Library.

Acma suggested to Zyma that they use the library as their study meetup spot after curfew, a privilege granted by the school staff due to the upcoming final exams.

Zyma didn't protest, seemingly understanding the reason without her explanation.

It became increasingly difficult for them to conceal their affection, especially after witnessing the sweet moments between Sean and Tatulia. Luckily, Acma had completed all the training that required close physical contact.

She wondered what would come next.

Acma had never kissed anyone before, and as a self-professed nerd, she had always despised intimate physical contact due to the ease of germ transmission. She could list thousands of diseases and had concluded that it wasn't worth the risk. However, even the most realistic person could be struck by Cupid's arrow.

What would he be like as a boyfriend?

Acma began to question Zyma's romantic history. He had boastfully mentioned his interest in "women," but she had never seen him with anyone other than Trepie #23 and his female customers. Trepie #23 was not entirely removed from the list of suspicions. She had known Zyma for a long time and he had even expressed his liking for her.

Another possibility was that, considering Zyma's shady life, "women" could refer to paid services. Acma considered herself cute, but absolutely not attractive in a womanly way. Urghh, she hated herself for entertaining such thoughts. But then again, that was his life before her which she had no right to judge. Although, with their mutual understanding of not putting a label on their relationship, at least before becoming SeeDs, she wasn't sure if he was thinking of being inclusive until then.

Her thoughts wandered even beyond the post-SeeD exams for a little while before realizing that she still had unchecked items on her abilities checklist. She felt guilty for being trapped in this notorious love entanglement that had often let academically accomplished students like herself down.

She needed to regain focus. Be cool. She had to become a high-ranking SeeD at Balamb Garden as soon as possible, the first step to achieve her ultimate goal. E.

"I still haven't figured out my Limit Breaks. Can we use your siphon to trigger it?" Acma asked.

"That's suicidal. You could use an Aura Stone, but that's an overkill. Also, you don't need a Limit Break to pass your SeeD exam, you know?" Zyma replied.

"How can you be so sure?"

"Bad pupil. Can't lose your judgy tone, can you? Trust me, this test is not about strength or abilities, it's about following orders. Look at Seifer. That guy never had to equip a GF junction and barely lost 10% of his HP in his SeeD exams. He failed anyway for not following orders though. And Quistis, when she was 15, her level was no where near you, yet she managed to pass the test and became a SeeD. You'll be fine."

"I see your point. Being stronger doesn't mean one would pass the test, and vice versa."

"Right. For the purpose of surviving most battles after the test, you should build yourself around the assumption that you will be fighting alone. But for the purpose of this exam, where you'll have the whole team backing you up, you surely will pass, if not this time, then the next. I never liked the idea of relying on a Limit Break. If you have to use it, you're already in big trouble."

"What if someone uses their powerful Limit Break while the rest, assuming they're still healthy, support that person?"

"That could work in theory. But it depends on how much you trust your partners not to mess up. Real battles aren't simulations. There are no Phoenix Downs to throw around."

"So you're not going to help me find my Limit Break then?" Acma said, displaying disappointment and annoyance.

"It's for your own safety. I know how reckless you can be," Zyma replied.

Acma wrinkled her face in response.

"Look," Zyma sighed, trying to convince her again. "I know you're competitive and care a lot about stats and achievements. But a great SeeD doesn't need all of that. Execution matters much more. You already have a strong foundation. You can cast Holy, a very powerful magic. Why don't you practice that before attempting risky moves?"

Acma winced. "How do I obtain Holy? You know it's one of the rarest magics. The Moon Stone and Holy Stone needed to emit it are dropped by monsters level 40 and above, and I can't defeat them yet. There are only a few available draw points, but they're all on the Island Closest to Heaven and Island Closest to Hell. Even if I could fly there, those islands have monsters at level 100. Trying to acquire Holy that way is a surefire way to get killed faster than trying to learn Limit Breaks."

"You're forgetting that you can trade magics," Zyma suggested.

"I'm a poor student. The antique items I brought here to trade with Sean barely cover my living expenses. Balamb is flooded with tourists and is much more expensive than Trabia. I need to become a SeeD to increase my stipend. Chicken and eggs problem."

Not to mention Zyma kept selling her overpriced items, but Acma tried not to include it in her long list of expenses. Zyma wouldn't back down just because of their unknown relationship.

"Then become a SeeD and collect more Holy later. Trust me, for passing the SeeD exam, all you really need is Thunder. And you have, what, 100 Thundagas from Trabia."

"Fine. Until then, I'll make money by tutoring. There's high demand now that the final exams are approaching."

"Triple Triad is another option, you know. Trepie #23 can teach you if you want."

