Work Text:
You're tired.
So many classes and so many notes to jot down onto you're notebooks thats already piling up to be as tall as you. How can magic be this complicated?! Why did you choose Mixture Magic instead of pure magic? These classes are hell including these new concepts.
You slumped over your desk, every other apprentice's in the Great Hall already with their own inner circles, you turned your head with rose tinted glasses you look across the room to find that familiar back.. She's so pretty even from far away, you can't help but feel something bubbling up in you're heart like tiny brushbugs slithering around and tickling you with their fur. You stared some more, admiring that apprentice girl.. She looks like she's from Master vinanna but you can't see, you only focused on how beautiful she looked.
She turned, looking behind you as you quickly hide your face with your book. 'Dear God, she seen me! ' — You peeked over the cover, she left. You felt dissappointment welling up in your brain, another chance of introducing yourself gone to the drain. You carefully close the thick grimoire and sighed to yourself.
You've been studying your butt's off to get her attention, to get her to notice you and talk to you first but it doesn't work. An impressive light spell that can turn into a rainbow? She doesn't turn her head, Turning sand into glass with fire magic? She doesn't even bats an eye! You were screaming into your pillow at your master's quarters. How can you get her to pay attention to you?! "Annoying! Annoying! Annoooyyiinnnggg!!! —" you shouted, biting and chewing the edges of the pillow.
".. What does she like? " You thought out loud, the pillow slipping off your bed as you look up to the ceiling. Asking her friends would be weird, you don't know either of them.. Eavesdropping on their conversation makes you look like a creep... Stalking is a big no, no! That'll ruin your reputation. How about observing the people she found interest in? That's a good idea, perhaps.. You could observe the people she acquainted with and get along with them and in exchange perhaps she will pay attention to you!
You sat up, smiling triumphantly as the plan formed into your head. "Alright! I decided.. " you chuckled, perhaps fate was in your hands after all and perhaps soon you could confess your feelings in the future... You couldn't help but swoon over the thought, it's a heart-fluttering and infatuated future. You could practically see a wedding in front of you!
"Hehehe...! " — You laughed to yourself, hugging your pillow towards your chest as you tussle and turn in your bed. You swore you could hear footsteps and bell chimes in the distant until a knock on your door broken through the silence.
"... Apprentice, don't make such loud noises dead at night, please. " your daydream cut short with a serious tone. "I could hear you screaming from the other side of the room! " —A sigh came from your master, making you embarrassed from waking them up or disturbing them.
"... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to— I'll go to sleep now.. " You voiced out, hearing your master clicked their tongue before walking away... You should really sleep right about now.
And surprise, it was actually very late and you didn't get enough sleep! You were too distracted by the thought of finally confessing your love to her that you ended up sleeping for measly 3 hours. Who could've blamed you? For some rest and saving your brain from overloading, you only jotted down your work and important lessons, you didn't bother with the other tiny topics sprinkled in by one of the professors, you could've sworn someone was staring at your back. You rubbed the tiredness from your eyes, it must be being tired, as you peeked over the wall.. Behold! Your crush with her friends surrounding someone. Today is a very special day because your crush, the mysterious girl, talked to someone! The rumoured boy that beldaruit™ taken in a... Long ago, you don't actually remember. You watched closely... Very closely...
Examining her expression, her movements and the way they laughed. You believed they had some fun, though the boy doesn't seem all that happy.. Or they always have that frown on. You can't tell, you returned back to hide behind the wall, taking a deep breath as you ready to approach the boy. "Alright, alright... This is the time. " you spoke out, a tiny mere whisper as you turned around and found the boy staring at you.
" ... " He stared at you, watching your face turning red slowly and watching you fiddle with the ends of your hair that you didn't realize you were doing.
" H-Hello!! I didn't see you th—" you stammered quickly, dusting off any debris and fixed your hair. Plastering an awkward smile as you stared at the boy, how long was he standing there?! —
".. You're that glass kid. "
"... Eh? " you blinked in confusion, looking around the now empty hallway, the Great Hall usually never this empty or quiet.
".. The one who made that glass vase with fire magic, I like how pretty it was. "
You blinked once more, pointing at yourself as he nodded. You never gotten a compliment over that, it was an experiment, you weren't sure if pyreball is strong enough to melt the sand's components to turn into glass and even the dye's you use wouldn't guarantee their vibrancy.
" You.. You watched that? " you looked down, your body straight as you fiddle the ends of your apprentice robes.
