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…'

a lie. And

had feelings for you for the longest

"...."

"You knew, didn't you?"

"... Yeah."

Rey's arms were still wrapped around

feelings for me, I already know. Your eyes… are

to give the only truthful response to her

"... Yeah."

I'd compete for your love and

steps away, looking at him with

longer think

face remined calm through it all. It almost seemed he

seems I was wrong.' Her unshed tears

you on that." Rey's voice pierced the air, causing her

what seemed like a tiny moment, emotions flickered in his eye

do things very differently if I could, but… I never meant

little to pick up her blade. Her

hilt and

anything, anyway. Plus, it would be too petty of

a large chunk of her growth, but he

him her life and so

just put

kinds of excuses for him, but in the end… none of those could heal

hope you find happiness, Rey. I just don't want a part in it." She

of this, Rey was

distracted gaze spotted something there, and as she

"Trisha, I—"

words she uttered caused Rey to sigh and also glance

as the Guildmaster was merely hiding behind the partly shut doors of the vast hall,

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

him perfectly. He looked like a fine blend between a child and a teenager; cute, yet having an air of

One look at him, and one would never guess he was the Guildmaster of

I wasn't eavesdropping or

gazes from both Rey and Trisha as they

real, for real!" He yelled out, raising both hands in

more than an ordinary teenager. That wasn't so surprising, considering the fact that

nice to see you

like we didn't see each other just a few months ago! You think I didn't piece everything together and realize you're

as well?!" Trisha's eyes widened as

"Well, that was actually—"

Trisha's frown deepened, and Rey could only do