Location: Accordum Academy Dorm
Date: 785th year, 8th month, 23rd day
Weather: Light clouds, soft breeze. The kind of weather that feels like forgiveness.
---
Morning
The scent of soup hit first — rich, clean, comforting.
Riya was in the kitchen humming again, sleeves rolled up, hair tied back.
Every now and then she glanced toward the hallway like she expected someone. Then glanced away like she hadn't.
Her soup? Perfection.
Elric said it tasted like a "rest day for the soul."
Then he handed everyone tea — his blend of the day. He said it was calming.
It was. It always is. His tea is more effective than half the priesthood.
> "Drink up," he said. "If it doesn't calm you, I'll add more sarcasm next time."
... We believed him.
---
Leander and Gideon were already sparring outside.
Sunlight caught on Gideon's shield as he stood there like a fortress.
Leander danced around him, blade swinging, voice louder than his footwork.
> "Come on, big guy! Smile once! Just one little grin— OW!"
Anna sat nearby, sipping tea, yelling instructions no one asked for.
> "Feint left, you idiot—no, your other left!"
She laughed when Leander tripped — then helped him up before anyone else could.
She's steadier now. Her smile isn't brittle anymore.
Not quite shining, but definitely real.
---
Lily passed by on her way to the library.
She carried three books, wore a smile too wide for the quiet morning, and didn't even look like she was faking it.
> "Back before noon," she said.
We all knew she wouldn't be.
She never is.
She always returns with ink on her fingers and a glow in her eyes. The kind only books give her.
---
Alice trailed me all morning recently.
Not a word wasted. Not a step off rhythm.
She answered questions before I could. Turned away interruptions with a glance.
Some first-years stopped to ask me about battle tactics — she stepped between us like a velvet wall and said:
> "The Commander's schedule doesn't include babysitting."
I didn't argue.
She enjoys the role.
I don't mind.
It's… efficient.
---
Afternoon
By lunch, the whole squad was back in the dorm.
The soup was hot. The laughter was hotter.
Anna roasted Leander for calling a training dummy "sir."
Gideon said nothing, but placed the dummy outside just so Leander had to look at it while he ate.
Lily read her book at the table, silently turning pages and hiding her smile behind the spine. Feels like she smile lot recently.
Riya passed me a second bowl of soup, almost dropped it, caught it — and flushed scarlet.
Leander leaned over and whispered:
> "Ten silver jin says she's going to 'accidentally' cook your favorite dish next."
Anna:
> "Bet's off — he won't notice either way. Emotionally invincible, that one."
I heard them.
I didn't comment.
---
Evelyn sat near the window with her journal open.
She wasn't writing. Just… watching.
Smiling. Small. Genuine.
Even she looked like she belonged, for once.
---
Evening — Chess Night
David sent us a chess set today. Said it would "stimulate strategic bonding."
Mostly it just broke friendships.
Leander lost in five moves.
Anna flipped her bishop and declared the game rigged.
Riya played with so much hope… and still got checkmated before she realized the board had changed.
Alice lasted the longest.
But she lost with a click of my knight and a sharp:
> "Checkmate."
She stared at the board like she was reading betrayal in Latin.
Didn't speak for a full minute.
> "...You're lucky I like you," she muttered. Then got up and walked off like her honor hadn't just cracked.
Elric didn't play.
He just sat behind me, sipping his tea, and said:
> "It's not fair. His brain came out of the box already set to 'war god.'"
Lily?
She just watched.
Closed her book.
Leaned close.
> "Still undefeated."
> "Still bored," I said.
She smiled too wide again.
I didn't understand it.
---
That night?
No missions.
No screams.
No fading pulses.
Just soup. Books. Mockery.
Friends.
And me…
Sitting in the middle of it
Still hoping rest of days could continue like this.