EPISODE 13 — YOU ARE NO LONGER MY FRIEND

# THE FALLEN LIGHT — SEASON I

## CHAPTER 13 — YOU ARE NO LONGER MY FRIEND

Arthur Green was having a bad day. In fact... His last few days had been bad. The reason wasn't classes. It wasn't Orin. It wasn't his father. It wasn't even Percy. At least... That was what Arthur kept telling himself.

Percy, Charlotte, and William were walking together in the academy gardens. William closed the book in his hand.

"Wrong."

Percy looked at him.

"What's wrong?"

"Both of you."

Charlotte raised an eyebrow.

"We both gave the same answer."

"Yes."

"Then we're the majority."

William said, dead serious:

"The majority can be wrong."

Percy stopped. So did Charlotte. Percy looked at William.

"This kid is dangerous."

Charlotte laughed. William reopened the book.

"Page one hundred twelve."

Percy took the book. He read it. He went quiet for a moment. Then he handed it back to William.

"...You're right."

Charlotte looked at Percy.

"Is that it?"

Percy:

"What?"

"Aren't you going to object?"

Percy thought for a second. Then a broad grin formed on his face.

"BOOOOO—"

Charlotte immediately covered his mouth.

"No."

Percy muffled out:

"MMMPH YEAAAAH!"

William looked at the two of them.

"Why did I become friends with you two?"

Percy pulled Charlotte's hand away from his mouth.

"Because you don't want to die alone."

"I might change my mind."

A few meters away, Arthur was watching them. Or more accurately... He was watching Charlotte. Charlotte slapped Percy's shoulder. Percy said something to her. Charlotte laughed. Arthur's eyebrow twitched. Oliver was beside him. Henry too. Edward looked at Arthur's face. Then at Percy. Then at Charlotte.

"Don't."

Arthur turned to him.

"Don't what?"

Edward didn't answer. Arthur started walking. As he passed by Percy... He slightly extended his foot. Percy didn't see it. His foot caught. He lost his balance. And fell to the ground.

Charlotte's smile faded.

"Arthur!"

Arthur stopped. Charlotte turned toward him.

"What are you doing?"

Arthur shrugged.

"Nothing."

Percy placed his hands on the ground. He stayed like that for a second. Then he stood up. He dusted off his clothes. He walked up in front of Arthur. There was no anger on Percy's face. Not yet.

"Childish."

Arthur looked at him. Percy was about to continue.

"Don't do it again."

He turned his back. It slipped out of Arthur's mouth.

"At least I have a family."

Percy stopped.

Charlotte's expression changed.

"Arthur..."

Even Oliver went quiet. Henry looked at the ground. Edward knitted his brows. Percy didn't turn back around. There was Holar. Holar was Percy's family. Percy knew this better than anyone. I have my Grandfather. That's enough. But... He also knew what Arthur meant.

The voice of his mother came to his mind. The person who left you... Didn't abandon you. Percy's hand trembled slightly. Arthur realized the weight of what he had said. But it was already too late.

Percy slowly turned around.

He raised his hand.

"Slash."

A paper-thin line of Orin cut through the air.

SLASH!

The clothing on Arthur's arm split open. Then a shallow cut formed on his skin. Arthur recoiled.

"AH!"

Charlotte's eyes widened.

"Percy!"

But Percy's hand was still raised in the air.

"Reverse."

The line of Orin reversed back. The cut on Arthur's arm... Closed up. The bleeding stopped. The skin knit back together. As if he had never been injured just seconds ago. Arthur stared at his own arm. Charlotte looked at Percy. William didn't speak.

Right at that moment, the classroom door opened. Clara came outside. The first thing she saw... Was Arthur's sliced arm. The second thing... Was Percy pointing his hand at him. The third thing... Was Arthur's arm closing up.

Clara's eyes widened.

"Percy!"

Percy looked at her. Clara rushed over to them. She looked at Arthur's arm. Then at Percy.

"What are you doing?!"

Percy didn't answer.

"You hurt him!"

Charlotte immediately stepped in.

"Clara, don't—"

Clara held up a hand.

"Stay out of this."

Charlotte went quiet. Percy's eyes shifted. Clara stood right in front of Percy.

"What were you thinking?!"

Percy still didn't answer.

"Just because you're mad at someone, you can't go hurting them with magic!"

Percy clenched his jaw. Clara continued.

