The Ascension Day had finally arrived—the critical milestone separating their graduation from Olympus Junior Academy and their pursuit of knighthood. You'd think anticipation like that would keep a young man wide-eyed all night. Ironically, it was quite the opposite.
"I OVERSLEPT!" he screamed, leaping out of bed. "Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! Why today, of all days?!"
Half-tripping into his boots, he frenzied down the staircase, snatched a slice of bread mid-sprint, and bolted for the door—"ARRRGH!"—only to realize he was still in his nightwear.
Back up again.
Now fully dressed and moving at maximum speed, he caught a glimpse of the calendar on the wall as he dashed past. There was a red circle drawn neatly around today's date. No time to wonder why. He burst out the front door and sprinted towards the Academy with adrenaline in his veins and toast between his teeth.
Moments later—
"Ha! The Capital Square!" he puffed, "At this rate, I'll—!"
Torma slammed to a halt. Something in a nearby shop window had caught his eye. His eyes locked onto the window like it had whispered something only he could hear.
"I almost forgot."
Without hesitation, he veered off into the shop. A detour he could not ignore.
Meanwhile, outside the Academy, every candidate had assembled before the front gates, preparing to board the carriages to their first destination: the church. First stop for every would-be crusader undergoing the Spirit Bondage Ritual. Customary for all who walk that path.
"Damnit! Where is he?" Lee barked, eyes darting through the crowd.
"Calm down, Lee," Anos said coolly, arms crossed. "He's probably just running late. Don't get so worked up."
"Yeah, he's right," Aiz chimed in. "Torma will show up. He has to." Her tone dipped into uncertainty near the end.
"Why aren't you all in the carriage?" Arian's voice cut in as she approached the group, curious about their delay. Lee immediately forgot the issue and spun towards her like he was cast to play Romeo:
"Well good morrow, my fair—"
"Quiet!" Anos snapped, slapping a hand over Lee's mouth before he could embarrass the entire group. "We're waiting for Torma."
"Yeah," Aiz nodded. "We can't leave without him."
"I can't believe he's still not here yet," Arian muttered, glancing toward the horizon. What's taking him so long…?
"Well, regardless," she said more firmly, "the least you can do is get in the carriage and save him a seat. It wouldn't make sense for all of you to end up standing the whole way."
Her point landed. Most of the other carriages had already departed. The group agreed and climbed aboard.
"Look! There he is!" Aiz suddenly shouted, pointing to the street.
Torma bolted toward them like a missile. A blur of motion and energy.
Arian blinked. Finally…
The boy skidded to a stop right in front of her, panting.
"Torma, what took you so—"
"Happy birthday, Miss Arian!" Torma declared, head bowed, presenting a rectangular gift box and a bouquet of roses.
Silence.
The sudden gesture left everyone stunned.
"Oh right—Happy birthday, Miss Arian!" the girls squealed in chorus, swarming her with sudden celebration.
Except for Lee.
His eyes widened.
His jaw dropped.
His heart forgot how to operate.
And He could see the angels call. To put it simply: he passed out.
"LEE!" Aiz shrieked, dragging the lovesick fool back into the carriage.
Arian accepted the box, her gaze locked on it as joy crept across her face, uninvited but unstoppable. "How did you—?"
"HAHAHA!" Anos burst into laughter as he approached, throwing an arm around Torma. "I should've known! Knew you wouldn't bail." "But regardless, we'd best get going now," "We're kinda already late."
"Yeah, he's right," Arian added, turning toward her carriage. "It's gotten really late—we best avoid anymore delays. Everyone back inside!"
Groans of disappointment echoed, but the group climbed aboard again.
Just before stepping into her own carriage, Arian paused, turned slightly over her shoulder.
"Oh, and…" she said softly, her cheeks turning pink, "Thanks, Torma." Her blush was subtle, but her smile wasn't. Without another word, she turned and stepped inside.
"You little devil, you," Anos grinned, nudging Torma with a proud smirk and an arm over his shoulder.
"Come on, Anos, what's the big deal?" Torma replied, half-laughing.
"You know what it is," Anos said, raising a brow. "At this point, you're either a clueless romantic or a stalking lover boy."
"I still ain't following."
"Yeah… definitely clueless," Anos sighed and shook his head, gave an outlandish chuckle then added,
"Nevertheless, let's get going," The two stepped into the carriage…
…only to find Aiz pounding Lee's chest like a war drum.
"What?! I've been trying to wake him up!" she shouted defensively, eyes wide with frustration.
"Okay…" the two boys replied in tense unison, watching as she continued hitting the nut job into the floor.
"Why won't he wake up?!"
With one dramatic gasp, Lee shot upright—rising like the undead.
"YOU!!!" he screamed, pointing directly at Torma.
"Me?"
"How could you do that?!" Lee bellowed, lunging—until a firm hand stopped him cold, Anos.
"Quit the melodrama," he barked. "We're already so late. Just sit down and cry about it later!"
"Yes sir…" both boys mumbled as they took their seats.
The momentary silence didn't last. Aiz, still pouting, turned away from Torma. "But… how did you even know it was her birthday?"
"Oh, that?" Torma replied, scratching the back of his head. "Might just be me, but if you remember—when Miss Arian first enrolled as our class teacher, she mentioned it during biography studies. So I just marked it on my calendar."
"Same as I did for all you guys."
"Awwww…" the group let out collectively, followed by warm laughter.
"But even so, Torma," Lee chimed in, fingers laced like a scheming villain, "this little 'gesture' of yours has cost me dearly. My wedding with Miss Arian has now been pushed back by thirteen years."
"…What?" the others said in collective confusion.
Then that familiar smirk grew across Lee's face.
"Anyway—it's fine. It just means I gotta switch to Plan B of my operation."
"I believe I said no melodrama," Anos whispered coldly.
"But still, Torma… thirteen years… Thirteen!"
SMACK.
Anos slapped him on the head.
"Ouch!"
"WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT THE MELODRAMA!"
And just like that, this playful group arrived at their destination, the church. The beginning of a era for the young squad.