The morning sun spilled gold across the dirt road as the buggy rattled toward the academy—yet Natasha's heart felt heavier than ever. Natasha sat close beside Shaun, her braid swaying with each bump. But her expression wasn't its usual playful brightness—it was unsettled, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Shaun… are you seriously moving into the dormitory? In Silver Heaven Town?" she asked, almost as if hoping he would deny it.
Shaun shifted awkwardly, scratching his cheek. "Yeah. My parents decided it last night. They want me to focus completely on my studies without worrying about the farm or the long walk every morning."
Natasha's lips pressed together, caught between understanding and sadness. Her gaze dropped to her lap, her voice quieter now. "So that means… I won't be waiting outside your home every morning anymore."
Shaun gave her a small smile. "I'll still be around—but only in the academy. Once I move into the dormitory tomorrow, I won't be coming home until I graduate… four years from now."
Her heart gave a little twist at those words. Four years. Natasha glanced back at him, her eyes soft but heavy. "I understand your parents' decision. It's the right thing for you. But…" she hesitated, then whispered, "I'll miss those mornings."
Shaun's chest tightened, but he forced a steady voice. "Me too. But this is the path I need to walk—for their sake, and mine."
For a moment, silence stretched between them, broken only by the clatter of the buggy wheels. Then Shaun cleared his throat. "Natasha… thank you. For everything. You've been paying for my lodgings these past months. I don't know how I would've managed without you."
Natasha blinked, then puffed her cheeks and smacked his arm lightly. "Don't make it sound like such a big deal! Hmph. For you, Shaun, it's nothing. Absolutely nothing."
Her playful scolding softened the air between them, and Shaun chuckled. Yet beneath Natasha's mock anger was a truth she couldn't quite hide—her generosity had always been for him, and she didn't regret a single coin spent.
After a pause, Natasha leaned a little closer, her tone quieter, almost vulnerable. "Promise me one thing, Shaun."
He looked at her curiously. "What is it?"
"Even if you're in the dormitory… even if we don't meet every morning anymore… promise me we'll still spend time together. That you won't forget about me."
Shaun gave her a small smile. "Natasha, you're being a little dramatic, we're not separating. We'll still see each other in class every single day. The only difference is we won't be walking together in the mornings or going back to the village after classes. That's all."
Natasha blinked at him, then slowly let out a breath. A small smile tugged at her lips. "Only just that, huh? Okay… I'll manage it."
She turned her gaze back to the road ahead, her smile lingering as a quiet thought nestled in her heart—manage it for now, at least. Shaun didn't notice, but Natasha's eyes glimmered with something.
**********
The long day at the academy finally came to an end. The corridors were thinning as disciples streamed out toward the courtyard, the buzz of chatter echoing off the stone walls. Shaun walked beside Natasha, their steps slow, when suddenly a voice called out behind them.
"Thunderhawk! Ikazuchi! Seaborne!"
The two froze. Sabastian turned as well, his eyes narrowing. To their surprise, Albus, Cedric, Jasper, and Blaise were striding toward them—not with their usual smirks, but with strangely solemn expressions.
Shaun tensed instinctively, readying himself for another confrontation. Natasha's eyes sharpened like daggers. But then Albus stopped a few paces away, bowed his head slightly, and said words none of them expected.
"We… owe you an apology."
The corridor went still. Natasha blinked, her suspicion only deepening. "An apology? From you four?"
Albus's jaw tightened, but his voice remained steady. "Yes. After yesterday's… incident, we were summoned to Master Edward's chamber. He… didn't hold back. Said our behaviour was disgraceful for disciples of Silver Heaven. That we had forgotten what it truly means to be Magi."
Jasper shifted uneasily, scratching his head. "He told us about the struggles commoners face just to enter this academy. How some of you risk everything just for a chance to study here. While nobles like us waltz in without effort…"
Blaise's usual sly tone was missing, his voice low instead. "It opened our eyes. We realized how wrong we've been—how much strength it takes just for commoners to stand where we stand."
Finally, Cedric clenched his fists, meeting Shaun's gaze directly. "You have courage we never acknowledged. From now on, we want to change that. We don't want to be your enemies anymore. We want to stand with you."
A stunned silence followed. Then Albus stepped forward and extended his hand. "As redemption… we offer you our friendship. To support you however we can."
Sabastian's face lit up instantly, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. "R-really? You mean it?"
Shaun hesitated. He searched their faces, wary, but something in their tone… felt genuine. Slowly, he nodded, shaking Albus's hand. "If you truly mean it, then I'll accept."
Natasha, however, folded her arms, her lips tight. "Hmph. Forgive me if I don't celebrate so easily. People don't change overnight. I'll be watching to see if your words match your actions."
Albus didn't flinch, merely inclined his head. "Fair enough."
Then Jasper grinned, a spark of his old self returning. "All the more reason to prove ourselves. Which is why we'd like to celebrate tonight. A party at the Silver Heaven marketplace. Food, drink, laughter… as new friends."
Sabastian nearly jumped. "Yes! Of course—I'll come!" His voice brimmed with rare excitement.
But Shaun shook his head. "I can't. I need to check Naomi's Dormitory this evening. I'll be moving in tomorrow, and I want to make sure everything is ready."
Natasha quickly added, "Then I won't be going either. Someone has to make sure Shaun doesn't get tricked into a bad room deal."
Blaise chuckled. "Convenient, then. Naomi's Dormitory is near the academy—and not far from the marketplace. You can visit your dorm, then join us afterward. We'll be waiting."
Shaun paused, considering. Finally, he nodded. "Alright. Once I'm done, we'll come find you."
The four nobles exchanged satisfied glances, their smiles oddly warm this time. "Good. Then it's settled," Albus said firmly.
As the four nobles left and later Sabastian left as well, Natasha lingered, her brow furrowed. She tugged Shaun lightly by the sleeve, pulling him aside.
"Shaun… don't you think their change of heart is a little too sudden? Yesterday they spat on Sabastian, and today they call him their friend? That doesn't add up."
Shaun hesitated. "Maybe Master Edward's words really did reach them. He has that kind of weight."
But Natasha's arms folded tight, her lips pursed. "Or maybe they've just learned to hide their venom behind smiles. People don't change overnight, Shaun. I don't trust them yet."
Shaun sighed but didn't argue. Deep down, her words left a shadow of unease in his chest. Shaun and Natasha also left for their classrooms.
But as they departed, none of them noticed a figure standing at the far end of the hall, half-hidden in shadow. Shaumin leaned casually against a pillar, his sharp black eyes fixed on them. A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he turned and strode away, the conversation etched firmly in his mind.
***********