"No matter what Arthur did to you—"

**SLAP!**

The corridor fell silent. Clara's hand remained frozen in midair. Percy's head was turned to the side. Charlotte's eyes widened. William looked genuinely surprised for the first time. Even Arthur didn't move.

Percy stayed like that for a few seconds. Then... He turned his head toward Clara. His cheek was red. But what was in Percy's eyes... Wasn't pain. It was fury.

Charlotte tried again:

"Clara—"

"YOU STAY OUT OF THIS!"

Percy's gaze flicked to Charlotte. Then returned to Clara. His voice didn't rise. This... Was worse.

"Clara."

Clara stopped. Percy looked at her.

"You are no longer my friend."

Clara's face froze.

Percy continued.

"So..."

"If you ever try to do what you just did again..."

He paused for a second.

"...you'll get it right back."

Clara's eyes widened. Arthur stepped forward. And threw a punch straight into Percy's face.

BAM!

Percy staggered back.

Arthur:

"Don't talk to her like that."

Percy slowly straightened up. He wiped the corner of his lip. He looked Arthur dead in the eyes.

"You..."

One step.

"...shut up."

Percy kicked. Arthur tried to block with his arm. But the impact pushed him back. Arthur lunged at Percy again. Percy ducked. Arthur's punch whizzed overhead. Percy raised a second kick. Arthur this time caught it. Percy was left standing on one foot. Arthur was holding his leg. The two locked eyes.

Percy's other foot started lifting off the ground. Arthur's eyes widened.

"DON'T YOU DARE—"

"ENOUGH!"

A crushing wave of Orin filled the corridor. Percy was suspended in midair. Arthur was pushed back. Two instructors had stepped between them.

"BOTH OF YOU, STOP!"

Percy was still glaring at Arthur. Arthur was glaring back at Percy. Clara was standing a few steps away. Percy didn't look at her even once.

DISCIPLINARY BOARD

The outcome didn't take long. Percy Grant. Arthur Green. Physical fighting inside academy grounds. Use of offensive magic. Continuing the conflict until teacher intervention.

Seven days suspension.

Percy:

"Fine."

Arthur:

"Fine."

The instructor on the board looked at the two of them.

"Are you remorseful?"

Percy looked at Arthur. Arthur looked at Percy. Both said at the exact same time:

"No."

The instructor closed his eyes.

"Ten days."

Percy:

"That's unfair."

Arthur:

"Absolutely."

Instructor:

"Twelve."

Both went silent. Outside the academy, Holar was waiting. Eleanor was standing next to him. Percy saw them. He slowed his pace.

Holar's first question:

"Are you okay?"

Percy nodded.

"I'm fine."

Eleanor saw the redness on Percy's cheek.

"What's that?"

Percy didn't answer. Holar saw it too.

"Percy."

"Clara."

Eleanor's expression changed.

"Clara did that?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Percy started walking.

"I cut Arthur."

Holar:

"You did what?"

"I healed him."

"You cut him first."

"Yes."

"Why?"

Percy stopped. He went silent for a while.

Then:

"He said something about my family."

All expression drained from Holar's face.

Percy looked at him.

"Grandfather."

Holar immediately softened. Percy continued.

"You are my family."

Holar's eyes shifted slightly.

"I know."

"I know too."

Percy walked on again.

"But I still got mad."

Holar started walking beside him.

"You can get mad."

Percy looked at him.

"However, getting mad doesn't make everything you do right."

Percy fell silent.

"I know."

Holar nodded.

"Good."

Eleanor had stayed behind. Because... She needed to talk to her own daughter.

That evening...

"Mom, Percy went crazy."

Eleanor was sitting opposite Clara.

"What happened?"

"He cut Arthur with magic."

"And then?"

"He healed him with reverse magic."

Eleanor knitted her brows.

"What happened before that?"

Clara paused.

"I don't know."

"What did Arthur do?"

"I don't know."

"What did he say?"

Clara went quiet.

"...I don't know."

Eleanor looked at her daughter for a few seconds.

"Then you hit Percy."

Clara's face hardened.

"He injured Arthur."

"Without knowing what happened."

Clara didn't answer. After a while, Clara crossed her arms.

"If that's how it is..."

Eleanor waited.

"I'll hang out with Arthur."

Eleanor raised an eyebrow.

"What will that solve?"

Clara shrugged.

"Nothing."

"Then why?"

Clara turned her face away.

"Percy isn't talking to me anyway."

