Aislin bracelet jingled on her hand as she almost ran to the auditorium. That was place where Math decathlon was supposed to happen. She was late because she couldn't get up early and now her already high nerves were throbbing painfully everywhere.

As she entered the school auditorium, she realised that there whole lot of people as an audience than she could ever expect in a math competition and she was the last contestant of the twelve to take her place. Everyone eyed her in a weird manner but she was too damn nervous to notice.

"Hi." She said smiling towards Anthony and the world tilted in other direction because he smiled back.

"Hi, don't be nervous. As far as I know, it would be pretty easy for someone with your intellect. Just not get scattered nerves get to you." He said actually talking to her and giving advice.

She nodded gratefully, at least here they were a team.

She sighed and looked around for an assessment on her opponents. Everyone looked decent and as much nerd as she did. But there were these two boys who sneered at her evilly. One rolled his eyes at her as if she didn't deserve to be there while other had a sly grin like a playboy. She already aching stomach rumbled uncomfortably.

"Tim and Albie Symons, brothers. They are our worst competition. They are deadly when it comes to Math. Not very good human beings either. The rich brat type." Anthony on his chat mode summarised them for her.

Don't worry. Don't panic Aislin you will crush them. Aislin encourage herself, her hand now too cold for her comfort.

Of course you will. You have a Mathematician Legend talking in your head. Ayduin magical voice was back bringing a sense of relief with it.

"Ayduin! Thank goodness!" She said those words aloud and again earned angry glances from people around.

Oops, I shouted out loud in happiness. I don't care about the cheating thing; help me beat those ass holes sitting right in front of me eyeing me like I am a decoration and not a competition.

Ayduin laughed really hard this time. This girl was short on nerves. It was wonderful to hear her say his name out loud with so much happiness. It gave a sense of pride Ayduin usually lacked instead filled arrogance.

Do not laugh, you prince of Elm Lenora. She said strictly.

This took him by surprise and was hurt a little.

Why? He asked roughly.

It distracts me. She mumbled tangling and untangling her fingers.

It was her obvious habit of nervousness.

His hurt vanished and was replaced by an internal glory of elation. His laugh distracted her; it was a way better victory than he had all of his life.

She ssshed him and he never minded still lost in the glory of his success.

He noticed all the while she answered the questions, worked hard on equations diligently. Her partner the one who had ignored her earlier was also working alongside her. He could almost feel her nerves throbbing inside her not with nervousness now but with exhilaration.

Ayduin was supposed to be getting prepared and keep required weapons for his impending journey to Flames of Vita. But his entire mind was focused on her test. She was wearing the bracelet again and that gave him hope that she will not disappear on him again. And all this while she has vanished was because of his bad nature and not because she hated his cursed self.

Given are the functions fp(x)=9x2+p−−−−−√x2+2fp(x)=9x2+px2+2. The line kk with a slope of 2,5 touches fpfp in AA with xA=−1xA=−1. Get the function of k algebraically.

She read this question multiple times in her head as if working hard to get its solution in a most optimal way.

Ayduin almost thought of helping since he could get the solutions within seconds but he kept quiet knowing how competitive Aislin was and how she would not feel completely satisfied even she won this way.

She looked up to check if the Symons brothers had done it. Hope surged through her as she saw they were also struggling. After few minutes, their buzzer buzzed and she felt the drain of energy.

Keep going Aislin, theirs might still be not the most optimal solution.

This restarted her mind and she started working on it while Anthony worked on other equation. Her team and Symons brothers were the only one left in the competition.

Finally, as her question was done she hurried with the answer sheet to the judge. She threw the brothers a menacing look. They were almost surprised how unbending she was.

Ayduin felt proud of her, she liked this quality of hers.

No, No. You respect her. You don't like anything about her. Ayduin explained himself with no serious effects.

What was he feeling? Why was he feeling like this?

Both of the team's answers were deemed correct and they were called to explain their approach.

=9x2+p−−−−−√x2+2.y=9x2+px2+2.

