The Fallen Light

Three days after the tournament, the semester began. However, a surprise awaited the students. A one-month break... Wasn’t exactly a break.

* * *

The first-year class had gathered in the main hall. Percy was sitting in the very back. Clara was right beside him. Arthur had his feet kicked up on the front row seat. Charlotte and William were beside him. Daniel Crawford waited silently. Marcus Vale was gazing out the window. Theodore Hale was rocking in his chair. Nathaniel Reed closed his book. Elias Morgan kept checking his watch. Lucas Ferran looked bored. Sophia Mercer was talking to Clara. Noah Bennett couldn’t sit still. Adrian Cole was yawning. Ethan Brooks was asleep. Amelia was waiting quietly in the adjacent row.

* * *

The door opened. Elizabeth Olsen walked in. The class slowly quieted down. Olsen stood in front of the desk.

”Your one-month semester period is beginning.”

A few people smiled immediately. Even Ethan woke up. Olsen continued.

”However, we will not be preparing your schedule.”

The smiles faded slightly.

”Your class president will decide what you will do.”

* * *

Silence.

* * *

Then everyone looked at Percy.

* * *

Percy:

”...What?”

* * *

Clara’s face fell.

”No.”

Arthur turned around immediately.

”No, don’t let it be Percy.”

Charlotte shook her head.

”Definitely not Percy.”

William stayed calm.

”I object.”

Daniel raised his hand.

”Me too.”

Marcus:

”Me too.”

Theodore:

”Definitely.”

Nathaniel:

”Is there no other option?”

Elias:

”Can we hold another election?”

Lucas:

”Can we cancel the tournament?”

Sophia:

”Let Clara be president.”

Noah:

”Let William be president.”

Adrian:

”Professor, you be the president.”

Ethan:

”Can I go back to sleep?”

* * *

Percy stood up.

”HEY!”

* * *

The entire class spoke in unison.

”NO.”

* * *

Percy’s mouth hung open. Clara touched his shoulder.

”Don’t take it personally.”

Percy turned to her.

”YOU SAID NO TOO!”

Clara nodded solemnly.

”Because I know you.”

* * *

Arthur burst out laughing. Percy pointed at him.

”You especially, shut up.”

Arthur:

”You’ll have to call me Class President now.”

Percy:

”I AM THE CLASS PRESIDENT.”

Arthur:

”Unfortunately.”

* * *

Olsen tapped lightly on the desk. The class fell silent.

”The decision has been made.”

”You are with Percy for one month.”

”He will prepare your schedule entirely by himself.”

”He will choose where you will train.”

”He will determine your training routine.”

”He will decide your rest times.”

”He can even set your meal hours.”

* * *

William’s expression changed for the first time. Percy saw it. He smirked.

* * *

William:

”Don’t you dare.”

Percy:

”Interesting.”

William:

”Percy.”

Percy:

”Very interesting.”

William:

”Don’t bring food into this.”

* * *

Olsen continued.

”For one month, the authority is his.”

”You will follow the program he gives you.”

”This is a leadership test.”

”Not just for Percy.”

”For all of you.”

* * *

Percy’s smile vanished. For the first time, he understood the gravity of the matter.

* * *

Olsen looked at Percy.

”Fifteen people are entrusted to you.”

* * *

Percy looked at the class. Clara. Arthur. Charlotte. William. Daniel. Marcus. Theodore. Nathaniel. Elias. Lucas. Sophia. Noah. Adrian. Ethan.

* * *

All of them were staring at him.

* * *

Percy swallowed hard.

”Fifteen.”

* * *

Olsen nodded.

”And you.”

* * *

Percy was no longer smiling.

* * *

When class ended, everyone dispersed. Percy stayed in his seat.

* * *

Clara stopped at the doorway.

”Are you coming?”

Percy raised his head.

”In a minute.”

Clara watched him for a few seconds. Then she nodded.

”Okay.”

* * *

Percy was left alone. One month. Fifteen people. Their training. Their safety. Their growth.

* * *

Percy buried his face on the desk.

”What the fuck am I going to do?”

* * *

Five minutes later, he was running.