Eleanor looked at her daughter. But this time... She thought her daughter needed to find the answer herself. In the following days, Clara really started spending time with Arthur. Oliver. Henry. Edward. And Clara.

At first, it was awkward.

Even Arthur asked:

"Why are you here?"

Clara:

"I'll leave if you don't want me to be."

Arthur:

"I didn't say that."

Clara sat down. When Percy learned about this... He said nothing at all.

Charlotte looked at him.

"Clara's hanging out with Arthur, apparently."

Percy turned the page of his book.

"Okay."

William looked at Percy.

"Didn't you hear?"

"I heard."

"Aren't you going to say anything?"

"No."

Charlotte looked at Percy's face. Percy really didn't say a word. But that night... He practiced with his Orin orb for three hours longer than usual.

Twelve days later, Percy and Arthur returned to the academy. Before the first lesson began... Professor Adrian Wycliffe had been summoned to the faculty lounge. Standing before him were two people. Holar Jun. Eleanor Leyvar. Wycliffe looked at both of them.

"Should I be worried if the two of you called me together?"

Eleanor:

"Probably."

Holar looked at her.

"You're not helping."

"I told the truth."

Wycliffe sat down.

"What is the matter?"

Holar thought for a moment.

"Percy and Clara."

Wycliffe nodded.

"I noticed."

Eleanor:

"Everyone noticed."

Holar:

"We want them to work together."

Wycliffe raised an eyebrow.

"By force?"

Holar fell silent. Eleanor looked at Holar.

"It was the only idea we could come up with."

Holar sighed.

"Unfortunately."

Wycliffe leaned back in his chair.

"Two kids are mad at each other."

"Yes."

"And your solution is to put them in the same spell group."

Holar:

"Yes."

Wycliffe looked at Eleanor.

Eleanor:

"We realized it sounded bad once we said it out loud too."

Wycliffe nodded.

"I can try."

Class began. Wycliffe stepped to the front of the classroom.

"Today, we will be working in pairs."

Murmurs arose in the classroom.

"I will assign the groups."

The names began.

"William Hart and Charlotte Ashford."

Percy looked at the two of them.

William:

"Sorry for your loss."

Charlotte:

"Why?"

"Did you see the look Percy gave us?"

Percy:

"I can hear you."

Wycliffe continued.

"Arthur Green and Theodore Bell."

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Arthur nodded.

"And..."

A brief pause.

"Percy Grant."

Percy raised his head.

"Clara Leyvar."

Silence.

Percy:

"I don't want to."

Clara:

"I don't want to."

The two looked at each other. Then at the exact same time:

"DON'T COPY ME."

A few classmates snickered. Percy and Clara's glares hardened. Wycliffe remained calm.

"I didn't ask you."

Clara grit her teeth. But she stood up. Percy didn't stand up.

Wycliffe looked at him.

"Percy."

Percy looked at his teacher. Then he stood up. But he didn't walk over to Clara.

"Professor."

"Yes?"

Percy's voice was calm.

"Even you cannot make me do something against my will."

The classroom fell dead silent. Wycliffe's eyebrow rose slightly. Percy continued.

"Punish me however much you want."

"I will not pair up with her under any circumstances."

The anger on Clara's face... Vanished for a moment. In its place came something else. Wycliffe looked at Percy for a long time.

Then:

"Sit down."

Percy sat down.

"You will do today's exercise solo."

"Fine."

Clara also returned to her seat. Outside the door... Holar and Eleanor had heard everything.

Eleanor leaned against the wall.

"This is bad."

Holar was silent.

"Very bad."

Holar finally said:

"Yes."

Eleanor looked at him.

"Forcing it was a mistake."

"So it seems."

"What do we do?"

Holar looked at the door.

"Nothing."

Eleanor was surprised. Holar continued.

"If adults didn't cause a break in a relationship..."

"...adults trying to forcibly fix it sometimes only widens the crack."

Eleanor went silent. Holar's gaze remained on the classroom door.

"Both made mistakes."

"Both got hurt."

"Both think they know what the other is feeling."

Eleanor sighed.

"And both are seven years old."

Holar looked at her.

"That's the most dangerous part."

Eleanor chuckled.

"You've lived for two thousand years and you're afraid of seven-year-olds."

"Absolutely."

"What are you talking about?"

The two turned around. Charlotte was standing behind them.

Eleanor:

"Charlotte?"

Charlotte hesitated.

