When dawn came, the first rays of sunlight crept over the dunes. Toma stirred, blinking against the pale light, and realized his head was resting softly against Lyrien’s chest.

  “I slept so well. It’s time to get up!” Toma yawned as he stretched, then reached for the wild fruits he’d saved for breakfast. The rustle of his movements woke Lyrien beside him.

  “Toma?” she murmured.

  “Sorry, did I wake you, Lyrien?” he asked, offering a sheepish smile.

  “It’s fine! It’s actually better to set off at dawn when it isn’t so hot yet. Come eat—there’s still enough food and water left for you,” she replied, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.

  “Thanks!” he said, taking a few bites.

  “I’ll get the camel up,” Lyrien added, moving to wake the animal.

  Once they were ready, they continued their journey across the desert on the camel’s back. They traveled for four hours, talking a lot about the academy and academy life, getting to know each other better. At times, Lyrien dozed off again on the camel, leaning against Toma’s shoulder as they rode.

  Eventually a large sand hill appeared in the distance. As they drew closer, the hill loomed big but climbable.

  “Lyrien, I suggest we climb to the top of that hill,” Toma said, pointing ahead. “From up there we’ll have a better view of what’s ahead. We’re out of water and food, so finding an oasis would be perfect.”

  “You’re right, Toma—let’s go!” she agreed.

  They started upward, but this dune felt different from the one Toma had climbed before. Even the camel could follow; there was a passable path winding to the summit.

  “This path isn’t that steep, but it’s longer,” Toma noted as they picked their way up.

  When they reached the top, something unexpected met their eyes.

  “Look, Toma—that’s a pyramid!” Lyrien breathed.

  “Yeah, I see it!” he said, scanning the base of the hill. “And at the base there’s an oasis—we have to go there and get food and water.”

  “Good idea! But look—there seem to be people guarding the pyramid,” she observed, concern sharpening her tone.

  Toma frowned. “I bet they’re being tactical: preventing every competitor or rival class from passing. Sneaky and rotten.”

  “So what do we do now? There are only two of us against them…” Lyrien asked, worry in her voice.

  “That’s fine—I'll beat anyone, and you’re strong too, so nothing to worry about,” Toma said confidently, offering her an encouraging nod. “But let’s attack them at night instead; there’ll surely be fewer guards then.”

  “Good idea, Toma!” she agreed, relief and resolve in her tone.

  “Okay, let’s go down the hill and head to the oasis,” he decided.

  “Alright!” Lyrien answered, and together they began descending toward the oasis below.

  Lyrien, Toma, and their camel descended the sandy slope of the hill, the soft crunch of shifting grains following their every step. Once they reached the base, they made their way around to the far side, where the oasis shimmered beneath the sun like a piece of liquid glass.

  “Water, finally! I haven’t had a drink since morning!” Toma exclaimed eagerly, his voice full of relief as he rushed toward the pond.

  “Careful, Toma! You shouldn’t drink too much at once!” Lyrien warned, her tone half stern, half amused.

  “You’re right, Lyrien,” he admitted, slowing down. As he glanced around, his gaze caught on a small spring that flowed from a crevice in the rocky hillside. The clear water trickled gracefully into the pond below, creating tiny ripples across the surface.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “Look, Lyrien! There’s a spring over there—that’s where the water comes from,” he said, pointing. “It’s better to fill up from there; it’s cleaner.”

  “You’re right,” she replied with a nod. “I’ll pick some fruit while you do that. We should eat.”

  After refilling their bottles and gathering ripe fruit, they sat together under the shade of a palm tree, eating and drinking until their hunger and thirst finally faded.

  “I’m finally full! I was starving,” Lyrien sighed contentedly.

  “Yeah, me too,” Toma said with a grin. “These fruits are pretty good, though you have to eat a lot of them to feel full.”

  “So what should we do until evening?” she asked, brushing sand from her hands.

  “I’m going for a swim in this lovely little oasis pond!” Toma declared, pulling off his shirt without hesitation.

  Lyrien’s eyes widened before she quickly turned away, her face burning red. Whoa… he’s so muscular… she thought, her heart racing.

  “What’s wrong, Lyrien? Your face is all red,” Toma asked curiously, glancing at her.

  “It’s just… really hot here in the desert!” she stammered, trying to compose herself.

