely ruined the vibe!" Zyma snapped.

Feeling a sense of unfairness, Acma looked at her cleaning work again. "I thought some flowers would make the house more... livable. I can get rid of them."

"Please do. I want the shady, gloomy look back. It suits the tournament better," he said, then walked into the kitchen. It was then that Acma noticed the two large bags of groceries he was carrying.

"What tournament? Are your guests participants in a tournament?" she asked, following him into the kitchen.

"Yes. They're not the friendliest bunch, more like the rough types. So be quiet and don't talk to anyone," he replied as he unloaded the groceries onto the kitchen table.

"Do we cook dinner next?" she asked.

"No... you do. Can you cook?" Zyma turned to her, smiling.

Acma wasn't entirely confident. While she could handle a few simple dishes, cooking a large amount of food for a party was no joke.

"Okay, show me what you can do, nerd." Zyma pulled out a dozen carrots. "Start by peeling these."

Acma stared at the large carrots on the kitchen table.

"Um... where are the cutting board and knives?" she asked.

He scoffed and shook his head. "Of course, what do I expect? Fine, I'll show you how, and then you can do the rest. Practice makes perfect, kid."

He took out a sharp knife and held a carrot with one hand, spinning it while peeling off the thin layer within a few seconds. What remained was a beautifully peeled carrot.

Acma's jaw dropped.

"Now for the next step." Zyma retrieved a knife that looked more like a ninja blade. "This technique is more efficient when you have more carrots, but I'll just cut one for demonstration purposes."

He tossed the peeled carrot high into the air and began slicing it, the cut pieces landing neatly in a nearby wok.

"See? Who needs cutting boards? Cut the veggies stir them all together. Soy sauce is in the pantry. My guests aren't too picky, so just make something edible. The booze and tobacco will take care of the rest," he finished his demonstration. "Easy, right?"

Acma was shocked and began to question her decision to transfer to Balamb Garden.

"Let me get this straight. You want me to cook for your shady guests at this shady tournament, in your deceased master’s house where you’ve also turned into your inventory illegally, and you call it my physical training?"

"Exactly! It's about building strength and learning how to handle a ninjato," he nodded, still smiling.

"I'm leaving." Acma grabbed her cleaning apron and shook her head, heading for the kitchen door.

"Oh, come on, stop whining, princess." Zyma changed his tone. "Do you want to end this mentorship right now after all the effort you've put in? Don't tell me you haven't improved."

Acma paused at the door.

“You just say these because if I don’t help you, your guests will be starved and it’s not good for your business,” she mustered up her courage to speak back. “I’m your pupil, not your servant!”

Zyma's gaze locked with her intense burgundy eyes, and she immediately regretted her harsh words.

"Fine. You can go," Zyma said, then turned back to the groceries.

Acma was surprised at his lack of push back. "You're letting me go?"

"Yeah. I don't believe in forcing anyone, especially women, to do something they don't want to do. I have my own standards. Farewell, Acma. It's been good," he replied curtly, his eyes still fixed on the carrots.

Acma tried to process his words and wondered what would come next after this shattered mentorship.

"Are you sure you can handle all of this by yourself? It seems like a lot of work until 2000," she asked hesitantly.

"Uh-huh. I'll be fine. I thought having you here would make this more fun since Sean is no longer here, but... Anyway, go and enjoy your youthful life," Zyma said, his words laced with a hint of sadness.

Acma rolled her eyes internally, annoyed by his attempt at a guilt trip. Was he really a sad lone wolf, or just skilled at manipulation? She couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and resentment towards him.

"Fine. I'll help you, just for today, before I figure out with Miss Xu if ending our mentorship will have any consequences for my upcoming SeeD exam," Acma reluctantly agreed, walking towards his side and picking up the knife.

"That's my girl. It's all yours. Bring your friends if you need more help," Zyma said, slipping an apron onto Acma.

"Wait... Where are you going? I thought we were going to do this together?" Acma asked, her confusion evident as she immediately regretted her decision to come back.

"I did say you’re the one to cook, right? I have to go back to the Garden and load up more items. The tournament is just an excuse to sell stuff," he explained.

"Okay..." Acma had more questions, but none of them seemed relevant to the task at hand. "Will you be able to pick up my friends to help? And please, compensate them with some items. Unlike me, they're not your slaves."

"Sure. Shoot me their names," Zyma replied.

Acma quickly listed a few names of people she had managed to become friends with in her short time at Balamb Garden.

"No, not Trepie #23, please," Zyma rejected the suggestion.

"But she's the only one I know for sure can cook!" Acma protested. She barely knew the rest of her classmates from S20, having only hung out with them a few times in the cafeteria.

"She's in the Disciplinary Committee. She's too upright, she'll definitely report this event," Zyma explained.

"What kind of tournament is it?" Acma asked, puzzled.

"I'll pick them up," Zyma evaded her question once again and left.

Chapter 8: Tournament

Chapter Text

"Why are we here again?" Keannu looked around the kitchen, clearly unsure of the purpose.

"Learning. Teamwork. Fun?" Acma slowly listed a few benefits, trying to convince Keannu.

“He promised me a nice set of ancient armor, I can’t say no to that,” Shrewdya said.

"What? So unfair. He always gives girls better deals. He only promised me and Keannu a set of items for our field exams, 500 Gils at most," Raddie exclaimed.

"Exams which I don't plan to take," Keannu replied, expressing his disinterest.

"But I will, and I’m helping you secure your scholarship to stay at Garden," Raddie added. "Anyway, it's a pleasure to be in Master Miyagi's house. I can sense his spirit."

"Raddie, you're scaring me by bringing that up," Shrewdya crossed her arms, feeling uneasy.

"Okay, we don’t have much time," Timeth interrupted the chitchat. "How do we begin?"

And so, the gang spent the next hour discussing what to cook, only to realize they were missing ingredients halfway through and had to change their plans. Initial reluctances among the new friends soon disappeared, replaced by lively discussions and heated arguments about whose techniques were more efficient.

By the cutting board...

"Shrewdya, do you want to help me cut these veggies? I'm not very skilled with a knife..." Acma asked, seeking assistance.

"I'd love to, but I don't want to ruin my nails. I just had them done with Miss Trepe," Shrewdya replied, prioritizing her manicure.

"You went to a nail salon with Miss Trepe?" Acma was surprised by this random fact, but it made sense considering Shrewdya and Miss Trepe's shared sense of fashion and high beauty standards. "Okay, let me give it a try. I can do this."

Acma attempted to mimic Zyma's technique, tossing a carrot in the air before slashing her knife.

"Ahhhhh..."

Shrewdya screamed.

"Oh, shoot! I'm so sorry," Acma stopped what she was doing and looked at Shrewdya, making sure her knife hadn't come into contact with her neck. "Did I touch you?"

"It's a ninjato. If you touch me, you kill me," Shrewdya screamed, exaggerating the danger. "But my hair... I think some of it fell into the noodle soup."

"Oops..." Acma realized that strands of hair had indeed fallen into the soup, and there was no way to retrieve them.

By the stove...

"I think the rice soup is too salty," Raddie informed Keannu.

"Okay, let's add more water then," Keannu said, pouring water into the boiling saucepan. "How about now?"

"Yikes, it's too bland now. Let me add more fish sauce... There we go. You try it this time," Raddie suggested.

"Man, only a fish can eat this soup. Add more water!" Keannu exclaimed, wrinkling his face after tasting a spoonful.

"This saucepan isn't big enough," Raddie observed, looking at the almost overflowing saucepan. "Ah, there's a bigger pot. Let me grab it."

"Quick thinking, man!" Keannu praised Raddie, who was often the decision-maker of the group. Raddie may not have been extremely intelligent, but he had great reflexes and quick decision-making skills, making him suitable for a future squad leader.

The problem was that their tastes were completely different, so they ended up adding water and fish sauce dozens of times, and they kept switching to larger pots.

"This tastes perfect, certified by future SeeDs," Raddie and Keannu nodded at each other. "Acma, do you want to do a quality check on this perfect rice soup?"

"Coming! Great work, guys!" Acma exclaimed as she ran over, but her smile quickly faded. "What is this?"

"Rice soup. A great dish for a large party with low expectations," Raddie smirked.

"But I don't see any rice," Acma said, swallowing her disappointment, hoping for a miracle.

"It's at the bottom," Raddie explained, using a long spatula to stir the bottom of the pot. A few sad grains of rice floated halfway up, unable to reach the surface of the deep pot.

"How much rice did you put in?" Acma slowly unfold the problem to the boys.

"Just a handful, I think," Raddie replied, sensing that something was off.

"A handful of rice in a full five-gallon pot," Acma emphasized.

"Yes?" Raddie started to panic.

"I'm sorry… this is great so far. But I think we need a bigger pot or we should pour out some water," Acma trailed off. "Because we haven't added the carrots yet." She glanced at Shrewdya, who had taken over the chopping duty after almost being decapitated by Acma's sword.

"I'm working on it! I'm halfway there," Shrewdya nagged. "The cutting board is full anyway, so why don't you place the cut carrots into the soup now?" she suggested.

They followed Shrewdya's suggestion, and as they added all the chopped carrots to the simmering pot, Acma reluctantly pointed to Shrewdya's hand.

"Shrewdya... did you... how many fingernails do you have?" Acma noticed that some of Shrewdya's left-hand fingernails were missing.

Shrewdya's jaw dropped as she frantically looked at the rice soup. "Freaking Hyne!"

"Aaahhh..." Timeth suddenly made a noise from his busy corner.

"Timeth, are you..." Acma just noticed Timeth's perfect dough.

"Aaahhh choo!" Timeth sneezed, releasing the most powerful sneeze he had ever experienced. "Sorry, there was too much flour in the air. What?"

Everyone's attention turned to the dough in front of Timeth, which was now contaminated by his germs.

"Why didn't you put on your facemask, Timeth?" Acma facepalmed. "This is going to be a disaster."

Due to the limited time remaining, the gang decided to quietly finish whatever they could. To their surprise, Zyma didn't seem to have any standards, true to his word. He happily brought out the dishes to serve his guests, after making sure the gang stayed in the kitchen, wearing their masks and avoiding interaction with the guests.

"My King, my Queen! What a pleasure!" They heard his voice from the main room.

Soon, the scent of tobacco and alcohol permeated the main room, making its way into the kitchen. It was a subdued party, with the only audible sound being a repetitive song playing in a loop, its rhythm going, "Dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, clap clap." Despite the relatively quiet atmosphere, the gang could observe at least ten cars parked in the front yard.

"I'm sorry to get you all involved," Acma said, avoiding eye contact with anyone.

"Don't blame yourself. I have to admit, this is the most enjoyable way to spend my weekend. I'm just curious about what's happening out there. Why is everyone so silent?” Raddie said, his eyes fixed on the small holes in the kitchen, trying to catch a glimpse of any suspicious activities in the main room.

"Yeah. At least I can say that I cooked rice soup. I'll need that once I leave our cafeteria and open my martial arts school in Dollet," Keannu shared.

"Aren't you planning to become a SeeD?" Acma asked.

"No, I never want to. The Garden is just a good place for orphans to grow up, you know," Keannu explained. "But I do enjoy martial arts, and I'd love to share what I've learned here with other kids."

Acma nodded in agreement with Keannu's plan. "Let me know if I can help you with anything, Keannu. You'll be a great instructor."

"Can we go now? We can sneak out through the window, right? It's almost curfew time," Shrewdya reminded the group.

"Right..." Acma glanced at Timeth. "Let me go out and find Zyma..."

Just as Acma was about to reach the door, the devil walked in.

"Good job, guys! Everyone loved your food," Zyma smiled. "Are you eager to go back and continue your secret business?" He looked at Acma and then glanced at Timeth in the corner, who didn't seem to understand what Zyma was referring to.

"Um, yeah. We won't be able to get into the school after curfew," Acma replied.

“Very well. Use my car. Use the window to get out,” Zyma placed his car key into Acma’s hand. “Good night!”

"But..." Acma called out, but Zyma disappeared into the main room.

She turned back to her friends.

"Does anyone know how to drive?"

Ten minutes later...

"Be careful, Raddie. I don't think you turned on the right switch," Shrewdya lightly slapped Raddie's wrist.

"What kind of control is this? It looks so different from the cars we usually have in simulations," Raddie complained.

"It's very old, from the post-war era. The previous war," Keannu bit his lips.

"Is there a manual in the glove box?" Acma reached out to open the glove box, which spilled out a lot of strange-looking pieces of clothing.

"What are these filthy things?" Keannu asked.

Acma remembered Zyma tossing Ifrit's briefs to her when they first met and couldn't continue her train of thought. She quickly put the clothing back using her knuckles. "You don't want to know!"

"Okay, it's almost curfew time. We have to go anyway. Trust me, guys," Raddie prepared everyone.

"What else can we do?" Acma sighed. "Go for it, Raddie. We're counting on you."

After a loud engine start noise, the car started moving, but unfortunately in the wrong direction and collided with another car with a loud bang from behind.

"sh*t!" Raddie exclaimed. "Urghhh, should we run or talk to the owner?"

"I don't think we even know how to run this car anyway..." Acma facepalmed.

"Umm..." Shrewdya turned around to look at the car they had hit. "This car looks oddly familiar. The license plate number too!"

"What's going on? Oh no, it's my car!" A familiar voice quickly approached the group.

"Instructor... Trepe?" The whole gang shouted, but she wasn't the only school official at the tournament.

Balamb Garden. Xu’s headmaster office.

The entire gang, including Zyma, was brought into Xu's office. It turned out that their tournament was for Triple Triad, a game that Quistis and Xu were hardcore enthusiasts. Zyma's mistake was employing underage labor, especially from Balamb Garden.

Xu began to lecture the group, trying to find out who was behind the whole thing and why. However, just as she was about to deliver the verdict, she excused herself from the room.

"Quistis... take over. My stomach hurts. I'll be right back!" Xu said, leaving Quistis in charge.

Quistis took over and began to cite the Garden's rules on curfew and outside activities, but Acma could sense some discomfort in her mentor's demeanor.

"Um... Why is Xu taking so long? Wait here, I'll go find her," Quistis said, slightly bending forward due to stomach discomfort. She left the gang to their own discussions in the office.

"This is it... the end of my career that hasn't even started," Shrewdya complained.

"I'm so hungry," Raddie groaned, clutching his belly.

"Didn't you guys eat dinner?" Zyma furrowed his brow. "There's plenty of food left in the kitchen."

"We..."

Acma coughed, preventing Keannu from making matters worse.

"What are you hiding?" Zyma asked, suspicion in his eyes.

"Did you eat the food?" Acma inquired.

"No, I don't eat dinner," he replied dismissively. "What's the deal with the food?"

Acma rolled her eyes at his disregard for one of the most fundamental human needs.

"What do you mean you don't eat dinner?"

"Har har, funny pupil, knowing so little about your sensei. Did you try to poison me?”

“No! It’s just… some hygiene concerns, totally unintentional,” Acma replied.

“Is that why they're occupying the bathrooms? sh*t, I should have anticipated this and brought some medicine..." Zyma shook his head.

"We're in deep trouble, and making money is the only thing you can think of?" Acma couldn't hide her frustration. “Unbelievable!”

"Look," Zyma replied calmly. "I’m sure they're not going to do anything. They're my guests too, remember? Just pray that they can come back from whatever explosion they're having right now."

Ten more minutes passed, and the Garden committee members returned, looking utterly exhausted.

Quistis approached Shrewdya and asked an unexpected question. "Shrewdya, raise your hands. I want to see them... turn them around," Quistis said, and after some confirmation, she nodded and let go of Shrewdya's hands.

Thirty seconds ticked by without anyone saying anything. They all looked at each other, glancing at Shrewdya's hands, and then at Quistis.

“Hee hee hee heee…”

It was Keannu who broke the silent contest.

Shrewdya quickly followed him, bursting into laughter, clutching her stomach while trying to say, “I’m sorry…”

Quistis joined her, taking a chair to laugh along despite her stomachache.

The others quickly realized what had happened and joined in the laughter, except for Zyma.

"What's going on?" he whispered to Acma, who was rolling off the bench, unable to contain her amusem*nt.

"Manicure... in the soup… Miss Trepe…" Acma managed to say between laughs.

A sudden realization dawned on Zyma, and he scoffed, whispering into Acma's ear, "Those nails, if you can find them, will be worth a fortune as an antique. Think of their journey in and out of a Legendary SeeD…"

Acma covered her face and continued laughing, shaking her head, not daring to think about retrieving those pieces.

Chapter 9: Break

Chapter Text

Quistis' research lab.

"Have you stopped training with Zyma?" Quistis asked, wondering why Acma hadn't gone to Zyma's training for the past couple of days.

"Not really..." Acma reluctantly explained. "We're kind of taking a break, he’s on a mission," she trailed off.

Quistis nodded, sensing that something was off but deciding not to press further. She couldn't complain because with Acma's help in setting up the research lab and Timeth assisting with the simulation room, they were making progress on research and training targets that had been delayed for a long time.

Acma sluggishly jotted down a few numbers collected from her experiments and decided to take a short break.

A proper break.

She had had a fight with Zyma. It was difficult for her to call it a fight or define its nature because it seemed to come out of nowhere. Their mentor-mentee relationship had developed slowly through training, small missions, and, of course, the side hustles Zyma skillfully forced her into, like the Triple Triad tournament. Just when she thought they could maintain this healthy relationship, admittedly one of the closest she had since moving to Balamb, he began to criticize her for how she spent her limited non-training time.

Flashback…

"Leaving so early? After studying physics for an hour and taking another hour of evening nap?" Zyma smirked as Acma reached for his room's door after excusing herself due to the impending curfew.

"Please... We've been training continuously for hours a day, for three consecutive weeks. I want to train, but my body is exhausted. And unlike you, I still have early classes in the morning, you know," Acma explained.

"Too little training, you're whining. Enough training, still whining. You barely spent an hour today on the field."

"I know... But I'm a magic caster, not a bodybuilder. There’s some limit."

“What kind of attitude is that? Are you pulling the diversity, equity and inclusion sh*t again?” Zyma snapped. “Would monsters and sorceresses care if you are 5 feet or 6 feet tall? Whether you are a prodigy or a retard? Whether you’re a boy or a girl? The whole point of martial arts training is to improve your physical strength, and you're saying you're not cut out for it? How is it ok to deprioritize the number one way to keep yourself alive, and put it what, under a physics assignment?”

"I didn't mean it like that..." Acma tried to interject.

"I am not finished!" Zyma raised his voice. "See? How is it okay for a woman to interrupt a man, while the reverse gets frowned upon? I'm saying, look up to your lab mentor, Quistis. She's also a prodigy. She worked hard. And after one Sorceress War, that respectable woman has a permanent metal clasp on her hip. Do you want to cut your career short? Because if that's your plan, you'd better quit this school immediately to save yourself. I don't want to be held responsible for your death certificate!"

Acma patiently waited for Zyma to finish before speaking up. "I don’t want to stop training. I always work hard. I just need a break to recover."

"Tch... but you still have the energy to go to the Secret Area and make out with your boyfriend, right?" Zyma shook his head.

"For the millionth time, he's not my boyfriend," Acma corrected him. “We have real business there.”

"Wow, teen slang. Business in Secret Area? And I know teenagers nowadays are quite open, but I didn't think you were the kind of person who goes out nightly with a guy for a month without putting hundreds of labels on your relationship. I thought I'd have to buy a wedding gift for my pupil soon. Or maybe a baby shower gift if you're not careful. Are you guys using proper... prevention?"

Acma's head was spinning, trying to follow his strange train of thought.

"Zyma," she addressed him, an urge she rarely felt. "First of all, it's very inappropriate for you to intrude so forcefully into the only hour of personal life I have. And secondly, are you trying to pressure me and Timeth into buying shady items? You're unbelievable. I thought we were friends after all the crazy stuff we've been through."

After Acma finished speaking, Zyma didn't take her words lightly. He clenched his jaw and took a few deep breaths.

"Go, take as much break as you want. I don’t want to train someone who disrespects my time," he finally said, escorting Acma to the door.

He didn't show up to pick her up from Quistis' lab the next day, and she only learned from Xu that he was on a mission.

Acma was confused, trying to think what she had done or said that could trigger him. Not that he was the type to explain things well. Her best hope was to wait until his anger subsided and in the mean time, she’d find other ways to boost her physical stats.

In the evening, Acma found herself once again seeking relationship and leadership advice from Trepie #23.

"What would you do if your superior refuses to guide you?" Acma asked, opening up the conversation.

"What's going on between you and Zyma now?" Trepie #23 inquired.

"Ugh... how did you know it's about Zyma? I was just asking a general question," Acma replied, surprised.

"I thought you two were getting along," Trepie #23 remarked.

"I thought so too. But lately, he's been acting strange. He's been overly concerned about my physical training. While I appreciate the support, the training has become quite exhausting. The other day, he made me run around all the garden wings before coming back to his room. By the time I finished, I was completely drained."

"Okay. Maybe you should talk to him and ask him to lighten the load. I don't see why this issue would lead to something serious," Trepie #23 suggested.

"I did talk to him. But he got defensive. He accused me of having time to go with Timeth to the Secret Area but being lazy when it comes to his training," Acma explained.

"I see," Trepie #23 giggled. "I think I understand what's going on."

"You do?" Acma asked curiously. "What would you do if you were in my position?"

"Acma," Trepie #23 replied with wisdom, "sometimes you don't have to explain everything. Building trust gradually helps others understand who you are, and once they trust you, they won't misunderstand you or question your motivation. You're a new student, and Zyma is your new mentor. You two barely know each other. It's easy for him to assume that you're not serious about your physical training, especially given your academic achievements. His eccentric behavior also gives off the impression that he's a jerk to many, so you may perceive his training as unfair. But having observed both of you, I can guarantee that you're both great friends. Try to build trust with him, understand him and help him understand you more. That's what I would do."

"Build trust," Acma repeated, nodding. "But how do I begin? I find nothing in common with him."

Trepie #23 seemed really skilled with all the management and operation stuff she had learned. But for a teenager like Acma, she needed more specific instructions and details instead of using fancy management terms.

"Start by having casual conversations with him outside of training. Show genuine interest in his hobbies, goals, and even things like food and magic. You both have nerdy interests, so there's probably more in common than you think. Be patient and let the trust between you grow naturally. It might take time, but I'm sure it will make a difference in your work relationship."

Acma felt enlightened. "Thanks, I'll give it a shot. Maybe I can convince him to join your bi-weekly hangouts as a starting point."

"See, you got it," Trepie #23 reassured her. "Just be yourself and let the mentorship develop. Good luck, Acma!"

Evening. Training Center.

"Senior Zyma! Wait! I want to buy a few things! Why are you leaving so soon?" a student called out, chasing after Zyma.

"Come to my room," Zyma replied.

It was almost curfew time, and he knew exactly who he would bump into at this hour.

It had been two weeks since he had asked Acma to leave his room and stopped seeing her. As expected, she hadn't made any attempts to reconnect either. Typical women.

In order to accommodate her busy schedule, as Xu had suggested they meet for at least four hours a day, Zyma had to rearrange his business and tournament commitments. Yet, she had the audacity to go on a date right after curfew, leaving him with free time when not many customers would come to the Training Center for trade.

So, after advising Acma to take a proper break as she desired, he went straight to Xu and requested an immediate assignment. Unfortunately, the mission turned out to be a short one, and now he found himself facing his most dreaded thought.

It wasn't solely the loss of his time that bothered him.

[flashback)

"I have some new arrivals. Can you help organize them in their buckets? Second shelf to the right," Zyma instructed Acma as soon as he opened the door for her. Acma was catching her breath after running around the Garden twice, just as he had commanded.

"Yeah... Can I have a few minutes to finish my physics assignment? It's due in half an hour," she asked, grunting.

"Okay." Zyma was about to turn on the light, but she stopped him.

"It's okay, I brought my study lamp," she said, retrieving a small desk she had set up for herself, sparing him from dealing with the light.

Zyma felt appreciative that she had noticed his aversion to the light. She was a thoughtful person.

Acma put on her eyeglasses, and that was the first time he saw her wearing them.

Pfff... Another drawback of being in martial arts training.

"Do you have bad eyesight?" he asked.

"No. Thank Hyne, not yet. But these eyeglasses block blue light, which is really bad for retinal cells."

"Ha..."

She turned around, wearing a half smile, a nerdy look, with eyes lit up by some newfound discovery. He found himself captivated by her warm and intelligent gaze.

"Did you just realize something?" she asked him.

"What?"

"Nothing. You always make that expression when you have an 'aha' moment." She smiled once more and returned to her studying.

After half an hour, she closed her laptop. "I'm done. Sorry about that. What are we doing today?"

She came to sit down on his sofa, while he walked to the shelf to grab some items.

"I can see you're tired. Let's use this time to work on using some performance support items. Have you seen an Aura stone? It's one way to induce your Limit Break without resorting to that risky siphon trick. They're quite expensive, and I don't usually show them to anyone. But thanks for your help with the tournament, we collected a bunch of cards for refinement. I'll make an exception this time..."

The room was unusually quiet with her presence, so Zyma looked at her through the shelf and realized that she had dozed off, coiling on his sofa sleeping like a child.

Tch...

It had been a while since a girl had slept in his room.

He considered leaving her there and going to the Training Center as he usually did when he didn't have a duty with her. But somehow, he didn't want to do that. It wasn't that he didn't trust her to stay in his room. He had tested her integrity multiple times by leaving gil and expensive items in a corner. She would always find them, put them back in place, and inform him of her findings.

Instead of finding something else to do, he simply sat there and watched her for no reason.

Until her pager rang, and she jolted out of her slumber.

"Shoot! Timeth! I'm sorry... I gotta go."

(End of flashback]

When he returned to his room, he found a note slipped through his door with her handwriting.

“Are you alive? I’m ready to train again, whenever you want, sensei.” She wrote, putting a smiley face at the end.

He confirmed what really bothered him.

He longed for her presence. By Hyne's sake, her presence was captivating, not in the conventional sense where heads would turn in a room full of attractive cadets like Balamb Garden, but in a way that seemed to programmatically intoxicate him. Yet, her burgundy eyes, not only they smell good, but they also held a certain allure, as if they possessed the ability to communicate and grab his attention, much like those of a sorceress searching for a sacrifice.

He felt confused by his own thoughts.

"For the millionth time, he's not my boyfriend. We have real business there," he heard her say clearly. However, she hadn't provided any further explanation, and he felt too vulnerable to ask for more details, despite his overwhelming curiosity about her relationship.

Maybe she wanted to keep him hanging, taking advantage of him being her mentor. She didn’t seem to be that kind of person though. Perhaps she truly had nothing with that boy, but then why did they go to the Secret Area? He couldn't find out because entering that area alone was highly frowned upon. He wished he could spy on her in the Secret Area.

Suddenly, an idea shot through his mind.

Acma lay in her bed, deep in thought, reflecting on the conversation she had with Trepie #23 in the kitchen.

"But Acma, you mentioned that Zyma got angry because you went out with Timeth," Trepie #23 had pointed out.

Acma asked innocently, "Right, so?"

Trepie #23 giggled in response. "You need to read more romance, I insist."

How could it be?

Chapter 10: Dance

Chapter Text

Aki’s etiquette class.

"Alright, folks. Let's practice our dance moves in the ballroom, the whole song from beginning to end this time, please. Since we have more boys than girls... Ladies, please give multiple partners a chance to practice," Instructor Aki announced, leading the class to the basem*nt where the ballroom practice room was located.

S20 and S21 were mixed this time to balance the fact that girls accounted for only a third of the student body. Acma felt relieved because the male partners in S20 were much taller than her, making it incredibly challenging to dance without feeling like she was floating on the floor.

To her surprise, Zyma was sitting in the ballroom as she walked in. She wondered if she should go and say hi first, accepting the fact that he might give her the cold shoulder, potentially marking the end of their mentor-mentee relationship. Or worse, if her suspicion that Zyma had feelings for her was true, it would make things even more awkward.

As she debated her options, he slowly approached her, and it felt like an eternity before he spoke the first words.

"Did you take enough of a break? When do you want to resume our training? The next mission is approaching, if I remember our schedule correctly," he bombarded her with information as usual.

"Yeah... I had a good rest. We can... meet after my lab today?" she suggested.

"Good," he nodded.

"Hey... I'm sorry about the other day. I promise I won't pass out like that again. You know I really appreciate your help," she murmured.

"No need to apologize. You're 16, prime time to have a life. I was once your age. Secret Area is surely fun even for a nerd," he smirked.

"It's not like that..." She shook her head, not wanting to get into the Secret Area business. So she changed the topic. "Anyway, why are you here?"

"I can't skip this stupid class. I've to passed it before," Zyma replied.

Acma giggled. "Didn't you tell me that martial arts is like dancing?"

"I said that for your own interpretation, girl. Telling that to a dude makes it more confusing," he responded.

She waved her index finger, “I should record that. You’re the one bringing up the gender stereotype this type.”

Caught off guard, he chuckled. "I guess..."

Aki turned on a song and signaled for everyone to start practicing.

"Well, I'd love to be your dance partner, but... I don't think our heights quite match for that," she said.

"You're probably the shortest in the entire school, Acma. Why don't you wear high heels?"

"I can't handle them, I've tried. Besides, I don't want to injure my dance partner with that kind of weapon," Acma replied, covering her face.

"Fine, go find your boyfriend," Zyma smirked. "Oh no, he's dancing with the manicure girl," he said, looking in Timeth's direction.

She chuckled, thinking back to the tournament incident.

"I'll grab Raddie if you don't mind," Acma suggested.

"Be my guest."

"Alright. I'll see you this afternoon, Sensei," Acma said as she parted ways with Zyma

It was such a relief that he seemed neutral about their fight, and perhaps to him, it was just a normal disagreement among friends, nothing more, nothing less.

She greeted Raddie, who fortunately was looking for a dance partner. Raddie carefully adjusted his shoes and lowered his knees throughout the dance to minimize their height difference.

Meanwhile, Zyma approached Trepie #23, who was the assistant for the dance class herself.

"Trepie #23, are you open to an interesting discovery tonight?" he asked.

Zyma’s room.

"What are we learning today?" Acma asked.

"GFs," Zyma replied.

Acma's eyes lit up. "I've heard you're an expert in that matter, but I've never seen you with one."

"You have to prove yourself worthy before seeing my collection, pupil. They're not like pets that you can just come and see. You have to learn how to communicate with them. Otherwise, it would be suicidal to enter their nests."

"Like the Fire Cavern? I heard it was easy, and almost every cadet can deal with Ifrit with support."

"The one in the Fire Cavern is just a replica, made from a fragment of the real GF's spirit. We call the original ones dark GFs."

"Why are they called 'dark' GFs?" Acma asked.

"What kind of question is that?"

"I mean, is there anything special about the 'dark' ones? I know there are fluffy GFs like Carbuncle and scary-looking ones like Diablos. Are they different in nature or personalities? What makes a GF a dark GF?"

"I see. It's just a terminology," Zyma said.

"But who came up with that term?"

"I don't know. GF is a concept that goes far back in history. Why ask these useless questions? It's like asking why a table is called a 'table'."

"I'm just curious. I wouldn't ask these if you didn't claim to be an expert," Acma replied.

Zyma shook his head, handing her his thick notebook. "Read it, and then ask me any questions afterward." He then lay down on the sofa, putting his bandana over his eyes to relax.

“I thought you never sleep in the evening…”

“Shut up and read.”

Acma opened the notebook filled with Zyma's handwriting and drawings, gasping at the beauty of the GFs he had encountered.

"These are all from your hunts?" she asked.

"Uh-huh," Zyma confirmed.

"Where are they now? I haven't heard of more than half of these names," Acma said.

"I'll take that secret to my grave. Balamb Garden is one of the few places that allow the usage of GFs in human consciousness. We only need replicas to wield magic. Only a few dark GFs are willing to be permanently attached to a human and follow their commands, like you've seen our Legendary SeeDs do. The rest of the dark GFs prefer to hide in their places and not interfere with humans," Zyma explained.

"How do you know if a dark GF wants to join forces with humans?"

"That's why you need to learn how to communicate with them."

Acma nodded. She had used GF junction many times before, but she didn't really understand the mechanism behind it.

"Do you experience amnesia when using a GF?" Acma inquired.

"I don't junction, if that's what you're asking. It's a perk of being a damage dealer."

"Right..." Acma continued reading Zyma's detailed notes, realizing that it would take her a couple of days to fully absorb all the information. She appreciated his effort in compiling his knowledge in a visual way.

"When I become a SeeD, can I have a dark GF?" Acma asked.

"If you're good enough. Have you heard about our magic lamp tradition?"

"No," Acma replied.

"After the SeeD ceremony, the headmaster will hand over a magic lamp with a GF inside. The newly appointed SeeDs have to fight the GF, and the one who deals the last hit can equip the GF," Zyma explained.

"Like a real dark GF?" Acma asked.

"Yes, the real ones are more powerful than the replicas used for junctioning magic. You can use dark GFs in real battles, as tanks, magic dealers, and even combine their magic with yours to create a combo," Zyma said.

"Wait," Acma interrupted, "what do you mean by creating a combo with our magic?"

"If I remember correctly, you're a Holy caster, right?" Zyma asked.

"Yes, I am."

"Good. Not many people this young can handle it. Try mixing your magic with a dark GF's magic next time," Zyma suggested.

"Mix? How?"

"Tch... that's something you have to figure out. I'm not a magic caster, but I've observed some people doing it with GFs," Zyma replied.

"Okay..." Acma nodded. "But does that mean other types of magic, like Thundaga, can also be mixed with GFs to enhance their effects?"

"I'm not a magic expert, you are, kid. Ask your lab mentor, she’s an expert in Blue Magic which is extremely hard to master. But honestly, you'll have to learn these advanced techniques on your own. Textbooks only give you the basics, mentors can only show you what work for them, so don't rely on them or limit yourself by their suggestions," Zyma explained.

He sat up from the sofa and added, "2200. I guess it's time for you to meet up with your boyfriend?"

Chapter 11: Busted

Chapter Text

“Let’s go, Timeth.” Acma yawned, she was so into reading about GFs that hours had passed at Zyma’s room, and she was now feeling exhausted as her head reached her capacity.

“Are we almost done with this duty? I think I’ll have a psychological trauma after this anyway.” Timeth shared as he put on his hood and facemask.

Acma did the same, and the duo walked into the training center’s secret area as usual.

“Someone got to do it. Better our time than the precious time of our seniors. We’re… helping. Think about it that way, Timeth.” Acma gave Timeth a few fake words of encouragement.

“Why are we here?" Trepie #23 asked Zyma.

"Just come and see a two-faced friend," Zyma replied.

"Don't you think it's a good idea to clarify a bit? I'm risking my reputation coming here with you after curfew. You're not asking me out again, are you?" Trepie #23 questioned.

"Oh, come on, Trepie #23. We passed that stage long ago. Besides, you're on the Disciplinary Committee. Your record is as clean as a diamond. No one would think you hang out with someone like me," Zyma reassured her.

"Right..." Trepie #23 smiled warmly. "So, who are you spying on? Am I your shield?"

"Oh, don't ask. You're ruining the surprise," Zyma teased.

As they stepped into the area, they noticed couples making out. Some opened their eyes to see who was approaching but quickly returned to their activities.

Zyma scanned the surroundings but couldn't spot the ones he was looking for. He walked towards the balcony, and that's when he heard a gasp and caught a whiff of the familiar lavender scent.

"Found ya," Zyma muttered.

He drew out his scythe blade and swiftly cut through a nearby bush, revealing the couple he had been searching for. They were still fully dressed and wearing face masks.

"Have you just started or already finished?" Zyma smirked, playfully sneaking away his scythe and turned towards Trepie #23 in triumph. “See? She has a boyfriend. I win.”

"Trepie #23..." Acma gasped. "You're with him?"

Trepie #23 did not reply but giggled very hard.

Timeth noted something down on his sheet, murmuring. "Zyma, Trepie #23, S20."

"Timeth, don't..." Acma interrupted Timeth’s writing.

"Wait… What is it?" Zyma noticed the camera in Acma's hand.

He snatched it from her and realized that, in addition to the photo he had just taken with Trepie #23, there were more pictures of other couples in the secret area.

"Give it back!" Acma demanded, taking the camera back from Zyma.

He then took hold of her wrist, and they began to put their martial arts training into action.

“What are you doing with this?” Zyma asked. "Oh, come on! Don't embarrass your sensei in public. You're being sloppy.”

After ten moves and a few screams, Acma found herself restrained. Due to her screaming, other couples in the Secret Area approached the gang in curiosity.

"What the hell? This is not okay. We're not in training, and you’re interfering with my duty," Acma exclaimed in pain.

"I'm taking this as evidence. What kind of duty involves violating people's privacy, huh? Let's see what the Disciplinary Committee has to say about this," Zyma threatened, glancing at Trepie #23.

"Oh yeah? Do you even know where they are? Someone please tell this crazy man!" Acma yelled.

Timeth and Trepie #23 giggled in response.

Xu’s office.

"That's what happened. He used a dangerous weapon in garden, attacked me in front of everyone, tried to destroy evidence to his own offense. There are plenty of witnesses. Miss Xu, you have to do something!" Acma explained the scene.

Xu facepalmed, unable to count how many times she had to deal with this whiny Trabia transfer student.

"So, you were busted?" Xu asked.

"B… buested?" Acma asked, not understanding Xu's question.

"Acma," Xu looked into her eyes and explained, "I chose you and Timeth to be temporary members of the Disciplinary Committee for this duty because no one knows you are in the committee, and no offenders would run away from you. I can’t let you do this work after you scream for the whole garden to know your duty.”

"Miss Xu... I'm sorry."

"That's okay. Hand over your findings. I'll find someone else to replace both of you. Thanks for your work so far, anyway."

Acma handed over the sheet and did her best to hide her relief from being released from this useless responsibility.

"Okay, you two can go," Xu dismissed Acma and Zyma.

"That's all, Miss Xu? What about his assault?" Acma gasped.

Xu let out a sigh and stood up, looking into Acma's eyes.

"Acma, I have high expectations for you. But you've caused more trouble than you're worth. Try not to create any more scenes with your mentor, or I'll postpone your SeeD exams. Understood?"

"Yes, Ma'am," Acma replied promptly.

Xu knew very well that the SeeD exam was Acma's weak point. She would be willing to spend an entire year in the Secret Area if it meant becoming a SeeD as soon as possible.

“Good. Now go. And Zyma, one word.”

Xu asked Acma to leave the room and leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms and looking at her troublesome friend.

"Who's the girl you went to the Secret Area with?" Xu inquired.

"No one," Zyma replied.

"Say it. I'll find out anyway. Many people saw you," Xu pressed.

"Fine. It's Trepie #23, but we were just catching up. We've been in the same class for years," Zyma admitted.

"Okay, if it's her, I'm not worried," Xu nodded. "Now, about Acma. Can you handle her?"

"She's the most annoying person I've ever met. She asks too many questions and complains about every little thing," Zyma quickly responded. "Xu, I beg you, assign me real missions. Assign her to someone else! I can handle mentoring two guys at once, but she… she's a handful, please!”

Xu smiled, pleased with his response. "Sorry, but you'll just have to put up with her. Consider it a challenge for you. I've noticed her strength and dexterity stats have improved significantly."

"From single digits..." Zyma interjected.

"That's good enough," Xu interrupted. "Train her, and you can go solo whenever you want after the SeeD exam."

Zyma left Xu's office, a smile forming internally. Knowing Xu for so long, he understood that if he had said he was fine working with Acma, she would have seen through his true feelings.

Now that he knew the silver-haired boy posed no threat, he was content with the status quo of seeing her every day without needing to confess his feelings. As a mercenary, he understood that romantic relationships were not meant for him, and he had no desire for one either.

As he looked around the hallway, disappointment washed over him when he realized Acma had already left. But just as he was on the verge of leaping out of the window, her voice called out, beckoning him to return.

"Wait. What did Miss Xu say?" Acma asked.

"Nothing. She said she's happy with your improved stats, so I guess we're stuck with each other for a while," Zyma replied.

"Poor me..." Acma rubbed her bruised wrists.

"I'm sorry. Does it hurt?"

“A lot.”

“Ointment?”

“No, thanks. I’m broke.”

“On the house,” Zyma chuckled, ignoring her resistance as he pulled out an item from his hand.

“What’s wrong with you snapping my camera back there? I told you to stop.”

"It's just a natural instinct to protect people's privacy. You could have just told me you’re patrolling."

"I can’t disclose that. And based on what we just witnessed, you're an offender yourself. Also, when did you start caring about other people's privacy? What about my own privacy? That camera could have my pictures," her voice grew increasingly louder.

"I'm sorry, but even if there are your pictures, there's nothing to peek at, kid."

Tch… jerk.

She couldn't contain her most burning question of the evening. "What were you and Trepie #23 doing there?"

“Just talking.”

“What kind of talking?”

“Business.”

“Right… What kind of business?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“You’re not spying on me and Timeth, are you?”

“Tch… tell that to the dozen couples you took photos of.”

“So… you and Trepie #23 are a couple?”

“I didn’t say that.”

"In the early stages, then?"

“Why don’t you ask her?”

“Sure I will. I feel so betrayed. The two people I spend most of my time with…”

“And hey, don’t fool me, you want to get off this duty, don’t you?” Zyma pointed out, “Xu gave transfer students this job because no one wants to do it everyday after curfew.”

Acma couldn't contain her joy. "That's not even the half of it. We had to categorize the levels of intimacy among the offenders, and there were lists of verbs that neither Timeth nor I could find in the dictionary. Miss Xu was so confused by our not-so-descriptive report that she even asked us to... demonstrate? Can you believe it? Timeth and I... we're like brother and sister. It was just..." She waved her hands in the air, searching for the right word to describe the uncomfortable situation between her and Timeth.

“Incest?”

“Ughhhhh….” she groaned in embarrassment.

“How cute…” Zyma smiled, then changed the subject. “Back to our business… Now that I know he’s not your boyfriend, let’s split time between your room and mine as our study meetup spots.”

“My room? What the hell?”

"I can't turn on the light in my room for too long. It would destroy certain items. Plus, there's a smell of zombie powder."

"What about the library? You know, where everyone actually studies," Acma protested.

“See you tomorrow.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

And with that, he jumped out of the window from the third floor and disappeared.

“For Hyne’s sake!”

Chapter 12: Love rules

Chapter Text

Suite's kitchen.

"So, when did you two start dating?" Acma asked Trepie #23 as she helped her clean the dishes.

"We're not dating," Trepie #23 smiled. "Acma, if I were dating someone, you'd be the first to know."

"Right, I thought so... but why were you with him?"

