The Boy Who Walks Beyond The End-Chapter 75: Trial of Two

The morning sun struck Eboncrest Academy with rare gentleness—almost as if it, too, was bracing for the chaos of Partner Trials. The Practice Hall had been cleared, reinforced, and enchanted to withstand whatever wild elemental combo or accidental firestorm students were about to unleash.

[System: ALERT! Partner Trials begin. Romance may occur. Viewer discretion advised.]

Zen stood near the Aetherion pillar, arms crossed, face unreadable—but his eyes kept drifting to the Royal Class line.

Lyra stood in her crisp uniform, hair tied in a loose side braid, her expression calm... until she caught Zen's eyes.

She smiled.

Zen looked away too quickly.

[System: Oh, he's blushing. Zoom in! Zoom in! Oh wait. Only I can see this.]

The instructor clapped once, voice booming. "You will pair with a student from a different class. Victory or harmony determines your grade. Coordination is everything."

Just as Zen opened his mouth to call out to Lyra—

"Zen!!!"

A voice exploded beside him like a confetti cannon dipped in chaos.

Enter Kleez.

Verdant Class misfit. Eternal chaos. Walking rule-breaker.

And somehow—STILL ALIVE.

He cartwheeled into view, two apples balancing on his head, a squirrel riding his shoulder, and glitter falling from his sleeves.

"I have arrived!" he declared. "Zen, my brooding sky PRINCE! Let's partner up! We'll be stars! Fire and ice! Salt and caramel! Forbidden and slightly expired!"

Zen blinked. "... Again you?."

Lyra arrived beside them, raising an eyebrow. "Who...?"

Kleez's eyes turned to her, instantly sparkling like twin comets. "Ah. The moonlight of my destiny. The breeze that chills my spine. The girl who clearly could murder me with a sneeze—MARRY ME."

Zen's fingers twitched near his sword.

[System: Jealousy detected. Engaging passive: Petty Stare.]

Lyra frowned. "Don't touch me."

Kleez placed a hand over his heart, pretending to be stabbed. "I wouldn't dream of it, O princess of frost! Your gaze alone has slain me."

[System: Revive skill: Kleez.exe – Glitching reality since enrollment.]

The instructor shouted, "Zen of Aetherion and Lyra of Royal—assigned partners."

Zen stepped forward immediately, brushing shoulders with Kleez just a bit harder than necessary.

"Oops," he said, deadpan.

Kleez gasped. "That was a love tap."

[System: I love this drama.]

As the trial began, Zen and Lyra entered the arena. Around them, illusion beasts shimmered into being—mock enemies made from pure mana. The goal: defeat five, together.

Lyra summoned a glowing sigil. "READY?"

Zen drew his blade. "I'm always ready when it's with you."

She blinked, cheeks dusting pink. "That was... unexpectedly sweet."

[System: Someone's gonna kiss before graduation, I swear.]

The illusions charged.

Zen dashed ahead, blade dancing like wind across glass. Lyra followed, her magic shielding him from behind, her own strikes timed perfectly.

Their movements—like a duet. Every motion, every glance synced.

For a brief moment, amidst glowing runes and phantom claws, their hands brushed.

He looked back.

She didn't pull away.

Outside the arena, Kleez clutched his chest. "Is this... Heartbreak? Or Indigestion? Hard to say."

A squirrel threw a nut at his head.

Back in the trial, Zen whispered, "We've got this."

Lyra nodded, voice soft. "I know."

[System: New achievement unlocked: Sync Souls – When two hearts beat to the rhythm of battle.]

The last illusion fell with a crash of frost and steel.

Silence.

Then thunderous applause.

They stood, back to back, breathing together. Victorious. Unbroken. Closer than ever.

The most uptodat𝓮 n𝒐vels are published on freёnovelkiss.com.

And somewhere above, unseen by all but Zen...

[System: You two are disgustingly perfect. I'm proud. Also... is it weird I ship you both? I'm your system. This feels unethical.]

Zen allowed himself the smallest smile.

Lyra looked at him.

Neither spoke it, but the feeling between them pulsed stronger than any spell.

They didn't need to confess.

Not yet.