This chapter is dedicated to nomandsendgame for being an awesome bestie and FF writer! Thank you for everything bub ily💖💖

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By God's Grace, Sarawat came around by the starting of the Freezing season. The Aster City was also repaired well. So what's left was the commencement of the Finishing Ceremony. Magnifer had scheduled it at the almost end of the year with the heavy demands of the Finishers who were halfway through applying for higher studies and jobs.

The day came soon enough with people crowding around the Great Aster Tower in the open field. Win learned the Finishers were to go all the way up on the tower and place their hands on the Universe stone and submit himself to the Mother Universe for her to test them. Win didn't believe it feels like torture until he saw the first person, Ally screamed her lungs out her shrill screeching sound echoed through the area, shaking few people to the core. Her screams soon turned into whimpers.

Win stood like a stone, afraid of thinking what she might be going through. The way the crowd was encouraging her with claps sounded even more ruthless.

He couldn't help by shudder at the thought he will be the one standing there and submitting himself to be tested by the Universe as the Finishers one by one stood touching the Universe stone. He has to take in the tortures without complaint.

"That's painful", he had commented.

"Very", Bright had answered back.

"The even more painful fact is you cannot let go of the Universe stone or you'll die", Carmel told Win.

He shuddered. This is ruthless.

"Why?"

"Because if you let it go, you're not a true Numan. Years of teaching did nothing to you", Carmel spoke again.

It was scary.

After few torturous moments, the ceremony was finally over. The badly shaken Finishers came out with a blank expression on their faces.

He didn't know when, Bright had already clasped his hand in his and was using his healing powers to calm his nerves down.

Win didn't know either if it was for the fact Bright was holding his hand or his healing powers were doing their magic, he felt good.

•••

Win snapped his eyes open. His face was burning and his heart had been thumping quite loud among his ribcage.

He dreamt of that encounter with Bright again. The encounter which he had faced a few weeks ago when his wings came out and he flew.

The way he soared down the tallest of all towers in the Epson City to save Bright from falling. The scene where Bright was falling without having his wings summoned out was enough to have his disappointment, which has settled after several failed attempts of flying, dissipate out. He had surprised himself enough by jumping after him without a second thought and catching Bright. He was so scared that the fact that he had his wings sprout out was feet away from his concern.

The way Bright had smiled at him, the way he had seen his reflection in those brown eyes after they safely landed had been doing things to him. The sparkling eyes spoke something foreign yet familiar to him. He had blushed at that look.

And the way Bright had complimented him saying, "I knew you could do this" had him feeling all mushy inside. The fuzzy feeling was back all over him subduing the other compliments received from his other friends.

The whole thing had been replaying in his dreams over and over again making him blush and wake up with racing heartbeats.
The way he was feeling was different- like it was always there and feels so right, yet so distant and dangerous. Like playing with fire or something of that sort. And whenever that almost kiss arose in his mind from a few weeks back, he had grown all red suddenly.

After that wing-sprouting encounter, there wasn't a time he hadn't blushed around Bright.

What magic did he cast on him? A mysterious spell perhaps? Oh, Mother Universe!

He buried his face on his palms before groaning and sitting up straight and slapping his burning cheeks to go to their original colors. It was a futile attempt, so he jumped up and ran towards the bathroom to wash his face up at least.

•••

Page year was finally over. The ex-Pages have enrolled in the Flasher year almost immediately after the results came out. And no doubt the Genius Five passed it in flying colors.

The Genius Five's birthdays passed away doing nothing at all. Luke and Mill sneaked into the palace to give them so delicious Hetchen and a nice bottle of expensive wine. Luke had flirted with Joss a bit that day, making Joss curse him out loud with his very red face.

The first day of shifting into the Flashers building was tiresome for all five of them. So the next day they sat down in Bright's bedroom, which was cozier than the others and planned the subjects they'll take for the next three Flasher years.

"You have to take Healing because you have a Gift like me", Bright pointed out to Win.

"Then how about you take Runes, Fighting, Elemental Studies as your elective subjects and Healing, Arithmancy, and History of Magic as the core ones? Flying is compulsory... So what do you think?" Love suggested.

"No! Anything but Arithmancy!" Win scrunched his face up.

"Then what... Will be going for Etiquette studies and dancing?" Joss teased him.

"Shut up, Scarpe dung!" Carmel shoved him, "before mocking him look at yourself. Did you plan your lessons?"

"Nope!" Joss said. He fell on Bright's soft bed with a groan, "We have plenty of time to do that. Besides, our first Ball is just weeks away. I am busy thinking of finding myself a lover right now".

"You're such a dragon-ass, I swear!" Love scoffed.

"That reminds me. Bright! I heard Princess Nymphala, who was staying in Planet Beuren with the space officials will be here for the Ball", Joss said.

Bright visibly tensed. Win however felt his stomach drop at the news. It gave him some odd bad vibes right then.

"Hmm", Bright hummed, playing with the pages of his old History book.