"We wanted to catch up. And since he's always in the training area, it made sense to meet there."

"It's not like you to go to that kind of place."

"What are you implying, Acma?"

"Nothing."

"Acma," Trepie #23 poured some more tea into Acma's cup, "love is not prohibited in Garden, but young people like yourself should be aware. As someone who has served in the operation unit for a while, I feel a responsibility to tell you. If you involve yourself in mercenary work, be cautious about forming romantic relationships. True love can give you strength, but heartbreak can lead to grudges. Anything that affects your decision-making in battles can be detrimental. That's why we have a special force to enforce curfew for couples and why Instructor Aki guards the girls' dorm. We have seen numerous instances where failed relationships have resulted in actual deaths, whether intentional or not. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"

Acma nodded. She always felt a little scared when Trepie #23 became serious.

"I care about all of you, and I feel a strong attachment to everyone in the school, including you, Acma. Now you're part of us," Trepie #23 continued after sipping her tea. "I may not be the strongest or the smartest, but I'm willing to stay behind and keep all of you in check. You’re smart, you understand why I’m telling you all these, right?"

“I do. Thanks, Trepie #23.”

Zyma: I’ll come to your room at 2200.

He sent her the first text message between them when she was in Quistis’ lab.

Acma: Why?

He didn’t reply.

Acma scoffed. Texting with this guy was as annoying as talking with him in real life. She could have screenshotted his text and report him, but thinking of Miss Xu’s words regarding delaying her SeeD exam, she chose to ignore this annoyance this time.

I’ll come to your room? How dare he?

Zyma, despite his bravado and arrogant attitude, seemed more like a big talker than a bad person. If he dared to text her this inappropriate message, it would be likely that he would come with good intention.

Do you care about anything else besides money?

GFs and women.

So far, she had seen none of his GFs, and the only girl he walked alongside just lectured her about the "no love" rule. And if Trepie #23’s hint was right… that he had some feelings for her… Suddenly, she found him to be somewhat adorable, like a cutie attempting to conceal himself beneath the guise of a monster. Trepie #23's advice on dealing with difficult individuals turned out to be valuable, and Acma felt grateful that she had persisted with Zyma long enough to uncover some positive aspects beneath his jerkish exterior.

Acma’s room. 2200.

Acma anxiously fixed her eyes on the door, waiting for Zyma's arrival. However, she didn't anticipate that he would enter in a rather unconventional way.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Acma jumped when she saw a figure covered in a black cloak floating outside her room's window.

"For Hyne's sake! You almost gave me a heart attack!" Acma exclaimed quietly as she hurriedly opened the window for Zyma to enter.

"Where else can I come after curfew? Aki always guards the girls' dorm. Use your brain, prodigy," Zyma remarked.

"Fair enough. Now, answer my text message from eight hours ago. Why are we meeting this late? Unlike you, I need to sleep!" Acma inquired.

"And unlike you, I have customers to serve," Zyma snapped back. "For the longest time, I thought you had a boyfriend, so I didn't dare to meet you after curfew. Do you know how much loss I incurred by tutoring you most evenings?"

Acma paused, realizing the sacrifices Zyma had made for her sake. "I... I didn't consider that. We could have met earlier in the afternoon."

"How about your lab?" Zyma suggested. "You spend, like, what, six hours a day there?"

"That's because I need to synthesize a bunch of precursors... anyway, I think I can cut down my lab time now that I'm doing smaller scale experiments," Acma explained.

"Blah blah blah. You know your schedule best. What do you suggest?" Zyma asked, growing impatient.

Acma snapped her fingers. "Now we're talking. Let's start with the requirements first. Planning is my strength, sensei."

Zyma scoffed as Acma pulled out her whiteboard and began drawing diagrams. "Where did you get this whiteboard? This is the nerdiest thing I've ever seen in a girl's room."

"Oh, sensei, you've been away from classes for too long. I'm a teaching assistant now, and this baby is one of the perks," Acma smiled.

"Tch... says the one complaining about lack of sleep!"

"Focus!" Acma tapped her marker on the whiteboard, causing Zyma to shake his head as the roles were now reversed.

She started by listing a checklist for her skills, noting that her Str and Dex stats were on track, but her Mag and Vit required more attention. Figuring out her Limit Break before the SeeD exam would also be an important task.

She then asked Zyma about his sales patterns throughout the day and proposed a change in their schedule to maximize his business profits while allowing her time to rest between training sessions.

"We'll train for two hours around noon. Then I'll go to the lab for four hours. We can resume training around dinner time since students can't buy stuff during that time anyway, as they have to get food in the cafeteria which closes at 2000. After that, you'll have the whole evening for your sales, and I'll have time for studying. We can meet after curfew if necessary," Acma explained.

Zyma nodded, feeling amused by her military-like schedules.

"One suggestion though," she added. "To boost your customer network, you should hang out more with your classmates. You know, people are afraid of you, and your vibe really affects your sales. I think..."

"Oh, for Hyne's sake..."

"I'm not done yet!" Acma snapped, and Zyma rolled his eyes at her rebellious attitude. "I think you should join Trepie #23's bi-weekly trips to Balamb and broaden your network. And also, please start digitizing your sales. Even the most old-school merchants in Balamb are using it," Acma handed him a small device. "I've attached barcodes to your items. Give my methods a try for a few weeks and see how your sales improve. We can make adjustments later. Think of it as an experiment, sensei.”

Zyma pondered for a few seconds, memorizing her writing on the whiteboard.

"Acma..." Zyma snorted, then looked into her burgundy eyes. "You're really something."

Chapter 13: Leisure

Chapter Text

Aki’s etiquette class.

Zyma sat alone in a corner, contemplating when the wine tasting class would be over. Despite nagging Xu multiple times, she didn't approve his request to waive these classes and replace them with mentorship.

"Zyma, we're heading to Balamb after class for an ice cream outing. Would you like to join us?" Trepie #23 approached.

"No, thanks," he replied with a smile. He liked Trepie #23 and wanted to be nice to her, which is why he didn't snap rudely at the idea of him eating ice cream.

"Ahem..." The annoying pupil feigned a cough, reminding Zyma of their previous agreement regarding Trepie #23's bi-weekly outings.

Zyma sighed and turned to Trepie #23, who was giggling. "Fine, I'll join you guys this time."

Zyma had known Trepie #23 for many years, and she had become one of the very few people he could talk to at Garden. However, she seemed to have sided with Acma shortly after Acma's transfer, leaving Zyma with a sense of betrayal.

About ten students, a mix from S20 and S21, walked from Garden to Balamb town. It was a sunny day, as Balamb had great weather eleven out of twelve months of the year.

"What flavors do you guys want?" Trepie #23 asked the group, and it took them forever to decide, especially Shrewdya - the manicure girl, even though there were barely ten options on the menu.

"What do you pick?" Acma asked Zyma.

"Nothing. I don't eat ice cream," he replied.

"Zyma doesn't eat sweets," Trepie #23 added. "Sweet tastes bitter to him."

"Thank you for remembering. I thought you were trying to trick me by inviting me to an ice cream shop," Zyma smiled.

"They do have egg coffee on the secret menu, which you like," Trepie #23 suggested.

"Oh..." Zyma was surprised but felt appreciated by Trepie #23's gesture.

"I'll get two for us. Acma, do you want one too?" Trepie #23 offered.

"Um... sure," Acma reluctantly replied.

Trepie #23 instructed everyone to find a seat while she waited for their order. The ice cream shop was outdoors and packed with tourists grabbing a quick bite. Trepie #23 even offered to help the familiar shop owners distribute the goodies.

"She seems to know a lot about you," Acma said to Zyma, glancing at Trepie #23, who always wore a warm smile.

"That's why I like her. She's genuinely good with everyone," Zyma replied.

"I see..." Acma nodded quietly.

"What's that?"

"Nothing. I just feel like I know nothing about my sensei," Acma said, disappointed. "What's with the sweet taste? Is it a genetic condition? Can you taste sour?"

"Oh, please. That's why we can't have a normal conversation. Am I just another experiment to you, nerd?" Zyma retorted.

"I'm just curious!" Acma laughed. "Come on, I can't possibly use that information to harm you, right? Is that why you're not very open to small talk?"

"When you become a mercenary with real missions, you'll appreciate it more, kid. A friend who knows you well can become your worst enemy."

"But we need teammates to survive too. Not all of us will become self-sufficient solo mercenaries like you. And I bet there will be missions where you'll need teammates as well."

"Then I have the choice to avoid those kinds of missions. Just so you know, assassination missions pay the best and usually involve only one mercenary."

"They're not my type of missions, but oh well, I have to admit I've learned a lot from you despite our style differences. I can see why Xu paired us together," Acma admitted.

"Oh... what gave it away? Let me guess. Your stats are better than your friends?" Zyma teased, eliciting a giggle from Acma.

"Yes. I beat one of the muscular guys in Instructor Nida’s class this morning,” she grinned. “But hey, you still haven't answered me. Why can't you taste sweet?"

Zyma took a sip of his coffee and finally decided to respond.

"Genetics. I'm a descendant of the Selkie clan. We mostly ate plants and raw meat, keeping with that tradition."

Acma gasped in astonishment at the mention of the once renowned fighter clan with a tragic destiny.

"Don't members of that clan usually have hair ranging from bright yellow to plain white? Your hair is black."

"Oh, how little you know about your sensei, pupil," Zyma said, lifting up his bandana to reveal his light gray hair roots. "I dyed my hair dark. Having white hair is suicidal in assassination missions."

Zyma felt victorious as he observed Acma's change in expression.

"Enough about me. What about you? Do you know who your parents were?" he asked.

"No."

"Have you ever run a genetic test on yourself?"

"Of course. I'm a mix. Very mixed."

"Too bad."

"Nah. There are plenty of us without parents. Timeth and I are like brother and sister. I always feel at home in Trabia."

"And Balamb?"

"Yeah... starting to feel like home too," she smiled, looking into his eyes.

Zyma's heart skipped a beat as he recalled the gaze they shared on the first day they locked eyes in Nida's magic history class.

Their conversation was briefly interrupted by a few classmates.

"Hey, Zyma! I heard you're selling some new stuff..." one of the S20 students inquired.

"I'll handle the orders. We even have a fantastic group discount program," Acma swiftly opened her accounting book. "And if you need any help with written exams, I offer complimentary tutoring. Just let me know." Acma playfully winked at Zyma, who reciprocated with a nod, before engaging with his classmates to promote his sales. He made sure to maintain a professional demeanor and avoid using vulgar language, as he had been advised by his pupil.

Fisherman’s Horizon.

Zyma leaned against the railing of the ferry heading to Fisherman's Horizon, his gaze fixed on the vast expanse of the sunny blue sky above. A group of birds playfully chased each other, their wings creating fleeting shadows on the water's surface.

Seated nearby were a few students, their youthful energy filling the air with chatter and laughter. Sean invited Zyma and Raddie to visit his apartment at Fisherman’s Horizon. Raddie also invited his S21 friends and Acma to join them.

He hadn't seen Sean in person since he moved to Fisherman's Horizon to open his antique shop. But another reason to join this trip was that he wanted to spend more time with Acma outside of training.

Right. He couldn't shake her from his thoughts, despite Xu's constant reminders that developing romantic attachments, especially for lone mercenaries, was not advisable due to safety concerns.

Somehow, he sensed a flicker of affection from Acma. He recognized that look, the yearning for attention that often adorned the faces of teenage girls. He had seen it countless times during his own teenage years, which now felt like distant memories due to the weight of his bloody missions.

At this stage of his life, he expected teenage love to be boring.

But she wasn’t boring. Not one bit. She remained a mystery, continuously surprising him with her wit and kindness. Sometimes she was obedient, other times rebellious, standing up for herself when needed.

In the past, he had relished lengthy missions for the thrill they provided. However, lately, it had become difficult to not think of her when he was away. Nevertheless, he had resolved not to confess his feelings to her. It could be just a passing infatuation that would fade away before he even realized it. For now, as long as she was happy and safe, he would find contentment in that.

When they arrived at Sean's apartment, they were greeted by Tatulia, who used to work in the library. Both Sean and Tatulia had retired as SeeDs and focused on item trading. With Sean's adventurous item collection and Tatulia's extensive knowledge of magic history, the couple lived well by doing what they loved.

Tatulia served the group a delicious lunch, and Sean made sure to include seaweed for Zyma. Zyma felt genuinely happy for them, witnessing that they had to discreetly date to avoid detection by the school staff when they were students.

After lunch, Zyma spent time with Sean, updating him on possible trades. It was during this conversation that Sean revealed an important plan and asked Zyma for help.

"Will you be my GF?'’ Zyma asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Yes,” Sean replied. "What do you think?'’

"Kind of touché, isn't it?"

"But it works perfectly in our context." Sean explained,

Zyma shrugged. "Your call, mate. When?"

"Next weekend. Can you make it?”

"Of course, mate. It would be my honor," Zyma happily accepted Sean's request.

"Bring a girl. I insist," Sean smiled.

Zyma spent the afternoon visiting old connections from his underground trade. He loved these people, rough on the outside but always true to their word. He even heard that Seifer Almasy, the ex-Sorceress Knight, had briefly lived in Fisherman's Horizon and was involved in some monster trading before being busted and put in prison. Zyma marveled at how differently the fate of Balamb students could unfold after graduation.

He visited the Grease Monkey, who had connections with Shumi Village. The village was well-known for its infinite supply of Ultima but was very selective about who they shared this high-level magic with. Somehow, the village elders always knew who could be trusted. Grease Monkey's Moomba was the tiniest one Zyma had ever seen, and despite being qualified as a GF, the tiny Moomba couldn't do much, which was quite a pity. Zyma considered the idea of having him as a pet purely for his funny look but hadn't yet made a purchase, not that Grease Monkey would be willing to sell his pet.

Zyma walked along the long railroad and decided to sit down to watch the sunset. He wondered what Acma was discussing with her friends. He daydreamed about an unforeseeable future where they both retired and lived under one roof. He could help her set up her own lab, where she could dissect monsters or cure GFs like a vet. He imagined happily hosting her friends and watching her catch up with them, just like Sean and Tatulia were doing.

For a loner who despised routines and constantly pursued thrills, he found himself pleasantly surprised that the idea of waking up next to her every morning didn't intimidate him in the slightest.

"Found you, sensei." A familiar voice came from behind, interrupting his daydream, and Zyma involuntarily smiled.

"What do you want, kid? You said no training over the weekend."

"Of course, no!" Acma exclaimed. "I'm still bleeding, thanks to your Shurikens last night."

"My ointment didn't help?"

"Sort of."

"Use it three times a day, don't skip. Your future boyfriends may not like scars."

"Pfff, like I care what they would think. I have plenty already."

Zyma frowned. "What kind of training did you have in Trabia?"

"Tch... you know so little about your pupil, sensei."

She sat down next to him.

"How did you know you could cast Holy?" he asked. "It's not like anyone conveniently possesses that magic in their pocket."

"I mastered Thundaga quite early, and Selphie was the one who suggested I try it. It was quite generous of her, considering the high chance of a Miss for such an expensive spell. I only cast it twice. I mostly use Thundaga since Trabia is full of Mesmerizes."

"Even Thundaga, using it at your age is unheard of."

"Thank you, sensei, for finally acknowledging my potential."

"Are you sure you're really 16?"

"Why? You told me I looked like I was 10."

"Just because you’re short. You may be older than that. Orphans without parents, it's hard to know their age, right? Human cells have limitations when it comes to bearing magic. There are prodigies and geniuses for sure, but biology is something hard to break."

"You're starting to sound like a nerd."

"Thanks to your influence, pupil."

Acma smiled.

"And you're the one dodging my question today. Tell me more. How did you end up in Trabia Garden?" Zyma asked.

"Sorry. I want to remain a mystery. A friend who knows you well can become your worst enemy - your words, sensei."

"What about your boyfriend? How did you two meet in Trabia?"

"He's not my boyfriend. You knew that."

"He's a boy, and he's your friend. Boyfriend."

Acma sighed. "You seem to use that label quite freely... We just stick together. I trust him with my life, and vice versa. We've made a good team. He's smart, thoughtful and adaptable, I'm good at planning. We went on small missions back in Trabia and have been inseparable since then."

"Sounds like a boyfriend material to me."

"Oh, please. He's... don't tell anyone, but I think he's into Shrewdya."

"Ha... He'll face tough competition with that choice."

"For sure, but bottom line is... Timeth is not my boyfriend."

"He's a boy..."

"Romantically," Acma interjected, clarifying Zyma's assumption.

Zyma wasn't expecting Acma to explain clearly that way.

"I just want to make it clear to you,” she continued. “You said I'm the kind of person who would put a label on a relationship. The truth is, I prioritize my mercenary career above all. I have goals and people I want to save. I understand the risks involved in having a relationship. So, why label something when both parties already understand each other's thoughts?" Acma turned to Zyma. "Do you agree?"

Zyma was no fool to not realize her implication despite her vague language. She meant to keep her question vague to probe his feelings for her.

He quickly returned her gaze. "I think we're on the same page with that. I'm happy as things are. Are you?"

Her burgundy eyes widened, and a blush spread across her cheeks, revealing a joyous smile. "Me too."

"Good," he responded, biting his lip to contain his own happiness and maintain a composed demeanor. “When we become SeeDs, let's revisit this talk."

"Sounds like a good plan."

“Until then…”

“Yeah,” she nodded in understanding, “let's keep things as they are.”

They exchanged smiles and savored the last rays of the setting sun before making their way back to Sean's in a peaceful silence.

Chapter 14: Will you be my GF?

Chapter Text

Acma’s room. 2100.

After their serious and cryptic conversation in Fisherman's Horizon, Acma and Zyma fell back into their familiar pattern of passive-aggressive arguments, even when they were alone together, just like in the early days. They were quite skilled at it, so much so that at times Acma wondered if he had misinterpreted her and if he genuinely reciprocated her feelings.

She gazed at the window, expecting him to come up. She really wanted to observe this time what tools he used to fly to her dorm room on the third floor like that.

BAM!

“Good evening!”

“Ahhh…”

He burst into her room through the door, startling her.

"You almost gave me a heart attack!" Acma exclaimed. "Why didn't you knock? And why didn't you use the window like usual?"

"Come on, use your brain! It's before curfew, so there's no need for me to fly through the window," he explained casually, before sitting on her chair, opening his backpack while taking off his boots as if he owned the place.

"And a knock would have been nice. What if I was changing?"

“Oh, cut the crap. You were expecting me by the clear window. Obviously, you wouldn't be changing, especially since I'm always on time. Unless…” Zyma teased, “… you want me to see you…”

Pervert. Acma took a few deep breaths trying to calm herself down. Why do I like this jerk?

"Did you clear your schedule for tomorrow, like I asked?" Zyma inquired.

"Yes, but could you please respond to my texts next time? What exactly are we doing that requires the whole day?" Acma questioned.

"A field trip. Do you still remember everything from my GF notebook?" Zyma asked.

"Maybe. I read it cover to cover, but that was like a month ago," Acma replied.

"Good. It's time to test your memory. Wear your rain boots and get on," Zyma instructed, motioning for Acma to attach herself to a metal clasp around his waist.

"What is this?" Acma asked, curious about the unfamiliar contraption.

"It will help us escape through the window."

"Why can't we just use the stairs? And where are we going?"

"Acma..." Zyma furrowed his brow. "I have only one rule. What is it?"

Acma sighed. "Don't ask questions. But think about it from my perspective. You're asking me to follow you out of the school overnight, taking what seems to be a risky route, to an unknown destination."

"Come on, trust your sensei a little more. And as for the location, where else could it be to test your memory from my GF notebook? Isn't it obvious?"

"You... You're going to show me your Guardian Forces?" Acma gasped with excitement.

"Get on, babe," Zyma smiled warmly.

Five minutes later, they found themselves aboard an aircraft in the transportation area.

"Drink this," Zyma handed Acma a potion with the label that read "Sleep potion."

"What is it?" Acma asked, surprised.

"It has a label on it. Can you read?" Zyma responded.

"It says 'Sleep potion.'"

"Yes."

"What do you mean 'yes'? Are you trying to drug me?" Acma rolled her eyes in disbelief.

"Yes, I want to drug you by handing you a Sleep Potion for you to drink," Zyma giggled.

"Urghhh, you drive me crazy. Don't you understand how strange this is from my point of view?"

"Do you trust me?"

"Of course, but there are limits. If you were a girl, you wouldn't drink anything from a guy, let alone a Sleep Potion that renders you unconscious for hours. And on top of that, you're involved in a shady trading business that could potentially involve human organs..."

"We won't be alone when we get there."

"That's not reassuring at all! My imaginary mom, if I even had one, would slap me repeatedly if she found out I was going with you," Acma retorted.

"Fair," Zyma sighed.

"And?"

"Well, I want to make sure you don't know the location of the GF cavern. It's dangerous if too many people know about it."

"Right... who's the one with trust issues here?" Acma replied, a tinge of sadness in her voice.

"It's also for your safety," Zyma explained.

"What about my safety? Even if I trust you, what if we get ambushed and someone takes me?" Acma narrowed her eyes.

"Yeah, I'm sorry," Zyma said. "Look, I really want you to come with me, but I understand why you might choose not to."

They fell into silence, contemplating their options.

"What do you suggest?" Acma asked. "Is there any way to ease the restrictions from your end?"

"I don't want you to know the length of the trip or which direction we're heading."

"I can wear a bandana, and you can take me on a random route?" she suggested.

"That could work."

"I'm really sleepy, too. I’ll sleep for real."

"Okay."

"Any other concerns?"

Zyma found it difficult to answer her question. He had never let his guard down this much before. He had feelings for her, but trusting someone he had only known for less than half a year was not typical, especially considering she was secretive about her origins and her high-level magic casting abilities. His instincts told him there was more to her than met the eye.

"No, babe. I'm sorry you have to go through all of this," he gave in regardless.

"No problem. I can't wait to see the dark GFs in real life," she smiled.

"Good. Here, take my bandana. Have a good sleep. I'll wake you up when we arrive."

"Acma, we're here," Zyma gently woke her from her slumber. As she blinked her eyes open, she realized they were still inside the aircraft, but the cacophony of crashing waves and the smell of salt in the air indicated they were in close proximity to an ocean.

Stretching her limbs, Acma followed Zyma as they disembarked from the aircraft and made their way toward a massive cavern situated on an island in the heart of the sea.

The ocean swirled with a violent energy, its dark waves churning and crashing against the rugged cliffs surrounding the island.

The cavern itself loomed before them, its entrance resembling a gaping maw leading into the depths of the earth. The sound of dripping water echoed within, creating an eerie melody that sent shivers down her spine. As they drew closer, she could see the faint glow emanating from within, casting an otherworldly light that danced upon the jagged walls.

Stalagmites reached up from the cavern floor like ancient sentinels, their sharp tips gleaming ominously in the dim light. Crystals of various sizes and hues adorned the cavern walls, their vibrant colors contrasting against the darkness. They sparkled and glimmered, as if holding secrets and untapped power within their crystalline structures.

"It's beautiful," Acma exclaimed, her eyes widening in awe as she took in the sight of the cavern's radiant crystals. "What are these crystals? Can they store magic, like the ones Galbadia uses instead of GF?"

"You know about Galbadia's technology?" Zyma asked, surprise flickering across his face.

"Of course. Crystals aren't as effective as GF junctioning, but they're definitely safer," Acma replied.

"Right... Anyway these crystals are just normal crystals. The presence of GF energies does accelerate their formation process, though," Zyma explained.

"Magical. Thank you for showing me this," Acma expressed her gratitude.

"You haven't seen the GFs yet," Zyma said, reaching out a hand to offer her reassurance as they prepared to enter a narrow passage. "Be careful. These crystals can be sharp."

As they descended to a lower level, a familiar voice greeted them from afar.

"Zyma! Acma! We’re glad you two can make it!" Sean's voice echoed through the cavern, and to Acma's surprise, he seemed unfazed by her presence.

"Sean? Tatulia! Thank Hyne, I was worried someone might butcher me here," Acma couldn't contain her joy at seeing familiar and welcoming faces.

"Really? We really need to work on your trust issues," Zyma chided, shaking his head.

"He tried to drug me with a Sleep Potion," Acma explained to the couple, her tone tinged with amusem*nt.

"Tried? I had to drink the Sleep Potion myself," Tatulia chimed in, playfully jabbing Sean's ribcage with her elbow.

"Arhhh... I guess you're not as persuasive as Acma. Look at how she's softened Zyma," Sean teased.

"We're trusted teammates, that's all," Zyma interjected, ushering Sean toward another passage. "Now give them a tour, mate."

Acma blushed as she realized Zyma had invited her to explore his sanctuary in the company of a real couple. She followed Sean and Tatulia as they led her through the cavern, showcasing the areas where they prepared food and shelter for the GFs.

"Do the Dark GFs eat food?" Acma inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"Didn't I write that down in my notebook?" Zyma replied with a mischievous grin.

"No. I wouldn’t have missed that interesting fact," Acma confirmed.

"I see. Well, you can help me add that detail then. While Dark GFs don't necessarily need food to survive, they certainly wouldn't mind a treat. After all, they were once living creatures of flesh and blood," Zyma explained.

"We try to keep them separated as much as possible," Sean chimed in, leading Acma into an empty room. "But some of them are quite social and friendly. They come out and interact with each others regardless."

"Zyma mentioned that they speak different ancient languages," Acma recalled, her memory sparked by their conversation at Master Miyagi's house.

"You'll have to ask the expert here," Zyma pointed to Tatulia. "Tatulia has helped us decipher some ancient scripts and locate a few stranded Dark GFs. They're overjoyed to find their own kind."

"It's been an honor contributing to this preservation work. It's disheartening to think that some GFs have been left to slumber in loneliness for thousands of years," Tatulia said, her voice filled with a sense of purpose as she held Sean's hand.

“That’s awesome! Can you speak their languages then?” Acma asked in excitement. “How to say hi to a GF?”

“Um…” Tatulia suddenly stammered, “it’s quite a shame. I don’t know what came to me, but my mind is kind of blank for a few weeks now. I forget a lot of things…”

“That’s alright, dear,” Sean wrapped his arm around his girlfriend’s shoulder, “side-effects of GF usage are not thoroughly studied. This could be a temporary one like you said.”

The group kept venturing through a long passage of crystals changing colors until they reached an intersection, where Sean turned to Acma and Zyma.

"Let's split up here," Sean suggested. "There are two chambers, each housing groups of GFs from different elements. It's easier to create suitable environments for them that way. Tatulia and I will head down the ice path."

Zyma guided Acma along the Fire path, their footsteps echoing through the dimly lit cavern. As they reached a higher platform, they stood at the edge, overlooking a vast chamber below. Acma's breath caught in her throat as her gaze settled upon the majestic form of a Dark GF in the shape of a dragon.

“This is Drakarion,” Zyma whispered.

Drakarion perched upon a massive obsidian rock, its scales shimmering with an iridescent blend of crimson, gold, and midnight blue. Its body was sleek and muscular, exuding a sense of power and grace.

Acma noticed its eyes, orbs of intense emerald green that seemed to hold the wisdom of ages. Its snout was adorned with sharp, gleaming fangs, hinting at its ferocious nature and the potential devastation it could unleash. Wisps of smoke curled from its nostrils, carried by the gentle breeze that swept through the chamber. Acma could almost feel the heat radiating from its body, a testament to its affinity for fire.

As if sensing their presence, Drakarion unfurled its wings, stretching them to their full span, revealing intricate patterns etched into the membranes. The sudden action startled Acma, and she instinctively backed off, her eyes widening in awe.

"Don't worry, she's with me," Zyma assured Drakarion, his voice calm and soothing.

Acma watched in wonder as Zyma spoke to the dragon, amazed that he seemed to understand the creature's language. She leaned closer to Zyma, whispering, "Does it understand us?"

"That's a he," Zyma smiled, his eyes sparkling. "And yes, love is our mutual language. They respond in their own ancient tongues though."

As if in response, Drakarion let out a deep rumble.

"What did he say?" Acma asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

Zyma's smile widened. "He said, 'You're beautiful.' Drakarion was a knight in his previous life and has an eye for true beauty."

A blush spread across her face. She turned to Drakarion and greeted him with a respectful bow. "Nice to meet you, Drakarion. I'm Acma. It's an honor to meet you."

Drakarion extended his wing once more, as if acknowledging her greeting, before gracefully retreating to his nest.

Seemingly content with Acma's respectful approach, Zyma led her further into the cavern, guiding her to his favorite Dark GF. They walked through several chambers, glimpsing at GFs of different shapes and sizes, until they reached the end of a passage where a small lake shimmered in the dim light.

"Basilisk, come meet my friend," Zyma called out, his voice echoing through the void.

Suddenly, a creature emerged from the depths of the lake. Its scales glistened with a myriad of colors, shifting between shades of emerald green, cobalt blue, and amethyst purple. The Basilisk's eyes, deep pools of golden light, fixed upon Acma and Zyma with an intensity that sent shivers down Acma's spine.

Zyma gestured for Acma to approach, his voice filled with assurance. "Open to touch herF?"

Surprised by the offer, Acma's eyes lit up with excitement. "I can do that?"

"If you dare to," Zyma replied with a playful glint in his eyes. "Just a heads up, she can sense any hostility."

Acma nodded, her curiosity outweighing any apprehension. "I'll be gentle. Thank you for offering. I really appreciate it."

Zyma felt pleased, seeing Acma open to the experience. He guided her nearer to the Basilisk, a creature of ancient magic and serpentine beauty. As they drew closer, the Basilisk observed them with curiosity and caution, its forked tongue flickering.

“Hello, Basilisk. I am Acma. Nice to meet you!”

Acma's hand trembled slightly as she reached out, her heart racing with a mix of fear and excitement. But with Zyma's reassuring presence beside her, she found the strength to extend her hand towards the Basilisk, offering it with a blend of respect and wonder. Sensing her genuine intentions, the Basilisk cautiously approached, its scales gently grazing Acma's palm. A surge of energy flowed through her, a fleeting connection between human and mythical being.

“She was a loving mom and a powerful soldier in her previous life,” Zyma said, joining her with petting Basilish.

“She’s beautiful,” Acma smiled wider as she couldn’t contain her happiness for this magic touch.

Basilisk said something.

“Yeah. You’re right.” Zyma replied to Basilisk.

“What did she say?” Acma asked.

Zyma looked at her with a smile but decided not to answer. Instead, he glanced back at Basilisk. "We'll be back," he said, leading Acma back to the intersection to meet with Sean and Tatulia.

As they approached, Acma's suspicion grew as she noticed the couple tightly holding each other and swaying in happiness.

Tatulia proudly displayed her hand adorned with a beautiful ruby ring. "We're engaged!" she announced.

"Aw, congratulations!" Acma exclaimed, moving towards Tatulia with open arms.

"Winter wedding, and we hope you two can make it," Sean offered, his voice filled with excitement.

“Of course, mate. We’ll…” Zyma began to respond, but he stopped midway, realizing he hadn't confirmed with Acma.

"We'll be there," Acma blushed, glancing back at Zyma for confirmation and then turning to Sean and Tatulia. "It's our honor. Thank you very much."

Chapter 15: Holy

Chapter Text

Library.

Acma suggested to Zyma that they use the library as their study meetup spot after curfew, a privilege granted by the school staff due to the upcoming final exams.

Zyma didn't protest, seemingly understanding the reason behind it.

It became increasingly difficult for them to conceal their affection, especially after witnessing the sweet moments between Sean and Tatulia.

Acma had never kissed anyone before, and as a self-professed nerd, she had always despised intimate physical contact due to the ease of germ transmission. She could list thousands of diseases and had concluded that it wasn't worth the risk. However, even the most realistic person could be struck by Cupid's arrow.

Acma began to question Zyma's romantic history. He had boastfully mentioned his interest in "women," but she had never seen him with anyone other than Trepie #23 and his female customers. Trepie #23 was not entirely removed from the list of suspicions since she had known Zyma for a long time and he had even expressed his liking for her. Considering Zyma's shady life, "women" could refer to paid services. Acma considered herself cute, but absolutely not attractive in a womanly way. Urghh, she hated herself for entertaining such thoughts. But then again, that was his life before her which she had no right to judge. Although, with their mutual understanding of not putting a label on their relationship, at least before becoming SeeDs, she wasn’t sure if he was thinking of being inclusive until then.

Her thoughts wandered even beyond the post-SeeD exams, and she realized that she still had unchecked items on her abilities checklist. She felt guilty for being trapped in this notorious love entanglement that had often let academically accomplished students like herself down. She needed to regain focus. Be cool. She had to become a high-ranking SeeD at Balamb Garden as soon as possible, the first step to achieve her ultimate goal.

"I still haven't figured out my Limit Breaks. Can we use your siphon to trigger it?" Acma asked.

"That's suicidal. You don't need a Limit Break to pass your SeeD exam, you know?" Zyma replied.

"You've never officially passed one."

"Trust me, I've been through crazier stuff, mostly off the records, so you wouldn't know. But I've taken the same SeeD exam with Seifer. That guy never had to equip a GF junction and barely lost 10% of his HP. You’re at higher level than he was."

"I know his stats very well. But unlike me he's a tank, and we all know six Legendary SeeDs were sent to defeat him."

"That's the point. You should build yourself around the assumption that you will be fighting alone. But for the purpose of this exam, where you'll have the whole team backing you up, you surely will pass, if not this time, then the next. I never liked the idea of relying on a Limit Break. If you have to use it, you're already in big trouble."

"What if someone uses their powerful Limit Break while the rest, assuming they're still healthy, support that person?"

"That could work in theory. But it depends on how much you trust your partners not to mess up. Real battles aren't simulations. There are no Phoenix Downs to throw around."

"So you're not going to help me find my Limit Break then?" Acma said, displaying disappointment and annoyance.

"It's for your own safety. I know how reckless you can be," Zyma replied.

Acma wrinkled her face in response.

"Look," Zyma sighed, trying to convince her again. "I know you're competitive and care a lot about stats and achievements. But a great SeeD doesn't need all of that. Execution matters much more. You already have a strong foundation. You can cast Holy, a very powerful magic. Why don't you practice that before attempting risky moves?"

Acma winced. "How do I obtain Holy? You know it's one of the rarest magics. The Moon Stone and Holy Stone needed to emit it are dropped by monsters level 40 and above, and I can't defeat them yet. There are only a few available draw points, but they're all on the Island Closest to Heaven and Island Closest to Hell. Even if I could fly there, those islands have monsters at level 100. Trying to acquire Holy that way is a surefire way to get killed faster than trying to learn Limit Breaks."

"You're forgetting that you can trade magics," Zyma suggested.

"I'm a poor student. The antique items I brought here to trade with Sean barely cover my living expenses. Balamb is flooded with tourists and is much more expensive than Trabia. I need to become a SeeD to increase my stipend. Chicken and eggs problem."

Not to mention Zyma kept selling her overpriced items, but Acma tried not to include it in her long list of expenses. Zyma wouldn’t back down just because of their unknown relationship.

"Then become a SeeD and collect more Holy later. Trust me, for passing the SeeD exam, all you really need is Thunder. And you have, what, 100 Thundagas from Trabia."

"Fine. Until then, I'll make money by tutoring. There's high demand now that the final exams are approaching."

“Triple Triad is another option, you know. Trepie #23 can teach you if you want.”

The challenging part of keeping things casual between two people with affection was separating personal and business matters. Acma couldn't hide her disappointment that Zyma refused to help her, but she also felt grateful that he didn't bring up lending her money or his cards. She would have shot that idea down immediately, and he should know that by now.

"Senior Zyma!" Shrewdya passed by their table. "Rare to see you in the library," she chuckled.

"First time I've seen you here too, baby doll," Zyma and Shrewdya exchanged a knuckle touch.

“Just because you’re never here.”

Acma was taken aback by their level of familiarity.

"I've got the summer collection," Shrewdya mentioned.

"Perfect, drop them off in my room."

"Will do. Bye! See you two around."

"See you, babe!"

What just happened? Babe? Drop them off in my room? Didn’t he say a few could come to his place? Acma wondered inwardly. She hadn't expected them to be so close. But it made sense since they both grew up in Balamb Garden and must have known each other for a long time. Acma realized she had been foolish to assume that she was the one who had made the connection between the two.

"I didn't know that you and Shrewdya are that close," she commented.

"She's an old-timer in Garden, just like the jogging boy Raddie."

"Jogging?"

"He's been obsessed with physical training since a young age. The Smailes family sent Sean and Raddie here specifically for physical training purposes. Money is not something they lack. They own the only gas station in Balamb."

"I see. That explains why he's such a formidable damage dealer. We had a one-on-one duel last week, and I could barely bring him down by repeatedly stunning him with Thunder and disabling him with my lasso while running around. I couldn't even imagine facing him head-on with his gunblade."

"He's got potential. Good reflexes. A bit too nice and tends to trust people too easily, though. Sean and I tried to train him to be less gullible, but, well, he was born that way. If you end up being his partner, make sure to cover him on that aspect.”

Acma scoffed.

"What's that?" Zyma inquired.

She shook her head. "There are so many talents to compete with. And I feel like I know so little about all of you."

Zyma raised an eyebrow. "I didn't expect you to be vulnerable like this. Balamb Garden is a military institution, not a fluffy academic school. Being one of the best doesn't guarantee an easy life, if anything, quite the contrary. Don't get caught up in comparing yourself to others. Focus on your own growth and improvement."

"Classic imposter syndrome. That's what I've had for a long time. Acma nodded. "Have you ever experienced that? Comparing yourself to others and feeling down?”

"I was in the same class with most Legendary SeeDs. Squall and Seifer, mind you. Of course I'm not as good as them, but my interests are different , and our paths are different. Look at how Seifer turned out. Squall is busy with showbiz interviews. Quistis is tied up in a metal clasp in her lab. And Xu is buried in paperwork. And Nida… gosh I even feel sorry for him.”

"And you have everything you want. Money, GFs, and women," Acma nodded. “What a life."

Zyma looked at her, as if wanting to say something, but their conversation was interrupted by another student.

"Yo, you're here. My item list, as promised. Thank Hyne I don't have to cross the Training Center.” the student said, handing Zyma a piece of paper before running away.

"Why don't you take orders via text or email?" Acma asked.

"Nah," Zyma replied briefly.

Acma frowned, sensing something was off about his response. Zyma always portrayed himself as the muscle, leaving the brainy tasks to her. But throughout their interactions, she had noticed that he was far from unintelligent. The fact that he intentionally avoided using efficient technology must have a reason behind it.

She gasped softly, catching Zyma's attention.

"What?" he asked.

"What?" she replied, feigning innocence.

"That look... What are you thinking?" Zyma inquired.

"Nothing," she answered, reluctant to confront him.

"You were definitely thinking something. I know that look," he pressed.

She hesitated, unsure if she should share her observations.

"It's nothing. I might be mistaken. I need to observe more, don’t want to get ahead of myself," she finally said.

"Observe what?"

"Nothing important," she evaded.

"What do you know?" Zyma's suspicion grew.

"Nothing. I just noticed..." she trailed off. "You seem to dislike anything tech-related..."

"Go on?"

"Your car is filled with knobs instead of screens. You often leave your com device in your room and don't respond to my texts, suggesting you use an alternative method to reach me one-way, and you can’t seem to read my texts in order to reply. Your room is always dark, and you wear a bandana when you nap. You frequently skip morning classes. You do all the business in the evenings..."

Zyma rolled his eyes at each of Acma's observations, confirming her suspicions.

"So... is there something wrong with your eyes?"

"Nothing's wrong. I can still take you out in the dark, that's for sure."

"What about in daylight?" Acma challenged. "You're the one who chose this seat in the library, farthest from the window."

Zyma scoffed. "It took Xu much longer to figure it out. Acma," he nodded, "you're quite something."

Chapter 16: Rage

Chapter Text

Two weeks had passed since their last conversation in the library, and Acma carried on with her academic life assuming Zyma had gone on a mission.

In Miss Xu's office, there was a real-time financial dashboard that received notifications whenever bounty money was collected after a successful mission. It was one of the most accurate ways to determine if a mercenary would return alive.

With her newfound free time, Acma spent more time with the girls and became increasingly interested in their conversations about guys. The girls often asked her about Zyma, suspecting there was something romantic between them due to the amount of time they spent together. However, Acma quickly dismissed their suspicions by showing them the bruises and scars she had acquired from Zyma's training.

Zyma was adept at separating personal and business matters. Although he hadn't explicitly discussed it with Acma, she understood that, for him, ensuring she was strong enough and safe in real battles was more important than focusing solely on her stats.

However, Acma couldn't help but notice that Zyma seemed to treat boys and girls customers differently. His words often came across as flirtatious based on what the girls said. She wasn't sure how to interpret this.

"He could say sweet things to anyone," she thought. What could she expect from an undefined relationship with a shady salesman?

During Zyma's absence, Acma was occasionally paired with Raddie. He proved to be a diligent student in S21, and it seemed that Miss Xu intended to have him as her partner once Zyma's mentorship ended. Raddie was kind to Acma, offering his assistance even before she asked, especially when it came to anything she didn't yet know about Balamb Garden.

Timeth seemed to keep himself occupied with numerous requests for help with homework from his S21 classmates. He introduced Acma to a few more students who were willing to pay extra for tutoring, and Acma didn't mind earning some significant money to afford a few Holy spells.

Acma approached Shrewdya seeking advice on starting a small shop. Shrewdya provided her with detailed guidance, but despite the valuable information, Acma decided to postpone the venture until summer. She wanted to dedicate more time to researching profitable items to trade.

Observing how Shrewdya meticulously prepared her items to become an efficient healer who could also defend herself in battles and support the entire squad, Acma began to realize that being a mercenary was akin to an industry on its own right. Success required more than just talent; it demanded resources and networks.

Following Trepie #23's instructions, who kept giggling at Acma's newbie questions about Triple Triad for some unknown reason, Acma stepped into the elevator and made her way to the second floor. There, she approached a guy who often lingered outside the elevator and asked him for a couple of starting cards. However, upon hearing her request, he responded with a perplexing question that left her utterly confused.

"Why don't you get a better starter deck from Joker?"

"Joker? Who's that?"

The guy seemed equally puzzled. "Oh... you... Never mind," he muttered, handing her the requested cards. "Here, take your cards."

Balamb Garden is full of weirdos. She thought, quickly walking away to escape his judgmental gaze .

Acma made her way back to her room, fixating her gaze on the cards depicting low-level monsters. Trepie #23 had provided a fleeting introduction to the origins of this card game, steeped in ancient craftsmanship and mystique. Legends whispered about a secretive guild called the Card Masters, skilled artisans who passed down their expertise through generations. These craftsmen and craftswomen meticulously created each card, infusing them with a touch of magic and capturing the essence of the creatures they represented.