* * *

He found Galahad in the fourth-year lounge. But Galahad wasn’t alone. Charlotte was there. William had come as well. Clara had followed them. Arthur was leaning against the wall. Eleanor was talking to Olsen. Holar was standing a short distance away.

* * *

Percy paid no attention to any of that. He walked straight up to Galahad.

* * *

”Brother.”

Galahad looked at him.

”What happened?”

* * *

Percy looked completely serious for the first time.

* * *

”What should I do?”

* * *

The smile vanished from Galahad’s face.

”Regarding what?”

Percy:

”The class.”

* * *

Galahad understood.

* * *

Percy:

”They’re entrusted to me for a month.”

”I don’t know what to do.”

* * *

Galahad thought for a few seconds.

* * *

Then he touched Percy’s shoulder.

* * *

”You must train them.”

* * *

Percy listened carefully.

* * *

”You must help them grow.”

”You must be by their side.”

”When they make mistakes, you must teach them.”

”When they fall, you must lift them up.”

”When they lose, you must prepare them again.”

* * *

Galahad’s voice grew firm.

* * *

”If they get hurt, you must be there with them.”

* * *

Then he smiled faintly.

* * *

”And if someone truly burns them...”

”...you must destroy the one who burned them.”

* * *

Holar coughed.

* * *

Galahad looked at him.

”Metaphorically.”

Holar:

”I hope so.”

* * *

Galahad turned back to Percy.

* * *

”You must lead.”

* * *

Percy remained silent.

* * *

Galahad:

”That’s what being a first-year class president means.”

* * *

Percy knitted his brows.

* * *

”How do you know, Brother?”

* * *

Galahad paused.

* * *

Arthur looked at him too. Clara’s eyebrows raised. Charlotte perked up. Even William turned his head.

* * *

Galahad answered very naturally.

* * *

”I am the fourth-year class president.”

* * *

Silence.

* * *

Percy:

”...What?”

Clara:

”WHAT?”

Arthur:

”You’re what?”

Charlotte:

”Why don’t we know about this?”

William:

”This explains a lot of things.”

* * *

Even Olsen looked at Galahad.

* * *

Percy’s mouth hung open.

* * *

”BROTHER.”

Galahad:

”What?”

”YOU’RE PRESIDENT.”

”Yes.”

”WHY DIDN’T YOU SAY ANYTHING?”

”You didn’t ask.”

* * *

Percy held his head.

* * *

Arthur looked at Galahad.

”What rank were you?”

Galahad:

”First.”

Arthur:

”Of course.”

* * *

Holar was watching Galahad closely. The same question crossed his mind again.

* * *

This kid... How strong was he really?

* * *

Percy took a deep breath.

* * *

”Okay.”

Galahad:

”Okay?”

Percy:

”I understand.”

* * *

Galahad smiled.

* * *

”No.”

Percy:

”What?”

Galahad:

”You’ll understand three days from now.”

* * *

Percy truly understood three days later.

* * *

Because for three days, he didn’t sleep.

* * *

He spread out maps. He read books. He pulled out old reports. He examined student records. He rewatched every student’s matches. He wrote down their strengths one by one. He listed their weaknesses separately. He compared their Orin levels. He noted their affinity ratios. He cataloged their elements. He analyzed their combat habits. He prepared matchup charts. He drafted rest schedules. He researched nutrition plans. He evaluated campsite options.

* * *

At the end of the third night... There was no space left in Percy’s room.

* * *

There were maps on the walls. Dozens of pages covered the desk. Books littered the floor.

* * *

Percy was sitting in his chair.

* * *

Dark circles had formed beneath his eyes.

* * *

But before him... Lay a completed plan.

* * *

Percy put down his pen.

* * *

”Done.”

* * *

Then he collapsed face down onto the desk.

* * *

He slept for five minutes.

* * *

The alarm went off.

* * *

”FUCK MY LIFE.”

* * *

In the academy courtyard, everyone was waiting.

* * *

Fifteen students stood before him.

* * *

When Clara saw Percy, she knitted her brows.

* * *

”You didn’t sleep.”

Percy:

”I slept.”

Clara:

”How much?”

Percy:

”Five minutes.”

Clara:

”PERCY.”

* * *

Percy raised his hand.

* * *

”Later.”

* * *

Clara went quiet.

* * *

A little further away, Galahad was waiting.