  “Then come swim too!” he said cheerfully. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep my underwear on—even my shorts. They’ll dry soon enough.”

  “But doesn’t it bother you that we’re drinking from the same water you’re bathing in?” she asked.

  “Nope,” he replied casually. “I fill my water from the spring.”

  “I don’t really want to undress out here,” Lyrien said hesitantly, glancing around the open desert.

  “It’s fine!” Toma said with a teasing smile. “Your underwear’s basically the same as a swimsuit anyway.”

  Damn it, what should I do? Lyrien thought, panicking a little. Should I really let Toma see me in my underwear? No, I can’t—I’m from a noble family! A girl like me can’t just do that! Wait… I’ve got it! I’ll come up with something!

  Her eyes lit up with determination as she looked at him and replied, “You’re right, but the academy drones are watching us, and I don’t want anyone to see me!”

  “Oh, I didn’t even think of that!” Toma said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Alright then, I’ll go alone—I haven’t had a bath in days anyway.”

  With that, he jumped into the water, splashing and swimming toward the center of the pond. But a moment later, his voice rang out in panic.

  “Help! Something grabbed me! It’s trying to pull me underwater! I’m going to drown! Help!”

  “No, Toma! I’m coming!” Lyrien screamed, throwing herself into the water without hesitation. She swam as fast as she could toward him—but when she reached the spot, Toma was gone.

  “Toma!? Where are you, Toma!?” she shouted frantically.

  Suddenly, he burst up from beneath the surface, grinning from ear to ear. “Hey there! Isn’t the water amazing?”

  “Toma, you liar! So nothing was wrong after all!?” she yelled, glaring at him.

  “Nope,” he laughed. “I just wanted to trick you into coming into the water too.”

  “You jerk!” Lyrien shouted, splashing water right into his face.

  “Alright, alright! I admit it—that wasn’t nice of me! I’m sorry!” he said, laughing as he wiped his face. “I just wanted you to relax a bit too! I’ll make it up to you by catching some fish for dinner tonight—I’ll cook!”

  “Fine, fine! Since you’re begging that much, I’ll forgive you,” Lyrien said, crossing her arms with mock annoyance.

  “Good! Then how about a race—first one to the shore wins!” Toma challenged.

  “You’re on!” she replied, and in an instant, they both dove forward, sending waves rippling across the tranquil surface of the oasis.

  ***

  Meanwhile, Arlen and Arvian had already completed their mission a day earlier, and now they were waiting in the academy’s grand hall with the rest of the returning students, watching the live broadcast of the ongoing expedition. The academy provided them with food and lodging while they waited for the others to finish.

  “Hey, sorry Arvian, I went to grab lunch. Did anything happen with Toma while I was gone?” Arlen asked as he sat down beside him.

  “Not really,” Arvian replied, his eyes fixed on the large projection screen at the front of the hall.

  “Then why is everyone staring at his broadcast?” Arlen asked curiously.

  “I have no idea. Right now he’s just swimming in some oasis with a girl. Looks like they’re having the time of their lives,” Arvian said dryly.

  Arlen leaned forward, squinting through the crowd. “If I’m seeing right, that girl is Lyrien. But I can barely tell with all these people packed in front of the screen.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. And all these girls are blocking the view — I’m moving somewhere else,” Arvian muttered in irritation.

  Before he could, one of the girls shoved Arlen aside. “Hey, move it! I can’t see that hot guy because of you!” she snapped, elbowing her way forward.

  Arlen let out a weary sigh and stepped back, deciding it wasn’t worth arguing. In front of the monitor, a swarm of girls was chattering with barely contained excitement.

  “That Toma guy is seriously handsome — and did you see those muscles?” one of them gushed.

  “Yeah, and he’s such a flirt! Pretending to drown just to get her in the water with him — smooth move!” another giggled.

  “So romantic!” squealed a third.

  Arvian crossed his arms, unimpressed. “He’s just goofing off. He should be focusing on the actual mission,” he said.

  “Still, he’s clearly got the girls’ attention,” Arlen replied with a small grin.

  “Yeah, so much that you got shoved aside for him,” Arvian muttered, rolling his eyes.

  “Whatever,” Arlen said, standing up. “I’m heading back to the dorm. I’ll watch Toma’s stream later tonight.”