The challenging part of keeping things casual between two people with affection was separating personal and business matters. Acma couldn't hide her disappointment that Zyma refused to help her, but she also felt grateful that he didn't bring up lending her money or his cards. She would have shot that idea down immediately, and he should know that by now.

"Senior Zyma!" Shrewdya passed by their table. "Rare to see you in the library," she chuckled.

"First time I've seen you here too, Shrew," Zyma and Shrewdya exchanged a knuckle touch.

"Just because you're never here."

Acma was taken aback by their level of familiarity.

"I've got the summer collection," Shrewdya mentioned.

"Perfect, drop them off in my room."

"Will do. Bye! See you two around."

"See you, baby doll!"

What just happened? Baby doll? Drop them off in my room? Didn't he say a few could come to his place? Acma wondered inwardly. She hadn't expected them to be so close. But it made sense since they both grew up in Balamb Garden and had known each other for a long time.

"I don't know that you and Shrewdya are that close," she commented.

"Of course, she's my trading partner for years. When she and Raddie were young, they used to jog together around the Garden. That's how I got to know her."

"Jog?"

"Yes. Raddie has been obsessed with physical training since a young age."

"I see. That explains why he's such a formidable damage dealer with high base Str stats even without junction. We had a one-on-one duel last week. I had to repeatedly stun him with Thunder and disable him with my lasso while constantly moving. I can't imagine facing him head-on with his gunblade that adds, what, 15 strength?"

"He's got potential. Good reflexes. Even better than his brother. A bit too nice and tends to trust people too easily, though. Sean and I tried to train him to be less gullible, but, well, he was born that way. If you end up being his partner, make sure to cover him on that aspect. Again, teamwork is important in the SeeD exam."

Acma scoffed.

"What's that?" Zyma inquired.

She shook her head. "There are so many talents to compete with. And I feel like I know so little about all of you."

Zyma raised an eyebrow. "I didn't expect you to be vulnerable like this. Balamb Garden is a military institution, not a fluffy academic school. Being one of the best doesn't guarantee an easy life, if anything, quite the contrary. Don't get caught up in comparing yourself to others. Focus on your own growth and improvement."

"Classic imposter syndrome. That's what I've had for a long time.'' Acma admitted. "Have you ever experienced that? Comparing yourself to others and feeling down?"

"I was in the same class with most Legendary SeeDs. Squall and Seifer, mind you. Of course I'm not as good as them, but my interests are different, and our paths are different. Look at how Seifer turned out. Squall is busy with showbiz interviews. Quistis is tied up in a metal clasp in her lab. And Xu is buried in paperwork. And Nida… gosh I even feel sorry for him. He shouldn't have listened to his dad's advice to become another instructor at Garden."

Their conversation was interrupted by another student.

"Yo, you're here. My item list, as promised. Thank Hyne I don't have to cross the Training Center anymore." the student said, handing Zyma a piece of paper before running away.

"Why don't you take orders via text or email?" Acma asked.

"Nah," Zyma replied briefly.

Acma frowned, sensing something was off about his response. Zyma always portrayed himself as the muscle, leaving the brainy tasks to her. But throughout their interactions, she had noticed that he was far from unintelligent. The fact that he intentionally avoided using efficient technology must have a reason behind it.

She gasped softly, catching Zyma's attention.

"What?" he asked.

"What?" she replied, feigning innocence.

"That look... What are you thinking?" Zyma inquired.

"Nothing," she answered, reluctant to confront him.

"You were definitely thinking something. I know that look," he pressed.

She hesitated, unsure if she should share her observations.

"It's nothing. I might be mistaken. I need to observe more, don't want to get ahead of myself," she finally said, smiling.

"Observe what?"

"Nothing important," she evaded.

"What do you know?" Zyma's suspicion grew. "About… me?"

"Nothing. I just noticed..." she trailed off. "You seem to dislike anything tech-related..."

"Go on?"

"Your car is filled with knobs instead of screens. You often leave your com device in your room and don't respond to my texts, suggesting you use an alternative method to reach me one-way, and you can't seem to read my texts in order to reply. Your room is always dark, and you wear a bandana when you nap. You frequently skip morning classes. You do all the business in the evenings..."

Zyma rolled his eyes at each of Acma's observations, confirming her suspicions.

"So... is there something wrong with your eyes?"

"Nothing's wrong. I can still take you out in the dark, that's for sure."

"What about in daylight?" Acma challenged. "You're the one who chose this seat in the library, farthest from the window. Another genetic condition?"

Zyma scoffed. "It took Xu much longer to figure it out. Acma," he admitted, "you're quite something."