"After spending so long here… it's almost sad to go."
Tori's voice was soft, carried by the morning breeze.
The sea stretched before him, endless and blue, whispering promises he wasn't sure he was ready to hear.
"But I know I'll do great things out there," he said, eyes gleaming with hope.
"Isn't that right, Sunless?"
Sunless stood beside him, arms crossed, wind tugging at his coat.
"Yeah, Tori. Of course. Out there, we'll conquer the seas together."
Tori chuckled. "Even if you're the unluckiest mortal alive?"
Sunless groaned. "Urgh, yes. Stop bringing that up. It still stings being branded with a curse at awakening."
His voice cracked with mock annoyance, but beneath it was truth — the kind that never quite stopped hurting.
"Okay, okay," Tori said, smiling. "I was only joking."
They turned from the sea and walked back toward the academy.
The air felt heavier today.
The usual laughter and chatter had faded into quiet goodbyes and lingering glances.
Even the walls seemed to sigh.
"What's with the long faces?" Tori asked a group of girls near the entrance.
"It's just… today everyone's leaving," one sniffled.
Tori smiled gently. "Why be sad? All good things come to an end anyway."
But even he felt the ache.
Even he knew that some endings weren't meant to be easy.
The auditorium was packed.
Families filled every seat, eyes shining with pride and sorrow.
The stage glowed beneath the morning sun, polished and waiting.
The Grandmaster Bishop stepped forward, robes flowing, smile radiant.
"Welcome, everyone, to the 34th graduation ceremony of Aspin's most powerful academy," he began.
"I thank you all for raising such bright children.
Some of them… well, let's just say they tested my patience.
Some barely attended class.
Some had a few loose screws — but I managed to screw them back on tight!"
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
Some students sobbed quietly.
Sunless raised an eyebrow.
"Seriously? Crying at graduation?" Mica muttered.
"Shh, before someone hears you," Sunless whispered.
Sylph chuckled, her eyes soft.
"Now," the Bishop said, "let me call the first batch of students."
Tori tugged at his collar. "Crap. Do I look okay?"
Issac, dressed in his usual luxurious attire, glanced over.
"You look… alright. For a commoner."
Tori rolled his eyes. Stupid rich boy.
Name after name echoed through the hall — each one a story, a memory, a chapter closing.
"Issac Reevire," the Bishop called.
Cheers erupted.
Fangirls screamed.
Fan clubs waved banners.
Their noble prince was leaving.
Issac walked across the stage like it belonged to him.
Every step was deliberate.
Every breath, composed.
He shook the Bishop's hand.
"Issac Reevire," the Bishop said, voice trembling.
"The strongest child in this school.
He has a bright future ahead — if he ever decides to become an adventurer."
Then—
"Tori Reglard!"
The room burst into cheers.
Whistles.
Laughter.
Tori ran across the stage, waving like a clown.
The Bishop cleared his throat.
"Tori Reglard," he said, smiling.
"Our brightest student… and our clown.
Not everything requires the enthusiasm this boy carries,
but sometimes, the world needs someone like him —
a light in the darkness."
A single tear rolled down his cheek.
"I'll miss scolding him.
But good things come to an end."
Tori blinked.
"Don't cry, old man. I'll come back and visit."
He hugged the Bishop quickly and ran off.
After the ceremony, families reunited in the stands.
"Congrats, my boy," Eric said, slapping Tori's back.
"Even though you graduated on some bad terms academically… you did good. I guess."
"Congratulations, Tori!" Alice said, pulling him into a tight hug.
The Bishop approached Sunless, Mica, and Sylph.
"Do you three intend to go with Tori out to sea?" he asked.
"You're some of our brightest. It would be sad to see you go."
Sunless smiled. "Sorry, but there's no way Tori's surviving out there without us."
Mica nodded.
Sylph smiled.
"I see," the Bishop said. "Then never forget your teachings.
Goodbye, you three."
After taking photos with his class.
"Let's go home. Your mother cooked up a feast for your friends." Eric said calling Tori over to leave.
"Hold on," Tori said, running toward Issac.
"Heey! Come over to my house and eat!"
Issac gave him a soft smile.
"Fine."
That night, the group gathered around the table.
Laughter.
Stories.
Food passed between hands like memories.
It was the final night they would spend on Aspin.
Each of them carried their own sadness.
Their own fears.
But they shared them — openly, quietly, together.
The morning came.
Tori woke at 5:45.
He splashed water on his face, jolting himself awake.
Then he climbed out the window, landing on his father's personal training field.
It was a luxury he hadn't earned.
But he used it like he had — like he always would.
He stretched.
Breathed.
Faced the log post.
Then he began.
Slow strikes.
Then faster.
Precision.
Accuracy.
Each swing was a memory.
Each thwack, a goodbye.
His wheat-blonde hair danced in the breeze.
His golden eyes closed.
The sound of his blade was beautiful —
a quiet, complete rhythm.
The mastery of the Reglard Flame Style.
Sunless had already awakened.
He sat cross-legged, refining his core.
Mana shaped itself around him like breath.
He had done this for years —
but today, something changed.
He meditated deeper.
And then he saw it.
His core.
A vivid, azure light.
It shimmered, reflecting every experience he'd had on Aspin.
It radiated softly —
and stared back at him.
Almost… sunless.
After breakfast, the families walked to the docks.
The boat awaited — a gift from Issac.
Luxurious.
Three rooms.
A kitchen.
A bathroom.
Everything they needed to survive the sea.
Mica and Sylph arrived.
Sylph's butler cried quietly.
Mica's parents didn't come.
They had argued.
But her mind was made up.
She would fight beside her friends.
Issac arrived last.
His bag was heavy with luxury.
His butler stood tall beside him.
They boarded.
Tori leaned on the deck, staring down at his parents.
The others joined him.
"Well then… I guess this is goodbye for real, huh?"
"Guess it is," Eric said.
"But before I forget — both of you, come down here."
They leapt down.
Eric unwrapped a black cloth.
Two blades gleamed beneath it.
For Sunless — a katana.
Forged from the blacksmith's soul.
For Tori — a longsword.
Forged from the blacksmith's heart.
They unsheathed them.
They stared silent for awhile.
"Thanks, Dad," Sunless said.
"We'll cherish them. Even if we never use them again."
Tori smiled.
"Ha. Didn't think a gift like this would make me so happy. Thanks."
Alice gave them healing crystals.
The Ashuran family sent armor, weapons, food.
The ship began to drift.
The dock grew smaller.
The sea grew wider.
They waved.
And waved.
And waved.
Until the shore was a memory.
Tori didn't want to leave.
Not yet.
But he had to.
If he wanted to make his dream a reality.