In class, Ariana couldn’t help but think about how using another weapon would feel. Would Day really let Mina use him? Would she even be able to sync with Day, even slightly?

Leon started the class by announcing the different groups. Luckily, Mina and Ariana were paired up. As Leon went through the other teams, he called Ariana into the hallway for a private conversation.

Day intently watched as Ariana stepped out with Leon.

Leon asked her how she was handling working with Day. Ariana answered truthfully, and Leon acknowledged her strength, encouraging her to keep up the good work.

Ariana couldn’t help but notice Leon's slight glance at her lips before he turned and walked back into the classroom.

As Ariana returned to her seat, she felt Day’s eyes on her, intense and questioning. Mina nudged her with an elbow. “So, what did Leon want?” she asked with a grin, leaning closer.

“Nothing much,” Ariana said quickly, brushing off the question. She glanced at Mina, then at Day, whose face was unreadable. “Just checking on how I’m doing with… everything.”

Mina raised an eyebrow but didn’t press further. “Alright, fine. But you owe me details later.”

Ariana nodded, though her mind was already shifting back to their assignment. “Okay, focus. If we’re going to make this work, we need to get used to handling each other’s weapons.”

Mina smirked, clearly intrigued by the challenge. “So, what’s the plan, boss?”

Ariana ignored the teasing. “Let’s start with seeing how we each handle our own weapon. That way, we can get a sense of the differences before switching.”

Mina nodded, turning to Scraps. “You ready for this?”

Scraps gave a lazy grin, stretching his arms before transforming into a sleek, double-edged blade with an electric hum running along its surface. Mina caught him with ease, twirling the weapon in her hand as if it were an extension of her body.

“Your turn,” Mina said, grinning as she watched Ariana stand.

Day crossed his arms, his gaze steady as he leaned back in his seat. “You better not embarrass me,” he said with a smirk, but his tone carried an undercurrent of seriousness.

Ariana rolled her eyes. “Just transform, Day.”

With a faint smirk, Day shifted into his axe form, the bandaged handle fitting into Ariana’s grip as if it had been made for her. She adjusted her stance, the weight lighter than it had been the first time she’d wielded him.

“Alright,” Mina said, watching closely. “You look comfortable with him.”

Ariana nodded. “He feels… balanced now.”

Day’s voice echoed in her mind. See? Told you I’m perfect.

“Quiet,” Ariana muttered, earning a curious look from Mina.

Mina spun Scraps in her hand, the faint crackle of electricity sparking in the air. “Okay, let’s switch.”

Ariana hesitated, glancing at Day. She could feel his unease, even in his weapon form. Are you okay with this? she thought, hoping he could sense her question.

Do I have a choice? his voice replied, tinged with sarcasm but lacking his usual bite.

Taking a breath, Ariana handed Day’s weapon form to Mina, her fingers reluctant to let go of the handle. Mina tested the weight, her face tightening as she adjusted her grip.

“Man, he’s heavier than he looks,” Mina said, a bead of sweat forming on her temple.

Day’s voice echoed in Ariana’s mind again. She’s not you. Doesn’t feel right.

Ariana ignored him, turning to Scraps, who had returned to his human form and now transformed back into his blade. She gripped him carefully, the hum of electricity making her fingers tingle. The weapon felt foreign, its energy unfamiliar and unpredictable.

“Okay,” Mina said, raising Day’s axe form. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Ariana steadied herself, lifting Scraps into a defensive position. The two girls locked eyes, a silent understanding passing between them. This wasn’t just about handling each other’s weapons—it was about trust, adaptability, and the bond they shared with their partners.

“Ready?” Mina asked.

“Ready,” Ariana replied, tightening her grip.

The practice session began, the clash of their weapons ringing out in the classroom.

As Mina slumped onto the ground, wiping sweat from her brow, she let out a breathless laugh. "Okay, I’m done. That axe of yours is a killer, Ariana—no pun intended."

