Help! My Moms Are Overpowered Tyrants, and I'm Stuck as Their Baby!-Chapter 136: Avoidance Tactics

I didn't consider myself particularly observant when it came to social subtleties Riven reminded me of this repeatedly but even I couldn't miss the way Velka had been avoiding me since breakfast. She moved around me like I was cursed, her eyes skittering away whenever I tried to catch her gaze. It was maddening, mostly because I had absolutely no idea why she'd suddenly decided I was a plague.

We stood gathered around Master Thalos on the combat training field, an open expanse ringed by iron posts etched with defensive glyphs. A circle of protective runes glowed softly beneath our feet, and the air buzzed faintly with suppressed magical energy. The late afternoon sun cast amber streaks over the field, turning everything slightly golden.

Velka was positioned deliberately on the opposite side of our small cluster, standing rigidly still. Her dark hair fell neatly down her shoulders, perfectly combed as always, eyes trained stubbornly on Master Thalos as if I didn't exist. I tried waving once, experimentally. She turned her head so fast I worried she might injure herself.

"Is it me, or is Velka acting weirder than usual today?" Riven muttered quietly beside me, his eyes flicking between the two of us with an expression far too amused for my liking.

"It's definitely not just you," Aria whispered, subtly pushing her glasses up her nose. "She hasn't said a word to Elyzara since breakfast, and she's usually insulting her at least once an hour."

Riven smirked. "Maybe she finally realized she has a heart and now she's allergic to feelings. Vampires are sensitive, you know."

I glared at him. "Helpful, thank you. Remind me again why we're friends?"

He shrugged casually. "Entertainment value."

Master Thalos cleared his throat loudly, snapping all attention to the front. "Today's exercise is about cooperation under pressure. You'll be paired in duos, facing magical constructs designed to test your defensive coordination and offensive strategies. I want precise teamwork, controlled magic, and no unnecessary theatrics." His gaze lingered meaningfully on Riven. "Am I clear?"

"Yes, Master Thalos," we echoed dutifully.

He began reading the pairings aloud. My heart sank instantly when he called out, "Elyzara and Velka, you're team one."

Velka visibly stiffened, looking like someone had just informed her she'd be spending the day scrubbing toilets rather than practicing combat. Still, she nodded briefly to Thalos and moved silently toward the training circle without once glancing in my direction.

"Have fun," Riven whispered cheerfully. "Try not to murder each other. Or at least let me know beforehand so I can place bets."

I elbowed him sharply, ignoring his quiet laugh, and stepped carefully onto the circle beside Velka. She remained utterly silent, her gaze locked stubbornly forward, pale skin glowing faintly beneath the enchanted glyphs. I stood closer, lowering my voice cautiously. "Are you all right?"

Her jaw tightened slightly. "I'm fine," she replied tersely, eyes still fixed straight ahead.

"Really? Because you're acting very much not fine. Did I do something?"

"No."

I frowned. "You're sure?"

"Yes."

The answer felt strained, curt enough to sting a bit. Frustrated, I folded my arms. "All right, then. Glad we cleared that up."

She didn't respond. The silence between us stretched awkwardly until Master Thalos raised his hand, summoning forth two magical constructs shaped from elemental energies twisting forms of flame and shadow, bound in humanoid shapes.

"Begin," he commanded sharply.

Velka immediately stepped forward, raising one hand smoothly. Shadows spilled from her fingertips, forming a protective barrier. "Cover the left side," she said shortly, still avoiding my gaze.

I swallowed my annoyance and moved into position, calling forth fire in bright spirals around my wrists. The constructs lunged simultaneously one cloaked in shadow, the other roaring with flames.

We moved instinctively at first, weaving between defense and attack with practiced ease despite our tension. Velka's shadows deflected blows with icy precision while my flames drove our enemies backward, controlled bursts of heat and force. Yet something felt off, subtly unbalanced—like we weren't truly fighting as partners but simply two individuals who happened to share the same space.

A shadow construct lunged sharply toward Velka's blind spot. Instinctively, I threw myself forward, fire coiling from my fingertips, deflecting the attack inches from her shoulder. "Careful!" I snapped sharply.

Velka startled visibly, finally glancing briefly toward me. Her eyes widened slightly, and for just a moment, something softer flashed there before quickly shuttering again. "Right. Sorry."

I blinked in confusion, narrowly dodging another blow. Velka Nightthorn apologizing? To me?

"You don't seem very focused," I said, careful to keep my voice neutral. "Something wrong?"

Her lips tightened again, shadows swirling defensively around us both. "Nothing you need to worry about."

