Later that day inside the infirmary, we see Princess Lisesharte resting on one bed, her eyes then slowly opens her eyes. She then sat up while rubbing her head while trying to remember what just transpired earlier.
"Finally... you're awake.'' a gentle voice said.
This slightly made her bolt up from the bed, she then turns to her right to see Lux sitting on a chair right next to her bed, "L-L-L-Lux! What are you doing here?!" she stammered as her face turn red.
Lux let's out a nervous chuckle, "Well... I decided to look after you while recover.'' he replied making her face even redder, "So... are you feeling fine?'' he asked.
Lisesharte then took a deep breath as she spoke, "I... I'm fine... nothing to worry about." she replied.
"That's good. I was really worried when you passed out after your duel with Mister Cross." Lux pointed out in relief.
Lisesharte's eyes soften when he mentioned the duel, "Nee... Lux..." she muttered but was enough for Lux to hear.
"Hm? What is it, Lisha-san?" Lux asked.
"The duel... I lost right." Lisesharte said solemnly.
Luz stares at her for a minute, he then took another deep breath before answering, "Hai... you lost." he replied.
Lisesharte looks down, "I see...'' she said while clutching the hems of the blanket, "I... I underestimated him too much... didn't I.'' she confessed.
Lux nodded, "I had to apologize but he is way out of your league and I had to admit... even I had no chance in beating him." he admitted.
"Why do you say that?" Lisesharte asked in surprise.
"I can't really put what I just witness to words... but all I know that he is a lot more experienced fighter and according to his friend, the strength he just demonstrated during your duel was just a quarter of what he really can do." Lux explained. He really had to admit Darren was a force to recon with.
"How... how he can be that strong?'' Lisesharte asked, "During our fight, I can't help but wonder why he remains so calm.'' she said.
"Remember what he said to you before he took you down.'' Lux pointed out earning him a nod from the princess, "I believe that was the source of his strength and add the fact, that his life was on the line on the battle, it further motivates to win." he explained.
"I see... I understand why he defeated me so easily, I understand why is a lot stronger than me." Lisesharte admitted but was a bit frustrated.
"But he did say something nice about you." Lux stated.
"What is it?" Lisesharte asked while keeping her head down.
Lux gave her a smile, "That you were a great fighter. And he wouldn't fighting you again." he replied as Lisesharte's eyes widen, "That means he acknowledged your strength and talent.'' he added.
Lisesharte then let's out a smile, "I see... then I can forgive from what he did last night." she declared.
Lux let's out a chuckle, "Seriously." he said.
And with that, the two burst out laughing.
bzzzttt...
Later... Lisesharte is now back on her feet as she and Lux are seen walking in the halls of the academy.
"By the way, where is Mister Cross right now?" Lisesharte asked.
"His team just arrived after your duel. They're were a strange bunch like what Sandalwood said but they're really friendly." Lux stated, "His team along with everyone are currently in the lunch room." he said.
"How strange?" Lisesharte asked in curiosity.
"There's one guy, a really big guy and the girls are already fawning over him, then there's a girl with an eye patch, one girl has wings and another girl floating around in mid-air." Lux counted as he let's out a chuckle, "Like I said they're strange but everyone likes them." he said.
"Woah... then I can't wait to meet them." Lisesharte claimed.
"There's also a noble in the team." Lux added.
This surprised the princess, "Really?'' she asked.
Lux nodded, "I believe she's called a Flemish Noble. I had the suspicion that she's a noble from her stance and speech patterns, and turns out I was right." he stated.
"Wow... his team is really interesting." Lisesharte exclaimed.
Lux chuckled, "They sure do.'' he replied when remembers something, "Oh! By the way, there's a very small girl in their team, as small as a twelve year old but she's actually twenty, this girl had a very, very complex issues about her height. Tillfar-san made a fun of this girl's height earlier and Tillfar-san got the worst lashing of words she ever received in her entire life." he explained.
Lisesharte blinks in surprise, "Okay... I'll keep that in mind." she replied, "Wow... this team is actually more than meets the eye." she commented.
The two then arrived at the lunch room as they saw Celistia and Shalice making their way towards the two.
"Miss Lisha... looks like your up." Celistia greeted.
"Sorry about the duel. We're still kinda shock that you lost." Shalice said with an apologetic look.
Lisesharte shook her head, "It's no problem... it's pretty much my fault for underestimating him too much." she admitted.
"But I'm still in shock with that man's strength. Our Drag-Rides are indeed powerful but to witness that man demonstrating his strength was really marvelous." Celistia commented.
"Looks like your opinion about him just changed." Lux pointed out.
Celistia looks away, "Don't misunderstood... I still haven't forgive him for the incident last night." she replied, "But I'll admit that his strength is something I can respect." she admitted.
"By the way, where are they now?" Lisesharte asked.
Shalice pointed her finger at one table, "They're over there." she replied.
Lisesharte turns to the direction Shalice was pointing and her eyes widen in amazement. The team, like what Lux said was a strange bunch and just one look at them proves that. One of them was floating in mid-air, one of them had wings and one of them had a snake-like creature stuck on her ear. The princess can't help but stare at them in awe.
"Yeah... we had same reactions, Miss Lisha." Lux mused as the princess pouts at him.
"Well let's go and meet them." Shalice suggested, "I'm pretty sure you want to say something to Mister Cross." she said.
Lisesharte let's out a sigh, "Let's get this over with." she replied.
Meanwhile at the Cross Guard's table, we see the team having a chat and is laughing at the same time, much to Darren's expense.
"Hahaha! First Stella then the princess in this world." Chad said tapping Darren's shoulder, "You surely had a serious Princess Issues! I think you should find a cure soon.'' he mused.
