Path of the Unmentioned: The Missing Piece-Chapter 89: The Same, But Not [1]

The glowing blue letters on the projection screen burned into Kyle’s eyes.

[WINNER: TEAM 7]

Beneath it flashed [Margin of Victory: 0.008 seconds] in the smaller text.

For one frozen moment. The entire observation hall held its breath. Then exploded into chaos.

Kyle’s legs finally gave out.

His knees hit the polished marble floor with a solid thump. His palms slapping against the cool surface to catch himself.

All the simulated injuries.

The deep claw marks across his thigh, the arrow graze on his shoulder were gone now that he’d exited the rift.

But his nervous system hadn’t gotten the memo. His thigh still burned where the Vorthal had raked him, and his head throbbed like he had been headbutted by a minotaur.

"Kyle!"

Sylvie’s voice cut through the noise as she pushed through the crowd of students.

She dropped to her knees beside him. Her oversized wand clattering to the floor forgotten. "Are you—?"

"Still in one piece?" Kyle rasped, wiping sweat from his forehead with a shaky hand. "Mostly."

Sylvie bit her lip. Her usual nervous energy returning now that the adrenaline was fading.

"I-I’m sorry Serena got past me at the end. I tried to hold them off but—"

"You took on Lyra and Reo by yourself," Kyle interrupted.

"That bought me the time I needed to reach the finish line."

She blinked, then nodded. Her cheeks turning slightly pink.

Behind her, the rest of Team 7 gathered. Orion’s massive frame blocked out the overhead lights as he loomed over them.

His usual stoic expression cracked by the smallest smirk Kyle had ever seen.

Without warning. The earth mage brought his large hand down on Kyle’s back with enough force to rattle his teeth.

"Good work, kid," Orion rumbled, his warhammer still clutched in his other hand.

Kyle winced. "Thanks. My spine might disagree though."

Isolde crossed her arms. Her golden eyes sharp despite the exhaustion darkening them.

"I really thought we were done for when Lyra ambushed us on those pillars."

Roland, still rubbing at his chest where the arrow had struck him in the simulation. Let out a disbelieving chuckle.

"I still can’t believe we actually won."

Kyle smirked. "Honestly? Same."

Their moment of celebration was cut short as Brynn Foxglove’s voice crackled through the hall’s amplification system.

"Settle down," he drawled, scratching at his perpetual five o’clock shadow.

"Congrats to Team 7. You pushed past your limits, some of you more than others." His gaze lingered on Kyle before flicking to Cedric and Eleanora’s team.

"The rest of you? Better luck next time."

A chorus of groans echoed through the room.

Brynn ignored them, tapping at his mana tablet.

"You will all get detailed performance breakdowns on your mana bands by tonight. Strengths, weaknesses, areas to improve. Don’t ignore it. This exam wasn’t just about winning. It was about learning where you need work."

A murmur of agreement spread through the crowd.

Even Cedric, who had been glaring at the results screen with unusual intensity nodded thoughtfully. Clearly already analyzing his mistakes.

Then Aurelia stepped forward, her sharp blue eyes scanning the assembled students.

"Your next group assignment..." she announced her voice crisp,

"...is to analyze the monster your team faced. Identify its weaknesses, strengths, and any tactical errors made during your engagement. Prepare a a presentation, you have two days."

The collective groan that rose from the students could probably be heard back in the rift.

Aurelia arched one perfectly shaped eyebrow. "In real combat, mistakes mean death. Not a second chance."

Kyle exhaled through his nose.

Right. No do-overs when your life was actually on the line.

"You’re dismissed," Brynn added, waving a hand.

"No classes for the rest of the day. Rest, recover, and do whatever you want."

As the crowd began dispersing.

Kyle pushed himself up with a grunt, stretching his sore muscles. "Guess we should get started on that report."

Isolde hesitated. then cleared her throat awkwardly.

"Uh, Kyle..." She fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve before suddenly thrusting out her hand. "Good job. And... thanks. For saving me back there."

A beat of silence passed before Orion snorted.

Roland quickly turned his laugh into a cough, while Sylvie bit her lip to keep from smiling.

Kyle shook her hand, smiling. "Anytime. Just maybe don’t freeze up next time a monster’s about to gut you, yeah?"

Isolde’s face turned approximately the same shade as her bright red hair.

Sylvie twirled her wand between her fingers. "S-so... when should we meet to work on the report?"

