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"Hi," Krystal said, extending her arm so Delilah could shake it.

Delilah took it, and flinched as Krystal tightened her grip. It felt like she was trying to crush her hand. Delilah pulled away, a fake smile on her lips. "Nice handshake," she remarked.

Krystal smiled. "My full name's Krystallos, you know. It's Greek. So, are you and Julius dating?"

The question took both partners by surprise. They quickly denied it. "No, no, no! We're just best friends."

The new girl nodded knowingly. What was that expression in her eyes? Why had her eyes seemed to brighten when they had explained they weren't dating? Al's voice over the intercom broke the awkward silence.

"Delilah, Julius and Krystal to my office please,"

"Wonder what he wants?" Delilah commented, walking out the door.

Julius shrugged. "Probably just sending us on another mission."

Delilah glanced at her sling. "Yeah ..."

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[Al's office]

Al grinned as the trio walked in the door. "Ah, so you've, like, met Krystal. Great, makes my job a lot easier. Don't worry, I'm not sending you on a mission. You guys deserve a break. I just want you to take Krystal under your wing. Y'know, show her the ropes while your arm heals, Delilah."

Delilah smiled faintly, not knowing if this news was good. She couldn't help but notice how Julius' eyes had lit up when Al announced this.

"Great!" Julius exclaimed. "So, she's part of the team?"

Al shook his head. "Nope. Krystal will get paired up with another agent after you two have, like, tutored her, man. You are the best of the best."

This made Delilah brighten up a bit. So this girl wouldn't be with them forever. Just a few days. And then it would be back to normal.

"Delilah, why don't you show Krystal some fencing moves?" Al suggested.

She nodded. "Sure, boss."

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[Fencing arena]

Krystal was good at fencing, Delilah had to admit that. But it was obvious Delilah was better. She hadn't lost a match for years, and today wouldn't put a black mark on her record. Especially not with Julius watching her.

Delilah decided it was time for her favourite move, the flèche. She transferred her weight onto her front foot and began to extend her arm. Continuing to bring the sword, arm and front shoulder forward, she picked up her back foot, crossed her front leg, and landed it in front of the other - as if taking an exaggerated walking step. When her back foot hit the floor, Delilah's arm was fully extended.

Krystal looked down at the sword point touching her chest. Her eyes flashed dangerously - or was it a trick of the light? Delilah smiled. "Good try."

Krystal nodded, and headed into the equipment room to put away her things. Julius frowned at Delilah. "You shouldn't have beaten her on the first try."

Delilah was flabbergasted. "What? Why?"

"I know you're the best fencer at the Academy. You should have given her a chance."

Delilah narrowed her eyes. "I'm going back to my room for a shower."

Julius nodded, and then headed back to the equipment room. Just as Delilah left, she heard Julius say, "Hey Krystal, how about a game with me?"

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Delilah sat down on her bed moodily. She hadn't needed a shower, she had barely broken a sweat. Why had Julius reprimanded her like that? If she had let Krystal win, what would that have taught her, huh? Delilah rubbed her injured arm. Julius hadn't even bothered to ask how she was feeling.

"You're just overreacting," she told her reflection in the window. "He's just being friendly. Besides, why should I care if he likes her?"

Delilah was about to turn her eyes away from the window pane when she saw something. It was Julius and Krystal, waling around outside. He had his arm around her shoulders, and they were laughing. Delilah looked away, blinking back tears.