The Card Masters employed a combination of rare materials, such as enchanted parchment made from sacred flora and ink infused with the essence of mythical beasts. With great care, they painted intricate designs onto the surface of the cards.

Cards could represent all creatures possessing magical power, including monsters, GFs, humans, and sorceresses. The numbers on each card reflected the prime time of a creature, showcasing their magical and physical abilities as they evolved over time.

While the magical essence within monster cards was believed to derive from the captured spirits of defeated monsters, and there could be multiple cards of the same monster, human and dark GF cards are unique. It was said that when a soldier perished, their spirit returned to their card, explaining why soldiers often entrusted their cards to loved ones before embarking on missions.

Not everyone could have their own card. Becoming a SeeD was one way to qualify for card creation, with requests made to the Card Masters. Trepie #23 mentioned the renowned Queen of Cards as one of the most well-known masters, occasionally visiting Balamb town after SeeD exams to accept card-making requests through Balamb’s CC group.

Curious about the members of the CC group, Acma had inquired with Trepie #23, only to receive a knowing smile from her friend. “You’ll discover soon enough.”

As Acma delved deeper into the lore surrounding these extraordinary cards, she heard a knock on her window. Startled, she smiled upon recognizing the familiar figure outside.

"Coming!" she called out, opening the door. But before she could react, she was unexpectedly attacked and fell into a deep sleep.

Acma jolted awake as a bucket of water splashed over her face, instantly triggering a throbbing headache. Blinking her eyes open, she found herself lying on the floor of Master Miyagi's kitchen.

"What..."

Her hands were tightly bound behind her back, and her feet were also securely tied together with her own lasso. She heard a heavy sigh but couldn't turn herself to see who was there. She had been kidnapped.

"Who are you?" she murmured.

"That's my question for you, Acma," a familiar voice replied. It was Zyma.

"Zyma? What's going on? Why are you tying me up?"

"Who are you working for?" he demanded.

"What are you talking about?"

He scoffed and began to approach Acma who gasped in fear as she saw a burning Shuriken closer to her face

"I'm an impatient assassin, you know."

"Please," Acma pleaded, terror filling her voice. She had never seen Zyma's eyes so filled with bloodlust. "What's happening? Is this some kind of stress test?"

"Such a convincing actress," Zyma smirked. "Where are my Guardian Forces? I'll count to ten. If you don't give me a name, say goodbye to your pretty face—or perhaps those crazy eyes of yours. It's no fun living in the dark." He held the flaming red Shuriken closer to her cheek.

"One."

"What happened to your GFs?"

"Two."

"Please, I really..."

"Three."

"I've been at Garden the whole time. I don’t know about your GFs."

"Four. Five."

"Others can vouch for me. You can check the security cameras. I've been spending time in the library with Timeth and others..."

"Six. I'm not joking. Think harder, Acma. I have all night, and your little brother or boyfriend can't help you now. What a great show you put on."

Acma's heart raced, her mind searching desperately for any clues.

"Seven."

"I haven't told anyone about the GF Cavern, not even Timeth. I slept with your bandana on, and you took random routes both ways, remember?"

"Eight."

"What about Sean?"

"For Hyne's sake, you think I would suspect him and not you, the mysterious cunning new girl?"

"I don't know anything, I swear!"

"Who do you work for?"

Acma shook her head, tears streaming down her face, as the heat of the Shuriken drew nearer.

"Nine." Zyma continued counting. "Ten!"

"GALBADIA!"

Galbadia!

Acma screamed, not wanting the burning metal to harm her. She had endured torture since she was a child, and she didn't want to relive those experiences at the hands of someone she loved.

"Please," she quickly added, her voice trembling. "I'm not involved in the disappearance of your GFs. Galbadia has influence over me, but they haven't contacted me in a long while. I'll tell you everything. But please, trust me, no one has asked me anything about your GF Cavern, not even in my sleep."

Zyma forcefully threw the Shuriken aside and sank back into his chair.

"Talk," he commanded.

Taking a deep breath, Acma slowly sat up.

"Quick!" Zyma yelled, startling Acma, urging her to continue her story through tears and trembling.

"I was born through an in vitro research project that aimed to produce powerful magic carriers by combining human genes with those of monsters. Thousands of children were born this way, but only the ones with magic abilities and innate powers were kept alive for further experimentation. I have a twin sister named Elutia, and she possessed the strongest magic core. They subjected us to constant danger and torture in an attempt to trigger our innate abilities and Limit Breaks. You can see the scars on my legs under my leggings. There’s a mark with my barcode."

Acma motioned for Zyma to check her scars, momentarily capturing his attention, but he quickly dismissed it and signaled for her to continue.

"Timeth was tortured as well, and they discovered his time freezing ability. However, his twin counterpart has a way more potent time freezing power, so they didn't keep him. Somehow, I always passed their most dangerous tests, like when they unleashed monsters to chase a dozen of us in a race. They treated us like rats. I had no abilities and received help from others, some kids died because of me. They think I'm suited to be a spy because of my quick thinking, so they sent me along with Timeth to Trabia. There are others like us, but we don't know each other's identities."

"So far, Galbadia has never made an attempt to contact me and Timeth directly. However, occasionally they would have someone slip a piece of paper under our door to remind us of our duty. They hold our weaknesses hostage. In my case, it's Elutia, so my notes are always signed with 'A E' for our code names Alma and Elutia. I wanted to train as a SeeD not because I want to go on missions, but because I want to be strong enough to rescue her at some point. They broke her legs when she was little to make sure she couldn't escape. Compared to her, I've had a relatively good life after being sent to Trabia."

Acma paused and looked at Zyma, aware of his watchful gaze. He was skilled at reading people, he should have known that she was telling the truth.

"That's my entire story. As I mentioned before, I haven't spoken to anyone, nor has anyone approached me regarding your GFs. Have you checked on Sean?"

“Really? Do you think Sean could do this to me?” Zyma replied with anger.

"What's happening? I can't be of any use if I don't know what's going on. Please, try to understand my perspective, Zyma."

Zyma kept covering his face, trying to calm down.

"When did you discover that the GFs were missing?" Acma inquired.

"Last night. Half of them were missing, and the ones that couldn't fly were killed," Zyma replied, his eyes turning red with anger.

"Oh no... Basilisk is dead?" Acma gasped, unable to believe what she was hearing. "That's horrible. I'm truly sorry. I swear I'm not involved.'’

Zyma maintained his gaze at Acma.

'’I want to help you. However, keeping me here is a waste of time. Please, can you answer my question? Have you spoken to Sean? I don't mean to suspect him, but he could be in danger."

Zyma let out a sigh. "No, I immediately thought of you. You're the only one we recently showed the cavern to."

"Oh no... Tatulia..."

"She's Sean's long-time girlfriend, and they just got engaged!" Zyma exclaimed, suspecting Acma of redirecting his attention to Tatulia.

"Zyma... There seems to be a pattern in how they assign code names to us. The twins are given names that are divided into two halves. My true code name is Alma, and my sister's is Elutia. My guess is... Tatulia also has a twin. Furthermore, didn't she work as a librarian at the Garden? Many of the spies are positioned there to control the flow of information. Some were even summoned during the Galbadia attack in the war. Zell's girlfriend, Arya, is also a spy. I know this for certain because she saved my life during my last race before I was thrown away from the research camp. We met in the library on my very first day here, just before she left for the Deep Sea Research Center.”

“I know Arya… But Sean was always cautious. Tatulia even drank the Sleep Potion."

"I know the reason," Acma responded promptly. "I'm willing to bet that Tatulia has a tracking device implanted in her neck. We all had it at one point. You can see the scars behind my hair."

Zyma rose from his chair. "We'll come back to Balamb and I'II talk to Sean. I know you’re a good liar, I won’t let my guard down. If you dare to run away, I won't hesitate to kill you. Understood?"

Chapter 17: Hostage

Chapter Text

Zyma drove Acma back to Balamb, securing her with a handcuff concealed beneath a piece of cloth. As Zyma sped recklessly down the dark road, Acma struggled to contain her fear, refraining from screaming when they narrowly avoided a collision.

"Zyma, I understand you're angry, but please calm down," Acma pleaded. "How do you usually communicate with Sean?"

Texting was only possible within internal networks, such as within a school or building. Telecommunication between cities was not yet feasible, so they still relied on Balamb Garden's communication center, which only permitted staff usage.

Zyma remained silent, likely due to his lack of trust in her.

"Fine. I get it. You don't trust me," Acma continued. "But think about it, if I were involved in this, wouldn't I have run away at the first sight of you instead of opening the window and greeting you?"

"Please," Zyma finally spoke. "If you want to help, just shut up. I only trust what I see."

Acma complied, and once they arrived at the transportation center, their com devices received new messages.

Zyma confiscated Acma's device from her pocket, not allowing her to touch it.

"Who's messaging?" she inquired.

Zyma read the messages from both devices, then stepped out of the car and opened the door for Acma, ensuring her handcuffs remained hidden beneath the cloth.

"Walk faster," Zyma urged.

They found themselves heading towards his room and, to their surprise, Raddie and Timeth were already waiting outside.

"Sean sent a telegram for me earlier this afternoon," Raddie explained to Zyma. "He asked me to find you and tell to speak with him immediately. I couldn't find you, and Acma wasn’t in her room. So I asked Timeth about Acma…"

Zyma swiftly unlocked his room and hurried to a corner, removing the cover to reveal a peculiar-looking device, which he promptly began dialing.

Meanwhile, Raddie and Timeth noticed Acma's handcuffs. "What's happening?"

"Just wait until Zyma is ready to talk. I don't want to disclose anything he isn't ready to share," Acma explained.

[whisper]

"Sean, what's going on?" Zyma whispered into the device, not letting the rest hear it.

"I'm sorry, Zyma. They had Talutia. The person who accompanied us the other day, the one I gave the ring to, was her twin sister."

"How did you not recognize your own fiancée? Is Tatulia ok now?"

“Thank Hyne they didn't harm her. She's with me now at our apartment. I noticed something strange but I thought she was nervous. Gema, her sister, made up something about GF junctioning’s amnesia. Tatulia never told me she has a twin sister so I never think about her being a fake. It's all my fault, Zyma.”

“But who is Gema? Why did she take our GFs?”

“Gema and two other friends escaped from a research facility in Galbadia. They're seeking your GFs for their own protection. They entered the cavern shortly after we left. Tatulia said they’re in Centra Ruins now."

"Was Acma involved in this?" Zyma questioned.

"No, that's why I've been trying to reach you. I knew you would find her. sh*t, I couldn't text you from FH. You haven't harmed her, right?" Sean asked, concern evident in his voice.

"Almost," Zyma admitted with regret.

"I'm sorry. I wish I could help you retrieve the GFs. It's all my fault. But Talutia mentioned that something terrible would occur if we sided against Galbadia. She was extremely vague and seemed panicked too," Sean added.

"Does she have any tracking device in her body?" Zyma inquired.

"How do you know? No, she doesn't have it, thank God. But her twin sister does," Sean revealed. “That’s why her friends could follow us.”

"Stay safe, Sean. Perhaps consider moving to another house near Mayor Dobe. Galbadia won't dare to make a move on the mayor's neighbors. Leave the rest to me," Zyma assured him.

[end of whisper]

Zyma hung up the call and hurriedly gathered supplies from his item shelf, evidently preparing his gear for the mission to rescue the GFs.

"What happened? Are Sean and Talutia safe?" Acma asked, her voice filled with concern.

"They're safe," Zyma replied tersely.

Raddie, confused by the situation, spoke up, "What's going on?"

"Your brother and sister-in-law are safe at their apartment. No harm has come to them. Don't worry, all of you. Go back to sleep," Zyma explained, feigning calmness for Raddie's sake.

"We were just playing being kidnapped, testing Sean's love before their wedding,” Acma quickly inserted a makeup story, “Tatulia asked both Zyma and me to participate in her scheme. Sean panicked, made calls, and showed up at our supposed hostage location to save the girls. That's all," Acma chimed in, raising her handcuffs as evidence. "Now, Zyma, please release me. What an elaborate show they had us involved in."

Raddie didn't entirely buy the story, but Acma brushed it off.

“Why don’t you ask your brother first thing in the morning? Now come back to your dorm, or I’ll have to report you as a member of the Disciplinary Committee,” she pressed.

“Fine, but surely you guys are hiding something. Well, if there’s anything else let me know,” Raddie reluctantly left and Acma kindly asked Timeth to escort him, making sure Raddie wouldn’t come back.

As the young boys left the room, Anna turned to Zyma, demanding that he disclose the full story. However, Zyma remained tight-lipped.

"Sean confirmed you have nothing to do with it. Leave," Zyma responded firmly.

"I can't leave without knowing everything. Was Talutia involved? Is there any connection to Galbadia?" Anna persisted.

"The less you know, the better," Zyma evaded.

“Where are your flying GFs?”

He didn’t respond.

"Are you going on a solo mission to rescue them then? Sean has retired and is getting married. He won't be joining you, correct?" Anna voiced her concerns.

"Just me is enough," Zyma declared.

"Who are you fighting against? How many of them are there? Do they possess any special abilities?" Anna pressed for more information.

Zyma brushed off the questions. "I'll figure it out when I get closer."

"Suicidal. If you're facing Galbadia spies like me... think about it for a moment. Timeth and I are trash from the research camp, and we are the top performers of Trabia and Balamb. You won't stand a chance if facing ten of us."

Zyma started to slow down and listened.

"Tell me what happened. I'll tell you what I know, to make sure you at least have some context about your opponents before your mission. Planning is not important for one-vs-one battles, but as far as I can tell, you'll face a bunch of mercenaries with GFs too. I know you are upset and enraged and want to avenge your dead GFs. I feel attached to them too, even though I've only met them once. But you have to calm down..."

"No GFs died so far," Zyma interrupted her. "I'm sorry. I said that to see your reaction."

"Oh..." Anna realized the great news but also felt a bit disappointed. Zyma never let his guard down. "It's okay, I understand. Is Basilisk alright then? So they only took the flying GFs, including Drakarion, right?"

“Drakarion, Tiamat, and Basilisk. Basilisk can fly… and yeah, you didn’t know that,” he admitted.

“I see…”

Another test…

Timeth knocked on the door. He had returned after making sure Raddie had gone back to sleep.

"What's going on? I heard something about Galbadia," Timeth asked, facing silence from Zyma.

"We can't help you if you don't talk," Acma exclaimed.

Zyma finally sat down and relayed the story from Sean.

"So, you're saying there were no signs of struggle at the GF Cavern?" Timeth asked.

"Yeah... I don't see any blood. But they must have forcefully taken them," Zyma said.

"How can you be so sure? If I remember correctly, you said some GFs could be willing to help humans. And I have a sense that Gema and her friends were seeking help from GFs to protect themselves from Galbadia researchers," Acma suspected.

"No! That's not possible," Zyma shouted, making her startled. Zyma realized he had scared her again. "It's not possible because Basilisk would never leave me. She's..." Zyma murmured, "she was my mom."

Acma gasped, recalling how gently Zyma had caressed Basilisk.

She was a loving mom and a powerful soldier in her previous life.

No mother would leave her child for strangers. Acma understood why Zyma had reacted with rage, despite the lack of blood. The safety of his mom was unknown.

"Zyma, we'll help you find her," she said.

"No, I'll go to Centra Ruins alone. This has nothing to do with you two. If you go there and face Galbadian researchers, they'll capture all of you," Zyma refused.

"We're no longer useful to them for experiments. That's why they made us spies. At worst, we can tell them we're helping Garden capture a GF thief or assisting them in capturing runaway lab subjects," she convinced.

"It's too dangerous, too many unknowns!" Zyma said.

Acma nodded. "I agree. And you're emotionally unstable due to your mom's safety. That's exactly why you need us to help you, at least to figure out what's going on and who we're facing in Centra Ruins. Let's take a step back, make a call to Sean and Tatulia again, and try to find out who we're dealing with. Does that sound like a good next step?"

Zyma continued to cover his face with his hands, stressed.

"Take a deep breath, Zyma. I'll make the call," Timeth said, patting Zyma's shoulder and approaching the giant communication device in the corner. "This device is encrypted, right?"

"Yes, only Sean and I can use it," Zyma confirmed.

"Good, then Garden won't find out, and our identities will remain safe," Timeth glanced at Acma before dialing Sean's number.

This time, both Sean and Tatulia picked up the call. Tatulia had calmed down and was able to provide more details. Gema and her friends had managed to escape the research facility while being transported between research centers. Their group wasn't the only one missing, so Galbadia researchers were stretched thin trying to find them. The tracking devices they had implanted had an expiration date to prevent reverse lookup, so they only needed to wait for three more days until the devices became inactive, making them free from tracking. They were constantly on the move and exhausted, which is why they sought help from GFs to protect themselves. After the tracking devices were inactive, they would likely return the GFs to Zyma.

"Did they specifically say they would return the GFs?" Zyma asked.

"Yes, Gema told me. I'm sorry for not mentioning it earlier. I was under the influence of drugs, and my memory was foggy," Tatulia said.

"That's alright. I still don't understand why Basilisk would follow them," Zyma said.

"Tatulia, do you know the names of the ones who escaped? Is Elutia one of them?" Acma asked.

"Is Elutia your twin sister? The Elutia?" Tatulia asked for confirmation.

"Yes, I'm her double," Acma confirmed.

"No, Acma. I'm sure she is highly guarded. I'm a few generations away from you two, but even I know her as the puppet master. G would never risk losing her.

“Do you know who was with Gema, the ones guarding you when we were in the cavern?" asked Acma.

"Two boys, Uhrik and Adelik," Tatulia answered, which struck a chord with Timeth and Acma.

"What does Uhrik look like?" Timeth immediately asked.

"White hair, tall, thin," Tatulia replied.

"Timeth's twin. No wonder they could escape," Acma said, observing Timeth's speechless reaction.

"Oh Hyne, that's why he looks so familiar. I was drugged and had an eyedrop blur my vision, so I couldn't recognize their faces. But now that you mention it, yes, his posture was just like Timeth's. He wasn't wearing eyeglasses though. And what about Adelik? He's also quite big, muscular, and has grey hair. He's the oldest among them, his posture is oddly familiar, too," Tatulia explained.

"I've never heard of him. What about you, Timeth?" Acma asked, but Timeth shook his head.

"Well, that's all I know. They were in good health, both the humans and the GFs, last time I saw them. I'm so sorry for causing all this trouble. But knowing my sister, she wouldn't harm the GFs," Tatulia said.

"It's not your fault, Tatulia," Zyma reassured her. "They could have followed any one of us. I'm just glad you're safe. Are you sure Galbadia won't come after you and Sean?"

"I don't have any tracking devices, so Galbadia shouldn't know about my involvement. I'm quite certain that we're in the clear. But we'll take your advice and move somewhere close to Mayor Dobe's house," Tatulia replied, coughing continuously.

"Do you know how heavily armed they are and exactly where they're hiding in Centra Ruins?" Acma inquired.

"No, they were on a different side of Centra when they had me. They only moved to Centra Ruins with the GFs because it's full of high-level monsters. It's dangerous for the Galbadia army to reach there, which is why they chose that location," Tatulia explained.

"That's clever. Thank you for the information. Please get some more rest, Tatulia," Acma said. "Zyma, what about the GF Cavern? It's compromised now. If I were you, I'd find another hiding place for them as well."

"I do have another backup location," Zyma interjected.

"What if you and Sean move the non-flying GFs to that place in the meantime?" Acma suggested. "Timeth and I can go to Centra Ruins to catch up with Uhrik and ensure they return the GFs after their tracking devices become inactive."

"Acma, you're getting ahead of yourself. Don't involve yourselves in any of this. I'll relocate the GFs on my own,” Zyma disagreed. “No one else needs to be involved. I'll go to Centra Ruins alone if they are as friendly as Tatulia describes."

"How do you plan to do all this on your own?" Acma frowned.

"I prepared the caverns myself, and the GFs listen to me. I don't need Sean," Zyma declared.

"Zyma, I'd love to lend a hand, but..." Sean stammered, "I'm sorry."

"That's okay. I understand. I'm sorry for dragging your family into this mess, mate," Zyma reassured.

"Zyma, Acma, we all need to think this through," Timeth interjected. "I will definitely go and see my twin brother."

"I'll come with you. We need to stick together," Acma sided Timeth. "Zyma, this is no longer just about you."

Zyma pondered for a moment and then made a decision.

"Fine. Give me two days to relocate the GFs. I'll come back and pick you both up to go to Centra Ruins. We'll have a little reunion for Timeth and reclaim my GFs."

"Now we're talking," Acma nodded.

Chapter 18: Rendezvous

Chapter Text

Two days later. 2315. Balamb’s transportation center.

He’s late. He’s never late.

"Do you see anything?" Acma asked anxiously as Timeth returned from the school gate.

"No sign of any aircraft," Timeth replied.

Acma's anxiety grew. What if something had happened to Zyma while he was relocating the GFs? The thought of the raging sea surrounding the GF Cavern filled her with fear.

"Is he usually late?" Timeth inquired.

"No, surprisingly he's never late," Acma replied with frustration. "He's always punctual when it comes to estimating... Damn it!" Acma closed her eyes and clenched her jaw. "He tricked us. He never intended to pick us up and go to Centra Ruins together. He's going there by himself!"

"Oh, Hyne! That sounds just like him," Timeth shook his head.

"I feel like such a fool. I should have known he wouldn't easily agree to our plan."

"No time for guilt now. We need to find an aircraft," Timeth suggested.

"I'm not authorized to have access to an aircraft yet," Acma lamented, shaking her head. "But wait, Zyma can't operate the newer aircraft with screens. He must be using the older version like the one he used to carry me to the GF Cavern, which means his assigned modern aircraft might still be available."

They hurried to the transportation center's reservation system to check. "Here it is... it's still here. But we need Zyma's credentials to activate it."

"We need his com device to open the aircraft and his junction device to pilot it," Timeth pointed out.

"I know where he keeps them," Acma's eyes lit up with determination.

Ten minutes later, they arrived at Zyma's room, Acma entered the digital code, but the door remained locked.

"sh*t... That jerk also locked it with a physical key, not just the code. He must have anticipated that I would try to break in," Acma grumbled.

"Um..."

"Go ahead and say it, Timeth," Acma urged.

"I know Shrewdya is really skilled at lock-picking," Timeth suggested.

"That's true, but she's..." Acma hesitated.

"I know... but we're running out of time," Timeth reminded her, aware of Shrewdya's talkative nature. "Maybe we can just give her a fake explanation?"

Acma sighed and reluctantly agreed.

When Acma knocked on Shrewdya's door, Shrewdya was about to go to bed.

"I'm sorry, Shrewdya! I desperately need you to open Zyma's room. I left something very important inside, and he's away on a mission," Acma said, deciding to keep the details vague.

"That sounds incredibly shady, Acma," Shrewdya hesitated, skeptical about helping. "I'm not about to assist you in stealing something from Zyma the Great. He'd make sure I go bankrupt."

"Please, it's not like that..." Acma pleaded.

"So you know his passcode?" Shrewdya asked.

"Yes, I just need to unlock the physical lock," Acma explained.

"Is Timeth with you?" Shrewdya inquired.

"Yes," Acma replied, unsure why Shrewdya was asking.

"Okay, I'll help. But remember, you owe me one," Shrewdya suddenly changed her tone.

"Anything! Just let me know later, and I'll do whatever you ask," Acma promised.

Ten minutes later, the door to Zyma's inventory room swung open. Acma hurriedly gathered Zyma's com device, junction device, and other useful items that she thought would be handy for their journey.

"Whoa, whoa, hold on, Acma. Am I mistaken, or are you actually robbing Zyma?" Shrewdya asked, her eyes widening.

"He's... I don't have time to explain," Acma replied, feeling a sense of urgency.

"We're in this together, remember? I know you and Timeth aren't bad people. Just tell me what you're planning, and maybe I can help," Shrewdya offered.

"Well... we suspect that Zyma might be in trouble, although we're not entirely sure. We want to fly his aircraft to Centra Ruins. That's why we need his devices," Acma explained.

"Okay... I don't know what he's up to there, but it's quite a long journey, and more importantly..." Shrewdya frowned, her voice trailing off. "Do either of you actually know how to pilot an aircraft?"

Silence hung in the air as Acma and Timeth exchanged glances.

"Do you know?" Acma asked Shrewdya with a glimmer of hope.

"No!" Shrewdya immediately denied. "I'm a healer. Healers don’t drive. Remember when Miss Tilmitt crashed the Ragnarok once and they had no one conscious to heal the crew?"

Acma sighed in hopelessness. She had managed to overcome many obstacles, only to be faced with another roadblock.

"But Raddie was one of the few in our class who may know how to fly it," Shrewdya suggested, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Great. Zyma, you've really made things more complicated for us. You leave me no choice. Acma thought to herself, frustration simmering within.

"Um... has anyone submitted a sick request?" Raddie asked, his hands steady on the aircraft controls. "We have our final exams in two days. Not that it's as important as Senior Zyma's safety, but just a heads up for those of us with upcoming SeeD exams."

"I really can't think about that right now. I'll have to take it next year," Acma replied, shaking her head.

"I'm actually attempting it this year," Raddie revealed.

"You?" Acma asked, surprised by the news.

"Yeah..." Raddie's disappointment was evident in his voice. "Why are you so surprised, Acma? I qualified to attend last year. My mom just managed to talk Cid out of the plan, which is why I didn't make it to the SeeD exam last year."

“I’m sorry, I thought there was an age limit, that’s all.” Acma explained.

"After Miss Trepe passed the SeeD exam at 15, there have been a few others attempting it early," Raddie elaborated. "Alright, we'll be arriving at Centra Ruins in 45 minutes. What's the plan?"

"I... I don't know yet, besides just going in there? I'll go through our supplies and distribute our gear," Acma said.

"Wonderful..." Shrewdya's sarcastic remark didn't go unnoticed by Acma. She tried not to let Shrewdya's reaction bother her, sensing that it stemmed from uncertainty and fear rather than aggressive behavior.

Acma moved to a large table and began unloading the hastily gathered items into Zyma's backpack before their departure from Balamb Garden. She made sure to take as many items as possible from the shelf, opting to bring more than they might need rather than risk running short on necessary potions.

As she sorted through the items, her hands trembled when she came across a small envelope adorned with Galbadia's symbol—a fearsome logo of three sword tips.

Her eyes widened with disbelief as she held the ominous note in her grasp. Urgently, she called out to Timeth, whispering, "Timeth, come over here."

Timeth's face paled as he read the note. "Kill Uhrik?... Zyma was ordered to kill him?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of fear and confusion.

Acma nodded solemnly, her expression filled with remorse. "I'm so sorry, Timeth. It seems that way," she admitted. "I was such a fool, revealing too much information about us. I forgot that he's an independent contractor who could kill anyone for Gils."

Timeth let out a sigh. "He tortured you. It's not your fault. Let's get there as soon as possible to stop him. But what about Shrewdya and Raddie?" Timeth glanced towards the aircraft window, where Shrewdya and Raddie were watching the dark clouds.

"We have to be careful. If Shrewdya and Raddie find out, they might choose to side with the Gardens and turn against us," Acma said, her voice tinged with concern.

Timeth nodded in agreement. "What do you suggest?"

Acma's voice held a firm tone as she turned to Shrewdya and Raddie. "Shrewdya, Raddie, we need you to stay here in the aircraft. Timeth and I will go in to scout the situation first," she instructed.

Raddie crossed his arms, his expression skeptical. "And why can't we go with you guys?"

"Someone needs to guard the aircraft. We don't want the escaped prisoners to take it and leave us stranded, right?" Acma explained.

"Shrewdya can stay," Raddie suggested.

"She needs protection too," Acma disagreed. "We should always go in a party of two or more, remember?"

Raddie sighed. "Okay, and it has to be Timeth because he has the twin. Just be careful and come back if it gets too dangerous, alright?"

Acma nodded gratefully, appreciating their understanding. "Thank you, Raddie and Shrewdya. And sorry for involving you in all of this. We'll be back as soon as we can. I've left your gear on the table. Be careful."

Chapter 19: Duo

Chapter Text

"Com devices don't work here," Raddie informed Acma and Timeth as they descended from the aircraft. "If you run into trouble, shoot the signal flare for help."

"Thank you, Raddie. Stay here. We'll be back soon," Acma said, bidding farewell to her temporary partner.

Acma and Timeth approached the entrance of the treacherous Centra Ruins, their path illuminated by the magic lights that flickered to life as they stepped on the rusty staircase.

"What is this place? It's filled with dark magic," Acma exclaimed, feeling a sense of unease.

Timeth began to share his knowledge about the historical site based on a Timber Maniacs article by Sir Laguna and a blog entry in Garden Intranet by Miss Tilmitt.

"This is the place where the dark GF Odin used to reside. He was eventually acquired by the Legendary SeeDs and later destroyed from permanent existence by the Sorceress Knight Seifer Almasy. Odin himself was once a Sorceress Knight, devoted to protecting both his sorceress lover in one of the cities in Centra."

Timeth continued, recounting the tragic events that unfolded. "During an attack on the city, Odin sacrificed himself, transforming into a GF to shield the sorceress and her empire from harm. The empire was believed to survive the attack upon his noble sacrifice. After the sorceress eventually passed away years later, Odin locked himself away in this place, along with her body, attempting to seal the magic away from the world. However, over time, the magic found a way to escape, attracting monsters to this location until it completely transferred to another maiden."

Acma's gaze shifted to the statue in the square, depicting Odin with his mighty horns protectively sheltering his beautiful sorceress with broken wings from a fall.

"'My Blue Heaven'," Acma glanced to the readable signpost nearby. "Is that the famous folklore song about..." Acma trailed off in sorrow.

Timeth nodded. "A sad contrast, isn't it? They may have had a child together. Once Odin became a dark GF, he resided within the sorceress' consciousness, only to be summoned when she was in grave danger. He was only freed upon her death, just to claim her lifeless body. Their family, if it ever existed before his transformation, must have been shattered in exchange for their empire's safety."

Acma's heart sank as she contemplated the darkness that had come to define the lives of the once powerful hero and heroine. Behind the intimidating appearance of scary horns, snake-like scars, and frightening monstrous features, she realized that they were all once human beings with loving hearts.

"Let’s move quickly. Zyma's Diablos only has Enc-Half, so we need to be careful. We might attract some monsters here." Acma urged, snapping both of them back to the present reality of the situation.

Timeth nodded and cast a protective spell on both of them, preparing for a potential preemptive attack from the Tonberry, a common monster found in dark caves and ruins like this.

With caution, Acma and Timeth ventured deeper into the labyrinthine depths of the Centra Ruins. The air grew heavy and still as they moved further into the darkness, their senses heightened and their nerves on edge.

Suddenly, a faint glow caught their attention, casting an eerie illumination on the worn walls. Acma's eyes widened as she spotted figures approaching in the distance.

"Timeth!" she called out urgently, pointing towards a Tonberry emerging from the shadows.

The small green creature cloaked in tattered brown garments, moved with an unsettling deliberation. It carried a lantern, casting an otherworldly glow on the surrounding. The creature's whale-like tails swayed ominously as it shuffled forward, its yellow eyes fixated on Acma and Timeth.

"Freeze!" Timeth commanded, freezing the Tonberry’s knife in its tracks as it darted toward them.

"Why is it moving so quickly?" Timeth wondered, perplexed by the creature's unexpected speed.

"A mutant?" Acma speculated, and as she saw more similar creatures were moving on her way, she grabbed Timeth, breaking his time-freeze channeling magic. "We can't take them on directly. Let's make our way to the main structure."

Turning to flee, they could sense more footsteps approaching, the sound of multiple Tonberries drawing closer. Their knives glinted ominously in the dim light. Acma and Timeth quickened their pace and passed through a metal door that led to the main structure resembling an abandoned windmill.

Acma leaned against a moss-covered wall, her chest heaving, as she cautiously glanced back. "I think we're safe for now," she said, relief evident in her voice.

Timeth's eyes widened in horror as he noticed the blood-soaked floor. "Acma, look," he whispered, pointing to the gruesome trail.

"Oh no..." Acma couldn't hide her fear as her mind raced with the worst-case scenarios. Human blood.

Following the trail, they ascended the stairs, their hearts pounding in their chests. Suddenly, the chilling sound of a rusty door being shut echoed through the ruins.

Acma's voice trembled with fear. "Someone is here."

"Where should we go?" Timeth whispered.

"Let's hide," Acma replied.

They carefully stepped toward a corner and attempted to cover them with a wooden crate. However, the crate, wet and infested with termites, shattered at their touch, causing a shaft to fall down and create a loud thudding sound that could not go unnoticed by anyone in the structure.

"sh*t. Not now!" Acma cursed herself, feeling unusually clumsy in the face of the life-or-death situation with Zyma.

Though no sound approached them, Acma knew better than anyone that her mentor was a master of stealth, rarely making any noise. She needed to create a diversion. Spotting a piece of broken brick in the corner, she threw it to the opposite side of the room. But as she did so, she realized that if Zyma approached that corner, he would spot them anyway.

Stupid Acma! Wait… I have Hero! Acma's mind raced as she recalled bringing the expensive Hero items. She quickly opened her backpack and cast Hero on both herself and Timeth, saving Gils for Zyma was the last thing on her mind at that moment.

"Good. I can’t see you, hold my hands… Okay, now move slowly, he can still hear us," she instructed Timeth as they began to remove the wooden crate, aiming to sneak out. Just then, they caught sight of Zyma's figure emerging from the shadows at the other corner.

"No..." Timeth gasped, his voice filled with anguish as he spotted what hung over Zyma's neck—a hand dripping with blood. "Uhrik," he whispered to Acma, his voice filled with pain, signaling that it belonged to his twin brother.

Acma's words barely escaped her lips as a whisper. "Hyne… We need to go. Now!"

With adrenaline coursing through their veins, Acma and Timeth turned and fled, their footsteps echoing in the eerie silence. However, despite their invisibility, Zyma immediately picked up on the sound and pursued them relentlessly.

Timeth and Acma raced through the labyrinthine corridors, aiming to ascend. Acma opened the doors to any chambers on their way to trick Zyma, but instructed Timeth to climb upstairs regardless. Being cornered by Zyma would be frightening. They finally reached the top level of the ruins, gasping for breath under the dark sky.

Timeth leaned against the wall, his voice trembling, shaking his head in denial of his brother’s demise. "Uhrik... Why did Zyma do that?"

"He's a cold-blooded assassin. I'm so sorry, Timeth," Acma said, her voice filled with sorrow as she held her dear friend.

"Acma, Timeth. Get out of here! Now!" Zyma's voice echoed through the corridors. "I know you're there. I don't have time to explain. Get out here! Quick!"

Judging from the sound, Zyma was halfway through the top level, meticulously examining each chamber as he ascended.

They were running out of time. Zyma was closing in on them, driven by his own sinister agenda.

"We have to find a way out of here," Acma said urgently. "The only option is to get down from that balcony. Propel?"

Timeth nodded. Although they hadn't been raised in the same research camp, they had been teammates ever since they arrived at Trabia. They understood each other's thoughts without needing much explanation. He cast Float on both of them and let her put her feet on his hand. It was a harsh truth to discover his twin brother dead without having the chance to speak with him after so many years. He knew he needed to ensure his most trusted friend’s safety.

"Propel with 5k Pa force," he instructed Acma, feeling her push upwards.

After a few seconds of gripping and exertion, Acma whispered back.

"I'm in. Can you feel my lasso? Oh no..." Acma gasped as she realized that her lasso had become visible, along with Timeth. The effect of Hero had faded away.

Without wasting any time, Timeth grabbed onto Acma's lasso and leaped up to the balcony, following her lead. Acma swiftly tied a secure knot around the balcony railing using her lasso, preparing for their descent from the main structure.

"You go first. I think I can stall him for a bit longer," Acma told Timeth as she gestured for him to descend using the lasso.

Timeth climbed down the rope, and Acma quickly followed suit. The lasso, although thin, proved strong enough to support their weight. However...

"What's swinging down there?" Timeth exclaimed. "Oh no, the Tonberries!"

"What?"

"They're pulling on the rope below. There must be around twenty of them!"

"sh*t! My lasso can't hold that much weight," Acma said, her eyes fixed on the knot tied to the railing.

Slit!

"Oh no..." Acma winced at the sight of her lasso breaking, thread by thread. She frantically rummaged through her backpack, searching for anything that could help.

Slit!

No!

Acma's hands instinctively grasped the signal flare, and without hesitation, she ignited it and sent it soaring into the night sky. The flare burst with a brilliant display of high-intensity light, piercing through the darkness and illuminating the surroundings for a short while. She knew that Raddie and Shrewdya might not be able to come right away, but in this desperate situation, every effort counted.

Slit! The final thread snapped, and Acma felt her body succumb to gravity. Though they had cast Float on themselves to minimize the impact, they had no defense against the bloodthirsty Tonberries below.

Zuzz!

Suddenly, a thin, dark rope twisted around Acma's waist, halting their free fall.

Zyma’s head emerged from the balcony, his eyes filled with a cold-blooded intensity. There were specks of blood on his forehead, remnants of Uhrik's hand that still rested in his chest.

Acma was torn between crying out for help to be pulled back up or severing the rope and plummeting down to the Tonberries. Her death was inevitable; it was only a matter of time.

"Basilisk! Get us out of here," Zyma suddenly shouted.

Zyma's GF, whom he claimed to be his mother, materialized from his head and spread her wings in full display. She floated at Acma's level and whispered, though her voice boomed like thunder.

"Get on. Quick."

Acma gasped as she understood Basilisk's language, confirming Zyma's words that Basilisk was a human in her previous life.

"What are you going to do with us?" Acma asked, hesitant to get on the GF without knowing Zyma's plans for her and Timeth.

"Get on her! Now!" Zyma demanded. "There's no time to waste, for God's sake. There's a bomb set to detonate in five minutes. I'll explain once we're out of here."

"A bomb?" Acma asked. "Are you also trying to kill Gema and Adelik too?"

"Too?" Zyma replied, confused.

"Don't pretend. We know you received orders from Galbadia to kill Uhrik, and you've already killed him!" Acma's anger flared on behalf of Timeth.

"For Hyne's sake! Can we talk about this later? They're alive. They've already left with Drakarion and Tiamat."

"Then why is Uhrik's hand around your neck?"

"If not his hand, should I present his head to Galbadia instead?" Zyma retorted. "Use your brain. You're wasting our time! Now get on my mom's back, both of you!"

Acma didn't have all her questions answered, but Zyma's explanation seemed plausible. She reluctantly reached out to Basilisk, and Timeth followed suit.

"Acma, if he wanted to kill us, he could have done it already. Let's get out of here and ask for more details," Timeth said.

"Thank you! The only one with a little brain here!" Zyma shouted, then also jumped onto Basilisk's back. "Fly as fast as you can to the exit, Mom."

"We'll make it. Be kind to her," Basilisk growled, flapping her powerful and massive wings toward the entrance of Centra Ruins.

Acma caught her breath as she looked down at the agitated Tonberries below, brandishing their sharp knives in their direction.

"What happened to Uhrik?" Timeth immediately asked Zyma.

"Your brother is fine, except for his left hand. I had to provide evidence to my client that he was taken down. His power was too intimidating for them. Luckily, Galbadia sent me the request because somehow knew they had stolen my GFs, thinking I would have the motivation and of course offer them a heavy discount. They provided me with their exact tracking location. I waited until just before the tracking devices became inactive and cut down his hand. That way, Galbadia would know he was engaged in combat before his staged death. My GFs are taking them to a secure hiding place. Here, he wrote this for you," Zyma handed Timeth an envelope. "Keep a low profile for a few months, and then I'll arrange your reunion. It's too risky at the moment."

Timeth quickly opened the envelope, and even though he couldn't remember his twin brother's handwriting, the contents matched the references.

"Thank you very much, Zyma." Timeth was about to embrace Zyma, but the sight of Uhrik's severed hand stood between them.

"He won't be able to use time magic as effectively with one hand, but keeping him alive is more important," Zyma explained.

As they approached the exit, Acma noticed commotion and screams coming from below.

"What's happening?" she asked. "There's a group of Tonberries gathering there."

"Help! Help!"

Familiar voices cried out for assistance.

"Oh no, it's Raddie and Shrewdya!" Acma exclaimed as she saw them hanging onto Shell and Protect, surrounded by menacing knives. “They must have seen my distress signal…”

"Of course..." Zyma sighed in frustration.

"Please, we have to help them!" Acma pleaded.

"Acma! Timeth! Help!" Raddie's voice echoed from below.

"Our defenses are wearing off!" Shrewdya screamed. "We've run out of healing spells."

Zyma let out another exasperated sigh and jumped down from Basilisk's back.

"Be careful!" Basilisk growled.

"Please, Basilisk, stay low so I can cast magic!" Acma implored the powerful GF.

Without hesitation, Basilisk quickly descended and unleashed a series of Thunder spells on the monsters below.

"Ahhhh..." Shrewdya and Raddie cried out in pain.

"Don't kill them!" Zyma shouted at Basilisk, concerned that her mother's area attacks might harm the young students.

"We won't be able to clear them out fast enough!" Basilisk growled.

Zyma, skilled in single-target attacks, began picking off the Tonberries one by one. But with so many Tonberries blocking the entrance, it seemed impossible to escape the Centra Ruins before the bomb detonated.

"We need an area attack spell that won't harm Shrewdya and Raddie. Something like Holy!" Acma screamed, but she couldn't figure out a way to cast Holy, a spell known for its ability to kill dark creatures and monsters while sparing humans, over a large area.

"Mom, show her Duo with Holy!" Zyma shouted to Basilisk, then throw an item to Acma. "Acma, catch!"

Zyma threw something towards Acma, who clumsily caught it.

"This is... a Holy stone?" Acma mumbled, she had only seen this rare item in textbooks.

Zyma continued to shout as he dodged Tonberries’ doink attacks. “I only have one Holy stone… I can’t believe I say this, but use the siphon, Acma. Duo usually works better under crisis.”

Not wasting any moment, although her head was spinning, Acma reached for a siphon and inserted into her right arm. Then she found another siphon and inserted it into her left arm.

“I’m draining fast!” Acma shouted. “What’s now?”

“Remember to unplug them!” Zyma reminded her.

"Acma, touch my head," Basilisk said. "Let's perform our first Duo!"

Acma didn't understand exactly how, but she followed Basilisk's instruction and touched her hand to the GF's head, while holding the Holy stone in her other hand. “Like this?”

"That’s right. Focus on the enemies. Let us become one," Basilisk instructed. "Close your eyes."