"Are you talking about Percy?"

Holar said nothing. Charlotte clasped her hands behind her back.

"I... know what happened."

A few minutes later... Charlotte told them everything. Arthur's trip. His jealousy. Charlotte calling Arthur out. Percy calling it 'childish' and trying to walk away. Then...

"Arthur said, 'At least I have a family.'"

Holar's face froze. Eleanor closed her eyes.

"Ah..."

Charlotte continued.

"Percy used Slash right after that."

"He also used Reverse right away."

"Then Clara came out."

"She only saw the end."

Eleanor took a deep breath.

"Clara doesn't know this."

Charlotte nodded.

"No."

Holar asked.

"Why didn't Percy tell her?"

Charlotte thought for a moment.

"I think..."

"...he didn't want to."

Holar bowed his head. He understood. For Percy to repeat Arthur's words to defend himself... To Percy, that wasn't a defense. It would be an excuse. Eleanor looked toward the classroom where her daughter was.

"I should tell her."

Holar shook his head.

"No."

Eleanor turned to him.

"Why?"

"Charlotte told us."

"Percy didn't."

Holar paused.

"This is something Percy has to say himself."

Eleanor thought for a while. Then reluctantly nodded. That afternoon... The intra-academy arena matches began. It wasn't the major tournament yet. Just inter-class training matches. But the stands were full. Students were cheering. Teachers were watching. Names were being matched up.

When one of the first match-ups was announced... The arena went quiet.

"Percy Grant."

A pause.

"Clara Leyvar."

Percy stepped into the arena. Clara came from the opposite side. For the first time in days... The two actually looked at each other.

Wycliffe raised his hand.

"Begin."

Clara was the first to move. Light had not yet awakened as her true elemental affinity. But her basic Orin control... Was still better than Percy's. Three Orin orbs. Percy formed a shield.

BAM!

BAM!

BAM!

He blocked the first two. The third shattered his shield. Percy dodged to the side. Clara had already moved. Percy raised his hand. He formed a line of Orin. Clara changed direction. Percy anticipated it. He launched the second attack. Clara constructed a shield. Collision.

Percy smiled. For a brief second... It was like the old days. Clara felt it too. But neither said a word. Percy reached out to the external Orin. Clara noticed this. Because... They had first tried that idea together.

Percy's orb accelerated. Clara ducked. The orb passed right over her hair. Clara stomped her foot on the ground. A wave of Orin threw off Percy's balance. Percy slid back. Clara didn't miss the opportunity. One. Two. Three. Percy blocked the first. Evaded the second. The third... Struck his chest.

BAM!

Percy fell to the ground. He tried to stand up. Clara was already right in front of him. An Orin orb in her palm. Aimed right at Percy's forehead.

Wycliffe's voice echoed.

"Match over."

Silence.

"The winner..."

"Clara Leyvar."

Applause erupted from the stands. Clara was out of breath. But on her face... Was a broad smile. Percy got up from the ground. He dusted himself off. Clara looked at him. She waited for a remark. An excuse. An objection.

"It doesn't count."

"You were lucky."

Anything.

Percy simply extended his hand.

"Congratulations."

Clara froze. There was no anger on Percy's face. No resentment. No excuses. He had simply... Lost. And accepted it. A few seconds later, Clara shook his hand.

"Thank you."

Percy let go. And stepped out of the arena. Clara watched him leave. For some reason... Even though she won, it didn't feel as good as she had expected. But that feeling didn't last long. Because Clara Leyvar... Was seven years old. And she had beaten Percy Grant.

Ten minutes later, she walked over to Charlotte.

"I beat Percy."

Charlotte:

"I saw."

"Pretty easy, too."

Charlotte raised an eyebrow.

"Easy?"

"I was in full control."

Percy a few meters away was talking to William.

Clara said a little louder:

"Some people get a 100% and think they're so strong."

Percy heard it. He didn't turn his head.

Clara's eyebrow twitched slightly.

The next match-up:

"Charlotte Ashford."

"Arthur Green."

Arthur stepped into the arena. Charlotte faced him. For the first time that day, Arthur looked genuinely excited.

Charlotte:

"Why are you smiling?"

Arthur immediately straightened his face.

"I'm not smiling."

"You definitely were."

"No."

From the stands, Percy looked at William.

"Strange."

William:

"Very."

The match started. Charlotte fought well. But Arthur... Was stronger. He was faster. And he was more aggressive. At the end of three minutes, he shattered Charlotte's shield. The match ended.