Multiply by x2+2x2+2 to get

y(x2+2)=9x2+p−−−−−√.y(x2+2)=9x2+p.

Squaring, you get

y2(x2+2)2=81(x2+p).y2(x2+2)2=81(x2+p).

Differentiate both sides implicitly by xx:

2yy′(x2+2)2+y22(x2+2)2x=162x.2yy′(x2+2)2+y22(x2+2)2x=162x.

Now, plug in all the data (x=−1x=−1, y′(−1)=2.5y′(−1)=2.5) to get a quadratic equation for y(−1)=yy(−1)=y:

−12y2+45y=−162.−12y2+45y=−162.

Solutions are y=6y=6 and y=−94y=−94, but notice your function is always positive, so y(−1)=6y(−1)=6 and the line is 2.5x+8.52.5x+8.5.

She explained her process and waited fretfully for results.'

Ayduin it's time you said a farewell to a few of important people. I hope you have with you all you need. Ayduin's father booming voice got the attention of both Aislin and Ayduin.

All worries of decathlon left her when she saw the King with Ayduin's eyes. There was imminent sadness in his eyes for sending his son away.

Father, I have all I need and I prefer to go without any farewells.

I see you carry Ethireil besides your other weapons. Since when have you picked sword over any other weapon. His father asked trying to keep the conversation longer.

It was so clear he wanted to talk to his son.

Ayduin noticed that while talking and observing Aislin the packing he had done included the locket, his bow and arrow, his elvish magically modelled brown leather belt that could all the weapons he could yield or want to carry, he also carried a sword that was seldom put to use.

He had no idea whose it was but on its sparkling blade, it was engraved Ethiriel.

Beautiful sword Ayduin. She almost whispered as if someone could hear her voice in his head.

Rest of the minor stuff was to be packed by Folred.

"It is beautiful," He said it both as an answer and also as a response to his father.

"Sure it is, it is the sword of Light." His father said almost hypnotized by the sword.

And the winner is...Aislin and Anthony.

"Father please hold on for a minute." Ayduin said cutting off whatever his father was saying and paying attention to what was happening in Aislin's competition.

These two have the most optimal solution, therefore, the decathlon is won by Team A.

I won, we won Ayduin! Look at Symons brothers' faces they are fuming.

Not necessarily, I think they quiet awed by you. He said both amused and putting the name to the feeling, jealous.

He had no right to feel so, she didn't belong to her but he had this pang of jealousy.

"Ayduin are you smiling?" His father asked sounding truly flabbergasted.

This caused both Aislin and Ayduin to wince.

His father looked at him as if he had lost his mind.

"Well I am.. umm.. I am just surprised that you are making such a fuss over my journey. It is amusing to see you flustered Highness." He said expertly handling the situation.

Nice one Guardian! We suck at multitasking by the way.

She said almost laughing in his head and again the utter feeling of joy filled him.

"I am fine father and Folred is with me so you don't have to worry, that boy practically raised me," Ayduin said hastily to get rid of him so that he could continue talking with Aislin.

"Yeah well, you are the only heir to my throne. I care what happens to you.

Is your family not good at sharing their feelings are they? She asked remembering how Ayduin shut her off or got defensive.

We are not called Ice elves for no reason. We are literally like ice frozen and alone.Even the fire dims in our presence. He said sincerely also feeling if that level of frost reached out to her heart as well.

I don't believe that. Because I feel anything but cold around you. Rather you make me feel warm. As soon as Aislin said that she smacked her head lightly.

"Miss Aislin please collect your winning certificate. Where is your mind right now?" The announcer said scolding lightly.

For a while, Ayduin was reeling in her statement... Did he make her warm? How? Why? And for the first time in his existence, Ayduin had the feeling of desire, to actually have the girl in his presence and see how she will react to his touch.

Right then even he himself could feel the ice melt away and blood heated within him. What the hell was she doing to him and that too from a distance?

***

Here is it! As much as I can manage from my killing schedule. The  burden will hopefully lighten after 20th... till then I am... barely alive xD

Share your thoughts! :) Brightens my day!