The boy nodded, tilting their head slightly. "Did they were not impressed? It's quite cool.. " he admitted as he stepped closer slightly. "I wanted to talk to you but you were too.. Distracted. "
'.. Ah, he meant I was staring at her with roses. ' you think, feeling embarrassed that your heart is laid bare. You thought you hid your feelings well enough. "Hahahahahahaa— distracted?! Never! " you laughed out, rubbing the back of your head. ' I thought no one pay attention to me—'
" ... Did you came for her? " he interrupted, pointing at the retreating figure of your crush walking away.
"No way, she's not my type! " —thats a lie, she's totally your type.
The boy tilted their head more, looking at you, really looking at you as if to decide if you are telling the truth or not. 'Dear Heavens hear my prayer and don't see through my lie—'
"Really? "
"Yes, really!! " you nodded furiously, slight blush dusted across your face. "Let's stop talking about people and introduce ourselves, who are you?.. " —You questioned, you never really pay attention to rumours and gossips much more focused on your education and assignments by your master.
The boy smiled slightly, you swore you could see a small twitch. "I'm.. Qifrey, i'm supposed to meet with a friend, olruggio. "
"Ah! Ghodrey's treasure right?! — I like his fire magic! " you exclaimed, you never seen a fire so bright before. You started to follow Qifrey, walking alongside him as you babbled on about how different magic react differently to each other.
How wind magic can amplify fire magic to make it spread farther and magic it dangerously hot.
Wind magic with ice magic, making some sort of fan and the coolness is quite perfect for the summer heat.
Ice magic and light magic making such beautiful artificial rainbow that rivals a real rainbow with how vibrant it is.
"Oh! And you know levitation magic right? " You questioned Qifrey, without you realizing it, both of you are now sitting in the cafeteria and across from each other.
"Mhmn, it's used on our boots and we levitate to some degree right? " You nodded, pulling out your notebook as you pointed at a specific drawing of a sigil.
Theres some stabilizers and cores near the circle, in the middle, there is a fire sigil. Another drawing you pointed at have an improved version of levitation sigil that usually medium in difficulty is now intricate and difficult.
"One at the top of your soles and the fire on the bottom, everytime you click.. It'll send you blasting off a great feat! —" you exclaimed, even bringing out your own boots. It's something you did all on your own without the permission of your master. "Oh, please don't tell anyone. Especially my master, they'll bite off my ear— " you crossed your arms, looking at Qifrey as they.. Stare intensely. Tapping the cafeteria's table as if in... Boredom? ".. Am I talking too much? I'm sorry, I'll stop and le—"
"No, please. Continue, I was too focused on... "
"My boots? "
"Yes, your boots.. "
"Do you want me to draw the exact spell on yours? "
".. Not really but I'm curious how far you can get with it... "With that, you beamed in excitement, quickly grabbing them off the table and putting them on. Qifrey looked at you, surprise with your scarily fast and excitement. " are you doing it right now? "
"Why, yes! — I can show you! —"
"Isn't it dangerous? —"
"Nonsense! I can do it. " you reassured, looking down at your boots as you put the tip of your shoes together so you can levitate yourself slightly off the ground. "Ready? Are you watching? "
"Y-Yes, I am.. Please be carefu—"
Clink!
You soared off, it was higher than you anticipated. Qifrey's expression into worry and a bit of.. Surprise? Admiration? You couldn't tell from how high you were.
"See?! —" you shouted, keeping the tip of your shoes together. "It's super effective! —" you shouted, slowly coming down as you slipped and fall slightly.
"T-That... That was.. —"
"Amazing right?! —"
"That was dangerous?! You could've fall! —"
"But I didn't! I may be new but I know how to control my own spells. " you smiled triumphantly, your hands on your hips as your boost about your successfully (albeit dangerous) demonstration.
Qifrey couldn't help but sigh, shaking his head slightly. You've been talking his ear off about all sort of magic you could combine about 6 hours already, yet he couldn't help but listen intensely. But slowly, your words starting to pick up pace that he have t'o ask repetitive questions to get you to slow down slightly.
'.. Cute' Qifrey thought, watching and albeit not listening as he's too focused on admiring you. He noticed you awhile ago, you're diligent, hard working and albeit dense that the girl you were crushing over did not like you in the slighest bit. He wondered what gotten into you when you decided to fall in love with them... He just doesn't see it, Olruggio teased him about it too.
"Why are you so focused on this lesson? " —Olruggio questioned, unimpressed by his best friend jotting down notes as if they will miss a single one. "Ooohh, I get it now.. " He exaggerated his tone, falling back slightly to the chair with a smirk on his face. "It's because of that glass kid right? " In an instant Qifrey looked at Olruggio with a frown, but the blush dusted their cheeks is a dead giveaway for his best friend's feelings.