As Acma closed her eyes, the Holy stone emitted a radiant light that she could still sense. She suddenly felt a surge of energy flowing from Basilisk to her hand and then back from her body to Basilisk. In that moment, she could see the surroundings through Basilisk's vision, the Centra Ruins appearing more vibrant and magical, with objects infused with greater power highlighted in her view.

"Say it. Duo: Thunder's Judgment," Basilisk urged.

"Duo..." Acma murmured. "Thunder's Judgment."

Basilisk tilted her head back slightly and unleashed a barrage of blinding thunderbolts. Acma synchronized her Holy magic with the GF's thunder spell, casting an advanced and devastating spell upon the eerie creatures below.

"Wow..." Raddie gasped in awe as he witnessed Acma's Limit Break for the first time.

“Please…” Shrewdya closed her eyes, hoping this last resort would be successful.

After a while, the blinding light subsided, giving everyone a moment to recover their vision. The Tonberries were mostly dead or disoriented from the powerful spell.

"Everyone, get on!" Timeth reached out his hand to assist Shrewdya to climb on Basilisk, followed by Raddie. Zyma quickly hopped onto his GF after ensuring the safety of the young students.

Basilisk utilized all her speed to dash out of the Centra Ruins, just seconds before a series of explosions rocked the area.

Chapter 20: Unspoken

Chapter Text

He disappeared again. She was used to it. Acma’s thoughts wandered to Zyma during a break between classes, labs, and social outings. To keep her mind occupied and prevent it from dwelling on unhelpful thoughts and feelings of hopelessness, she deliberately filled her schedule with some Garden Festival’s preparation tasks.

When they got out of Centra Ruins, they engaged in a heated argument, pointing fingers and assigning blame. He accused her of messing things up, and she blamed him on keeping everyone in the dark. In private, their disagreements might have fizzled out quickly, as Acma lacked the energy to press him for explanations and Zyma would have jumped out of a window to evade her interrogation. However, in the midst of that desolate landscape of Centra continent and with their friends and Zyma's mother as witnesses, they confronted and hurt each other badly.

Eventually, Zyma retreated to his mother's side, and together they flew away.

Acma returned to Balamb Garden with her classmates, relieved that none of the faculty had questioned their absence from morning classes.

This time, he had been gone for another two weeks.

He hadn't treated her well. She hated his silent treatments.

"You deserve someone better!" Those were the words the Trepie girls would always say whenever a jerk broke up with one of the girls.

But he was the first person who made her heart flutter, and she realized she had no frame of reference to compare him to.

He was a unique jerk.

Zyma: Meet me at Rinaul Coast at 1700. Bring your swimsuit.

He texted her with another absurd request after zero communication, as if nothing had happened between them. Knowing he wouldn't reply back, she didn't bother asking "why."

She carried on with her day as usual, feeling a little lighter, knowing that he was fine and even had the audacity to invite her to the beach.

Swimsuit. She didn't have one since Trabia’s weather was cold and there were no swim-friendly beaches nearby. But she had access to a scuba diving suit, which was suitable for any occasion. She also wouldn't let that jerk make fun of her modest body. What kind of person would make you believe they are attracted to you while constantly referring to you as a kid? Definitely a jerk.

Zyma: Are you coming?

He texted her again to confirm, something unusual.

Acma: Yes. Can you actually read my messages now? She texted back.

She waited for ten minutes. Nothing from him. Of course! What a jerk.

But then her com device rang again.

Zyma: Sean helped me figure out how to read texts from my special device. Please expect some delay.

She debated whether she should text back and finally left a mocking reply.

Acma: On my way. Let's see who wins, me reaching the beach or your reply to this text, grandpa.

Acma won. When she reached the beach, the sun was on its way to sleep, and Zyma waved for her to join him.

"When did you come back?" she asked.

"This morning," Zyma replied.

"Is your mom doing okay?"

"She'll be fine. Already back to her usual nagging about her new nest."

"Please let her know that I'd like to thank her."

"I will. She really likes you.”

"That's kind of her. I like her too."

Aware that Zyma was adamant about keeping his mother's location hidden this time, she chose not to propose another visit. But this topic reminded her of his rage when he threatened her with a burning shuriken.

She changed the topic, asking about the well-being of Uhrik, Gema, and Adelik, whom Zyma also took care of.

"Thank you for looking out for them. Please let us know when it's safe for a visit. Do you think G would be okay with it if they found out?"

"I do my best to leave no traces behind. Additionally, it's against our rules to harm assassins. We have our own network to protect our kind," Zyma explained, pausing for a moment. "Look, I'm really sorry for what happened at Master Miyagi's house."

"Don't worry about it. I would have been angry if I were in your shoes. We had just met, and there wasn't much trust between us. And, well, I turned out to be an actual spy, so your suspicion had some basis," she admitted.

"So, are we good?" Zyma asked.

"Well... Honestly, I was terrified… You threatened me with a burning red shuriken instead of just asking me questions. If you had explained what was going on, I would have told you everything," she replied.

"I'm sorry..."

"We both have trust issues. I blame our jobs for training us that way," Acma said. "Anyway… You're not inviting me for a beach trip, right?"

"Right," Zyma explained the task. Tiamat was still young and preferred living in her own cavern near people and friendly monsters. She had also expressed her willingness to assist Balamb Garden students in their mission. Hence, Zyma wanted to locate a nice cavern for her.

"I've found an underwater cave just below this water. Do you want to help prepare a new nest for Tiamat?" he asked.

"I'd love to," Acma felt delighted at the seemingly fun activity.

"Great. Here, Put on this scuba diving suit," he smiled, and retrieve some gears from his backpack.

"Um... I already wear a scuba diving suit.'’ She revealed the suit under her cadet jacket.

"That's not what I meant by swimsuit.'’ He looked at her suit and surprised. "My gear includes the suit. Can you take yours off?

"Um... but… Where do I change?" she asked, looking around in the open space.

"I won't look. And no one's here," he continued assembling the scuba gear.

"We don't know about that..."

Zyma shook his head. "Another reason why I don't like having female partners."

She rolled her eyes in disbelief at his usual rude remark.

"Come on. We have to go before dark. Do you want me to change it for you?"

"Excuse me," Acma felt conflicted. "Hyne! I don't even know why I have to endure all these..."

"Endure what?" Zyma asked, confusion in his face.

Acma put on a painful smile. "You know what? Forget it. I can't follow your absurd rules anymore. Thanks for offering me to see your GFs and prepare a nest. I can't take these. You can ask Sean or any of your male friends. Have a great evening!"

She turned her back and started walking which caught Zyma’s attention.

"Hey, come on. Don’t be mad. If you need somewhere to change, we can find a cavern, or worse, go to Balamb Town and put on your swimsuit there and layer it with your clothes," he suggested, grabbing her hand.

"It's not that..." she began.

"Then what is it?" he asked.

"You never think for me," she screamed with frustration shimmering for months.

"I... I didn't know it was important. There's no one here to see you," he replied, trying to understand.

"Why would I bring it up if it's not important? See? If something is not important to you, you just accuse me of being a girl or whiny," she explained, her frustration evident.

"Are we still talking about changing into a swimsuit?" he asked, trying to clarify, sensing her tendency to overgeneralize.

Acma fell silent. Of course, it wasn't just about changing. It was about multiple instances where she had questioned him, and he had dismissed her concerns by running away without explanation. Now, by the beach, there was no way he could pull that trick again.

"No," she blurted out.

"Then what is it?" he pressed.

She shook her head. "Many things. I can't keep track of how many times you've brushed off my concerns and walked away, expecting me to follow your way. Your one and only rule: 'Don't ask questions.'"

Zyma was frozen, processing her words. "But that's how I've always been with you... focusing on business matters, doing what I think is right for you, even if you may not have realized it.”

"Really? Even if it’s right for me. I don't like that," she murmured.

"I'm your mentor, not your babysitter. You don't have to like me. What I try to do is keep you alive," he responded defensively.

"I don't see how respecting my choices and inputs could lead to my death. You're just making up ridiculous excuses now," she asserted.

Zyma scoffed. "Don't you think you're being a bit double standard here? It's okay for you to be upset when I disregard your choices, but when I provide my reasons, you accuse me of making bullsh*t excuses. You've done that a lot too. And I hate that," he emphasized.

Acma frowned, taken aback by his use of the word "hate." It was a word she had never heard someone direct at her before. "You hate me?" she asked, her voice filled with a mix of hurt and disbelief.

"I... I didn't say that," he stammered, realizing his choice of words was too harsh. "But you see, you just crossed the line from business to personal yourself..."

She furrowed her brow, trying to protest, but Zyma's further explanation shed some light on the situation.

"I said, I hate that you downplay my reasons. You twist them into thinking I hate you as a person," he clarified. “You know… I don’t hate you, quite the opposite.”

She gasped, unable to reason with herself in that moment.

"Acma," Zyma mumbled, "you should have known the importance of separating business and personal in our line of work..."

They stood in silence, their eyes avoiding each other as they both gazed at the sunset. The topic they had both tried to avoid thinking about finally came up. Even Acma, a newly transferred student, had been educated early by Trepie #23 about the risks involved when it came to love among mercenaries.

"True love can give you strength, but heartbreak can lead to grudges. Anything that affects your decision-making in battles can be detrimental," Trepie #23's words echoed in her mind, a reminder of the potential consequences of getting romantically involved in their line of work.

"What is she doing?" Acma wondered to herself. She had encountered several lousy teachers in the past, but she had never dared to criticize them. Unintentionally, she had treated Zyma differently because she knew he had feelings for her.

Before meeting him, her main goal had been to become stronger and free her sister. She was deeply involved in research, hoping to uncover what had happened to them in the research camps and find a cure for her sister's leg condition once they gained their freedom. However, her insignificant romantic involvement had sidetracked her from her objectives. She felt a strong sense of guilt, like she had let her sister down.

Acma realized that, despite Zyma's rudeness, he was actually better at handling their personal matters without letting them affect his judgment too much. In comparison, she seemed to pose a greater threat to their safety due to her weakness and stubbornness. The incident in Centra Ruins, where she had foolishly chased after him, had nearly resulted in harm to him, his mother, and their friends.

"I don't think I can do it. Separating business from... from us," she finally admitted. "I am sorry."

She took out the printed mentorship responsibilities with all the items checked, with "Limit Break" being the last one completed.

“What are you doing?” Zyma perplexed.

"You signed here. I'll turn it into Miss Xu to clear you from the grades requirement," she said, her voice filled with resignation.

He glanced at the list, pretending to read, but trying to gauge her expression from the corner of his eyes. Six months of training had passed quickly. What he had anxiously waited for since they agreed to the Fisherman's Horizon's railroad was no longer possible. He had been naive to believe that they could have a relationship. The problem wasn't solely his this time. She had her own flaws, some similar to his, but she refused to accept them. The way she accepted her flaws resulted in her thinking that they just couldn't get along in business, so it must be the same in their personal lives. And thus, she declared a death sentence to a relationship that hadn't even had the chance to see the daylight.

He had debated within himself whether to hold onto hope, especially after the incident with his GFs. It was clear that they would be in danger if they got involved, yet he couldn't make up his mind. He didn't dare to break her heart with words he wasn't even sure he believed himself. He even invited her to prepare Tiamat's nest together, thinking it would be a fun and legit business activity that would bring them back to normal without touching the sensitive topic.

Perhaps her decision to end it now was a blessing in disguise. It meant he didn't have to be the cruel jerk.

Her mature appearance and wit had initially sparked his interest, but he soon realized she was just a selfish teenager. He questioned whether she was worth the chase, feeling tired before their story even began.

He signed the paper in a careless manner, allowing the strokes to trail off and tearing the paper a little. Who cares? Definitely not Xu.

She took the paper from him and began to recite some lines. "Thank you, Sensei. I have learned a lot from you. I'll see you around. And if I don't, good luck on the SeeD exam."

"Yeah, you too. Thanks for helping with my secret shop," he played along, his tone lacking genuine emotion.

She tilted her head down, then mustered a smile. "I hope we can reset things... you know, go back to how we were a while ago."

"Yeah... I've become quite skilled at that," Zyma replied nonchalantly, masking the burning fire in his chest.

"I'm sorry that we're ending things this way... I... I hope you understand," she began, wanting to explain further, but he cut her off. It wasn't the first time he had been rejected, though it was surprising for it to happen so early. Girls had a way with words, sometimes sugar-coating their rejections, but the underlying truth remained sharp and painful.

"No need to say sorry. You can't end something that never truly began. See you around. Let's keep it strictly business, I insist," he said, trying to maintain a composed facade.

"Yeah," she replied softly.

As she uttered the word, he was certain he heard a hint of sorrow in her voice. He watched her turn away, her hands discreetly wiping away tears from the corners of her eyes.

A sudden lump formed in his throat.

Please... Let this pain go away soon, he silently pleaded.

He ran and jumped into the water, allowing the cold embrace of the sea to chase away the anguish from his chest.

Chapter 21: SeeD Exam: Flowers City

Chapter Text

A week later.

"Acma, Trepie #23! Over here!" Nida called out to her friends. "I'll be announcing the squad assignments for the exam now. Let's see... You two will be with..." Nida paused for dramatic effect. "Devie Satthu. Quite a lively fellow."

"Devie?" Acma recognized her friend from Trabia. "He's just loud. Can't I switch teammates?"

"I'm afraid that's not possible, Acma. Trepie #23, you're the squad B’s leader. You'll have Acma and Devie as your teammates. Over here, Devie!" Nida instructed.

As Nida called out for Devie, he made a grand entrance by swinging his katanas back and forth for a whole minute. "How is it, Instructor Nida?" he grinned.

"Perfect for a show at the Garden Festival. Now get over here with your squad. Squad A, C, and D will join us soon," Nida replied.

"Whoa! Senior Acma, I'll be with you?" Devie was surprised to see Acma.

"I'm glad to see you made it, Devie," Acma feigned a smile. Devie had great potential in martial arts and swordsmanship, but he was quite empty-minded, making him quite the opposite of Acma.

"Trabia is less competitive without you and Timeth," Devie smiled, maintaining his positive attitude. "Nice to meet you, squad leader! I'm Devie, S22 from Trabia."

Devie rubbed his hand on his pants and offered it to Trepie #23.

"Nice to meet you!" Trepie#23 shook his hand and gently squeezed. "It's an honor to be a squad leader of Trabia’s best students. I hope we'll have a successful mission together."

After their introduction, the other squads made their way to the information center, where Headmaster Xu joined them for an encouraging speech.

"It's been a while, everyone. How's everyone doing? This exam will involve 12 members from Squads A through D. You will be proceeding to a real battlefield. Obviously, the battles are real. Life and death, victory and defeat, honor and disgrace... Each of these goes hand in hand. There's only one way or the other. How about it? Are you still up for it?"

Xu glanced at the eager faces in front of her, including a few members who had taken this exam multiple times and probably knew the speech by heart. Xu had no shame in borrowing Headmaster Cid's speech, knowing damn well that Cid himself had likely borrowed it from someone else, possibly his wife.

"You will be accompanied by four SeeD members. Should you fail, these members will get the job done. They always do. That's one less worry on your mind."

Acma furrowed her eyebrows. She was pretty sure that the number of SeeDs accompanying SeeD exams had gradually declined over the years, probably due to SeeD attrition. Trepie #23 was a Seed, but Acma couldn't recall seeing her with a weapon as she was too busy performing Garden duties. Nevertheless, the number of SeeD candidates remained the same, if not slightly increasing. And the presence of 14-year-old Devie proved that Garden was eagerly pushing down the average age of their new class of graduates.

"The pride of Balamb Garden! The elite mercenary force, SeeD! Learn from them, obey their commands, and accomplish the mission. Prove yourself worthy of becoming a member of SeeD. Best of luck!"

After Xu finished her speech, every squad followed their leaders to the transportation area and boarded an aircraft headed for Flowers City.

In the aircraft, each of the squads gathered for more detailed discussions of their assigned tasks. Finally, they all came together for a recap led by the designated leader, who happened to be the oldest student of Balamb Garden.

"Good morning, everyone! I'm Zyma, the mission leader for today's exam," Zyma announced. "Our client for today's mission is Flowers City. A request for SeeDs was made 18 hours ago.”

Acma noticed that he had put on the tinted eyeglasses she had asked Timeth to give him. Apparently, they worked as expected and helped him see the screens.

"We have six hostages located in this shelter," Zyma pointed to a location in the middle of the map, surrounded by a couple of residence units and backed by a river. "Three days ago, an unknown military force raided the village and captured its officers to demand a ransom, which has already been paid. However, they are holding the hostages for additional ransom. Our intelligence believes that the terrorists don't trust that they will be able to leave safely as promised. It is also believed that the leader has been injured by Flowers City’s sniper, and whether he's still alive is unknown... The hostages are not being provided with food or water, and our thermal signals indicate that their health conditions are deteriorating. We pretend to accept the second ransom, hence this mission. However, we’ll attack the enemies to rescue the hostages ourselves."

"Group B, led by Seed Trepie #23, will be responsible for first aid and safely retrieving the hostages. Do you have enough supplies?" Zyma turned to Trepie #23.

Acma couldn't tell if he looked at her due to his tinted eyeglasses, but given the cold treatment he had been giving her, she was certain he hadn't looked at her at all. Business as usual.

"Squad C will hijack the enemy's communication system, followed by Squad D, who will detonate a bomb to divert their attention to the back gate," Zyma instructed. "Squad A, led by me, will be responsible for clearing the enemies to open the path for Squad B. Squad C, are you certain that their communication is being monitored and they haven't discovered us spying on them?”

Squad C's leader, Keisha, nodded. Keisha was Acma's senior in Trabia, and for some reason, Trabia produced more tech-savvy individuals than Balamb.

"Squad D, your task is to detonate a bomb at the back gate and capture any enemies attempting to escape," Zyma directed. "Depending on the number of enemies and the situation, be flexible and provide support to either Squad A or Squad B as needed.”

"Understood!" Squad D's leader nodded. Raddie, who was part of Squad D, winked at Acma as she looked at him with a smile and a nod.

"Great. It seems like every squad understands their duty. So the sequence of action is quite simple. We’ll begin the operation half an hour before the actual ransom drop off time. Squad C deactivates the enemy's communication, Squad D detonates the bomb and guards the back gate, and Squad A dashes into the village from the front gate. Once the path is clear, every squad should assist Squad B in reaching the shelter and rescuing the hostages. Our backup mission leader is Instructor Nida - a SeeD Rank A, will be in the aircraft near the river. If I fall down for any reason, he will come to the rescue. Any questions?'’

Raddie raised his hand and, upon receiving a nod from Zyma to proceed, asked, "What is our backup plan if any of these steps fail?"

"We'll leave the brainstorming for each squad. It's usually not recommended to think of multiple backup plans, as the number of possibilities is endless. That's a skill you'll develop over missions. Just remember, when it comes to making hard decisions, prioritize the safety of the hostages, your teammates, and lastly yourself. If you're afraid of death and would prioritize your life over the lives of others, then perhaps a career as a mercenary is not suitable for you. If anyone feels that way, please speak up now and withdraw from this test."

A silence filled the room, and everyone seemed determined to complete the mission.

"Very well. Return to your squads and get ready. We will land in 10 minutes. Good luck!" Zyma concluded.

Acma waited until everyone was dismissed and approached Zyma. "Did you intentionally put me in the rescue squad? I'm an offensive magic caster, not a healer."

"Do you see anyone else here more suitable for that group? Devie is only 14 years old, and he'll need someone with both offensive and defensive magic to back him up. I work with what I have. You should know by now I don't consider any personal stuff in real missions,” his voice trailed off, his eyes fixed in the paperwork without looking at her. “If I had a say, knowing how reckless you were back in Centra Ruins, I would have crossed you off the list."

Acma bit her lip, absorbing his words. "I see. Thanks for the explanation."

As she turned to leave, he spoke up again. "Thanks for the eyeglasses."

"You're welcome. It's the least we can do for all the trouble you've been through. Well…” she trailed off, “Good luck passing the exam and enjoy your freedom," she said, trying to sound nonchalant and happy, but she knew she couldn't hide her disappointment about their relationship, which was mutually implied to end before it even had a chance to begin.

"Good luck. Don't die," he blurted out before retreating to a corner.

In the once-thriving village of Flowers City, where charming houses with colorful facades nestled among fields of swaying grass and fragrant blossoms, an unsettling stillness permeated the air. The village bore the haunting remnants of a recent attack which left deserted streets strewn with broken wooden wagons. The houses stood as solemn witnesses, their once vibrant exteriors now marked by walls riddled with bullet holes. The windows, previously adorned with lively curtains, had their glass shattered, likely by the terrorists to ensure clearance, leaving behind a sense of emptiness.

The squads quickly settled into their designated positions and followed the plan.

BANG!

A loud explosion reverberated in the distance, signaling that Squad D had secured the back gate.

"Squad A, move in!" Zyma commanded over the comms, leading his team into the village.

Trepie #23, Devie, and Acma remained silent for the next 15 minutes, awaiting the signal for their Squad B to proceed.

"Central square clear. Squad B, proceed with caution. Squad D, split up and head to the front gate, following Squad B," Zyma directed.

Devie led Squad B, with Trepie #23 and Acma following closely behind. They moved steadily, taking advantage of the clear path created by Squad A as they neutralized the enemy forces. With their helmets on and wearing civilian attire, it was difficult to distinguish them from the enemy soldiers.

"Final stage: Squad B, get ready to enter the bunker. Squad A follow squad B. Squad C and Squad D stay outside," Zyma announced.

In a matter of minutes, Acma's squad reached the entrance of the bunker. She glanced at other squads, who surrounded the shelter, before following Devie and Trepie #23 inside. The mission was nearing its end, but it was only the beginning of her part.

BANG!

“Focus!”

Acma's focus snapped back into place as Zyma's stern voice cut through the chaos. She quickly realized there was a distorted bullet lying at her feet, and Zyma's Shuriken lay ten feet away. A lifeless body of a shooter fell from the balcony of a nearby house, hitting the ground with a thud.

Feeling a surge of fear, Acma sprinted towards the bunker, closely following her squad members.

THUD!

A bunker door abruptly slammed shut just as Acma entered.

"What was that?" Devie asked.

"We're trapped?" Acma exclaimed, attempting to force the door open, but it was made of solid steel, with no visible handle.

"We need to keep moving. Don't worry, the others will find a way to break us out from the outside. Stay alert," Trepie #23 reassured. “Devie, lead the way, we’ll back you up.”

The bunker appeared to be a well-constructed hideout, prepared for potential bombings. It had multiple chambers underground, and the narrow staircases and hallways made navigation challenging. There was no natural light, so each member of Squad B activated the flashlight on their forehead to find their way.

“The com signal is very low here, other squads can’t hear us. Be extra careful, everyone!” Acma warned.

They carefully ventured into the maze with a small chamber at each dead end.

"We're SeeDs, here to rescue you! Is anyone here?" Trepie #23 whispered as she cautiously entered each chamber, careful not to alert any potential terrorists hiding in the bunker.

"Help! We're here! Please!"

The villagers' relief and joy were evident as they caught sight of the flashlights piercing through the darkness.

“Is everyone here?” Trepie #23 asked, quickly spotted an injured woman in the corner.

“Yes, this is all, please get us out of here now! Please!” An old man wearing suit exclaimed in fear.

“Please! Someone stay to treat my wife, she’s been bleeding for days!” A middle-age man holding the injured woman said.

Trepie #23 quickly knelt down to sit next to the injured woman with blood out of her torso and applied first aid kit.

“I’ll stay with you two. Acma, Devie, lead the way out for others.”

Acma followed closely behind Devie and the villagers, providing backup as they traced their way back to the bunker’s entrance.

BANG!

"Shield!" Acma reacted swiftly as a hail of bullets came toward them. She shielded the group and swiftly cast a powerful Thundara spell at the shooter, who succumbed to the attack.

"Thank you!" Devie expressed his gratitude among the yells in fear of the villagers.

"Please be quiet! There are terrorists in this bunker. How many of them are here? Does anyone know?" Acma asked the frightened villagers.

"There are three or four of them. Your friend... the couple she stayed with are two of them," one of the hostages revealed.

Acma was stunned by the news. "Why didn't you say anything earlier?"

"I'm sorry... They threaten to kill us if we say anything," the villager stammered.

"Trepie #23 is in danger. What should we do?" Devie turned to Acma for guidance.

She reinforced the group with additional protection spells and instructed Devie to stay with the villagers. "The exit is just a few stairs away. You take care of them. There are two terrorists with Trepie #23, plus the leader and the deceased one here, making a total of four. If what this man said is correct, there shouldn't be anyone else until you reach the door. I'll go back and find Trepie #23."

"Be careful!" Devie cautioned Acma and quickly assisted the villager out of the bunker.

Zyma grew increasingly impatient. When he asked Raddie to double check the facial recognition system, Raddie realized that the person they had thought was the captured terrorist leader was not the real one, indicating the presence of more terrorists in the bunker.

BOOM!

A small amount of dynamite was used to blast away the dry mud covering the entrance to the bunker, allowing the hostages to get out.

Seeing Devie being the only one from Squad B return with the villagers, Zyma felt uneased.

"Please hurry, Trepie #23 was staying with two terrorists we mistook for villagers. Acma went back to find her," Devie reported.

Zyma's vision darkened, but he couldn't afford to lose focus on his duty. He quickly assigned Raddie to verify the hostages' identities and called for other squad members to gather around the bunker for necessary backup. Finally, he summoned Nida to take over the control of the squads for him to come down to rescue the girls.

"Devie, lead the way," Zyma instructed, and the two swiftly descended into the bunker.

A few minutes later, Zyma and Devie arrived at the chamber where they found the hostages, only to be greeted by a horrifying scene. Trepie #23 was lying on the floor, struggling to breathe due to a deep wound on her stomach.

"Trepie #23, stay with me," Zyma pleaded in fear. He quickly retrieved an X-potion to heal her and used a first aid kit to apply more pressure to stop the bleeding. Someone had treated her but in a hurry way.

"I'm... fine... Acma... cast regen..." Trepie #23 managed to say between breaths.

"Where is she?" Zyma asked anxiously.

"They took her..." Trepie #23 tried to convey information through her pain. "Follow the blood." She motioned for Zyma to look at the drops of blood on the floor, leading towards the exit. The scent of Acma's blood filled the air, intensifying Zyma's fear.

"Carry her out. Bring more people in here if it's clear on the ground," Zyma commanded Devie, then dashed out of the chamber and followed the trail of blood.

As he ventured deeper into the maze-like bunker, the blood trail grew larger in size, then gradually diminished.

"No! Please, Hyne, no..." Zyma pleaded internally, his heart filled with dread at the thought of her bleeding to death.

There were Acma and at least three terrorists in these dark chambers.

Then, he spotted a figure drenched in blood, wearing a familiar cadet uniform. Zyma cautiously approached, turned the body around, and let out a sigh of relief.

It wasn't Acma. It was one of the terrorists. She was still alive but in critical condition. Zyma noticed a siphon attached to her vein - the same siphon Acma used to induce her Limit Break.

The blood trail ended there. He kept going to dead ends and decided to leave scratches on the wall to retrace his steps. Along the way, he noticed a new scratch mark, freshly made by someone else. Based on its height, it seemed to be made by a person much shorter than him.

It could be Acma's. The other two terrorists were most likely men who shouldn’t have left this low marks. A glimmer of hope flickered in his mind.

Suddenly, the dark maze was illuminated.

BOOM!

A thunderous explosion shattered the silence, jolting Zyma into action. Following the sound, his heart nearly stopped at the sight of Acma's blood-soaked lasso on the ground, leading to a nearby chamber. Suppressing his worst fears, he pushed forward.

As he entered the chamber, a devastating scene greeted him—a small girl with red hair, her military tank top drenched in blood. Her lifeless form resembled a discarded, battered doll.

His world spun, but he compelled himself to approach her, taking heavy steps. Scan! He cast the analytics spell, refusing to accept her death.

Suddenly, her hand flickered.

"Thundaga!"

A surge of magical electricity coursed through his already trembling body.

Shaking off the shock, Zyma regained his composure, carefully assessing his attacker.

"Oh... Oh gosh... Zyma, are you okay? I’m sorry, I thought you were another terrorist... Here, let me heal you," she stood up quickly and reached out her arm to cast Cura on him. “Please keep it off record… Thank Hyne, you were in full HP,” she smiled awkwardly.

“If it were Devie stepping through that door, you could have killed him,” he commented, while assessing the surrounding with two unconscious terrorists at the corner. He wanted to reprimand her for scaring him to death, but found no good business reason. She did what she had to to lure in the terrorists.

"I’m sorry, it was dark," Acma muttered. "Have you seen Trepie #23 on your way here?"

"She's conscious. Devie has taken her to safety. Let's get back. Can you walk?" Zyma coldly replied.

"Thanks Hyne!” She smiled in relief, “I'm fine, just some bruises."

Zyma nodded slightly, turning towards the unconscious terrorists, but he was interrupted by Acma.

"Um... wait. Can I borrow your jacket? Mine was taken, and... I'm kind of cold," she rubbed her arm.

Without hesitation, Zyma immediately took off his cadet uniform jacket and gave it to her. "Reckless... You're sure you haven't drained too much blood?"

"No," she promptly protested. "You can Scan me, I'm fine."

Zyma sighed, then cast Sleep Powder on the remaining terrorists, ensuring they remained unconscious throughout the journey back. He carefully scooped up both terrorists into his arms, balancing their weight. "Alright, let's go.”

"Um... do you need any help?" Acma rolled her eyes at Zyma's display of strength. She knew he was capable, but carrying two bulky terrorists through a narrow passage was no easy feat.

"Shut up and follow me closely. The woman is unconscious, but there may be a few more lurking around," Zyma commanded.

Together, they cautiously navigated through several chambers until they reunited with Devie and Raddie.

"Acma! You're alive!" Raddie exclaimed, his voice tinged with both fear and relief. He gently held her shoulders, his gaze scanning her from head to toe, contemplating whether to embrace her. "Are you hurt?"

"I wasn't, but I am now," Acma chuckled weakly, appreciating Raddie's concern.

"I was terrified when I heard that you were down here with at least three terrorists," Raddie admitted. “I’m afraid I can’t see you again…”

"Ahem..." Zyma cleared his throat, his voice interrupting their reunion. "Need some help here! Focus, cadets!"

Raddie finally releasing his grip on Acma and joined Devie in assisting Zyma with the captured terrorists. "I'm sorry, Senior Zyma!"

Zyma pointed in a direction. "There's another woman that way. Take her with us too."

"Roger!" Raddie quickly followed the direction pointed by Zyma.

“Wait! I’m coming with you. She has my jacket!” Acma exclaimed.

Ha… Zyma's gaze lingered on Acma's back, adorned in his cadet uniform, as she hastened to join Raddie.

Garden Committee’s office.

"When I returned to find Trepie #23, they had already stabbed her and taken her healing kit," Acma began recounting the events to the committee. "I was eavesdropping, and gathered that besides the woman, there was another terrorist, which I believe was the leader. They found me and threatened to kill Trepie #23 if I didn't comply with their orders. I lied to them, that I'm just a medic without weapon, claiming my blood type was O and that I had a siphon to transfer blood to anyone injured on their side if they spare Trepie #23’s life. I notice the woman was bleeding quite a lot, potions wouldn’t help, so she definitely would need my blood," she continued.

"I demonstrated how my blood could safely transfer to Trepie #23 to save her and gain their trust at the same time. I knew our blood types were compatible. The man then tied my hands with my lasso and connected the siphon between me and the woman. Together, we headed toward their leader. However, it didn't take long for my blood to clot in the woman's system, causing her to lose consciousness. I seized the opportunity to escape deeper into the maze. Knowing my way around my lasso, I freed myself, and then used it to lure the terrorists into my hiding chamber. I incapacitated the leader first, and Zyma found me shortly after I had taken down the other man. But what I couldn’t understand was that the leader didn't seem as injured as our intelligence had indicated," Acma concluded, leaving a mystery hanging in the air.

"The woman," Raddie answered, "was actually the leader of the terrorist group. She had disguised herself as a subordinate. I discovered that after watching the footages over and over again."

"Oh..." Acma realized, her eyes widening. "That's why the man stayed by her side the entire time and didn’t chase after me. I suppose once Zyma made his way into the chamber, he eventually left her and found me."

"Very well, it seems we have all the necessary information," Xu remarked, glancing at Nida. "Is there anything else we need to address?"

"I believe that covers it. The villagers have all been rescued and treated. Aside from minor injuries and trauma, they should recover without complications. Our client has been officially signed off the mission as a success," Nida reported. "Trepie #23 is recovering quickly. Dr. Kadowaki said she can resume her operational duties in a few weeks. Overall, good job everyone! Please wait for the final decision on the seed exam results in a few days."

As the meeting came to an end, people started to leave the room.

Zyma approached Acma and whispered in her ear. "Men's room."

"What?" She rolled her eyes.

"Business," he replied, then made his way to the door.

That jerk never stopped driving her crazy. It was as if he were a magnet, and she was inevitably drawn to him. Who on earth meets in a restroom to discuss work?

She waited until everyone had left the room, then waited a bit more before leaving herself. She glanced left and right, ensuring no one was in the hallway, before knocking on the men's room door on the same floor.

Zyma quickly opened the door and pulled her inside before locking it.

"Ouch! Let me go!" she squeaked in pain.

"How are your wounds?" he asked.

"I'm not wounded, just bruised from broken blood vessels, and now they hurt again, thanks to you!" she yelled but then realized she was in the men's room, lowering her voice. "Can you please not hurt me like that again? Not a single day goes by without you twisting my wrist!"

"I'm sorry. But you're lucky I kept your bloody trick off the record. They would have automatically disqualified you for endangering yourself had they known the truth," Zyma replied. He couldn't help but be curious. "How were you able to fight with that much blood loss? I traced your blood trail… it was a lot." he asked Acma.

A mischievous smile played on Acma's lips as she revealed a bag of red liquid hidden beneath her cadet uniform. "I wasn’t bleeding for real. I've learned my lesson," she said. "I keep a supply of my own blood, extracting 100cc a day. Regarding the blood loss due to transfusion, I used two siphons to recover the blood loss faster. I'll redesign your siphon to include an extra storage chamber and a motor pistol to accelerate the transfusion rate. Timeth also has a brilliant idea, that he can enable it to precisely control the desired HP. If I can set my HP to 1 within seconds, then perform my Duo Limit Break with a dark GF like Quezacotl…"

Zyma scoffed. "You're... unbelievable."

Acma wasn't sure if that was a compliment, as there was a tint of disappointment in his eyes.

"Out of all the martial arts training I taught you in the past six months, you still rely on your magic and resort to your suicidal moves. I don't know what to say, Acma. I regret showing you my siphon trick."

"I..."

"You're not going to stop using it, are you?" he interjected. "The thrill of being a badass, having everything under control, is addicting."

He walked toward the door and twisted the knob, about to leave her.

"Whatever you do, promise me, don't die."

"Tch... What is it that you're doing?" Acma began to cry. "I'm tired of your games, Zyma. Why do I need to promise you anything? Is this ‘talk’ solely business? Oh, I forgot, I'm not allowed to ask questions. You'll probably just walk away now.”

"I don't..."

Before Zyma could say something, the door was pushed open by someone, causing Acma to startle and quickly retreat into a toilet stall.

"Oh, sorry," Nida walked in.

"Sorry," Zyma said hastily, then left the restroom.

He waited outside, but she didn’t come out even long after Nida had left the restroom.

He walked in, and found the window wide open.

Empty.

Chapter 22: Burgundy Eyes

Chapter Text

samaqi: Please listen to this song for this chapter, I used AI to generate it and it was pretty good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXlhM32bQS4

Burgundy Eyes

[Verse] I met you on a rainy day, babe Didn't know what hit me, but I was caught in your gaze Your burgundy eyes, they held a magic spell Got me feeling things I couldn't even tell

[Verse 2] Every time you walk into a room, babe The whole world disappears, it's just me and you I don't know why, but I can't seem to resist The way you make my heart skip a beat, it's like a twist

[Chorus] You're the mystery that's got me feelin' so confused Can't explain this feeling, it's like I'm being used But I don't mind, 'cause it's you, babe, it's you With your magic touch, your burgundy eyes so true

Two weeks later. Garden Festival and SeeD ceremony's banquet.

"Acma, are you ready?" Trepie #23 called out to her, urging her to join the banquet.

"Not yet! I'm debating whether I should wear these weapons!" Anna replied. "Oh, Hyne, you look stunning!" Acma looked up from struggling with her high heels and noticed Trepie #23 in a bright red dress.

Acma couldn't help feeling jealous of the non-SeeDs who had the freedom to dress up in nice co*cktail dresses, while she and others like her were confined to their new SeeD uniforms. Acma appreciated the uniform for showcasing her abilities, but the SeeD uniforms looked undeniably dull compared to the elegant co*cktail dresses.

They walked together to the dance floor. The SeeD exam takers greeted each other and engaged in light discussions about the mission before taking turns dancing with the girls. By the third dance, Acma began to regret wearing the high heels, but she knew she had no other option.

Zyma showed up late and asked Trepie #23 to dance with him first. Then he danced with several S20 classmates whom Acma was sure he had never spoken to before, except during trades. Somehow, he managed to carry out entertaining conversations with them, judging by the laughter of the girls throughout their dances.

He could charm anyone. What a jerk.

Acma didn't have much time to rest between dances, as she was one of the few female SeeD candidates who had passed the exam. By the time Raddie asked her for a second dance, she found herself too exhausted and declined with the excuse of tasting more wine which she didn't like. It was then that Zyma asked Trepie #23 to dance with him. Again. They seemed to have a serious conversation, not paying attention to perform proper dance moves.

Irritated, Acma turned away, longing for some fresh air on the balcony.

"Last song of the night. Would you like to dance with me?" Zyma's voice came from behind her as she gazed at the starry night.

"No, thanks. I'm feeling disoriented from the wine," Acma replied.

“You’re not old enough to drink, right?”

“Who cares? And you know I’m much older than 16. Biologically speaking.”

He stood next to her, his eyes fixed on her instead of the night sky.

"You look beautiful today," he complimented her.

"Oh... invite another girl, please. My heels are bleeding," Acma retorted.

Zyma chuckled. "Ointment?"

She narrowed her eyes at him.

"On the house, of course," he added.

She scoffed. If he thought of robbing her first salary after she became a SeeD, she seriously considered breaking his nose.

"But seriously, no more dancing? You can take off your high heels, step on my shoes, and lean on me like a corpse. No need to do anything..."

"A corpse? You compare me to a corpse?" Acma furrowed her eyebrows, but struggling hard not to laugh.

"Come on. If we don't dance together, others would find it weird," he convinced her.

Thinking it would likely be the first and last dance she would have with Zyma, Acma finally gave in and followed him to the dance floor. She had been avoiding "the talk" with him, uncertain about both his feelings and her own. She wasn't even sure if there would be any "talk" at all, considering they had ended their mentorship prematurely. She reasoned that a few minutes wouldn't suffice for a serious conversation. Moreover, considering how he had playfully initiated their interaction, as if nothing had happened as usual, she doubted he would break her heart with hurtful words and make a dramatic and somewhat deadly exit by jumping off the balcony from the top level of the Garden.

Zyma helped her take off her high heels, and he also removed his shoes, which was probably the most gallant thing he had ever done for her. Normally, he even refused to carry her gear. He didn't believe in gentlemanly manners during missions. In fact, he encouraged her to bring only essential items, understanding her tendency to overthink and bring the whole shop if given the chance.

"Your eyes look stunning. Did you put on makeup?" he complimented her.

"Trepie #23 did," Acma replied.

"She's a genius artist. Your burgundy eyes... so true."

"Stop flirting. You just say that to anyone," she retorted.

"I don't. Who else in this world has these smoky burgundy eyes?"

"I'll introduce you to my twin sister if we ever get the chance."

"I hope she's not an evil twin. I'd love to meet her. But right now, you're the only one here, so you have to accept my compliment."

"The truth is... it's a torturous process to achieve this smoky effect. This mascara and eyeshadow powder are irritating my cornea like hell," Acma admitted.

Zyma chuckled. "You know what I'm going to offer?"

"Eye drops?" she guessed, already chuckling at her own answer.

"On the house," he confirmed.

"Wow. Free ointment and eye drops. What great perks for being a SeeD."

"Take over my shop." He suddenly put a key in her hand. "Use whatever you want."

"What?" Acma was taken aback.

"I bet they'll assign me a long mission tomorrow morning. I won't be able to run the shop. Use it. They won't send you on long missions until you're 17 on paper, correct?"

"I'll stay in the lab and do instructor work," Acma nodded. "But I can't accept this. It's too much responsibility."

"You don't have to maintain the business. Just use any items you want. Share them with your close friends. But please don’t sell my GF armories."

"Why don't you give it to Trepie #23 or Shrewdya?"

"Why would I?" Zyma questioned.

Acma shook her head. "This is too much for me."

"You just need to keep the key," Zyma said, his smirk disappearing.

"Okay, fine, if that's all you ask. Don't make me pay back if something gets lost," Acma agreed.

"I trust you. You are a keeper," he smiled again and squeezed her tiny hands.

Stop flirting. Urgh... cheesy jerk. Acma exclaimed internally. He’s quite good at this.

Burgundy Eyes ← please listen to their theme song :).

"Thanks for the dance," Acma said as the song came to an end.

"Thank you," Zyma replied. "Now, business. I've rewatched the mission footages a couple of times, and there are some things I want to discuss. Do you want to go to your room?" he asked.

People began to leave the dance floor, signaling that the party was coming to an end. Acma realized it might be the perfect time for "the talk.” But business? Let’s be real. They had just finished the SeeD training, and she doubted there was much "business" to discuss all the way back to her room.

She understood what he might be implying, but she couldn't understand why he would choose her—a seemingly unremarkable girl in a proud SeeD uniform—amidst a sea of elegantly dressed cadets.

“Are you sure?” She asked.

She had a tendency to be vague, a defense mechanism to shield herself from potential embarrassment. Yet somehow, he always managed to grasp her meaning.

"Always. Are you?" he replied, turning the question back to her.

He smiled contentedly as she followed him to her suite. He walked slowly by her side instead of skating as usual. She chuckled internally as this was the first time they walked to her room through the hallway and opened the door, like any normal person on Earth would do. As she keyed in her room, as if he had also realized this, he said, "I can't believe this is the first time you've opened the door for me this way after six months."

"Not even Timeth has come to this room," she admitted.

"There's a first time for everything, A," he said, using her code name, and she couldn't help but blush at how intimate it sounded coming from him.