"Winner, Arthur Green."

Arthur offered Charlotte a hand.

"Good fight."

Charlotte took his hand.

"You too."

Arthur's ears turned slightly red.

Percy looked at William.

"Why did he turn red?"

William looked at Percy. Then at Arthur. Then at Charlotte. Then back to Percy.

"Do you really not get it?"

"Get what?"

William turned his head.

"Never mind."

In the following matches... William Hart also stepped into the arena. He defeated his first opponent. And his second.

Percy was surprised. Because William's Orin power wasn't extraordinary. Nor was his speed. But the kid... Was thinking. Constantly. He was watching his opponent's feet. Their shoulders. Their breath. Which hand they cast spells with. At what angle they built their shields.

Percy slowly smiled.

"Brainiac."

Charlotte:

"Just noticed?"

"A bit."

Then came the match-up.

"William Hart."

"Clara Leyvar."

Clara stepped into the arena.

As she passed by Percy:

"You can give your friend tactics if you want."

Percy looked at her.

"No need."

Clara stopped.

"Why?"

Percy looked at William.

"He's already been watching you."

Clara's eyebrow raised. The match started. Clara attacked. William evaded. She attacked again. William evaded again. Clara's expression changed.

"Stop running!"

William:

"No."

Percy burst out laughing. Clara glared at him. A mistake. William attacked instantly. Clara built a shield. William struck the lower-left side of the shield.

CRACK!

Clara's eyes widened. William pulled back. Clara attacked again. This time, William moved to the right. Clara reflexively pulled her left foot back. William had been waiting for exactly that. An Orin orb struck the ground next to her foot. Her balance broke. Clara stumbled.

Percy's eyes widened.

"How did he know that?"

Charlotte:

"Know what?"

Percy didn't answer. Because... Clara had been doing that for years. Whenever she attacked, she pulled her left foot back like that. William had noticed. Clara recovered again. This time she was angrier. And that was precisely what William wanted.

Clara sped up. She attacked harder. She used more Orin. As for William... He didn't fight her. He guided her. One step. Two. Three. By the time Clara noticed... She was very close to the edge of the arena. William sent a small Orin strike. Clara formed a shield. But the strike wasn't meant to beat Clara. It was meant to push her back half a step.

Clara's foot stepped outside the line.

Wycliffe:

"Match over."

Clara froze.

"Winner, William Hart."

Percy leaped to his feet.

"BOOOOOOOOOOOWWW YEAAAAAAH!"

Clara's head snapped toward him.

"WHAT ARE YOU YELLING FOR?!"

Percy pointed at William.

"MY FRIEND WON!"

"YOU'RE HAPPY THAT I LOST!"

"NOT THE SAME THING!"

"IT TOTALLY IS!"

Percy laughed.

"At least I lost while actually fighting you."

Clara's mouth fell open.

"WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!"

As William left the arena:

"I fought too."

Percy:

"I know, it was awesome."

Clara:

"I HATE YOU BOTH."

William:

"Okay."

Clara froze. Percy looked at William. William looked at Percy.

Percy:

"Look."

William:

"What?"

Percy pointed at Clara.

"She gets angrier when you don't object."

William nodded gravely.

"Noted."

"DON'T TAKE NOTES!"

Clara walked away in anger. Arthur saw her.

"Did you lose?"

Clara looked at him.

Arthur immediately said:

"I didn't say anything."

Clara sat down beside him. Percy saw them from a distance. His smile vanished for a moment. Charlotte noticed. But a few seconds later, Percy turned back to William.

"How did you figure out her foot?"

William began explaining. Percy listened attentively. Clara also looked at Percy from afar. Charlotte was beside him. William too. Percy was laughing. Clara turned her face to Arthur.

"Wanna practice together tomorrow?"

Arthur was surprised.

"Sure."

Percy heard this. He said nothing. Clara deliberately added in a louder voice:

"Maybe I really need a good opponent."

Percy stopped. Charlotte looked at him. William too.

Percy didn't turn around.

He just said:

"Good idea."

The small expression of victory on Clara's face... Instantly vanished. Percy kept walking. Charlotte and William went with him. Arthur stayed beside Clara.

The two groups... Walked down opposite directions of the same corridor. Once, there were only a few steps between Percy and Clara. Then a table. Then a hallway. Now... Neither was trying to close that distance.