"Hahaha! Very funny, Chad." Darren snark as he took a bite of his sandwich.
"But seriously! You had a case of serious Princess Issues!" Wesley pointed out with a finger quote, "You really need to deal with it soon or else, you'll be in serious trouble." he said.
"Thanks for the advice Wesley, I really appreciate your concern." Darren grumbled, "Still... I'm surprised that Miss Aingram decided to let us stay in this academy until we get rid every Emotionless in this world." he said.
"You may wanna thank Sandalwood for that. He did put a good word for us in this academy." Laura said while taking a sip of her drink.
"As expected from our resident Eco-Kid." Sylvia said with a smile of appreciation.
"No prob!" Sandalwood replied with a thumbs-up.
"Thanks to that. We don't have to worry about paying the Inn every night." Raya said with a grin while leaning on her seat.
"I agree." Squigly said in a agreement, "It seems the girls in this academy are very thrilled that were staying here.'' she pointed out looking at a group of girls from another table.
Raya then jab a thumb at Chad, "I think our handsome beefcake had something to do with that.'' she said with a blank look.
Chad smirked in response, "What can I say... chicks dig me..." he says while slicking his hair back, "... anywhere I go.'' he finished.
Maya rolls her eyes in disgust, "Don't push your luck." she said as she took a sip of her drink.
"zzzz... zzzzz..." Karizza snored as she floats above them with a pillow under her face.
Darren stares at the sleeping Karizza, "I swear... this blonde was awake a minute ago." he grumbled.
"Mmm... Marcus..." Karizza mumbled in her sleep.
Maya grimaced from what she just heard, "She better not be dreaming what I think she's dreaming.'' she said.
Raya let's out a chuckle, "Don't worry... I believe she's having some sort of coffee dream with Marcus involve in it." she reassured.
Wesley then looks at the numerous coffee mugs just below the sleeping and floating blonde, "Well... she did drink a lot of coffee... and still manage to fall asleep.'' he commented with a blank look.
Then Lux, Lisesharte, Celistia and Shalice greeted them, Lisesharte then apologized to Darren for the way she treated him but Darren reassured her that it's fine. After all, she is definitely not the last person whom will have a hostile reaction towards him, and he is not afraid to admit that. They then had a conversation and was later joined by Kruclifer and Philphie.
"zzzz... zzz... Marcus... zzz..." Karizza mumbled in her sleep.
Krulcifer then stares at the sleeping blonde above them, "Does she sleep all the time? Is she narcoleptic?" she asked.
Chad took a sip of his soda, "Nope! She's just plain lazy and loves to sleep most of the time.'' he replied with a casual smile.
"By the way, who's Marcus?" Lux asked.
Darren took another bite of his sandwich, "A really good friend of ours and a fellow leader." he answered, "And is her, Raya and Sylvia's boyfriend.'' he added with a blank look.
This taken the locals(except Philphie) by surprise, "Ha?!" Lisesharte squawked in shock.
"Are you saying that those three are in a relationship with one man?!" Shalice exclaimed.
"Four." Wesley corrected, "There's another girl from another team is in a relationship with the said man." he explained bluntly.
"What kind of man is this Marcus?! To have a relationship with four females! That's is so inappropriate!" Celistia said in disgust.
"Marcus... from the short times that I interacted with him... he is pretty rude and slightly insensitive. But above that, he's a nice person." Squigly stated.
"I agree with Milady." Leviathan quipped.
"And before you go say that Marcus is some sort of womanizer, a playboy or a seducer. Marcus just had these weird charm, which I can't tell to be honest, and has the tendency to attract girl without even trying." Darren explained.
The local girls then turns to Lux, whom has the same traits as Marcus in terms of attracting girls, the said boy could only look away from embarrassment.
"Are you people are okay with this?" Krulcifer asked in curiosity.
Chad nodded, "Well... it was shock at first. But if this is something that would make them happy, then who are we to stop them." he said with a smile.
"Plus... we got the blessings from our parents, though Marcus' hasn't told them his yet, so entering with this kind of relationship is not bad." Raya stated with a smooth voice.
The locals nodded in understanding, though Celistia is still trying to fathom of what she just heard, when Shalice spoke, "By the way, aside from those three, does the rest of the team in a relationship?'' she asked.
Wesley and Squigly raised their hand and surprisingly, Sandalwood and Laura. This caused Darren to do a spitstake, "What?! You two are in a relationship?!" he exclaimed in shock referring to the later couple.
"Well duh! We are in a relationship." Sandalwood replied, "Don't tell me, you didn't know." he said with a grin.
"Well duh! Of course, I didn't know!" Darren said back indecorously.
"There's a lot of things that you don't know Darren." Laura pointed out with a blank look.
As everyone continues their lively conversation, Lisasharte can't help but smile at how lively this team, then an idea came to mind, "Um... Mister Cross.'' she called.
Darren turns to her with a casual smile, "Yes, your highness." he replied, "And please, call me Darren, Mister Cross sounds like my... ugh... dad..." he said with a nervous grin.
Lisesharte nodded, "Could you teach some of your swordsmanship skills? It was really interesting and I want to try it with my Drag-Ride." she appealed.
Darren thought about it, "Well... any swordsmanship and Drag-Ride is pretty similar, so why the hell not." he mused before smiling, "Okay, your highness, I can teach you a thing or two.'' he replied.
Lisesharte smiled in response, "Thank you every much.'' she said in delight.
As everyone continues their lively conversation with Lisesharte excited to learn something new. Shalice, meanwhile, had something different in her mind.
A/N: Inspired from Jexi the Hunter, Hope the Victor and David the Almighty Paladin. If the OCs are not created by moi, then it's not mine.