As they entered the room, she adopted a serious and professional tone, asking, "What's the business matter you want to discuss?"

Taking the signal, he also changed his voice and pulled out the map of their SeeD exam mission. "I want to make sure you won't make this deadly mistake again..."

He vented about what went well and what could have been done better in the SeeD exam.

"You're a magic caster, fine. But you've got to cover your blind spots by moving. If I didn't catch that bullet, you'd be dead before reaching the bunker,” Zyma paced back and forth in Acma's room, as if it was his own, a familiar habit of his during their partnership.

"And the decision to let Devie return with four hostages on her own. I don't know, I wouldn't have done that. If there were one or two fake hostages mixed in, Devie would have been in grave danger. I would have assisted the entire group in reaching the exit and called for additional backup. Trepie #23 would have likely been stabbed regardless," he continued.

"That makes sense. I'll keep that in mind for next time," she responded. "Is there anything else?"

Zyma hesitated to leave. He was skilled at reading people, especially her, so he couldn’t miss that she also didn’t want him to go. She had not made up her mind about him yet. She was scared that he was toying with her feelings, that this was just a show he put on, and that if they got too involved, it could lead to danger given their mercenary titles. There were a million reasons to send him out the door, yet only one good reason to let him stay.

"But... why?" she whispered.

"I honestly don't know," he replied, closing the distance between them. "Whenever I gaze into your eyes, I feel trapped. Being with you is like traveling down a one-way road. I try to turn back, but nothing feels right. I can't explain why... but I can't imagine my life without you being safe. That much I know for certain."

He tenderly caressed her hair, their noses nearly touching, anxiously awaiting her reaction. After a few seconds of silence without her refusal, their breathing grew heavy. Zyma pressed his lips against hers.

They moaned as he put one hand around her waist and tugged her small figure against him. They slowly moved with her back facing the bed. As the back of her knees reached the side of the bed, she lost her balance due to his gentle push and sat down on the bed briefly before laying her back on the bed with Zyma on top of her. She continued to moan at this new level of intimacy. As his hand sneaked under her SeeD uniform, she stopped him.

"Wait!"

She shrugged him off her and scooted to one end of the bed to reach for the lamp switch. She wanted to save herself from embarrassment and had a slight hope that Zyma's vision in the dark was less keen than in the light.

"Acma, you better not regret tonight," she thought to herself. She sluggishly turned off the light, and as the darkness covered the room, her waist was pulled back to lie down on the bed. She let out a squeak that sounded quite sexy in this mood. She blushed at her own sound.

"A... Tell me to stop if I go too far," he whispered.

Then he returned to where he was, one hand tugging between her SeeD uniform and her military tank top underneath, the other hand tugging at the small of her back. He kissed her lips and used his tongue to search the taste in her mouth.

"Um... Sweet wine.”

"Do you have every taste in reverse?" Acma chuckled.

"Are you studying me now? In this moment?”

"Does that work with your vision? Like you said, I'm beautiful, which might mean the opposite."

“I can smell colors… and your eyes… they smell like lavender.”

“Oh! I know, I know. You have synesthesia!”

"Whatever, just accept the compliments, nerd. Relax and enjoy. My last order."

He applied more pressure from his chest onto hers, intensifying their sensations. Acma found herself feeling clumsy, unsure of what to do with her hands. Suddenly, she had the idea of taking off his bandana, something she had always wanted to do, as he looked much more handsome without that funny-looking accessory.

However, what she didn't expect was that her action would signal him to start taking off their clothes. She realized her big mistake as he broke the kiss, raised himself on his knees, and quickly removed his SeeD uniform and shirt.

When he returned to kissing her, she found her hands resting on his broad shoulders. Zyma wasn't overly muscular; he had a lean and toned physique, perfect for stealth missions.

Satisfied with her lips, he began to explore other wonders of her face, tracing her cheeks, the tip of her nose, her eyes, and forehead. Then he focused on her earlobe, biting it gently while whispering sweet words into her ear.

Acma had never kissed anyone before tonight, and the sensation was overwhelming for her. She briefly thought about the possibility of transmitting diseases through kissing, but Zyma's touches quickly made her mind go blank, erasing any scientific nomenclatures from her thoughts.

He moved on to her neck, and they both felt that the collars of her SeeD uniform were getting in the way.

Acma wasn't sure what would happen next as he started undressing her. She still had many reservations, but she allowed him to remove her thick vest, thinking there were more clothing to shield her.

When his large hand pressed firmly into her small back, separated only by a thin high-neck tank top, and his teeth bit into her neck, she couldn't help but arch her body and let out a moan. She could feel Zyma's grin against her neck as he continued his actions, moving downward.

His lips and hands found her bra, and he kissed her chest, lingering there. His right hand tried to locate her nipple, but it was difficult due to the thick push-up bra she had worn for this special occasion. The bra made her look nice and sexy, but it became his worst enemy in that moment.

Acma breathed heavily, unable to do anything except grip his hair, trying to push him down to limit his tongue’s movements but unintentionally adding more pressure and arousing him further in the process.

As he started rolling her tank top up from her waist, her consciousness returned.

"No," she said firmly.

He immediately stopped whatever he was doing at her command, making sure she truly wanted to stop by looking at her face illuminated by the moonlight. She quickly pulled her tank top down and crossed her arms around her waist.

After a few seconds of both of them frozen in silence, she stammered, knowing she owed him an explanation. "Um… I'm..."

"It's okay," he interrupted. He began to rise back onto his knees, preparing to leave the bed.

She quickly got up and grabbed his hand. "We can still cuddle..."

Not waiting for her to finish, he quickly returned to her lips and cupped her cheeks with both hands, pushing her back onto the comfortable bed.

They continued making out with even greater intensity for another ten minutes. He managed to get rid of her pencil dress which both agreed to be the most impractical garment under all circ*mstances, in bed or in battles. Acma gripped the bed sheets tightly, torn between releasing herself to the pleasure and restraining her desires. Her body was adorned in hickeys, despite her high-neck tank top and legging.

Noticing her slight frown, he propped himself up on his elbows and asked, "Am I hurting your wings?"

Snapped back to reality by his question, she widened her eyes in shock.

"Yeah, I know," he smiled, content that his intuition had been accurate. "My mom also had wings in her human form. I had a hunch about it already. You always sleep on your stomach whenever you pass out in my room. You always wear a backpack, even when there's nothing inside. You refuse to ditch your cadet uniform, even when it's scorching hot. I remember how you freaked out when the terrorists took away your uniform. And let's not forget that time you walked out on me on that empty beach before ending us because you were afraid that people might see your back. Now I understand another reason why you cried that day, besides me being a carefree jerk," he explained, his smile widening as he resumed kissing her.

She reluctantly returned his kiss this time. "You... you don't think it's... I'm..." she sighed and shook her head, "I asked Timeth to cut them off the moment I found out last year but they keep coming back. I feel like... a monster."

"Oh, poor baby," he reassured her, gently stroking her hair. "I hate that I didn't inherit my mom's cool wings. I bet they look sexy on you if you let them grow. Can I see them?"

She hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded, swayed by his gentle touch. Rolling onto her stomach, she allowed him to roll up her tank top, revealing her shoulder blades.

"They're beautiful. It's actually a good practice to trim them like this to have a strong base," he caressed her back. "You said you've been cutting them for a year? Perfect timing. Let them grow naturally from now on. It'll take a few years for them to reach their full length. I have some special clothing in my room to help conceal them, I have a lot of clients with this concern as well. No one will notice, at least for the next year or two," he put a gentle kiss on her back.

She still felt hesitant. "But I can't hide them forever. What will others think of me?"

"True friends will accept you for who you are. If they choose not to hang out with you because you can fly with your beautiful wings... well, it's clearly their loss."

She chuckled. "How can you always be so positive like that? I wish I could be as bold as you."

"And you will be, babe," he said, pulling her tank top back down into place and turning her head to face him. "I've been with you for six months, and God knows how much you've matured, not just in your skills, but as a person. You've helped me grow a lot too. Can't you see that? I'm so proud of you, babe. You'll go far. Let no one shame you for who you are. Accept your gift and fly high.”

She smiled and lightly kissed him on the lips, initiating a kiss for the first time. "Thank you, sensei."

He frowned at what seemed like a small reward.

“Enough talking. Your turn, babe.”

Suddenly, he grabbed her back and applied a move to switch their positions so that she was now lying on top of his chest. He helped them elevate themselves slightly using the pillow on his back.

"I'm all yours. I won't ever tell you to stop, I promise," he said.

She blushed for a few seconds. The moonlight shining through her window allowed her to see his body in an arousing manner. She was still very shy to be the one in control. He waited patiently as she debated what to do next.

She gave him a quick, chaste kiss on the lips and pulled back with a mischievous smile.

"How about that?" she asked.

"Oh, sweet. Like a cherry on top of a giant wedding cake I've been giving you for the past half an hour," he whined with amusem*nt.

"I'm learning here," she chuckled. He always knew how to make intimacy matter less awkward for her by snapping back to his playful vibe.

"Prove yourself as the fast learner you always boast to be, pupil. Sensei is waiting," he teased.

She bit her lip to stifle a laugh, revealing her cute dimples. Slowly, she moved towards his face, but just before touching his lips, she mischievously changed direction and targeted his ear instead. She kissed it slowly, causing a popping sound. Hearing his moan, she lightly licked the shell of his ear with the tip of her tongue for a split second before feeling too embarrassed and retracting her tongue.

"Longer..." he instructed, his voice tinged with pleasure and impatience.

She obeyed, this time taking his lower earlobe into her mouth and sucking on it, causing him to moan even louder.

"Better?" she asked.

"Keep going, don't stop!" he commanded in pleasure, using his hands to guide her hips up and place her thigh on his pelvis. She could feel his hardness, and in this new position, it was even more evident, causing her to worry if he could keep his word.

"Let go, babe. Trust me. I'll behave," he reassured her.

With that, she obediently moved down to leave marks on his neck, her hands tracing the intricate patterns of scars that had transformed into tattoos on his chest.

"Acma! Breakfast is ready!"

It was Trepie #23 and her delicious pancakes calling out to her.

"I'm coming," Acma got up with a yawn.

"Oh, I'm sorry, did I wake you up?"

"No worries, I'm already up."

"I'll save your breakfast. Oh, there’s some leftover salad, too. Come whenever you're ready. I'm heading to Balamb. See you, sweetie!"

"Thanks! You're the best. Love you!" Acma called out.

She quickly found her waist wrapped in a strong arm that pulled her back into bed.

"Sweetie? Love you? And you're always complaining about me and Trepie #23 being too close," Zyma playfully frowned.

"It's different. It's friendship."

"I hope it won't become like our mentorship," Zyma said, landing a quick kiss.

"Didn’t you and Trepie #23 go out in the past?" she narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

"Why don't you ask her? I can call her back now for you to ask us once and for all."

"No...”

"Come on. Why do you think Trepie #23 mentioned there's salad in the fridge? You don't eat vegetables for breakfast, right?" Zyma smirked, teasingly pointing out the hint.

Acma's face flushed with realization, and she quickly covered it with her hands. "She... knew you were here? That's why she left?"

"She's my trusted consultant.” Zyma gently rubbed her back, finding her reaction endearing. “How cute!"

Acma's embarrassment lingered, but curiosity got the better of her. "Wait... what kind of consulting?"

Zyma chuckled softly. "Just... how not to make you mad."

Acma raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Like?"

"Think twice before saying anything," Zyma explained, nodding appreciatively. "And also... speak your mind. It's kind of contradictory, don't ask me why, I don’t get it either. But my girl is happy, so I guess it worked.”

She continued to cover her face.

Urghhh… Trepie #23, why are you on his side?

“Anyway, do you want to stay for breakfast? I can make you coffee," she offered, trying to regain her composure.

She had been warned a long time ago by her girlfriends that the morning after making out was always very awkward and it was best to avoid it. She knew she wasn't following any rules by letting him stay, let alone having breakfast.

"I'd love to, but I was just waiting for you to wake up and say goodbye. Cid paged me half an hour ago."

"Cid just got back?"

"To assign missions only, it seems," he replied, putting on his SeeD uniform.

His pager beeped.

"Now it's Xu nagging."

"Don't keep them waiting."

"Anything can wait!" He smiled and gave her a passionate kiss. "Look, babe. I may have to go on long missions from now on. You take care, okay? Don't die in a lab explosion."

"I'm working in a molecular biology lab, not a nuclear reactor!"

"You're so reckless, even a feather could become a hazard."

"I'll be fine, sensei. Go!"

"One more..." He kissed her longer this time, squeezing her body into his.

When they finally parted, he said, "I love you, babe." He paused to observe her blushing, confirming that she preferred to remain silent and skeptical of his feelings, protective of her own as always. "There, I said it. I know you're not going to say it now. Keep it. Next time we meet, say it to me."

And he walked backward, seeing her smiling face for the last time before jumping out of the window, making a memorable farewell.

Cheesy jerk.

“You could have used the door, you know?" She leaned over the window and called out to him, not letting him have his cool this time.

He waved to her and blew her a kiss before running away.

"I love you, Z," she murmured.

Chapter 23: S21’s Field Exams

Chapter Text

samaqi: Copy parts of Chapter 3 and 4 from “Succession of Witches”.

Six months had passed.

Acma lay awake, unable to find rest, and made her way downstairs to the mailing room.

Nothing.

The conviction that he was dead had settled in her mind. But then, one day, Xu's real-time financial analytics dashboard showed activity related to his mission. Her hope soared. She waited for another month, but still, no letter arrived in her mailbox. Another month went by, and his bounty money continued to increase. Still, no letter.

A whole year had now passed.

"He's returning in a few days," Xu announced, breaking the news after assigning her to be more involved in S21's exams.

He was alive. And it became painfully clear, as clear as Balamb's blue sky, that he had silently abandoned her.

He made her life pathetic.

Timeth: Sorry, I can't help you tonight.

Timeth's message arrived, and Acma's brows furrowed. What could be more important than crafting their escape plan from Galbadia?

Six months ago, Timeth and Acma were summoned to Galbadia Garden. Locked in a dark room, they were instructed to assist in a major event known as G-day—an attack on Balamb Garden orchestrated by Elutia's puppets. The motive behind the attack was unclear, but Acma suspected Galbadia's desire to expand its influence, which had suffered after the Sorceress war. However, it wasn't the attack itself that concerned Acma the most, but rather the fate of Galbadia spies afterward. She knew that even if the operation succeeded, Galbadia would eliminate the spies to erase any evidence of their involvement. Acma was determined to prevent that from happening, but it required careful planning involving multiple parties.

Acma: Why?

She patiently waited for Timeth's response. What could be more important than helping her? After all, they had been trusted friends ever since their expulsion from the Galbadian research camp. Although Uhrik, Timeth’s twin brother had been liberated, it was undeniably a common goal among them to librate all of their kind from Galbadia.

Timeth: Just catching up with Shrewdya. I'll help you after 2100.

Acma let out a sigh. After two years at Balamb, Timeth chose this moment to confess his feelings. Deciding not to lecture him on the importance of prioritizing business over personal matters, Acma reminded herself that Timeth was a smart boy who didn't need such admonishment.

Acma: Okay.

Despite her attempt to remain composed, her stress levels rose. The lives of many depended on her. She reached for a few stress relief pills she had secretly learned about from Quistis—something to help her cope in extremely demanding situations when juggling countless responsibilities. Taking a deep breath, she waited for the pills to take effect. Gradually, her mood improved. At least one of her backup plans was on track—the one involving Seifer Almasy.

Quistis’ research lab.

“I'm working on assigning field exam proctors for S21,” Quistis was typing on a spreadsheet in her laptop, then turned to Acma. “Since you and Raddie have teamed up for quite a few missions, I'd like to assign him a different proctor, just to have a fresh perspective on him. I'm sure he'll do well regardless."

"Yes, thanks for the heads up. I have no problem with that. Do you have anyone specific in mind?" Acma smiled, nodding with agreement.

"I'm thinking of Zyma."

Quistis responded, noticing a sudden change in Acma's expression.

"It seems like he'll be here by 1300 tomorrow, a few hours before the field exam," Quistis continued. "Do you have any concerns about your previous mentor assisting your mentee?"

"Of course not. I think that should work. Zyma is a very strict mentor, and he'll assess Raddie better than I can." Acma quickly composed herself. "So, who will I be assisting then?"

"Shrewdya. You can show her the new GF if you want."

"That's wonderful! Thank you, Miss Trepe. I'd love to try something different than Fire Cavern." She tried to sound excited.

"I'm glad you like the idea. I know how boring it can get, having assisted almost a hundred students through Fire Cavern myself," Quistis agreed. "Anyway, I'm heading to the cafeteria with Squall, Selphie, and Irvine. Would you like to join us?" Quistis offered.

"Thank you for the invitation! I'd love to, but I need to catch up on work and other commitments. I'll see you Sunday morning if we're still planning to go to Trabia."

"Sounds good! And don't forget, you promised to show me around Trabia town."

"We'll figure it out, don't worry, Miss Trepe. Trabia is my territory," Acma said, feigning a confident smile to cover her broken heart.

Saturday 1200, Balamb Garden 2F class room, after the written exam.

Keannu: "So, what is it?"

Raddie: "2!"

Keannu: "What? I thought the correct answer was 3, so I picked 2."

Raddie: "Uh-oh. Keannu, do you realize how easy it would be to intentionally fail a test? Just pick a random number next time. Not good, bro, you might end up having to attend the field exam this afternoon. Don't accidentally defeat Ifrit too!"

Keannu: "Dang. Worst-case scenario, I'll just run away and let the proctor handle the rest."

Raddie facepalmed at his friend's attempt to avoid the field exam, which would ultimately lead to the SeeD exam—a situation that was not part of Keannu's plan.

Acma assisted Instructor Aki in collecting the written tests from all the students while the renowned, perpetually grumpy instructor made an announcement, "Written exam results will be available in one hour. Those with combined scores over 500 will participate in the field exam from 1500 to 1700 today. Don't forget to collect your replica GF from your seat. We only have a few junction devices, so remember to pass it on to the next field test taker."

Raddie approached Acma as she was about to leave the classroom.

"Instructor Mirin!"

"Raddie, for the millionth time, don't jinx it!" Acma turned around, smiling.

"I saw the support list, you're not coming with me?"

"No, because we've been partners for quite a while," Acma replied, sounding a bit disappointed. "Be careful, Zyma might surprise you and test your reflexes by trying to break your hands out of nowhere, just because..." Acma raised her eyebrows as she mentioned her mentor.

"Wow, it must have been tough for you, partnering with him for so long," Raddie commented.

So she hates him, right? Why do their S20 classmates say otherwise? Raddie was puzzled.

"He's a skilled soldier, and you'll learn a lot from him. As for me... well, I can say that my bone density has definitely increased," Acma admitted with a deep sigh.

Wow, not a gentleman. No need to worry about him then.

"Anything else, Raddie?" Acma asked.

"Ah, nothing... I was wondering… if you'd like to have dinner after the field exam..."

"With Shrew, Timeth, and Keannu in the cafeteria? Of course, I'd love to. I'm also a field exam support, so I won't have to stay late to grade exams tonight. I'll be there," Acma quickly replied before Raddie even finished his question.

I was just going to suggest dinner for the two of us, but... oh well.Raddie exclaimed internally.

"Great!" Raddie feigned excitement.

"Good luck, partner!"

"Thanks… partner!" Raddie replied, sensing a slight surprise on her face, followed by her usual knowing smile.

Cute! Partner…

Saturday 1500, Balamb Garden's gate.

Shrewdya rushed towards the gate, feeling a surge of happiness upon passing the written test with flying colors. Despite answering one question incorrectly, she still felt satisfied with her performance.

Good enough. My score is still the highest — that's the only thing that matters.Shrewdya reassured herself, pushing aside any annoyance over the unanswered question.

"Ready?" Acma asked, indicating that she would be Shrewdya's support for the field exam.

"Yes," the girl nodded eagerly.

"Oh, don't junction yet... Well, I have an interesting choice for you. Ifrit, or a new GF?" Acma smiled proudly.

"What? There's another choice for the field exam?" Shrewdya was taken aback by the unexpected option.

Ifrit's Fire Cavern pit had been used for field exams for years. So much, that students had joked to convert it into a new secret area to make out after curfew.

"Just for the exceptional students. Are you up for the challenge?" Acma placed one hand over her hip.

So what is it, Shrew? This is an important exam that would determine if you'd make the SeeD candidate list. What are you gonna do?

A. Yes! Let's change things up and take on new challenges.

B. Nah... This is too important. I'd rather play it safe and fight Ifrit.

Shrewdya's default choice: A.

samaqi: I'll introduces choices like this throughout this fan fiction. I'd love to convert my work into a game some day :).

"I'm all up for new challenges! Which way are we going?" Shrewdya was unable to hide her excitement.

Saturday 1600, Fire Cavern.

"You… managed it?" Raddie looked concerned as his best friend emerged from the cavern.

"Yeah... I mean, I successfully ran away from Ifrit. Head Instructor Nida was kind enough not to pressure me to go back.” Keannu grinned mischievously.

"Head Instructor Nida was your support just now? Where's Zyma the Great?"

"Nida told me he got stuck in Timber due to some train maintenance issues. He won't be here for a few more days."

"Oh..." Raddie was taken by surprise at the unexpected change. He had been mentally preparing himself to look sharp in front of his crush's former partner. "Alright then. Well, congratulations on securing your scholarship without having to face any missions. It's my turn now. Wish me luck."

"You know you don't need luck to pass this easy test, man. But sure, good luck anyway."

Keannu bid farewell to Raddie, and Raddie ventured into the fiery pit of the Ifrit GF as his proctor gestured for him to enter.

"Raddie, huh? I guess this will be too easy for you," Nida greeted him.

"Head Instructor Nida..." Raddie couldn't help but roll his eyes at the sight of Nida's slightly flashy, tight see-through gray shirt. It revealed his well-defined abs, and even his bellybutton and protruding nipples were on display. Nida was known for always wearing his uniform, even during battles. This was the first time Raddie had seen the usually respected instructor's physique, and it caused him to blush ever so slightly.

"I know… this outfit… headmaster's orders... That's why I'm hiding in here," Nida admitted, his own face turning a bit red. "Anyway, ready for some fun? I can't imagine spending the whole hour here, and I'd love to escape paperwork and let Instructor Trepe handle the grading."

"Sure, I'd love to help you relive the field action, Head Instructor Nida. What do you want me to do?" Raddie asked enthusiastically.

"Come, let's pop a few Bombs in a row and see who can endure the most of their kamikaze attacks."

"That sounds like fun! I never would have thought of that!"

"Thanks! It wasn't my original idea, though. It was Seifer Almasy's—the Sorceress Knight, if you remember him from class."

"Absolutely!" Raddie answered.Seifer Almasy — Acma's not-so-secret idol.

"Come, you know how to throw swords?" Nida waved for Raddie to follow him. "I'll go first. If your gunblade feels too heavy, you can use my katana, alright?" Nida tossed one of his katanas toward a distance as he finished speaking. "Bingo!"

Raddie sprinted towards where the katana had landed, curious to see what it had struck. To his surprise, it had knocked down a Bomb, and the creature slowly rose, hovering in mid-air, casting an angry glare at Raddie as if to say, "Not you humans again!" In an instant, it swelled in size, doubling its original proportions.

"Amazing!" Raddie exclaimed, impressed by the sudden transformation of the Bomb, which typically perished instantly after a single hit.

Saturday 1520, Balamb beach's coral reef.

"Are you doing okay?" Acma asked as they swam through the depths of Balamb beach.

"Yes," Shrewdya replied.

It was cold at first, but after 10 minutes, Shrewdya was completely adjusted to the underwater environment. Shrewdya's gaze shifted to the surrounding coral reef, a mesmerizing sight of color and life. The reef was teeming with a diverse array of marine creatures, their vibrant hues contrasting against the backdrop of the deep blue sea. Anemones swayed gently, their fronds providing shelter for baby Fastitocalon-F's. Schools of colorful fish darted in and out of the coral, creating a lively and dynamic scene.

"Good. I'm not, though. This water is too cold for me," Acma admitted. "Thank Hyne we're almost there." She pointed ahead, directing Shrewdya's attention to a dark and imposing rocky formation that resembled the entrance to an underwater cave.

Shrewdya followed Acma, passing through a thin magical barrier. Inside the cave, there was minimal water and enough air for them to breathe.

"Change your clothes," Acma commanded, her teeth audibly chattering from the cold.

Acma is so slender, she doesn't have much body fat to keep her warm,Shrewdya thought, silently grateful for her own taller stature and combat-ready physique, along with her proficient abilities in magic casting.

The two girls removed their scuba diving suits and donned their battle uniforms.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Acma smiled as they changed.

Shrewdya was not slow to catch on, realizing that this mission with Acma was a rare opportunity due to the limited number of female high-ranking SeeDs and instructors.

"It's so much more comfortable changing without the boys around, isn't it?" she remarked.

"Exactly." Acma nodded.

Shrewdya smiled, sharing the sentiment. Despite Acma's position as her associate instructor and higher authority, she felt a connection to her senior in that moment.

"Though Keannu and Raddie are my best bros, I still feel a bit... I don't know, they always laugh when we have to change next to each other. It helps, but also doesn't help at the same time..." Shrewdya elaborated.

"I understand what you're trying to say." Acma smiled. "What about Timeth?"

"Timeth? Well, he always sets up a blanket to create some space for the girls," Shrewdya blushed a bit when Acma mentioned Timeth.Does Acma know we had dinner last night at Ivarice?

"A real gentleman. He's been doing that since Trabia."

Shrewdya recalled what Timeth had told her about Acma and their time at Trabia.

"You don't do a lot of missions with Timeth since you two moved here?" Shrewdya asked.

"Yes and no, I still consult him often regarding battle moves. He's better at physics." Acma explained.

Shrewdya felt happy at Acma's compliment. "How's Raddie as a partner?" she asked curiously.

"He's really kind," Acma replied, nodding. "Exceptional when when he's not clumsy. He’s not yet made any serious mistakes, though, so I can’t exactly complain."

"Oh, I'll take some credit for that," Shrewdya chuckled. "I've lost count of how many times I've scolded him for forgetting to pack our equipment. He's come a long way since a year ago."

The girls shared a laugh at the thought of their funny friend.

"And... do you mind if I ask... how was Senior Zyma like when you two went on missions? I know you two were exceptional enough to go on real missions even before becoming SeeDs," Shrewdya asked, sensing a momentary pause in Acma's response.

"He's the opposite of gentle." Acma replied with a heavy tone. "Let's just say if I took this long to change, he would comment that there's not much to see, and coldly ask if I needed him to dress me up himself..."

Shrewdya gasped and rolled her eyes. "What a jerk!"

"Indeed… Well, I was really uncomfortable, but now I feel like it was somewhat a good thing for soldiers like us." Acma continued.

Shrewdya nodded in agreement. She understood where Acma was coming from, but it was difficult to put into words to describe the love hate dynamic between Acma and Zyma. Speculations among their S20 and S21 classmates were not entirely correct, but they were not entirely unfounded either, as this example showcased.

"This way..." Acma pointed to the pathway with water dripping along the way. "We'll encounter the GF right after the left turn. You can explore the right turn first to warm up and pick up items. There are two draw points over there, too. Since this is the first time we're conducting a field exam here, I won't impose a time limit. Are you ready?"

"Yes, as always."

She double-checked her junction one more time. She anticipated encountering sea monsters in this area, so junctioning Thundara with Elem-Atk and stocking Thunder spells would prove helpful.

"Ah, one more thing. You can choose how involved I'll be. This not only affects your SeeD rank, but also whether you can 'hang out' with this GF for a bit before returning it to the center for replication," Acma offered.

"I see… Let me think…" Shrewdya debated between the two choices.

So what is it, Shrew? With Acma's help, who is a master of Thunder spells, you'd breeze through this field exam. But where's the fun in that? Plus, if you earn this exam on your own, you can spend time with the new GF. What are you going to do?"

A. I'd love you to assist me. This is quite a new territory…

B. Sit back, Acma. I think I can do it myself.

Shrewdya's default choice: B.

samaqi: In my imaginary game (if I ever have time to build it), this choice affects a crucial event that occurs at the end of Act I (spoilers!).

Saturday 1605, Fire Cavern.

"Oh, right, everybody. Let's line up. We'll go through some safety rules before proceeding into the Fire Cavern, okay?" Quistis announced, addressing a group of prospective students and some parents eager for the field exam experience.

As she went through tedious list of safety items, she could tell many yawned at the flood of boring information and chose to sticked their eyes to more interesting spots: her waistline and bellybutton.

Please, no more Trepies, else I'm going to kill you, Xu.

"And that's the end of it. Any questions?" she asked, relieved that the torturous part for both her and the tourists was over.

No one in their right mind would ask questions after a safety procedures walkthrough.

"Good. I'll take that silence as a yes, assuming everyone remembers everything. Again, if you have any questions while inside the cavern, please let us know. My assistant, Timeth, who is also participating in the field exam today, and myself, Instructor Quistis Trepe, are more than happy to answer your questions," she said.

Quistis then turned to Timeth. "It's already 16:20. Why haven't Nida and Raddie come out yet?"

"I don't know. Is Head Instructor Nida inside? I thought Senior Zyma was supposed to support Raddie," Timeth asked.

"Zyma got stuck in Timber..."

A noise erupted from the depths of the cavern, grabbing Quistis' attention.

"What was that?"

Saturday 1615, Fire Cavern.

Nida and Raddie giggled at the sight of about thirty Bombs trapped inside a Shell.

"Head Instructor Nida, I didn't know taking a field exam could be this fun... It's like blowing up balloons and trapping them in a ball pit."

"Please, call me Nida. Just wait until we release the balloons and see them pop all around us..." Nida wiggled his eyebrows at Raddie. "Oh shoot, it's almost time for our slot. I'll release them now so you have enough time for Ifrit. Ready?"

"Oh yeah!" Raddie exclaimed, brimming with excitement.

Nida removed the Shell, and the enraged Bombs were set free, charging towards them in a swarm.

“Yeah, come here baby Bombs!” Nida embraced the flying monsters.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

"+30 HP. +40 HP. So refreshing with Elem-Def,” Nida exclaimed. “I love junctioning with GF, even though it comes with a bit of amnesia. Having fun, Raddie?"

Nida couldn't hear Raddie's reply over the sound of the exploding Bombs. He started to get nervous and used his katanas to clear the Bombs surrounding Raddie. Soon, Nida discovered Raddie lying on the ground, badly burned from the Bombs' self-destruct attacks.

"Oh my freaking Hyne! What…"

"Nida… I think… Keannu… I forget to get the junction device from him…"

“You think?” Nida rolled his eyes wide.

Raddie groaned, "Help, I have 200 HP left."

Before Nida could react, a familiar voice added to the cacophony of exploding Bombs.

"WHO DISTURBED MY SLEEP?"

The mighty Guardian Force, Ifrit, leaped up from the lava pit and fixed his eyes at the instructor-student pair.

"You have to be kidding me, Raddie!" Nida exclaimed, looking at his almost depleted Cures as he didn’t expect to spend much for this easy field exam.

"WHO DISTURBED MY SLEEP? AGAIN?"

Another replica of Ifrit materialized alongside the previous Ifrit.

"You've got to be f*cking kidding me... Keannu!" Nida gasped.

He quickly cast Cure and Shell on Raddie, then lifted his bulky student onto his shoulder and began running, using his katanas to fend off any Bombs that came too close. "For Hyne's sake, you're so heavy!"

"I'm so sorry, Nida!" Raddie apologized, fully aware of how he had messed up the field exam.

“You better call me ‘Dada’ if we get out of here alive!” the instructor shouted with frustration.

"Cure is working, I can run now!" said Raddie.

Nida set Raddie down as they continued running.

"Watch out!" Raddie yelled.

One Ifrit lunged towards Nida with its powerful claw. Nida instinctively used his katanas to block the attack.

"Run!" Nida shouted to Raddie.

Outside the cave…

"What was that?" Quistis peered into the cave, which suddenly erupted with flames. "Everyone, get down!" she exclaimed urgently.

In an instant, two figures emerged, followed by a swarm of Bombs poised to explode.

"Help!" both Raddie and Nida cried out.

As Timeth and the onlookers tried to comprehend the chaotic scene, one of the Bombs hurtled towards the crowd.

"Freeze!" Timeth instinctively halted the Bomb in its tracks, just in time to keep the ticking bomb inches away from a terrified high schooler. The student's jaw dropped in fear and shock, but no sound escaped his lips. "Instructor Trepe, I don't have my junction device with me yet!" Timeth said.

Right. "I got this." Quistis brandished her whip and shattered the frozen Bomb into pieces.

"There are more! And Ifrits!" Nida shouted. "I'm running low on magic."

"Ifrits? As in plural? You've got to be kidding me!” And Quistis quickly realized Nida wasn’t joking as she saw the beasts stomping out. “Everyone, run!" Quistis commanded. "Mighty Guard! Shiva!"

Quistis cast her powerful protective magic on the crowd and summoned her GF companion. The elegant Ice Queen nodded in response to Quistis' command, pulling her arms back and arching her back before unleashing a devastating Diamond Dust attack on the swarm of Bombs and Ifrits.

"They have Shiva?" The fire GFs exclaimed altogether. "Very well."

“Oh please!” Quistis facepalmed. Someone got to fix this glitch.

The Bombs shattered into ice fragments, but the GFs proved to be formidable. They lunged towards Shiva, intent on attacking her. However, Quistis instantly recalled Shiva to her consciousness, unwilling to let her fragile GF bear the brunt of the assault.

"Filthy human," Ifrits growled, redirecting their attention to the nearest target—Quistis.

"Freeze!"

Timeth quickly slowed down the charging horns of the Ifrit closer to him as they were both headed straight for Quistis at lightning speed. The legendary SeeD, in turn, leaped backward to create some distance between her and the mighty GFs.

"Blizzaga!" Quistis cast her most deadly ice magic at the approaching opponent.

She quickly cast another spell on the other Ifrit who had just escaped Timeth’s time freeze. Upon her return from the second Sorceress War, Quistis discovered that her magic cooldown for low-level spells had become negligible, and she could even cast some blue magics in full health.

As the GFs were temporarily frozen, Nida, Timeth, and Raddie assisted with more physical attacks.

"Those without junction, step back!" commanded Quistis as the GFs melted the ice.

Timeth and Raddie retreated in front of the crowd, who were safely covered by Quistis' Mighty Guard. Some even took the opportunity to capture pictures and videos of the intense battle unfolding before them.

"Where's your junction?" Timeth questioned Raddie.

"Keannu forgot to give it to me. And I, uh, forgot to take it..." Raddie explained sheepishly.

Timeth rolled his eyes, struggling to comprehend their level of clumsiness. "Alright, step back. I'll freeze Ifrit if he tries to jump over here."

"Last hit!" Quistis leaped skillfully to dodge one Ifrit's attack and swiftly swung her Save the Queen weapon at the GF's head, landing a powerful blow. He let out a deafening roar and dropped to his knees.

"Very well. I shall join you," He uttered his final words before disappearing in a dramatic fashion. His figure fragmented into a shower of colorful, shimmering fragments that ascended into the air and vanished.

Hyne. I've supported too many field exams, I even memorized Ifrit's HP.Quistis thought as she landed gracefully.

The other Ifrit observed the fate of his companion and let out a similar rumbling growl…

“Very well…”

Quistis immediately interrupted the GF. “Shh, shh, go back there, wait for the next student!”

The mighty creature mumbled something before retreating back into his fiery pit.

Quistis then surveyed the aftermath of the not-so-intense battle.

Tourists lay scattered on the ground, holding up their cameras, their faces filled with awe. Timeth and Raddie stood in a defensive stance in front of them, ensuring their safety. And then there was Nida...

"Nida… what is it?" Quistis inquired, noticing something peculiar about the handsome instructor.

"Raddie—that clumsy boy—he forgot to take the junction from his friend when we changed shifts," Nida sighed, shaking his head.

"No, I mean... this," Quistis pointed to Nida's snug-fitting shirt, which accentuated his muscles and abs that seemed incongruous with his baby face. The fires from the exploding Bombs had scorched the shirt, leaving it tattered and revealing even more of his skin than it had initially covered.

Nida lowered his gaze in embarrassment. "You know who's behind this..."

"Oh…"

Quistis couldn't suppress a genuine burst of laughter, a sound that had been absent from her life for quite some time.

She was certain that the tourists had undoubtedly witnessed quite a show that day.

Saturday 1540, Balamb - Rinaul Coast.

Shrewdya had gathered all the possible magic spells from the right passage, encountering some relatively easy Fastitocalon-F and Octaphaneas (a new kind of monsters) along the way. Now, they were back at the intersection.

"Ready for the new GF?" Acma asked.

"Yeah," Shrewdya replied, making some final adjustments to her junction with the new magics.

"Good. I'll stay out of the fight. Just let me know when you need me," Acma said, casting a Hero pod on herself. "Oh, and if you need to change your junction during battle, make sure to find a good hiding spot. Junction changes take effect every minute."

“Okay.” Shrewdya nodded, watching as Acma faded from sight.I've never needed to change my junction in the middle of a fight though. Why is she reminding me of that?

“Let’s go.” Acma whispered.

They ventured into the left passage, encountering no monsters along the way. The passage grew darker and darker, causing Shrewdya to feel an eerie sensation. She disliked darkness.

"Fire!" Shrewdya cast a fragment of the Fire spell on a bundle of dry seaweed, creating some light to illuminate their surroundings.

With Acma invisible and the dim light, Shrewdya didn't bother trying to discern her proctor's reaction to her first independent action. "Forgiveness rather than permission," Xu's usual words echoed in her mind when it came to pre-battle setups that made cadets more comfortable.

Acma and Shrewdya kept going. Finally, the sound of heavy breathing reached Shrewdya's ears. They had found it.

“Is it sleeping?” Shrewdya whispered.

“Maybe.” Acma replied.

Shrewdya knew when Acma wanted her mentees to take the lead. Acma was quite good fit for an instructor position, knowing when to press the students’ limit and when to step in. Unlike Instructor Trepe, Acma was not overly doting, and unlike Headmaster Xu, she wasn't careless either.

"Fire!" Shrewdya whispered, further illuminating the area while the creature was still indulged in its sleep.

As more light revealed the deep blue scales of the sleeping creature, Shrewdya took a few seconds to assess it.

"It... it looks more like a dragon," Shrewdya gasped, realizing that the creature didn't resemble a sea monster as she had expected.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Acma whispered with pride.

Suddenly, the creature's deep red eyes snapped open, and it swiftly unfurled its massive wings, filling the space.

“WHO DARES DISTURB MY SLEEP? FACE MY WRATH FOR SEEKING THY SEALED POWER!”

In an instant, the dragon released a powerful blast of fire towards Shrewdya.

Fire? No, Flare. sh*t…

"Need help?" Acma asked as Shrewdya leaped and maneuvered to avoid the dragon's fiery onslaught.

Shrewdya didn't have a moment to spare for a response.

"Wall!" she summoned a massive structure to shield herself from the creature's attacks, simultaneously casting Shell and Protect on herself. Utilizing this brief respite, she adjusted her junction and reconsidered her strategy.

Blizzara to Elem-Atk. Dragon’s anatomy… Heart.

"Not yet!" Shrewdya finally replied to Acma, just as the imposing Wall structure began to fade away.

Good thing I brought a gunblade.

"Cure! Blizzara!" Shrewdya cast the healing spell on herself and leapt toward where she believed the dragon was waiting, unleashing a blizzard spell upon it.

Boom!

She landed the first blow on the creature, aiming for its heart, but its formidable armors prevented her training gunblade from piercing through. Swiftly, she triggered the revolver to open a wound and pushed the gunblade forward, intensifying her opportune assault. Then, she delivered a powerful kick to the dragon's chest, propelling herself back to the ground.

Acma was astonished to see that Shrewdya had left the gunblade lodged between the dragon's scales.

"Thundara!" Shrewdya yelled, directing the lightning spell toward the embedded gunblade.

The gunblade, crafted from highly conductive material, conducted the shock to the creature.

Take it, baby.

The dragon emitted a piercing cry as it experienced the jolt following the icy spell.

“Smart! That was amazing!” Acma exclaimed.

“Thanks!”

Shrewdya allowed herself a small smirk but remained vigilant. According to her earlier analysis with Scan, she still had a long way to go before she could defeat this formidable creature.

[…]

samaqi: I’ll skip this fighting scene for now. I have some good ideas on Shrewdya’s special abilities and strategies, but need more time to flesh them all out. They’re not too important for now, so let’s keep going with the main story.

The dragon's essence dissipated upon Shrewdya's final strike.

"FINE. I SHALL UNITE WITH YOU."

The creature uttered its parting words before vanishing into Shrewdya's consciousness.

"Great job! I'm incredibly impressed," Acma exclaimed, materializing from the fading Hero spell. "I never imagined it could be defeated in such a manner. It took you 30 minutes, longer than it took me and Nida, but I'm not confident I could have finished it within that time frame on my own."

“Thank you! And… it’s a her.” Shrewdya smiled.

“Oh… good to know. So does she have a name? What would you like to call her?” Acma inquired.

"Tiamat... Her name is Tiamat," Shrewdya replied, gently caressing her first conquered Guardian Force in her thoughts.

The pair swam back to Balamb Beach.

"It's getting quite late, and there isn't enough sunlight for another run. I'll take the next student to Ifrit," Acma stated. "You can hold onto your junction device for now. I'll provide a new one for the next student."

“Thanks!” Shrewdya expressed her gratitude. “Um… Acma...”

“Go ahead.”

“I… I’ve been wondering if I can take a lead or mid-level position in the next mission. I don’t think I’m quite ready for that, but some real-world practice would be nice.” Shrewdya explained.

Acma nodded.

Acma nodded thoughtfully. "I understand. Based on your performance today, I believe it's a reasonable next step. I'll inform the Garden Committee of your preference. And remember, you don't have to wait until you're 100% qualified to apply for a new position. That's a valuable lesson I've learned from our esteemed female Legendary SeeDs. We will support you, just as I have been supported. Do you recall what I always tell all of you?"

Shrewdya felt a surge of joy and support from her accomplished female mentor.

“If you don’t ask for it, you’re unlikely to get it.” Shrewdya replied.

"That's the spirit," Acma said, placing her hand gently on Shrewdya's shoulder. "You'll go far, and one day, I might even fear facing you in battle."

As the two girls exchanged mutual respect, they noticed a commotion as people hurriedly running in and out of Balamb.

“Ma Dincht! Ma Smailes! Where are you going?” Shrewdya asked as she spotted them on Raddie’s family’s Jeep.

