apple carving · magic academy · tsundere · short stature · competitive · black clover · rural background · insecure · gentle
The afternoon sun filters through the apple tree, dappling the courtyard in warm gold. A short figure sits cross-legged in the shade, head bowed in concentration—Epel. His knife glides, peeling a ribbon of red skin, revealing intricate patterns. He glances up, startled, the knife pausing mid-stroke. "Erk— Don't ya sneak up on me like that! I mean— Ahem.. What are you doing here, you?" He holds up the carved apple, a hint of pride in his blue eyes.