"Clearly not true," I muttered, blasting another construct backward. "You're practically avoiding looking at me, Velka."

She hesitated again, movements briefly faltering before recovering quickly. "Now isn't the time."

"It never is with you," I shot back sharply, frustration finally spilling over. "But if we're teammates, we need to trust each other, don't we?"

"Trust isn't the problem," she murmured cryptically, turning sharply to shield us both from a renewed assault. Her voice was quieter now, softer. "It's complicated."

"Then uncomplicate it," I retorted stubbornly, breathing harder as the constructs pressed closer.

She hesitated again, and I saw the conflict in her eyes the careful walls slipping momentarily before being rebuilt. "Later," she finally whispered. "Please."

The genuine plea in her voice startled me into silence, and we returned our attention fully to the fight. For now, I relented, forcing my thoughts back to combat alone.

Our combined power surged, my flames blending seamlessly with her shadow magic, creating a fierce barrier that drove the constructs steadily backward until, finally, Master Thalos signaled the end of our exercise. The constructs dissolved instantly into mist, leaving us standing quietly in the glowing circle.

"Excellent control and power," Master Thalos called approvingly. "Good teamwork."

I glanced cautiously toward Velka. Her expression had settled back into guarded neutrality, though faint tension still lingered around her eyes.

She turned away abruptly, stepping from the circle without another word. I hesitated briefly, then followed after her before she could fully retreat.

"Velka, wait," I called quietly, stepping in front of her. "Look, whatever it is, you can tell me. We're… allies, aren't we?"

She stared at me, conflicted, her eyes searching mine as though looking desperately for something. Then, slowly, she nodded. "We are."

"Then talk to me," I pressed softly. "Whatever this awkwardness is, we can figure it out. Did I offend you?"

"No, Elyzara," she said quickly, almost frustrated. "It's not you well, it is, but it's not your fault."

"That makes no sense," I sighed.

She rubbed her forehead lightly, clearly struggling. "Just give me a little space today, please? I promise, I'll explain eventually."

The vulnerability in her tone softened my irritation immediately. Velka rarely showed any weakness, and seeing it now made me feel strangely protective. "All right," I relented gently. "But don't avoid me forever. I need my annoying rival back eventually."

She smiled faintly, tension easing just a little. "Understood, princess."

We parted ways quietly, Velka slipping silently back toward the dormitories while I lingered, feeling oddly restless.

"Well, that looked intense," Riven announced loudly, strolling casually over with Aria close behind. "What secret love confession did we miss?"

"Shut up," I said automatically, rolling my eyes. "It wasn't anything like that."

"Hmm," Aria said thoughtfully, watching Velka's retreating form. "She does seem… unsettled."

"She's probably just plotting something villainous," Riven mused cheerfully. "Or planning a romantic gesture hard to tell with vampires."

I groaned, throwing up my hands dramatically. "You're both impossible. Can't people just have a bad day without it being some secret conspiracy or romance?"

"Of course not," Riven said promptly. "That would be boring."

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Aria smiled sympathetically. "Ignore him. If Velka wants to talk, she'll talk. Just be patient."

Patience wasn't exactly my strongest virtue, but I nodded reluctantly, knowing she was right. I would wait at least for now.

Still, as I watched Velka disappear down the corridor, my mind replayed our brief exchange again and again. Something deeper was troubling her, something she didn't yet trust me enough to share.

I didn't like secrets especially ones that seemed somehow connected to me. But I knew better than to push Velka too hard too soon.

Still, I couldn't stop thinking about it. Her silence. The way she avoided my eyes like they held answers she didn't want to find. The hesitation in her voice. And worst of all, that moment during training—so brief, yet unmistakable when her hand had trembled just slightly as our magic synced.

[I'm just going to say it,] the system murmured telepathically, its voice slinking into my mind like a cat slipping through curtains. [Your broody vampire friend is acting super weird. Even for someone with centuries of ancestral trauma.]

Thanks for the insight, I thought dryly. I never would've noticed.

[Oh, sarcasm. Excellent. That always helps unravel mysterious emotional breakdowns.]

Do you know what's wrong with her?

[If I did, don't you think I'd be monologuing already? She's blocking her thoughts well impressive, really. Cold, sharp, compartmentalized. Like an emotional vault.]

Great, I sighed mentally. So we're flying blind.

[Well, she didn't attack you, so that's progress. And I'm 90% sure she still likes you.]

Likes me? She's been dodging me like I'm a cursed sword.

[Exactly. Classic crush behavior. Run, avoid, brood. Teenage romance 101.]

I groaned aloud. This is not helpful.

[You're welcome.]