* * *

Eleanor was beside him. Holar had come as well. Olsen had her arms crossed.

* * *

All three were curious.

* * *

Galahad was especially curious.

* * *

What had Percy decided?

* * *

Percy stood before his class.

* * *

He took a deep breath.

* * *

Holar’s eyes widened.

* * *

”No.”

Eleanor:

”Don’t you dare.”

Galahad:

”Percy.”

Clara:

”DON’T DO THE BOOW YEAH.”

* * *

Percy looked at them.

* * *

”I’M NOT GOING TO DO IT, GUYS.”

* * *

Arthur burst out laughing.

* * *

Percy cleared his throat.

* * *

”Hello, everyone.”

* * *

”I am your class president, Percy Grant.”

* * *

The entire class answered in unison.

* * *

”IS THERE ANYONE WHO DOESN’T KNOW YOU?!”

* * *

Percy went silent.

* * *

Clara was laughing. Arthur was laughing. Charlotte was laughing. Even William was smiling.

* * *

Percy:

”You ruined my opening.”

Olsen:

”Percy.”

Percy:

”Sorry.”

* * *

He turned back to the class.

* * *

”First of all...”

* * *

Percy’s face turned serious.

* * *

”For one month, you have been completely entrusted to me.”

* * *

The laughter slowly died down.

* * *

”During this time, you cannot disobey me.”

* * *

Arthur raised an eyebrow.

* * *

Percy looked directly at him.

* * *

”Not even as a joke.”

* * *

Arthur closed his mouth.

* * *

Percy:

”Clara.”

Clara:

”What?”

”You too.”

Clara:

”What did I do?”

Percy:

”I’m telling you in advance.”

* * *

Clara rolled her eyes.

* * *

”Arthur.”

Arthur:

”Here.”

”Charlotte.”

Charlotte:

”Yes.”

”William.”

William:

”Listening.”

* * *

Percy looked at all of them.

* * *

”That includes you guys too.”

* * *

Then he turned to the others.

* * *

”Daniel.”

”Marcus.”

”Theodore.”

”Nathaniel.”

”Elias.”

”Lucas.”

”Sophia.”

”Noah.”

”Adrian.”

”Ethan.”

* * *

Ethan raised his hand.

* * *

”Can I sleep?”

Percy:

”No.”

Ethan:

”Bad president.”

* * *

A few people laughed.

* * *

Percy smiled too.

* * *

Then he turned serious again.

* * *

”You all know one thing.”

* * *

”I have my own group.”

* * *

Clara looked at him.

* * *

”Clara.”

”Arthur.”

”Charlotte.”

”William.”

* * *

Percy looked at Galahad for a brief moment.

* * *

Then he turned back to the class.

* * *

”Today, I am dismantling that group.”

* * *

Silence.

* * *

The smile vanished from Clara’s face. Arthur grew serious too. Charlotte was surprised. William watched Percy closely.

* * *

Percy continued.

* * *

”Here, all of you are equal.”

* * *

Daniel raised his head.

* * *

Marcus perked up.

* * *

Sophia’s expression shifted.

* * *

”I will not play favorites with anyone.”

* * *

”That includes Clara.”

* * *

Clara nodded her head.

* * *

”And Arthur.”

Arthur:

”Expected.”

* * *

”And William.”

William:

”Right decision.”

* * *

”And Charlotte.”

Charlotte smiled.

* * *

Percy looked at all of them.

* * *

”You are all equal.”

* * *

”But all of you answer to me.”

* * *

This time, no one laughed.

* * *

”Your training is my responsibility.”

”Your safety is my responsibility.”

”Your growth is my responsibility.”

* * *

Percy paused for a moment.

* * *

”And if you fail...”

* * *

Galahad was listening intently.

* * *

”...that is my responsibility, too.”

* * *

Galahad smiled faintly.

* * *

Holar noticed it.

* * *

Percy had learned.

* * *

Percy unrolled the map behind him.

* * *

”Where we will be training...”

* * *

He pointed to the north on the map.

* * *

”Northern England.”

* * *

He brought his finger down.

* * *

”Lake District.”

* * *

Clara was surprised.

”The Lake District?”

Percy:

”Yes.”

