Path of the Unmentioned: The Missing Piece
Chapter 138: Midterms [5]

Chapter 138: Midterms [5]

Mira looked like she wanted to sink into the floor and disappear.

She held her notes like a shield and stammered. "W-We’re just... just studying! That’s all!"

But the damage was done.

Eleanora. Who had been quietly reading at Kyle’s side, suddenly froze.

Her hand paused in mid-sentence, her quill hovering just above the paper.

Her fingers tightened around it until her knuckles turned white.

She didn’t say anything. But her jaw was set, and her crimson eyes narrowed slightly.

Serena, sitting silently beside Eleanora, noticed right away.

She didn’t speak either. But her sharp purple gaze flicked between Kyle and Eleanora.

Her expression didn’t change. But she was definitely watching.

Reo, clearly pleased with the chaos he’d caused, grinned wide. "Ohhh, so that’s why you’ve been sneaking off to hospi— "

Kyle’s face turned pale. "Reo!" he hissed.

In a flash. Kyle lunged across the table and slapped a hand over Reo’s mouth.

"SHUT. UP."

But it was too late.

From above. One of the floating Nexus bots descended, its glowing eye flashing red. Its voice was calm but strict.

"Warning. Noise levels exceeding library regulations. Further disruptions will result in expulsion from the premises."

Everyone froze.

Luna let out a long. Slow breath through her nose and pinched the bridge of her nose, clearly trying not to explode.

"I swear to the gods, Reo... if we get kicked out again because of you—"

Reo raised his hands in surrender, eyes wide. "Alright, alright! I’ll be good. I promise!"

Slowly. The group settled back into their seats. The laughter faded, and the air grew still again—

But the energy around the table had changed. Something unspoken now lingered between them.

Mira kept her head down, her face still red. Her eyes locked on the notes in front of her. She didn’t say another word.

Lyra leaned toward Cassian and whispered something that made him smirk.

Reo leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head, looking way too proud of himself.

Then, out of nowhere. Eleanora leaned closer to Kyle. Her voice calm but firm.

"You seem to be struggling with the mana rotation diagrams. Let me explain them again."

Kyle blinked, confused. "Huh? I-I think I got it already—"

Eleanora didn’t even pause. She flipped his notes toward her and pointed at a section.

"No, you didn’t. Look here, you’re missing the secondary mana channels. That’s why your diagram is wrong."

Her tone was smooth. But there was a sharpness to it. A subtle edge under the surface.

Luna, sitting across the table, looked up from her notes and watched with mild interest. She didn’t say anything. But her raised eyebrow said plenty.

Kyle just sighed and let Eleanora go on.

Despite the awkward start. The study session continued.

Slowly, things returned to normal, or at least something close to it.

Everyone took turns asking questions and helping each other out.

Even Mira eventually joined back in. Though she still avoided eye contact.

By the time the sun had started to set, painting the library windows in orange and pink.

The group had managed to get through a good amount of material.

Luna finally shut her book with a snap and stretched. "Alright. That’s enough for today. If you idiots still fail, that’s on you."

Reo let out a loud yawn, arms above his head. "Finally. I think my brain’s officially fried."

Cedric stood up and smiled. "Thanks for letting us join you guys."

Cassian clapped Kyle on the shoulder, grinning. "And hey. Congrats again on the girlfriend."

Kyle groaned, rubbing his face. "She’s not my girlfriend."

Mira looked like she wanted to disappear again.

Eleanora stood and gave Kyle a short, quiet nod. "See you later." Her voice was calm.

But her eyes lingered on Mira for a second too long before she turned away.

Serena followed her, as silent as always. She didn’t speak.

But her unreadable gaze drifted between Kyle and Mira before she turned away.

As they walked off. Lyra smirked and leaned toward Cassian. "Someone’s jealous."

Cassian snorted shoving his notes into his storage ring

"No kidding. Did you see the way she was hovering over him? I thought she was gonna start marking her territory."

Reo, ever the instigator, grinned. "Oh, this is gonna be fun."

The rest of the group began to leave too. Chatting quietly as they packed up their things and headed out of the library.

Mira stayed behind for a moment, hesitating.

She tucked a loose strand of red hair behind her ear and looked down at the closed books in front of her.

"Thanks," she said quietly. "For today. I... really needed this."

Kyle shrugged. Stacking his own notes. "Anytime."

She smiled, just a little. Before turning to leave.

But Reo. Of course, couldn’t resist.

He slung an arm around Kyle’s shoulders. Grinning like a fox who’d found the henhouse.

"Aww, look at you two. So domestic."

Mira didn’t even answer. She just walked off quickly, her ears still a little red.

Kyle groaned. Shoving Reo off. "Shut up."

Luna rolled her eyes and grabbed Reo by the collar. "Come on, idiot. Let’s go before you make it worse."

Reo didn’t resist. He just laughed. Still clearly proud of himself, and let her drag him away like a misbehaving puppy.

His laughter echoed through the quiet library. Drawing a few more glares from nearby students.

One of the Nexus bots flew by. Its red eye flashing a soft warning light before it zipped away toward the other aisles.

Kyle let out a long sigh and rubbed his temples.

His head ached. Not from the studying. But from Reo’s mouth running faster than his brain.

He closed the last book, stacked his notes, and slid them into his storage ring.

As he stepped outside. The warm glow of the setting sun washed over the academy grounds.

The sky was a soft blend of orange and pink.

The last light of day stretching long shadows across the paths.

A few students were still out, walking toward the dining hall or sitting in small groups on the lawn.

Kyle walked quietly, the weight of his bag light but his thoughts still spinning.

Reo’s teasing had caused a mess, and now Eleanora was acting weird. He just hoped Mira wasn’t too upset.

He was halfway down the main path that led toward the instructors’ apartments when he heard a voice behind him.

"Kyle!"

He turned and saw Seraphina jogging up to him.

Her light pink hair catching the sunset in soft waves.

She was out of her uniform jacket, dressed more casually than usual. Her pace was easy, her steps relaxed.

"Where are you coming from?" she asked, falling into step beside him.

"Library," Kyle said. "Was studying with the group. Trying to survive midterms."

She gave a small laugh. "Smart move. You looked half-dead the last time you pulled an all-nighter."

Kyle chuckled. "Yeah, well, I’ve learned my lesson. Hopefully."

Seraphina looked ahead as they walked, her expression calm.

"I wrapped up early today. Not often that happens. Aurelia should be back in about half an hour too."

They walked in silence for a little while.

The path curved around the gardens. And the lamps along the way had started to glow softly with mana light.

The air was cooler now. With a light breeze brushing through the trees.

Then Seraphina glanced over at him. "So... how was the study session? Did you actually get anything done?"

Kyle nodded. "Surprisingly, yeah. Luna was drilling us like a war general, and somehow it worked."

She smirked. "Sounds like her."

"I think I finally understood mana circulation theory. Well, mostly."

She raised an eyebrow. "Mostly?"

"I mean. There’s still that part about mana convergence I can’t fully wrap my head around."

Seraphina slowed her steps a little. "I can help. If you want. Later tonight maybe?"

Kyle blinked at her. "Don’t you have to rest? You’ve been working all day."

She waved a hand. "That doesn’t count. Teaching you doesn’t feel like work. And it helps me review too."

Kyle looked at her for a second, then smiled. "Alright. If I get stuck, I’ll ask."

"You will get stuck," she said with a knowing smirk. "I’ve seen your notes."

Kyle groaned. "You and Luna should form a club."

Seraphina just laughed.

As they reached the instructors’ apartment building.

———

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