"She was pretty into you the last time she was here", Love said, her eyes eyed Bright and Win back to back.

Win's heart beat loudly. He thought about the fact Nymphala liked him over and over in his mind. What could be the possible probability that Bright liked her too? A nine out of ten?

"I am well aware of that", Bright said making Win swallow a lump in his throat, "but Joss, I think, keeping in mind the about of lessons we have in the Flasher year, lesson plannings are much more important than that Princess. Just for your information."

Joss smirked looking at the irritated Bright and Win who had his face turned stoic. He believed this news might affect their relationship for the best.

•••

Next week was filled with the arrival of the Royals from around the Universe. The ones that went out of Midaster to keep things under control over several places in the Universe were finally coming home.

Win learned how Numans other than the Royals get to attend every Ball even before they are 19 and 20. Nevertheless, all the new Flasher students were taught perfect etiquettes and dances the very week of the arrivals of the Royals.

All preparations were going on with busy, excited people bursting with anticipation and excitement all around, but Win could help but feel off every time he thought about Princess Nymphala might arrive any day now and claim Bright as hers.

Moreover, Bright was a Prince and was already of marrying age. He should marry a Royal to keep his bloodline intact. (He had heard those from few kitchen elves and Messenger Numans)

And who was he to think those? Who was he anyway? He didn't have a class... He was a Preserver, that's all he knows. Bright might say he doesn't care about the bloodlines, groups, and classes, but that cannot possibly push away all the responsibilities he has on his shoulder.

The moment he thought those, he had got surprised at himself how unreasonable he sounds. Bright, the Prince was his best friend, not his lover. Thinking about this is wrong for him. Yes, Bright was kind to him he had been there every time Win needed him, and Win thinks of him as a friend and Bright does it too.

Then why is there this ache that was eating him down? Why was he sad? Why couldn't his healing powers mend it? What sickness was this?

•••

Princess Nymphala arrived one bright day and all the boys went absolutely crazy over her.

She was very gorgeous, Win had admitted after watching her from behind the veils. Her golden locks which fell elegantly were enough to trap those young hearts and her looks were like the daughters of the Caesars. With so full of elegance and etiquette it wasn't a surprise people were already falling head over heels for her.

"Win?" A familiar voice startled him. He turned around to find it was none other than Bright.

"Bright? What are you doing here?" He clutched his heart.

"I should be the one to ask you this question, Raven-head", he ruffled his hair, something he had grown a habit of doing.

"Prince Bright", an utterly honey-coated voice called him. Even before they could turn and find out who it was, Princess Nymphala came into the view. "I was just looking for you". She gave that annoying flutter of eyelids that made Win clench his jaws.

"I was about to get down. I apologize for the delay. I hope your journey has been comfortable?" He asked. The Bright Win knew, and the Bright right now was entirely different. He appears so stiff and emotionless.

"It was, Your Highness." Nymphala bowed down gracefully, Bright returned it with elegance.

"Um, I'll take my leave Bright, um... Works to do", Win gave a small smile and was about to walk when the princess stopped her.

"Who's this gentleman?" She enquired.

"This is my bestfriend, Win." Bright introduced him. Win swore he found Bright's voice full of something- definitely different from what was in the voice earlier.

"Win, as in the Preserver?" She asked, awed at the fact. She looked at him like was the 8th wonder of the world. Win hates this look.

"Yes, Your Highness", Win bowed down with a smile, nonetheless. As per the etiquette, he took her hand had kissed it.

Bright noticed how Nymphala blushed at the gesture and how friendly Win looked standing there.

Bright's hands curled against his palm. What was this searing feeling in him? Like something that was burning him up.

"Would you like to look around, Nymphala?" Bright asked, trying his best to tear that girl away from Win. Anything would do, even a trip around might, who knows, helps him in that?

But his attempt was futile. He mentally facepalmed watching how Nymphala asked Win to join them. He felt his anger rise in him as the girl spoke with Win with that friendliness. And the Scarpe that Win was, replied with that sweet smile.

For Win, Nymphala was fun to talk to. She had a various amount of vibrant stories to say and was a patient listener.

He found her a very ideal girl to be someone's lover. The way she laughs and the way she speaks, everything was beautiful and was carried out perfectly— as if she knew what she was doing.

He tried hard to like her just like his friends were falling for her, yet every time she talks or laughs he couldn't help but think of how Bright would laugh. Why was this happening, he mentally chided himself.

Bright on the other hand stopped following them and watched their back as they made their way forwards. His heart ached to notice how Win was looking at her. His throat constricted watching them all giddy. He wondered if Win was ever like this with him, looking at him with those eyes. Probably, never.

He walked away after throwing a longing look at the ravenette. He was not wanted there it seems.

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Nymphala is my favourite name, because I made it myself. There's no meaning to this word, but according to me it means one who has the beauties of the Nymphs.

Feel free to point out my mistakes, I haven't proof read it yet.

Next chapter will be fun 😉