"Raddie and his proctor were injured during the field exam! Hop in! We'll give you a ride!" Ma Smailes exclaimed.

"Oh, Hyne! We're coming!" Shrewdya gasped, sensing the shock mirrored on Acma's face.

Hurt? By a replica Ifrit? How?

Saturday 1900, Balamb Garden’s Infirmary.

"I need to talk to the headmaster! This is unacceptable! How could a simulated creature do this to you? You're not lying about your grades, are you?" Ma Smailes, a petite woman in her early fifties, scolded her son.

"It's not like that... I just overlooked one thing. It's nobody's fault, seriously. Even Sean passed the test without really trying!" Raddie replied.

"Oh, my dear boy, don't push yourself too hard. Sean took his field exam much later than you... if you want, you can always retake classes..." Ma Smailes suggested.

"No, Mom. I'm always in top ten of the class. Can someone please back me up here?" Raddie turned to his friend for support.

"I think it's a brilliant idea, Ma Smailes. S22 would be a better fit for Raddie," Shrewdya chimed in, coming to the fake rescue. "I'll support him for next year's field exam. You can trust me with his life."

“co*cky!” Raddie retorted, which triggered laughter from Shrewdya.

"Oh, kids... Why on Earth do you all want to pursue this career? There are no more evil sorceresses out there." Ma Smailes exclaimed. "Alright, I'm going to talk to your headmaster anyway. See if there's anything we can do to help the school. Take care, all of you, especially you, my boy. Come home if you need anything, okay?" She pointed at her son before leaving.

“Bye, ma!” Raddie waved.

"I'm really sorry, bro. It's my fault, but yours, too,” Keannu whined after Ma Smailes left. “You were the one going into the pit, so you shoulda remembered to ask me for the junction!"

"Thanks for your comforting words," Raddie hissed back. "It could happen to anyone."

"It seems to happen more often with you than anyone else!" Shrewdya intervened, stepping between her two best friends.

"Aye aye, says the mighty SeeD who just claimed a GF for herself," Raddie remarked, glancing at Shrewdya’s victorious face.

"Hey, I earned it. Single-handedly. I didn't even need my proctor to babysit me because I remembered my junction. And I even changed it during the battle against a gigantic dragon!" Shrewdya retorted, raising her arms high and pretending to be a dragon in a playful manner.

Raddie shook his head and let out a sigh. He couldn't come up with a comeback for Shrewdya, so he turned to Timeth, who had remained silent after bringing him to the infirmary.

“Keep your girl in check, Timeth!”

“Wh…” Shrewdya rolled her eyes and blushed.

“Great job, Shrewdya. We are proud of you.” Timeth said in his usual calm and kind voice.

"Thanks," Shrewdya replied, subtly turning her head to glance at Timeth, not daring to meet his eyes. Memories of their date night at Ivarice lingered in her mind, and they hadn't had a chance to talk alone about what would come next. “Did you take your field exam?”

“No, I was supposed to go after Raddie,” Timeth replied.

Lovebirds. Pity me, falling the field exam. How do I face her… Raddie thought. “Where’s Acma?” he asked.

"She had to submit the grading report. She said she'll come visit you right away," Shrewdya informed him. “She was quite shocked hearing the news. And hey, she finally met your mom for the first time.”

"Alright, you guys go have lunch," Raddie commanded.

"I see what you're doing, bro," Keannu wiggled his eyebrows. "Let's go, let's give him some alone time with his teacher."

"Aw..." Shrewdya responded with a mischievous smile.

"Go, go, go!" Raddie hissed, as his friends left the room, playfully teasing him along the way.

Just as Raddie lay down on his bed, contemplating how he would respond to Acma's question about failing his field exam, he caught whispers coming from the adjacent room.

"What a show you put on! Everyone was stunned. I'm sure the enrollment rate from paying students will skyrocket next year."

"Is that all you care about? Look at me! You dragged me into this field exam at the last possible moment and made me wear this shirt. Half of it was burned thanks to your clumsy students. Not only did the tourists see me, but the entire town of Balamb saw me. I feel so exposed…"

"I think it's kind of hot... Come on, let me make it up to you..."

Raddie's face turned bright red as he heard more inaudible sounds coming from where his proctor was supposed to be resting.

"Raddie! Are you okay?" The door to his room opened, and Acma walked in. "Sorry, I had to run a few errands before I could come visit you."

"ACMA! GOOD TO SEE YOU. I THOUGHT I WASN'T GOING TO MAKE IT!" Raddie yelled, trying to drown out the sounds coming from the other room.

Acma widened her eyes in surprise at Raddie's sudden loud volume. "Okay... um, I wanted to check on you, but it seems like you're... fine, yelling like that," she replied, clearly confused.

"I'M SORRY. I'M JUST HAPPY TO BE ALIVE!" Raddie continued, his voice still elevated.

Acma furrowed her eyebrows. "What's with this attitude of yours? Did something hit your head?"

Raddie made a face, attempting to signal to Acma that something was happening in the adjacent room.

"What is it, Raddie?" Acma approached him, and he motioned for her to put her ear against the wall.

“Adult, adult, adult,” Raddie whispered.

Acma's face flushed with both embarrassment and anger. "Is that... your proctor? I thought he was injured," she exclaimed.

Raddie nodded, signaling for Acma to keep her voice down. "Clearly, thirty Bombs are not enough to keep him from… actions...”

"But… already? What a jerk!" Acma couldn't seem to handle the situation well. "With whom?"

"I don't know. I can't make out the details from that... kind of noise," Raddie looked away.

“Unbelievable…” Acma snorted.

The noises from the other room continued.

“Um… I don’t think my yelling helped. They’re… probably louder than me," Raddie said, blushing. "Do you still want to go to the cafeteria as planned?”

“Yes, please,” Acma emphasized the words, clearly still bothered by the situation. "Let's get out of here. This is... quite inappropriate.”

Raddie was puzzled as to why Nida's affair would anger Acma this much, but he didn't want to drag on this sensitive topic.

"I'm sorry... for letting you down. It was my mistake for not taking the junction," Raddie explained as he got up from his bed.

"No need to apologize, Raddie. I just spoke to some Garden Committee members, and they're aware of your track record. We're willing to make an exception, especially since we're receiving an influx of SeeD requests," Acma explained, trying to swallow her shock. "If... your proctor has any objections, let me know."

"Thank you..." Raddie wasn't sure why she emphasized the word 'proctor.' "I'm happy to redo the exam, but if everyone is comfortable with me skipping it, that would be great."

As they stepped outside, they saw a figure emerging from the adjacent room.

"Miss... Xu?" Both Raddie and Acma froze at the sight of the headmaster, who was adjusting her hair and clothes.

"Um... I... uh... just needed him for some paperwork," Xu stammered. "Give me the complete report on my desk by 1000 tomorrow!" She spoke to the closing door, pretending to discuss business with the one inside. "Well, I have to get back to work. I mean, I was working... anyway." She suddenly turned to Raddie. "Raddie... quite clumsy of you. Be more careful next time, okay?" She stammered a bit more before hastily running away.

"Sorry, Miss Xu... There won't be another mistake like this," Raddie said as Xu ran away, rolling his eyes back to Acma. "Shoot... this is going to make the news..."

Acma breathed heavily, seemingly internalizing the news in a weirdly angry way. Her cheeks were as red as her eyes.

“Shall we?” Raddie asked.

“Yeah? Oh… you go ahead.” Acma said, “I’ll come shortly, just want to catch up with him.”

“Okay… I’ll see you there.”

Nida struggled to put on his uniform as Xu stepped out of the room. Suddenly, the door slid open, and a furious female voice entered.

"Screwing your former instructor, huh? I didn't know your taste in women had changed..."

Nida was taken aback by the figure entering the room, who, in turn, looked quite shocked to see him.

"Um... Acma, hi. What did you say?" Nida asked.

"Oh... wait..." Acma looked around the room and then back at the main office. "Where’s… I thought... I'm looking for... were you here the whole time?" She stammered.

"Yes, thanks to your forgetful students," Nida replied, furrowing his eyebrows. "Are you looking for someone?"

Acma suddenly relaxed her eyebrows.

“You were… Raddie’s support in today’s field exam?”

"Yes," Nida sighed. "And Keannu’s, unfortunately."

"But I thought... Zyma was supposed to assist them?" Acma asked, seeking confirmation.

"Oh, Zyma... he's not able to make it. There’re some train problems in Timber," Nida explained.

"Oh..." Acma smiled awkwardly, realizing her mistake, and let out a relieved sigh.

Acma excused herself and almost ran as fast as she could, leaving Nida, the head instructor, puzzled and contemplating her accusation.

“Taste of women? What’s wrong with her?” Nida thought.

Balamb Garden. Cafeteria.

Acma reached Raddie’s table in the cafeteria.

"Where are the others?" she asked, looking at the table with two trays of food.

“They finished dinner already,” Raddie replied. “Take a seat.”

“Oh…”

Raddie couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed by her disappointment. "Um... anything wrong?"

"No, no," Acma quickly replied. "It's just..." She smiled. "I just realized we haven't..."

Before Acma could find the right words…

"Acma!" Selphie called out from the cafeteria entrance. "Want to join the discussion for the next mission?"

"Coming!" Acma acknowledged Selphie. "I'm sorry, Raddie..."

"No problem. Go!" Raddie tried to force a smile.

"Thanks... I'll see you later." Acma grabbed her tray and quickly walked towards Selphie. "I'll pay you next time!" she called back to Raddie before leaving the cafeteria.

Raddie let out a sigh.

Every time…

Chapter 24: S21’s SeeD Exam

Chapter Text

samaqi: Copied some parts from Chapter 6, 7 and 8 of “Succession of Witches”.

Sunday 1200. Timber.

“Any luck? Everyone is pissed.”

“Not yet… Ouchhhhh… my stomach!” A man wearing a blue jacket clutched his stomach and sat in a corner.

“That’s why it’s taking forever…”

The two men were by the train tracks, attempting to fix the locomotives while enduring the stares of angry stranded passengers.

"Why did the princess insist on opening all these railroads at once? Couldn't we have done it one by one?" one of them questioned.

"She said we need to take advantage of our newfound independence before Galbadia changes their mind. Once the trains are operational, more goods will flow in and out of Timber. Politicians won't say no to profits," the other explained.

"True... but she really should send more help here. We've been isolated for so long, and our technicians aren't as skilled as Balamb's SeeDs. Surely she can talk to the Commander and assign someone who's good with machines and loves trains, like Selphie, right?" the first man suggested.

"What are you thinking, Watt? They're too busy for this kind of manual labor. Now get back to the wiring. We need to fix it soon, or these passengers might just assassinate us!" the man with stomache retorted.

As the two men continued to struggle with the locomotive engines, a tall figure approached them.

"We're almost done. Please stay at your station," Watt instructed the passenger, who remained silent and observed their efforts.

“What’s the problem?” the tall figure asked in a calm, cold voice.

"Uh... we're not sure yet," Watt responded.

“Ok… which parts work then?” the figure inquired.

Neither of the men provided an answer and kept checking random parts of the engines.

Letting out a deep sigh, the tall figure glanced at his watch, dropped his backpack to the ground, and retrieved some tools.

"You won't be able to access its core with just wrenches and screwdrivers," he remarked.

"Do you know how to fix it?" Watt asked, a glimmer of hope in his eyes as he watched the tall figure expertly unpack the locomotive.

"I'll try. These are too old. Galbadia only uses these engines for mining. Where are the maintenance personnel?" asked the figure.

"There's only one guy, and he's... on vacation in Balamb... and there's currently no way for him to return," Watt explained.

The tall figure sighed. “Of course…”

"Do you also need to go to Balamb?" Watt asked, noticing the young man's train ticket. "If you can fix it, we'll make it the first train to run and refund your tickets."

"Oh, I'm quite certain this laborious task will cost you more than that..." the young man smirked.

"Anything you want, man!" Watt exclaimed, casting nervous glances at the angry passengers. "Zone," Watt looked at his friend, "do you have any Gils there?"

The young man cast a look immediately at Zone as he heard his name.

"Ouchhh... my stomach..." Zone gasped and quickly retreated to his corner, but his action helped the young man connect some dots.

"By any chance... do you happen to have a GF card?" the young man asked, smiling.

Sunday 2100. Balamb Garden.

"Here they come," Raddie whispered, his eyes fixed on the approaching Balamb aircraft.

Shrewdya nodded in acknowledgment. Clad in their gear, the hopeful SeeD candidates boarded the aircraft that had just returned from Trabia. They swiftly settled into their seats, eager to begin their mission. This was to be a stealth operation, and they aimed to complete it under the cover of darkness, striving to be finished before midnight.

As Shrewdya peered out of the aircraft window, her heart skipped a beat at the sight of the tempestuous sea below. Balamb's sunny weather had always been her familiar backdrop, and the encounter with the wrathful waves stirred a sense of unease within her. She couldn't help but wonder what unknown creatures lurked beneath those angry depths, ready to challenge any mighty warriors unfortunate enough to fall in their claws.

Seeking to divert her thoughts from the unsettling imagery, Shrewdya meticulously inspected her gear. She securely fastened a small gunblade to her side, alongside a trusty gun and a concealed dagger—tools of both protection and offense. Though her primary role was that of a healer, she had specifically requested to take on a mid-position role for this mission, eager to showcase her versatility beyond her support role.

In that moment, Shrewdya's gaze shifted toward Timeth, whose unwavering support had emboldened her for this semi-new role. He met her gaze with a reassuring smile, silently reinforcing her resolve.

“How are you feeling?” Acma asked as she walked by Shrewdya.

“A little nervous, but I think I'm okay," Shrewdya replied.

"Don't worry. I don't want to sound arrogant, but this is just a P2 mission, nothing like what Zyma and I had to participate in last year," Acma reassured her. "We're facing a shortage of SeeDs, and with so many contracts coming in, I believe the committee will be generous in granting SeeD positions this time."

"Thanks! That's reassuring. I'll give it my best shot regardless," Shrewdya smiled and nodded.

"Of course. I have complete faith in you," Acma said, giving Shrewdya's shoulder a reassuring squeeze before walking away to encourage other young SeeD candidates.

Shrewdya took a deep breath, preparing herself as she heard Raddie's voice breaking through the cabin, signaling their descent.

"Prepare for landing!"

The distinct sound of seat belts being fastened by the Trabian SeeDs filled the cabin, serving as a reminder for Shrewdya to do the same.

She took another deep breath, steeling herself for the destiny that awaited her beyond the stormy night.

Sunday 2200. Balamb Garden’s headmaster office.

“You’re back?” Xu smiled as she sensed the movement in her office.

A tall, imposing figure emerged from the shadows, his smile revealing a hint of mischief.

"Good afternoon, Instructor. It's good to see that these endless piles of paperwork haven't dampened your senses one bit.”

Xu chuckled, “Such flattery won't get you out of your long list of clients. I'll mark you off for the last mission. When do you think you'll be ready for the next?”

"Depends on the type of missions," he leaned on the edge of her desk. "Do you have the current mission list?"

Xu's smile widened as she reached for a sheet without looking up, handing it to him.

As he glanced over the list for a few seconds…

“Mission #11 - Campsite. She already left,” Xu said.

“Oh…” The figure couldn’t hide his mild surprise, both at the news and Xu's ability to anticipate his unspoken inquiry. She was his mentor, after all.

"I noticed how you looked at her during the dance last year. It doesn't take a headmaster to catch that," Xu remarked, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Go rest. They will be back by tomorrow morning.”

He nodded slightly and took it as his cue to leave her office.

“By the way, I can smell your new cards, Joker," she remarked, a playful edge to her words.

He turned, curving his lips. "Anytime, Queen.”

Campsite Mission. Sunday 2200.

"Who lived here before?" Raddie asked Timeth, knowing he was knowledgeable about history.

"Based on the age of these items, they probably belonged to immigrants from small islands who fled from monsters during the first Sorceress War. This site was likely one of the concentration camps where the immigrants were initially gathered before being distributed to cities around the world," Timeth replied, his gaze fixed on one of the broken chests. They were orphans, just like him and many others. Being orphans themselves, they probably didn't feel the same emotional weight as others when saying that word aloud.

Raddie and Timeth sat down, their eyes fixed on the screens that transmitted live signals from Squad A, who just reached the underground facility.

“I’m not used to sitting in the back and watching through a camera like this.” Raddie confessed, unconciously shaking his legs.

"I can tell. But it's good to give others a chance to lead once in a while. You might even learn something from them," Timeth added.

"Did you convince her to take my place?" Raddie asked.

Timeth chuckled. "I don't have that superpower. It was all her. Shrew isn't the type of person who does something just because others ask her to."

Shrew? Well, well. Things are moving quickly,Raddie thought.

"But why is she positioning herself so close to Devie? Garneet was far behind, too. Anyway..." Raddie remarked.

Inside the underground complex, Devie, a nimble and stealthy ninja from Trabia Garden, skillfully navigated the maze created by the water pipes, exploring the hidden depths.

As Shrewdya followed Devie’s lead venturing deeper into the underground, the oppressive darkness seemed to close in around them.

This place... It's quite spooky. I'm starting to regret volunteering to take the higher position. Is this really a P2 mission?Shrewdya's nerves were shaken as she wasn't accustomed to darkness. There was nothing easy to assess since the only visual cue they had to rely on was thermal signals.

Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the damp air, followed by a swift movement. Before they could react, a creature lunged at them with lightning speed. Its claws, sharp and menacing, sliced through a member, eliciting a loud scream.

Time seemed to slow down as Raddie witnessed the gruesome attack through the camera feed.

“Shrew!” Timeth and Raddie both exclaimed.

Shrewdya let out a piercing scream, a mixture of pain and shock, as she stumbled backward, clutching her bleeding arm. Devie, his eyes widening in shock, quickly brandished his ninja blades in a defensive stance, standing low and close to shield Shrewdya who was laying on the ground.

"Shrewdya! Hang on! Garneet, help!" Devie called out, trying to remain calm despite the sight of Shrewdya's severed left arm, which still retained warmth and was bent in an L-shape.

As Garneet rushed to their side, she instructed the upper ground squad to assist.

"Squad B, requesting assistance! We've been ambushed!"

"Are we clear to proceed, Acma?" Raddie asked the mission leader, but Timeth already started to move.

"Proceed with caution. Raddie, you go in first with Timeth backing you up. Permission granted to use light sources. Do not engage in termination until further notice," Acma instructed the group as she was leaving the aircraft, confirming their next move.

Receiving confirmation, Raddie hastily caught up with Timeth and they followed the path cleared by Squad A to descend. As they caught sight of Squad A, they found their friend drenched in blood.

"Watch out, there are a couple of them. They're very fast, only use physical attacks so far!" Garneet exclaimed with a fleeting sense of relief upon seeing the backup.

"Fire!" Raddie illuminated the area as permitted by Acma. This covert operation had now officially turned into an overt one, with unknown political consequences. "Oh my Hyne, Shrewdya...” He looked at Shrewdya with Garneet and Timeth besides her.

"I sealed her wound and sedated her. Otherwise, the pain would have sent her into shock. It was a clean cut. If we can safely return within an hour, we can reattach her arm," Garneet reassured, securing Shrewdya's severed left arm to her clothing. Having at least two medics was always a necessity for any mission.

Raddie felt a chill run down his spine as he looked at Shrewdya’s bloody detached arm with protruding bones and muscles, reminding him that this was a real battle and not a simulation.

Shrew… Hang on…

"Acma, any idea what we're up against?" Raddie contacted Acma, seeking more information.

"Negative. None of the thermal images or battle specs collected from Squad A match anything in our database. Since there are multiple creatures, you have permission to kill. Try to leave one alive if you can," Acma responded.

"Roger," Raddie replied, feeling the sedation shot in his pocket. It was a long shot that he would have the chance to use it. Right now, the first priority was to eliminate the monsters.

"I don't see anyone here. Where were they last located?" Timeth scanned the underground facility, filled with pipes and devoid of any signs of life.

"They're all around us, coming from both the ground and the ceiling," Devie responded, his eyes fixed on the space in front of him. His sword was already stained with orange liquid from the creature, yet it continued to attack relentlessly without showing any signs of slowing down.

"Everyone, come back to O position. Timeth, get ready for a time freeze. Garneet, provide cover with ice magic. Based on the color of its blood, I can guess it possesses the Fire element," Raddie instructed.

The Squad followed Raddie’s commands to back each other in a circle. A few more seconds passed, but nothing happened.

“Acma, do you want to get down here? I want to get Garneet and Shrewdya back up to the ground.” Raddie was very concerned about Shrewdya.

“Don’t get distracted. I’m almost there. She still has plenty of time to retach her arm.” Acma reassured.

Just as Acma finished speaking through the radio, one of the creatures dropped from the ceiling with a shrieking voice. It targeted Timeth, who stood still, preparing his time freeze magic.

"Freeze!" Timeth reacted swiftly as the orange monster with massive jaws lunged towards his arms. It was mere inches away from breaking the skin. The creature's large, black nose sniffed at Timeth, causing him to feel a wave of disgust.

"Yaaaaa..." Raddie swung his sword at the monster from the side, attempting to push it away from Timeth.

The monster was knocked off course, sustaining a deep wound, yet it managed to slip into a crack on the ground and vanished.

"What the hell? Where did it go?" Garneet exclaimed. The ground was no longer safe. Her attention was divided between supporting Raddie and protecting the unconscious Shrewdya. Her machine gun could surely hit the target, but due to its size, they would need multiple shots to bring it down. If she became their next target, it would be game over.

"Protect!" A green, reassuring shell suddenly surrounded Garneet and Shrewdya. Acma had arrived. "Garneet, hold on to Shrewdya, return to our aircraft and treat her immediately. I have already contacted Garden. More backup is on the way.”

Garneet swiftly grabbed Shrewdya. It was her first SeeD exam, and she couldn't stay until the end, but they had followed all the protocols and orders from the Balamb’s SeeDs. She felt confident that she would earn a good mark to be counted towards the next exam.

"Float!" Acma raised her hand, lifting both girls off the ground. Her other hand remained fixed toward the boys, ready to release an icy blast if the creature attacked again.

Raddie felt a wave of relief wash over her as Acma arrived. Despite being only a year older and having obtained her SeeD title the previous year, Acma possessed magical abilities that rivaled those of the Legendary SeeDs at their age. However, her proficiency in melee combat was somewhat limited, even though she had received training from Zyma before Raddie became her partner.

Just as Acma managed to send the girls back up, the creature was ready to strike back.

“Acma, 3 o’clock!” Devie warned the redhead.

The creature suddenly attacked Acma from her blind spot, swiping at her with its sharp claws this time.

“Acma!” Raddie threw his sword towards the shadow behind her.

"Freeze!" Timeth managed to slow down the creature's claw. The attack had already torn through Acma's SeeD uniform. In an instant, Raddie's sword pierced through the creature.

"Blizzaga!" Acma reflexively cast the spell. The creature froze in place and dropped to the ground, shattering into several ice fragments, leaving Raddie's sword behind.

"Damn, I panicked. We could have captured that one alive," Acma exclaimed.

"You were almost killed!" Raddie rushed towards Acma, examining her wound beneath the blue SeeD uniform.

"I'm fine... It's just a scratch... Stay focused, Raddie!" Acma brushed him off.

He quickly retrieved his sword and returned to a fighting stance. "What now? Are we going to continue the fight to capture the rest?”

Acma looked at the ice fragments on the ground.

"This might be barely enough for DNA analysis. Let's all retreat to the surface immediately.”

"Um... Are you looking for a sample? My sword is covered in its sticky orange liquid," Devie offered, approaching Acma and showing her his sword.

“WATCH OUT!” Raddie screamed as he heard some movement.

Another creature dashed towards Devie's arm. Everyone unleashed their magic to defend against the attack, successfully eliminated the monster, but also depleted their resources.

“Time freeze down for 30 sec,” Timeth warned, his magical power running low. He wouldn't be able to dodge any more surprise attacks soon.

Within a few seconds, they heard multiple noises approaching them.

“Uh oh…” Devie was really scared this time as he realized more monsters were marching towards them.

"Everyone, gather back to O position! Acma, shield us!" Raddie commanded.

“Are you sure, Raddie? That way I won’t be able to cast offensive magics…” Acma disagreed.

“Let’s keep everyone alive first!” Raddie insisted.

Acma reluctantly gave in, and covered the group with Shell and Protect, just in time before dozens of creatures threw themselves at them.

"Holy Hyne..." Devie gasped, repulsed by the disgusting creatures.

These creatures must have crawled up to the surface upon hearing the commotion. If they had been attacked by this many creatures earlier, they would have surely been devoured.

“Damn… Good call, Raddie.” Acma said, swallowing hard.

Raddie didn't have time to celebrate. They couldn't attack the monsters while under the protection spell, which would eventually wear off as the creatures relentlessly pounded on it with their sharp claws and teeth.

"Has anyone noticed? They seem to intentionally target our left arms in most of their attacks," Devie shared his observation.

Raddie moved his left arm around, and everyone gasped as the creatures in his vicinity seemed to follow his motion.

“They have no eyes, that black thing is probably their nose.” Acma suggested.

Raddie attempted to move his right arm, but it didn't produce the same effect on the monsters.

"Could it be related to the smell of our junction devices?" Raddie suggested. "Timeth, are you left-handed? Can you try moving your hands and see which one they follow?"

Timeth tried with his left arm first, but there was no reaction. Then, when he moved his right arm with junction, the monsters gravitated towards it, just as Raddie had expected.

“Why?” Devie exclaimed, unable to comprehend the implications. “Metal?”

"No time to figure that out now. My protection is weakening. Any ideas?" Acma urged, aware of the urgency.

“Gosh, are you guys okay?” Garneet shouted from above.

"Stay where you are, Garneet. They can smell our junction devices. Do we have more backup coming?" Raddie asked.

"They’re on their way, ETA 15 mins. Hyne! There are like twenty of them surrounding all of you. I have my machine gun, I can handle a few," Garneet replied, not feeling confident that the squad could defend for another ten minutes.

“Aim for the nose…”

"What?" Garneet turned towards the source of the voice, feeling shocked to see her badly injured comrade sitting up and gripping the magically sealed wound. "Shrewdya? Are you alright?”

"Fire at their nose first, then switch to a 90-degree angle and target their head. Two shots," Shrewdya grunted, trying to look closer to the monsters.

"Okay... Take it easy. I'll give it a try," Garneet said, looking concerned at Shrewdya, who seemed to be in considerable pain. "Raddie! I'm going to take a few shots to buy you all some time!"

Garneet's shout caught the attention of a few monsters nearby. Their snouts twitched as if they could detect the healers, causing her to tremble slightly.

"Do it..." Shrewdya picked up her small gunblade, offering reassurance to Garneet. "I can still take down a few if they happen to fly.”

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Garneet aimed at a monster in her line of sight. It fell motionless, seemingly dead after a few shots.

“It worked! How do you know?” Garneet exclaimed.

“Blobra’s mutants. Its only centra point is at the brain. Keep shooting; it takes two to three bullets to break through," Shrewdya explained.

“Good job, Garneet!” Raddie shouted.

“It was Shrewdya’s idea!” Garneet shouted back.

"Shrew? Thank goodness you're okay," Raddie said with relief.

“Raddie… my shield… we need to do something. Do you want to try unjunctioning yourself first?” Acma suggested

Raddie quickly removed his junction and waved his arms again, and the monsters no longer followed his motion.

"It's working. Devie and Timeth, remove your junctions too. Acma, we'll support you.”

“On second thought.. I don’t think it’s a good idea. Without junction, you guys won’t be able to finish them in a single blast.” Acma shook her head.

“Oh no!” Garneet screamed. “More of them are coming…”

"What?" Raddie panicked, a wave of fear rushing through him.

"How about using GF?" Devie suggested, looking towards Acma.

“It can’t tank if the monsters only target junction holders," Timeth disagreed.

“Right…” Devie murmured.

“Time’s up, Raddie. I’m taking over,” Acma declared, pulling out a siphon. "I'm going to use my Limit Break. If anyone has a better idea, speak up now.”

Raddie hesitated as he watched Acma begin drawing blood from her vein using the siphon, but he was out of ideas. Acma was the only one who could deal large area damage. As if to push for this idea, a monster managed to pierce through their protection with the tip of its claw, putting even more pressure on the team.

"You won't have a clear shot from here," Timeth quickly added. "I'll cast Float on you. Raddie and I will propel you upwards. Devie, please help clear any monsters in her path. Use a 5k Pa force to push, Acma. With your weight of 110 pounds and Float reducing it by 8 times , you should reach the ceiling in 2.5 seconds. Lasso to latch onto the ceiling. Time your Limit Break during your flight."

Raddie’s head was spinning as usual. Timeth and Acma had always been the ones to handle the technical aspects of their missions. Math, physics—they understood each other's stats and moves seamlessly for having teamed up on critical missions since their time in Trabia.

“… That makes sense. Thanks, Timeth.” Acma nodded as Timeth cast Float on her. “Garneet, be ready to protect the guys when my shield wears off in 10 seconds.”

"Acma... good luck!" Raddie found himself at a loss for words, his gaze fixed on Acma's pale face as her HP quickly dropped.

"Thank you,” Acma removed the siphon, “I think this is enough. Let's do this."

“Be careful.” Raddie said his last words before Acma’s daring move.

Acma nodded, placing her foot on the interwoven hands of Raddie and Timeth. As they lifted her, Devie swiftly cleared the majority of the monsters from her path. A claw managed to graze her torso, causing a long open wound but nothing life-threatening.

"Garneet, now!" Acma signaled Garneet, who promptly cast a protective barrier around the boys, shielding them from the monsters' claws and teeth. "Quezacotl!"

With a magnificent twist, a thunderbird-like GF manifested, spreading his majestic wings. He flew to his master, allowing her to sit on his shoulder, and waited for her command.

“Duo: Thunder’s Judgment.” His master commanded.

Quetzacolt tilted its head back slightly before unleashing a barrage of blinding thunderbolts. Acma combined her Holy magic at the right timing with her GF's thunder spell, casting an advanced and devastating spell on the orange creatures below.

“God damn…” Devie, who was a few years younger than Acma, gasped in awe as he witnessed her Limit Break for the first time.

After a while, the blinding light subsided, granting everyone a moment to recover their eyesight.

Is it over? Acma wondered. Quezacotl returned to her consciousness, and she descended to the ground, slowly reattaching the siphon to restore her lost HP as she couldn’t see very well due to blood loss and her Limit Break. She prepared herself for the worst-case scenario, in case any lingering monsters remained.

Unfortunately, that worst-case scenario unfolded before her. Just a few feet away, a handful of creatures crawled towards her. They appeared weak, but with her diminished HP, she wouldn't be able to withstand multiple attacks. She attempted to stand up, but the low blood stream made her dizzy and felt back to the ground.

The creatures were clearly somewhat resistant to Thunder.

"Help!" Acma screamed, desperately calling out to her comrades.

"Acma!" Raddie, Timeth, and Devie rushed forward, eliminating piles of monsters hungrily moving towards the smell of blood and junction device. Garneet’s machine gun also fired relentlessly from the top.

As Acma's vision continued to fade, she could sense the presence of two monsters slowly crawling towards her. Her MP was still in cooldown, preventing her from casting a spell anytime soon. Reaching for her dagger, Acma was ready for a brutal fight against their sharp claws.

Thud.

Something dropped between Acma and the approaching monsters, and they quickly surrounded on the object.

“Freeze! Freeze! No!!!”

Confused and disoriented, Acma instinctively swung her dagger forward, trying to make sense of the situation while Timeth's frantic screams filled the air. She took a deep breath, unable to understand why she hadn't felt any cuts from the monsters.

“Yaaa…”

Her friends finally arrived, clearing out the monsters.

“Acma… are you okay? Oh Hyne, Shrew…” Raddie grabbed Acma's arm to help her up, while Timeth knelt down to collect something.

When the siphon finally pumped back enough HP to Acma, her eyesight slowly returned, allowing her to understand what had saved her.

Shrewdya’s left arm lay scattered in pieces.

Balamb Garden. 3F. Garden Committee Office.

"This is my fault... I shouldn't have let her switch positions at the last minute," Acma murmured, her head hanging low, as if seeking forgiveness from everyone in the room.

"Pointing fingers is not the purpose of this retrospective meeting. Let's focus on how we can improve for next time," Commander Leonhart stated in a stoic, almost robotic tone.

"The mission was correctly classified as a P2, although the danger level should have been a D0, considering the initial report of the monster's junction-targeting ability," Nida chimed in. "What about the elemental weaknesses?"

Lost in her sadness, Acma remained silent, so Raddie took on the task of answering the question.

"They were weak against ice and somewhat resistant to Thunder. Unfortunately, Acma's Limit Break didn't completely wipe them out," Raddie replied, immediately regretting his lengthy explanation. Acma was likely blaming herself for not draining more HP to increase the damage of her Limit Break. "But I don't think it would have made much of a difference even if Acma's Limit Break had dealt a few more percentage points of damage. It would have put her life at risk. So..."

"Raddie, I'm okay," Acma interjected, understanding Raddie's intentions and sparing him from unnecessary details.

"Understood. Considering the monsters' level and the fact that you are all new SeeD candidates, we’re just happy that everyone is back in one piece…” Squall commented, suddenly realizing his insensitivity. "I'm sorry... I mean, everyone returned safely. We'll make sure Shrewdya receives the best care.”

“I’ll let her know. Also..." Raddie hesitated before reluctantly asking, "Considering Shrewdya's contribution to the battle even after being severely injured, could that make up for her positional mistake?”

"We have a fair evaluation system that takes various factors into account. You will all receive the results of the SeeD exam today," Nida responded.

"Acma, would you like someone else to handle the monster DNA analysis? If you need to rest, we can assign it to someone else," Squall offered.

"No, I can do it. Thank you, Commander," Acma finally lifted her head slightly, still unable to meet anyone's gaze directly.

"Please leave and get some rest," Squall dismissed Acma and Raddie.

They exited the Garden Committee office, stepping out into the long hallway.

"Don’t be upset, Acma. It's really not your fault. If it weren't for you, we would all be dead. Don't blame yourself. Shrewdya will be fine," Raddie reassured her. "Timeth collected whatever pieces he could find. It will take some time to reassemble everything, but Esthar has offered to assist us. Seriously, Acma, don't worry. I visited Shrewdya earlier, and she seemed to be doing okay."

”Raddie…” Acma interjected, cutting him off. "I'm fine. Can you please tell her... that I'm injured too and that I have this DNA analysis task? I can't visit her right now. I'm not ready to face her yet. Can you help buy me some time to come to terms with it?”

Raddie nodded, realizing that Acma was in a vulnerable state he hadn't seen before.

"What’s wrong? I heard you guys were ambushed," a tall figure approached Raddie and Acma.

Raddie glanced at Acma, sensing her unease at encountering her former partner during one of her lowest moments.

"Senior Zyma!" Raddie greeted with a nod. "It's good to see you back from your missions. How long will you be staying?"

"TBD - depending on a few factors.” Zyma’s eyes fixed on Acma. “Nice to see you growing up so fast. Good luck with the pending SeeD results."

"Thanks..." Raddie glanced at Acma, who was staring off into space, showing no signs of happiness about Zyma's return.

"Can I talk to my former partner for a sec?" Zyma gently asked Raddie to leave.

"Uh, sure... Acma?" Raddie looked at her, and she nodded lightly. "Okay... I'll go check on Shrewdya. Text me if you need anything."

Raddie left, leaving Zyma and Acma in the hallway.

Acma held her breath, her gaze fixed on the ground as Zyma approached her with silent steps.

"Men's room," he whispered.

Chapter 25: Love

Chapter Text

"Men's room," Zyma whispered to Acma.

"Can't we find a better place?" she protested.

"Your room, then?" Zyma smirked.

She closed her eyes in annoyance, shook her head, and walked in the direction of the restroom.

"When I came back, you guys were already gone," Zyma said as he washed his hands, glancing at Acma's reflection in the mirror.

“Raddie becomes your partner after I left?”

She didn’t talk back.

"Rough day?"

No response.

“Not happy to see me?” Zyma pressed.

Still, no reply.

"Okay," Zyma smirked. Suddenly, he lunged towards Acma, seizing her wrist and applying a twist.

What the…

Taken by surprise, Acma instinctively dropped to a seated position, making it more difficult for her tall assailant to maintain control.

“Good. You remember,” Zyma taunted.

Frustrated, Acma forcefully swung her heel, aiming for his elbow.

“Still sloppy though.”

Being much more well-versed in martial arts, Zyma effortlessly lifted her up and pressed her against the wall, her arms pinned behind her back.

"Ahhh..." Acma winced in pain as Zyma's rough handling of her triggered the wound on her torso inflicted by the orange monster earlier.

He abruptly stopped and stepped back, releasing her.

"Wounded?" he asked, tossing her a backpack that seemed oddly familiar.

"This..." Acma was surprised to see her own gear that she had hidden for G-day.

"You left traces everywhere," Zyma remarked, leaning back against the sink. "Use the first aid kit."

She hesitated.

"What? Are you shy now?" he taunted.

"No. It’s called manner, Zyma. At least turn away," Acma retorted.

"Not like I haven't seen your body."

"You've only seen me when I'm injured in battles! We didn’t… We never..." Acma exclaimed. "Just turn away."

Zyma narrowed his eyes. “Of course I knew what we have done… Ha…”

Acma looked up at Zyma, recognizing the "aha" expression he had whenever he figured something subtle to catch.

“What?” she asked. “Hey… what are you doing? Back off!”

He approached her and grabbed her ears, removing her com device.

"Timeth, right? No need to fuzz. She's here with me in a public restroom," he stated, handing the device to Acma. "Tell him to eff off."

Acma let out a sigh and communicated with Timeth through the device before switching it off. "Timeth, I'm fine. I’ll see you later."

"Babe… Just the two of us now… can we talk normally?" Zyma asked, his voice softened, taking hold of her hands, but she quickly pulled them back.

"I am talking normally. You just attacked me," she replied, rolling her eyes.

“You seem mad.”

“I wasn’t, but I am now.”

Silence.

"What's changed, babe?” He frowned.

She chose to remain silent.

"Ok. Business. Treat the wound," he sighed, then gestured towards her injured side, before turning to a corner to give her some privacy.

Acma locked the restroom door before removing her SeeD uniform.

"Failed mission?" He asked.

“No.”

“Deaths?”

”No.”

"I heard about the severed arm. That's like a death sentence for her mercenary career."

“It can be reattached.”

"Not good enough. There could have been a better outcome. And not to mention you almost killed yourself with your suicidal induced Limit Break again. How many times have I told you not to use it?”

"What else could I do to save them? I didn't expect to encounter a sea of X-90s on a P2 mission. They're just students. One of them is only 15."

“Excuses.”

"I did the best I could! Easy for you to say. What would you have done differently, huh?”

Zyma turned his head halfway.

"You did your best, yet you're still upset. That's what I would have done differently. Pull yourself together. You have loose ends that need to be tied up for G, and they're more important than agonizing over an arm that can be reattached."

Acma froze, finally understanding Zyma's intention.What a roundabout way to make me feel better. [samaqi: but Zyma’s way is so much more effective than Raddie’s, right? :) ]

“Enough about that. Business?” Acma said, putting her uniform back on.

“Done?”

”Done.”

Zyma turned around and closed the distance between them.

“I know what you’re up to.”

"I don't know what you're..." Acma started, but Zyma interrupted her.

"I've been back for one day and already found five of your gears scattered around Garden. And that's just me."

“I have to take this opportunity to free E.”

“Reckless.”

"Wait a sec... How do you know? G hired you again?” Acma suddenly realized this possibility, which was confirmed by Zyma's silence. "sh*t… Are you going to rat me out?"

“What do you think?”

They stood in silence for a moment.

"We'll end up facing each other anyway, regardless of which side we're on," Zyma said. “You know damn well how that would end.”

You mean I’d be dead? I’ve improved a lot.

But Acma couldn't deceive herself into thinking that she had a high chance of winning. Zyma was given his title "Zyma the Great" by students and staff for a reason.

“What do you suggest?”

“Depends on how you define success criteria.”

“No one dies.”

“Tch… No way, Miss Rainbow.”

"Don't you always say there's always a way, Mister Zyma the Great?" Acma retorted.

“The only way to minimize losses on both sides: we settle.”

“Us? Settle? How would that help in any sense?”

"If you can't beat me alone, how could you pull your reckless plan on G-day? Do what I say, or would you prefer I turn you in now?”

Acma sighed. “Fine. If we settle, when?”

“Tonight.”

“I’m injured… but fine.”

“Tomorrow night then? I also want to spend tonight with you.”

Zyma reached out to brush a few strands of hair away from Acma's forehead, but she swiftly slapped his hand away.

“No!”

"That's rude, treating your consultant like that,” he smirked.

"Fine. Define 'spend the night'?” She almost screamed. “Just don't set foot in my room."

Zyma didn't look very happy at her reaction.

“Your suite then?”

Acma nodded. ”Trepie #23 wants to see you, too. Triple Triad night?”

“I’ll bring my new cards. 2000?”

“Good. How about the settle?”

“1900 tomorrow. Fire Cavern.”

“Fire Cavern? Kind of unfair for me, don’t you think?” Acma questioned, ending their rapid-fire exchange of questions and answers. But of course, she knew better than anyone that Zyma never bothered to explain any of her ‘why’ questions.

"Tell Timeth to use my car and pick us up at 2000," Zyma said, taking her hand and placing a car key in it.

"One hour? What if it's not enough to settle?"

“You think we wouldn’t finish each other in one hour?” Zyma smirked.

“Tch…” she scoffed.

Acma could think of many retorts, but she didn't want to fall into his perverted trap. She looked away, not wanting him to read her emotions.

Zyma's face lit up with amusem*nt. "You know why I love you? You're smart, but you don't show off."

Acma looked at him directly this time.

Don’t fall into his trap again.

“You just say that to anyone.”

“Who else?”

“Trepie #23, for example.”

”I never say that to her. Is that why you're mad at me?” He frowned.

“Whatever. Are we done?” she asked, ready to end the conversation.

“See you tonight.”

Dormitory. 2000.

Acma sat on her bed. It was still before curfew, so he would usually use the door, whether by knocking or barging in without warning. If he wanted to talk after curfew, he would use the window. When it came to discussing business, Zyma had no concept of personal privacy with Acma.

Acma wondered what kind of grand entrance he would make. But wait, was she really anxious for him to show up? Acma shook her head in denial. Oh Hyne, but who was she kidding?

Earlier that morning, Timeth had asked if she would be uncomfortable alone with Zyma due to his roughness. But a gentleman like Timeth wouldn't understand... Acma actually likedrough.Zyma's particular kind of roughness—cold, quick, smart, efficient, and professional (minus the directness)—was appealing to her.

