Episode 3 : Bend down like a chair

Rowan walked through the dimly lit hallway, Seraphina's face haunting his thoughts. A fleeting smile crossed his lips before vanishing into a mask of detachment. Inside the classroom, Seraphina struggled to grasp the teacher's lecture, her mind wandering in confusion. Leaning toward a nearby classmate, she whispered urgently, "What is—"

"Seraphina!" the teacher's stern voice interrupted, cutting through the quiet murmurs of the classroom. "Do you not understand the rules? Why are you whispering?"

"I... I don't understand the lesson," Seraphina admitted, her voice barely audible above the teacher's reproach.

"Out," the teacher commanded, his frustration palpable.

Anger flared within Seraphina as she muttered under her breath, "Damn teacher."

Meanwhile, Rowan noticed the commotion from outside the classroom and approached the teacher with a calm demeanor. "May I be excused?" he asked politely, his status as one of the school's top students granting him a certain level of leniency.

The teacher, acknowledging Rowan's standing, nodded reluctantly. As Rowan stepped into the hallway, he spotted Seraphina, still muttering to herself in frustration. A faint smile touched his lips, but before he could respond to her presence, she turned sharply towards him.

"Why the strange smile?" she demanded, her eyes narrowing as she caught him off guard.

"You— I'm talking to you, mister!" she continued, frustration evident in her voice. Rowan remained silent, his usual aloofness masking any reaction to her outburst.

"Hey, I'm exhausted," Seraphina sighed, her tone softening slightly as she spoke. "Bend down."

Rowan arched an eyebrow, unsure of her request. "What?" he responded coolly, not immediately grasping her intentions.

"Bend down, like a chair," Seraphina clarified, her voice tinged with both annoyance and amusement.

Rowan hesitated for a moment, weighing his options before complying with her unexpected demand. Seraphina wasted no time, seating herself on his back with a mischievous grin. "Am I heavy?" she asked playfully, her earlier irritation momentarily forgotten.

"No," Rowan replied quietly, his stoic expression softening imperceptibly at her playful demeanor.

"You've dirtied your clothes, Rowan," she remarked casually, a hint of fondness in her voice as she used his name. His reaction did not go unnoticed.

"Thanks for letting my feet rest," she added with a small smile, standing up and brushing herself off.

"Now it's my turn. I don't want to owe you any favors," Seraphina declared, her tone firm as she straightened her clothes. Bending down, she patted her back. "Come on, sit."

Rowan shook his head slightly, declining her offer with a brief, "No, thanks," his tone returning to its usual detachment.

"Fine, your call. I offered, you refused. No favors owed," Seraphina said matter-of-factly, standing up and dusting herself off.

Rowan nodded silently, acknowledging her words without further comment.

"If you're not tired, can you carry me now?" Seraphina asked teasingly, attempting to lighten the mood.

Rowan didn't verbally respond, but he reached out and lifted her onto his back once more, a faint hint of amusement flickering in his eyes.

"How many siblings do you have?" Seraphina asked, attempting to divert her own boredom as they began to walk down the hallway together.

"Fifteen," Rowan replied quietly, surprising her with the number.

"Fifteen siblings? Are you serious?" she exclaimed, clearly taken aback. "I only have one, and he died at birth. So, I'm the oldest," she explained, her voice tinged with sadness.

Their conversation was interrupted when Seraphina suddenly spotted Alder, a senior student known for his gentle nature and prowess as a Leaf Mage from the prestigious Verdant family. Without hesitation, she asked Rowan to put her down, and she rushed to embrace Alder.

"Alder!" she called out joyfully, her face lighting up as she ran to him.

"Oh, Seraphina," Alder responded warmly, enveloping her in a comforting embrace. They engaged in conversation, catching up on their day.

Meanwhile, Rowan stood back, observing them with a mixture of jealousy and resignation. "Who's he? A new friend?" Alder asked cheerfully, sensing Rowan's unease.

"Nah, he's nobody," Seraphina dismissed with a wave of her hand, causing a pang of hurt to flash across Rowan's face.

Alder leaned in to kiss Seraphina, but Rowan instinctively reached out and gripped his wrist, stopping him in his tracks.

"What's this, Rowan?" Seraphina demanded, her voice now tinged with both surprise and anger as she turned to face him directly.

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