An Extra’s POV

Trisha already knew…

She had realized it a long time ago. It didn't matter how hard she swung her blade, or improved her form, or desired victory… she was never going to get it.

Not against someone like Rey.

As the boy closed in on her after parrying her final move, she felt herself descend into a haze.

'I thought… if I hit him one time, I could prove something to myself… and to him. If I managed to do it, then he wouldn't have been such a liar.'

All this time, Rey portrayed himself as weak but skilled. It lit a flame within her that even she could become stronger if she kept at her training and adhered to his advice.

She indeed became stronger, but the backlash of betrayal that came from her new perception of Rey wasn't something she could ignore. She tried to, but was unsuccessful at every turn.

It seemed like Rey lied to her all along.

'This is the difference between those who have good Skills and those who worked hard to hone their skill.' Trisha closed her eyes as she watched Rey's blade near her.

'In the end, Skills are all that matters.'

~WHOOOM!~

A powerful gust of wind blew past her, and she suddenly felt something warm wrap itself around her—like a coat that covered her from the front.

It was Rey, and he was currently embracing her.

"Trisha, I'm sorry…" As he whispered those words in her ears, his calm voice caused her body to grow stiff.

She wasn't miraculously relieved of the anger within her, but her heart raced regardless.

"...."

For the longest moment, she said nothing. Perhaps she derived some sort of comfort from being hugged by Rey, who now had a height taller than her.

~CLANG!~

Her weapon fell to the ground, causing a loud echo to fill the room.

Trisha remained silent, though. A conflicted expression played on her face. It was clear that she still despised Rey for his several threads of deciet, and for how he gave her a hope—an expectation—that she could never live up to.

After all, back then… when Rey fought and defeated Billy, he became an inspiration to her.

She monitored his growth from that point on with utmost diligence and arrived at a conclusion.

'If Rey could do it, I can too…'

all a lie.

you for the

"...."

"You knew, didn't you?"

"... Yeah."

them remained still. Rey's arms were still wrapped around her, but there was no sign that any of that was

already know. Your

again, Rey was forced to give the only

"... Yeah."

that deter me, and I'd compete for your love and attention until I won." Trisha pulled back,

steps away, looking at him with moist

I no longer

calm through it all. It almost seemed he was a brick wall, unaffected

too far, but it seems I was wrong.' Her unshed tears slowly began to dry up, and her trembling

Rey's voice pierced the air, causing

moment, emotions flickered in his eye before

I did. I'd do things very differently if I could, but… I

up her

grabbed the weapon by the hilt and shrugged once

late to change anything, anyway. Plus, it would be too petty of me to get upset with

growth, but he also protected her and the city

life and so

forgive you. I don't know why it's so hard to just put it all behind me and only focus on

come up with all kinds of excuses for him, but in the end…

a part in it." She spoke pretty

Rey was

as she narrowed her eyes

"Trisha, I—"

you with, Guildmaster?" The sudden words she uttered caused Rey

That was no surprise, all things considered. The one known as the Guildmaster was merely hiding behind the partly shut doors of

idea…" A few seconds after Trisha spoke up, and both parties focused their attention on the door, the culprit stepped out with a

looked like a fine blend between a child and a teenager;

fluttered as he scratched his similarly colored hair. One look at him, and one would never guess he was

wasn't eavesdropping or

both Rey and

for real!" He yelled out, raising

than an ordinary teenager. That wasn't so surprising, considering

to see

see each other just a few months ago! You think I didn't piece everything together

were Jet as well?!" Trisha's eyes widened as she looked at Rey

"Well, that was actually—"

lies…" Trisha's frown deepened, and Rey could only do one