The other cadets gathered.
“What happened?” Mai said, looking frantic. “You weren’t supposed to use actual magic in this program. It’s not made for it.”
“Should’ve told me that at the start,” Yiran said.
“I didn’t think youcoulduse magic during that program. There must have been a glitch, or maybe I keyed in something wrongly—I’m so sorry, Yiran.” Mai wrung her hands.
She’s afraid.Probably because, like him, she had her family’s reputation to think about. If he’d come to any actual harm, she’d be in trouble for letting the Simulator runandfor letting an untrained cadet use it. His mind was still hazy, but Yiran realized something: if he covered for Mai now, she would owe him later.
“It’s not your fault, Mai,” he said, adding dryly, “That was way less fun than you said it’d be, though.”
“Don’t make a joke out of it,” Ada scolded. “We’ll have to get you checked out by a healer.”
If he went to a healer, everyone would know what had happened. Mai would get into trouble, and while he didn’t care about that, he’d lose his hold over her. He shook his head. “I’m okay. I just need to rest for a bit.”
“Are you sure?” Mai said, looking relieved.
“Is this yours?” Teshin called out. They were holding the can of frappé.
Yiran nodded.
“You had coffee?” Rui gasped.
“It’s just a mocha.”
“You’re new to all of this. Don’t you remember what—” Rui caught herself in time and shut her mouth.
Ada threw a questioning glance at her.
Right, Zizi said this could happen, Yiran recalled. The mage had warned of an unpleasant caffeine crash for someone in Yiran’s situation.
“We weren’t supposed to use the Simulator. We should still report this incident,” Ada said. But she looked hesitant, and the rest of the seniors were starting to exchange worried glances. Nobody wanted to get into trouble.
Yiran’s mind was already working. He had an opening.
“But it’s my fault,” Yiran said. “I shouldn’t have drunk the coffee. Don’t worry about it, Mai. And I know you’re the Student Council president, Ada, but could you let it go? I won’t tell a soul.” He conjured an image of his grandfather’s furious face in his mind so the emotions that arose in him came through in his expression as he looked up at the group of seniors. “I really don’t want any trouble on my first day. Can we just forget about it, please, just this once?”
Yiran could tell the seniors were softening. Whether it was out of guilt or respect that he was willing to shield them, Yiran didn’t know and he didn’t care. As long as he achieved his goal, what did it matter?
“Just this once,” Ada said reluctantly. Yiran noted how her word was respected by everyone. “I’ll take you to the dorms to rest.”
“I’ll come with you,” Mai said. “I can drop by the cafeteria to get you something along the way.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.” Yiran looked at Teshin. “No more coffee for me, I guess.”
Teshin crushed the offending can and tossed it into the bin. “You’ll need a lot of remedial training to get on our level, but I see potential,” they said. “Let’s find some time to talk about spiritual weapons. I’ve a feeling you might be an unusual case.”
Achievement unlocked. “Thanks, Teshin. Appreciate it.”
Yiran’s pulse was still wild, and his insides hurt. But with some luck and maneuvering, he’d managed to turn the situation into something useful. Not bad for his first day.
A weird sensation went through his chest. He glanced at Rui, certain it had come from her. She was stone-faced, but he felt—no, heknew—her envy.
Ada tossed him his shirt. As he buttoned it, he caught Rui slipping out the door, her shoulders stiff. He might’ve convinced the other seniors today, but there was someone else he still needed to win over.
17
Nikai