Ariana smiled, lowering Scraps to the ground and letting him transform back into his human form. The hum of energy dissipated as he stretched, shaking out his arms. “He’s heavier than he looks,” Ariana admitted, glancing at Day, who was already back in human form and rolling his shoulders.

“You’re not bad,” Day said, smirking at Mina. “But no offense, you couldn’t quite bring out my aura. Guess I’m a little too much to handle.”

Mina gave him a mock glare, still catching her breath. “I’d like to see you try wielding me, hotshot.”

Scraps laughed, clapping her on the back. “You did fine, Mina. Day’s just full of himself.”

Day grinned, not denying the claim, while Ariana sat beside Mina. “You did well,” she said encouragingly. “You managed to swing him evenly, which is hard to do. His balance is tricky at first.”

Mina nodded, looking thoughtful. “Thanks. Honestly, I can see why you and Day work so well together. He’s powerful, but there’s something… wild about him. Hard to tame.”

Ariana glanced at Day, who leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching them with a smug expression. “It’s a work in progress,” she admitted.

“What about Scraps?” Mina asked, turning the attention back to Ariana.

“He’s… interesting,” Ariana said, choosing her words carefully. “His energy feels alive, almost unpredictable. It’s a lot different from Day’s.”

Scraps grinned. “Unpredictable, huh? I like that.”

The two girls shared a laugh, the tension from earlier replaced by camaraderie. “I think this’ll work,” Mina said, standing and offering Ariana a hand. “We’re a good team. Just need to practice a bit more before the assignment.”

Ariana nodded, taking Mina’s hand and pulling herself up. “Agreed. And maybe we’ll figure out how to bring out the best in each other’s weapons.”

Day scoffed. “Good luck with that. No one brings out the best in me but Ariana.”

Scraps rolled his eyes, elbowing Day as they headed toward the door. “Don’t let your ego weigh you down, man.”

The girls exchanged amused looks, following the boys out of the classroom as the lesson ended.

As Ariana and Day walked into the dorm room, Ariana headed straight to the bathroom to shower.

Day seemed content to lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

Ariana had been in the shower for a few
minutes when she suddenly heard the
bathroom door creak open. Turning
quickly, she saw Day standing in the
doorway

"What are you doing in here while l'm
showering?" she questioned, her voice
sharp with surprise.

Day stepped closer, his eyes intense.
"What did Leon say to you?" he asked,
his tone low and insistent.

After hearing Ariana's response, Day
moved into the shower, his gaze briefly
sweeping over her naked body. Without
hesitation, he reached out, placing his
hand around her throat. Leaning down,
he whispered in her ear, "You're my
meister. No one else's."

Before she could fully process his
words, he leaned in further, pressing his
lips to her neck. His kisses trailed downward, leaving marks along her
skin.

"Stop," Ariana whimpered, gripping his
shoulders.

Day paused at her collarbone, then
stood back up, his expression
unreadable. Without another word, he
walked out of the bathroom.

Ariana stepped out of the bathroom, her hair still damp and clinging to her shoulders. Her mind raced, replaying what had just happened in the shower. Her heart was pounding, her breaths shallow as she tried to make sense of Day’s behavior. She glanced at him lying on the bed, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm as he pretended—or actually managed—to fall asleep.

For a moment, she stood frozen, torn between confronting him or letting it go. She could still feel the ghost of his touch on her throat, his whispered words lingering in her mind like an echo.

Shaking her head, she crossed the room and dropped onto her side of the bed, pulling the blanket tightly around her. Her thoughts swirled in confusion and anger, but beneath it all, there was something else—something she couldn’t quite name.

“Day…” she whispered, unsure if she wanted him to respond or stay silent.

He didn’t stir, his face serene as if nothing had happened. Ariana’s fingers clenched the edge of the blanket as she turned her back to him, determined to push the incident to the back of her mind.

But as she stared at the wall, the tension in the room felt heavy, making it clear that this wasn’t something she could simply ignore forever.