Lissa sat on her chair that afternoon on a Café outside the Academy, she was told to meet her new fiancé, she had mixed feelings on the matter. Guilt, as it had only been a day since the failure of a date between her and Thomas which strained their relationship as a whole. And Suspicion, after all, it was no secret that she is an illegitimate daughter of House Ikross so there was no way that she was considered someone who would win any suitors.

There was something off about this arrangement, Lissa thought as she waited, quietly clenching her fists anxiously. Before arriving here, she went and looked up House Ahrys, from what she had learned the man she is marrying is a member of House Ahrys is a new and lesser house in the Firrus Province within the Jorousian Region of Axis, a District that is under the Stewardship of her own family. So naturally, the best way to elevate is to form an alliance with the leading house of the Province, which is the most likely reason why Ahrys arranged a marriage with her own Family.

But it still didn’t make any sense, after all her older half-brother and younger half-sister was very much single and is looking for suitors why on Elphimin would someone go after the illegitimate one for marriage, especially when you consider the inheritance laws of Elphimin that only legitimate children can inherit, even when you consider the possibility of the family legitimizing the said child that is only an option, and even if they are legitimized public opinion will still remain.

It was also one of the reasons why Lissa chose to turn down the option to be legitimized by her own family. She may be viewed as a true daughter of House Ikross, but they will still view her as the Illegitimate one.

“Sorry, I’m late.” She turned around and met her alleged fiancé. He was a young man two or three years older than her and wore the Axis colors of the Academy Uniform, with light brown hair tied back in a short ponytail and pure brown eyes. Any other woman would have most likely swooned over his kind smile and handsome looks, but because she already suspected something wrong about this arrangement.

Not to mention she already has mixed feelings on Thomas so she is pretty much immune.

“No, it’s fine,” She said shaking her head. “I just arrived here myself.”

“Well, it’s nice to finally meet you, Desmond Arhys, heir of House Ahrys.” He offered his hand. “Lissa Ikross, though in all honesty, I didn’t expect for someone to actually consider marrying an illegitimate daughter,” Lissa said as she shook his hand.

“On the contrary, you’re someone to be admired for,” Desmond answered as he took a seat and smiled at her. “While I am a Fourth Year, I admire you for your determination and intelligence. Being a Top-Ranking Student in the Entrance Exams and a skilled and intelligent Leader that matches your beauty in general.”

“Thank you, I try my best to achieve my goals.” Lissa smiled at him kindly, but deep down she knew there was something off. For now, she’ll have to play along but she needs to learn the truth behind this.

[Axis:Legacy]

Ever since that disastrous Date between Thomas and Lissa, the relationship between the two became shaky than before. It was very obvious from the way the two interacted with one another when they run into each other in the hallways. Where Thomas would simply walk past her stiffly and calmly as if any form of friendship the two had from the start was non-existent while all Lissa can do is look at him with a mixture of longing, regret, and guilt.

“So, everyone thinks the two broke up now or something,” Oscar said as the Stalker Squad gathered around a vacant and secluded part of the room as he sat down with and attempted to move both of his legs resting on the table only to put it down as Petra glared at him.

“Concerned Observation: Thomas continues to push himself further in studying and training but at the same time begins to ignore Lissa while all she can do is just give him this longing look each time the two see each other in the same room,” Nina said as she sat next to Oscar while he nodded in silence.

“I’m more amazed at how no one is trying to talk to them since it’s pretty obvious.” Kyle crossed his arms as he leaned on a bookshelf.

“Yeah, you can see it as clear as day that both of them aren’t doing so well,” Petra said looking down.

“Not really,” Ren spoke as he stared at the window and saw Thomas quietly studying various Magic tomes outside and would occasionally try and test with random results. “Everyone, even those that resented him was worried at the sudden change of mood for Thomas.”

“To be fair the two are constantly around one another and the fact that the two aren’t doing their daily sparring sessions surprised everyone as a whole.” Jun frowned as she rested her head on both of her hands.

“That’s not the worse part,” Louis spoke as he arrived and sat down. “I heard from my parents this morning that she’s engaged.”

“What?” All of them asked in disbelief, including the stoic Petra and Nina.