* * *

”We will set up camp right by the lake.”

* * *

Noah raised his hand.

”Are there monsters?”

Percy:

”No.”

* * *

Theodore:

”How are you so sure?”

* * *

Percy turned around.

* * *

”Because our beloved Headmaster...”

* * *

Holar raised an eyebrow.

* * *

”...and savior of the world...”

* * *

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Percy dramatically pointed at Holar.

* * *

”...cleared it out completely three hundred and forty-nine years ago.”

* * *

Silence.

* * *

Holar’s eyebrows shot up.

* * *

Eleanor looked at Percy.

* * *

Even Olsen was surprised.

* * *

Arthur:

”Hold on a minute.”

* * *

Percy looked at him.

* * *

Arthur:

”How do you know that?”

* * *

Daniel:

”I didn’t know either.”

Marcus:

”Me neither.”

Sophia:

”Which class was that in?”

Nathaniel:

”History of Ancient Defense.”

Theodore:

”Who even listens in that class?”

* * *

William looked at Percy.

* * *

”Do you listen?”

* * *

Percy:

”Of course.”

* * *

Clara was genuinely surprised.

* * *

”Do you actually study?”

* * *

Percy looked at her.

* * *

”What is that supposed to mean?”

* * *

Clara:

”I mean...”

* * *

Percy narrowed his eyes.

* * *

”Clara.”

* * *

Clara started laughing.

* * *

”No, really, I’m asking.”

* * *

Olsen stepped in.

* * *

”Grant passes all his classes with A+.”

* * *

Silence.

* * *

Clara’s mouth fell open.

* * *

Arthur turned to Percy.

* * *

”You?”

Percy:

”Yes, me.”

Arthur:

”A+?”

Percy:

”Yes.”

Charlotte:

”All classes?”

Olsen:

”All classes.”

* * *

William nodded.

* * *

”I knew it.”

Percy:

”Thank you.”

William:

”Annoying.”

Percy:

”I take my thank you back.”

* * *

Clara was still staring at Percy.

* * *

”When do you even study?”

Percy:

”While you’re sleeping.”

Clara:

”I don’t go to sleep early.”

Percy:

”Then while you’re chasing me.”

* * *

Clara:

”DON’T MOCK ME.”

* * *

Holar chuckled from below.

* * *

”He studies.”

* * *

Everyone looked at Holar.

* * *

Holar:

”I wanted him to enjoy his childhood.”

* * *

Percy looked at him.

* * *

Holar smiled.

* * *

”But he never abandoned his responsibilities.”

* * *

Percy’s face flushed slightly red.

* * *

Eleanor smirked immediately.

* * *

”He’s embarrassed.”

Percy:

”AUNT.”

* * *

Clara nudged Percy with her elbow.

* * *

”A+ huh?”

Percy:

”Shut up.”

Clara:

”Hardworking boy.”

Percy:

”CLARA.”

* * *

Arthur burst out laughing.

* * *

Percy turned back to the map.

* * *

”The Lake District is safe.”

* * *

”It’s fairly close to the border of Awakeners City.”

* * *

”The great defense wall stands before us.”

* * *

”Military units constantly patrol the region.”

* * *

”So for the first two days...”

* * *

Percy closed the map.

* * *

”...we won’t be doing anything.”

* * *

Silence.

* * *

Noah:

”What?”

Percy:

”Nothing.”

* * *

Elias:

”No training?”

Percy:

”None.”

Lucas:

”No running?”

Percy:

”None.”

Marcus:

”No Orin practice?”

Percy:

”None.”

Daniel:

”No fighting?”

Percy:

”No.”

* * *

Percy smiled.

* * *

”For the first two days...”

* * *

”...I am not your president.”

* * *

The class looked at him.

* * *

”I am your friend.”

* * *

Percy put his hands in his pockets.

* * *

”We will swim.”

”We will eat.”

”We will play games.”

”We will explore the lake.”

”We will lie around all day if we want.”

* * *

Ethan got excited for the first time.

* * *

”I CHOOSE THE LAST ONE.”

* * *

Percy laughed.

* * *

”For the first two days, we will have fun.”

* * *

Then his face changed.

* * *

”On the night of the second day...”

* * *

”...we will begin working.”