Seifer... Acma occasionally visited him, not solely out of sympathy for the abandoned Knight, but also because his way of talking reminded her somewhat of Zyma. Somewhat, because Seifer was brutally rude as he had zero interest in her.

“I love you.” Zyma had whispered those words to her, leaving a tender kiss that melted her heart before he had disappeared.

Acma reminisced about what had happened in this very room a year ago. They had become SeeDs. She had been the last one he danced with. Afterwards, he had asked to come to her room to discuss "business”. However, Acma knew deep down that there couldn't be much to discuss, considering they had just successfully completed a major mission together. She understood what he might want but not sure why her—an unremarkable girl in a proud SeeD uniform yet appeared dull amidst the sea of elegantly dressed cadets.

She let him in regardless. He vented about what went well and what could have been done better in the SeeD exam.

"You're a magic caster, fine. But you've got to cover your blind spots by moving. If I didn't catch that bullet, you'd be dead,” Zyma paced back and forth in Acma's room, as if it was his own, a familiar habit of his during their partnership.

"That makes sense. I'll keep that in mind for next time," she responded. "Is there anything else?"

Zyma hesitated to leave, and he couldn’t miss that she also didn’t want him to go. He was skilled at reading people, especially her. She didn’t blame herself, though. She was a dreamy 16-year-old, and Zyma possessed everything a teenage girl could desire, except for real physical roughness — like twisting her wrists out of nowhere and unafraid of breaking her bones during training.

What a jerk.

But she liked it that way... His body was fully mature, with well-defined muscles and a lean figure that seemed ideally suited for stealth missions. She considered themselves equally smart but in different ways, and she had to admit that his execution was far better due to his greater maturity.

He kissed her. Gentle, then rough. And as she groaned in pain from the heightened sensations, the roughness lessened until reaching perfection.

Acma yearned to travel back in time and relive that perfect moment.

Unlike his usual roughness, he was gentle and respectful when they cuddled. She allowed him to stay in her bed until morning. He had removed his SeeD uniform, pressing his bare chest against her military tank top the whole night. He knew that she wasn't ready, and he respected her boundaries.

Now, at 17 years old, she was ready. But there was no way she would allow him to touch her in that way, not after he had toyed with her feelings by going completely silent for a year and God knows how many other women he had been intimate with.

He made her feel pathetic.

Dormitory 2020.

He’s late. Acma looked at the ticking clock.

Dormitory 2040.

Really late. He’s rarely late. Anything wrong?

Knock on the door.

“Acma, Zyma is here.” Trepie #23 said.

“Coming!”

“Good to see you back.” Trepie #23 greeted Zyma, a warm smile on her face.

"Me too, I've missed you, Trepie #23.”

“Aw… I pray for you all dispatched SeeDs everyday.” Trepie #23 poured down her special tea for the three of them.

“Enjoy the operations work?” he asked.

“I love it. Not a lot of actions, but we take care of stranded kids. They are happy, I’m happy. In free time I play cards to feed our infinite magic caster here.” Trepie #23 turned to Acma.

“That’s why I picked Quezacotl. You’re the best, Trepie #23,” Acma joined the conversation, gently squeezing her friend’s shoulder.

“I’m just trying to be helpful. And thanks for the bounty money you collected, Zyma. Whenever you successfully hunted criminals, Miss Xu would always be in great mood,” Trepie #23 tapped on Acma’s hand and turned her head back to Zyma.

“I’m glad that my killing nurtures lives eventually.” He took a sip in the familiar tea.

Trepie #23 asked Zyma about his recent missions, Zyma told her about the places, tribe customs he had seen without disclosing the victim identities.

Acma noticed that Zyma's hair roots were no longer gray, unlike in the morning. It took Acma months to realize that black was not Zyma's natural hair color. He chose the color to better remain hidden in the dark.

“Shall we?” Trepie #23 shuffled her Triple Triad deck. “Acma, do you want to play?”

“No, I’m good. I’m watching.” Acma laid down on the sofa of the common area.

“I collected new cards, I’m sure you two will like them.” Zyma took out his deck which surely doubled in size.

Being a bounty hunter, Zyma knew the value of patience. When closing in on his prey, he would meticulously plan their capture, spending days strategizing and waiting for the perfect moment. In those moments of anticipation, he would often indulge in one of his few obsessions — collecting GF cards.

Acma watched the two play and chitchat. She couldn't help but notice that Zyma was friendlier towards other girls but acted like a jerk towards her when discussing business. Discipline was important to Zyma - "death shares no love” as he usually said. Six months under his mentorship taught her way more practical experiences than years in Trabia.

Due to various events happening at Garden during the last Sorceress War, Zyma and Trepie #23 were added to S20 despite both being four years older than an average S20 classmate. Zyma was a grown man while Acma, despite being fully mature, got trapped in a small teenage figure.

“Acma, you wanna play?” Trepie #23 offered, “I’m preparing another tea set.”

“No, I’m good. We’ll wait for you,” Acma replied.

As Trepie #23 entered the kitchen, Zyma sat down next to Acma, causing her to shift slightly on the sofa.

“Your wound. Healed?” Zyma asked.

“Enough for tomorrow.”

“Good.”

"But why do you let your opponent rest?" Acma inquired, hoping for an answer.

Zyma leaned closer and looked into her eyes. "Because I love her."

“Tch…” Acma scoffed.

Zyma smirked. ”What? You really think I’ve told Trepie #23 the same?”

“Sounds like you would definitely do that,” she said skeptically.

Zyma called out towards the kitchen, “Hey, Trepie #23! Have I ever told you…”

Acma swiftly covered Zyma's mouth, her eyes widening in alarm. Zyma's grip tightened as he pulled her into a surprise embrace, allowing the weight of her small figure to rest against his chest to enjoy her lavender scent.

"Tell me what?" Trepie #23's voice came from the kitchen, accompanied by the clinking of tea cups.

Zyma smiled, sensing Acma not pushing him away, "I was going to say that the Zelbagade tribe has tea just like yours.”

"Of course! I ordered them through the black market. Traditionally grown tea leaves are the best," Trepie #23 chimed in, returning to the room.

Acma quickly pushed herself away from Zyma, trying to create some distance between them.

"What's that? 7 5 8 1... Is it a new card?" Trepie #23 asked, arranging the tea cups while glancing at Zyma's new hand.

"Maybe. I've honestly lost track of monster names. I only care about GFs," Zyma replied.

Acma's interest was piqued. She moved closer to Zyma's deck and realized...

Krysta??

"I've changed my mind. I'll play. Wait for me, I’ll get my cards," Acma said, pretending to casually walk back to her room.10 precious Holy awaiting, I’m gonna hit him hard.

Acma returned with 20 of her strongest cards. However, with the current Diff trading rule and Random Hand, her attempts to obtain the Krysta card seemed futile. After 10 matches, she kept missing the chance to acquire it, and when she had a good hand, Zyma didn't have Krysta in his.

"2155. This was fun, guys. I'm calling it a day," Trepie #23 yawned.

"I'm leaving too. I need to get back to the boys' dorm before curfew," Zyma announced, standing up.

"Already? You just got here," Acma protested, surprised.

"I can't risk Aki finding out I'm in the girls' dorm playing Triple Triad," Zyma explained as he headed towards the hallway. "Bye, girls. Thanks for the tea, Trepie #23!"

"Bye, Zyma! Take care. Good night, Acma," Trepie #23 yawned once more before entering her own room.

Acma hurriedly chased after Zyma as Trepie #23 closed her door.

“Really? You’re leaving just like that?”

“I’ve spent the night. What else do you expect me to do?” Zyma smirked.

"You were 40 minutes late. Can you stay for a few more matches?"

“Since when did you become that addicted to cards? Don’t you have to prepare for G-day?”

“Whatever. Can you stay?”

"But where? Aki will be patrolling the girls' dorm soon."

Since when does he care about curfew? He's totally toying with me.

Acma closed her eyes, gathering her courage for what she was about to suggest. "My room."

"Tch... I distinctly remember you told me not to set foot in your room," Zyma taunted.

Krysta. Holy. Don't lose your cool, Acma.

"I apologize for saying that. Will you please come to my room?" Acma asked, trying her best to sound sincere.

“Sure, if you ask that nicely.” he smirked.

Jerk.

They entered Acma’s room.

"Okay, let's make it quick. Let's play our last hands, no Random Hand..." Acma started setting up the table, but before she could finish, Zyma tossed a card on the table.

"I guess you’re looking for this," Zyma said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"You..." Acma rolled her eyes in frustration, "you knew all along that I wanted this card."

"Your expression is priceless, babe," he taunted. "You could have just asked."

Acma narrowed her eyes. "Just ask? And you would have given it to me? 10 Holy spells for free?"

"Nothing comes for free, Miss Rainbow," Zyma flashed a sly smile and took a seat across from her.

“What do you suggest?”

"I have 50 cards. The chances of getting Krysta through Random Hand are pretty low, less than 0.1%."

“I’m well aware of that…” Talking combinatorics with me?

“Good. And I assume you already know who I am by now…”

"Cut to the chase, Joker." Acma interrupted, growing impatient. Show off jerk.

His grin grew wider, "Just so you know, it would take ages for you to win that card, and time is money. The alternative 'payment' has to be good enough, close to priceless."

“For example?”

“Pleasure. Happiness.”

Acma’s eyes darkened. Pervert.

“Be more specific.” Acma breathed in, trying to calm down before breaking his nose.

"It wouldn't be fun if I were more specific than that," Zyma smirked.

Acma rested her head on her palm, trying to unravel how she ended up in this uncomfortable situation.

Timeth. Shrewdya. Arm. Holy. My freaking expensive Limit Break.

After he abandoned her completely after they made out, she had decided to cut off any feelings for him. She'd rather die than let him touch her again.

“I have Gils… not much, but surely you can buy plenty of your so-called happiness somewhere," Acma offered, trying to keep her anger in check.

"It's no good if it doesn't come from you." Zyma replied.

Asshole. “Geez… what do you want? Spit it out!" Acma snapped.I'm not your freaking toy.

"Fine, I'll write it down. Do it, and this card is yours," Zyma said, jotting something down on a piece of paper and slipping it to Acma.

She forcefully closed her eyes for a moment, bracing herself for the worst, before angrily picking up the note.

Acma's eyes filled with confusion as she read it.

"So?" Zyma asked, eager for her response.

"You're serious about giving me Krysta if I say this?" Acma asked, sounding perplexed.

“Right.” Zyma confirmed with a nod.

Say ‘I love you’.

That was all.

Silence enveloped the room, stretching on for what felt like an eternity. Acma's eyes remained fixed on the note, the confusion evident on her face.

I don’t understand.

Another minute slipped by. Zyma, unable to contain his frustration any longer, let out an exasperated sigh.

“Tch… you’re such a good torturer, Acma. Fine, you win. I guess… I'm too repulsive for you to even end our relationship properly, whatever crap no label thing you named it. Take your damn card. Good night,” Zyma's smirk disappeared, and his face turned red as he made a hasty retreat towards the door.

"Wait...”, Acma rose from her seat and grabbed his arm. She rarely saw him lose his temper, and every time it was scary, but this time she had the right to be equally mad. “Why?" she implored, her voice filled with a mix of desperation and frustration.

"Why what?" Zyma shook off her grip, his voice almost reaching a yell.

"Why does it have to do with 'happiness'? Why is it ‘not good if it doesn't come from me’? What would you want to hear 'I love you' from me? You're… confusing me," Acma expressed her frustration.

"What part of this is confusing, my Lord? Do you want me to pour my heart out? I've said 'I love you' a million times already. I just want to hear it from you. Damn it... it even hurts when you ask that," Zyma snapped. He gripped the doorknob tightly, then his voice saddened. "You win. I can't handle your cruelty any more. Just... see you tomorrow. Good night."

No!

Acma grabbed him one more time.

"But you dumped me…”

“Excuse you? Define ‘dump’? I have thought of you every single day. You’re the one who welcomed me home with your grumpy face as if you want to stab me to death, walking around with the jogging boy who acted like your body guard. And I even had to ask for his permission to talk to you. Who’s the dumper here?”

They locked eyes in a few seconds before Acma scoffed.

“We kissed, we cuddled, and the very next morning, you disappeared. You didn't even write. For the whole damn year. That’s, Zyma,” she paused, “is the universal definition of ‘dump’.”

Just after she finished a flicker of realization seemed to dawn on Zyma.

“Ha…”

Ha?

"I see… I'm sorry..." Zyma turned back, his voice filled with remorse.

??!

Silence filled the room. Zyma kept looking into her eyes.

"Is that all? You're sorry?" Acma rolled her eyes in disbelief.

Zyma nodded, "I am. I tried to write but… you know the nature of my missions. One year passed by in the blink of an eye for me, and I never truly considered it from your perspective. Now, I understand why you're so angry." He chuckled lightly, a tinge of pain in his voice. "I'm sorry for realizing it somewhat late. I feel kind of dumb right now.”

Huh?

Acma was caught off guard with this sudden development.

“You had time to send client reports back to Garden but no time for a letter?”

“I can’t send anything in my type of missions. Clients handle the reports unlike other missions. You can ask Xu to confirm.”

She wasn’t sure how to react at this new information, and chose to downplay the significance of his departure on her.

“I’m sorry… I thought you knew,” he said.

"It wasn't that big of a deal anyway. We were never that serious.”

He gently took her hands, and this time she didn't resist. "I was sent on a discreet mission with no clear end. You know how terrible Cid is at reading contracts," Zyma explained, his tone sincere. "I had to stay until a tribe elected a designated leader who was placed tenth in the descendant list. I ended up getting injured by one of their GFs midway and stranded in the middle of nowhere for a few months."

Okay…

“I have something for you.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring, sliding it onto Acma's finger. “Wear it, I have one too.” And he showed her one on his own hand.

Acma examined the intricately carved creatures on the rings. “What are these?”

"They're GF tokens. One of the ingredients used to forge real GFs. Pretty amazing, right?"

Too good to be true?

“Take off your clothes.”

“What?” Zyma blinked in confusion.

“You heard me, undress.” Acma repeated, her tone firm.

“I’m happy to, but your tone is quite conflicting, babe,” Zyma's eyes rolled slightly.

"Don't expect me to believe your 'I'm not a jerk' story. I only trust what I see. Any scar from your injury?" Acma challenged.

Zyma scoffed, a hint of amusem*nt in his voice. “Right, I forgot skepticism runs in your blood.”

He moved to sit on Acma's bed, removing his black hoodie and revealing a large hollow dent in his stomach—a clear sign of a serious wound hastily healed by Curaga.

"I took a hit from a dark GF’s last blow. I was lucky to survive with only 10 HP left."

Acma gasped inwardly while trying to keep a straight face, fear enveloping her as she took in the depth of his wound.

"I couldn't manage a long trip to return, and client requests from the same contract just kept pouring in," Zyma explained. "Besides, I would have come back a month earlier if my girl had chosen to cast anything other than Holy.” He quirked his head toward the Krysta card on the table, a smile playing on his lips.

Acma clenched her jaw, not due to anger but to control herself not to show a smile.

“Why didn’t you tell me about this in the morning?” She forced her burgundy eyes to flash again.

"I didn’t know why you were mad in the morning. I thought you were reprimanded or just wanted to discuss business,” He reached out to hold her hands again. “Plus... I saw you and Raddie. You guys seemed so comfortable. I thought that kid finally made a move on you...”

Jealous?

A heavy silence hung in the room as Acma withheld her thoughts, avoiding eye contact with him. However, she allowed him to hold her hands, feeling his thumb gently caress her knuckles.

"I've said it all… your turn to say something, babe," he murmured, lifting her hands to his lips. Acma swiftly withdrew her hands, reclaiming them from his touch.

"Fair enough. Apology accepted. About our transaction... I need a few more minutes," Acma replied, retreating to a corner to avoid Zyma's gaze. She needed some space to think, though uncertain of her options with him sitting on her own bed, as memories from a year ago flooded back. It was too sudden, despite the misunderstandings being cleared.

After a while, she heard him straightening his hoodie, preparing to put it back on. "Just three words, Acma. Nothing else…" he reminded her in a slightly disappointed tone, causing a small pang in her heart.

They may both have feelings for each other, but she wasn't sure who had sunken deeper.

And she doesn’t want to be left feeling pathetic again after tonight.

"Okay…" Acma finally turned back, coming closer to Zyma and began unbuttoning her blue, long dress, "Let’s do it my way."

Zyma was taken aback by her unexpected action. "What are you doing?"

"What? Are you shy now?" Acma mocked, "I'm not saying those three words until I warm up."

"Warm up? Is that some new teen slang?" Zyma showed a sign of shock,"… I don't want it to feel forced..."

"Did we even attend the same sexual harassment training? You can't get more explicit consent than this," Acma snapped.Men, so weird. They act like perverts all the time, but afraid to take a bite near their mouths.

"You're still underage," Zyma quickly responded.

"You were gone for a year, I'm no longer 16,” she rolled her eyes, “almost 17 and a half now, old man!"

Zyma giggled. "You still look like 12, babe."

The words hit her ears louder than a Thundaga attack.

T… twelve?

Acma froze in place. A mixture of anger and shame flooded over her. Her fingers still hovered over the buttons of her dress, unsure of how to proceed.

Zyma's smile faded as he sensed her anger. "Too far?" he asked hesitantly.

Acma remained silent, her jaw clenched tightly, her eyes forcefully shut. Her hands instinctively clutched her partially open collar, covering her modest chest.

Terror appeared on his face. “I’m sorry, babe. I didn’t mean it,” he said softly and reached out to her.

Babe? Baby? How dare you?

"Get out," Acma stepped back, her voice cold and firm.

“Babe, please…”

“Get out!” She took another step back, giving him a clear path to the exit.

Zyma knew he would be a fool to leave her in this moment. He waited, watching as Acma took a few deep breaths, calming herself before he spoke.

"I am very sorry. That was a terrible joke,” he apologized sincerely, “You know I love you and I want to be with you. I’m suck at fancy words, but you see I risked life and death just to come back to you. I even had to fix those damn granny trains in Timber...”

Acma remembered the jealousy she had felt when she misunderstood that Zyma was with Xu, and her immense relief when she discovered it wasn't him.

“If you want a proof, I got this as a reward from fixing the trains… Here, for your ice spells.” Zyma took out a card.

Acma rolled her eyes. “A Shiva card? Do you think I'm that addicted to cards?” she attempted to sound skeptical, then asked nonchalantly. “Are you gonna increase your payment or something?” 100 North Winds. 2000 Blizzagas. I’m rich! She calculated how much magic she could get from the card in her head.

“No, no, no,” Zyma quickly responded. “This is another gift.” He quickly slipped the card into Acma's hand, causing her to unconsciously smile at his endearing gesture.

Acma held the card in her hand and admired the beauty of Shiva depicted on it. "What a loss! Trading this hot lady for a twelve-year-old..." she mocked.

Zyma hesitated, not daring to delve any further into that reference.

“I just wanted to make sure you’re not feeling like I’m forcing you. My mom told me she’d kill me if I’m not a gentleman to you. The GF token gift was her idea…”

Basilisk.

“How is she?”

“She’s doing well, gaining a bunch of weight recently. Fluffy bunnies are her new treat. She and Drakarion keep telling me to bring you there, and they’ll teach you Trio. But I tell them let’s hope that she’s not yet killed herself with Duo…”

She chuckled at his rambling and felt especially warm that his mom thought of her.

Sensing an opportunity, he pleaded, lightly touching her crossed arms. “Babe, you see how much you mean to me… Can we… reset?"

Acma… you’d better not regret tonight…

"Fine… reset,” Acma uttered, her voice filled with a mix of hesitation and anticipation. Slowly, she settled onto her bed and reached for the lamp, switching it off. “Please… be careful with my wings.

Not wasting another moment, Zyma’s hands found her small braids in the dark, and swiftly brought her head closer to his. He let their noses lightly brushed against each other to prepare her for a hungry kiss. He remembered how she enjoyed the sensation of his lips pressing against hers with a hint of force, yet still allowing her to savor each moment. Her hands shyly traced a path from his shoulders to the back of his neck as she moaned.

A year had passed, she had changed a lot but one thing remained — she had never openly expressed her true feelings for him. Guessing what lay behind her intricately crafted shields had become his favorite game since she entered in his life - a game in which, admittedly, he had more misses than hits. However, in that fleeting moment when her nails pressed firmly against his skin and her teeth hungrily bit his lower lip, conveying both anger and a trace of hesitation to avoid causing him pain, he finally realized that she loved him just as deeply as he loved her. He guided her in the comfort of his embrace and unveiled the first intoxicating taste of their shared passion.

For a loner who hated routines and constantly chased after thrills, he found himself pleasantly astonished that the idea of waking up next to her every morning didn't intimidate him in the slightest.

She made him feel complete.

[…]

Acma turned on the light, opened her drawer and lit up a cigarette.

"You smoke?” Zyma sat up, “I have to say, you've changed a lot."

"This is the first time. The girls say it's good after getting 'high'."

“I see," Zyma snorted as Acma coughed and swore. "Was the 'high' good?”

Acma nodded and bit her lip, attempting to conceal her blushing. "It was alright. I don't have anything to compare it to, obviously, but I can understand why spies are trained in this skill. It's an interesting way to gather information.”

“No, no, A. Don’t get the wrong idea. I was extremely patient with you. People don’t ask that many questions when doing it,” he laughed. “Don’t tell anyone that I taught you that.”

“But it was so weird!” She covered her face briefly.

“Practice makes perfect…” he said teasingly, triggering a scoff from her.

"Anyway, there's no way they would give me such missions because some people think I look like 12,” she bounced back.

"You're beautiful, babe,” he stroke her red hair, “but stay in the lab, I'll make enough bounty money for your research.”

“Aw, that’s sweet… screwing criminals for your chick back in Garden.”

Zyma chuckled heartily. “You’re certainly two-faced, A. Everyone thinks you’re a good nerdy girl. You’re just acting like this with me, aren’t you?”

"Aren't you the same, Z? 'Bye, girls. Thanks for the tea, Trepie #23.' Blah," Acma mimicked Zyma's words in a sarcastic tone.

“I guess it’s good thing that we’re comfortable enough to show our different sides with each other.” Zyma said, smiling.

Acma smiled back and nodded. It was rare to see Zyma full of assassin vibes this relaxed. She cherished those moments when he smiled. She had been under immense stress for months since receiving orders from G, but tonight, she finally managed to let go of it all and live in the present moment.

“Can I have one cigarette, please?” Zyma asked.

“Sorry, this is the only one I have.”

“We can share.”

“No.”

“Selfish.”

“Kidding,” Acma smiled mischievously and handed him her cigarette. “All yours. This is tasteless.”

“There are fruit flavors, you know,” he said, looking at her kindly.

Acma picked up the Krysta card and used Quezacotl’s Card Mod to convert it into Holy.

"Can't wait to card it out? I haven't heard the words yet." Zyma pulled her back onto the bed.

"Aren't you satisfied with my alternative payment?" Acma continued casting the Card ability, and the Krysta card floated, emitting a soft light as it dispersed.

"I'm not sure whose payment it was, considering I had to do 99% of the work while answering hundreds of your ‘why people do this and that’ questions,” he whined.

Acma laughed. “’Had to’? Wow, was I really that bad? I thought you enjoyed it, at least the last part.”

“Yes, after I told you to shut up,” he laughed. “Just to be clear, babe, I didn’t say it wasn’t good… Hyne, it feels so good doing it with the right person. And mind you, after one whole year… I'm just saying, it's not a fair payment if you don't contribute as much.”

"Too late!" Acma junctioned the Holy spell, her eyes sparkling as her stats increased.

"Selfish," Zyma sighed.

“What did you say?” Acma narrowed her eyes playfully.

“Nothing, babe.” Zyma quickly assessed her face, making sure she didn’t want to send him to the door again. "Anyway, business... I was late today because I closed a few loopholes for you. Let's make some changes to your plan."

He took out a piece of paper and a pen from Acma’s drawers.

“If I’m not mistaken, your plan is like this…”

Acma nodded. "Sort of. There are a few more folks to help me out, but yeah, that's the gist."

"It leaves too much to luck. Even if you give them the old junctions and weaken the puppets, it's like hoping for the best. I highly doubt that with two parties, each consisting of fifty people, casualties can be avoided," Zyma remarked, his voice filled with concern.

“We have healers from both sides… But I see your point. What do you suggest?”

Zyma took out a map and began explaining his suggested modifications as Acma listened attentively.

"... There you go. The main point is to separate these parties as much as you can. If timed perfectly, no one has to die."

Acma looked skeptical. "Right... but the new plan is still impractical. It assumes I have superhuman abilities. No one can run that fast to be on four different floors in such a short amount of time. And to bring all of the puppets to low health? It's not even feasible for a Legendary SeeD."

"No, it's not. That's why I'll lend you my GF and professional gears to help you out. But honestly, you're not far from being a Legendary SeeD yourself. I've trained with them, and you have better stats and quicker reactions when you stay focused. Just remember, things don't always go according to plan. Be flexible, be creative. You can do it."

"Wow..." Acma was taken aback by his gentle side. "I'm not used to this side of you at all. Maybe I should have gotten you 'high' earlier. It would have saved me from a lot of broken bones two years ago."

"You were really bad back then, A,” Zyma shook his head, “and annoyingly competitive. I didn't like you one bit at the time, and it was entertaining to torture you and push your limits. But I have to admit,” Zyma's gaze locked with hers, captivated by the brilliance in her burgundy eyes, "you're a remarkably fast learner.”

"And now the student has become a research instructor," Acma grinned mischievously as she leaned in to kiss him.

She studied the map for a few minutes, which was now filled with detailed instructions. Then, she turned back to face Zyma, who was attentively stroked her hair and straightened her braids the whole time.

"Babe, about the unfair payment... I'll make up for it this time,” she whispered to his ear. “What do you want me to do?"

Zyma scoffed. "Forget it. You don't know how to do any of those things."

"Then teach me. I'm a quick learner, aren't I?” Acma retorted. “Besides, I know guys have a thing for instructors wielding whips. Lucky for you, your chick happens to be a skilled lasso user with quite the collection." Acma opened her closet, offering with a grin, "Take your pick.”

[…]

“Good?” Acma asked.

“The best. A+.”

“Thanks. Glad I pass your bar, sensei.”

Zyma chuckled briefly before returning to a serious tone.

“A.”

“Yeah?”

"I’ll find an excuse to avoid G and leave right after we settle," Zyma informed her.

“Uhm hmm.”

“Another long, stealth mission.”

"Okay..." Acma's voice trailed off, a hint of disappointment in her tone.

“Don’t wait for me. Have fun.”

"Right, I'm not your girlfriend or anything. Have fun, Z," Acma responded sarcastically and turned away.

“Do you want to be my girlfriend?” Zyma suddenly looked at Acma.

"Tch... in my next life. Just because we like each other doesn't mean we have to be together or put a label on it." We are SeeDs. We can die anytime.

“Like?”

Acma fell silent, unsure of how to answer.

Zyma grabbed Acma's head and kissed her passionately.

"Reminder: payment not yet complete," he teased.

Acma smiled and bit her lip, her eyes sparkling. I didn’t know love can be this sweet… Love?

“I love you, A.”

“I love you, Z.” she finally let go of her reservations.

“There… complete.” Zyma smiled and sealed her with another kiss.

Chapter 26: Hate

Chapter Text

Tuesday moring, SeeD Ceremony day.

"Ready for the 'tradition'? You have to get Diablos. Don't let Raddie take it," Acma whispered to Timeth in the infirmary.

"Your new plan sounds reasonable. I'll do my best," Timeth replied.

"Good luck! I understand things might not go according to plan, though. Don't stress too much if Raddie ends up getting it. We'll find another way," Acma reassured him.

"That's... thanks. You look... happy today, Acma," Timeth observed.

"Yeah? I got 10 Holy spells from Zyma. Our problem is solved, T.”

“Is that all? Ahem… it’s all written on your face. Last night, you two...”

"Oh... are you too shy to say it? Adult, adult, adult. We're all grown up now," Acma teased back.

"Acma, remind me, who was scolding me just yesterday about 'complicate things'?" Timeth retorted.

"Well, we're both very good at separating our 'personal' life and 'business' matters."

“Everyone says that…” Timeth muttered.

"Hey, T, if you ever want to make a move with Shrew soon, I can teach you a thing or two..." Acma teased, but Timeth quickly cut her off.

"No! That's... ew. Anyway, I should get going. I don't want to be late for the SeeD ceremony," Timeth said, changing the subject.

“See you, cutie. Don’t forget to pick up us from Fire Cavern at 2000.”

Tuesday evening, 1900, Fire Cavern.

"Zyma! Are you here?" Acma entered the Fire Cavern, a usual location for the field exam. Many students had already ventured into this spot over the past week, so there weren't many monsters left.

"Over here. Let's move closer to the pit," Zyma waved her over.

Straight to business.

They walked in silence. Acma noticed that Zyma's steps seemed heavier than usual. She wanted to ask if something was wrong, but she hesitated.

It doesn’t hurt to ask, though. So much misunderstanding was resolved last night when we both decided to talk more.

"How are you?" Acma finally asked.

Zyma's steps came to a halt, and he looked at her for the first time. “Good. You?”

“Great,” she smiled and pulled out a small box, “I have some free time this afternoon, so I baked some muffin. If you want to…”

Before Acma could finish her sentence, Zyma embraced her tightly. She happily returned the warmth of his embrace.

“Hey… what’s wrong, babe?” she asked.

“Nothing. I want to eat them.”

“Okay.”

He opened the tiny box and took a bite.

“Sweet,” Zyma said, his expression somewhat displeased.

"Really? I didn't add much sugar because I know you don't like it," Acma explained.

"No, they're delicious, and you're sweet. Thank you," Zyma clarified, folding the box neatly and put it into his pocket.

"You're welcome. I thought that since you'll be leaving soon, you won't have a chance to enjoy homemade food anymore."

“Thank you… I’ll miss these muffins.”

Silence hung in the air.

“So… back to business, how do we settle then?” Acma asked. “I bring simulation gears, in case you don't want to risk getting actual wounds.”

Tuesday evening, 1910, Infirmary.

"Timeth, get here as soon as possible! He's trying to kill me!"

"What? On my way in 10!"

“Timeth, who’s that?”

“I’m sorry, Shrew. I have to go now.”

“Okay…”

Tuesday evening, 1905, Fire Cavern.

“So… back to business, how do we settle then?” Acma asked. “I bring simulation gears, in case you don't want to risk getting actual wounds.”

“No, we don’t need these. Let’s settle for real.” Zyma said, turning away. “Junction your best stats, two minutes, and then we start.”

Acma was taken aback. “What do you mean ‘for real’?”

"Death," Zyma responded coldly. "We settle this with the Death rule. One of us walks out of here alive."

Acma furrowed her eyebrows with a half smile. "Death? I don't understand... Z, don't joke like that. What's going on?"

Zyma took out his Kusarigama and Shurikens, their edges shining red under the reflection of Ifrit's lava pit.

"I'll make it quick to minimize your suffering, A. One minute thirty seconds."

“Z, this is a joke, right?”

Silence.

“Yesterday you helped me with the plan. What's changed?" Acma pleaded, desperately trying to comprehend the situation.

“It’s either your head or mine will be popped. I'd rather we settle it ourselves than let G dispose of us like toys. You would do the same, A. No hard feelings," Zyma explained coldly.

“No… You too?” Acma suddenly realized that no matter where they ran, they couldn't escape their fate unless they eliminated the root cause. "Surely there must be another way... You always find a way... Your plan is almost perfect. Please... don't do this." Acma tried to persuade Zyma, realizing as she spoke that he must have considered all the options and that what he was doing now was his best solution.

For him.

"I'm sorry... This is the best option. Rest assured, I'll remember you, forever. Let me know when you're ready," Zyma replied, his tone stern and unyielding.

"Z... I can't... I love..." Acma's words were cut off as a Shuriken was thrown, slicing through a strand of her red hair.

“Junction, this is your last chance.”

Acma trembled, feeling the coldness of his voice and the fear of being struck by his sharp Shurikens. Zyma was not to be taken lightly, even with his non-lethal moves during SeeD training. His bare-handed strikes and kicks alone could leave MMA fighters bruised for weeks. Acma stood no chance if she were to face a physical attack from Zyma.

She hastily junctioned the best magic she had on her only bet - Mag stat. Zyma was a Flare user, which means he had the advantage of being in Fire Cavern, though Acma doubted if he had to use magic at all to kill her. Her Thunder spells could momentarily shock him, but it wouldn't be enough against such a swift ninja.

I need backup…

"Timeth, get here as soon as possible! He's trying to kill me!" Acma quickly enabled her com device, screaming into it.

"What? On my way in 10," came Timeth's prompt response.

Timeth was not one to waste time, and Acma loved that about him. The question remained whether Acma could survive for 10 minutes under Zyma's relentless attacks.

“Time’s up. Let’s begin.” Zyma threw another Shuriken towards Acma, who managed to dodge it by jumping out of the way.

He swiftly dashed toward her, and she immediately cast Thundaga to stall him, but not quickly enough to avoid taking a hit that cut about an inch deep into her torso, reopening a recent wound.

"Ahhhh..." Acma cried out in pain, instinctively rolling back to create some distance.

Think, Acma. Think.

"Blind!" she exclaimed, casting a spell to disable Zyma's eyesight before she darted away, seeking refuge behind a large rock. Acma was well aware that the spell offered her only a brief respite. After all, Zyma was as accustomed to darkness as she was to daylight.

9 minutes 20 seconds. Hurry, Timeth!

Silence. Not a sound. She couldn't hear Zyma's footsteps. He was quick and quiet. Hunting was his nature, and Acma was his current prey. She couldn't fully concentrate as memories of the previous night flooded her mind—when they had held each other warmly under a blanket, exchanging love.

Just remember, things don't always go according to plan. Be flexible, be creative. You can do it.

His words echoed in her head.

Is it your final lesson to me? Not to trust the one you love?

Acma could imagine Zyma holding his Kusarigama—a sickle attached to a chain with a weighted metal ball at the end—trying to listen for her breath, attempting to locate her. She had run hurriedly, hence he couldn't have missed her whereabouts. He might even be closing in on her.

What would he do?

If Acma were in Zyma's position, she would throw the metal ball around to destroy her hiding places. She had to act quickly.

Acma picked up a rock and threw it to the opposite direction.

BANG!

She heard the metal ball crush something from a distance. She held her breath, not having the presence of mind to celebrate the fact that she had just bought herself another minute.

Or not.

BANG!

She felt the impact as the metal ball struck the rock behind which she was hiding, causing her body to crash to the ground.

"Protect!" she cast the spell without looking up, feeling the rush of air as Zyma's Kusarigama sickle narrowly missed her ears.

Zyma didn't say a word. Acma wasn't sure if any words at this moment would be pleasant.

What was he thinking? Was he assessing her moves? Was he laughing at her clumsy escape attempts?

She had never been adept at martial arts, although she had managed to pass her classes with above-average grades. She viewed opponents like Zyma as a rare breed and focused on her strengths in magic casting instead. She knew that in a squad, her weaknesses would be compensated for. One-on-one fights were not her forte.

Focus, Acma! If you can't think a few steps ahead, you're going to die!

"Float!" she cast another spell, combining it with Protect, creating a floating orb that carried her up into the air as Zyma's metal ball struck her from the side. She successfully created distance thanks to his attack.

Acma could see the surprise on Zyma's face as he looked up to sense her floating in the air.

"Thundaga!" she shouted, releasing her most powerful lightning attack.

Zyma jumped away, narrowly dodging her powerful lightning attack but still feeling the residual shock. Meanwhile, Acma used her lasso to anchor herself to the cavern ceiling, disturbing a few Red Bats that were indulging in their sleep. She hit the bats for them to make noises, hoping to distract Zyma’s senses.

Zyma swiftly evaded the spell, narrowly escaping its devastating impact but still feeling the residual shock coursing through him. Meanwhile, Acma took advantage of the chaos, using her lasso to anchor herself to the cavern ceiling, conveniently disturbing a few Red Bats from their slumber. Their flapping wings would distract Zyma's senses.

Zyma took out a few more more Shurikens, and Acma knew what he planned to do, though there wasn’t many viable solutions to his best move.

Acma kicked the wall and released the other end of her long lasso to hatch on a different stalactite, moving herself to the new anchor, just enough time to dodge his dashing Shurikens.

With a swift kick, Acma propelled herself away from the wall, releasing the other end of her lasso to latch onto a different stalactite, narrowly avoiding Zyma's charging Shurikens.

Just when she breathed a sigh of relief as nothing had pierced her, Zyma hurled his metal ball at her with tremendous force, causing her to gasp in pain and lose her grip. The force of gravity, impeded by the Float spell, began to gradually carry her towards the perilous flow of molten lava below.

“Quezacotl!”

She called for her GF, which swiftly appeared and saved her from drowning burn in the lava flow. Zyma's assault continued, but she could hear Quezacotl, her GF, closing its wings to shield her from Zyma's flying weapons.

“Quezacotl… No!” She exclaimed. She couldn’t risk losing her GF, although she couldn’t find a way to save herself without it. "Thunderstorm!" she commanded, urging Quezacotl to unleash its powerful area attack. She slid down its tail as fast as she could, escaping the danger and finding refuge behind another rock before summoning her GF back to her consciousness.

She calculated her and Zyma’s current HP in her head. She knew she couldn't afford to cast Holy freely, despite its potential for greater damage than Thundaga, as it would deplete her Mag stat.

7 minutes… Every cast needed to count. She thought.

The protective effects of her previously cast Protect spell had faded, but Acma didn't dare to recast it. The sound of the magic shield would reveal her hiding place to her enemy.

But Zyma didn’t need that signal.

CRASH!

The rock covering her shattered, and the force of the impact smash her head to the ground.

“Flare!” Zyma's cold voice announced, and the scorching flames of the spell engulfed Acma.

How did he find me? Acma screamed internally in panic and pain.

As if reading her thoughts, Zyma answered, "Your smell..."

Right… I know your smell, too. All too well…

In that moment, her heart shattered, and she lay on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, a stark contrast to the strength she had exhibited throughout her life.

I have survived the most brutal battles since I was little. But now… why does it hurt so much… Not from the cuts or the burns, but...

Zyma, observing her anguish, broke the silence. "When is he coming?"

Acma didn’t answer. 6 minutes.

“We still have time. Let’s pause for one minute. Go heal,” Zyma said. “I’ll wait.”

For what?

“Why don’t you just kill me now” Acma snorted in pain.

Zyma hesitated, searching for the right words. "I'm sorry... I'll make it quick this time. I don't want to see you suffer either."

Tears streamed down Acma's face as her heart shattered even further.

So much for the love. You wanted me to say it and I said it. I gave you the whole me, and the very next day you just decide to kill me fast to save your ass.

“I’m just a toy to you, right Z? For you to discard once you're done,” Acma's voice trembled with a mix of pain and anger as she slowly sat up, carrying the wounds on her torso and the large one on her stomach. Her gaze locked with his, the intensity of her emotions palpable.

“I hate you…” She wielded each word with resentment as her trembling hands retrieved two syphons and forcefully attached them one by one to her veins. “You want it to be quick? Well, I’ll help you…”

“Acma…” Zyma looked at her in shock.

“Quezacotl!”

[…]

4 minutes.

Is it over? Where is he? That couldn’t have killed him… be careful of his Limit Break. Acma thought, taking cover behind another rock and waiting for the blinding light from her "Duo: Thunder's Judgment" to fade, reattaching her syphons to recover her HP.

Another minute passed, but there was still no sound.

He threw his sickle and Shurikens at me, triggering 'it' again. Did they rebound and hit him?

Acma cast Cure and protective spells on herself before cautiously crawling out. As she emerged, her eyes scanned the area, and she noticed a couple of Red Bats pinned to the ground by Zyma's Shurikens. A frown of puzzlement creased her brow as she tried to make sense of the scene.

He was hitting these monsters?

It took her a moment to spot Zyma lying near Ifrit’s lava pit.

“Oh no…” Acma gasped, sprinting towards Zyma, whose chest had been pierced by his own Shurikens.

“Acma… thank Hyne, I thought… the Red Bats really got you… stop using syphons when you’re alone,“ Zyma uttered words in pain as well as relief.

Acma immediately connected the dots… She froze in mix realization and confusion.

“Cause of death: Red Bat. That's the most embarrassing way to die…” he continued, trying to play a usual smirk.

"This is not a good time to joke, Z! Curaga!" Acma hastily cast the healing spell, her focus solely on stopping the bleeding.

Zyma murmured weakly, "Telekinesis? Do you know how to control it now?"

Confusion filled Acma's face as she desperately searched for a first aid kit. "What are you talking about?"

"You redirected the Shurikens to my chest. Can you do it again?" Zyma inquired, his voice strained.

Realization washed over Acma, furrowing her eyebrows even further. "You... you're tricking me into triggering my innate ability? For Hyne's sake, you almost killed both of us!"

"You're welcome," Zyma chuckled grimly, wincing in pain. "Consider it my parting gift."

"Stupid asshole," Acma muttered under her breath, her anger and fear intertwining. She wanted to hit him, to make him understand the gravity of his actions, but she couldn't bear to cause him more pain. "This will disable you for days."

"I told you I'd find an excuse to decline the mission," Zyma explained through gritted teeth.

"For Hyne's sake! You scared me to death. I'm furious and terrified right now. Are you really going to be okay?" Acma's concern mingled with her anger.

"I'll live, babe," Zyma reassured, his voice strained but determined.

Just then, hurried footsteps approached them, and Timeth appeared on the scene.

"What's going on?" Timeth asked, his eyes widening at the sight of Zyma's wounds.

"Take me to the car. I have more healing items there," Zyma commanded, his voice authoritative despite his injuries.

Timeth glanced at Zyma's wounds and then at Acma, silently seeking an explanation.

"The asshole deserved this," Acma vaguely explained to Timeth, her voice filled with a mix of anger and relief that no one had ended up killing the other. Timeth, understanding the gravity of the situation, didn't press for further questions and showed relief that they were all still alive.

Chapter 27: G-day

Chapter Text

samaqi: This is the alternative of “Succession of Witches” G-day, the second battle of gardens, in which the Rainbow plan is executed perfectly (it fails in “Succession of Witches”, leading to different fate of Acma and her friends).

“Are you sure not to bring a single X-97?”

"Their junctions are taken care of, so there's no need to bring that messy thing. A hundred Sleep spells should suffice. You wouldn't want to cause a scene and attract attention from other military forces, would you? Besides, even if they have junctions, twenty magic puppets from our side would easily overpower these apprentices."