Meanwhile, Thomas made his way to the Training Room with his Sword-Mace in hand. Truth be told he was in a somewhat foul mood since yesterday. Though it was mostly at himself for being led on by Lissa who only forced herself to go and be close to him or the fact that he didn’t realize it right away that she was not into him since it wasn’t the first time he encountered such events, he was also mad at the fact he didn’t realize that Lissa had no interests romantically or at least platonically. He was pretty much satisfied at staying as just the latter but it seems that she is having none of that.

As such he decided to vent out his frustrations in the Training Room, at least when he’s not trying to bury himself with his studies. But unlike before where he either has Lissa or some Training Drones to aid him in combat, here he trained alone with his Sword-Mace while experimenting on combat magic, among the spells that he learned was Fire which allows him to cast an explosive sphere of fire akin to a Grenade, Thunder which casts a bolt of lightning at the target, and finally Protect which casts a honeycomb-patterned barrier around the Caster’s imagination.

And so, Thomas swung his Sword-Mace in one hand as he would interval on casting Fire or Thunder while casting Protect as a form of a pseudo-shield. He proceeded to make a flip and then saw a bolt of lightning surging towards him mid-flip causing him to drop the Sword-Mace and cast Protect one more forming a massive honeycomb-patterned sphere that was enveloped around him.

Only for the lighting to penetrate the barrier shattering it into fragments of glass while sending him crashing on the wall.

“The effectiveness of a Magic Spell is determined on the Physical and Mental Condition of the Caster alone.” Thomas looked up and looked and saw Professor Thalia Pryce walking towards him with a concerned look on her face as she helped him up. “If you’re exhausted then chances are your Protect Spell won’t be helpful in a fight.”

Thomas remained quiet as he stood up and picked his Sword-Mace.

“You should get some rest,” Professor Pryce crossed her arms as she levitated towards him. “It’s obvious that you’re burning yourself out, take a break.”

“I just need to sleep and I’ll be fine,” Thomas said as he rested the Sword-Mace on his shoulder. “Usually when people bury themselves with work that means they’re avoiding their troubles, what seems to be the problem?” Pryce said walking towards him.

“It’s quite a long story, ma’am.” Thomas said with a scoff. “Are you sure you want to hear about my troubles?”

“I’m your Homeroom Professor so yes I am very much qualified to listen to your problems,” Professor Pryce gave him a reassuring smile. “Besides even the best need someone to rely on when it comes to their problems.”

“Fair enough,” Thomas said with a skeptical look on his face as the two of them sat down by the benches by the Training Room.

“That’s…rough,” Professor Pryce told her with a concerned look, while reluctant at most Thomas decided to tell her everything from the stress of coping from the Deaths of two of his Teammates to his strained relationship with Lissa with a passing mention of her engagement. Upon learning of the truth, Thalia was highly concerned at Thomas.

Correction, she was very worried to the point she was tempted to give him a hug. After all, she had just found out weeks ago that this young man was very much her son. But until Thomas and to an extent Lissa, whom she was surprised that the two would have a rivalry no different from their own fathers, found out on the truth she and Erisa will have to remain as their Professors. Though that didn’t mean she and Erisa approve of the idea of keeping them in the dark.

“Do forgive me for doing this,” Thalia said as she stood up, reinforced her right hand with Magic and slammed her right knuckle at Thomas’ skull causing him to hit the ground, doing it somewhat reminded her of her and his father when they were younger, and let out a sigh.

“I hope you understand why I hit you on the head.” She said in a low voice as she looked at Thomas who’s head was slightly smoking from the impact.

“For my improper stress management?” Thomas said with a low groan as he stood up and picked up his Sword-Mace. “Exactly.” She crossed her arms and gave him a stern look. “You have friends in your class right? Then why don’t you open up to them.”

Thomas remained silent he let out a tired sigh, he didn’t consider that before. Mostly because he just wanted to distract himself from his problems until he can forget most of his failures as a Leader.

“I don’t think I can,” Thomas said in a low voice.

“There’s always the first step…” Thalia pointed out as she gave him a light tap on his forehead, but before he can respond he felt his body felt heavy while his mind went drowsy. Before he can react he immediately fell asleep in Thalia's arms.

“…but for now, get some sleep.” She said as she carried him to the Nurse’s Office.