"Hey, Hey! I don't like them like that... " Qifrey mumbled, it was only a few days before he realized his feelings to you were more than admiration for your unique and albeit scary ideas of combination magic. "It's just I don't want to lose to her. " —which is your crush, he knows his talented but you won't look at his way! ".. She's like, so whatever! I could do so much better than her. " that day, Olruggio knew that something light up in Qifrey's eyes, some kind of one-sided rivalry to see who could take your heart the quickest.
' Ah. His very determined. ' Olruggio thought, but more reason to tease his best friend though. ".. Qifrey? —"
"No, not yet—"
"... Qifrey—"
"I'm not finished yet! —"
"Qifrey! "
".. What is it? —"
" class is over... " Olruggio voiced out, staring at Qifrey baffled face as they turned their head to look at their surroundings especially where you were seated.
"Oh."
Perhaps another day, he would win you over. Even if he have to rig it a bit! Often he would drag you to skip classes together, Olruggio making sure that nobody disturbs both of your time together. He made gestures that only couples do but you just don't get the hint, Beldaruit even teases him about it when his mentor saw him gave you a sweet snack, tormenting him with 'aww.. is my dearest apprentice having a crush?!' in some way or another.
He tried everything to show he's affection, first was courtship dancing. Taking your hand in his as music from a music box he got from Beldaruit to help him win your heart, but he ended up messing up by stepping on your feet. So much being a bird.
The second was secretly asking you to browse the market, the idea was to make the atmosphere romantic so it feels like a date and make you feel like its a date! but the market unexpectedly had a carridge accident so the street were closed.
The eleventh was exchanging buttons, it was said that exchanging buttons with the person you loved is.. he forgot what it meant but Qifrey knows it means something!
21 attempts, 21 attempts at hinting he likes you.
Qifrey wonders if it works, he tried everything from Beldaruit's advice, asking seniors on how to make a person fall in love with you— Damn, he even bought 3 romance novels on how to make it cliche. Not his best but damn did he try!
He's not sure if you like him back, you look so excited sharing your findings and lessons with him even if he doesn't ask for it. He willingly listens and added some of his ideas.
Qifrey was sure he had failed on making you fall in love with him, it was the day of the "The Goodwill of Her Grace" you asked him to meet you at the hallway when both of you met. Strange, did you want to congratulate him privately? Qifrey follows you, looking at your fidgeting hands as you walk side by side.
".. You're quite nervous, is something the matter?" Qifrey questioned, tilting his head to the side as both of you stop mid in your tracks. Your face is red, nervous, flustered? he couldn't tell, his heart is beating with whatever you're about to say.
You turned to him, you're hiding something in your sleeves, he doesn't comment on it. ".. I have something for you, congratulations on passing the exam." Your voice barely noticeable, looking down as if your boots are more interesting that his presence.
"Thank you, i couldn't have passed if it's not for your words." Qifrey smiled, a bit disappointed you only came here to say a few congratulatory words, at least it's better than getting rejected or asking for a favor. "If that's all, then i have to go." his brows furrowed slightly, slowly turning back as his ready to accept his fate.
"wait!—" You grabbed the edge of his cloak, pulling him back in surprise, he looks at you as you bow towards him. "please go out with me! i-i like you Qifrey!—" You shouted, pulling out a flower albeit a bit withered but clearly you tried to find a flower that matches his eyes, your hands covered in dirt and grime.
Qifrey's speechless, unable to say a word before you got onto the floor.
"PLEASE GO OUT WITH ME! I DIDN'T PLAN ON FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU— BUT I DID!—" You admitted, Qifrey couldn't help but the edge of his mouth twitched to a smile as he grabbed two of your hand, encasing them with his.
"I accept!" He shouted, stars and glitter in his eyes as you felt tears welling up in your eyes.
.
but the moment was ruined slightly with...
"Congratulations apprentice!" The familiar voice of Beldaruit comes as both Alaira and Olruggio popped out of the corner of the hallway with confetti falling onto both of you. "I knew you could do it! this mentor of yours is very happy!" Beldaruit continue as his chair walked over to Qifrey, patting them on the back.
"Im glad you two finally confessing." —Olruggio congratulated, smiling brightly.
"good job, it feels like the end of a novel where the love interest finally gets together!" —Alaira added, popping another confetting spell.
"w-why are you guys here?!" Qifrey questioned, red covering all over his face as he turned to you.
".. they were here for... emotional support..."
"emotional support?!—"