“Keep it up. We can’t fail, there’s no turning back once we hit Balamb Garden.”

“I understand. Can I… see E after that?”

”Depending on how it goes, girl.”

“I’ll try my best. Please keep your word.”

Call dropped.

Wednesday, G-day. 0615. Balamb Garden’s Dormitory.

“Everyone, we are under a test drill.” Xu’s voice calling from the PA. “All students and staff, please head to the basem*nt immediately. Please use the stairs. Do not use the elevator. Do not bring weapons or junctions. This is a test drill.”

Raddie was standing in front of Acma’s room while hearing the announcement. She wasn’t in her room.

“Are you looking for Acma?” a female voice walked in from the suite.

“Yeah… have you seen her? We’re supposed to have a… walk.” Raddie asked.

“No, I think she’s left early.” Trepie #23 replied. “You want to go to the basem*nt together? The test drill… Maybe we’ll see her there.”

“Yes, good point.”

They followed each other to the stairs which were now packed with students, some in their uniforms and some still in their pajamas.

“Hey, bro. What’s up with your date?” Keannu spotted Raddie as he came down to the basem*nt.

“What does it look like to you? Have you seen her down there?”

“Nope, I just got here. Come, help me with my homework.”

Raddie let out a sigh, unable to think of anything else to kill time. “Fine.”

As Raddie followed Keannu to a reserved spot taken by S20 classmen, he noticed something odd.

“What’s wrong, bro?” Keannu asked.

“Eh… nothing…” Raddie replied.

These red triangle scarves they’re wearing look just like Acma’s. His thoughts wandered as he glanced at the two girls in the corner.

Xu's voice resounded through the PA once more. “All students and staff, this is the final reminder. Please head to the basem*nt immediately. Please use the stairs. Do not use the elevator. Do not bring weapons or junctions. This is a test drill. Failure to reach the basem*nt within two minutes will result in detention and a grade reduction. Once again, this is the final reminder. Please make your way to the basem*nt immediately.”

Wednesday 0620. Balamb Garden - 1F near Library.

“Commander Leonhart!”

Squall turned around to see Timeth calling out for his name. Squall was on his way up to the flying platform to find Xu, as her announcement came quite unexpectedly without any context.

“Timeth… what’s up?”

"Headmaster Xu wants to meet you in the training center. I ran into her, and she mentioned it was a secret discussion, hence the unusual location.”

"Did she tell you what it's about?" Squall asked as he followed Timeth.

"It's regarding the findings at the campsite. She said she needs to discuss it with you before informing the others. I'm sorry, that's all the information I have.”

Squall nodded, envisioning Xu demonstrating some discoveries in the simulation room, likely related to the mutated monster. He assumed she wanted his input on how to handle these new types of enemies. His experiences fighting monsters across the world had proven valuable in guiding less experienced students to effectively combat these creatures.

"She said she'll be inside," Timeth said, opening the door to the simulation room. "After you!”

Squall hesitated. He wasn't equipped with his gunblade, and even though it was just a training room, he felt uneasy without the proper gear.

"Squall? Please come in. I want to show you something real quick. No need to bring your gunblade!" Xu's voice from inside called out.

Wednesday 0630. Balamb Garden - 3F

Nida heard Xu's announcement and wondered when she had returned to Balamb Garden from the campsite. He had tried to find her last night as they had planned to hang out in Balamb, but her door remained closed. He had also attempted to find Selphie, but she seemed to be absent as well. Puzzled, Nida went up to the third floor to meet Xu.

"When did you come back?" Nida asked as he found her steering the flying engine.

Startled, Xu turned back with an angry face.

"I said no other personnel are needed here. Please leave!" she snapped.

Nida was surprised to see Xu being this aggressive. Her recent stress had made her more hot-tempered, but he had never seen her this angry.

"Hey, calm down, sweetie. What's wrong?" Nida reached out to her, attempting to embrace her as he usually did to help her cool down.

Xu's eyes showed a hint of shock, and she instinctively stepped back, avoiding his touch. Nida realized something was amiss.

"What's wrong? Did something happen during your trip? I went to your room last night, but you weren't there. Did you just come back?" he pressed on.

"I just got back. Please go downstairs, I'll join you shortly for another update." She turned around to avoid making eye contact, her voice softened.

"Any update you can't share with a Garden Committee member?" Nida furrowed his brow.

The girl did not reply.

"Where's your necklace?" he asked.

Xu appeared slightly surprised. She slowly reached into her pocket.

"I may have dropped it in the restroom.”

Nida immediately assumed a fighting stance, drawing his katanas. Xu never wore jewelry.

"Where is she? What have you done to her?”

"Relax, you'll see her soon," the imposter Xu smirked.

"What do you mean? Is she alive? Take your hands out of your pocket!" Nida commanded. He didn't sense any magic aura from this imposter and was certain he could take her down at any moment once he found out about the real Xu's status.

The fake girl raised her arms, holding a communication device. It was evident that she was contacting her folks, realizing Nida’s suspicion.

"Talk, or I'll cut you open before your accomplice arrives!" Nida threatened. After all, they were in Balamb Garden, and no intruders could easily escape from this flying unit.

The imposter had no intention of saying one word, knowing she had the upper hand information. After a few moments, the elevator bell rang. Nida quickly glanced at the figure entering the platform, ready to attack until he realized it was a familiar friendly presence.

"Too bad, my friend arrived before yours," Nida smiled, continuing to approach the imposter.

"I wouldn't be so sure," she smirked.

Before Nida could process her words, the figure cast magic on him from behind.

“I’m sorry… Xu is fine. You’ll see her soon. I promise.”

Nida passed out.

Balamb Garden Basem*nt.

"What's that gas?" Keannu asked, noticing a white fume emanating from the air vent.

Raddie instinctively glanced at the corner where he found the girls wearing triangular masks. One of them had disappeared, but the one who remained had put her mask on.

"sh*t!" he exclaimed, quickly deciding to run towards the masked girl, forcefully grabbing her mask, and putting it on his face.

The girl was shocked by his reaction and swiftly pulled out a dagger, ready to fight to retrieve the mask.

"Everyone, run upstairs! It's a trap!" yelled Raddie.

People were confused by Raddie's yell and hesitated, lingering around without showing any signs of running.

"What's going on, Raddie?" Keannu approached him, shocked by the girl wielding a dagger.

"Give it back!" the girl commanded.

Raddie dodged the girl's dagger by grabbing her hand and delivering a blow to her wrist, causing the dagger to drop to the floor. He pinned her down and interrogated her, demanding, "What's going on? What is this gas?"

The girl struggled for a moment, but Raddie felt her movements slow down until she eventually fell unconscious. He looked up and realized that his friends were also clutching their heads, dropping to the ground one by one.

"Keannu!" Raddie exclaimed, grabbing his friend and checking his vital signs. "Sleep?”

Just then Raddie hurt a familiar cracking sound.

"Take it easy, boy," another student with a mask on said, pointing his gun at Raddie's head.

Raddie raised his hands in the air and slowly turned around.

"Stop. If you move, your instructor won't be happy," he said.

“Acma? Where is she? What did you do to her?” Raddie asked.

"She's fine. Do her a favor and stay still, okay? Look, we won't harm anyone here."

Just as Raddie debated whether to attack the guy, something sharp and small pierced through his neck.

“There… prepared just for you, Raddie.”

And Raddie slowly went deep into a slumber.

Acma…

"You already have everyone under control, including all the members of Balamb Garden's committee?" a soldier in a red suit and helmet asked the two girls covered in black cloaks.

"They are all securely held in our mobile prison units. Our personnel are guarding the cells, and we have collected all their weapons in a separate room," one of the girls with red braids replied.

"Ha? We're done then?”

"Completely. I told you, it's been a piece of cake."

"Then why did you insist on bringing them along? It's such a nuisance to keep them confined," the soldier glanced at the large cages nearby, with pairs of eyes peering back at him.

“I still need them, just in case any Seeds manage to escape. You know better than anyone else that only a few Seeds can wipe out an entire army.”

The soldier's silhouette made it difficult to discern his emotions, but based on his multiple encounters with legendary Seeds, it was clear that he was more than concerned.

"They dislike crowded spaces,” the girl continued. “Let's have them in the 2F classroom. It's less stressful for them there.”

He remembered very well the room where Squall and his friends smashed his team one by one.

"Very well. Take them downstairs. It will be easier to dispatch them from the second floor."

The soldiers in the blue suit followed the order and began pushing the large boxes from the third floor toward the elevator.

"Can I see her now?”

"What for?”

The girl who asked bit her lips. "But you promised.”

"I said you can. I didn't say when.”

"And what's the problem with now? I've just completed the mission even before you arrived, haven't I? Just think about how that detail will be included in the report."

The red soldier locked eyes with the girl who kept her burgundy eyes wide open.

"Are you daring to threaten me?"

"You think? Can't you see that I have nothing to lose?" the girl stood her ground.

"Please," sensing the tension, the other girl, who had been quiet the whole time while carrying a large backpack, intervened. "I'll accompany her to ensure it's done quickly. Just a few minutes, we have plenty of time anyway."

The red soldier finally found an excuse to concede this negotiation and save his face.

"Fine. Five minutes, then back down here and proceed to the next step.”

The two girls then entered the mobile elevator that had been attached from the third floor to a newly installed chamber at the top of the Garden. Inside, a girl with long red hair sat in a wheelchair, looking surprised at the sight of her visitors. However, her visitors were startled to see that she was not alone but guarded by two blue soldiers.

After a few moments, the girl with red braids addressed the guards. "The Commander needs help moving the cages to the 2F classroom. You two can access the room by climbing down the balcony and entering through the windows."

"These are commands from the Commander?" One of the guards expressed skepticism.

"Tch. There are already two other guards down there. But go ahead, double-check with the Commander and waste a few more minutes. It's not my responsibility," the girl responded coldly. "Now do whatever you want to do. I'm talking to my sister." She then knelt down in front of the girl in the wheelchair.

"I'll watch her. Go!" the girl carrying the big bag instructed the guards, who reluctantly climbed down to the balcony. "Phew! Nice move, A... I'll get us prepared. You two catch up." She then stepped into a corner, allowing the twin sisters to face each other for the first time after years of separation.

“Elutia. Finally…”

“Acma… You’re here.” Elutia smiled.

“Of course, I’m here. I promised.” Acma squeezed her sister's cold hands for reassurance. Her gaze briefly shifted to Elutia’s legs, which had become mere bones due to muscle atrophy. "Let’s get you out of here first. Take off your clothes. Use this make-up powder to cover your bruises. Lina, are you ready?”

“Ready, Acma.” Lina replied.

“Wait… where’s Selphie?” Acma scanned the chamber, the mobile prison was wide open.

“She’s not here,” Elutia replied.

"Hyne, where else could they have hidden her? This isn't good." Acma's nerves heightened.I can't let anyone die.

“She might have escaped on her own. She’s a mighty Legendary SeeD.” Elutia suggested.

Right. She’s strong. G’s technology though… What am I thinking? Focus.

“Alright. Let’s go.” Acma gave in.

Xu slowly opened her eyes, but her vision remained blurry. The Blind spell had been cast on her, and she knew from experience that it would wear off in about ten minutes. Her hands and feet were tightly bound, and even when she tried to move her knees, she realized her assailants had done a fair job by tying them up as well.

Suddenly, she heard a squeaking sound as the box that held her captive was opened. A familiar voice, intentionally distorted to prevent recognition, spoke to her. "Balamb Garden is programmed to crash in fifteen minutes. In five minutes, you will be set free. Run, steer the garden back to its course."

They then closed the box and left.

Xu screamed internally, feeling helpless as she counted down the minutes, hoping she could make it to the third floor on time.

"Stop!" The Commander ordered the girls in black cloaks who had just returned from the top chamber.

The girls halted, their hearts pounding as they awaited his next move.

The Commander walked around, then suddenly delivered a hard kick to the girl with red braids, causing her to fall to the floor and scream in pain.

"What was that for? I still have more tasks to complete!" the girl barked.

The Commander glanced at her for a moment before waving his hand, signaling for them to leave.

The girl grimaced, limping alongside the other girl carrying the large bag as they hurried out of the room.

As the door slid shut behind them, they sprinted forward with Hyne’s speed.

“Acma… we’re free…” Lina murmured.

"We're almost there… so close... You two get to the aircraft as planned. T should be there by now. L, come back to 2F to back me up in ten minutes. We can do this!" Acma exclaimed.

Thank you, Z. This plan is perfect. I'll remember every turn today and tell you when you're back. I’ll make you proud,Acma thought, a smile forming on her face as she descended alone into the basem*nt.

Wednesday. G-day. Balamb Garden’s Basem*nt.

“Raddie, wake up!” Acma pinched Raddie to wake him up from the Sleep spell about to expire.

Raddie woke up and found Acma next to him in the mobile prison cell.

“Acma… Where were you? I didn’t see you in the basem*nt.”

“I was knocked down in the lab, and lured here.”

Raddie saw her backpack still under her clothes, they hadn’t taken it from her for some reason.

Acma glanced at her watch and then turned to Raddie with a sudden request.

"Raddie, I'm going to give you an order. No questions asked. It's urgent. Listen carefully because I won't repeat it. Ready?"

"Okay, I'm listening." Raddie was surprised, but receiving such sudden orders from higher-ranking SeeDs was not uncommon.

"I'm going to talk us out of this room. Inside this backpack, you will find enough junctions for everyone. Commander Squall's prison room is right next to us on the left. Rescue and junction him first, then proceed to the other rooms in this row. All the high-ranking SeeDs are kept there. Do not open the rooms in other rows until you break through the first wave of guards that will come when the alarm goes off. We need to keep the lower-ranking cadets safe. Free them once you've taken down the first wave of guards. Do you copy?" Acma laid out the plan.

“Ok, but where do you get the junctions?” Raddie was confused as Acma handed him her backpack. Old junctions? Raddie thought, looking inside the backpack.

"No questions asked, please. Here, take this Xiphos. It's not as good as your sword, but it should be enough to get through the first wave along with GFs and magic. All the weapons are located in a safe at the corner of this basem*nt. The code for it is MYSTIC - 697742. Once you're upstairs, dive straight in and attack the puppets again. They won't have their magic refilled this time. When one falls, retrieve their corpse immediately. If possible, try to keep them alive. Do you copy?" Acma continued.

Raddie felt confused but did his best to absorb Acma's plan.

"Wait... where will you be if you're not coming with me? How do we even get out of here?”

"You'll know the answers soon." Acma glanced at her watch again. "It's time. Good luck, Cadet Smailes!" She walked to the door and knocked on it three times.

The guard opened the door immediately, and Acma whispered something to him. Suddenly, she cast a Sleep spell on him and moved him behind the door, then started to undress him.

"Are you impersonating the enemy?" Raddie asked.

"Now it's your turn. Get Commander Leonhart! We have to part ways now." Acma put on the guard's uniform and signaled for him to execute the plan.

Raddie nodded, still having more questions than answers, but he knew it was crucial to follow orders and not waste any precious moments in a critical situation like this.

As he reached Squall's room, he was faced with a passcode that he didn't have. He turned around and saw Acma, dressed as an enemy, typing something on a control panel.

ZIP! ZIP! ZIP!

All the doors in the row turned green. Acma nodded at Raddie, signaling him to proceed to Squall's room.

"Commander Leonhart!" Raddie entered and saw Squall looking perplexed at his presence.

"Raddie, what's going on?”

"There's no time to explain!" Or rather, Raddie couldn't make sense of the situation yet. "Here's your junction, and I have all of our junctions.”

The experienced commander nodded and took action, saving questions for later. As Raddie and Squall left the room, they saw Acma giving Raddie a thumbs up and smashing the alert button before running away.

"What the..." Raddie was more confused.

"Raddie, give me your sword, I'll hold off the guards. Go help others." Squall gave the order.

“Roger.”

Raddie had more questions than answers, but followed his commander’s lead. A surge of pride filled him as he fought alongside Squall who had saved his life more than once during the previous garden attack. Back then, he was just a vulnerable boy, but today he stood at the forefront with the legend commander. He couldn’t imagine a better way to start his first day as a SeeD.

Balamb Garden. 1F.

“Acma!”

“Lina! Is everything going according to plan?”

"Um… sort of. They're all in the second-floor classroom. E and T will be here soon,” Lina reported.

"Great! Let’s take care of the puppets. Hop on. Back me up."

Acma commanded Lina to attach to her using Zyma's gear, positioning themselves back-to-back.

“Arghhh…” Acma winced in pain.

"I'm sorry. Are you okay?" Lina asked, noticing that the harness was tightened around Acma's torso as she snapped her back into the harnessing device.

"I'm okay... just a little scratch," Acma brushed it off, though internally, she cursed Zyma who had injured her right before G-day. "What a dumbass," she swore silently.I need to keep going.

Acma aimed the Zyclaw, as Zyma called it, towards the aisle on the second floor and pulled them both up.

At least you gave me nice gear, Z. Faster than an elevator.

Acma switched her HP junction to Full-life, maximizing her maximum HP to 9999.

"Drain my HP," she instructed Lina, and they both ran towards the classroom.

They faced a couple of confused guards who weren’t sure how to react to the alarm sound triggered from the basem*nt. The basem*nt guard didn’t reply to their calling.

“Basem*nt, quick! The prisoners just broke out!” Acma shouted.

900/9999. Aczyma, show me what you can do.

“Enough. Unlock the door in 10.” Acma said, closing her eyes and connecting with Zyma's GF in her consciousness. The dark GF’s horns emerged.

“Now!”

The classroom door swung open.

Aczyma appeared, scrowling. “WHO DISTURBED MY MASTER SHALL FACE HELL’S JUDGMENT.”

Acma was amazed by Aczyma's appearance—the white-haired creature with a tall, broad figure. His tanned dark skin revealed a noticeable dent on his stomach, and his long, curvy horns added a masculine touch. His muscles were bulky yet agile. Aczyma dashed towards the magic puppets with lightning speed, knocking them down before summoning an area flare magic that brought each of them to 1 HP.

Amazing. Thanks, Z.

“Stay within this room if you don’t want your heads popped, we’ll get you all from the window in a few minutes,” Acma warned the disabled puppets scattered on the floor, then both of them stepped in the classroom and lock the door.

"Almost there. I can’t wait get out of here!” Acma said to Lina.

“Me too. Our new life,” Lina nodded.

Chapter 28: Reunion

Chapter Text

9 months later. An underground city near Flowers City.

"Do you need anything else, E?" Acma asked, leaning in the doorway of Elutia's room.

"No, I'm cozy here. Thank you, A. I'll bug you more tomorrow," Elutia replied, a warm smile on her face.

"You're not bugging me, E. Timeth is working on a new prototype for your bio-mechanic legs. You'll be up and running in no time!" Acma said, her voice filled with hope.

"I can't wait to try them out," Elutia expressed, her excitement evident.

Acma left Elutia's room and took a leisurely walk around their new settlement. It had been nine months since they had escaped from Galbadia's control at Balamb Garden. Initially, the new settlement had been chaotic, with people adjusting to life outside the cruel research facilities. Resources were scarce, and conflicts and violence had been inevitable. Acma was not the strongest, but she was the one to liberate them, so she took advantage of her leadership position in influencing them. The time spent with Trepie#23 and listening to her wisdom on people management and operation tasks was the precious soura that helped Acma the most during this time.

Thankfully, after a few months, the new settlers all realized the preciousness of their freedom and decided to work together, and Aema was happy to step down from her leadership position to focus more on fixing Elutia's legs with Timeth.. Gradually, they built a harmonious community, and there were even a few couples expecting the next generation of life.

Acma couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy as she thought about her own love story with Zyma back at Balamb Garden. She wondered which mission he was currently on and whether he had fully recovered from the deep wounds inflicted by his Shurikens.

Continuing her walk, she made sure everyone was safe and secure in their rooms before returning to her own. Her room was filled with books, treasures she had acquired through secret trades with nearby tribes. Traders had been perplexed by her interest in books, considering them heavy and low in value. But to Acma, books, especially those about magic history, were sources of wonder. They provided a welcome distraction from the thoughts of what might have happened to her other friends outside of her underground settlement, allowing her mind to wander into realms of magic and possibility. The only thing she couldn't find though trades was the most recent advanced research from Esthar and any ins research institution. She knew that her research on bio -mechanics cell back at Balamb was already a decade old. Not hair/access to the most advanced research meant she wouldn't be able to help Elutia walk in any time soon.

A knock on the door, disturbing Acma’s reading.

"Who's there?" she asked, feeling a sense of unease as she normally did not have many visitors.

There was no reply.

She looked through the peephole and, seeing no one in the hallway, opened the door cautiously. As she stepped forward, her foot hit something on the ground.

This box…

Something about it felt familiar.

Muffins?

Suddenly, someone seizing her wrist from behind and applying a twist. Acma instinctively dropped to a seated position.

"You remember," a voice said. "Still sloppy though.”

Acma's heart dropped at the sight of her assailant.

“Rough day? Hyne, look at you. What's with the long, curly hair, babe? I need more time to get used to your new image," the person taunted.

Acma could think of many retorts. I guess I’m no longer 12.

But she didn't want to wait. I love you.

She jumped into the arms of the tall figure with dark hair, unleashing her love with a passionate kiss.

"Um... It always feels strange when we see each other again after a while. Your kiss feels different, like I'm kissing someone completely different. Do you feel the same way?" she asked, Zyma.

"Yes, that's why we need to warm up," he chuckled, kissing her playfully.

"How do I know if it's really you?"

"Hey, you're the one with a twin here," he laughed. "But you still have that lavender scent, so I know it's you."

"How do I test you, then?" she pressed further.

"Glad you asked..." He took off his shirt, pressing his bare chest against her, causing her to blush and feign a frown.

"Pervert!" she exclaimed, her cheeks turning pink.

"A, wanting to have fun with my long-distance girlfriend is not the definition of 'pervert.' But not wanting it is the definition of a fool," he replied, his voice filled with desire as he kissed her again.

"Girlfriend? Bold of you to say," she teased.

"You're a girl, and a friend, a very bad one with a lasso," he joked. “Girlfriend!”

"Do you... have 'fun' with anyone else since last time we met?" she asked, her tone slightly jealous.

"A, the only woman I lay hands on since I met you was my mom," he reassured her.

"How could you bring up your mom like that?" she frowned, a mix of disgust and amusem*nt in her expression.

"She'd love to see you again," he replied, the love for his mother evident in his voice.

"I'd love to see her too. But can we stop talking about your mom tonight? It sounds so weird now," she chuckled.

"Roger. What about you? Have you had any fun since you were with me?" he inquired, although he already had high hope that this nerdy girl would wait for him.

She shook her head, blushing, and buried her head in his chest.

"Good. Want to try my cherry cigarettes?" he offered, his whisper filled with a hint of seduction.

"Aw, do you have enough for both of us?"

"Two packs," he chuckled.

"That's a lot!" she rolled her eyes playfully. "Does lung cancer ring a bell?"

"Buy one, get one free, A. It'll last us a while," he replied, both of them laughing.

"At this rate, these packs will last until we're 40," she joked.

"But I don't plan on doing it once this time," he whispered, biting her earlobe gently, hands lifting up her dress. "Let's get you 'high' first, and then we'll have a serious talk to adjust how often we meet."

"Um, you sexy businessman," she responded before falling mindlessly into his embrace.

Zyma wrapped the blanket around their bodies, his fingers gently caressing Acma's damp, sweat-soaked red hair.

"You've changed every time we meet," he remarked.

"Because of the hair? I can cut it short? I like it short, I just haven't found the tune to cut it," Acma suggested.

"Not just physically. I suppose we're both growing older. That's why."

Acma couldn't help but notice he had acquired new scars on his chest.

"I've been thinking... Do you want to move to FH with me?"

"Are you living there now? With Sean and Tatulia?"

"There are many ex-Gardeners there."

Acma's expression turned conflicted as she looked away. "I'm not sure if I would be welcome there if that's the case."

"In FH, nobody cares who you are," Zyma reassured her. "Besides, no one died in the last Garden attack. It was politically messy, but Galbadia's hostility extends to all institutions, not just Balamb."

Acma's concerns lingered as she voiced another worry. "But what if they trace this place through me?"

"Galbadia publicly committed to shutting down these research facilities. It wouldn't be in their best interest to come after you," Zyma explained, trying to alleviate her fears.

Still uncertain, Acma hesitated. "But what would I do in FH?"

"There are plenty of possibilities. It’s funny because when we visited Sean and Tatulia in FH for the first time, I already envisioned building a lab for you there. We could invite your S20 friends over. I'll focus on my trades and retire from being a mercenary. I've saved up enough money, so you won't have to work unless you want to. You can read your books and maybe even start writing a few," Zyma proposed, his hand stroking her hair.

"But I need to ensure this settlement is functioning. People are still adjusting to modern life here. And Elutia... I need a lab for her. I just managed to build a simple one here." Acma's voice trailed off, her concerns for their current settlement weighing on her mind.

Zyma let out a sigh of frustration. "Okay," he said, releasing his grip on Acma's shoulder. He reached for his hoodie and put it on.

"Z... we're still talking," Acma pleaded, sitting up.

"We're done talking. Thanks for your 'buts'," he replied curtly, his frustration evident.

"I just want you to know that I have things to take care of.”

"And you think I don't?”

"That's not what I...”

"I guess I have always been the one who push us forward,” he interjected. "'Cause I was thinking, she had so many responsibilities and potentials. I'm the grownup, so I’ll help her. But now? Your mission is complete, you're building a freaking city with people making babies here. When will you think of us? Until you build a hospital? And then a military school?”

"Z... please, come back here..." Acma reached out and held his hand. "Want to light up a cigarette? We'll talk it through and come up with a plan, just like we always have."

Her offer stopped him in his tracks. He turned back to face her, seeing the genuine remorse in her eyes.

"I'm sorry. I was just pointing out some concerns."

"I'm trying to give you options, and you shot them down one by one," Zyma accused, his frustration still lingering.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. But I swear, all I want is to share cigarettes with you for the rest of my life. Please don't leave. We'll work it out together," Acma pleaded.

Zyma stood there, contemplating his next move.

"How about we go to FH this weekend? Or maybe the next? I lose track of dates and time here," Acma suggested, grabbing a piece of paper and a pen from her drawer. "We'll go on a real date. Can you think of any time we've met where you didn't twist my wrist? I can't..."

"A date?" Zyma was surprised by the idea.

"Yes, like what couples usually do," Acma frowned at Zyma's unexpected question. "You wouldn't move in with someone before getting to know them properly, right?"

"We've known each other for a long time. And considering we already have our 'cigarettes' together... Exclusively for years… I don't know, going on a date seems like a lot of work and kind of backwards," Zyma admitted.

"A lot of work?" Acma narrowed her eyes.

Zyma hadn't realized how his words might sound. "Yes... Did it sound wrong to you?"

"You're implying I'm a lot of work to you. But that's fine, no date then," she replied, crossing out the line on her sheet with disappointment in her voice.

"No, leave it there,'’ he quickly responded. '’If it's important to you, we can do it."

"What could possibly be bad about a date that you can't even take me?" Acma frowned.

"I'll take you out. Just... not a big deal, but I can't eat normal food. You don't forget that, right?" Zyma frowned in return.

"Of course. But a date doesn't have to be in a restaurant. Back in Gardens, students would go to Trabia or Balamb town for a date, just for ice cream or coffee. You like egg coffee," she explained. "Wait a second, I thought you should have known all of this… dating procedure."

He shrugged and shook his head lightly.

"Seriously, what kind of women have you gone out with?" Acma asked, frustration and suspicion evident in her voice.

"Drop it, babe," Zyma grinned, sitting down and squeezing her shoulders to release her frustration. "A date it is. I'll think of something special in FH."

“Why do I have a feeling that I’m being tricked?” Acma sighed.

“Leave it to me. I’ll try my best, babe,” Zyma massaged her shoulders.

"Actually, I'm thinking, since you're the GF expert," Acma turned to him with a mischievous smile. "Will you be able to find a Dark GF nearby? We can harvest it and move it here to this settlement. I want to make sure my friends have extra protection before I move to FH."

"Are we still talking about a date?'’ His eyes lit up. '’Because that sounds like the most interesting one on earth!"

"Killing two birds with one stone," Acma nodded and jotted down the idea.

"Hyne! I love you, babe," Zyma whispered, biting her earlobe, but she pushed him away.

"Focus!"

They continued adding more items to the list, and it quickly filled up with plans for the final move-in date.

"When do you think we can start executing this plan?" Acma asked.

"Tomorrow. We'll scout for a Dark GF nest and prepare a GF cavern. Let's aim to grow three in-house by the end of the six-month period," Zyma suggested.

"Tomorrow?"

"You're not busy, right?"

"The thing is, I have a serious trust issue here," Acma explained. "The first time we made out, you left the next morning and went radio silent for a whole year. The second time, you tried to kill me the next day. If you dare to pull any stunt like that tomorrow, I swear I'll make sure you can't have cigarettes with anyone for the rest of your short, sad life," Acma warned, pinching his cheeks playfully.

Her words triggered an amused scoff from Zyma. "Really? A threat to Sensei from a sloppy student?" he smirked, reaching over to remove the blanket wrapped around her chest. "Although I have to admit, I've missed your lasso very, very much."

Acma smiled and accepted his request. "Sit back and relax, Sensei," she said, lifting up his hoodie and pushing him back onto the bed, causing a groan to escape his lips. "I'll make you regret not visiting me sooner."

6 months later.

"This is it?" Acma exclaimed with excitement, taking in the sight before her.

"That's it. It'll look even better once we unbox everything. You have your bookshelf, and the lab bench made of granite. I had Sean apply a fire-resistant coating on top," Zyma explained, a proud smile on his face.

Acma smiled contentedly at Zyma's thoughtful preparations for her arrival at Fisherman's Horizon. He bought this house which was closed to many of ex-Gardeners who they had hang out for the past months.

"Do you want to visit my mom this weekend?" he asked as he moved boxes to their designated rooms.

"Sure. Would she be upset that I haven't visited her often?"

"Nah, she sleeps most of the time. It's like a blink to her."

"Does she still like rabbits?"

"Yeah, the younger and cuter ones, the better," Zyma replied with a chuckle.

"What kind of family am I marrying into…" she blurted out, and suddenly frightened that she was ahead of herself in the mention of marriage.

She expected him to tease her immediately on being bold, but instead, he let out a sigh.

"Ah, the downside of having a smart girlfriend. Nothing can surprise you, isn’t it? I've been preparing for months," Zyma admitted.

"Preparing for what?" Acma asked, although she already had a pretty good idea.

"I invited Sean and Tatulia to the GF Cavern this weekend," Zyma revealed further.

"Sounds like fun! Your mom will be delighted to have so many visitors," Acma responded, trying to maintain an air of nonchalance as she turned her attention to the box and attempted to open it.

Zyma wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, "Will you say yes?" He then cupped her cheeks in his hands, turning her face to meet his, their noses touching lightly. "I'm sorry the ring isn't here yet, but... Acma Mirin… Or Alma, whatever your real name is… Will you marry me?"

Acma couldn't help but grin in happiness and mischief. "I kind of have to," she replied playfully.

Zyma frowned and smiled simultaneously. "What do you mean? I don't want it to feel forced."

"Well," she bit her lip, her eyes sparkling, "you know I stopped getting contraceptive shots after leaving Garden. I guess we won't be having cigarettes in this house."

"Good Hyne!" Zyma lifted her up in the air and twirled her around. "I love you, A.”

Their eyes met, filled with love and gratitude for having found each other and the wonderful life that awaited them.

"I love you, Z.”

THE END.

samaqi: And that’s Acma and Zyma’s ending in a different universe from “Succession of Witches”. I initially didn’t have Zyma character in “Succession of Witches”, but I found it really hard to pair Raddie and Acma and decided to leave them as good comrades throughout the story, which means I need to add a love interest for our main character. Then I added Chapter 9 - From Z to A to “Succession of Witches”, treating it as a side-quest story. However, I felt in love with their chemistry myself (weird! I wrote them!) and decided to add more back stories and make it the whole spin-off “From Z to A - A Balamb Garden’s Love Story”. Hope you all enjoy both fictions!

Chapter 29: Epilogue - Elutia

Chapter Text

Munch... Munch... Munch...

"Do you like spaghetti?" Acma asked her sister.

"This is gold, A," Elutia managed to reply between bites.

"Eat slowly. I have plenty," Acma smiled, glancing at Elutia's hearty appetite while working on her laptop.

"I'm glad he's away so you don't have to cook two meals for us. Who on earth eats raw meat and veggies?"

"It's not a lot of work,” Acma smiled while typing relentlessly. “Please come over anytime, not just when he's away, or he'll start thinking you don't like him."

Elutia hesitated, holding back her words, not wanting to burden Acma with her thoughts. It wasn't that Elutia disliked Zyma, but something about his appearance bothered her. When they first met, his hair was black, but as he transitioned away from his previous line of work, he let his natural light gray hair color show, resembling that of the puppets she had controlled during her captive past. Elutia felt a twinge of annoyance with his presence, but she found it unjustifiably impolite to ask her brother-in-law to change his hairstyle, so she swallowed her feelings and tried her best to avoid him at all cost.

Elutia decided to change the topic.

"Do you have a name in mind for my niece?"

"Not yet. I think about it every now and then. Zyma wants something that combines our names and has a touch of Guardian Force flavor."

"What's his last name?" Elutia asked.

"What?"

"You know, so we can avoid having a weird combination of first and last name. Remember Uhrik? He almost named himself Uhrik Rotch," Elutia chuckled.

"Right... How did I never think of that?"

"Babe, I want to ask you something. But please, you have to promise not to get mad," Acma pleaded, wrapping her arms around Zyma's neck.

"Are you buying something expensive for your lab?" he suspected.

"No! I only do expensive stuff in Quistis's lab. I swear."

"Okay, so what is it?"

"And before I say it, I want to apologize. I mean, I could ask Sean, but it would feel weird if I don't ask you directly."

"Yeah... Just tell me already. You're making it really weird."

"Um... sit down..."

Zyma felt perplexed but followed her instruction anyway. His confusion deepened as she locked the door and placed a chair to block it.

"What kind of shady stuff are you doing?"

"That's to make sure you stay," she said, winking mischievously, and proceeded to lock the window.

"That's an oddly familiar procedure whenever I interrogate someone. You're not planning to torture your husband, are you?"

"Aw... Don't you usually enjoy my 'torture'?" she playfully teased. "But seriously, I have a quick question for you."

"Which is?" he asked, his voice filled with confusion and suspicion.

"Hee hee...," she smiled innocently, preparing for the important question. "What is your last name?"

Zyma's jaw dropped in surprise. Initially, he thought she was joking, but her awkward smile conveyed that she was genuinely seeking an answer.

He covered his face with both hands, gasping, and then ran his hands through his hair, removing his bandana in the process.

"Knowing so little about your husband, huh?"

"I'm so sorry," she said, still wearing an awkward smile. "I was thinking about our daughter's name and suddenly realized..."

Zyma sighed. "You owe me big time. Your lasso collection, please."

"Yes, babe. Coming right back!" Acma replied, eager to make things right.

"Odine?" Elutia asked, seeking confirmation and unable to hide her surprise.

"Yes, Odine," Acma nodded.

"So his mom is a female soldier from Selkie, notorious for their cold-bloodedness and imposing physique. And his dad is from the scientifically advanced dwarf clan?"

"He didn't describe his parents exactly like that, but it seems to be the case. It does sound strange, doesn't it?"

"Seriously, what do you guys usually talk about?" Elutia squinted her eyes. "Aren't husbands and wives supposed to know each other's families well before marriage?"

"Oh, Elutia. Every couple is different. We're happy together. I can assure you of that..."

"And he's not upset that you don't know his last name?"

"He's a little mad, but I always find a way to make him happy again. Plus, he also admitted that there’s no way for me to know, as he never left traces behind even at Garden."

"Okay... And have you told him about your application to Esthar's PhD program?"

"No... I mean, it's not like I'll be accepted into the program right away. Despite Miss Trepe's recommendation, it's a highly competitive program, especially considering my time away from research. I'll tell him when I have something concrete."

"And your daughter will be born around the time you'll be starting your studies too. I’m happy to help, but make sure you prepare for my stay in Esthar if that’s the case."

"Right... We'll figure it out, like we always have... All for her," Acma caressed her belly lovingly.

"She'll be proud of you. To the future Dr. Odine!" Elutia raised her water glass.

"Don't jinx it!" Acma laughed but joined her sister in a toast.

As their glasses made contact, a dreadful sound filled the air, and suddenly the glasses shattered.

"Oops... I'll get a towel. Don't move, sharp glass pieces..." Acma hastily cleaned the mess.

Elutia heard some noise in the kitchen and decided to go downstairs.

"I'm almost done, babe. Go back to bed," Zyma said.

"It's Elutia. What are you doing?" Elutia asked, surprised as she had never seen Zyma cook before.

"Oh... You smell just like her. I'm making some supper. She's been into sour seaweed lately. Can you help me taste it?" Zyma requested.

Elutia went over to his side and tasted the food.

"It's too sour. A little more sugar would be great," she suggested, helping him with the seasoning. Then she noticed him gazing at her intently. "What?"

"Besides you and your sister, do they have anyone else with burgundy eyes?" Zyma inquired.

"Burgundy?"

"Your eye color," he clarified.

"It's red."

"Whatever. Anyone else with red eyes? I don't recall anyone in the settlement I’ve met having red eyes," Zyma pressed.

"No, most of them have light-colored hair and black eyes. Red is a color that catches attention. It's intentional that my lineage was used to create mind control subjects like puppet masters, sorceresses, or necromancers. The red color, both in daylight and in the dark, helps draw the attention of followers, be they humans, monsters, or GFs," Elutia explained.

"Ha..."

"Did he say anything before he left?" Elutia asked Anna. She had come to her sister's house immediately after receiving her letter.

"No, he just said he was going on a long trade. But I started worrying when I found these envelopes hidden in a drawer in his shop," Acma replied, pointing at the envelopes on the kitchen table.

Elutia looked at one of the envelopes. Inside, there was a cryptic note with just two letters: Z and A.

"What does it mean?"

"Timeth and I used to receive these exact envelopes as reminders of our duty to Galbadia. For me, it was written A and E, for my name and yours," Acma explained.

"Does that mean Zyma...?"

"I don't know... I know so little about him," Acma admitted, her worry evident.

Elutia agreed, but she didn't want to further upset her sister.

Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door.

Could be Zyma…

Elutia instinctively moved to answer it, but Acma grabbed her hand, stopping her.

"It's not him. Let me check," Acma whispered urgently.

Acma peeked through the peephole, then hurriedly ran back to Elutia, asking her to hide on the second floor.

"Who is it?" Elutia asked quietly.

"I don't know. They don't look friendly. Hide there, and don't move," Acma instructed. She then went downstairs and opened the door after the unfriendly visitors knocked forcefully again.

"Your husband went on a mission and never came back. If you want to save him, lose your child. The more you wait, the less chance he's alive. Location in the envelope," Elutia overheard the threatening voices.

As quickly as they had come, they left.

"What's going on?" Elutia asked her sister who was trembling in fear.

"I don't know, but Zyma is in danger. And they want me to..." Acma's hands instinctively covered her pregnant belly.

"Take a deep breath and calm down. You can’t think of anything in this state. I’ll make you some tea," Elutia went in the kitchen and came back with a cup of tea.

"I can't do this... What should I do?" Acma began to panic, tears streaming down her face.

"Drink it. We'll figure it out," Elutia reassured her, trying to provide comfort in the midst of the chaos.

Acma nodded and took a few sips of the tea, gradually calming down.

"I knew something was on his mind. He kept asking me about the Galbadia research camp. He took me to a doctor, claiming it was for a check-up on our child. But the clinic didn't seem like a reputable one. I didn't think much of it because he said the child was fine. Do you think something about us that made him leave on a dangerous mission? His clients request my presence, but given my state... I can barely walk… What should I do? Elutia... you..."

Acma's words trailed off as the sleep potion took over.

Elutia picked up the envelope that the strangers left behind and gently stroked her sister's hair and whispered softly, "You’ve done a lot, A. Let me take care of him."

Balamb Garden. Xu's office.

"Acma? Timeth?" Xu was surprised to see her former students in a new client meeting.

"I'm Elutia. Acma’s twin," Elutia introduced herself.

"Oh... Have a seat," Xu gestured.

"We'll be quick. We need your best SeeD for a long-term mission," Elutia stated.

"Do you have anyone in mind? All of ours are qualified," Xu inquired.

"We need a skilled fighter. I'll cover the magic part,” Elutia explained.

“Is Raddie available?" Timeth asked.

"He's currently on a mission. But speaking of your friends, I have a perfect candidate," Xu informed them.

"Great. And I also need an aircraft, something capable of flying into space. Please accept our half payment," Elutia requested.

Elutia and Timeth stood atop Balamb's hill, their gazes fixed on the horizon, awaiting the arrival of the hired SeeD. The air crackled with anticipation as the sound of engines grew louder, signaling the approach of the Ragnarok. The sleek aircraft descended gracefully, its landing gear touching the ground with a gentle thud.

"Long time no see, Timeth," Shrewdya greeted, her voice carrying a hint of familiarity, as she stepped out of the aircraft. Her confident stride and piercing gaze spoke of her seasoned experience.

"It’s been a while. How have you been?" Timeth responded, his eyes brightening with recognition.

"Can't complain," Shrewdya replied nonchalantly, a slight smirk playing on her lips. Timeth's gaze drifted to her left arm which was cut off by X-97 during her first SeeD exam.

"Bio-mechanic," she explained, her voice tinged with pride. "It allows me to wield stronger magic. That's why I come at a higher price."

Shrewdya then addressed Elutia.

"You must be Elutia. I'm Shrewdya. I used to be your sister's student. She was so kind to give me a dark GF,” she said, her voice carrying a warmth that belied her tough exterior. Thanks for choosing me for this mission."

"I've heard a lot about you from Acma," Elutia remarked, a sense of gratitude palpable in her voice. "You saved her life, and ours."

"No need to mention it," Shrewdya replied modestly. Concern flickered in her eyes as she inquired, "How is she doing?"

Elutia offered reassurance, her voice filled with gratitude. "She's safe in our settlement. She’s pregnant, that’s why she can’t be here."

"Makes sense. Where are we heading to?" Shrewdya asked.

"Testa," Elutia replied, her voice steady. "In space."

A spark of excitement ignited in Shrewdya's eyes, and a smile graced her lips. "Lead the way. I'll drive. Let's find Zyma the Great."