"Tomorrow afternoon?" Isolde suggested quickly. "Gives us time to rest and review the footage first."

Kyle nodded. "Library workroom?"

The others agreed, and with that. They went their separate ways.

Kyle trudged down the academy’s main hall, rolling his stiff shoulders. Every muscle in his body ached.

All he wanted was a long, cold shower and about ten hours of uninterrupted sleep.

But as he turned the corner toward the academy quarters. A familiar voice called out.

"Kyle!"

He turned to see Eleanora standing near the courtyard entrance. The afternoon sunlight catching in her light blonde hair.

She smiled warmly as she approached, her ruby eyes sparkling.

"Congratulations on your win," she said, stopping just a step away. "That was incredibly close."

Kyle rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly hyper-aware of how disheveled he must look. "Thanks. You almost had me at the end there."

Eleanora laughed softly. The sound like wind chimes.

"Modest as always." She tilted her head slightly studying him.

"You look exhausted."

"Yeah, well," Kyle said with a tired grin "fighting nightmare monsters tends to do that."

She hummed in agreement, then hesitated for just a moment before asking.

"Would you like to go to the cafe together? My treat. Consider it a victory celebration."

Kyle blinked. That was... unexpected.

"Uh, sure" he heard himself say before his brain fully caught up. "I could definitely use some food."

Eleanora’s smile widened, lighting up her entire face. "Great! I know just the place."

———

Kyle blinked as they stepped into the cafe. His tired brain taking a second to process the decor.

Soft pink lighting. Heart-shaped tables. Couples everywhere holding hands or feeding each other desserts.

A giant crystal chandelier shaped like intertwined wedding rings hung from the ceiling.

"Oh," Kyle said intelligently.

Eleanora clasped her hands together, her ruby eyes sparkling.

"Isn’t it lovely? I have wanted to come here forever!" She leaned in conspiratorially.

"I heard they have the best strawberry shortcake in the entire academy."

Kyle eyed the couple at the nearest table who were attempting to share a milkshake with two straws.

The girl giggled as some of it dripped onto her boyfriend’s uniform.

"Uh" Kyle said, scratching the back of his neck. "Isn’t this... a couples cafe?"

Eleanora tilted her head, looking genuinely puzzled for a moment before laughing.

"Oh! That’s just a marketing gimmick. The owner told me they get better tips that way." She grabbed his sleeve, tugging him toward an empty booth in the corner.

"Come on, I’m starving after that exam."

The booth was suspiciously shaped like a heart.

Kyle slid in carefully, half-expecting it to start vibrating or something.

A menu floated down from the ceiling. Glowing with romantic pink script that listed things like ’Love Potion Latte’ and ’Cupid’s Arrow Pancakes.’

Eleanora didn’t seem to notice. She was already excitedly pointing at the dessert section.

"Look! They have chocolate fondue too. We should—" ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

"Princess Eleanora?"

They both turned to see a group of noble girls from their year standing there. Their eyes wide. One of them dropped her spoon.

It clattered loudly against her "Kiss Me" themed plate.

Eleanora’s smile didn’t waver. "Good afternoon, Lady Clarisse. Enjoying the cake?"

The girl. Clarisse, looked between them, her mouth opening and closing like a fish.

"You’re... with..." Her gaze landed on Kyle’s.

Kyle resisted the urge to slide under the table.

"Yes!" Eleanora said brightly, completely oblivious to the growing tension.

"We are celebrating Kyle’s victory. The match was incredible, wasn’t it?" She turned to Kyle. "Oh, you have to try the—"

"WE HAVE TO GO" Clarisse blurted. Dragging her friends away before Eleanora could finish.

Kyle stared after them, then at Eleanora. Who was already flagging down a waiter shaped like a floating cherub.

"You..." He hesitated. "You really don’t see what’s happening here, do you?"

Eleanora blinked at him. "Hm?"

Kyle gestured at the heart-shaped everything. "This place. It’s... you know."

Eleanora followed his gaze, then burst out laughing.

"Oh! That?" She waved a hand dismissively.

"Honestly, I just come for the cake. The owner’s daughter is my childhood friend. Their pastry chef used to work for the royal family."

A floating tray delivered two enormous slices of strawberry shortcake topped with edible gold leaf.

Eleanora immediately dug in. Getting a bit of cream on her nose.

Kyle opened his mouth, then closed it.

He picked up his fork.

Maybe some things didn’t need explaining.

The cake was, admittedly, incredible.

———