* * *

Arthur raised an eyebrow.

* * *

”What will we work on?”

* * *

Percy looked at him.

* * *

”I won’t tell you.”

* * *

Clara:

”Why?”

* * *

Percy:

”Because if you know...”

* * *

”...you’ll ruin the training I want.”

* * *

William’s eyes narrowed slightly.

* * *

Galahad noticed it.

* * *

William was trying to figure it out.

* * *

Percy looked at him.

* * *

”You especially, don’t think about it.”

* * *

William:

”You’re too late.”

Percy:

”William.”

William:

”Keeping quiet.”

* * *

Galahad burst out laughing.

* * *

Olsen looked at Percy.

* * *

”So your plan is ready.”

Percy:

”All of it.”

* * *

Olsen:

”In three days?”

Percy:

”Yes.”

* * *

”Without sleeping?”

Percy:

”...Yes.”

* * *

Clara turned to Percy immediately.

* * *

”When this conversation is over, you are going to bed.”

Percy:

”I am the president.”

Clara:

”I don’t care.”

Percy:

”Disobedience is forbidden.”

* * *

Clara went quiet.

* * *

Percy smirked.

* * *

Then Clara smirked too.

* * *

”Alright, President.”

* * *

Percy’s smile vanished.

* * *

That tone... Was dangerous.

* * *

Clara:

”When the speech ends, give an order.”

Percy:

”What order?”

Clara:

”’Clara, put me to bed.’”

* * *

The entire class went silent.

* * *

Percy’s eyes widened.

* * *

Clara realized what she had just said too.

* * *

Arthur turned his head away. Charlotte covered her mouth. William closed his eyes.

* * *

Galahad burst into laughter.

* * *

Eleanor:

”CLARA.”

* * *

Clara turned bright red.

* * *

”AS IN GOING TO SLEEP!”

* * *

Percy:

”YOU MADE IT WORSE.”

* * *

The courtyard collapsed into laughter.

* * *

Two hours later, they set off.

* * *

The Lake District... Was even more beautiful than they expected.

* * *

Mountains encircled the lake.

* * *

The water was almost perfectly calm.

* * *

The stone structures of the old world stood in the distance.

* * *

The defense wall was visible to the north.

* * *

The camp Percy had arranged was right by the lakeside.

* * *

Quarters had been prepared for sixteen students.

* * *

Daniel set his bag down.

”Is there really no training?”

Percy:

”Not for two days.”

* * *

Noah was already running toward the lake.

* * *

”I’M SWIMMING!”

* * *

Sophia shouted after him.

”DON’T GO IN WITH YOUR CLOTHES ON!”

* * *

SPLASH.

* * *

Sophia covered her face.

* * *

”Idiot.”

* * *

Ethan lay down on the grass.

* * *

”I have made my decision.”

* * *

Five seconds later, he was asleep.

* * *

Lucas looked at him.

* * *

”How does he do that?”

William:

”Talent.”

* * *

Theodore and Nathaniel found a ball.

* * *

Marcus and Daniel joined them immediately.

* * *

Elias set up a small grill over the fire.

* * *

Charlotte helped Sophia.

* * *

Arthur stood to the side.

* * *

Percy walked up to him.

* * *

”Why are you just standing there?”

Arthur:

”Watching.”

Percy:

”You’re free for two days.”

Arthur:

”I know.”

Percy:

”Then have fun.”

Arthur looked at him.

* * *

”Is that an order?”

Percy:

”Yes.”

* * *

Arthur thought for a few seconds.

* * *

Then he snatched the ball.

* * *

”Grant.”

Percy:

”What?”

Arthur:

”Get in goal.”

Percy:

”Why?”

Arthur:

”I’m going to kick it in your face.”

Percy:

”TRY ME.”

* * *

Five minutes later...

* * *

Percy was yelling from the goal line.

* * *

”THIS ISN’T SOCCER!”

* * *

Arthur:

”DID THE BALL GO IN?”

Percy:

”YES.”

Arthur:

”THEN IT’S A GOAL.”

* * *

Marcus collapsed in laughter.

* * *

Daniel:

”One nil.”

Percy:

”WHO IS THE REFEREE?”

William:

”Me.”

Percy:

”SINCE WHEN?”

