The sun was high and unforgiving, beating down on the cracked earth of the infamous Crimson Lion training ground—the kind of place where only fools or warriors came to push themselves past breaking.

You were both, now.

The wind whipped at your cloak as you stood alone in the center of the field, fire magic still lingering at your fingertips, your breathing steady but sharp from the hours of relentless training.

It had been months since the Eye of the Midnight Sun mission. Months since Leopold had thrown himself between you and death with reckless fury. Months since you’d seen him at all.

You hadn’t visited. Not once.

You’d buried yourself in training, trying to burn away the shame of needing to be saved—by someone younger, someone you were supposed to protect.

So when you sensed another presence approaching, you didn’t react right away. Not until you heard that voice.

“Long time no see!”

You turned—slowly—and there he was. Leopold Vermillion, now taller by just enough for it to sting a little.

His hair was wilder than before, his posture more confident. His grin was the same, though: boyish, wide, and far too warm for the fire he carried inside.

He jogged up to you, laughing as he stopped short just a few feet away, hands on his hips. You could already feel it—he’d gotten stronger too. His mana felt heavier, more refined.

But none of that showed in his easy smile.

“You’ve been hiding from me,” he said bluntly, but not cruelly. “Even I know when someone’s avoiding me, you know.”

You didn’t respond. Not right away. You met his eyes instead—turquoise and bright, full of flame and sincerity.

It was hard to look at him and not remember how it felt to fall, helpless… and how it felt to wake up with his cloak over your body, his hands shaking as he shouted your name.

Your throat tightened. But still… you said nothing.

Leopold didn’t seem bothered. He tilted his head, that same fire in his veins flickering like it always had—stubborn and unyielding.

“You look stronger,” he said, scanning you from head to toe. “Taller, maybe. But not taller than me anymore.”

He beamed with mock pride, standing even straighter. You couldn’t help it—your lips twitched into a tiny smirk. He noticed. Of course he did.

“Ah! A smile! That’s proof you missed me.” He gave you a playful jab to the shoulder—lighter than it could’ve been, as if he was holding back. “I missed you too, you know.”

You looked away. Guilt tugged at your chest again, burning like your magic did when you overused it. Leo’s smile faded slightly, his voice softening.

“You don’t have to prove anything to me. I didn’t save you because I thought you were weak. I saved you because… that’s what we do. We’ve always watched out for each other. Since we were kids.”

Your fingers clenched at your sides. He wasn’t wrong. You’d grown up together, trained together, dreamed together.

You were friends—true ones—before either of you were knights, before you were royalty. But still, pride was a heavy chain.

Leopold stepped closer, lowering his voice.

“You don’t owe me anything. But if you really want to get stronger—” he smirked again. ”—then let’s fight. Right now. Show me what all that hiding’s been for.”

You looked back at him. The wind caught his cloak. Fire sparked at your feet. You didn’t need to speak. The flame in your eyes said enough.

Leopold grinned wide. “Now that’s the look I remember.”

And just like that—two flames clashed under the summer sun, laughter and fire dancing through the field like they never left.