William:

”Now.”

* * *

Clara called out from the lakeside.

* * *

”PERCY!”

* * *

Percy turned around.

* * *

Arthur kicked the ball.

* * *

GOAL.

* * *

Percy:

”HEY!”

Arthur:

”TWO NIL.”

* * *

Clara burst out laughing.

* * *

Percy looked at her.

* * *

”You did that.”

Clara:

”What did I do?”

Percy:

”You distracted me.”

Clara:

”Excuses.”

Arthur:

”Definitely.”

* * *

Percy turned back to Arthur.

* * *

”I shouldn’t have healed you.”

Arthur:

”Too late for that.”

* * *

When evening arrived...

* * *

Everyone gathered around the fire.

* * *

Elias kept feeding the fire to make it bigger.

* * *

Olsen watched from a distance.

* * *

Eleanor had arrived too.

* * *

Holar was right beside her.

* * *

Galahad leaned against a tree.

* * *

Olsen:

”Is this training?”

Galahad:

”Yes.”

* * *

Olsen looked at him.

* * *

”What are they learning?”

* * *

Galahad pointed at the students.

* * *

Daniel was arguing with Theodore.

* * *

Marcus was handing food to Nathaniel.

* * *

Sophia was drying Noah’s clothes.

* * *

Arthur and Percy were trading insults again.

* * *

Charlotte was talking to everyone.

* * *

William was eating.

* * *

Clara was sitting beside Percy.

* * *

Galahad:

”Each other.”

* * *

Olsen looked back at the students.

* * *

Galahad:

”Percy started out right.”

* * *

Holar smiled faintly.

* * *

Eleanor looked at him.

* * *

”You’re proud.”

Holar:

”No.”

Eleanor:

”Liar.”

Holar:

”You’re proud too.”

Eleanor:

”I’m proud of Clara.”

Holar:

”And Percy.”

Eleanor:

”Maybe.”

Holar:

”Caught you.”

Eleanor:

”Shut up.”

* * *

Galahad looked at both of them.

* * *

”Stop flirting.”

* * *

Both turned at the same time.

* * *

”WE ARE NOT FLIRTING.”

* * *

Galahad burst out laughing.

* * *

Night deepened.

* * *

Everyone dispersed to their quarters.

* * *

Clara was looking for her section.

* * *

Percy came up behind her.

* * *

”Here.”

* * *

He opened the door.

* * *

Clara stepped inside.

* * *

She stopped.

* * *

There were two beds.

* * *

Clara turned slowly to Percy.

* * *

”Percy.”

Percy:

”What?”

* * *

Clara pointed to the beds.

* * *

”Are we staying together?”

Percy:

”Yes.”

* * *

Clara’s eyebrows raised.

* * *

”We’re not sleeping in the same bed, right?”

* * *

Percy looked at her.

* * *

Then he looked at the beds.

* * *

Then back at Clara.

* * *

”Do you not see the two beds?”

Clara:

”I see them.”

Percy:

”Then why are you asking?”

Clara:

”Just checking.”

Percy:

”Checking what?”

Clara:

”If you’re an idiot or not.”

Percy:

”The result?”

Clara:

”Inconclusive.”

* * *

Percy tossed his bag onto the bed.

* * *

”I requested a two-person room.”

Clara:

”Why?”

* * *

Percy paused for a moment.

* * *

”Because...”

* * *

Clara waited.

* * *

Percy shrugged.

* * *

”I wanted to talk to you.”

* * *

Clara’s expression softened.

* * *

”About what?”

Percy sat on his bed.

* * *

”Everything.”

* * *

Clara crossed over to the opposite bed.

* * *

For a while, neither spoke.

* * *

The sound of the lake drifted in from outside.

* * *

Finally, Clara spoke.

* * *

”It used to be easier.”

Percy:

”What?”

Clara:

”Us.”

* * *

Percy chuckled softly.

* * *

”We used to pull each other’s hair.”

Clara:

”You started it.”

Percy:

”Accidentally.”

Clara:

”You ripped out my hair.”

Percy:

”It was a tiny piece.”

Clara:

”It was traumatic.”

Percy:

”We were three years old.”

* * *

Clara smiled.

* * *

”Still, it was easy.”

* * *

Percy looked at the ceiling.

* * *

”Yeah.”

* * *

Clara:

”Then we grew up.”

Percy:

”A little.”

Clara:

”We became stupid.”

Percy:

”You did.”

Clara:

”Both of us.”

* * *

Percy didn’t object.

* * *

Clara looked at her hands.

* * *

”I wish I could change certain things.”

* * *

Percy turned to her.

* * *

”I wouldn’t.”

* * *

Clara was surprised.

* * *

”Why?”

* * *

Percy thought for a few seconds.

* * *

”Because now I know you better.”

* * *

Clara grew quiet.

* * *

Percy:

”In the past, our friendship was easy.”

* * *

”Now it’s not easy.”

* * *

”But it’s real.”

* * *

Clara looked at him.

* * *

Percy continued.

* * *

”You know you can break me.”

* * *

”I know I can break you.”

* * *

”And yet here we are.”

* * *

Clara’s eyes welled with tears.

* * *

Percy pointed at her immediately.

* * *

”No crying.”

Clara:

”You cried.”

Percy:

”I USED A SILENCE SPELL.”

Clara:

”You still cried.”

Percy:

”No one heard.”

Clara:

”I know now.”

Percy:

”I regret telling you.”

* * *

Clara laughed.

* * *

Then the silence returned.

* * *

Clara:

”Percy.”

Percy:

”Hm?”

* * *

”What are we now?”

* * *

Percy looked at her.

* * *

He didn’t answer for a long time.

* * *

Finally...

* * *

”We’re us.”

* * *

Clara knitted her brows.

* * *

”What kind of answer is that?”

Percy:

”The most accurate answer.”

* * *

Clara thought about it.

* * *

Then she smiled.

* * *

”Okay.”

* * *

Percy lay back on his bed.

* * *

Clara got into her own bed as well.

* * *

The lights went out.

* * *

Five minutes of silence passed.

* * *

Clara:

”Percy.”

Percy:

”What?”

Clara:

”Are you asleep?”

Percy:

”No.”

* * *

A minute passed.

* * *

”Percy.”

”What?”

”President.”

”What?”

* * *

Clara was laughing.

* * *

”President Percy.”

Percy:

”Clara.”

Clara:

”Mr. President.”

Percy:

”I’m going to sleep.”

Clara:

”My President.”

Percy:

”CLARA.”

* * *

Clara burst into laughter.

* * *

Percy threw his pillow.

* * *

Clara caught it.

* * *

”Attack on the president!”

Percy:

”I AM THE PRESIDENT.”

Clara:

”I’m going to file a complaint.”

Percy:

”TO WHOM?”

Clara:

”To you.”

Percy:

”REJECTED.”

* * *

Clara threw the second pillow back.

* * *

Percy caught it.

* * *

Then both went silent.

* * *

They were laughing in the dark.

* * *

After a while, Clara whispered.

* * *

”Goodnight, Percy.”

* * *

Percy closed his eyes.

* * *

”Goodnight, Pain in my ass.”

* * *

Clara:

”Percy.”

Percy:

”What?”

Clara:

”One day I’m going to beat you.”

* * *

Percy smiled.

* * *

”For now.”

* * *

Clara sat straight up in bed.

* * *

”THAT’S MY LINE.”

Percy:

”NO.”

Clara:

”IT’S MINE NOW.”

Percy:

”GO TO SLEEP.”

* * *

Outside in the hallway... Galahad heard their voices as he walked past.

* * *

He shook his head.

* * *

”Two days.”

* * *

Then he smiled faintly.

* * *

”Enjoy it.”

* * *

Because he didn’t know Percy’s plan.

* * *

Olsen didn’t know.

* * *

Holar didn’t know.

* * *

Eleanor didn’t know.

* * *

Even William hadn’t figured it out.

* * *

After the second night... Percy’s real training would begin.

* * *

And Percy Grant... Had stayed awake for three days.

* * *

Not just to make them stronger.

* * *

To understand fifteen different people.

* * *

Because Galahad had taught him:

* * *

A leader didn’t just walk in front.

* * *

He had to know everyone walking behind him.

* * *

And if necessary...

* * *

He had to walk at their pace.

* * *

END OF EPISODE